London Animal Sculptures

A very fine early 20th Century cold painted Austrian bronze study of a standing cockatoo with superb naturalistic colour and excellent hand chased surface detail, signed with the Ber...

Polished bronze handcast Neska Miniature Dachshund dog sculpture by Javier de la Rosa. Javier De la Rosa has created a series of bronze cast miniature sculptures that celebrate anim...

Smiling ceramic lion / cat sculpture by ceramicist Bruno Gambone (circa 1990s). This seated lion sculpture is truly a work of art. It is whimsical, yet beautiful in its use of the pa...

Very Large Bronze of a Cowboy and his bucking Horse after Frederick Remmington This Sculpture has such a Powerful Movement and Raw Energy Lovely Sculpture

Exquisite butterfly paper weight made of solid brass. Handcast and hand finished, each piece is quite unique. The brass is finished with an elegant bronze patina and polished highli...

This is a beautiful antique bronze sculpture of a lioness by the renowned French sculptor Louis Riche (1877 - 1947), circa 1910 in date. The sculpture depicts a recumbent lioness r...

Each of these exquisite solid brass snails is handmade individually with incredible detail. Cast using very traditional techniques, the noble material is aged unveiling a beautiful p...

Polished bronze hand cast miniature fox sculpture by artist Javier de la Rosa. Javier De la Rosa has created a series of bronze cast miniature sculptures that celebrate animals and ...

Lovely Bronze Sculpture of a Polo Player This Bronze Captures the Movement Perfectly Bronze Sat on Marble Base

This is a handsome pair of bronze stags, bearing the replica signature of well known French sculptor Jules Moigniez, from the last quarter of the 20th century. The stags are made ...

Enourmous Silver Plated Bronze Pegasus Winged Horse Statue on Wooden Base This Bronze is Truly a one off and a Real Statement Piace

Each of these exquisite solid bronze snails is handmade individually with incredible detail. Cast using very traditional techniques, the noble material is aged unveiling a beautiful ...

This is a very interesting patinated bronze sculpture of a pair of lions, late 20th Century in date. They are sitting up proudly, with toned muscles and impressive manes. This sig...

Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1972 by A. E. Jones, this charming, Elizabeth II period, Sterling Silver Model of a Hare, is realistically cast. The hare model measures 4"(10cm) tall, by...

This is a historically interesting bronze sculpture of a pair of lions after the original Medici Lions placed at the Villa Medici, Rome. This pair dating from the second half of the 20th Century. The lions are sitting on their haunches with one front paw on a sphere, and they are facing right and left with their tails on opposite sides. They feature beautifully toned muscles and sleek detailed manes, which signifies their masculinity and reflects their health. This high-quality hot cast solid bronze pair was produced using the traditional "lost wax" process, otherwise known as the "cire perdue" method. It is a majestic pair which will look lovely equally at home indoors or outdoors. Condition: In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 96 x Width 43 x Depth 95 Dimensions in inches: Height 3 foot, 2 inches x Width 1 foot, 5 inches x Depth 3 feet, 1 inch Lost Wax Method sometimes called by the French name of cire perdue or the Latin, cera perduta is the process by which a bronze or brass is cast from an artists sculpture. In industrial uses, the modern process is called investment casting. An ancient practice, the process today varies from foundry to foundry, but the steps which are usually used in casting small bronze sculptures in a modern bronze foundry are generally quite standardised. The Medici lions are a pair of marble sculptures of lions, one of which is Roman, dating to the 2nd century AD, and the other a 16th-century pendant; both were by 1598 placed at the Villa Medici, Rome. Since 1789 they have been displayed at the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence. The sculptures depict standing male lions with a sphere or ball under one paw, looking to the side. Copies of the Medici lions have been copied and publicly installed in over 30 other locations, and smaller versions made in a variety of media; Medici lion has become the term for the type. The Albani lion, a similar ancient sculpture, now at the Louvre A similar Roman lion...

Highly Decorative Leather Elephant Sculpture This Leather Elephant dates from Mid C20th with Superb Patina This Elephant is Stood With its Trunk Raised and very much in the Liberty S...

Introducing further pieces to our upcoming Studio Bucchi collection. These are a limited edition, bespoke order pieces. All materials used in the creation of these exceptional pieces...

