English Animal Sculptures

Antique set of Fifteen 19th century miniature carved black forest bears some standing, some sitting down, some with original glass eyes and in fabulous original condition. A char...

Silver and onyx horse racing sculpture by Mappin and Webb English, 1935 Height 39cm, width 62cm, depth 33cm Commissioned by H.H. Maharaja of Ra...

A circa 1900 English silver plated horse sculpture. Measurements: Height: 23" Depth: 10" Width/length: 25"

Vintage ceramic owl sculpture on stand with glass eyes.

Victorian cast iron lion and unicorn painted black fireplace ornaments. They are symbols of the United Kingdom, the lion stands for England and the unicorn for Scotland. The combination dates back to the 1603 accession of James I of England who was already James VI...

Painted ceramic, very good original vintage condition. No damages or cracks. Beautiful and unique decorative sculpture. Horse sculpture was produced in England. Only one item available.

A handsome vintage English garden figural statuary sculpture of weathered composition stone, featuring a recumbent mama pig with piglets. Perfect for a garden or patio.

Pair of late 19th century Victorian Staffordshire earthenware elephant sculptures/spill vases, England By: Staffordshire Material: pottery, earthenware, ceramic, enamel, clay, paint...

Hallmarked in London in 1901 by Henry Lewis, this handsome, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Model of a Horse, has a cropped tail like a polo pony, and is very realistically modell...

Pair of Staffordshire Pottery figures which feature a cat on a cushion, recumbent on an oval base. Dull gilt base line and embellishment.

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...

Unusual pair of antique Edwardian brass greyhound fire dogs having an unusual pair of brass antique firedogs, moulded as greyhounds raised on a stepped brass base. D. 1900

Large Joan de Bethel papier-mache, glass eyed, cat made in Rye Sussex July 1977

An English terracotta bulldog sculpture from the 19th century, with silver collar and glass eyes. Created in England during the 19th century, this terracotta sculpture captures our a...

Pair of English Porcelain Hand-Painted Staffordshire Dalmatian Dogs Figurines. These figurines feature recumbent Dalmatian dogs with expressive faces and detailed features resting on...

This beautiful antique Staffordshire cat features white fur spotted with large black spots. Created circa 1860, our cat is decorated with han...

Newcastle Prattware Pottery model of a horse, St. Anthony Pottery, Newcastle upon Tyne, circa 1800-1820. The fun, folky horse has a cropped tail s...

A vintage English dark leather bulldog shaped footstool designed by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie and Fitch, in good condition. Minor fading, due to age. Wear consistent with age an...

Painted ceramic, very good original vintage condition. No damages or cracks. Beautiful and unique decorative sculpture. German Shepherd Dog Sculpture was produced in England. Only on...

"Pastoral Abundance": Pair of Victorian Staffordshire Cow Calf Spill Vases, Circa 1860-80 A charming and impressive pair of large Victorian Staffordshire pottery spill vases, ...

A large early 18th century carved gilt wood eagle, mounted on a square red velvet covered plinth. Originally used as a lectern adornment, this archite...

Pair of Diminutive Antique Staffordshire black & white seated Spaniels, C. 1860s England, Circa 1860s A good pair of antique black and white Staffordshire...

