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Religious Sculptures

Religion has been a popular sculptural theme for millennia due to the fact that sculpture has played an integral role in many religious devotions. Buddhism, for example, brought religious sculpture figures to East Asia, where there was no earlier comparable tradition. In the 10th century, the Christian Church initiated a Church-building program, creating a demand for Christian Romanesque sculpture that is still a staple of Christianity.

Since antiquity, portable sculpture was among the most common type of religious art and remains a popular theme today. An exception to this can be seen in Judaism's and Islam's practice of Aniconism, the ban of religious sculpture or other forms of art, which led to the destruction and condemning of religious sculpture. Today, religious art, including sculpture, is a popular genre at auctions.


Quick Facts

  • No one is certain when the first religious art was made. The earliest known variations of religious art appear to have begun during the Neolithic era
  • "Standing Bishop Saint," a late 14th century Italian sculpture carved from wood, sold at Sotheby's London in July 2013 for $104,500
  • Early forms of Christianity and Buddhism did not accept large religious sculptures, but later reversed views. Large sculptures became an important component of worship in both religions

Recommended Items at Auction

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Panneau sculpté en relief de Sainte Barbe tenant une branche,
Dec 21, 10:00 AM EST
Panneau sculpté en relief de Sainte Barbe tenant une branche,
by Eldred's
Est: $4,000- $5,000
$4,0005 Bids
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Panneau sculpté en relief de Sainte Barbe tenant une branche,
Dec 21, 10:00 AM EST
Panneau sculpté en relief de Sainte Barbe tenant une branche,
by Eldred's
Est: $4,000- $5,000
$3,2502 Bids
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Saint Antoine barbu,
Dec 21, 10:00 AM EST
Saint Antoine barbu,
by Eldred's
Est: $6,000- $8,000
$3,7502 Bids
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Saint Antoine barbu,
Dec 21, 10:00 AM EST
Saint Antoine barbu,
by Eldred's
Est: $6,000- $8,000
$3,5001 Bid
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Saint ou roi couronné en armure.
Dec 21, 10:00 AM EST
Saint ou roi couronné en armure.
by Eldred's
Est: $7,000- $10,000
$5,0001 Bid
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Panneau sculpté en relief de Sainte Barbe tenant une branche,
Dec 21, 10:00 AM EST
Panneau sculpté en relief de Sainte Barbe tenant une branche,
by Eldred's
Est: $4,000- $5,000
$3,0001 Bid
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Saint ou roi couronné en armure.
Dec 21, 10:00 AM EST
Saint ou roi couronné en armure.
by Eldred's
Est: $7,000- $10,000
$5,0001 Bid
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Saint Antoine barbu,
Dec 21, 10:00 AM EST
Saint Antoine barbu,
by Eldred's
Est: $6,000- $8,000
$3,5001 Bid
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Saint ou roi couronné en armure.
Dec 21, 10:00 AM EST
Saint ou roi couronné en armure.
by Eldred's
Est: $7,000- $10,000
$5,0000 Bids
Klosterarbeit mit Herzogspitalmuttergottes
Mar 06, 8:15 PM EST
Klosterarbeit mit Herzogspitalmuttergottes
by Fontaine's Auction Gallery
Est: $0- $0
$4500 Bids
ECOLE VENITIENNE, 17ème SIECLE Archange Saint-Michel
Nov 11, 2:15 PM EST
ECOLE VENITIENNE, 17ème SIECLE Archange Saint-Michel
by DP Test House
Est: $15,000- $20,000
$15,0000 Bids
Klosterarbeit mit Herzogspitalmuttergottes
Oct 31, 8:15 PM CET
Klosterarbeit mit Herzogspitalmuttergottes
by Auktionshaus Bloss
Est: €0- €0
€4500 Bids
Zwei Engel schwebend
Oct 31, 8:15 PM CET
Zwei Engel schwebend
by Auktionshaus Bloss
Est: €0- €0
€8000 Bids
Heiliger, stehend
Oct 31, 8:15 PM CET
Heiliger, stehend
by Auktionshaus Bloss
Est: €0- €0
€9000 Bids
Heiliger, stehend
Oct 31, 8:15 PM EDT
Heiliger, stehend
by Weschler's
Est: $0- $0
$9000 Bids
Zwei Engel schwebend
Oct 31, 8:15 PM EDT
Zwei Engel schwebend
by Weschler's
Est: $0- $0
$8000 Bids
Klosterarbeit mit Herzogspitalmuttergottes
Oct 31, 8:15 PM EDT
Klosterarbeit mit Herzogspitalmuttergottes
by Weschler's
Est: $0- $0
$4500 Bids
Klosterarbeit mit Herzogspitalmuttergottes
Nov 01, 8:15 PM EDT
Klosterarbeit mit Herzogspitalmuttergottes
by Weschler's
Est: $0- $0
$4500 Bids
Heiliger, stehend
Nov 01, 8:15 PM EDT
Heiliger, stehend
by Weschler's
Est: $0- $0
$9000 Bids
Zwei Engel schwebend
Nov 01, 8:15 PM EDT
Zwei Engel schwebend
by Weschler's
Est: $0- $0
$8000 Bids
Klosterarbeit mit Herzogspitalmuttergottes
Nov 01, 8:15 PM CET
Klosterarbeit mit Herzogspitalmuttergottes
by Auktionshaus Bloss
Est: €0- €0
€4500 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Religious Sculptures


Eldred's

Eldred's

Weschler's

Weschler's

Auktionshaus Bloss

Auktionshaus Bloss

Fontaine's Auction Gallery

Fontaine's Auction Gallery