Renaissance Sculptures

This 19th-century plaster foot sculpture is an imposing and impressive work of art. With dimensions of 28 inches in width, 15 inches in depth, and 22 inches in height, its colossal s...

"Ferdinando Vichi", Florence 1875-1945. Romantic figure of sitting woman. Made in marble, sitting on a chair made of bronze, original pedestal of green, Italian marble. Sign. Vichi. Ca. in 1900. (In two pieces) Ferdinando Vichi (1875-1945) was a central figure in the production of Florentine sculpture...

PAIR of Italian (early 19th Century) painted and parcel gilt carved standing figures of a young man and lady dressed in traditional cloths (PRICED AS PAIR)

An small but exquisitely cast and highly detailed bronze statue of St Joan of Arc in full body battle armour including the horse with one hand holding ...

Red coral branch embellished with natural emeralds mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet. During t...

This elegant sculpture portrays a horseman in the Florentine Renaissance style, inspired by the great equestrian monuments that once adorned Italian piazzas. The finely cast rider, f...

Petite lacey black coral sea fan embellished with tourmaline mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment sitting on an optical calcite base. This is a lovely objet d'art t...

In Medieval Europe and even more during the early 16th century fantastic beasts could be found in Bestiaries, a literary genre close to poetry. A bestiary used the characteristics of...

More information coming soon… Attributed to Provin Serres, a French Academic sculpture and disciple of Mathieu Morin, this large plaster sculpture depicts a boy with his faithful do...

Red coral branch mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet. During the Renaissance, Cabinets of Art an...

Italian important 17th century small bronze technique lost wax "La Pietà" by STEFANO LANDI . Measures cm: H 20 x W x 20 x D 20 "La Pietà" was a very popu...

Black coral sea fan embellished with green tourmaline and a showy quartz druzy shell specimen mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to a...

Christ
 Umbria, Orvieto?
 Second half of the 15th century
 77 x 16.5 cm

This compelling Italian 19th century white glazed porcelain sculpture depicts ‘The Rape of the Sabines’, after a monumental work by the Renaissance artist, Giambologna (1529-1608) th...

Sea monster Carrara marble mouth fountain Italy, late 16th century It measures 13.8 x 31.5 x 18.9 in (35 x 80 x 48 cm) State of conservation: some small evident gaps and widespread signs of wear due to outdoor exposure. The gray marks crossing it do not come from restoration, but are rather the natural veins of the marble. This work has some morphological characteristics typically associated with the iconography of the sea monster: an elongated muzzle, sharp teeth, protruding eyes, elongated ears, and a coiled serpent's tail. An in-depth series of studies on artistic depictions of the sea monster attempted to verify how this symbol evolved in antiquity in the European and Mediterranean contexts and how it gradually changed its image and function over time. The iconography itself is mutable and imaginative and its history is rich with cultural and artistic exchange, as well as the overlapping of ideas. This occurred so much that it is difficult to accurately pinpoint the "types" that satisfactorily represent its various developments. However, we can try to summarize the main figures, starting from the biblical Leviathan and the marine creature that swallowed Jonah (in the Christian version, this figure was to become a whale or a "big fish", the “ketos mega”, translation of the Hebrew “dag gadol”). Other specimens ranged from the dragons mentioned in the Iliad (which were winged and had legs) to "ketos” (also from Greek mythology), the terrifying being from whose Latinized name (“cetus”) derives the word "cetacean". See J. Boardman, “Very Like a Whale” - Classical Sea Monsters, in Monsters and Demons in the Ancient and Medieval Worlds, in Papers presented in Honor of Edith Porada, Mainz am Rhein 1987, pp. 73-84). In Italy the monster underwent yet further variations: it can be found in Etruscan art on the front of some sarcophagi representing the companion of souls, while among the Romans we find the “Pistrice” (cited by Plinio in Naturalis Historia PLIN., Nat., II 9, 8 and by Virgilio in Eneide: VERG., Aen., III, 427), which appeared in the shape of a stylized hippocampus or a very large monstrous cetacean and evolved into a hideous being with a dragon's head and long webbed fins. During the Middle Ages, the sea monster was the object of new transformations: at this time, it is often winged, the head is stretched like a crocodile, the front legs are often very sharp fins - sometimes real paws - until the image merges with dragons, the typical figures of medieval visionary spirituality widely found throughout Europe (on this topic and much more, see: Baltrušaitis, J., Il Medioevo fantastico. Antichità ed esotismi nell’arte gotica, Gli Adelphi 1997). In Italy during the 15th and 16th centuries, the revival of classicism - representative of the humanistic and Renaissance periods - led to a different reading of these "creatures". Indeed, the sea monster was also to find widespread use as an isolated decorative motif, especially in numerous fountains and sculptures where dolphins or sea monsters were used as a characterizing element linked to water (on this theme see: Chet Van Duzer, Sea Monsters on Medieval and Renaissance Maps, London, The British library, 2013). From the morphological point of view, the "sea monsters" of this period are mostly depicted as hybrid figures, in which the body of a mythological or real being (a hippocampus, a sea snake, a dolphin), is joined to a head with a rather indistinct appearance. It was usually characterized by large upright ears, an elongated snout, sharp teeth and globular, protruding eyes; a complex and indefinite figure, both from the symbolic point of view and from that of its genesis. The work we are examining is placed as a cross between the medieval sea serpent and the Renaissance dolphin, with stylistic features which recall the snake as often used in heraldry (such as the "snake" depicted in the coat of arms of the Visconti - the lords and then dukes of Milan between 1277 and 1447 - and which, for some, may be derived from the representations of the “Pistrice” that swallowed Jonah). In the search for sources, Renaissance cartography and in particular woodcuts should not be neglected. See for example the monsters of Olaus Magnus, from the editions of the “Historia de gentibus septentrionalibus” (“History of the peoples of the north”) and the natural histories of Conrad Gesner, Ulisse...

