1880s Animal Sculptures

An absolutely charming Victorian novelty jewellery box made from very heavy cast brass and I think that the dog himself is Bronze, with traces of the o...

Hand-Carved Wooden Bison Sculpture on Natural Base, Vintage Rustic Art An exceptional hand-carved birch wood bison sculpture, masterfully executed in the late 20th century, capturin...

This is only the second time in many years of being in the antiques business that I have come across this wonderful figural equestrian inkwell. B...

American Copper full bodied pig directional weathervane resting on squared iron stand, late 19th century.

Fabulous horse head hitching post from the latter part of the 19th century. Beautiful craftsmanship and detail in the casting. Horse Head sits on a fluted round column with a new ste...

A wonderful and utterly charming greyhound or whippet Victorian antique paper clip or paperweight, made in England of finely cast silver plated bro...

This Victorian Majolica stork vase is signed Joseph Holdcroft, inspired by Minton Joseph Holdcroft offer here a different version more rustic. It's...

This is an antique greyhound figure. A French, bronze dog paperweight or ornament, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880. A charming decorative piece, ideal for the desk, s...

Antique 19th Century Bronze Lion Sculpture, European Animalier Naturalist Style Decorative Bronze Figure for Luxury Home & Interior Décor This exceptional 19th-century antique br...

Large Palissy fishs wall platter on a blue background with bugs, butterfly, lizard, crawfish, shells, leaves as ferns. The School of Paris is composed by makers as Victor Barbizet, F...

Brass horse model on steel base. Circa 1880. H 30cm x W 35cm x D 7cm

A large Majolica triple bamboo vase decorated with four birds attributed to Delphin Massier, circa 1880.

Amusing Majolica monkey pianist tobacco jar Sarreguemines, circa 1880.Rarely found complete with his lid ,he wear a costume of Oriental style, he play piano and two books are represe...

A lovely quality 19th Century black forest centre piece, having an ornate carved trunk at the centre with a removable glass stem with out swept scalloped edge, a large hunting dog st...

An exceptional antique horse head sculpture, masterfully crafted in iron, capturing the raw power, elegance, and emotional depth of one of nature’s...

Luxury at its finest, high-end glass sculpture by St. Louis, France. The sculptures are two heads of horses. The horses, made from clear crystal, have clean lines and show the real ...

Luxury at its finest, high-end glass sculpture by Daum, France. The sculptures are two heads of horses. The horses, made from clear crystal, have clean lines and show the real craft...

Oversize and spectacular 19th century Black Forest carved wood trophy wall plaque with a large fish. Beautiful carved border with acanthus leaves. Measur...

A lovely ornate 19th Century black forest carving of a fox, sitting cross legged reading a book, the fox wearing a jacket and seems to be sitting on a rock with various foliage and a...

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...

Japanese Meiji Bronze Rabbit Meiji Period, Late 19th Century The Meiji period (1868–1912) marked a golden age for Japanese bronze sculpture. As Japan opened to the West, artists ele...

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this extremely collectable pair of original Antique Circa 1880 Italian Grand Tour Alabaster Recumbent Lions ...

Finely sculpted each with a mane. Each with rings for hanging. Old gilded surface.

Emile Gallé (1846-1904) was one of the greatest French glassmakers and ceramists of the 20th century. The son of a master glassmaker, he came into contact with the art world at an ea...

A truly outstanding and rare find, this is an outstanding Victorian figural inkwell made from a winning combination of brass and silver plate and retaining his wonderful two original...

Antique 19th Century exquisite pair of Italian marble lions, each bearing a heraldic shield. Carved meticulously from Carrara marble, renowned for...

Austrian cold painted terracotta model of a bulldog in standing position. Nice decorative collector’s item in very realistic and naturalistica...

A fine ‘Black Forest’ walnut eagle, shown perched on a rocky outcrop with the wings raised and the head turned to the right, Swiss, circa 1880.   

We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare, Musical, original circa 1880 Swiss made Black Forest wood, Fox whip hook with glass eyes These...

19thC Chinese Root Wood Carving of a sacred water buffalo with children climbing on it's back - 23"w x 11"d x 10"h

A rare, large and very dramatic porcelain sculpture of a monkey made by Ernst Bohne & Sohne in Rudolstadt in Volkstedt, Thuringia, Germany, c. 1880. The monkey is smiling with great...

This hardwood stool is in the form of a caparisoned Indian elephant with wooden tusks, shown walking forwards with a curled trunk, the ceremonial trappings comprising a triangular he...

Magnificent earthenware rooster and its vase, made in France in the 1880s. This majolica composition is both a flower vase and a rooster sculpture. This superb earthenware piece, bea...

They are in Miami. We offer free shipping in Florida. They were exhibited at Palm beach "American International Fine Art Fair (AIFAF)" In the photos you can see a pair of lions of...

A set of three 19th century black forest carvings of bears in different poses, all three bears are in very good condition and having lovely crisp carving. Circa 1880.  

An imposing ‘Black Forest’ wood carving of an Ibex, standing on a rocky outcrop with realistically carved ribbed antlers and rippling fur.

Depicted as two family groups in the act of feeding their young. Delicately carved and perched on branches. On wooden stands.

