Three-dimensional works of art in which images and forms are produced in relief, in intaglio, or in the round. The term refers particularly to art works created by carving or engraving a hard material, by molding or casting a malleable material (which usually then hardens), or by assembling parts to create a three-dimensional object. It is typically used to refer to large or medium-sized objects made of stone, wood, bronze, or another metal. Small objects are typically referred to as "carvings" or another appropriate term. "Sculpture" refers to works that represent tangible beings, objects, or groups of objects, or are abstract works that have defined edges and boundaries and can be measured. As three-dimensional works become more diffused in space or time, or less tangible, use appropriate specific terms, such as "mail art" or "environmental art."
Sculpture (Visual works)
Bust of William Shakespeare
Date: ca 1900
By: Turnbull, Alexander Horsburgh, 1868-1918
Reference: Objects-0635
Description: Maker(s) not identified. Head and shoulders bust of William Shakespeare, a cloak or other drapery around his shoulders. Mounted on a square bronze plinth, with felt beneath. There are several sculptors named Revillon active, mostly in Paris, in the 19th century Title supplied by Library. Inscriptions: Recto - on plinth: Revillon inscribed in bronze Quantity: 1 object(s). Physical Description: Bronze, 145 x 100 x 75 mm Provenance: Collection of Alexander Turnbull? Processing information: Description edited as part of Objects survey, 2024. Previous reference: Curios-029-048. Previous title: Revillon :[William Shakespeare. ca 1900].
Bust of an unknown man
Date: [ca 1700-1900]
By: Kinsey, Joseph James (Sir), 1852-1936; Moore, May Gertrude, 1874-1954
Reference: Objects-0549
Description: Artist(s) not identified. The bust on a plinth of a man wearing seventeenth or eighteenth century clothes and a large curled wig. Possibly an English monarch or member of the aristocracy. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 1 object(s). Physical Description: Brass plated bust 153 x 90 x 60 mm Processing information: Description edited as part of Objects survey, 2024. Previous reference: Curios-028-026. Previous title: Artist unknown :[Bust of an English personality of the Georgian period, brass-plated. Late seventeenth or early century].
[Chantrey, Francis Leggatt] 1781-1841 :[Plaster bust of author Sir Walter Scott. After ...
Date: 1850 - 1920
By: Chantrey, Francis Leggatt, 1781-1841; Kinsey, Joseph James (Sir), 1852-1936
Reference: Curios-028-054
Description: Head and shoulders of Scottish author of the Waverley novels. His shoulders are draped in plaid Appears to be a plaster copy of the marble bust of Scott by Francis Leggatt Chantrey, 1828, in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh Quantity: 1 curio(s). Physical Description: Plaster 600 x 375 x 250 mm Finding Aids: Listed in a typed and cyclostyled 'Catalogue of pictures and art objects in the Alexander Turnbull Library' [ca 1937?] as item 30 attributed to T. Chantrey..
Artist unknown :[Porcelain bust of Robert Southey] From the [bronze?] by [John] Hancock...
Date: 1848 - 1860
By: Hancock, John, -1869; Kinsey, Joseph James (Sir), 1852-1936
Reference: Curios-028-051
Description: Head and shoulders of English poet Robert Southey, copied from bust displayed at the Royal Academy, London, in 1848, by sculptor John Hancock, entitled: The poet in solitude. "He lived, he died, he sang in solitude, etc." Other Titles - Hancock, John d 1869 :The poet in solitude. "He lived, he died, he sang in solitude, etc." Inscriptions: Back area of figure: maker's incision (illegible) and "From the [illegible - possibly bronze?] by Hancock" then a number in parentheses - 796? Quantity: 1 curio(s). Physical Description: Parian ware 178 x 140 x 80 mm
Artist unknown: [Dionysus. Italian bronze figurine, probably a souvenir of Pompeii, of ...
Date: 1850 - 1870
From: Haast family: Collection
By: Haast, Johann Franz Julius von, 1822-1887; Haast, Heinrich Ferdinand von, 1864-1953
Reference: Curios-029-011
Description: Identified as Dionysus from the grapes in the hair Quantity: 1 curio(s). Physical Description: Bronze statuette screwed to circular bronze base 280 x 110 x 110 mm
Artist unknown :[Porcelain bust of Lord] Nelson / R & L. [Between 1860 and 1920?]
Date: 1860 - 1920
By: R & L (Firm); Kinsey, Joseph James (Sir), 1852-1936
Reference: Curios-028-053
Description: Head and shoulders of English Admiral and hero of the Battle of Trafalgar, Lord Nelson Inscriptions: Back area of figure: maker's incision "R & L" and "Nelson" Quantity: 1 curio(s). Physical Description: Parian ware 178 x 140 x 80 mm
Estate of Sebastian William Black: Pounamu disc awarded to Dame Judith Binney, New Zeal...
