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.
An Edwardian Period Water Colour By B. Kaufmann
A Meiji Bronze Elephant & Tigers Okimono
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.