Hand-Painted Sculptures

A large pair of Chinese turquoise glazed porcelain roosters with purple combs, circa 1920.

Sculpture gilded peacock handmade in precious porcelain one by one, feather by feather. Each feather is unique. Made with shiny porcelain, hand-painted ...

Limited edition High Porcelain sculpture of a Spanish pure breed horse carrying out a dressage exercise. Spanish Pure Breed - Haute École is a porcelain sculpture in a limited editio...

17th century Italian silver leaf distressed angel wing with coordinating layers of mica layers creating a 3D effect of the angel wing. The wing sits on a smokey quartz crystal with n...

A naturalistic shaped and fine detailed elephant figurine from the Art Nouve era dating to around 1910. The elephant is marked with a green unidetified manufacturer's mark.

A rare and very fine bronze corpus of Christ after a model by Michelangelo, cast ca. 1597-1600 by Juan Bautista Franconio and painted in 1600 by Francisco Pacheco in Seville, Spain. The present corpus reproduces a model attributed to Michelangelo. The best known example, lesser in quality, is one on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET). The association of this corpus with Michelangelo was first brought to light by Manuel Gomez-Moreno (1930-33) who studied the wider circulated casts identified throughout Spain. The attribution to Michelangelo was subsequently followed by John Goldsmith-Phillips (1937) of the MET and again by Michelangelo expert, Charles de Tolnay (1960). While Michelangelo is best known for his monumental works, there are four documented crucifixes he made. The best known example is the large-scale wooden crucifix for the Church of Santa Maria del Santo Spirito in Florence, made in 1492 as a gift for the Prior, Giovanni di Lap Bicchiellini, for allowing him to study the anatomy of corpses at the hospital there. In 1562, Michelangelo wrote two letters to his nephew, Lionardo, indicating his intention to carve a wooden crucifix for him. In 1563 a letter between Lionardo and the Italian sculptor Tiberio Calcagni, mentions this same crucifix (a sketch of a corpus on the verso of a sheet depicting Michelangelo’s designs for St. Peter’s Basillica [Palais des Beaux-Arts in Lille] may reproduce this). That Michelangelo was working on small corpora in the last years of his life is further evidenced by the small (26.5 cm) unfinished wooden crucifix located at the Casa Buonarroti, considered his last known sculptural undertaking. Michelangelo’s contemporary biographer, Giorgio Vasari additionally cites that Michelangelo, in his later years, made a small crucifix for his friend, Menighella, as a gift. Surviving sketches also indicate Michelangelo’s study of this subject throughout his career, most notably during the end of his life but also during the 1530s-40s as he deepened his spiritual roots. The occasional cameo of crucified Christ’s throughout his sketched oeuvre have made it challenging for scholars to link such sketches to any documented commissions of importance. All the while, in consideration that such objects were made as gifts, it is unlikely they should be linked with commissions. Nonetheless, a number of theories concerning Michelangelo’s sketches of Christ crucified have been proposed and some may regard the origin of the present sculpture. It has been suggested that the corpus could have its impetus with Michelangelo’s work on the Medici Chapel, whose exclusive design was given to the master. It is sensible smaller details, like an altar cross, could have fallen under his responsibility (see for example British Museum, Inv. 1859,0625.552). Others have noted the possibility of an unrealized large marble Crucifixion group which never came to fruition but whose marble blocks had been measured according to a sheet at the Casa Buonarroti. A unique suggestion is that Michelangelo could have made the crucifix for Vittoria Colonna, of whom he was exceedingly fond and with whom he exchanged gifts along with mutual spiritual proclivities. In particular, Vittoria had an interest in the life of St. Bridget, whose vision of Christ closely resembles our sculpture, most notably with Christ’s proper-left leg and foot crossed over his right, an iconography that is incredibly scarce for crucifixes. The suggestion could add sense to Benedetto Varchi’s comment that Michelangelo made a sculpted “nude Christ…he gave to the most divine Marchesa of Pescara (Vittoria Colonna).” Of that same period, two sketches can be visually linked to our sculpture. Tolnay relates it to a sketch of a Crucified Christ at the Teylers Museum (Inv. A034) of which Paul Joannides