Staffordshire, England, circa 1745 – 1760 This charming and unusual figure depicts a seated cat, its body marbled in tones of buff, grey, and warm brown, the patterns flowing like fur beneath a translucent salt glaze. From the crown of its head rises a small candleholder—an enchanting, functional variation that transforms the cat into a decorative light for the Georgian home. The salt-glazed surface has a gentle satin sheen, enlivened by a cobalt wash brushed across the ears and shoulders, a subtle touch of colour that draws the eye. The figure is compact and beautifully balanced, exuding both humor and grace: a work of wit and craftsmanship meant to charm and amuse as much as to illuminate. As a pair, this cat with candleholder and its companion cat carrying a mouse form a dialogue of light and life—one playful, one practical—representing the Staffordshire potters’ genius for turning everyday subjects into artful curiosities. Attribution and Significance Within the history of English ceramics, agateware animals represent the marriage of experimentation and domestic charm. They were objects of conversation—proof of a potter’s technical mastery and a household’s refinement. This cat, with its delicate candleholder, captures that artistic playfulness and innovation. The glaze’s clarity, the elegant pose, and the subtle marbling make it not only an artifact of mid-18th-century Staffordshire but also a small masterpiece of whimsy and craft. Scholarly Analysis and Authentication The figure is made from laminated clays of contrasting colors, known as laid agate, a technique perfected in Staffordshire workshops during the 1740s and 1750s. Strata of buff, pale grey, and iron-bearing brown clay were rolled together, pressed into a two-part mold, and luted along the spine before firing. The cat’s body thus shows true through-body marbling: the veining continues through the thickness of the clay, not merely applied on the surface. The candle socket, made from a single buff clay rather than agate, was luted to the head before glazing. This practical choice prevented distortion during firing and was a typical workshop economy seen in other mid-18th-century functional animal forms. The piece was salt-glazed in a wood- or coal-fired kiln into which common salt was introduced near peak temperature. Sodium vapor combined with the silica of the clay to form a thin, glassy coating. Here, the glaze is smooth and even, suggesting the cat was fired within a protective sagger. The underside of the figure is open, revealing the pressed-clay interior. Two or three minute stilt contacts are visible on the bottom ledge, confirming that the figure rested on kiln props during firing rather than being supported from beneath a closed base. The cobalt wash was brushed under the glaze before firing. It fuses permanently into the surface, creating soft haloes of blue wholly consistent with decoration on salt-glazed figures from the Whieldon circle circa 1750-1760. Later 19th-century reproductions employ overpainted enamels that sit atop the glaze. The open underside, authentic stratified body, integrated socket, and original cobalt staining collectively identify this as a genuine product of Staffordshire’s mid-18th-century agateware tradition, most plausibly from the orbit of Thomas Whieldon at Fenton Vivian or a closely related potter. The measured height, modelling, and marbling correspond closely to examples in the Burnap Collection (nos.. 362–363, Nelson-Atkins Museum) and Sotheby’s (2015) — “A Staffordshire agateware cat-form candlestick, circa 1755. Provenance / Condition: Current Condition: Excellent, with one ear repaired at the tip and restoration at the top of the candleholder; the glaze remains bright and continuous across the body and socket. References: Burnap Collection, English Pottery 1675–1825, nos. 362–363. Sotheby’s (2015) — “A Staffordshire agateware cat-form candlestick, circa 1755. Christie’s, London 2010, lot 82. 1stDibs “Staffordshire Agateware Pottery Saltglaze Figure of a Cat,” item ref LU95812370442 Price: $4,482.16 Chipstone Foundation, Marbled Agateware: Techniques and Identification, 2005. Henry Sandon, Staffordshire Pottery, 1970, pp. 52–54. John Howard Antiques, Antique Agateware...

An English carved and painted wood spaniel dog sculpture from the first half of the 20th century. Born during the Roaring Twenties, this wooden dog sculpture...

I have seen the brass version of this doorstop many times, but never the early cast iron version! It is a cast iron fox from painted doorstop in very good ant...

This is a set of Art Deco bookends featuring Scottish Terriers. The Scottie is very detailed and the silvered bronze patina is a great. The base is a dark green marble that just makes those dogs "pop". Wonderful cast silvered Bronze scottie dog bookends...

Charming Victorian English terracotta pug dog with realistic rust color buckle collar. Adorable ears!

Circa 1950's English silver-plated horse bust. Measurements Height: 11.5" Depth: 5.5" Width/length: 6".  

A large, cast iron unicorn, from 19th century England. Unicorns are a common motif used in British and Scottish works. A free unicorn, according to legend, is considered to be a wild and dangerous creature. This unicorn is tame, harmless and eager to guard your door, as it would make an impressive door...

Pair of bookend with enameled metal, depicting Pomeranian dogs sit on marble bases. England circa 1920.

An English Victorian period carved wooden duck sculpture from the 19th century with nicely detailed plumage and brown eyes. Step back into the qu...

Joan de Bethel papier-mache, glass eyed, cat made in Rye Sussex July 1977

A magnificent, fine and impressive, rare antique silver sugar box modelled in the form of a squirrel; part of our collection of rare silverware. This magnificent, fine and impressive antique cast silver sugar box has been realistically modelled in form of a squirrel perched on a branch. The silver sugar box is embellished with chased details reproducing the squirrel's coat and anatomical features, in additional to the naturalistic features of the branches, leaves and acorns. This exceptional and large antique silver squirrel sugar box is fitted with the original push fit head/cover. Such magnificent specially commissioned, large examples in this form are highly unusual and are not available on the open market. Condition This rare squirrel sterling silver sugar box is a magnificent gauge of silver, magnificent quality and in magnificent condition. Full British hallmarks struck to the body of the box and part hallmarks to the sleeve of the cover are all very clear; the hallmarks are struck deeply to the magnificent gauge of silver. Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this large silver animal ornament...

