Sculpture

A branch of the visual arts traditionally typified for being solid and three dimensional. Media used to create sculpture including stone, bronze, pottery and wood. In their appearance, sculptures may be divided into two categories, either free-standing (in the round) or adjoined to a background surface (relief).

With the development of plastic art in the 20th and 21st century, the definition of sculpture was broadened to include works specifically concerned with the three-dimensional form.


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The TEFAF view from a dealer: Stuart Lochhead gives his take on the huge selling event

20 February 2026

Stuart Lochhead, the London specialist in European sculpture, sells big and fast at TEFAF Maastricht.

Two ‘putti’ sculpture

Plea for UK institution to raise £750,000 for Bedford House puttis blocked from export

10 February 2026

A pair of puttis, believed to have been crafted as one of a pair of chimney pieces for Bedford House in London, have been blocked from export.

Shock dog

Export block on 18th century ‘shock dog’ by female sculptor

03 February 2026

A UK institution has the chance to raise £635,000 to buy an 18th century animal sculpture after it was blocked from export.

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Kluge gifts keep on giving to Columbia University

30 January 2026

The primary draw to a sale at Roland Auctions (30% buyer’s premium) was a series of lots benefiting Columbia University.

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Napoleon hailed as Caesar in sculpture form earns his laurels at £23,000

23 January 2026

This marble sculpture of Napoleon as Caesar is based on a model created by the French neoclassicist Antoine-Denis Chaudet for the Sèvres porcelain manufactory in 1810.

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Modern art specialist stages show of works by Jean Lurçat and Breon O’Casey

23 January 2026

The art world descends on New York in the closing days of January. The Winter Show, Master Drawings New York, and a number of sales at the major auction houses make the season de rigeur for major collectors.

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Early model by clockmaker Vulliamy flies over estimate in Hampshire

16 January 2026

Cases boasting bronze lions decoration proved popular and were produced for two decades

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Carrick gunner and Thornycroft archer sculptures targeted in west London

16 January 2026

A highlight of the sale of European Works of Art, Objects & Silver at Olympia Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) in west London was The Gunner by Scottish monumental sculptor Alexander Carrick (1882-1966).

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‘Springboard at the start of the year’

16 January 2026

London Art Fair stands out as a key early opportunity to showcase works to a domestic audience

18th century bust

UK institution sought for 18th century Bouchardon sculpture being sold by Scottish Highland council

13 January 2026

A bust of 18th century politician and landowner John Gordon of Invergordon (1707-83) has been blocked from export by the UK government in the hope a museum will raise the £3.1m needed to keep it in the country.

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Bust follows style of sculptor and ‘nose breaker’ Torrigiano

05 January 2026

When a 16th century white marble bust of an elderly man with a furrowed brow and resolute gaze came up for sale at Nagel (29.5% buyer’s premium) in Stuttgart, it was clear that more than one bidder was confident of knowing either the identity of the artist or that of the subject.

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Statue showing Romans fleeing Pompeii is saved from a garden

05 January 2026

Numerous bidders at a Peter Karbstein (25% buyer’s premium) auction in Düsseldorf took a fancy to a 19th century marble statue of The Flight from Pompeii.

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Italian sculptures on offer, sober or extravagant style

08 December 2025

For most of the buttoned-up Grand Tourists who visited Florence in the final years of the 19th century, it was only proper to take home a marble copy of a sober Renaissance or antique masterpiece. The Bazzanti or Frilli galleries were the place to go for a David or a Venus.

A sculpture on a plinth by Henri de Triqueti

Export bar placed on rare sculpture of scandalous Victorian heiress

14 November 2025

A UK gallery or institution will need to raise £280,000 plus VAT to acquire a work by Henri-Joseph François, Baron De Triqueti, before it leaves the country.

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ATG letter: Can anyone help trace this bust I believe to be an intriguing baron?

27 October 2025

I am a Dutch historian working on a biography of the Belgian nobleman Arthur Baron de Woelmont (1826-1911).

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David depicted at the moment of triumph in sculpture form

20 October 2025

A late 19th century marble figure of David with the Head of Goliath at his feet was one of the stars at Neumeister (30% buyer’s premium) in Munich this autumn.

Leaping Man by Elisabeth Frink

Swindon sale benefits from the friends of Frink

14 October 2025

A significant group of Modern British artworks proved a major highlight of a recent auction held by Kidson-Trigg (24% buyer’s premium) in Swindon.

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Kollwitz relief evoked scenes of Allied bombing raids

13 October 2025

In the midst of the Second World War, the German artist Käthe Kollwitz (1867-1945) produced a series of small sculptural reliefs on the theme of mothers protecting their children.

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Changing sensibilities hit commerical fortunes of once-popular Nost sundial

13 October 2025

Selected Items from the Lynch House in Kensworth near Dunstable, home to the Rubin family of dealers for nearly 80 years, was offered in Dreweatts’ Fine Furniture, Sculpture, Carpets, Ceramics and Works of Art sale on September 10.

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Face of Victorian Scotland captured by Brodie

13 October 2025

The Scottish sculptor William Brodie (1825-81) began his working life as a plumber’s apprentice in Aberdeen.

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