comments on its quality as suggestive of preparations for a sculptural work. Joannides also calls attention to a related drawing attributed to Raffaello da Montelupo copying what is believed to be a lost sketch by Michelangelo. Its relationship with our sculpture is apparent. Montelupo, a pupil of Michelangelo’s, returned to Rome to serve him in 1541, assisting with the continued work on the tomb of Pope Julius II, suggesting again an origin for the corpus ca. 1540. The earliest firm date that can be given to the present corpus is 1574 where it appears as a rather crudely conceived Crucifixion panel, flanked by two mourners in low-relief and integrally cast for use as the bronze tabernacle door to a ciborium now located at the Church of San Lorenzo in Padula. Etched in wax residue on the back of the door is the date, 27 January 1574, indicating the corpus would have at least been available as a model by late 1573. The Padula tabernacle was completed by Michelangelo’s assistant, Jacopo del Duca and likely has its origins with Michelangelo’s uncompleted tabernacle for the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Rome. The impetus for the Padula tabernacle’s Crucifixion panel begins with a series of late Crucifixion sketches by Michelangelo, depicting a scene of Christ crucified and flanked by two mourners (see British Museum Inv. 1895.0915.510; Ashmolean Museum Inv. 1846.89, KP II 343 recto; Windsor Castle RCIN 912761 recto; and Louvre Inv. 700). A faintly traced block possibly intended for sculpting the sketch of the crucified Christ on its recto was discovered by Tolnay on a version of the composition at Windsor Castle. The Windsor sketch and those related to it appear to have served as preparatory designs for what was probably intended to become the Basilica of St. Mary’s tabernacle door. Vasari documents that the project was to be designed by Michelangelo and cast by his assistant, Jacopo del Duca. Michelangelo died before the commission was complete, though on 15 March 1565, Jacopo writes to Michelangelo’s nephew stating, “I have started making the bronze tabernacle, depending on the model of his that was in Rome, already almost half complete.” Various circumstances interrupted the completion of the tabernacle, though its concept is later revitalized by Jacopo during preparations to sell a tabernacle, after Michelangelo’s designs, to Spain for Madrid’s El Escorial almost a decade later. The El Escorial tabernacle likewise encountered problems and was aborted but Jacopo successfully sold it shortly thereafter to the Carthusians of Padula. An etched date, 30 May 1572, along the base of the Padula tabernacle indicates its framework was already cast by then. A 1573 summary of the tabernacle also describes the original format for the door and relief panels, intended to be square in dimension. However, a last minute decision to heighten them was abruptly made during Jacopo’s negotiations to sell the tabernacle to King Phillip II of Spain. Shortly thereafter the commission was aborted. Philippe Malgouyres notes that the Padula tabernacle’s final state is a mixed product of the original design intended for Spain’s El Escorial, recycling various parts that had already been cast and adding new quickly finished elements for its sale to Padula, explaining its unusually discordant quality, particularly as concerns the crudeness of the door and relief panels which were clearly made later (by January 1574). Apart from his own admission in letters to Spain, it is apparent, however, that Jacopo relied upon his deceased master’s designs while hastily realizing the Padula panels. If Michelangelo had already earlier conceived a crucifix model, and Jacopo had access to that model, its logical he could have hastily employed it for incorporation on the door panel to the tabernacle. It is worth noting some modifications he made to the model, extending Christ’s arms further up in order to fit them into the scale of the panel and further lowering his chin to his chest in order to instill physiognomic congruence. A crude panel of the Deposition also follows after Michelangelo’s late sketches and is likewise known by examples thought to be modifications by Jacopo based upon Michelangelo’s initial sculptural conception (see Malgouyres: La Deposition du Christ de Jacopo del Duca, chef-d’oeuvre posthume de Michel-Ange). Jacopo’s appropriation of an original model by Michelangelo for more than one relief on the Padula tabernacle adds further indication that the crucifix was not an object unique to Jacopo’s hand, as few scholars have posited, but rather belongs to Michelangelo’s original...

