Carved Busts

Impressive classical marble bust, hand-carved with exceptional detail. The piece depicts a bearded male figure with a serene and majestic expression, dressed in a Roman tunic richly ...

This finely executed bust of a Naiad is attributed to the neoclassical sculptor John Gibson (1790 – 1866). A Naiad was a type of mythological water nymph and is depicted here with her head bowed and cocked slightly to the side, displaying her strong neo-Hellenistic profile. In her hair, the nymph wears a headdress that is comprised of long and slender reed leaves, which not only identifies her iconographically as a water spirit, but draws a close comparison with those worn by the female figures in John Gibson’s Hylas Surprised by the Naiades (1827 - 1837) (fig.1). The downwards and off-centre orientation of our Naiad bust mirrors that of the taller figure on the left of the group, who rests her cheek on the head young Hylas (fig.2) Her facial physiognomy follows the neo-Hellenistic archetype established by Gibson and can be closely compared with his Tinted Venus – one of the most important statues of the Victorian era (1851–56, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool) (fig.3). While Gibson’s Tinted Venus is known best for its controversial polychrome ‘tinting’, the essential structure of the face—broad brow, finely drawn nose, wide (and slightly drooping) almond-shaped eyes - provided a template that Gibson returned to repeatedly in his depiction of mythological maidens. Critics of the time noted the consistency of his female types, with some seeing their idealised severity as an antidote to the sentimentality of much mid-Victorian sculpture (fig.4 – 6). The facial physiognomy is also very similar to a drawing by Gibson at the Royal Academy that depicts Hero weeping over the dead body of Leander (fig.7). The socle style of the present work also finds comparisons with Gibsons busts of Cupid and Aurora. This was of course somewhat standardised, but it is interesting to note the extent of their similarity with our bust. John Gibson RA is considered by many to be the greatest British sculptor of the nineteenth century working in the Neoclassical style. It is hard to overestimate the impact Rome had on the life and art of the artist. He first arrived in the city around 1817, when he was just twenty-six, and remained a resident there until his death. Not only did Rome’s ancient sculptural treasures and architectural fragments offer Gibson a lifetime of inspiration, but the Grand Tourists who poured into Rome in the first half of the nineteenth century provided him with many commercial opportunities. These rich or aristocratic travellers sought out mythological sculptures for their grand, palatial residences. However, since the papal decrees of Doria Pamphilj and Pacca of 1803 banned the export of ancient Greek and Roman works of art from Rome, there was a large demand for modern idealised sculpture in the Neoclassical style (Frasca-Rath 2016, p. 10). During his early days in the city he had the great fortune to train under both Antonio Canova and Bertel Thorvaldsen (Roscoe and Hardy 2009, p. 522). He referred continuously to Canova as his “master”, particularly in his memoirs, which he dictated to Margarete Sandbach at the beginning of the 1850s; these were subsequently published by Lady Eastlake in 1870. Moreover, he claimed to be Canova’s last pupil in a letter to Antonio Gacini, Secretary of the Royal Academy in Milan in 1861, written to thank the Academy for accepting him as an Honorary Member: “The first instruction which I received in my art was from an Italian. It was Canova whose pupil I became in the year 1817 and studied under him for five years when he died. I was his last pupil” (Royal Academy Archive GI/1376). By 1821, Gibson had established his own studio in the via Fontanella, off the via Babuino. From here he aimed to produce sculpture of “the sublime and the purest beauty”, believing that the sculptor’s role was to select and combine the most beautiful parts of nature to create a harmonious whole, which would delight and elevate the viewer. By the mid nineteenth century he was one of the few remaining exponents of the so-called ‘pure’ and ‘neo Hellenistic’ style of sculpture, resolutely upholding the Neoclassical ideals established by Wincklemann, in a period when naturalism and modern subjects preoccupied the majority of artists in Europe (Turner, ed., 1996, p. 598). Gibson was convinced of the importance of disseminating artistic ideas through the younger generations, an ideal no doubt impressed upon him by Canova, and established ‘the British Academy of Arts in Rome’. His students included William Theed (1804–1891), Benjamin Spence (1822–1866), Harriet Hosmer...

