British Sculptures

'Sommarial in Bronze' is a unique handblown sculptural glass vessel by the British artist, Vic Bamforth. Bamforth is an artist who has helped to bring the highly demanding graal tec...

Staffordshire, England, circa 1745 – 1760 This charming and unusual figure depicts a seated cat, its body marbled in tones of buff, grey, and warm brown, the patterns flowing like fur beneath a translucent salt glaze. From the crown of its head rises a small candleholder—an enchanting, functional variation that transforms the cat into a decorative light for the Georgian home. The salt-glazed surface has a gentle satin sheen, enlivened by a cobalt wash brushed across the ears and shoulders, a subtle touch of color that draws the eye. The figure is compact and beautifully balanced, exuding both humor and grace: a work of wit and craftsmanship meant to charm and amuse as much as to illuminate. As a pair, this cat with candleholder and its companion cat carrying a mouse form a dialogue of light and life—one playful, one practical—representing the Staffordshire potters’ genius for turning everyday subjects into artful curiosities. Attribution and Significance Within the history of English ceramics, agateware animals represent the marriage of experimentation and domestic charm. They were objects of conversation—proof of a potter’s technical mastery and a household’s refinement. This cat, with its delicate candleholder, captures that artistic playfulness and innovation. The glaze’s clarity, the elegant pose, and the subtle marbling make it not only an artifact of mid-18th-century Staffordshire but also a small masterpiece of whimsy and craft. Scholarly Analysis and Authentication The figure is made from laminated clays of contrasting colors, known as laid agate, a technique perfected in Staffordshire workshops during the 1740s and 1750s. Strata of buff, pale grey, and iron-bearing brown clay were rolled together, pressed into a two-part mold, and luted along the spine before firing. The cat’s body thus shows true through-body marbling: the veining continues through the thickness of the clay, not merely applied on the surface. The candle socket, made from a single buff clay rather than agate, was luted to the head before glazing. This practical choice prevented distortion during firing and was a typical workshop economy seen in other mid-18th-century functional animal forms. The piece was salt-glazed in a wood- or coal-fired kiln into which common salt was introduced near peak temperature. Sodium vapor combined with the silica of the clay to form a thin, glassy coating. Here, the glaze is smooth and even, suggesting the cat was fired within a protective sagger. The underside of the figure is open, revealing the pressed-clay interior. Two or three very small stilt contacts are visible on the bottom ledge, confirming that the figure rested on kiln props during firing rather than being supported from beneath a closed base. The cobalt wash was brushed under the glaze before firing. It fuses permanently into the surface, creating soft haloes of blue wholly consistent with decoration on salt-glazed figures from the Whieldon circle circa 1750-1760. Later 19th-century reproductions employ overpainted enamels that sit atop the glaze. The open underside, authentic stratified body, integrated socket, and original cobalt staining collectively identify this as a genuine product of Staffordshire’s mid-18th-century agateware tradition, most plausibly from the orbit of Thomas Whieldon at Fenton Vivian or a closely related potter. The measured height, modelling, and marbling correspond closely to examples in the Burnap Collection (nos.. 362–363, Nelson-Atkins Museum) and Sotheby’s (2015) — “A Staffordshire agateware cat-form candlestick, circa 1755. Provenance / Condition: Current Condition: Excellent, with one ear repaired at the tip and restoration at the top of the candleholder; the glaze remains bright and continuous across the body and socket. References: Burnap Collection, English Pottery 1675–1825, nos. 362–363. Sotheby’s (2015) — “A Staffordshire agateware cat-form candlestick, circa 1755. Christie’s, London 2010, lot 82. 1stDibs “Staffordshire Agateware Pottery Saltglaze Figure of a Cat,” item ref LU95812370442 Price: $3100 Chipstone Foundation, Marbled Agateware: Techniques and Identification, 2005. Henry Sandon, Staffordshire Pottery, 1970, pp. 52–54. John Howard Antiques, Antique Agateware...

A Pair of Coalbrookdale Cast Iron Whippets Design registered 22 March 1871, No. 197240 A fine and rare 19th-century cast iron pair of Whippets...

Ostrich bronze sculpture with natural egg specimen. Contemporary bronze sculpture of an ostrich incorporating a natural ostrich egg in its design by Anthony Redmile. England 20th Cen...

1960?s Extra large industrial casting foundry mould (2305). 1960?s Extra large industrial casting foundry mould – We recently cleared the Victo...

This is a pair of vintage dog figures. An English, gilt metal study of the loveable Airedale Terrier upon a marble base, dating to the late 20th ce...

Charles Vyse British Studio Art Pottery figure of cineraria boy, circa 1925.

Mid Century English Porcelain Staffordshire Ware Figure of A Hound, By William Kent C.1950 Earthenware, hand-painted with overglaze enamels A well ...

Fabulous 1930's Art Deco female shop mannequin. Sourced just outside of Paris, France this month and in good vintage condition with the usual bumps and bruises one would expect but no serious damage. She's very much in the style of Siegel or Stockman mannequins...