This is an impressive pair of dogs in the timeless Art Deco style, sitting attentively and awaiting the command of their master and dating from the mid 20th Century. This high quali...

Each of these exquisite solid brass snails is handmade individually with incredible detail. Cast using very traditional techniques, they are finished with a nickel plating giving the...

Last in the current series, a table lamp of mother and baby elephant is hand crafted molded and cast . A whimsical functional sculptural table lamp of elephants strolling along with...

Ceramic Indian motif white elephant by Bruno Gambone (circa 1970s). This is an absolutely charming ceramic white elephant with an Indian-style blanket and headdress, large whimsical ...

Antique figural Italian cast bronze cat (circa 1920s). This Italian marvel, born in the heart of the 1920s, is not just a statue; it's a portal to a by...

Heavy carved stone sculpture of a family of African lions. This unusual sculpture is in very good condition, the male lion is a little loose on the b...

Antique 19th Century Porcelain Staffordshire Ware Hound By William Kent C.1850 A superb hand painted elegant hound figure presented in very good co...

This is a fine antique French Empire Revival ormolu and patinated marble casket, circa 1820 in date. Of rectangular form decorated with  a central sculp...

This is a stunning 1970s brass parrot sculpture on a perch, by renowned Mexican artist Sergio Bustamante. The sculpture showcases Bustamante’s signature artistry, featuring individua...

Polished bronze hand cast miniature penguin sculpture by artist Javier de la Rosa. Javier De la Rosa has created a series of bronze cast miniature sculptures that celebrate animals ...

An excellent mid 19th Century French Animalier bronze study of a game bird proudly holding its catch of the day with very fine intricate hand chased surface detail and very fine rich...

A Curtis Jere heron wall sculpture with metal heron standing amongst lily pads and flowers, signed on the base "C Jere 1988".

Pintail by Guy Taplin (b.1939) Carved wood and painted gesso Signed and inscribed underneath This elegant pintail sculpture, crafted by renowned artist Guy Taplin, showcases his s...

Fabulous late 19th Century French Animalier bronze study of a standing horse with wonderful rich dark brown lightly rubbed to mid/golden brown patina and excellent crisp surface detail, raised on a stepped integral base, signed I Bonheur ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Height: 13 cm Length: 19 cm Condition: Excellent Original Condition Circa: 1870 Materials: Bronze Book Ref Animals in Bronze by Christopher Payne Kjellberg Page no. 177 SKU: 8526 DESCRIPTION Isidore Bonheur Bonheur Cheval– Isidore Bonheur (1827 ~ 1901) was born on May 15th 1827 in Bordeaux, France, and died in Paris in 1901. He was an important Animalier sculptor, the brother of Rosa Bonheur, and brother-in-law to Hippolyte Peyrol the founder. The Bonheurs were a well known family of painters, sculptors and artists. Isidore studied painting under the tutelage of his father at a very early age. He moved on to sculpture in 1848 with his first Salon entry of a plaster study of An African Horseman attacked by a lion. Isidore Bonheur continued exhibiting his sculpture throughout the years, both at the Salon in Paris as well as the Royal Academy in London. He won medals at the Salon in 1865 and 1869, and won the Gold Medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1889. Bonheur was awarded the Legion of Honneur in 1895. Isidore Bonheur’s bronzes range from domestic cattle and sheep, which he excelled at, to wild bears and lions as well as equestrian and hunting groups, all done in a very natural and realistic manner. His Le Grand Jockey...

This is a stunning antique Continental silver pheasant with exceptional detailing to the modelling of the bird, marked silver,circa 1880 in date. It is an excellent quality example ...

Italian Alabaster Figure of the Medici Lion Late 19th century Italian carved alabaster 'Grand Tour' souvenir sculpture, after the antique, "The Medici Lion". Carved alabaster mode...

Vintage Italian travertine porcupine sculpture and card or letter holder by Mannelli Bros (circa 1970s). Designed by Italian brothers, Fratelli Mannelli, this charming piece has load...

This highly decorative life-size ceramic flamingo was crafted in Italy during the 1950s. The flamingo is finished with a high-gloss glaze, giving its surface a lifelike sheen. The te...

The dog is in gilt carved wood We believe to be an Italian greyhound sitting on its haunch. It has a gold buckled dog collar around the neck. The dog attached to cartouche shaped b...

