Wood Figurative Sculptures

Exceptionally Fine Wooden Sarcophagus Mask Third Intermediate Period, 21st Dynasty, circa 1069-945 BC. Acacia wood, rosewood, hippopotamus ivory Masterfully carved from a single piece of fine-grained hardwood, the present mask is characteristic of the most exquisite funerary art made during the 21st Dynasty, and was probably commissioned for a particularly high-ranking individual. The oval face displays a gently smiling mouth with full, outlined lips, furrows at the corners and a bow-shaped philtrum. The straight nose with rounded nostrils, the cheeks full and fleshy and the large, almond shaped eyes with heavy lids and tapering cosmetic lines, set below long, sweeping eyebrows. Social collapse across the Mediterranean in the Late Bronze Age meant that the 21st Dynasty in Egypt was a period of great turmoil. Trade routes were disrupted, governments collapsed, and mass migration occurred. Economic scarcity meant that traditional funerary practices in Egypt were also affected, with a lack of material and financial resources leading to the reuse of preexisting material. As a result, during the 21st Dynasty, 19th and 20th Dynasty coffins changed ownership rapidly and were heavily recycled for new purposes. Tombs were also unmarked allowing them to be shared by many people. These new practices brought forth a shift in the understanding of funerary paraphernalia. No longer important objects owned forever by the deceased, they were now simply seen as short-term transformative devices, whose symbolic and ritualistic meaning could be appropriated for others. However, paradoxically, the art of coffin-making also reached new heights during this period, and many of the richly dec- orated “yellow” coffins, characteristic of the 21st Dynasty, are remarkable works of art in their own right. Indeed, knowing that coffins were being reused throughout Egypt, the Egyptian élite set themself apart by commissioning lavish sarcophagi decorated with the images and texts meant to help guide them to the afterlife, and which would otherwise have adorned the tomb walls. As coffins were the chief funerary element which now identified the dead and allowed them a physical presence in the world of the living, their quality and appearance were of the utmost importance. The traditional coffin ensemble was made of three parts: a wooden mummy cover, which laid directly atop the mummy, an inner coffin, and an outer coffin, both made of a lid and case. Additional decorative elements, such as masks, were carved out separately and later glued or pegged to the lids. After the completion of the painted decoration, the sarcophagus was covered in a varnish to give it its yellow colour. Gilding was sometimes used for the coffins of the high priests’ families, notably on parts representing naked skin, such as the face mask. However, some of the élite tactically avoided gilding altogether as to ensure that their coffin would not be looted. When manufacturing the inner and outer coffins, particular attention was paid to the woodwork. Displaying the skill of the carpenter, this type of funerary art has largely remained unparalleled throughout Egyptian history. The principal wood used to craft the present mask is Acacia nilotica. The evergreen Egyptian acacia was considered sacred and said to be the tree of life, the birthplace of the god Horus, as well as symbolic of Osiris, the god of the dead and resurrection. The modelling of the face in the wood is superb, but the inlays also help mark this mask out as exceptional. Inlaid eyes and eyebrows were extremely rare and reserved to the finest and most expensive coffins. Traditionally, eyes were made of calcite, obsidian, or quartz, and eyebrows of coloured glass paste or bronze. Here, the pupils, eyebrows, and cosmetic lines are inlaid with Dalbergia melanoxylon, a rare type of wood which belongs to the rosewood genus. In antiquity, however, it was known as Ebony of the Pharaohs, from the Egyptian word “hbny”, meaning dark timber, because of its black, lustrous appearance. An extremely dense and hard wood requiring significant skill to work with, ebony was a luxury material highly coveted by the pharaohs themselves, to make furniture, decorative and funerary objects. The wood was imported with great effort from the southern Land of Punt, most likely modern Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Eritrea, alongside other luxury goods such as gold and ivory. A magnificent ebony throne, recovered in the tomb of King Tutankhamun, illustrates the incredible aesthetic potential of this material and why it was so highly valued by Egyptian royalty. Only élite members of Egyptian society could have afford- ed Ebony of the Pharaoh inlays for their funerary mask. The sclerae on the present piece were once both inlaid with hippopotamus ivory. Whiter than elephant ivory, this type of ivory is also denser, and more difficult to carve. The use of this luxury material, reputed for its gleaming appearance, enhances the lifelikeness of the eyes. For the Egyptians, hippopotamus ivory was imbued with magic powers. The hippopotamus was indeed both feared and venerated due to its aggressive behaviour. Whilst the male hippopotamus was associated with danger and chaos, the female was benevolent and invoked for protection, especially of the house and of mothers and their children, through the hippopotamus goddess Tawaret. Thus, not only was hippopotamus ivory used as an inlay and to make practical objects, such as combs and clappers, but it was also used to make talismans like apotropaic wands or knives. Made during a time of scarcity where few could afford made-to-order coffins, the present mask could have only belonged to one of the highest-ranking individuals in society. Undoubtedly one of the finest Egyptian coffin...