19th-century Staffordshire spaniels featuring classic russet and white coloring with hand-painted details and expressive faces. As is common with early Staffordshire, they are unmark...

A set of ten antique carved wooden floral moulds from the Tucker collection. This is one of many moulds we are selling from this vast collection assembled by British make-up artist, ...

This is a vintage decorative figure of Moses. An English, bronze and marble statue after Michelangelo, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1960. Striking rendition of a historic...

Gorgeous girl design, an eye-catching piece at home, suitable for your modern or retro decoration. This gift is exactly what you need for Mother's Day, Christmas, birthday, wedding, graduation or anniversary. Antique Royal Doulton Figurine...

Sculptural wood carving of a seal balancing a brass ball on his nose. A very unusual and special piece from a wonderful Palm Beach Estate.

Spectacular pair of large antique quality orientalist polychromed plaster Arabesque or Moorish figures depicting two males in traditional moorish robes and headdress with artfully s...

Henry Coombes, British b.1977- "Umbrella" 2005; mixed media, oil paint on found umbrella, 84cm long, (ARR) Provenance: Purchased from Sorcha Dallas Gallery, Glasgow by the previous owner. Henry wrote: “The Umbrella was in my studio in 2005, being rainy Glasgow, I used it, left it open to dry. I was painting a series of oil paintings you can find on my website, ( oil painting section) Glen Golly, Ponker, Lady offering Cock to Fox. I loved what was happening on the pallet more than what was happening on the canvas. So the end of every day I would scrape it off and smear it on the umbrella. I am somewhat superstitious I believe in the notion of bad luck, I was afraid the open umbrella would upset the painting gods. So the ritual of putting the paint on the umbrella was to change into something new that would appease the spirits of bad luck, and bring good fortune to the painting. Paint is a fluid process will ultimately can not control, and if we try to hard it becomes dull illustration. I teach art in prison I see painting holding together the lives of life prisoners. I have huge faith in its power and same time I am humbled by it every time I go into the studio”. Henry Coombes’ distinctive art practice has received wide recognition since his graduation from Glasgow School of Art in 2002. He has a multi-disciplinary practice working in painting, collage, drawing, sculpture and film. Earlier film works like ‘Laddy and the Lady’ and ‘The Bedfords’ explored ideas of class, hierarchy, hunting for sport and Victorian...

'Thalia' is a unique sculpture by the British artist, Cathryn Shilling. Appearing as if woven from canes of shimmering silver, Condordance II is an ambitious sculptural work. Initia...

An unusual 19th century antique Staffordshire cottage with lovely colorful decoration. It is in perfect condition.   

Form meets function with this King Charles Cavalier doorstop. This iconic English dog is believed to be made from plaster or similar material and is filled with sand. The pup wears a red collar with a lock at the front with a small chain leash draped over its back. It is painted in a light brown, with deep brown spots throughout. Use this to bring a touch of classic English decor...

A fine antique English porcelain figurine. By the Derby Porcelain Works. With 3 children in a garden accompanied by a lamb and a cat. The boy is reclining against a tall flowery plant and holding a pipe or scoop in his hand. Simply a great antique Derby figurine...

'Erratic J with 22ct Yellow Gold' is a handblown and cut glass sculpture created by the British artist, Anthony Scala. The geological term 'erratic' refers to a stone or boulder tha...

A fine Mid-Century Modern composite sculpture of a goose Beautifully sculpted with a realistic pose. Measures: length and depth 36cm., 14" height 64cm., 25".

This is a pair of antique decorative butchery pigs. An English, plaster shop display figure, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910. Rare and unusual pair of display pigs in app...

Rare 19th-Century English Enamelled Cast Iron Doorstop of Jumbo the Elephant, ca. 1870–1885 A scarce and evocative English Victorian cast iron doorstop depicting Jumbo the Elephant,...

Finely hand-spun brass plates make up this pendant light. One side is finished in either a gloss white or matt white piano lacquer and the inside finely brushed brass. The light is p...

An English Turn of the Century iron sculpture depicting a jockey holding a ring in his left hand. Created in England during the Turn of the Century which saw the transition between t...

Carrying import marks for London in 1896 by Edwin Thompson Bryant, this charming, Antique Sterling Silver Cow Creamer, is handsomely modelled. The cow cre...

Early 19th Century Georgian Pair of Dummy Boards. Pinewood with oil-painted fine details. Charming and scarce pieces, it took the owner a couple of years to find them. There is no ag...

Abstract steel sculpture, in the form of a helmet; from the estate of the artist June Barrington-Ward (1922-2002) and attributed to her. England 1970s. Unsigned. Good original condi...

Gorgeous small bird standing on a wooden base. This is a bird of prey - a baby eagle perhaps. The Eagle has glass eyes. Beautifully hand-carved and painted. A lovely vintage item. Th...