Date: 2012
By: Black, Sebastian William, 1938-2015
Reference: Objects-0945
Description: Maker(s) not identified. The 2010 New Zealand Post Book Awards, Book of the Year prize, awarded to Dame Judith Binney at the awards ceremony on 27 August 2010, in Auckland. The disc is thin, flat and smooth, and unmarked; the stone stand has been levelled at its bottom so as to stand still, and hold the disc upright in the man-made groove in its top. The name and category of the award is engraved on the stone, but not the recipient's name Source: "Past Winners". 'Ockham New Book Awards', https://www.nzbookawards.nz/new-zealand-book-awards/past-winners/ accessed 28 November 2022. Title supplied by Library. 2010 was the first year of the New Zealand Post Book Awards. Judith Binney recieved the New Zealand Post Book Awards Book of the Year award for 'Encircled Lands: Te Urewera, 1820–1921'. From 1996 to 2009, the awards were known as the Montana New Zealand Book Awards. Quantity: 1 curio(s) 2 pieces. Physical Description: Greenstone disc, 195 x 195 x 3mm; ovoid stone stand for disc engraved, 50 x 190 x 150mm. Processing information: Description edited as part of Curios and Objects survey, 2022. Previous reference: Curios-050-001/002. Previous title: Maker unknown: [Greenstone disc with engraved stone stand, being the 2010 New Zealand Post Book Awards Book of the Year, awarded to Dame Judith Binney]
Turner & Co :[Porcelain bust of Charles Dickens] 26 July 1870
Date: 1870
By: Turner & Company; Kinsey, Joseph James (Sir), 1852-1936; Turnbull, Alexander Horsburgh, 1868-1918
Reference: Curios-028-055
Description: Head and shoulders of English author Charles Dickens. In two sections, joined with a metal screw - bust and circular base On display in Turnbull House in the Deputy Chief Librarian's room. Shown on the window ledge in file print from missing photo neg. 2868 1/2. Inscriptions: Back area of figure: maker's incisions: Published as the Act directs (Sec 54 C 56 Geo III) by Turner & Co 26 July 1870, and a monogram surmounted by a crown Photograph from missing negative 2868 1/2 is located at PAColl-8321-22. Another copy in Drawings & Prints files under Alexander Turnbull Library. Furniture, curios, etc Quantity: 1 curio(s). Physical Description: Parian ware 390 x 330 x 200 mm with circular base 92 x 184 mm diameter
Artist unknown :[Porcelain bust of General] Gordon / R & L [1860s or later]
Date: 1860 - 1920
By: R & L (Firm); Kinsey, Joseph James (Sir), 1852-1936
Reference: Curios-028-052
Description: Head and shoulders portrait of General Gordon, "Chinese Gordon" of Kartoum, wearing a fez Inscriptions: Back area of figure: maker's incision R & L and "Gordon" Quantity: 1 curio(s). Physical Description: Parian ware 178 x 140 x 80 mm
Artist unknown: [Athena Nike. Italian bronze figurine, probably a souvenir of Pompeii, ...
Date: 1850 - 1870
From: Haast family: Collection
By: Haast, Heinrich Ferdinand von, 1864-1953; Haast, Johann Franz Julius von, 1822-1887
Reference: Curios-029-012
Description: Quantity: 1 curio(s). Physical Description: Bronze statuette screwed to globe on marble base 220 x 200 x 100 (figure) 45 mm diameter (globe) 70 x 60 x 60 (base). The figure's right arm and left wing are broken, presumably as in the original of which this is a copy.
Jackson, Robert fl 1850-1878 :[Plaster bust of Henry Irving] London 1875
Date: 1875
By: Jackson, Robert, active 1850-1900; Kinsey, Joseph James (Sir), 1852-1936
Reference: Curios-028-056
Description: Head and shoulders of English actor, Henry Irving, with drapery across his shoulders and masks of tragedy and comedy at front corners of the base On long-term display in Turnbull House until 1971. Shown in a photograph of the Deputy Chief Librarian's room, ground floor, on the windowledge Inscriptions: Back area of figure: maker's incision: R Jackson sc, 29 Maida Vale, London, 1875; Front area of base: monogram H I, with the I divinding the H Quantity: 1 curio(s). Physical Description: Plaster 430 x 270 x 170 mm
Plaster bust of John Thomas Lang
Date: ca1927
Reference: Objects-0705
Description: Artist(s) not identified. Plaster bust (probably mass-produced) of John Thomas Lang, Premier of New South Wales. Identified from image of another identical bust on National Library of Australia website - http://www.nla.gov.au/picR/6300292. Title supplied by Libary. Inscriptions: Recto - bottom centre - The people's champion, Mr Lang Quantity: 1 object(s). Physical Description: Plaster bust, 217 mm high. Transfers: Transferred from Acquisitions in January 2001, after being on the shelves there for some time.. Processing information: Description edited as part of Objects survey, December 2023. Previous reference: Curios-030-054. Previous title: Artist unknown :The people's champion, Mr Lang. [ca 1927].
