Antique Art and Sculptures

From fine oil paintings and delicate watercolours to bronze figures and carved marble busts, our collection of antique art and sculptures spans centuries of artistic achievement. Each piece has been selected by specialist dealers across the UK for its quality, condition and visual impact.

You'll find works from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian periods alongside earlier pieces, all offered with honest descriptions and clear photographs. These are original works of art that bring character and history into any interior.

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Collection of 8 watercolours by Anthony Pearce

An instant collection of 8 watercolour paintings, 1 pair and 6 singles. Anthony Pearce 1933-2019 A...

Antique Pair Italian Art Deco Specimen Marble Pietra Dura Decorative Objects

A magnificent and highly unusual pair of antique Italian Art Deco decorative objects, beautifully mo...

Jonny Gaston OIL ON CANVAS Seascape

Very good oil on copper panel, 'Jonny Gaston'  English artist. Battle of Trafalgar, framed in excell...

Antique Victorian Quality Oil Painting by C R Breytle

Quality original antique oil painting of a horse, two dogs and a gentleman in wonderful colours and...

4 engravings C1750 Ancient Kings of Scotland

Alexander Bannerman engraved portraits of Ancient Kings of Scotland circa 1750. Later framed in ebo...

8 Regency bare knuckle prize fighter engravings

Collection of 8 early 19th century (circa 1820) framed prints of prize bare knuckle fighters. Engra...

Patinated bust Princess Alexandra of Denmark

Bust of Princess Alexandra of Denmark Circa 1860 - 1870 A superbly detailed figure of copper with...

1875 J Rogerson watercolour Horses Feeding

J Rogerson English school water colour of horses feeding. Signed and dated 1875. Wooden framed with...

Collection of 6 cavalry officer prints

A wonderful collection of 6 Victorian cavalry officers prints. All astride their mounts wearing glor...

Large Victorian portrait of a young gentleman

Early Victorian Portrait of a young gentleman holding a book. A large and decorative piece of antiq...

Bronze Sculpture 'Ne Zha'

Child warrior Ne Zha is a legendary warrior deity in Chinese mythology, venerated across Taoism, Bud...

Naive Victorian portrait of a Gentleman on zinc panel

A thoroughly charming portrait of a young man of the early Victorian period.Painted in oil...

Antique Large Bronze Cowboy On Bucking Horse Sculpture After Remington Broncho Buster Western Equestrian Figure

A large and highly decorative antique bronze sculpture of a cowboy riding a bucking horse, after Fre...

Antique Staffordshire Queen Victoria Figure Flatback Seated Ceramic Ornament Crown Cobalt Blue

A very good antique Staffordshire flatback figure depicting Queen Victoria seated in a high-back cha...

Beautiful C19th Oriental Pastel on Canvas

19th century school, a Chinese lady fishing a rock pool, an attendant with a parasol behind her, ova...

Antique Victorian Quality Bronze Figure of a Cossack on Horseback

Antique Victorian quality bronze figure of a Cossack on horseback kissing his wife farewell with his...

Handsome Pair Of Large Chinese Tang Horses In Sancai Glaze

This is a most impressive very large pair of Chinese Tang style caprisoned horses decorated in the S...

Pair Chinese Paintings Of Dignitaries

This is an excellent pair of Chinese gouache watercolour paintings on pith which date from the mid 1...

Antique Watercolour Painting In Hand Enamelled Polychrome Frame

This is a beautiful watercolour of a 19th century coastal scene in an attractive colour palette and...

Antique Painting After Titian Venus And Adonis Gilt Frame

A beautiful mid 19th century gilt frame painting of Venus and Adonis from the original work by Titia...

Collecting Antique Art and Sculptures

Buying antique art is one of the most personal forms of collecting. Unlike furniture, which must fit a space and serve a purpose, a painting or sculpture speaks to you or it doesn't. That said, there are practical things worth knowing before you buy.

For paintings, condition matters enormously. Look for stable canvas without tears or heavy flaking, and check whether the work has been cleaned or restored. A good dealer will be upfront about any restoration. Oil paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries often develop a fine network of surface cracks called craquelure, which is perfectly normal and adds to the character of the piece.

What to Look For in Antique Sculptures

Bronze sculptures should have a good, even patina. Victorian and Edwardian bronzes are particularly popular, with subjects ranging from classical figures to animalier pieces depicting horses, dogs and game birds. Check the base for foundry marks or artist signatures. Spelter (zinc alloy) pieces were produced as more affordable alternatives to bronze and can be attractive in their own right, but should be priced accordingly.

Marble and alabaster sculptures require careful handling and should be kept away from direct heat sources. Minor chips and wear are expected in genuinely old pieces and shouldn't necessarily put you off if the overall quality is strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Look for brushwork texture on the surface, which will be absent in prints. Original oil paintings have visible paint layering and often show the canvas weave underneath. A reputable dealer will confirm whether a piece is an original work or a reproduction.

Value depends on the sculptor, foundry, subject matter and condition. Signed bronzes from well-known foundries like Barbedienne or Coalbrookdale command higher prices. Even unsigned Victorian bronzes hold their value well if the quality and patina are good.

Keep paintings away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Dust gently with a soft brush, never a damp cloth. If a painting needs cleaning or restoration, always use a professional conservator rather than attempting it yourself.

Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, heavier and more durable than spelter, which is made from zinc. Spelter figures are lighter and feel slightly different to the touch. A small scratch on the base will show grey metal on spelter versus golden-coloured metal on bronze.