Contemporary Metal Horse Sculpture. A wonderful animal sculpture, ornament from Sophie Thompson of a horse. This freestanding hand-made metal ornament is fabricated from recycled met...

A reclaimed 20th century Neoclassical style bust of a female figure, the head in Statuario marble with hair back and up, the tunic in a variegated coloured marble, supported on an Em...

Trade sign depicting an 18th century British officer's hat with a weathered finish and presented on a custom Lucite stand.

Pair of lovely cast bell metal spaniel mantle decorations from England, mounted on walnut bases. The spaniels are hand cast from bell metal, for a rich and wonderful patina and love...

Inspired by planet-like shapes and textures, the Cosmic collection plays with both metal properties and a selection of patina finishes. Two lighting components are harmoniously balan...

Alma Berrow (b.1992) 'Firsts and Lasts' 2023 Ceramic Ashtray: 30 x 9 cm Match Box: 20 x 10 x 5 cm Alma Berrow (b. 1992) is a female artist working with ceramics, bringing the still ...

A carved wooden sculpture of a Bison by Laszlo Hoenig (1905-1971). Stamped 'LAHO London' to base and 'Made in England'. Dimensions: H 19cm W 30cm D 9.5cm Origin: English Date: Cir...

A rare C19th English pottery figure of a seated Japanese gentleman in traditional robes, with a nodding head which is lead weighted inside to make his head rock, with a bottle and cu...

Wonderful pair of 19th Century buff terracotta recumbent lions.  Of good scale and bold proportions, each with long flowing manes and heads turned to Sinister and Dexter, outstretch...

Pair of English large cast iron Punch & Judy matching doorstops . Late 19th century.

Majestic Beast: English Creamware Lion with Whieldon Glaze This exceptional English Creamware Pottery Model of a Seated Lion, dating to circa 1765–85, is a fine example of the highl...

Unusual 19th century antique carved Black Forest Bear with a brass brush and original glass eyes. It has a lovely original colour. Measures: Height : 24 cm Width : 9 cm Dept...

Antique Bronzed Spelter Batsman - Cricket Figure A very nice Edwardian spelter figure of a male cricketer wearing a cap and is equipped with a bat and cricket pads. His pose depicts ...

English made "Cactus" magnetic steel sculpture. You are the artist. You create the shape and the form. The base and pieces are all magnetized and one can create till their masterpiec...

A charming and delightful example of the "playful child" genre of bronzes that proliferated in the early decades of the 20th century -- some of the best examples by important sculptors such as Brenda Putnam and Harriet Frishmuth...

A very rare piece of 19th C. sculpture , a carved marble bust and pedestal, " Pharaoh's Daughter", late 19th C.. by James Adams- Acton. English, born 1834. This amazingly beautiful ...

English Majolica figural bear pitcher with spoon handle circa 1890.

Antique Victorian Staffordshire flat back figure of a lady playing a harmonica with her dog at her feet Dimensions: H 28 x W 12 x D 9cm Date ...

'Striped Fold XXIV' is a unique sculptural vessel by the British artist Steven Edwards. "Layered with subtle linear tones of green, blue and yellow, each folded section is woven tog...

A fabulous 19th century oversized classical plaster bust of Apollo by Louis Brugiotti of 4 Leather Lane London 1845-1885, in original untouched condition. 89cm in height 60cm in w...

A postmodern solid wood carved sculpture depicting a dancing couple. The curved abstract stylization is reminiscent to the sculptures created by modern sculptor Henry Moore. The simp...

'Analogous Fold II' is a unique sculptural vessel by the British artist Steven Edwards. In the words of the artist: “A blended gradation of purple, blue to white, rises up through ...

This life-size bronze statue of a stallion, crafted in the early 20th century, epitomizes both strength and elegance. The intricate detailing captures the powerful musculature and dy...

A fine antique English bronze bust. Depicting of HRM Queen Victoria in 3-quarter profile. After Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm. Cast by the Elkington & Co. foundry. With a cast 'Boehm fe...

This pottery figure of a horse is sponge decorated in shades of pink and brown. It was made at St. Anthony’s Pottery, located in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, between 1800 and 1810. ...

'Dip Fold IV' is a unique sculptural vessel by the British artist Steven Edwards. In the words of the artist: “Stoneware and parian clay spheres are halved and folded together to bu...

Circa 1780-1820 pair of bell form brass "door porters" or doorstops, English. Lead filled for weight. George III period. Provenance: J. Collins & Son, Bideford, Devon (CINOA, BADA, &...

A very fine bronze figurative garden sculpture depicting a lady beautifully poised aloft a dolphin. This stunning piece is of exceptional quality and finely cast with fabulous detai...

A fragment of a sandstone corbel with flat upper face, moulded transverse ledge and two protruding lobes with reserved trefoil detailing. The lower edge has fine dentiled carving and...

'Torsion in Opalflieder 24/02' is a unique sculptural artwork by the British artist, Emma Baker. Emma Baker has worked with glass for over ten years, initially encountering the mat...