20th Century Silver Sculpture
These pieces of 20th century silver sculpture bring together striking metallic forms and decorative detail that collectors prize for display.
20th Century Silver Sculpture
When you search for 20th century silver sculpture, you encounter figures and table ornaments spanning several decades and materials. The selection includes works produced in sterling silver alongside pieces employing cold-painted bronze, silver plating, and mixed media such as onyx and marble bases.
The objects take many forms, ranging from animalier studies of stags and cockerels to human figures representing dancers and allegorical characters. Many examples belong to the Art Deco movement, while others reflect earlier 19th century foundations or later 20th century developments.
The listings on this page draw upon various origins and aesthetics, uniting sculptural works designed as table ornaments or cabinet figures. Buyers frequently encounter named makers associated with cold-painted bronze alongside sterling silver animalier works.
How they were made
The construction of these sculptures relies on casting techniques applied to metals like bronze and sterling silver, often combined with hand-finished cold painting. Artisans utilised metal casting to achieve intricate postures in figures such as dancers and animals.
Silver plating on base metals provided an alternative to solid sterling silver, while other works utilised carved wood elements directly within decorative fragments. These varied methods determined the durability and visual texture of each finished ornament.
Listings combine sterling silver and cold-painted bronze alongside materials like marble, onyx, and carved wood.
What varies in quality
Quality in these sculptures rests upon the crispness of the casting and the preservation of hand-applied surface details such as cold painting and enamel. Pieces retaining their original polychrome finishes demonstrate greater fidelity to the maker's initial design.
The integration of the sculptural figure with its mounting base, whether marble, onyx, or carved wood, indicates the level of care taken during production. Superior examples maintain secure attachment and harmonious proportions between the metalwork and its plinth.
Tom Mackie·Pierre le Faguays·Ferdinand Preiss·Josef Lorenzl·Antoine Bofill
The 20th Century Silver Sculpture Glossary
- Animalier
- A term describing sculptures that depict animals with anatomical realism and attention to natural behaviour. This genre was particularly popular in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
- Cold-painted bronze
- A technique where bronze sculptures are painted with oil-based paints and left to dry naturally without kiln firing. The finish is susceptible to wear if handled frequently.
- Art Deco
- A design style spanning the interwar period characterised by streamlined geometric forms, stylised figures, and modern materials. It heavily influenced sculpture and decorative arts.
- Sterling silver
- An alloy consisting of silver and other metals, usually copper, designed to increase durability while maintaining a high purity standard. It is commonly hallmarked to denote its composition.
- Table ornament
- A small-scale decorative sculpture designed to be displayed on furniture surfaces rather than placed on a monumental pedestal. These pieces function as intimate interior accents.
20th Century Silver Sculpture: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean silver sculpture?
Dust gently with a soft cloth to protect vulnerable surfaces and painted details.
Avoid abrasive polishes, particularly on cold-painted or silver-plated areas where harsh chemicals remove the finish.
Where should I display these?
Place figures on stable flat surfaces like sideboards or mantelpieces away from direct sunlight.
Ensure the mounting base sits level to prevent stress on composite materials like marble or onyx.
How do I identify Art Deco?
Look for stylised human forms, dynamic movement, and geometric clothing folds characteristic of the period.
Artists working in this style often utilised cold-painted bronze combined with contrasting stone bases.
What is animalier sculpture?
Animalier works focus specifically on realistic or expressive representations of animals in natural poses.
These subjects range from wild stags to domestic and farmyard birds rendered in silver or bronze.