Mid-18th Century Sculptures

A Spanish colonial South American folk art style painting of the Virgin and child South American Peru or Bolivia school 18th century or earlier Oil on canvas, framed size 40 x ...

18th century reliquary from northern Italy. Giltwood, polychromed and looks to be hand carved from one piece of wood. Mortised thru the base. A reliquary was used to house a religio...

Decorative 18th century wooden phoenix bird with polychrome lacquer. From Henan Province, China. Untouched original condition. Measures: Height bird 22....

Italian 18th century hand-carved Corpus Christi, in original paint, or in some small areas early paint. Note: Original/early finish on antique a...

18th century French carved statue of Madonna and Child. This charming piece has been rescued from a ecclesiastic clear out in the southern part of France The statue is carved fro...

Decorative 18th century wooden Phoenix bird with polychrome lacquer. From Henan Province, China. Untouched original condition. Measures: Height bird 21...

This is a fabulous pair of figures of Liberty and Matrimony made by the Bow Porcelain factory between 1760 and 1764. These figures were a popular pair portraying marriage. The bow p...

Marked Meissen. With 18th century French gilt bronze mounts. Modeled by Friederich Elias Meyer.

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...

18th cenTURY Carved and Polychromed Wood Religious Statue.Appears to be a saint ? .Amazing patina,, missing hands.. missing bird (bottom) HAND DElivery avail to New York City or any...

Pair of Chinese porcelain cats, circa 1750.

This is a rare fireplace bellows in carved and lacquered wood with polychrome decorations of flowers on a light green background. It has original leather details and the bronze spout...

Wooden bust of a knight. A wonderful armored knight carved from lime wood. The knight is well carved with the face (with moustache) looking out of the ...

Hard porcelain bear modeled and painted in gray-brown and black Manufacture of Meissen, by Johann Gottlieb Kirchner and Johan Joachim Kaendler, 1735 It...

A rare and captivating 18th-century hand carved sculpture in limewood, depicting a noble or royal figure — probably King Louis XV — shown in heroic posture with one hand clasped to h...

Meissen Porcelain Group From The Time Of Origin: Two naked cupids and a ram on a rocaille rock, depicting the seasons of summer and autumn: Summer bedded on a bundle of ears of cor...

18th century Neapolitan Terracotta Santo Presepio Figure of Saint Anna Anonymous Naples, Italy; ca. 1760 Polychrome terracotta, wood, silk, gla...

This is a very charming pair of porcelain figures of a stag and a doe, probably cast by Derby in about 1760 and decorated by Bloor Derby in 1820. The figures are a simple white porce...

This refined and precious white porcelain sculpture is depicting the sleeping Infant Christ that became a very popular subject in Baroque art sice the 17th Century. The delicate and ...

Circa 1750 agateware or scroddleware pottery miniature cradle, English. Likely Staffordshire. Marbled creams & brown/reddish brown clays. Comingled solid clays unglazed on rockers in...

18th century exceptional Italian carved wood and polychromed figure depicting baby Jesus holding the world in his hand, he has halo made from sterling silver and the globe is also sterling silver.This piece would have originally been dressed in an elaborate gown and would have been changed into different attire depending on the holy season. Extremely detailed and the carving is exceptional. this piece came from a very reputable merchant in Verona, I did inherit it from my mother in Law...

This is a charming Derby figure of a shepherdess with a garlanded lamb, made in or shortly after 1760. The figure is one half of a set called the "Garland...

Bronze Buddha depicted in meditation pose sheltered by a Naga (a seven-headed snake). I two parts. Naga's body coiled up to serve as a cushion for the Buddha with 7 pronged head prov...

This is a rare wooden sculpted man figure carved and lacquered in polychrome. This elegant piece hails from the Mid-18th Century, Venezia. The curved shape, on the front and on the s...

A 19th century Bristol Delft manganese 6-inch tile of a goat scene in a modern frame. This scene is intricately illustrated with stylised details of the goats and surrounding patter...

an extraordinary piece, a very rare find this capipote/santos figure, lovely carving, wonderful soft expression on the polychromed face, bought from an Italian collector, who had it...

A very stunning 18th century Italian Blasson - Family Crest. Expertly carved from Carrara Marble with heraldic lion, a crown and vines. A spectacular pie...

A pair of Meissen bouquetiere figures Circa 1765, both with 'Christie's East' dealer stamps. Modelled by J.J. Kändler holding oval two-handled baskets, the tops pierced for flowers, ...

18th century or older sculpted marble head? mounted on a contemporary iron base in good condition

Date / Origin: Staffordshire, England, circa 1745 – 1760 A seated cat with upright ears and grounded paws, holding a small brown mouse in its mouth. The figure is formed from two pre...

