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ID #SA1244390
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£1,295
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A Pair of Bronze Caricature Figures of Theatrical Birds, Circa 1880
For sale by Robert Belcher Antiques
for sale €1,515     $1,645
£1,295
Robert Belcher Antiques

Robert Belcher Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2017
Browse dealers 406 items
  • About Us
    Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.
Id #SA1244390
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A Pair of Bronze Caricature Figures of Theatrical Birds, Circa 1880

19th century
Description

A most unusual pair of late 19th century bronze figures depicting caricatures of a heron and mallard duck, each with human bodies including torso, legs and arms, and tail feathers with a bird head, each figure is dressed in theatrical costume whilst carrying out a stage performance.

These most interesting and amusing bronze figures are mainly finished with a dark brown patination whilst in contrast the head and feathers are gilt.

Each bronze is mounted onto a stepped rectangular bronze base, further enhanced with a green figured and polished marble plinth with a suede leather protective lining to the underside.

French, circa 1880

Dimensions of the Mallard Duck

Height 20.5 cm x width 13cm x depth 9 cm

The heron is slightly smaller but has the same matching base and plinth.

Date of Manufacture

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated these Victorian Anthropomorphic Bronze Figures to the 1880s.

Independent Date Check ID 09710730
Dealer's Item Date1880s
Sellingantiques Date1880s
Sellingantiques agingItem 125-155 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 1880s:
Two-tone parcel-gilt and dark patinated finish: French decorative bronze work.
Anthropomorphic satirical modelling: in the style popularised by Grandville.
Original bevelled green marble plinths: standard mounting for late Victorian desk sculptures.
Soft wear to the raised edges of the patination: handling over time.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Physical Dimensions
Height
20.5cm (8.07")
Width
13cm (5.12")
Depth
9cm (3.54")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1244390
Dealers Notes

Robert Belcher Antiques was established in 1984 and is a high-quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative objects. After forty years of shop keeping and maintaining beautiful showrooms, which have been regularly open six days a week, Robert and Wendy have now taken a slightly different approach to their business. Having sold their retail premises, the antique business is now fully online. The picture framing service has ceased to operate because of moving online.

You can contact Robert and Wendy by email or telephone to discuss items from their extensive catalogue of attractive pieces and make purchases. Customers can rest assured that the long-established dealership is continuing to run in an exceedingly professional way, selling genuine and high-quality items which are guaranteed to please the most discerning collector, decorator or homeowner.

All items will be personally hand packaged to a high standard. Small items are extensively wrapped using the best materials and are often double boxed. Items are then shipped with DHL or Royal Mail fully insured and often with next day delivery. Larger items would be personally delivered or sent with a specialist antique delivery firm, or for outside the U.K, a professional shipping company.

Please enjoy viewing their collection of rare and interesting pieces and have the assurance that Robert and Wendy will do their utmost to make sure your experience is exceptional, as has been recognised by many customers who have bought with confidence regularly over the years.

Contact details

Email: robertbelcherantiques@gmail.com

Telephone: 01905 622468

Mobile 07929 011224

07720 607007

Website: https://www.robertbelcherantiques.co.uk

Instagram: robertbelcherantiques

Description
A most unusual pair of late 19th century bronze figures depicting caricatures of a heron and mallard duck, each with human bodies including torso, legs and arms, and tail feathers with a bird head, each figure is dressed in theatrical costume whilst carrying out a stage performance.
“
These most interesting and amusing bronze figures are mainly finished with a dark brown patination whilst in contrast the head and feathers are gilt.
Robert Belcher Antiques
fig 1. A pair of Victorian bronze and gilded bronze figures depicting theatrical anthropomorphic birds in 19th-century attire mounted on green marble bases.
fig 1. A Pair of Bronze Caricature Figures of Theatrical Birds, Circa 1880

Each bronze is mounted onto a stepped rectangular bronze base, further enhanced with a green figured and polished marble plinth with a suede leather protective lining to the underside.

French, circa 1880

Dimensions of the Mallard Duck

Height 20.5 cm x width 13cm x depth 9 cm

The heron is slightly smaller but has the same matching base and plinth.

Date of Manufacture

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated these Victorian Anthropomorphic Bronze Figures to the 1880s.

Independent Date Report ID 09710730
Dealer's Item Date1880s
Sellingantiques dating1880s
Sellingantiques agingItem 125-155 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 1880s:
Two-tone parcel-gilt and dark patinated finish: French decorative bronze work.
Anthropomorphic satirical modelling: in the style popularised by Grandville.
Original bevelled green marble plinths: standard mounting for late Victorian desk sculptures.
Soft wear to the raised edges of the patination: handling over time.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Height
20.5cm (8.07")
Width
13cm (5.12")
Depth
9cm (3.54")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1244390
Robert Belcher Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2017

Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Robert Belcher Antiques Profile Page

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A pair of Victorian bronze and gilded bronze figures depicting theatrical anthropomorphic birds in 19th-century attire mounted on green marble bases.
1 / 14
Archive I A pair of Victorian bronze and gilded bronze figures depicting theatrical anthropomorphic birds in 19th-century attire mounted on green marble bases.

