How were these religious carvings used?

Devotional carvings served various functions within churches, domestic shrines, and private chapels for prayer and contemplation. Larger statues commanded space in temples or altars, while smaller figures and plaques facilitated personal daily devotion. Porter chairs and prie-dieu desks provided physical support during prolonged prayer, combining functional furniture with sacred art through integrated wood carving and upholstery.

What materials are typical for these pieces?

Carved wood forms the foundation of most items, utilising timbers like oak, walnut, rosewood, and miscellaneous local woods. Craftsmen often enriched these wooden forms with gesso, gold leaf, and polychrome paint. Stone materials such as marble and alabaster also appear in sculptural heads and relief panels, alongside organic mediums like mother of pearl and coquilla nut in smaller devotional objects.

How should I care for antique wood carvings?

Keep wooden sculptures and panels away from direct sunlight and sudden temperature shifts to prevent timber from splitting or warping. Maintain stable indoor humidity levels to protect fragile gesso and gold leaf layers. Dust surfaces gently with a soft, dry cloth rather than applying liquid polishes or chemical cleaners that might damage aged paint or exposed wood patination.

Home > 19th Century Religious Carving > Page 2

19th Century Religious Carving

34 items · page 2 of 3

← Page 2 of 3 →

These pieces of 19th century religious carving bring devotional heritage into a room through hand-worked figures and panels shaped by period workshops.

19th century

Save

19th Century Hand Carved Italian Santos Processional Figure

From The House of Antiques

£2,650

3+ MONTHS AGO

miscellaneous

19th century

Save

Pair of 19th Century Italian Alters Love Angels

From The House of Antiques

£3,950

3+ MONTHS AGO

sculptures

Folk Art Calvary in a Bottle South Germany/ Austrian.

19th century

Save

Folk Art Calvary in a Bottle South Germany/ Austrian.

From Koos Limburg Jnr. Scotland

£675

3+ MONTHS AGO

miscellaneous

19th century

Save

19th Century Italian School Painting, "Angel Playing the Lute", After Rosso Fiorentino (1495 – 1540)

From Westcoast Fine Art

£2,050

3+ MONTHS AGO

art

19th century

Save

Antique Marble Statue Sculpture Marble Bust from a 19th Century Grand Tour Collection Garden Statue

From Gerald Neville Antiques

£3,500

3+ MONTHS AGO

sculptures

19th century

Save

Charming 19th Century Wood Carving of Shepherd

From Abersoch Antiques

£120

3+ MONTHS AGO

sculptures

19th century

Save

19th Century Unusual Folk Art Model

From The House of Antiques

£725

3+ MONTHS AGO

miscellaneous

19th century

Save

Early 19th Century Santos Figure

From The House of Antiques

£3,895

3+ MONTHS AGO

miscellaneous

A Pair of Very Interesting Carved Wood Folk Art Figures of a Male and Female

19th century

Save

A Pair of Very Interesting Carved Wood Folk Art Figures of a Male and Female

From Gerard Robinson Fine Art and Antiques

£485

3+ MONTHS AGO

miscellaneous

19th century

Save

19th Century Carved Oak Figure of a Saint

From Shackladys Antiques

£2,975

3+ MONTHS AGO

sculptures

Listings incorporate diverse materials including carved wood, gold leaf, oak, gesso, polychrome paint, brass, gilding, marble, alabaster, and mother of pearl.