It’s said that we don’t often choose our antiques – our antiques choose us.

Except that’s not actually a saying about antiques. It’s actually a quote about dogs. We, as human beings, have a connection to dogs that extends back millennia, so it’s no wonder that some of the most popular vintage collectables and art are focused on our furry friends.

Every antique collector has their own reasons for choosing their item of choice. But for those new to the world of antiques, one collection you may want to consider investing in are bronze dog sculptures, available from famous artists and often handcrafted centuries ago.

Why Bronze?

Bronze is a fascinating material, so highly prized that an entire “age” was named after it (3100 BC to 300 BC). Bronze has also remained easily one of the most prestigious non-precious metals available today.

It’s easy to see why. Take a look at this bronze basset hound:

This piece is 150 years old, and while it has aged slightly with time (creating an “aged bronze” look that is arguably more popular today than the original bronze shade), its condition is otherwise flawless, as though it has barely aged a day. There are collections of bronze sculptures from over 3000 years ago, still in their original form, that have not even a single deep scratch. 

Why Dogs?

If you need us to answer this question, then perhaps this is not the right collectable for you.

Dogs are, obviously, perhaps our most beloved animals. They’re also majestic creatures, displaying a power to them that not many other animals have. That means that not only are they man’s best friend – they also look, visually, like impressive specimens, their bodies an art of their own.

Why Bronze Dogs?

We look at what makes a great collectable piece, what we’re looking for is the following:

• Rarity
• Display Potential
• Value

Bronze sculptures, particularly those of dogs, meet all three of these:

• Rarity – Bronze pieces from prior to the 1900s are all handmade. Even when pieces are the part of a larger set, they have unique differences that we do not see in more recent works. Some were also melted down for war, which means that there are far fewer pieces still available today than there might have been.
• Display Potential – We probably shouldn’t need to say more than “bronze dog,” but yes, bronze dog sculptures make for wonderful displays, as they fit almost any style of décor and are visually pleasing to the eye. Plus, they’re dogs, and everyone loves dogs.
• Value – One cannot go back in time and create new bronze art sculptures, and dogs will always be a highly regarded pet that will continue to be prized in Australia and throughout the world. Bronze also resists damage, which means that you can pass these down to your children and they will still have immense value to the right buyers.

Here at Marple Antiques and Collectables, we have bronze sculptures from famous artists, including Alfred Louis Barye, Paul-Eduoard Delabrierre, and many others. These are known, established sculptors whose work is highly prized, helping to maintain their value for longer.

Take a Look at Our Entire Collection!

There are so many antiques in the world to choose from, and we encourage you to browse our online antique store for inspiration. Most people have something in mind when they come to find us, hoping to find a piece for their collections.

But if you are looking for something to collect, there is no denying that antique bronze dog sculptures have so much potential, combining everything you need to make a great collectable piece. Start your journey today at our bronze page: https://marpleantiques.com.au/bronzes/bronzes/