Antique Statues
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English Reproduction of La Baigneuse or Venus Bathing
$5,600.0065"H x 18"W x 23"D
Dimensions: 65” H x 18” W x 23” D
English, early 20th century or late 19th century reproduction of the masterpiece La Baigneuse or Venus Emerging from the Bath, sculpted circa 1767 by Christophe-Gabriel Allegrain (the original now at the Louvre in Paris). Even his version bears a strong resemblance to a Renaissance work from the 16th century by Giambologna, so it is remarkable that such an image to symbolize beauty continues to inspire nearly 500 years later. This example is a cast (reconstituted stone) work that graced a garden. Note the dark patina from exposure to the elements shrouding her bare shoulders while the gathered fabric she dries herself with is still mostly white–undrescoring her symbolism of love, fertility, and desire. Please view the detailed images to see the current condition and be sure to check our other listings for more antique garden elements.
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English Reproduction of the Venus Italica
$5,600.0068.38"H x 18"W x 23"D
Dimensions: 68 ⅜” H x 18” W x 23” D
English, early 20th century or late 19th century reproduction of the masterpiece Venus Italica, originally sculpted from marble circa 1802 by Antonio Canova to replace the more famous Venus sculpture seized by Napoleon. This example is a cast (reconstituted stone) work that graced a garden with her beauty. Note the dark patina from exposure to the elements that shrouds her bare shoulders while the gathered fabric she clings to her front is still mostly white–undrescoring her symbolism of love, fertility, and desire. Please view the detailed images to see the current condition and be sure to check our other listings for more antique garden elements.
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Portuguese 19th Century Plaster Column
$3,250.0041.75"H x 13.50"W x 13.50"D
Dimensions: 41 ¾” H x 13 ½” W x 13 ½” D
A supremely elegant Portuguese 19th century sculpted plaster column for Neoclassical beauty in any interior or patio. The column features a small abacus (the top surface) for elevating a plant or vase, accented by festoons that hang low to drape over the fluted pattern on the shaft. Note how time and exposure to the elements have left a tactile patina of craquelure and pitting . A square plinth base grounds the column for stability. Please view the detailed images to see the current condition of this dramatic pedestal.
Top surface: 11” diameter
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Portuguese 18th Century Carved Stone Column
$6,500.0039.50"H x 16"W x 15.25"D
Dimensions: 39 ½” H x 16” W x 15 ¼” D
A fabulous 18th century, or earlier, carved stone column from Portugal, best described as Gothic or Romanesque in style, using the familiar acanthus motif around the capital. By the artist’s hand and tools the hard stone has been shaped to incredible depth within the folds of the leaves as they spread across the circumference. The abacus (the flat top surface) is rather irregular in shape either by time or extraction from the original architecture. Today it would make an extraordinary pedestal to uplift a garden urn or vase–inside or for the patio. The radiant column capital is accented with rope or cord elements that drape onto the shaft with small leaves. Square plinth base is similarly affected as the top in areas of loss and discoloration, which has been gently cleaned to appreciate the natural color and textures of the stone. Please view the detailed images to see the current condition of this dramatic pedestal.
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Portuguese Pair of 19th Century Carved Stone Pinnacles
$12,995.0045"H x 21"W x 21"D
Dimensions: 45” H x 21” W x 21” D
A monumental pair of 19th century carved stone architectural finials from Portugal to add symmetry and drama to any structure, or placed as standalone works of art to appreciate their sculptural qualities. Likely they were once the finishing touches on gate posts at the entrance of a grand estate, referencing a number of global artistic styles to communicate wealth and worldly sophistication. Note how they can separate into three sections for easier transport and installation on-site (see the image gallery). The pinnacle is a sharp point which spreads into a rather angular cone, matching the battlement notches that flares out between the junction of the two upper parts of the urn. The urn body is rather flat at the shoulder and decorated with a series of flat, circular applications around the circumference. The foot has a pronounced gadroon texture above a square base. Please view the detailed images to see the current condition. Sold as a pair only.
Base dimensions: 13 ½” square
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English 19th Century Monumental Garden Obelisk
$7,895.0099"H x 22"W x 22"D
Dimensions: 99” H x 22” W x 22” D
A classically styled obelisk, with monumental scale, for your garden or outdoor space. This exceptional obelisk was made in England, circa 1880. Obelisks date back to ancient Egyptian, then Greek cultures. They were historically monolithic, however, this obelisk is set upon its own pedestal. Typically used to mark the entrance to a temple, this obelisk would make quite a statement in your garden. It has acquired a wonderful patina from its time spent in the English countryside and is ready to grace its next home or garden. Be sure to view the obelisk’s detailed images for a look at its current condition. Please note the edges of the stone in various places have been chipped over the years, to be expected with its age and environment.
This large obelisk comes in four sections for transport.
Top (point): 58 ⅞” H x 14 ¼” W x 14 ¼” D
Riser (with spheres): 12 ¾” H x 17 ½” W x 17 ½” D
Abacus of base: 5” H x 22” W x 22” D
Podium base: 22 ⅜” H x 20 ½” W x 20 ½” D
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English 20th Century Egret Statue
$695.0037.50"H x 11"W x 24.50"D
Dimensions: 37 ½” H x 11” W x 24 ½” D
This whimsical hand painted statue of a standing egret will add charm and character to your garden or interior. The bird and its base are made in one piece of reconstituted stone. View the detailed images for the current condition.
Antique Garden Statues From Fireside Antiques
What better way to add class and elegance to a garden than an antique statue, full of history and character? While even modern statues and sculptures are common among gardens today, many of today’s carvings don’t offer the same warmth as a worn, loved antique. Our stone, iron, and terracotta statues are full of patina and wear from the outside elements, which only adds to their charm.
If you’re not one for stately figures or human busts, we offer simple stone pedestals for your tastes as well. These pedestals provide all of the history of a full human sculpture but much more leeway for you to express your creative garden-planning prowess. A pot of your favorite flowers atop one of our solid concrete pedestals, for example, will add both a conversation piece and a decorative element to break up the greenery.
Antique garden statues have been around for centuries, but many haven’t survived until today because of their outdoor nature. While some are lucky enough to develop an attractive patina, others wear away or shatter from plant overgrowth and centuries of rainfall. However, many of the antique garden statues and ornaments we carry have centuries of life left in them still.
Statue Materials
Since most garden statues were created to live outdoors, they can come in a wide array of attractive materials. The craftsmen who made these statues years ago tried things like cast bronze, carved marble, and even concrete in an attempt to find the perfect combination of durability and attractiveness. These materials weather very differently, and each has its upsides and downsides.
Concrete, for example, is a common medium for garden ornaments and statues today, but the look and feel of aged concrete are hard to match with a modern imitation. While concrete is a relatively modern material and not one common in authentic antique gardens (most artisans preferred to carve stone statues instead), today’s cement gardens, with the right touch, can be just as beautiful.
Of course, as we just mentioned, stone gardens were common hundreds of years ago, as were marble garden sculptures and even bronze garden art. Bronze, in particular, is one of the most eye-catching materials to find in a vintage garden statue, as bronze eventually develops a stunning green patina that stone simply cannot match.
However, if luxury is what you fancy, there is no material more high-end than marble. Those who sculpted our antique statues favored marble because of how easy it was to carve, especially with tiny or delicate details. While marble statues are without a doubt some of the most breathtaking, they can also be some of the most fragile.