Limestone Figurative Sculptures

This limestone carving depicts a Fu Dog Guardian figure and was carved from a solid block. Sculptures such as these were used to protect ones home from bad spirits or bad luck. They ...

Lotto n. 10 Animali in travertino Fratelli Manelli 1970s -Art- Anno: 1970 circa Condizioni: Eccellenti Materiale: Travertino Misure: Cm 6/9/11/14/15 H, Cm 2/3 P, Cm 6/1...

This extraordinary pair of winged horses once graced the entrance to a Sicilian palazzo, flanking a stairway. They are quite large and well-preserved for...

Art Deco cold patinated Bronze sculpture by Marcel-André Bouraine entitled Satyr abducting a Nymph. The piece rest in a hand sculpted rock. Made in France Circa: 1930 Signature: ...

Rigid limestone pedestal from 1850s France.

18th Century Carved Limestone Sculpture of the Mythological Figure Pan. In ancient Greek mythology, Pan is the god of the wild, protector o...

Coral V2 is a 21st Century Travertino sculpture made by Italian artisans in white cream marble stone and black metal. The piece is manufactured in a limited edition of 150 signed and...

Provenance : - Kunsthaus Heinrich Hahn, Frankfurt am Main, sale 16, June 17, 1930, lot 16. - Sotheby's, Amsterdam, Feb. 26, 2006, lot 201. HISTORIC Located between Moselle valley and Meuse valley, framed by the Vosges Mountains on the south side and the duchy of Luxembourg on the north side, the duchy of Lorraine is the result of several partitions. It starts with the 9th century when the Carolingian empire is divided, with Lothar 1st inheriting Lotharingia. In 959 this territory was in turn divided in two; Lower and Upper Lotharingia, the latter being the forebear of the duchy of Lorraine. This duchy was under the rule of the Holy Roman Germanic Empire until 1736 when it was absorbed by the kingdom of France. All along its history the duchy of Lorraine has found itself in the midst of many conflicts. Alliances and feuds marking European history were always particularly sensible in Lorraine where instability was frequent. Because of its geographic position the duchy of Lorraine was also an artistic crossroad. Hence the duchy of Lorraine becomes from the 13th century onwards an important artistic centre where a particular type of Virgin and Child appears. According to professor J. A. Schmoll the characteristics of Lorraine sculpture burgeon around 1280-1300 in the Aube region. It presents “vigorous volumes, restrained movements, rare but solemn gestures and a strong interiorised and stern expression”. Those Virgins look similar with a wide forehead, a shield- or oval-shaped face, large neck, small lips and a cleft chin. This model is particularly in favour during the 13th century because of the revival for Marial worship and for the theme of the Virgin and Child. It bears witness to a new religious sensibility with a more intimate vision of religious practice. DESCRIPTION The important 14th century Virgin we present to you is one of the most beautiful examples of sculptural art from Eastern France, with her fascinating distant gaze. Her contrapposto posture is induced by the weight of the child she carries high on her left side. The child has a chubby face framed by blond hair with well defined curls and he wears a long red V-collared tunic from which emerge his feet. The fabric is animated by long folds. The position of the right foot turned to the back is a detail we can notice on several Virgins from Lorraine. He holds a bird that seems to be pecking his thumb. “The bird /held by the child in his hands/ has been read as a reference to an episode from Christ’s childhood when he has moulded sparrows with clay before giving them life. It appears in the apocryphal gospel of Pseudo-Matthew (ch. 27) and later in the Quran (III, 43, v. 110). However the iconography seems to be more influenced by the concept of Redemption or of Eucharist, the bird symbolising the soul of the Christian about to be redeemed or revitalised.” Mary wears a long dress with two rock crystal cabochons remaining from the original five. She is covered by a red cloak enriched with old-gold motifs draped as an apron falling in long pleats along her left hip. The relief treatment and the volume of the cloak developing a network of concentric pleats contrast with the the flat pleating of her dress. They nevertheless suggest the curve of her bent right leg. She wears a floret crown securing a short thin veil carved in very low relief. From it emerges her blond curled hair characteristic of the 13th century. The large face with almond-shaped eyes, straight nose, small lips and cleft chin casts its gaze afar in a fashion typical of 13th century Virgins. In her right hand she holds a lily flower. In a very refined manner the artist has carved a band on her right ring-finger. In the back, carefully sculpted, spreads the minutely detailed short veil. COMPARATIVE STUDIES This sculpture of great quality presents obvious similarities with Virgins from Lorraine, designated by William Forsythe...