Very attractive painting of Maria with the baby Jesus. Painted on metal. France circa 1800-1850 Weathered and small losses.

Large African Tribal Female Bust Sculpture, 32 cm – Hand-Carved Ethnographic Art Figure A wooden striking and highly decorative 32 cm African tribal female bust sculpture, celebrati...

Sculpture parrot couple made in solid porcelain, hand-painted finish, on solid bronze and porcelain base.

Finest quality, vintage retired, handmade and hand painted in Germany, Rosenthal porcelain German Shepherd dog figurine by artist Theodor Kar...

Limited edition High Porcelain sculpture of a dragon, the symbol of power and good fortune in Asian cultures, in a special version to commemorate Lladró’s 70th anniversary. A represe...

Sculpture white parrot all handcrafted in porcelain. Hand-painted and with details in solid bronze.  

The piece is a unique representation of a woman in a modern way. The woman is gently painted with acrylic color. Our designer creates these pieces completely by hand, without any mo...

Presenting a set high-end and important Japanese dolls of Musha Ningyo Samurai Dolls containing Takenouchi No Sukune,Grandson,Bannerman on two wooden stands from the Edo period, a traditional Japanese warrior doll...

Santa Claus limited edition porcelain figurine with a sweet little girl in his arms kissing him decorated with red enamels on Santa's costume.

The piece is a unique representation of a Chimpanzee in a modern way. Our designer creates these pieces completely by hand.   

Italian ceramic, perfect condition, produced in 1960s. Signed Made in Italy. We have also another big cats for sale, check our products. Only one unique piece available.

Wharton Esherick important sofa for Lawrence and Alice Seiver. We are pleased to offer this exceptional item, the epitome of the Americ...

Classic 1910s Vienna bronze figurine, expertly crafted and beautifully detailed in the tradition of Austrian cold-painted bronzes. This charming polychromed bronze sculpture showcase...

19th Century Meissen Birdcage Grouping Germany Circa 1880 This enchanting 19th-century Meissen birdcage grouping, made in Germany circa 1880, is a re...

The "GOLDEN RATIO" sculpture by Patrick Coard Paris is a couture masterpiece, exquisitely crafted from a bronze patina brass veneer inlaid on a fiberglass core and meticulously hand-...

Limited edition dragon sculpture in matte porcelain with gold lustre. A symbol of power and prosperity in Eastern culture, this magical creature, the bearer of good luck, is the protagonist in this spectacular High Porcelain limited edition. The hundreds of scales covering its skin are individually hand painted with gold lustre, an extremely laborious technique requiring the expertise of the finest artists. The luminosity distinguishing its spectacular embellishment is attained by combining gloss and satin finishes, united by an iridescent metallic hue on the chest and a vivid turquoise hue on the crest. The complexity of the dragon´s...

I think it's safe to say you have never seen a bird this big before! A rare, nearly 8ft tall, one-of-a-kind antique architectural hand carved wood sculptural element, in the form ...

Sculpture white parrot on ring in hand painted white porcelain with brass details.

Painted ceramic, very good original vintage condition. No damages or cracks. Beautiful and unique decorative sculpture. White Poodle Dog Sculpture was produced in Italy. Only one dog...

Antique Southeast Asian Polychrome Wooden Oversized Temple Horse from India. Large Antique Southeast Asian Carved Polychrome Wood Horses. Antique Southeast Asian carved wood model of a parade horse. the body with allover polychrome, saddle and reins carved in high relief, the tail lacquered. 19th century hand carved oversized wooden Indian temple horse...

Presenting a stunning pair of mid to late 19th century French Limoges Bisque porcelain figurines from circa 1870. One is of a lady in period dress/attire cradling a Dove. All hand-painted and decorated to the finest quality. The base is marked with the makers initials “C.H.”. She is made of fine bisque porcelain in the Old Paris porcelain style. The other is of a gentleman set...