A Pair of Bronze Caricature Figures of Theatrical Birds, Circa 1880

Archive II A pair of Victorian bronze and gilded bronze figures depicting theatrical anthropomorphic birds in 19th-century attire mounted on green marble bases. View II
Archive III A pair of Victorian bronze and gilded bronze figures depicting theatrical anthropomorphic birds in 19th-century attire mounted on green marble bases. View III
Archive IV A pair of Victorian bronze and gilded bronze figures depicting theatrical anthropomorphic birds in 19th-century attire mounted on green marble bases. View IV
Archive V A pair of Victorian bronze and gilded bronze figures depicting theatrical anthropomorphic birds in 19th-century attire mounted on green marble bases. View V
Archive VI A pair of Victorian bronze and gilded bronze figures depicting theatrical anthropomorphic birds in 19th-century attire mounted on green marble bases. View VI
Archive VII A pair of Victorian bronze and gilded bronze figures depicting theatrical anthropomorphic birds in 19th-century attire mounted on green marble bases. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of Victorian bronze and gilded bronze figures depicting theatrical anthropomorphic birds in 19th-century attire mounted on green marble bases. View VIII
Archive IX A pair of Victorian bronze and gilded bronze figures depicting theatrical anthropomorphic birds in 19th-century attire mounted on green marble bases. View IX
Archive X A pair of Victorian bronze and gilded bronze figures depicting theatrical anthropomorphic birds in 19th-century attire mounted on green marble bases. View X
Archive XI A pair of Victorian bronze and gilded bronze figures depicting theatrical anthropomorphic birds in 19th-century attire mounted on green marble bases. View XI
Archive XII A pair of Victorian bronze and gilded bronze figures depicting theatrical anthropomorphic birds in 19th-century attire mounted on green marble bases. View XII
Archive XIII A pair of Victorian bronze and gilded bronze figures depicting theatrical anthropomorphic birds in 19th-century attire mounted on green marble bases. View XIII
Archive XIV A pair of Victorian bronze and gilded bronze figures depicting theatrical anthropomorphic birds in 19th-century attire mounted on green marble bases. View XIV
Enlarged Archival View
Location
Worcestershire
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Verified Since Jul 2017
Items For Sale 406
Items Sold 682
Robert Belcher Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Verified Since Jul 2017
View Dealer Info
Location: Worcestershire, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Verified
Jul 2017
For Sale
406
Sold
682
A pair of Victorian bronze and gilded bronze figures depicting theatrical anthropomorphic birds in 19th-century attire mounted on green marble bases.
A pair of bronze caricature figures of theatrical birds, circa 1880
Ref: SA1244390
A pair of Victorian bronze and gilded bronze figures depicting theatrical anthropomorphic birds in 19th-century attire mounted on green marble bases.
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Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.
Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSculptures
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian Novelty
  • MaterialBronze, Gilt Bronze, Marble
  • ColourBlack and Gold
  • MotifsAnthropomorphic figures, Parcel-gilt finish, Stepped marble bases, Theatrical costumes
  • SizeH 20.5 cm (8 in) x W 13 cm (5 in) x D 9 cm (4 in)

This pair of late nineteenth-century Victorian novelty sculptures depicts anthropomorphic theatrical birds in nineteenth-century attire, standing 20.5 cm high, 13 cm wide, and 9 cm deep. Rendered in bronze with a parcel-gilt finish, the figures combine a dark brown patination on their bodies and costumes with contrasting gilt on their heads and tail feathers. One character wears a scholarly robe and cap with arms folded, while the other dons a tailored jacket and breeches in a dynamic dancing pose with one leg raised and arms gesturing. Each figure mounts onto a stepped rectangular dark bronze base, which rests upon a green figured and polished marble plinth equipped with a suede leather protective lining underneath. These characterful sculptures suit placement upon a mantelpiece within a gentleman's library study setting.

Anthropomorphic caricatures gained immense popularity during the 19th century, influenced by satirical prints, fable illustrations, and theatrical performances. Artists cast animals dressed in human clothing to satirise contemporary society, professions, and social conventions through playful metalwork.

These figures were typically crafted using the lost-wax casting technique from high-grade bronze alloy. Surfaces often featured contrasting chemical patination alongside fire-gilding or mercury gilding (parcel-gilt detailing), mounted on polished marble or slate bases.

Authentic period bronzes display refined chased details, crisp hand-finishing, and age-appropriate wear to the gilding and dark patina. The underside of the metal castings usually shows period mounting hardware, such as hand-cut iron screws or brass threaded rods set into original stone bases.

Small bronze caricatures function as conversational accents when arranged on a mantlepiece, quiet bookshelf, or executive desk. Pairing dark patinated bronzes with minimalist backdrop textures creates a subtle contrast between historical craftsmanship and contemporary decor.

Maintain patinated and gilded bronze by dusting regularly with a soft, dry microfibre brush or cloth. Avoid liquid polished, chemical cleaners, or water, as moisture strips historical gilding and alters original surface patination.
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