Sculpture “Mermaid” by Johnny Mattsson, Sweden, 1950s. Pine with teak base. Dimensions: H: 28 cm/ 11" D: 7 cm/ 2 3/4" Johnny Mattsson was one of Sweden’s leading wood artists in t...

Charles Owen Perry was an American sculptor particularly known for his large-scale public sculptures. Perry initially studied architecture at Yale University, graduating in 1958. He...

Sculptural table lamp designed by Paul Kedelv for AB Flygsfors Glasbruk, Sweden, 1960s

A rare Anglo-Chinese Regency polychrome painted wax and wood group of two Chinese card players, both with nodding heads with horsetail top-knots, wearing jackets with large collars, ...

Large Austrian wood and cold-painted bronze lamp Austria, c. 1910 Height 42cm, width 41cm, depth 30cm This Orientalist lamp is an unusual example of the...

Arman, service with 116 parts in an artistic storage cabinet, gold plated silver, wood, plexiglass, velvet, France, 1971 An incredible violin service ‘Violon Menagère’, a 12-guest ...

Very large spelter Orientalist sculpture attributed to Hottot French, Late 19th Century Height 194cm, width 84cm, depth 75cm This sensational life-size figural group depicts a femal...

A Splendid Pair of Venetian Figural Torchères Attributed to Valentino Panciera Besarel Of solid carved pine, waxed, blackened and beeswax-polished throughout. Each figure carved wit...

This naïve likeness is carved from a solid teak block. The head has deep set eyes and a distinctive beaked nose. He is wearing a tailcoat with seven rows of frogging and tasselled ...

A late 17th-century Spanish wood sculpture of a penitent Saint Jerome, possibly Seville, circa 1680.

Artisan made face of an ancient Greek man with a laurel wreath molded in pewter and set on a walnut backing, American 1950's. This captivating work is beautifully made.

A pair of carved walnut mediaeval knights, each wearing full armour with a visored helmet metal, breastplate and holding a lance, standing on a later pyra...

Cabina dell'Elba construction by Aldo Rossi. This piece was manufactured in 1984 for Pitti Fashion Week show. It's equipped as changing room with wall mirror, stool, wall hang and ...

One-of-a-kind wall-mounted 3-dimensional sculpture "Musicians" in patinated pierced bronze and pewter with multicolor enamels by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1960's (signed “Phi...

ARMAND GODARD French, fl. 1920s Seated Woman Holding a Bird Silver patinated bronze situated over prehistoric petrified wood base engraved on the base GODARD Item # 303XAF30W A...

Striking wooden sculpture by Johnny Mattsson, in an abstract form. Pine on a teak base. The form of the sculpture follows the pine woodgrain in a beautiful way.

Pair of French church sculptures made of solid oak. These two antique figures are from a church in a private village in Luceram, in the south of France.

Italian Neo-Classical (Mid-Century) white porcelain replica of \"Boy with Thorn\" by Salterini, depicting a young boy sitting on a rock, removing a thorn from the sole of his foot, m...