An exceptional and highly decorative French Majolica elephant sculpture created by Delphin Massier in Vallauris, France, circa 1880. Modeled as an African elephant carrying an elabor...

Large Japanese Hirado Porcelain Blue & White grouping of Shi Shi dogs playing, Meiji Period Modeled as a pair of shishi playfully wrestling, the grou...

Bronze figure of the Capitoline She-Wolf (Lupa Capitolina) suckling Romulus and Remus on rocky base with polished honey onyx plinth, circa 1880. Iconic symbol of Rome's foundation...

This elegant 19th-century carved wooden horse exudes timeless charm and character. Its beautifully aged surface, marked by natural wear, adds to its unique decorative appeal, making ...

A Pair of Antique 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Model of Bolognese Dogs, After J. Kirchner. A finely modeled pair of 19th-century Meissen porcelain figures depicting Bolognese dogs...

Superb Japanese-style mantel / fireplace mirror in lacquered wood, carved with an imposing dragon and decorative motifs. Japonism, France, circa 1880. Attributed to Gabriel Viard...

A very rare superb quality 19th century black forest carving of an Arab riding a racing camel, the quality and execution of the carving is fabulou...

Dimension: Height: 14 inches Width: 13 inches Depth: 12 inches. About the object: This elaborately carved wood lion's head was an integral decorative piece of a bar counter or shelf unit in a Manhattan bar...

Bronze group of a Whippet and Pekingese dogs, inscribed P.J. Mene.

 A unusual late 19th Century wood carved antelope, with naive expression on his face and in a spread stance, finished in his original brightly coloured decoration. Circa 1880. H: 9...

Workshop plaster representing a lying cow. France, circa 1880

Bronze sculpture, late 19th century, Asia Measures: H 19cm, W 15cm, W 8cm. Contact us before ordering to confirm product availability.

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this extremely collectable pair of original Antique Circa 1880 Italian Grand Tour Alabaster Recumbent Lions after the original huge statues by Antonio Canova and as displayed in the Corcoran gallery of Art in Washington These are original examples not later copies, they have a stunning antique patina and look expensive and important in any setting Grand tour pieces were purchased by young men and women in high society when they finished their studies, they would go on a "Grand Tour" around Europe visiting the sites and collecting trinkets, these trinkets could be very small such as ingots, or if you were fabulously wealthy they would be much larger and heavier like these lions About Tomb of Pope Clement XIII The artwork, titled “Tomb of Pope Clement XIII,” is a sculpture created by Antonio Canova in 1792. Belonging to the Neoclassicism art movement, this masterpiece exemplifies the genre of sculpture. In the artwork, Canova masterfully arranges various sculptural elements to create a poignant and regal composition. The tomb consists of a carved effigy of Pope Clement XIII, situated in a reverent pose atop an elaborately adorned sarcophagus. The Pope’s figure is cloaked in flowing garments, kneeling in prayer, signifying his piety. Below, two imposing lions flank the monument, symbolizing strength and vigilance. An angelic figure, wings partially spread, gazes downwards with a sorrowful expression, embodying the eternal mourning for the departed. Adjacent to the angel, a robed woman stands, her somber posture accentuating the tomb’s solemn atmosphere. The architectural framework, with its towering columns and vaulted arch, adds to the grandeur and reverence of the entire composition, upholding the Neoclassical ideals of symmetry, order, and monumental form. Later in life the Canova Lions were replicated, they are located in front of the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C, these were cast in bronze from molds of the originals. The pieces were installed in 1860 This pair as mentioned are sublime, they really set the scene for a room, I've had a pair on the top of my piano for years with a large Tiffany lamp...

A life size Black Forest carved lindenwood wood setter in a ‘pointing’ stance with a long plumed tail, his collar inscribed ‘Nägler aus Gera’ and the base ‘St. Zechmeister. Provenan...

19th Century Portuguese Majolica Palissy Turtle. Very rare, 11 by 10.5 inches , H / 4 inches.

A beautiful pair of 19th century antique grand tour patinated bronze dogs seated on siena marble plinths. Each dog is beautifully cast and hand-chiseled with meticulous craftsmanship...

Bronze Sculpture of a Whippet Dog by Antoine-Louis Barye After Antoine-Louis Barye France; ca. 1880 Bronze Approximate size: 5.25”H x 7.25”W x 4”D The 19th-century French sculptor...

A gilded bronze dore lion on a custom malachite base. France, circa 1880. 

Rare and expressive 19th-century carved wooden sculpture depicting two warthogs, executed in the celebrated Black Forest or Swiss carving tradition. Finely hand-carved from solid woo...

France bronze of a Dog antique figure. Offered is a bronze figure of a Dog dating circza 1880. He shows an antique patina.In the Style of Jules Moigniez.

A handsome Victorian novelty inkwell, cast in bronze in the form of a King Charles Spaniel, beautifully executed with two lovely glass eyes. The underside is inscribed with a roma...

Bulldog biting into the flank, cast and patinated bronze figure on a rectangular plinth. Signed and dated "Bezeredi 1887" on the plinth. Gyula Bezerédi was born in Mogyorósi in 1858...

Sculpture of an English mastiff or bulldog in polychrome terra cotta with eyes made of sulphide. This is a beautiful work in the spirit of the famous Goldsheider Factory from the end...