Sutherland, Scott 1910-1984 :Ron Stenberg [1960s?]
Date: 1960 - 1970
By: Sutherland, Scott, 1910-1984
Reference: Curios-030-015
Description: Sculpted bronze head of Auckland-born painter Ron Stenberg, by noted British sculptor, Scott Sutherland Inscriptions: Title, date & artist on bronze plaque affixed to wooden base Quantity: 1 curio(s). Physical Description: Patinated bronze resin on wooden base 305 x 195 x 223 mm Provenance: Donation: Mr Ron Stenberg, Fife, Scotland, 1986
Maker unknown :[Bronze bust of Athene (Minerva). ca 1900]
By: Turnbull, Alexander Horsburgh, 1868-1918
Reference: Curios-030-041
Description: Head and shoulders of Goddess of wisdom, Athene (or Roman name Minerva). She is wearing a helmet tilted back on her head, and the breastplate of a uniform, with the head of the Gorgon Medusa on the breast. Probably a copy of a Greek or Roman sculpture Quantity: 1 curio(s). Physical Description: Hollow bronze on wooden base, 680 x 390 x 305 mm (bust) plus base of 65 mm (height) and 765 mm (circumference) Provenance: Owned by Alexander Turnbull. The bust used to sit on his writing desk in his reading room
Bo, Lu 1942- :[Rewi Alley. 1979.]
Date: 1979
By: Bo, Lu, 1942-; Deng Bang Zhen, 1941-
Reference: Curios-030-018
Description: Shows head of Rewi Alley (1897-1987) aged 88. Further information about the sculptor and her work, at AT 13/14/1, 29 May 1991. See also provenance details AT 10/14. Inscriptions: Base has dragon and ball relief carved underneath.; Unsigned and undated. The sculptor's husband Deng Bangzhen, was a foster-child of Rewi Alley. Both the sculptor and her husband helped establish a pottery kiln at Shandan Baillie School. Quantity: 1 curio(s). Physical Description: Bronze patinated sculpture, 295 x 230 x 250 mm. Provenance: Presented by the Chinese sculptor and her artist husband Deng Bang Zhen, during a visit to New Zealand in 1991.
Stringer, Terry, 1946- :[Head of Eve Page] - 1984-1985
Date: 1984 - 1985
By: Stringer, Terry Robin George, 1946-; Art Works Ltd; Hanly, Gillian Mary, 1934?-
Reference: Curios-030-013
Description: Portrait bust of the head of Wellington artist, Evelyn Page Commissioned by the Library Sculpted from three sittings in 1984, and from photos taken by Gil Hanly. Cast by Art Works Ltd, Parnell, 1985 Inscriptions: Edition: 1/3, signed and dated Quantity: 1 curio(s). Physical Description: Sculpture, patinated bronze, 310 x 180 x 215 mm on base (wooden), 70 mm Provenance: Purchased from the sculptor, Auckland, 1985
Artist unknown :[Bronze statuette of a semi-draped woman holding a butterfly. 19th cent...
By: Kinsey, Joseph James (Sir), 1852-1936
Reference: Curios-033-017
Description: Classical-style figure, her nether regions draped. Her head is bent to look at the butterfly held between her hands. She is standing bare-footed on a low circular pedestal. Quantity: 1 curio(s). Physical Description: Bronze height 665 mm, width 220 mm, depth 240 mm, base circumference 705 mm
Royal Doulton :[Ellen Terry as Queen Catherine from Shakespeare's Henry VIII] / C. Noke...
Date: 1890 - 1895
By: Royal Doulton (Firm); Noke, Charles, 1858-1941; Kinsey, Joseph James (Sir), 1852-1936
Reference: Curios-028-032-1
Description: Ellen Terry dressed in the robes of Catherine of Aragon, first wife of Henry VII, on an integral stand Forms a pair with Curios-028-032-2 of Sir Henry Irving as Cardinal Wolsey from the same play. Quantity: 1 curio(s). Physical Description: Ceramic statuette, Parian-type body, slip-cast with tinted vellum glaze, approximately 300 x 150 x 130 mm Provenance: Purchased by Kinsey at the Christchurch International Exhibition, 1906.
Artist unknown :[Queen Victoria as a young woman. ca 1840].
Date: 1835 - 1850
By: Kinsey, Joseph James (Sir), 1852-1936
Reference: Curios-030-016
Description: A head and shoulders bust of the youthful Queen Victoria. On a bronze pedestal Quantity: 1 curio(s). Physical Description: Bronze bust, 550 x 340 x 250 mm.
Schwimmer, Ziska Katriona (Zander), 1917- :[Head of Dorothy Davies] / Ziska Schwimmer. ...
Date: 1957
By: Schwimmer, Ziska Katriona, 1917-
Reference: Curios-030-005
Description: Head and neck only Sculptor's name and date from base; also on base: "D Davies" Painted in bronze metallic paint Quantity: 1 curio(s). Physical Description: Sculpture, painted plaster, 360 x 270 mm