PAIR of Italian Renaissance style (19th Cent) polychromed life size kneeling figures (similar matching pair with wings #034018A)

2 large ceramic horses' heads with a glossy white glaze, inspired by the "Horses of San Marco" or Donatello's so-called Protomé Carafa horse head. The two heads have different exp...

Hand-carved Italian Corpus Christi with traces of polychromy. This sculpture reflects the transition from Gothic to Renaissance style.

Antique French Renaissance "Rebecca at the Wall" Spelter Metal Large Statue Sculpture weighing approx. 110 lbs. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 38.5" H x 25" W x 11.5" D.

Pair of Renaissance Alabaster Columns Attributed to Cornelis Floris de Vriendt Flemish, Mid-16th Century 
Alabaster 
H: 27 cm; D: 10 cm This refined pair of all’antica alabaster col...

PAIR OF CORBELS 19th century Portuguese brown wood Profuse decoration with plant motifs. Dim.: 38 x 31 cm good state

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

This is a pair of Capodimonte glazed white Parian porcelain nude cherubs who are playing with some gilt round small balls. Both of them are standing n...

This fine 19th century copy of the famous group is in a sumptuous Serpentine marble. The Sabine man crouches in submissive pose, whilst the Roman carries off the writhing woman. It is well-presented on the original matching plinth and pedestal . This perhaps forms part of someone's Grand Tour along with mosaics and bronzes after the antique...

A lacey black coral sea fan embellished with natural citrine mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet....

15th century Italian carved wood, polychromed and gold gilded sculptures of four Pillars of the Christian Faith (Saint Peter, Saint Paul, Saint Luke, Saint Matthew).

Decorate a study or a man's office with this elegant antique plaque. Crafted in France circa 1880, the wall decor features a coat of arms with a medieval royal knight...

Italian Renaissance painted pine life size figure of religious scholar holding book (17/18th Cent) Replacement finger

Stunning life-size carved wood sculpture of a man's head dating from circa 1700 in the south of Europe.  

Saint John the Baptist 18th century Portuguese sculpture from the 18th century. in polychrome wood. The figure is represented standing with the lamb. Small flaws. Measure: ...

A lacey black coral sea fan embellished mounted on a 19th-Century French Napoleon III bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet. Duri...

Pair of patinated bronze figures after Giambologna French, late 19th Century Mercury: Height 84cm, width 17cm, depth 31cm Fortuna: Height 84.5cm, width 17cm, depth 29cm The patinated bronze figures are pictured in the nude, adopting active poses. Both stand on their tiptoes on one foot — Fortuna resting on a scrolling base, and Mercury on a gust of wind, produced by Zephyrus, the god of the western wind — and their other leg is flicked back. In both, one arm is raised, and the other rests at their side. The figures stand on cylindrical yellow marble bases, which are ringed with continuous relief panels, depicting cherubs at the helm of sailing ships, and navigating using globes...