Wonderful 19th Century animalier bronze group of a standing ewe with her feeding lamb beneath her, the bronze with excellent rich brown patina and very fine hand chased surface detai...

Very fine mid-19th century French Animalier bronze study of a standing Setter with excellent hand chased surface detail and rich brown patination. Raised on a stepped naturalistic base, signed J Moigniez. Additional information: Height: 19 cm Width: 34 cm Condition: excellent original condition Circa: 1870 Materials: bronze Book reference: Les Animaliers by Jane Horswell Page no. 237 About Jules Moigniez (French, 1835 ~ 1894) Moigniez was a French animalier sculptor of the 19th century. He worked primarily in bronze and frequently exhibited his sculptures at the Paris salon. He was best known for his bronzes depicting birds, although his skill and versatility enabled him to produce quality horse sculptures (primarily racehorses), dog sculptures and hunting scenes. His bird sculptures were among the finest ever created in his time. Moigniez was born at Senlis, Oise, France in 1835, the son of a metal gilder. Moigniez’s father bought a foundry to cast his sculptures, which was of great benefit to Moigniez as he didn’t have the added foundry costs that most of his contemporaries had to pay. Moigniez studied sculpture under the tutelage of Paul Comoléra (a student of François Rude) in Paris. It is quite likely that Moigniez’s attraction to bird sculpture was a direct result of his education under Comoléra, who was himself a bird specialist. Over the course of his 40-year sculpting career Moigniez exhibited thirty works at the Salon between 1855–92. His first submission in a major art exhibition was his plaster, Pointer Stopping at a Pheasant, at the Exposition Universelle of 1855.[1][2] Moigniez was known for the fine detail and chiseling of his sculptures. His bronzes—usually cast using the lost wax method—were always immaculately chased and patinated, and were especially popular in England and Scotland.[2] More than half of his output during his lifetime was sold in the United Kingdom. By the end of the 19th century, his sculpture had become popular in the United States as well. In contrast with other animaliers of the period such are P.J. Mêne and Antoine-Louis Barye, Moigniez’s bird sculptures often incorporated highly detailed bases complete with bushes, extensive foliage and undergrowth. His castings were generally of excellent quality with a variety of patinas, the gilded and silvered patinas being the most desirable and sought after by collectors. His bronzes could be reproached for an excess of detail, a result of overly-finicky, over-worked chiseling. Moigniez received redemption, however, by portraying in his sculpture a certain “elegance of attitudes”. His Chien braque...

