Statuary

Beautiful antique statues can be used to create grandeur in a garden, or a surprise point of interest as you walk through. They are often situated in arbours, against hedging, or as central focal points, complementing hard landscaping and the beauty of garden planting.

Sculpture as an art form goes back to Prehistoric times when early figurines were made from ivory or soft stone. In historical times, statues were usually of religious figures, or of great political and military leaders. Many of the most famous statues are Greek or Italian and date back to the 15^th and 16^th Centuries.

Some of the most famous English sculptors include: -

JM Blashfield, who was inspired to manufacture a kind of artificial stoneware following the acclaim received by Blanchard for their pieces at the Great Exhibition of 1851.

John Cheere was the Country’s most prominent caster of lead statuary with subjects varying from reproductions of Classical Roman and Greek sculptures, to simple pastoral figures.

Established in 1820, James Pulham & Son were specialist manufacturers of garden ornaments including statuary, vases, urns and other decorative ornaments.

Mrs. Eleanor Coade (1733-1821) developed a unique form of vitrified ceramic material which was both incredibly durable and easily mouldable into intricate designs. Exponents of Coade stone included Sir Charles Barry, Robert Adam, ‘Capability’ Brown, John Nash, Sir John Soane and James Wyatt.

Austin and Seeley were manufacturers of artificial stone in the early 19^th Century and their pieces remain highly sought-after to this day.

John van Nost was an influential sculptor in the 17^th and early 18^th Century.

Statues today adorn great architectural buildings and churches, as well as parks and cityscapes.

Statue terminology includes: -

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