A French 19th century bronze and marble bust of Marianne in full armor. The nicely cast Baroque Revival brown patinated bronze and carved white marble figure of Marianne, the allegorical personification of the French Republic, presented in her militaristic guise, reminiscent of Minerva, wearing a Phrygian helmet and armored breastplate centered by winged male mask and with lion shoulder armor pads, all raised on a conforming black marble base. Circa: 1890-1900. Marianne has been the national personification of the French Republic since the French Revolution, as a personification of liberty, equality, fraternity and reason, as well as a portrayal of the Goddess of Liberty. Marianne is displayed in many places in France and holds a place of honor in town halls and law courts. She is depicted in the Triumph of the Republic, a bronze sculpture overlooking the Place de la Nation in Paris, as well as represented with another Parisian statue on the Place de la République. Her profile stands out on the official government logo of the country, appears on French euro coins and on French postage stamps. She was also featured on the former franc currency and is officially used on most government documents. Marianne is a significant republican symbol; her French monarchist equivalent is often Joan of Arc. As a national icon Marianne represents opposition to monarchy and the championship of freedom and democracy against all forms of oppression. Other national symbols of Republican France include the tricolor flag, the national motto Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité, the national anthem "La Marseillaise", the coat of arms, and the official Great Seal of France. Marianne also wore a Cockade and a red Phrygian cap symbolizing Liberty. Minerva and its pendant bust of Mars evoke the classicizing subjects, bust-length formats, and style that originated in France during the reign of Louis XIV (1643–1715) and that concurrently was popularized across Europe. The busts' simple forms, stiff poses, and solemn facial types are consistent with the late Baroque sculptures that were carved in Flanders during this period. In Flanders, especially in Antwerp and Brussels, sculpture and architectural decoration traditionally was carved using combinations of native black marble (noir belge), mottled red marble (rouge belge), and white marble or alabaster. The use of these stones in colorful counterpoint speaks most strongly to the busts’ Flemish origins. The veneration of ideal heroes and heroines in ancient costume and arms took on extravagant form in the 17th century, with countless variations. Within this imaginative tradition, the identification of the pair as Minerva and Mars cannot be certain. The female bust, for example, could be identified as Bellona, Roman goddess of war, who is depicted in 17th and 18th century French paintings wearing flamboyantly plumed helmets and low-cut cuirasses that expose her breasts. Whatever their identities, the female and male warriors are portrayed as calm rather than bellicose beings. The sovereign pair does...

A pair of mid 18th century Italian marble busts depicting the Roman Emperors Augustus and Nero. Also known as Octavian, Augustus was the first Roman Emperor and founder of the Roman...

An Italian Early 20th Century Carved Marble and Patinated Bronze Bust of a Greco-Roman Young Male. The brown patinated bronze head with a straight stare and curly hair, fitted in a c...

18th century Italian gold leaf angel head or "putto" adorned with baroque pearls. A putto is a cherub figure frequently appearing in both mythological and religious paintings and scu...

Stunning Chinese sculpture of Shou Xing God of Wisdom and Longevity. Richly carved in organic burl wood. circa 1960s. Measure: 45.5" High. X.

This antique bust or figurative sculpture is unsigned by the artist, but is identified as originating from Italy and dates to approximately 1920 and done in the period Art Deco style...

Roman philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca the Younger, usually known as Seneca, was a Stoic philosopher of Ancient Rome, a statesman, dramatist, and in one work, satirist, from the pos...

Vintage Balinese Art deco style wood figure Indonesia A finely carved vintage Balinese wood sculpture depicting a man in traditional dress, ...

Bust of the young emperor Nero (37 – 68 A.D.) Rome, first half of the 18th century Carved from white carrara, sicilian jasper and bigio morato marble 50 cm high 33 cm wide 

Provena...

A fascinating bit of history, this pair of carved wooden terms dates to the High Renaissance during the 1500s. A term is a beam support in the form of a human head where the bust con...

Exceptional Grand Tour Carrara marble bust of the Roman goddess, Diana the Huntress (Artemis in Greek mythology), by the widely admired master, Eugenio Battiglia, of Firenze (Florenc...