This fine and imposing sculpture is an excellent example of 16th century Italian craftsmanship. The figure is stood on a raised, shaped rectangular base with a carved "dolphin" at th...

One-of-a-kind natural mineral specimen sculpture, entitled "Venice Rising," created from an 18th-century Italian patinated parcel-giltwood candlestick and embellished with quartz, mu...

Angel. Carved and polychrome wood. Century XVI. Polychrome wood carving showing an angel, with the face facing the viewer and the body in pr...

Four antique bronze plaques depicting water-nymphs, by Ferdinand Barbedienne French, 19th century. Measures: Height 47cm, width 12cm, depth 2.5cm Finely cast in relief from patinated bronze with parcel gilt patina, these French 19th Century panels each depict a Classical female water-nymph. The relief structure and design is after four panels from the important marble fountain from the Renaissance period in Paris called the Fontaine des Innocents. This was created by the French sculptor Jean Goujon...

Set of 3 Italian Renaissance style (19th Cent) stripped large figures/statues playing musical instruments

Black coral sea fan mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet. During the Renaissance, Cabinets of A...

Unique and precious sculpture in carved white marble, likely depicting Aeolus, the god of the wind. The sculpture originated as a fountain mask, as evidenced by the opening in the mo...

Antique Tiffany & Co number 2114 bronze sculpture portraying a scene from Quentin Durward. Written by Walter Scott and published in 1823, Quentin Durward is the story of a young Scot...

Life-size marble sculpture of Spring by Antonio Frilli Italian, late 19th century Height 159cm, width 47cm, depth 40cm This superb sculpture is the work of Antonio Frilli, a renowned Italian artist active in the late 19th century, who founded the Frilli gallery...

Base of a carved wooden candelabrum, polychrome and gilded; cross painted on both sides. Umbria or Tuscany, 16th century 136 x 43,5 x 30 cm (The cross and the base of the candelabrum were later assembled) The base of the candelabrum is intricately carved and adorned with polychrome and gilded finishes. The shafts take on the shape of balusters reminiscent of ancient columns, feature ornate foliage decorations, garlands and winged cherub faces. The feet are crafted in the likeness of lion paws. The base is further embellished with depictions of four saint martyrs, among them Saint Barbara and Saint Catherine of Alexandria. The plasticity of the figures, outlined with strong contour lines, the clear and vibrant colors, are stylistic elements linked to the Umbrian tradition of the sixteenth century.The precisely defined and elegant drawing, along with the clear color palette applied with refined chiaroscuro modulations, became the signature of a style that would leave a lasting mark on the era to come. This is exemplified by a preference for vibrant, multicolored images, accentuated in this case by the use of red and pink in the saint's attire. A notable addition, introduced later, is a polylobed cross painted on both sides. On one side, the Crucifixion is vividly portrayed:The treatment of the corpus itself is in line with High Medieval practice, emphasizing pathos by showing Jesus dead, his arms sagging from the weight of the body. The upper section displaying a pelican pecks at her breast to feed her young with her own blood; a symbol of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross whose body and blood similarly nourishes the celebrant during Mass. The lower part depicts Golgotha. On the reverse side, the Resurrection is artistically presented in a Renaissance iconography, reminiscent of the renowned composition painted by Piero della Francesca, now housed in the Civic Museum of Sansepolcro. In terms of composition, with the frontal depiction of Christ holding the banner, this motif became particularly widespread in central Italy, spanning from Tuscany to Umbria throughout the 16th century.. The double-sided construction suggests that it may also have been carried in liturgical processions. In Umbria from the 14th century, the use of portable crosses painted on both sides had become a widespread practice, aimed at satisfying the monastic clientele that had significantly increased following the establishment of new religious communities. The earliest surviving Tuscan painted crucifix represent Christ as Christus Triumphans, or the “Triumphant Christ” with his head up and eyes open. This form was supplanted in the 13th century with the Christus Patiens, or “Suffering Christ” type who is shown often with his head fallen on his shoulder and his eyes closed, as In our cross. The iconography of the suffering Christ appears to have developed out of a new interest in Christ’s human nature, the development of the feast of Corpus Christi and with increased importance given to the Eucharist. The process of humanizing the figure of Christ reaches its peak with the abandonment of all the previous expressive conventions in favor of more realistic details we can observe in this Crucifix, such as the swollen belly, the arms stretched to the limit of muscle tearing, the body falling heavily forward, the abundant blood on the wounds, and the cross firmly embedded in the rock of Calvary. It's worth noting that Renaissance candelabra...

