Sculpture

A branch of the visual arts traditionally typified for being solid and three dimensional. Media used to create sculpture including stone, bronze, pottery and wood. In their appearance, sculptures may be divided into two categories, either free-standing (in the round) or adjoined to a background surface (relief).

With the development of plastic art in the 20th and 21st century, the definition of sculpture was broadened to include works specifically concerned with the three-dimensional form.


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French sculptor's bust of George Washington to be offered in Rhode Island sale

09 March 2020

This 19th century bronze bust of George Washington cast by the French metal founder Ferdinand Barbedienne after the model by the French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741-1828) will feature in the Bruneau and Co sale at Cranston, Rhode Island, on March 14.

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Dying Cleopatra immortalised in marble

09 March 2020

The Premier Auction at Brunk (23% buyer’s premium) in Asheville, North Carolina included this 3ft 10in (1.17m) carrara marble Cleopatra morente by the Italian sculptor Pio Fedi (1816-92).

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Napoleon: his majesty and tragedy depicted

02 March 2020

Napoleon Bonaparte’s magnetism remains as forceful as ever in UK salerooms.

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Art Deco duo dance into North Shields

02 March 2020

Briefly catalogued, but accurately estimated, this bronze and ivory dancing couple was the outstanding star at Featonby’s (18.75% buyer’s premium) recent sale in North Shields.

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Newly discovered 16th century French bronze emerges at Paris sale

24 February 2020

A rare example of newly discovered bronze by a French Renaissance sculptor will be making an appearance at the rostrum on April 1 in Paris.

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Rediscovered French Renaissance bronze nude to be revealed at Paris auction

22 February 2020

A rare example of a newly discovered bronze by a French Renaissance sculptor will be making an appearance at the rostrum on April 1 in Paris.

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French sculptor Louis Hottot's bronze of an exotic musician triples estimate

17 February 2020

A sale at Oise Enchères yielded a strong price for a bronze by the French sculptor Louis Hottot (1829-1905).

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Nelson bust sails high to top sale

17 February 2020

While furniture and books fully justified its title, The Oxford Library Sale at Mallams (22.5% buyer’s premium) was led by a surprise star: a rather lowly regarded gesso bust of the sort that would have been a minor decoration to such a room.

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Italian sculptor's marble Cleopatra appears in North Carolina

27 January 2020

The sale at Brunk in Asheville, North Carolina, on February 8 includes a 3ft 10in (1.17m) carrara marble Cleopatra morente by the Italian sculptor Pio Fedi (1816-92).

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Versailles steps in for Sabine cast

13 January 2020

Palace uses power of pre-emption to buy cast of Giambologna’s seminal sculpture at auction.

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Boy pilot takes flight

06 January 2020

As implied by a plaque to the base titled 'Aeroplane Par Omertz' [sic], this gilt bronze and ivory figure of a boy in an aeroplane was by Georges Omerth (fl.1895-1925).

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Mod Brit artworks gifted to nation will go on display at Hepworth Wakefield gallery

03 January 2020

Three works by Modern British artists will go on display at The Hepworth Wakefield gallery following a donation via the government’s Cultural Gifts Scheme.

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Rediscovered Giambologna bronze cast bought by Versailles 

24 December 2019

A ‘rediscovered’ lifetime cast of Giambologna’s 'Rape of a Sabine' topped Sotheby’s sell-out sale of works from the collection of the Count and Countess of Ribes in Paris.

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Cricketers team up for a single lot

23 December 2019

While individuals and pairs from the suite of five bronze cricketers by Joseph Durham (1814-77) are occasionally seen on the rostrum, it is rare to find all five appearing together.

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Lioness bronze set to roar into auction

09 December 2019

Besch holds its traditional winter sale series from December 27-31 at the Hotel Martinez in Cannes. Wines, champagne and spirits; Impressionist and Modern art; designer watches, pens, jewellery and coins all feature.

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5 Questions: Polly Bielecka of Pangolin London

09 December 2019

Polly Bielecka is director at sculpture gallery Pangolin London.

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Battle scene panels beat estimate at Fonsie Mealy

09 December 2019

Consigned from a scholarly collector in New Zealand, a pair of relief-carved ivory panels was the among the highlights of Fonsie Mealy’s (22% buyer’s premium inc VAT) Castlecomer sale on November 26.

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East London foundry first to sign up to new digital ‘hallmark’ for bronze sculptures

03 December 2019

Bronze Age Foundry in Limehouse, London, is the first foundry in the UK to adopt a new bronze hallmarking scheme.

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Bust of leading French statesman by the king’s sculptor fetches £2m in Paris auction

22 November 2019

A rare early 17th century bronze bust of a French statesman discovered in a French country house was knocked down at €2.4m (£2.07m) hammer at the Drouot auction centre in Paris this week.

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Seat of power: Churchill maquette

11 November 2019

Less familiar than some of the busts and maquettes of Winston Churchill by Oscar Nemon (1906-85) was this bronze resin maquette, below, offered at Catherine Southon’s (18% buyer’s premium) sale in Selsdon, Surrey.

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