An early 20th century antique French terracotta bust of Marie Antoinette, Queen Consort of France (1775-1792), on an associated white marble socle. This beautiful sculpture exudes el...

Rare and highly decorative antique hand-carved wooden monk sculpture. If you are looking for a meaningful, expressive, and superbly hand-carved antique work of art to grace your stu...

Head of Apollo Lyceus Ancient Roman, Circa 1st Century B.C.-1st Century A.D. 15 cm 11 cm 12 cm 23 cm high (inc base) Provenance: Nicholas Embiricos (1920 - 2011), acquired prior...

A classic Italian Roman statue of the 'David' on a black marble base by sculptor G. Ruggeri, Italy, circa mid-20th century, Italy. White resin statue is on a black marble base with t...

A very fine museum quality Italian 19th-20th century life-size marble sculpture titled "Searching for Love" by Vito Pardo (Italian, born in Venice in 1872) Depicting a semi-nude life...

a wonderful genuine 18th century piece of art, great patina !

Incredible hand carved 19th century Italian specimen marble busts of Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony. The life like faces are impeccably carved in...

A superb hand-sculpted and polished ebony marble bust of a Nubian male on marble socle.

A striking late 18th-early 19th century bust of the Roman Emperor Titus Domitian. The head is made from hand carved white Carrara marble, the tunic and t...

A large hand-carved temple sculpture from the 19th century depicting a Thai warrior holding a sword and a trident, with great distressed appearance. Creat...

A fine pair of carved fruit wood busts of young boys, or putti, South Germany, late 19th century. The realistically carved faces showing distinct personalities and intense gazes. Mou...

Italian sculpture "Ercole" head Begin 20th century Marble Measure: H: 42cm including the base Perfect condition.

1960s Burl Wood Carving of A Woman's Face Warm natural burl wood tones add texture and interest to this hand-carved sculpture Natural and yet refined Small chip in burl as shown in ...

More information coming soon… This large, decorative wooden boiserie element from the late 1800s is quite an interesting item. Based on the size, the fact that it depicts a female ...

- rare collection of 3 wide heads from 18th century to 19th century - antiques from the period 1980-1910 - beautiful patina with traces of old craftsmanship

Set of 6 Ceramic Chess Pieces, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home. A luxurious chess set designed for the most sophisticated and ambitious...

Antique statuary Carrara marble bust depicting a male in the classical Roman portrait style. Life-sized and beautifully carved in the purest of white statuary marble. The bust is of Sir Aubrey DeVere Hunt, 2nd Baronet (1788-1846), with stylized beard and wearing a Roman toga. Hunt was an Anglo-Irish...

19th Century Marble Bust of Antinous after the original known as the 'Antinous Vaticano' discovered at Hadrian's Villa. Featuring realistic detail to hair and handsome facial features...

A plaster bust depicting a young man, signed at the bottom by Stina Edman

A striking pair of hand-carved solid ebony sculptural bookends depicting stylized male and female busts, executed in a refined African Modernist manner, circa 1970s. Carved from sin...

North Italian, Veneto, circa 1700 Bust of a classical woman, possibly Diana Marble, on a variegated grey marble socle 41.5 cm. high / 16 ¼ ins (the bust), 56 cm. / 22 ins high, overa...

Beautiful, albeit heavily distressed stone bust depicting an authoritarian man on a pedestal. Softly colored grey stone with many details intact including draping on tunic, eyes, bea...

A magnificent, classically inspired bust crafted from polychrome marble, depicting a bearded male figure with a noble bearing and contemplative expression. The sculpture is distingui...

An elegant, classically inspired sculptural bust carved from two-tone marble, highlighting the refined contrast between the polished black marble of the face and the veined beige mar...

The marble bust facing frontal with her eyes looking to her right. The hair fastened in a skillfull knot behind, the drapery covers her shoulders and breasts, with another section un...

Mid century hand carved wooden sculpture African beauty Signed by the artist A. Ramarson. Dated 1959.

Decorate an office shelf with this elegant pair of antique busts. Crafted in France circa 1950, both subject stand on a circular marble base and depict a Royalty couple in traditiona...

