Is This Carved Wooden Sculpture Worth £50? Or More?

What goes on in my head when deciding to buy or not to buy…

There’s so much scope with small sculptures. In my experience, unless a sculpture looks something like a Henry Moore, is clearly Art Deco, or looks like some fine 18thC Classical marble, it’s often ignored. Most people focus on ‘flat art’ for walls, and ignore three dimensional delights. Or maybe they’re a little scared of them, as display can appear to be more of a challenge.

Hugo Lederer carved wooden sculpture

But, whatever it is that puts a lot of people off is a good thing for me as I think there are bargains abound. But, as with all antiques, you need to be careful as there are a great many things to consider, especially if you are planning to resell. The subject, the sculptor, the condition, and the material for starters. And whether it has been, or could have been, reproduced. Is this a unique, original piece or a later version?

I’m going to examine a small carved wooden bust that I bought on eBay some years ago to explain the thought-process I go through when deciding whether to buy a sculpture or not. Let’s break it down…

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