"Taureau Debout" by Rosa Bonheur. An excellent late 19th Century French animalier bronze study of a standing bull with fine hand chased surface that accentuates the muscle definition of the subject, signed Rosa B. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Measures: Width: 32 cm Height: 18 cm Depth: 11cm Condition: Excellent Original Condition Circa: 1870 Materials: Bronze Book reference: Animals in Bronze by Christopher Payne Page no. 174 DESCRIPTION Bonheur, Rosa (1822-1899) The most popular artist of nineteenth-century France, Rosa Bonheur was also one of the first renowned painters of animals and the first woman awarded the Grand Cross by the French Legion of Honor. A professional artist with a successful career, Bonheur lived in two consecutive committed relationships with women. Born on March 16, 1822 in Bordeaux, Marie Rosalie Bonheur was the oldest of the four children of Raimond Oscar Bonheur (1796-1849) and Sophie Marquis. Bonheur's father was an art teacher who came from a poor family, while her mother, a musician, had descended from a middle-class family and had been her husband's art student. Bonheur's father, who taught drawing and landscape painting, was an ardent member of the utopian Saint Simeon society. The group held idealistic beliefs about the reform of work, property, marriage, and the role of women in society. Most importantly, for the artist's future, the Saint Simeons questioned traditional gender norms and firmly believed in the equality of women. While teaching artistic techniques to his oldest daughter, Raimond Bonheur also encouraged her independence and taught her to consider art as a career. In 1828 Raimond Bonheur joined the Saint Simeons at their retreat outside Paris. Sophie and the children joined him in Paris the following year. Four years later, however, Raimond abandoned his family to live in isolation with his fellow Saint Simeons. Sophie Bonheur died in 1833 at the age of thirty-six. Rosa was only eleven years old when her mother died, but she was aware of the heavy price her mother paid for married life with a man who was more dedicated to his own ideals than to meeting his family's needs. Rosa also saw that her mother's marriage led to poverty and her death from exhaustion. After her mother's death, Bonheur was taken in by the Micas family who resided nearby. Mme Micas and Bonheur's mother had been friends. When Mme Bonheur died, the Micas family paid Raimond Bonheur's debts and cared for Rosa. Their daughther, Nathalie, who would later become an amateur inventor and unschooled veterinarian, and Rosa became enamored with each other. When Rosa Bonheur began her career as a professional artist, she had already been trained by her father who had allowed her to study in all male classes. Rosa also learned by sketching masterworks at the Louvre from the age of fourteen, and later, by studying with Léon Cogniet. From the very beginning, Bonheur's favorite subject was animals. She learned their anatomy completely by dissecting them in local slaughterhouses. She also visited the horse market two times a week. Study of animals by direct observation led to the formation of the realist style in which Bonheur worked. It was for such work that Bonheur obtained written permission from the French government to wear men's slacks. Her working attire also consisted of a loose smock and heavy boots that protected her feet from the dangerous environment in which she painted. The style of dress that the artist adopted for work and home may well have been influenced by her father's attire, which was based on St. Simeonian clothing experiments. Bonheur also cropped her hair, perhaps to facilitate her work. She did, however, always wear dresses for social occasions because she knew that appropriate dress would further her career. Bonheur earned a successful living as a painter of animals. She exhibited at the annual Paris Salon regularly from the age of nineteen in 1841 through 1853, when she was thirty-one. She won the salon's gold medal at the age of twenty-six in 1848 and was commissioned by the French government to paint Plowing on the Nivernais in 1849. In the same year Bonheur and her sister Juliette became directors of l'École gratuite de dessin pour les jeunes filles, a post their father had once held. Bonheur completed her most renowned work, The Horse Fair, in 1855. The successful representation of percherons (a breed native to Normandy) was purchased by Ernest Gambart, a London art dealer whose gallery specialized in work by French artists. He exhibited The Horse Fair in London where Bonheur visited with Nathalie. Queen Victoria requested a private viewing of the painting at Windsor Castle. It would later be purchased in 1887 by Cornelius Vanderbilt and donated to the new Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Bonheur's trip to England allowed her to meet Charles Eastlake, then President of the Royal Academy, John Ruskin, the English writer and critic, and Edwin Landseer, the British animalier. She also toured the English and Scottish countrysides and executed some paintings based on her observations of new breeds of animals found there. Gambart made engravings of Bonheur's work, including The Horse Fair, and sold them in England, Europe, and the United States. Bonheur became one of the most renowned painters of the time. Little girls, such as Anna Klumpke in the United States, even had dolls in her likeness, much as American girls played with Shirley Temple dolls...

French glazed ceramic stylised bird vase by Dominique Pouchain (circa 1980s). Quirky and original, these ceramic birds are by the son of Jacques Pouchain, well-known French ceramicis...

An attractive modern limited edition bronze study of a resting rabbit with excellent smooth tactile surface and good colour, signed, numbered and stamped Landowski Foundry ~ Cire Per...

A captivating amber glass sculpture of a standing tang horse with excellent contrasting clear and frosted coloured glass and fine detail, signed Lalique France with original sticker ...

An unusual scrolling glass sculpture of an octopus, with animated tentacles, the glass with agate colouring. Made by a talented English glassblower, trained in Murano and now working...

A magnificent pair of Antique Continental Silver Pheasants of notably large size. The pair of Silver Pheasants comprises of a Cock Pheasant and Hen Pheasant...

Hallmarked in Edinburgh in 1997 by Hamilton & Inches, and designed and modelled by Victor Hayton for the World Wildlife Fund, this incredible, Elizabeth II period, Limited Edition St...