A pair of magnificent detail Hebrew stone figures, One of the figures is missing a small piece.  

A fine antique limestone carving. Modeled as a Madonna. With her head slightly tilted, holding an orb in one hand, and with her other hand resting on her breast. By repute ...

Venancio Blanco (1923-2018) was a Spanish sculptor. His work is dedicated to bull, horses, and their rider. The title of this work is "Ride it" It is signed and numbered 2 on 6. It...

Found in a chateau in Loriol du Comtat, in the Provence region of France, this large-scale plaster sculpture is signed and dated by the artist, making it a rare find. Originally part of a boiserie containing a fireplace, the sculpture decorated the main hall of the chateau. The artist, Marius Sain, created the piece for the owners of the chateau in 1914. The lovely depiction of a shepherdess and her flock is a fitting subject for an area of France in which shepherding is such an important part of the culture. The preserved heritage of transhumance in Provence goes back at least 800 years, as evidenced by collections of ancient songs, stories, and art. Life-size in scale, the lovely sculpture features a mix of high-, mid-, and low-relief embellishments. A hooded shepherdess tends to her flock of sheep with a crook in hand. A dog sits calmly at her feet as the flock gathers in front of them. Both the shepherdess and the dog are in high relief, as is the lead sheep. The lamb seen suckling from the front sheep was crafted in mid relief, as is the visible head on the far right of the sculpture. There are a few sheep behind them in low relief. Large trees can be seen on either side of the group, while off in the background (faintly visible) are a castle with four fastigiate Mediterranean cypress trees (known as Stricta) and a spired church. The attention to detail is magnificent, with textured surfaces including the animals’ fur and the uneven ground. A previous owner (recently) had an iron and limestone stand created for displaying purposes. The cream-colored limestone has been cut into three pieces and is inset into the six-legged iron frame. Block print on the plaster can be seen just above the edge of the stand. The letters read Le Soir, which is French for “The Night”. The right side of the sculpture has been signed “M Sain 1914”. Marius Joseph Sain was born in 1877 in Avignon, France. In 1902, Sain moved to Paris to study at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. Through introductions by his older brother and painter, Paul...

Coral V1 is a 21st Century Travertino sculpture made by Italian artisans in white cream marble stone and black metal. The piece is manufactured in a limited edition of 150 signed and...

Francesco Marcangeli Contemporary sculpture titled "Giustizia" is made in 1980's in Rome, Italy. The bronze sculpture is setting on a limestone ba...

Coral V3 is a 21st Century Travertino sculpture made by Italian artisans in white cream marble stone and black metal. The piece is manufactured in a limited edition of 150 signed and...

The sculpture was made from a single block of Roman Travertine. Dimensions of the sculpture: cm 93 x 52 x 40 cm. Size of the sculpture with shaft an...

This stylish and chic bronze sculpture depicts a modern interpretation of Adam and eve with the apple and the snake. The sculptor is Melonski and we are uncertain of the date of crea...

Monumental midcentury handwrought iron Skelton statue. The head and the crown are removable. There are 3 pieces in total. The limestone base measurement of this sculpture is: 15.5 i...

16th century high relief limestone bust that topped a stone arch. Side heraldic decorations indicate a patron Saint. The face is weathered but the general condition is good.  

Midcentury, signed artist proof, figurative bronze "runner" statue on travertine base by noted Mexican sculptor Victor Salmones, circa 1960's. The piece is in excellent condition wit...

French 1930s limestone sculpture from Paris.

A pair of Italian early 20th century carved limestone "Panisci" figures (followers of the god pan, half children, half goats), playing musical instruments ...

Finely carved mythological roman subject of Aria in Lecce limestone. Excellent condition from an estate of Veneto. Measurements: Statues cm 160, base cm 85.

This weathered antique stone plaque was reputedly carved by a student of 20th century British architect and artist, Sir Hugh Casson. It depicts v...

Monumental antique Italian three-tiered garden fountain. Four Cariatidi surround the center base raising the water which spells from the waved shells. The second tier is supported by...