Pair of Diminutive Antique Staffordshire black & white seated Spaniels, C. 1860s England, Circa 1860s A good pair of antique black and white Staffordshire...

A museum-quality Arts & Crafts folk art chandelier, conceived and handcrafted in southern Germany in the early years of the 20th century. This exceptional sculptural pendant transcen...

Fantastic 20Thc Original painted or decorated ring buoy / life saver for swimming pools or ocean life guards.This most unusual painted & decorated buoy is most unusual.The condition...

Charming vintage Tonala pottery figurine depicts a reclining cat with folded front paws and raised head; the cat is looking forward with wide open, large eyes and a slightly surpris...

Porcelain sculpture depicting a hare, inspired by the plant motifs of the designer William Morris, one of the all-time masters of the decorative arts. This sculpture, made in matte black porcelain, depicts an exquisitely ornamented hare inspired by the famous patterns with motifs taken from nature that Morris, one of the key figures in the renewal of the decorative arts, applied in all his works. The piece is finished in matte black porcelain and decorated with Morris’s signature plant motifs, finished in green and metallic tones. William Morris was a multifaceted British artist, instrumental in the renewal of design and the decorative arts. The driving force behind the late-nineteenth century Art and...

Grande Asino in Ceramica con Gerle Porta Uova Perugia 1950 utilizzato dall’industria dolciaria per le confezioni di lusso delle uova di Pasqua. Il ciuco è in perfetto stato a prescin...

Rosenthal- Gustav Oppel (1891-1978) - 'Salambo' - Model Number 956/2 - Fine Art Deco 'snake charmer' porcelain figurine - hand painted - featuring gold gi...

Classic early 20th Century figurine, expertly crafted and beautifully detailed in the tradition of Austrian bronzes. This charming figurine showcases the exceptional artistry for whi...

🎁 A thoughtful gift for dog lovers, vintage enthusiasts, or anyone who appreciates timeless decorative art. Pair it with a handwritten note or place it under the tree for a heartwar...

A gorgeous character ceramic figural gnome statue - made by Hertwig & Endert in Germany, a well known manufacturer of this kind of figures. This character statue has been made in Germany, in the 1930s probably to 1940s. Absolutely gorgeous item with lots of character and still in great condition. Made of hand colored glazed earthenware. A nice addition to any Lawn, Yard, Garden or Patio, but can also be a nice addition to a room. A German garden gnome...

A pair of finely molded and hand painted English Staffordshire dogs. This pair features full body reclining hounds with the most charming of hand painted faces and colors. On their o...

1930s Torino glazed porcelain sculpture of seated Venus on shell over dolphins, manufactured by Lenci, Italy By: Lenci Material: ceramic, porcelain, enamel, paint, clay Technique: c...

These are a beautiful set of NINE porcelain Monkey Figures or Figurines all playing in a Band made by Sitzendorf, Germany, circa 1910. What makes these figures special is the excell...

Pair of Fitz and Floyd Whippet dog figurines beautifully crafted in ceramic with a crackled glaze finish. The figurines depict two whippets sitting regally on green, grassy bases with black and gold trim, Each dog is hand painted in warm brown and cream tones with gold accents on the collars. They sit on a green, textured grassy platform with black and gold trim, This is a hard to find colorway in terms of the dogs, the base and the level of hand painted detail. These whippet figurines...

Italian ceramic terracotta sculpture Depicting Madonna , Virgin & Child religiousstatue Material: Earthenware terracotta, tin glaze and partially gilded Modeled and painted by h...

Antique Meissen porcelain figurine. Boy with flower basket. Model 149. Approx. 1900. Measures: 12.8 x 6.5 cm. In excellent condition. Stamped. 1st factor...

Large Giulia Mangani porcelain parrot on a goldtone steel stand and black plinth.The parrot hand painted in vivid colors and embellished with 24K gold details. Marked as shown. Dime...

