Highlights from our offering of sculpture and works of art, selected by our specialists.

Auction Highlights

The European Sculpture &amp; Works of Art sale features an impressive collection of early cameos and intaglios. Cameo carving and gem engraving has been admired by kings, princes and noble collectors throughout history. They were costly due to the risk of discovering flaws in hardstones thus forcing the artist to adapt their design or start afresh. In the 18th century intaglios became extremely fashionable and signified collectors’ values and aspirations.

Virtuoso Gem Engraving: Cameos and Intaglios

Antoine-Louis Barye is considered the undisputed master of animalier sculpture, whose exceptional oeuvre was celebrated by art critics of his time. The renowned critic Théophile Gautier praised Barye as 'Le Michel-Ange de la Ménagerie'. The European Sculpture &amp; Works of Art sale includes a group of some of his most successful models from a Swiss Private Collection. This group of bronzes comprises particularly fine casts, with lively patinas, stark realism and exquisite detail.

Animalier Bronzes by Antoine-Louis Barye

London

Head of Department, Europe, European Sculpture & Works of Art

Christopher Mason

Deputy Director, Specialist, European Sculpture & Works of Art

Elisabeth Banfield

Associate Specialist, European Sculpture & Works of Art

Elena Nies

Senior Vice President, Worldwide Head of Department, Old Master Sculpture & Works of Art

Margaret H Schwartz

Senior Director, Head of Department, Milan, European Sculpture & Works of Art

Francesco Morroni

Director, Head of Department, Paris, European Sculpture & Works of Art

Meet our Specialists

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European Sculpture &amp; Works of Art presents sculpture and works of art from the Middle Ages to early 20th-century Modernism alongside a curated selection of engraved gems and historic jewellery. The sale features a variety of high-quality artworks, ranging from medieval wood sculpture to Renaissance bronzes, marble portrait busts, cameos, and a diverse selection of sculpture from the 19th and 20th centuries.