Antique 19th Century French Architectural Model of a Château Turret | Large Scale Grand Tour Folk Art Spire, c.1860

An exceptionally rare and highly decorative large-scale 19th-century French architectural model of a château turret. Masterfully constructed with a combination of mixed media, this captivating piece features a hand-carved and painted gesso-over-wood body, meticulously detailed slate roof tiles.

The tower is punctuated by a singularly charming, hand-painted casement window complete with a faux-stone lintel and leaded-glass detailing in hues of deep cobalt blue. It is crowned by a dramatic, conical, high-pitched roof heavily layered with individual, applied slate tiles, showing a wonderfully weathered, crackled patina, and terminating in an elegant, turned-metal finial.

Dating to circa 1860, models of this scale and specific architectural focus occupy a fascinating intersection between the European Grand Tour tradition, institutional architectural maquettes, and high-end folk art.

While smaller architectural models were frequently produced by master builders to demonstrate capability or by students at institutions like the École des Beaux-Arts, specialised models of distinct castle elements—such as this conical turret—were also commissioned as high-quality souvenirs for wealthy Grand Tour travelers enamored with the romanticism of French Gothic and Renaissance Châteaux.

The structural base reveals a robust, turned timber core with a central aperture at the foot, a feature highly characteristic of models designed to be securely mounted onto a display plinth, a grand architectural drawing desk, or used as an educational apparatus in an estate library.

Today, this turret model serves as a magnificent, sculptural statement piece. It represents the pinnacle of “cabinet of curiosities” (wunderkammer) aestheticism. Standing considerably taller than a standard wine bottle (as shown in reference photography), its scale lends it an impressive presence whether anchoring a mantlepiece, standing proud on a library table, or integrated into a sophisticated collection of antiquities. It appeals equally to collectors of architectural salvage, folk art enthusiast, and interior designers looking to inject immediate European heritage and texture into a space.

Dealer Comments

“Finding an architectural model of this specific scale and subject matter is an absolute rarity. The texture on the roof is extraordinary; the natural crazing of the gesso and the remaining fragments of dark, slate tiles give it an authentic, ‘ruinated’ romantic charm that you simply cannot manufacture. It is incredibly tactile. The painted blue window adds a lovely pop of color against the neutral, stone-washed tones of the tower body. There is minor, honest age-related wear to the surfaces and paint finishes, which only enhances its decorative gravity. A true connoisseur’s piece.”

Mid-Century Modern British Abstract Bronze Sculpture by ‘WD’ – Dated 1966

This exceptional original mid-century modern abstract bronze sculpture, dated 1966, is a striking example of post-war British Modernist sculpture. Monogrammed with the artist’s initials ‘WD’ and dated ‘/66’, this compelling three-dimensional work perfectly encapsulates the biomorphic abstraction that dominated the British art scene during the 1950s and 1960s.

The piece features a wonderfully tactile, fluid form characterised by undulating organic curves, smooth planar sweeps, and a highly deliberate use of pierced negative space that invites light to interact with the structure from every angle. Cast in solid bronze, the surface is finished in a glorious, luminous gold patina that shifts beautifully under varying light conditions, highlighted by a rich, soft historic glow. Reminiscent of the monumental organic works of Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth, this studio piece demonstrates an advanced mastery of casting and hand-finishing, capturing the mid-century obsession with nature, geological erosion, and human form reduction.

History, Provenance & Origin

Artist: Monogrammed ‘WD’ (British School, 20th Century)

Title: Untitled

Date of Creation: 1966

Origin: United Kingdom

Medium: Bronze with a polished gold patina

Dimensions: 15.5 x 29 cm (6 x 11¼ inches)

Markings: Clearly incised with the initials ‘WD’ and dated ‘/66’ to the lower edge / base profile.

Provenance: Sourced from an elite private collection

Dealer’s Comments

“This sculpture is an absolute masterclass in mid-century form. The year 1966 was a magical moment for British art, and this piece has all the muscular confidence of that era. The artist hasn’t just shaped metal, they’ve managed to make solid bronze look completely fluid, almost like water-worn stone or an organic root system. The gold patina is stunning, it catches the light beautifully without losing the deep, subtle shadows within its curves. For interior designers, a bronze of this caliber and scale is the ultimate accessory for a luxury interior. It sits perfectly on a mid-century sideboard, a library desk, or a minimalist mantlepiece, offering immediate sculptural presence and a sophisticated, intellectual edge.”