The bubble standing clothes stand is available in black aniline wooden spheres, with a lacquered structure in white, black, silk grey, dusty grey or intense blue. Born in Croatia...

Italian Baroque painted and lacquered wooden sculpture of a kneeling figure. Circa 1650.  

Wooden Mannequin head France circa 1890 Measures: 6” L x 8.5” D x 10” H.

Pair of Italian Renaissance style (19th Century) carved and painted large figures of cavaliers holding mandolin and spear.

Pair of Italian Rococo (18th Cent) gold painted life size hanging cupid figures.

German Continental (1sts quarter 20th Century) hand-carved wooden chess set with 32 pieces. (two pawns are not original). (Marked on base: "Valentine ...

Hand carved sculpture “Morceau” in red Italian marble on an ebonized wood base by Naomi Feinberg, American 1977 (signed “NF 77” on back of sculpture) Naomi Feinberg was a New York...

Hand carved sculpture “Lithic” in Green Italian granite on an ebonized wood base by Naomi Feinberg, American, 1970s. Naomi Feinberg was a New York based sculptor who worked primar...

Hand-carved “Wild Spirit” sculpture in Italian marble on a white lacquered wood base by Naomi Feinberg, American 1970’s. This is a stunning work by a renowned American sculptor. Nao...

Extraordinary hand carved sculpture “The Ancient” in Italian marble on an ebonized wood base by Naomi Feinberg, American 1977 (signed “NF 77” on back of sculpture) Naomi Feinberg ...

Fine and rare pair of 18th Century English dummy boards depicting a Cavalier and his Lady, he with a Van Dyke mustache, sword and leather boots, she with ...

A large Holy Land mother-of-pearl, abalone shell and olive wood icon Jerusalem, early 20th century Icon: height 55.5cm, width 52cm, depth 18cm Case: height 15.5cm, width 61.5cm, depth 57.5cm In fitted case, presented by the President of the Senate...

One-of-a-kind bronze sculpture of a woman's torso in arabesque on an black lacquer wood base by Philip & Kelvin LaVerne, American 1970's (signed “PK LaVerne” on back of leg). The hum...

North Western-style polychrome carved figural cedar wood totem pole, American 20th-century.       

Lovely small anchor sculpture by Johnny Mattsson, sculpted from teak. Aquatic themes are recurring in Johnny Mattsson’s artistry, sailing and the arc...

The Amitabha (Amida in Japanese) Buddha is shown standing with his hands forming the Amida raigo-in mudra. The face has a serene expression, with closed eyes under delicately arched brows and a severe face. The hair is arranged in rows of coils that also cover the "ushnisha", the protuberance on the head. The drapery is folded in elegant pleats falling from the shoulders to the feet. The antique sculpture is placed on a lotus flower which is located on a richly decorated base. Faith in Amida Buddha remained largely confined to a small segment of the Japanese population until the Kamakura Era (1185-1333) when it was popularized by new Pure Land sects committed to bringing Buddhism to the illiterate commoner. These sects expressed concern for the salvation of the ordinary person and stressed pure and simple faith over complicated rites and doctrines. Amida Nyorai...

Nerone Ceccarelli was an Italian sculptor. He worked under the banner of research characterized by the integration of art and architecture, while he developed sculptures linked to a ...

Pair of Italian Renaissance style (19th Century) carved oak large angels with guitars.  

A large Black Forest model of the Lion of Lucerne dated 1867, after Bertel Thorvaldsen, carved from stained linden wood, the dying lion depicted beside two c...

Wooden African sculpture of a human figure standing on the back of a leopard.  

Klein blue painted Dayak sculpted shield on stand shield without the base 33.5 inches.

A Victorian carved walnut figure of Mark Tapley from the novel ‘The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit’ by Charles Dickens’, wearing a soft top hat, a tailcoat and a buttoned w...

Pair of Italian Renaissance style (17/18th Century) walnut and gilt trimmed large crouching figures with musical instruments on pedestal bases (PRICED AS PAIR).  