Rare leather pig by Omersa. Heavy, functional stool for an adult. Old model with elongated snout Made in England, Circa 1960s. Beautiful vintage coloring a...

A vivid and wonderfully expressive pair of Staffordshire pottery lions dating to circa 1870, modeled in mirror image and standing proudly on naturalistic bases. Their bright ochre-to...

Brown Westhead Moore & Co majolica figural which features an owl perched on a branch. The owl with original glass eyes. Coloration: brown, cream, ...

This antique English creamware horse was hand-painted at St. Anthony’s Pottery in Newcastle around the year 1800. This charming figure is modeled in a standing position on a green-gl...

Hallmarked in London in 1973 by the renowned Garrard & Co., this impressive pair of solid sterling silver pheasants showcases superb craftsmanship and naturalistic detail. Each bird ...

Dimitri Omersa handcrafted leather rhino footstool or ottoman. Circa 1960's. The leather is very thick and shows patina and wear throughout. Original glass eyes. Under one ear, t...

19th Century Staffordshire Unique Black & White Spaniel with Separated Foot England, Circa 1860s This distinctive 19th-century Staffordshire black-and-white spaniel figure, made in...

A large Arts and Crafts patinated copper owl garden sculpture, made in England c. 1900. The owl is stylistically modelled with hypnotic eyes and a quizzical expression. The feather...

“Wild Things” Animal Masks by James Perkins 20th Century Mixed media: fur, feathers, resin, textile; wearable sculpture Commissioned and crafted for Pa...

Lofty antique English pheasant figure or statuette crafted in silver plate on brass with ambitious detail and presented on a classic ebonized oval base.

Hallmarked in London in 1976 by Garrard & Co., this stunning Elizabeth II, Sterling Silver Model of a Stag, is realistically cast and chased, and stands on a marble base. The stag mo...

A wonderful Victorian taxidermy swan head with glass eyes and bright orange and black bill, mounted on a carved wooden shield and oak leaf plague.

Elegant pink Majolica serving dish decorated with a three green vine leaves, the handle formed as a fox peering into the bowl with its tail appearing on the mottled underside signed ...

Painted ceramic, good original vintage condition. Beautiful and unique decorative sculptures. Yorkshire Dogs Sculpture was produced in Staffordshire, En...

This English cast iron bull wall hanging sculpture, dating back to circa 1930-1940, presenting large antlers and a rustic, rusty patina. The sculpture em...

19th century Grand Tour bronze oil lamp in the ancient Roman style with dolphin handles. The dolphin shown attacking an octopus on a rock. D...

A handsome pair of English Staffordshire pottery decorative animal sculptures, finely modeled and colored as lions with recumbent lambs. Decorated 'in the round' - decoration to fro...

A sculpture titled the ‘Rolling Horse’ by the acclaimed British sculptor, John W. Mills, signed twice to the tail. Representing Mill's equestrian art collection, this bronzed resin ...

A wonderful and impressive figural inkwell made from solid cast English brass, beautifully executed with a fabulous patina. Standing on little cast feet, the large leaf is of cour...

A fine contemporary cast English sterling silver model of a setter; part of our animal related silverware collection This fine contemporary cast sterling silver ornament...

What a stylish pair! These iconic studio pottery cats are hand-painted by Alan P. Smith and Toni Davidson – and they’re all dressed up for a night out in swinging London during the 1...

'Scheider's Nightmare' is a marble table in shark design and raised upon a Classic Singer sewing machine base. An English, Pietra Dura in various m...

Hallmarked in London in 1968 by Edward Barnard & Sons Ltd, this handsome pair of Elizabeth II period, Sterling Silver Fighting Cockerels, are cast in the traditional fighting pose. T...

A fine 19th century English Staffordshire fox hunting stirrup cup. This charming stirrup cup is in the form of a fox head and hand painted with beaut...

19th century English brass resting dog double inkwell, the wells opening to the left and the right.

An early 19th century English carved mahogany sculpture of a griffin, circa 1820; one of two similar we have for sale. This piece is prominently in the style of the late 18th/early ...

A petite antique English Victorian period small carved wooden sculpted group from the 19th century depicting two small birds nesting with each other and accented with orange paint. C...