A huge Burgundy 15th century Christ on its cross. Oak wood . Cross is modern. Damages, some parts missing. 98x83 cm without the cross.

Italy, circa 1700 A rare and impressive Renaissance-style canopy, expertly carved in wood and finished in rich gilt, dating to Italy around 1700. Distinguished by its bold architect...

An antique carved boxwood cherub decorative wall hanging dating to circa 1650. Crafted in boxwood, this renaissance style sculpture depicts a detailed handcarved cherub or putti bea...

Red coral branch and natural emeralds are mounted on a 19th-Century French bronze doré fragment. This is a lovely objet d'art to add to your collection or cabinet. During the Renais...

Pair of 16th Century Italian carved polychromed angelic sculptures.

Renaissance Harpy bronze Italy, 16th century 15 x 12 x 5,5 cm This expressive bronze figure represents a harpy, a mythological creature with the body of a bird and the head and tor...

Italian Renaissance Revival Carved Hardwood Figure circa 1900 We are pleased to offer a fine Italian Venetian carved hardwood figure of a Renaissance page, dating to circa 1900. E...

In the golden light of the early 16th century, the city of Rouen underwent a silent revolution. The heavy, shadowed arches of the Middle Ages began to yield to the intellectual clari...

Polychrome and gilt papier-mâché Religious Madonna and child depicting the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria. Figures stand on a gilt rectangular base with painted description by the a...

Antique French Renaissance Don Juan & Don Cesar Spelter Metal "Cavaliers" Sculptures - 2 Pcs. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 21" H x 8" W x 6" D.

17th Century Italian polychromed and gold gilded on wood panel Sienese style painting of the Madonna Enthroned with the child and two adoring angels behind them. The halos are beautifully adorned with punch work. She is framed by a hand-carved gold gilded and velvet lined frame and sitting on a hand-carved matching base. The piece is mounted on a Lucite panel and framed with a contemporary hand-finished wood molding.

Rare Bronzes Depicting two Figures in Turkish Attire Possibly Suleiman the Magnificent at two different ages bronzes, alabaster bases Venice, early 17th century 19,5 x 6 x 5 cm These two rare bronze statuettes represent two figures dressed in elaborate "Turkish" attire. They are mounted on alabaster bases with bronze reliefs—one featuring the winged lion of Venice, and the other possibly symbolizing Turkey with a wolf depiction. One figure wears a grand külah, a spherical turban with a cone top, signifying royal authority, while the other has a wrapped turban, denoting rank and religious identity. Their garments are richly detailed with intricate engravings, suggesting luxurious fabrics of the Ottoman court. The statuettes may represent Suleiman the Magnificent at two different stages of life, as both young and old. The sultan depicted alongside the winged lion corresponds to a description from a Venetian delegate in 1534, when Suleiman was 43. At that time, he had conquered Iraq from the Safavids and achieved a decisive victory over the Papal fleet at the Battle of Preveza. He was described as having large eyes, an aquiline nose, and long red mustaches—traits visible in Cristofano dell'Altissimo’s portrait of Suleiman in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Unlike Mehmed II, who commissioned portraits by European artists for diplomatic purposes, Suleiman did not directly order such representations. Instead, his likeness spread through works by artists like Albrecht Dürer, based on sketches made by diplomats. Following his capture of Belgrade in 1521, his victory over Hungary in 1526, and his siege of Vienna...

16th Century, Pair of Italian Lacquered and Gilt Wood Sculptures Torch Holders The pair of sculptures, in finely carved wood, lacquered and gilded, was born as a torch holder, and ...

In reference to the remarkaple marble group of three larger-than-life figures, known as ‘The Rape of the Sabine Women’, which is located under the right arcade of the Loggia dei Lanz...

16th Century Spanish gold gilded and polychromed Carved-wood sculpture of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. She depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary in her...

A set of 4 antique dust-pressed ceramic tiles by Minton Hollins (stamped) creating a decorative blue and white glazed frieze panel depicting a renaissance style winged cherub playing...

An eye caching figural sculpture of Saint George and the Dragon, After Antoine Louis Barye. As the legend goes, Saint George—a soldier venerated in Christianity—defeats a dragon. The...

Recumbent Lion Bronze with dark brown patina Central Italy, 17th century 15 x 23,5 x 11 cm The lion is modelled couchant on an integral rectangular base, the body elongated with th...