An exhibition-quality carved figure by Valentino Panciera Besarel Of near life-sized proportions, in carved Italian Walnut, the figure representing a pageboy, his features and flowing hair carved in exquisite detail alongside his romanticised Cinquecento garb consisting of a patterned doublet with chainmail underneath and long puffed sleeves, his carved belt slung around his waist with a65.5 bag and his pointed boots imitating the softly creased leather; his arms outstretched and presenting a large tray with heraldic relief carving. Standing on an octagonal shaped base od bois noirci with inset panels of faux marble. The circular plinth signed by the artist "V. Besarel Venezia." Venetian, circa 1870 Valentino Besarel (1829-1902) Born in Zoldo, near Bellune, home town of the great carver of the Seventeenth Century, Andrea Brustolon he was encouraged by his father to study under Professor Federici , and worked as a carver for a noted architect Guiseppe Segusini. Later, he received private commissions, and in 1861 his trade card listed amongst his clients Edward, Prince of Wales, the British Consul, Layard, and the King of Italy. He exhibited at the 1878 Paris Universelle Exposition, and won a Gold Medal. The churches of Este and Conselve, near Padua possess many groups of saints executed by him. Literature: Benezit, Emmanuel. Benezit Dictionary of Artists. [S.l.]: Grund,France, 1976. Ericani, Giuliana, and Anna Maria Spiazzi. Scultura lignea...

Kamakura Period Japanese Shinzu sculpture. Shinzo is a representational figure of a god or spirit in the Shinto religion. This sculpture was carved fro...

Carved Pine artist model, France, circa 1860 Delicately carved from pine wood with unique features and wonderful patina. Mreasures: 25.5" tall.

A large Henry Moretti mahogany sculpture on marble base, 1970's.

A large and interesting 19th c theatrical wooden mask. Sculptured of wood with great skill and inlayed with glass eyes. He looks somewhat crazy but with a great sense of humour.

An exceptional, fine and impressive vintage Elizabeth II English cast sterling silver presentation trophy in the form of a soldier; an addition to our military related silverware collection. This fine vintage Elizabeth II English cast sterling silver trophy / table ornament has been realistically modelled in the form of a soldier holding a spear. The model is embellished with impressive cast details reproducing the fine details of the soldier's attire, including a sword and backpack to his back, in addition to a strap bearing the royal cypher 'GR'. The sterling silver soldier is displayed on an ebonized wood presentation plinth. The cuboid plinth is fitted with the original hallmarked sterling silver vacant inscription plaque; the plaque may be engraved with a personal inscription if so desired. This fine presentation silver...

The totems of the French sculptor Franck Evennou possess a playful quality that counterbalances the traditional solemnity of the form. With their rough, splitting surface, they are n...

Artist model, 13 inches tall, France, circa 1920. Delicately carved from pine wood with original hand painted features.

Carved pine artist model, 16 inches tall, France, circa 1875. Finely carved from pine, with original finish, unique features and wonderful patina.

Antique Russian bronze group of Cossack soldiers after Lieberich Russian, 1884 Measures: Height 29cm, width 43cm, depth 30cm This wonderful...

A pair of carved limewood shadow boxes Finely carved in high relief, and depicting two famous scenes of an eagle attacking a man, and a poacher being shot, housed within rectangul...

Early 19th century Japanese wood noh mask, This mask comes in its original kiri wood storage box, which is signed and dated: Koran, 1811 (Edo period). The box...

Shinto carving of figure referred to as Father Japan. Heian period (794 to 1185) sculpture made of hinoki wood in single piece construction called ichiboku...

French gilt metal sculpture on Neoclassical pedestal by Ernest Rancoulet French, early 20th century Measures: Height 165cm, width 34cm, depth 34cm This fine sculpture group is b...

A bronze wire sculpture of a prancing horse on a wooden base.

Pair of French bronze Animalier sculptures of game birds French, late 19th century Size: Height 48cm, width 37cm, depth 9cm These charming lat...