Our fondness for ornamenting gardens is nothing new - the effigies of gods and mythical heroes that adorned the outdoor spaces of Ancient Greece and Rome are testament to that. The trend began to take hold in Britain around the 17th and 18th centuries, inspired in part by the al fresco fashions of Italy, where elegant ornamental gardens impressed the visiting Grand Tourists, and ornate fountains, stone pillars, and classical figures began to proliferate in the gardens of wealthy British trendsetters. Today, garden ornamentation is not merely the preserve of the rich, and statuary in myriad forms is an accessible way to add a finishing touch to any domestic outdoor space.
Whether you're tempted by a rustic trough or urn, or an ornate sundial or figure, statuary makes a striking all-season focal point for any garden. And although armies of new statuary abound in garden centres across the country, there's something about an antique piece that offers additional charm and interest. Even better, such pieces tend to come complete with their own weathered patina.
Lead statue of a water nymph (c1910), £2,800 (+VAT), Westland London.
Rare Coade stone figure of a seated man fetched £1,350 at Summers Place Auctions.
The best part about collecting garden ornaments is where and how you place them in the garden, in a way that complements the plants around them. You get to use your imagination, and you don't need to be a keen gardener to achieve spectacular results,' says James Rylands, Director of Summers Place Auctions, which specialises in garden statuary.
Esta historia es de la edición August 2022 de Homes & Antiques.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición August 2022 de Homes & Antiques.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Collecting Dioramas MINIATURE WORLDS
From elaborate taxidermy museum displays to humble folk art creations, a diorama can transport us to another time and place
Pride of place LEEDS CREAMWARE
In its heyday the pre-eminent rival to Wedgwood's Queens ware, Leeds creamware is still much revered by collectors for its understated elegance
Bohemian Rhapsody
An exuberant approach to decor, with rooms enveloped in colour and pattern, has brought this historic home merrily into the 21st century...
THE ANTIQUES THAT SHAPED ME Rory Hutton
The accessories designer on his love of silver spoons and Sévres porcelain
European HERITAGE B&Bs
Is there anything more inspiring than staying somewhere that's both beautifully stylish and imbued with history? Rhiannon Batten explores five gems across Europe, from Sweden to Spain...
STAR SALES
A Hitchens painting, a museum-quality teapot and a Parisian chocolate box are all top of the lots
Textile designs by artists
Influential 20th-century fine artists and sculptors, from Picasso to Barbara Hepworth, gained additional status as textile designers until decline set in during the 1970s
Period DRAMA
A painstaking renovation has brought this 1725 former Huguenot silk weaver's house in London's Spitalfields back to life
An artist's RESIDENCE
Rustic details and a restrained palette lend a sense of simplicity to this lovingly restored Friesian bakery
Carefully Curated LIVING
This lovingly restored Gustavian manor has become both home and showroom for its owners, Maria & Jan Åke, who deal in European antiques