This charming antique Black Forest inkstand dates from circa 1880. Beautifully modelled, hand carved from linden wood, with mother and baby bear on a naturalistically carved rocky outcrop. The inkwells are in the form of a pair of tree trunks with fluted glass wells with carved lids and a useful pen tray in front. Condition: In excellent condition. As an antique item, it shows signs of use commensurate with age, these minor condition issues are mentioned for accuracy and, as seen in the accompanying photographs, the inkstand displays beautifully. Dimensions in cm: Height 15 cm x Width 23 cm x Depth 14 cm Dimensions in inches: Height 6 inches x Width 9 inches x Depth 5 inches History of Black Forest Carving The idea behind the success of Brienz wood carving was quite simple. After a disastrous famine in 1816 in the Brienz area people were forced to find new areas of revenues. Driven by the need to create jobs in the Bernese Oberland, an economically underdeveloped region, the Swiss government encouraged the existing resource of timber industry to liaise with the traditional wooden craftsmanship. It took some time to improve from home requirements to sophisticated designed arts but the process was supported by the rising amount of tourists visiting the region. Christian Fischer and other founders Christian Fischer (1790-1848) started self-taught from simple turneries (carved bowls and other articles of daily use) to unsophisticated regional animals and people. Due to his success and the interest of the tourists, other carvers started also following his idea of carving the pristine naturalism. The Swiss government supported these start-ups with additional training of apprentices at special trade school. Brienz School of Wood Carving In 1884 the "School of Wood Carving, Brienz" was founded. It became an important educational institution to strengthen and develop the artistic backgrounds and exhibit an area of creativity. During the years of war in the 20th century, the demand for wooden sculptures came to rest and led to the re-orientation in areas such as toys and carvings for constructions. Beyond that the Brienz wood carving articles had to face an enormous competition from abroad. The School of Wood Carving had to get through difficult economic times but in the late 1970s wood carving enjoyed a renaissance. A lot of young people searched for elemental jobs and added a new value to school education. Today Brienz School of Wood Carving is combined with the education of turner, basket makers and coopers. The school still claims high-quality standards and follows old principles with regard to future perspectives. Wild animals At all times wild animals fascinate people. The highland around Brienz has large variety of different wild animals. Bears are among the most popular models for carvers. On the one hand bears are easy to cut and on the other hand they have a strong symbolized image. The enthusiasm for bears in art...

A Magnificent Pair of Bronze Lions Renaissance Manner Lovely Verdis Gris Patina Late C20th

A charming pair of decorative silver plate geese or mallard ducks, made in Spain in the twentieth century. The geese are very finely modelled with excellent details to the faces, f...

Mid-century French ceramic flower vase by Albert Thiry (circa 1970s). A charming piece with a chalk-white glaze which is complemented by a delicate, pale blue on the bird's feathers....

This is a wonderful antique French Empire Revival ormolu mounted and patinated Verde Antico marble inkstand, Circa 1870 in date. Of rectangular form with a pair of raised inkwells h...

A captivating early 20th Century cold painted Austrian bronze study of a walking lizard with excellent cold painted colour and very fine hand finished surface detail, signed with th...

Vintage ceramic horse by Bruno Gambone, (circa 1970s). A charming, sizeable ceramic parade horse with groomed mane and tail in Gambone's signature chalk-white glaze. Light brown figu...

'Goat' bronze sculpture created by Studio Rinat Design, molded and cast in bronze in the lost wax process. The sculpture is available to order in other patinas and in gold finish. Li...

A very fine early 20th Century cold painted Austrian bronze study of an eagle spreading its wings. The sculpture balances naturally on the talons of the eagle, free standing this a marvellous representation for these free and noble creatures. The bronze surface has excellent colour and very fine hand finished detail, signed with the Bergman 'B' in an amphora vase. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Height: 9 cm Width: 17 cm Length: 9 cm Condition: Excellent Original Condition Circa: 1900 Materials: Cold Painted Bronze Book Ref Antique Vienna Bronzes by Joseph Zobel SKU: 8757 ABOUT Bergman Eagle Franz Bergman Sculptures Bergman Eagle – Bergman is celebrated for his great attention to detail and wonderful vibrant colours, Franz Xavier Bergman (1861-1936) is, arguably, the most famous of the Viennese cold-painted bronze artists, delighting in producing Oriental, Arab bronze...

A very fine French Animaliers bronze study of a stallion standing behind a post and rail fence exhibiting excellent hand finished surface detail and good...

This is a splendid large pair of solid bronze pelicans on mooring posts, dating from the late 20th century. This charming pair feature one pelican si...

A particularly nice example of a solid teak carved Hippopotamus sculpture C.1960. In excellent vintage condition commensurate of age.

A rare vintage oriental decorative steel horse sculpture, with beautiful gold gilded detailing. This sculpture has a natural aged patina that a...