Pair of mounted Georgian decorative brass objects in the form of florals and bows. The brass was hand stamped and is mounted on modern steel stands, which were custom made by a loca...

A rare and exquisite 18th century Ava period Shan Burmese figure of the Buddha. Carved from a single block of wood, lacquered and gilt, the immensely s...

With arabesques and satyr mask.

One of a kind sculpture of Crucified Christ in carved wood and crystal eyes (one of them its loose), 18th century Hispano Filipino School. The crown, ...

BASE: 44"W X 30"D X 31"H BUDDHA: 62"H X 36"L X 22"D Seated Mountain Burmese buddha from a monastery in Northern Burma finished with papier mâché, lacquer and gilt accents. This uni...

This large mid eighteenth century French hand carved olive wood bust depicts a bishop clad in liturgical vestments. The bishop with full beard and curly hair wears a distinctive mitr...

An small but exquisitely cast and highly detailed bronze statue of St Joan of Arc in full body battle armour including the horse with one hand holding ...

Étienne-Maurice Falconet (1716-1791), "The Bather" or "The Nymph Bathing" (1757) Artistic Explanation: The Nymph Bathing is a masterpiece of 18th-century French sculpture, created...

Georgian Creamware Toy Hound, Whieldon-Type Circa 1765-75 This charming Antique Creamware Figure of a hound is a superb example of 18th-century pottery. The small figure sits on its...

More information coming soon… Dating to circa 1750, these decorative giltwood finials are from Italy. Each finial has a shaped console background, surrounded by volutes, curled lea...

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...

A pair of mounted porcelain Karp shaped vases. Gilt - Bronze Mounted Blue Enameled Stoneware, Chinese 18th Century, the Mounts are Louis XV, Circa 1750...

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

De Gilde-os: A Celebratory Dutch Delft Cow, Polychrome Pastoral: Dutch Delftware, Circa 1760 This captivating Dutch Delftware cow model, dating to circa 1760, is an exceptional exam...

Boxwood micro carving Deposition Central Europe, first half of the 18th century It measures: the sculpture 7.40 x 5.31 x 0.6 in (18.8 x 13.5 x 1.6 cm); w...

18th century Italian hand carved and painted wood Madonna statue depicts the virgin Mary in contemplative prayer, and poised in triumph over evil. Orig...

A mid 18th century Grand Tour white statuary marble relief of a Roman emperor, possibly Augustus Caesar, presented on a custom-made steel stand as pictured. Deeply carved in relief,...

A Pair of Japanese Mid Edo Period Carved Stone Sculptures of Female Buddha Sattva, ca. 1750 PERIOD Mid Edo Period (1603-1868) DIMENSIONS Height: 10.5 ...

This exceptional, larger-than-life bust is an impressive work in Carrara marble, crafted in Amsterdam around 1740. It depicts Omphale, the Lydian queen, identifiable by Hercules’ lio...

Dutch Delft PolychromeModel of a Cow Being Milked, De Twee Scheepjes Pottery (The Two Little Ships), Circa 1765 The Dutch Delft cow figure, from the De Twee Scheepjes Pottery (The T...

18th Century Meissen Porcelain Figures, Turkish / Persian Lady Gentleman. circa 1755 Both designed by Johann Joachim Kaendler, Rare and early examples of both models.

Bronze crabe Padua, 18th century bronze 2 x 10 x 7 cm (One of the crab’s legs is missing its end) This finely cast bronze sculpture of a crab reflects the enduring interest in natur...

18th Century Spanish highly realistic wooden polychrome sculpture of a woman dressed with clothes.

A scarce antique English porcelain figure of a Putto holding a basket of flowers by the renowned Staffordshire factory Bow and dating from aro...

Capodimonte factory in Italy near Naples. Enamelled porcelain group presenting three putti playing with sheaves of rosebuds, one of them carrying a basket on his head. Signed L...

Four scantily clad cupids grouped on a rock, partly flowers, partly holding flower arrangements in their hands, the flowers as a typical attribute of the Meissen spring representatio...

An important bronze sculpture of the god Jupiter from the 18th century, likely of German origin. This impressive piece captures the majesty of the king of gods, showcasing fine detai...

We present to you an antique Gothic capital from the 18th century, finely carved in stone. This magnificent architectural element is a testament to Goth...

Magnificent 18th-century Spanish sculpture from the Murcian School, representing an apostle, finely carved in wood, polychromed, gilded, and estofado. The figure displays remarkable ...

An outstanding and grand scale 18th century Sunburst from Verona, Italy. Exquisitely crafted from gold and silver gilt wood. The altar shelf and back foo...