This is a Goebel porcelain figurine of a Pied Wagtail bird. It depicts a very well done hand painted black, brown, gray blue and white, Wagtail bird. It has the Goebel hallmark plus ...

American Country style painted iron eagle figure with spread wings perched on gray painted wood base (with date 1912)

A rare and highly evocative European memento mori terracotta sculpture depicting a human skull resting upon a rocky outcrop, entwined with serpents and surmounted by a distinctive lock of hair. Dating from the late 17th to early 18th century, the piece is likely of German origin. Beautifully modelled and painted in naturalistic tones, the skull is rendered in warm earthy hues, contrasting with the dark green serpents that coil through and around the cranium. The rocky base is finished in rich brown tones, enhancing the sculpture's dramatic presence and symbolic depth. Memento mori, Latin for “remember that you must die,” was a powerful artistic and philosophical motif throughout Europe, serving as a reminder of the transience of earthly life and the certainty of mortality. Here, the skull embodies death, decay, and the fleeting nature of human existence, while the entwined serpents symbolise transformation, renewal, healing, and the eternal cycle of life. Together they create a compelling allegory of mortality and rebirth, where death itself becomes a gateway to regeneration. A striking and unusual example of early European memento mori art...

Hand painted porcelain collectible Fitz and Floyd resting Nubian camel figurine. Beautifully detailed Arabian camel, the camel is kneeling in rest and ...

Wonderful pair of Derby Porcelain "Mansion House" dwarfs. Both figures are modeled wearing large hat advertisements, most likely as they stood outside Mansion House in London. Both f...

An English porcelain Staffordshire dog decorative object sculpture, Victorian design period, circa late-19th century, England. What a chic dog w...

A very attractive ceramic animal figurine depicting a German Shepherd. A beautifully designed and crafted piece from the Steffl Fayence company in Vienna, Austria. An exceptionally ...

This sizable ceramic and well executed Cheetah sculpture is signed by the maker Ronzan of Italy and dates to approximately 1960 and done in the period Mid-Century Modern style. The s...

Statue of Liberty — Limited Edition 250 Luxury Porcelain Sculpture, 250th Anniversary of American Independence Few symbols in human history carry the universal weight of Lady Libert...

This sculpture is a wig holder, made in the 1970s in France. It is a Female Head, in a brown color.

Large Italian Ceramic Cheetah, 1970s Hollywood Regency A stunning large hand-painted ceramic animal sculpture of a seated cheetah. A very lifelike and anatomically correct large cat statue...

A very stylish and typically Scandinavian Swedish mid-century hand painted graduated set of carved wooden horse figures by Nils Olsson and dating from around 1950. The figures are each similarly carved standing from a very miniature example to a very large horse. They are simply carved with shaped heads and raised ears and each is hand painted with a patterned saddle and harness and simple facial styling, The saddle is painted with a stylized floral design in tones of blue, black, orange and yellow against an off-white ground with with green/blue edging with the straps similarly decorated and painted against a bright orange ground. The miniature variant has a slightly different coloring and patterning due to the limitations of its size but is an original part of the set. The second largest horse is painted with initials G.E.B. and the three mid-sized horses all retain their original makers paper labels for Nils Olsson. The miniature horse measures...

A 19th Century Sitzendorf Meissen-Style Seated Chinoiserie Nodder—Hand-Painted Porcelain—Articulated Head & Hands This exquisite 19th-century Sitzendorf Meissen-style Chinoiserie no...

Large Italian Ceramic Tiger, 1970s Hollywood Regency A stunning large hand-painted ceramic animal sculpture of a seated tiger. A very lifelike and anatomically correct large cat statue...

Large Toy Spaniel (King Charles/Pekingese Type) Dresden, Germany, circa 1890–191 Porcelain, underglaze and overglaze enamel This large-scale porcelain figure represents a toy spanie...

A gorgeous character ceramic figural gnome statue. This character statue has been made by unknown Company in Germany, in the 1930s or earlier. Absolutely gorgeous item with lots of ...