19th Century Grand Tour statuary marble portrait bust of Julius Caesar 12 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC Bust of Julius Caesar Julius Caesar was a...

Carved marble sculpture of hugging nude male and female.

Buste in relief from a young Roman emperor. On the head the emperor wears a laurer wreath.

1990s Spanish hand carved aged Carrara wshite marble sculpture of an Egyptian King.

A beautiful stylized antelope head used as headdress on ceremonial dances. Retains the old painting and patina over the carved wood. Traded by a professor working in Africa in the 19...

Magnificent hand-carved marble bust depicting an African gentleman in traditional attire and a detailed headdress. The work stands out for its use of two-tone marble, with a contrast...

Impressive marble bust depicting a Roman figure with a solemn bearing. The face, crafted in pure white marble, contrasts with the torso covered in marble flecked with red and orange ...

A fine Italian 19th-20th century lifesize carved marble bust of a lady wearing a hat, the beautifully carved marble bust of a lady posing with a gaze to her right, wearing a bonnet w...

An Italian artist signed 19th century marble bust of a lady. Wearing a ruffled top with a veil partially covering her face. Signed.

Hand-Carved African Soapstone Bust Sculpture, 15 cm This striking hand-carved African soapstone bust is a fine example of traditional African tribal-inspired artistry. Expertly sculpted from a single piece of natural dark soapstone, the figure features an elongated head, expressive facial features, and a finely detailed beard, showcasing the skill and craftsmanship of the artisan. The polished black stone surface contrasts beautifully with the textured carved hair, creating a distinctive and visually captivating decorative object. Measuring 15 cm in height, this compact sculpture is ideal for display on a desk, bookshelf, mantelpiece, or within a curated collection of ethnographic art. The natural variations in the stone add character and uniqueness, ensuring that no two pieces are exactly alike. Perfect for collectors of African art, tribal sculptures, folk art, and handcrafted stone carvings, this decorative bust brings cultural richness and timeless elegance to both contemporary and traditional interiors. Details: * Material: Natural hand-carved soapstone * Origin: African, likely Zimbabwean * Height: 15 cm (5.9 inches) * Colour: Black with natural stone variations * Style: Tribal / Ethnographic / Folk Art * Condition: Vintage condition with age-related wear and natural stone characteristics African soapstone sculpture...

This pair of female torsos presumably decorated a fair stand or an organ in a theme park. Most likely, they were part of an immense organ that was intended ...

A Pair of 19th Century Italian Hand-Carved and Hand-Polished Carrara Marble Models of Children Reading and Writing, Signed A. Piazza, After Antonio Canova. Antonio Canova (1757–1822...

Leda and the swan carved in white marble, Italian, Risorgimento, late 19th century. Stock Number: 33150 Leda and the Swan: A Mythological Tale Immortalised in Marble The mythology ...

Dimensions - H: 32 in W: 16 1/2 in D: 10 in This stunning Antique Italian Neoclassical Style Marble Sculpture beautifully captures the timeless elegance and grace of classical art....

An exceptional antique bust of a Castilian woman, masterfully sculpted in marbled resin by Cav. Arnaldo Giannelli, one of the most celebrated Italian sculptors of the 20th century. D...

Bust Pope Gilt Metal Bust on Hand Carved Wood Base Sculpture Antique Dealer LA . An amazing 19th Century bust depicting figure of Pope of Rome Leo XIII compo...

A fabulously hand carved antique neoclassical style Italian Carrara marble bust of Daphne. This bust is of immaculate quality and craftsmanship. Daphne's hair is beautifully hand car...

This imposing sculpture represents a classical Roman bust, masterfully sculpted in polished white marble for the face and neck, and in a spectacular combination of red and white onyx...

Hand Carved Centaur Marble Torso from London England, Circa 1850 Sourced by Martyn Lawrence Bullard from London, England

La Sorpresa by Cesare Lapini (Italian, (1848 - 1910) Alabaster H 35 in. (88.9 cm) Cesare Lapini was a sculptor of allegorical and genre subjects modeled after Antiquity. He contri...