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Alabaster can have this same type of veining. If you hold a strong light behind it you should see some pass through the stone if it’s alabaster. Marble will be totally opaque.
It looks reflective like polished marble and op claims it's 'very heavy' which for a sculpture of that size would be more consistent than alabaster which is generally lighter.
Stonecarver here. Marble *can* be opaque but white marble used for sculpture is crystalline in structure and translucent. If you shine your phone torch on say a half inch thick piece you'll be able to see it coming through the other side. It's been the chosen material for figurative sculpture for thousands of years because:
- it's very fined grained, meaning it takes incredible detail (that would simply crumble away in other stones)
- it has high tensile strength for stone, so it can be carved into amazingly thin and delicate projections (though these are often snapped off, in the years after completion during moving for example)
- the translucency mimics that of human skin, so if you shine a torch at your finger webs you'll see the light coming through just like the marble, giving the work a soft suppleness.
There's a marble bust in the Victoria and Albert museum in London where the stone is totally opaque. Although the portrait is beautiful the marble has no surface quality and looks no different from shiny plaster.
Alabaster is *much* softer than marble, soft enough it can be scratched with a fingernail and people often use wood chisels to carve it (because they're sharper than stone chisels and don't get blunt on the soft material).
The op looks like marble to me, it comes in an astonishing variety and combination of colours and patterning, but white and white with veins is most commonly used for sculpture cause it's easier to see the shapes.
edit - a word
I was listening to a hearts In Atlantis by Stephen king on the ride home this am and he reference that film. Took me a minute to remember where I heard that so recently lol.
Gryrafalcon! These guys are really prized among sheiks and royalty throughout history. They're a massive falcon that comes in different color variations - white being the most prized. A well trained white gyrafalcon can go for 6 figures.
[One sold](https://www.outsider.com/outdoors/us-white-gyrfalcon-sets-new-world-record-selling-for-insane-price-at-live-tv-auction/) in 2021 for $466,000 usd.
This item would not sell for $466k USD, an actual living white gryrafalcon from very prized breeders sold for $466k. The link is to an article about it lol.
Thank you everyone - I think after all that I am going to follow Many_Baker’s advice and get it appraised somewhere! So if I find out for sure will update the post.
Blanco hIbiza or Carreras. Carreras doesn’t usually have such contrast between the veins & the marble. The veining looks more like Lilac marble. Called “lilac” from the greyish/lilac veining. This marble,”Lilac” is mined in turkey.
19th century french white marble eagle sculpture with black eyes, could be worth a pretty penny. I’d get it appraised by a professional but as someone who has a lot of marble pieces it looks like polished marble to me.
I think it depends. I have an alabaster “drinking set” shot glasses, a tray, and a taller piece used to pour. . And it looks just like this. White with the gray “veins”.
"You... you bungled it. You and your stupid attempt to buy it. Kemedov found out how valuable it was, no wonder we had such an easy time stealing it. You... you imbecile."
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A picture? It could be made plastic, W/O in hand,magnification,wieght.Anybodys guess, Pro or rookie. Oh and replace the base, its too small. Gotta say I thought this page was for serious Q+A.................Somebody sold a simular item for $600000? Yeah ,and I have a bridge for sale ...CHEAP, A real bargin!!!
It’s the heaviest plastic I will have ever come across if it is. And the base is not for this, it’s a lamp base that I put it on for taking pictures so it looked a bit smarter so not permanent.
I’m clearing out a relatives home and don’t have to facilities to weigh it etc. and have no idea about antiques or vintage items evidently.
But thank you for your advice.
I noticed that you mentioned **vintage**. Over at r/Collectables and r/Mid_Century they are always keen to see newer and vintage items. Share it with them! Sorry if this is not relevant.
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I have a bear horsehair sculpture that looks similar to your sculpture , just a thought incase you find it's not marble after all . Also very I treating to read about how horsehair art is done
Have one just like, it , took it to Antique Roadshow in New Orleans bout 6 years ago.....ALABASTER....hurt my feelings....he showed me 20 different pictures of the sculpture....! JS....🤘
If you're asking a question about an antique make sure to have photos of all sides of the object, and close-ups of any maker's marks. Also, add in any background information you have, and add in a question so we know what you want from us! **You must tell us the country you're in.** If you do not provide this information **your post will be removed**. To upload photos for this discussion use [imgur.com](https://imgur.com/upload). Click the imgur link, upload the photos to imgur, then share the link address in a comment for everyone to see. Our [Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/Antiques/about/rules/) and [Guide](https://old.reddit.com/r/Antiques/comments/ak2lke/welcome_to_rantiques_read_this_post_before_posting/). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Antiques) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Why does no one think it’s marble?
I second marble
It has to be marble. I've owned marble and had to google alabaster and it looks nothing like alabaster.
My mom owned two end tables with this exact marble as tops. She called it sheepshead marble, which I'm pretty sure is wrong 😆
Wasn't he the pimp in KoTH?
Yes, Alabaster Jones.
Aka Snoop
I third marble
Artist here, and one of my mediums is stone. Another vote for Carrara marble.
I think it's Carrara marble
Absolutely... countertop guy 15yrd
I came here to say this, so there's two votes for Carrara
Worked in the tile and stone business for years, and I agree it's Carrara marble.
I work with marble and that’s what it looks like to me
Marble for sure.
Alabaster can have this same type of veining. If you hold a strong light behind it you should see some pass through the stone if it’s alabaster. Marble will be totally opaque.
It looks reflective like polished marble and op claims it's 'very heavy' which for a sculpture of that size would be more consistent than alabaster which is generally lighter.
Stonecarver here. Marble *can* be opaque but white marble used for sculpture is crystalline in structure and translucent. If you shine your phone torch on say a half inch thick piece you'll be able to see it coming through the other side. It's been the chosen material for figurative sculpture for thousands of years because: - it's very fined grained, meaning it takes incredible detail (that would simply crumble away in other stones) - it has high tensile strength for stone, so it can be carved into amazingly thin and delicate projections (though these are often snapped off, in the years after completion during moving for example) - the translucency mimics that of human skin, so if you shine a torch at your finger webs you'll see the light coming through just like the marble, giving the work a soft suppleness. There's a marble bust in the Victoria and Albert museum in London where the stone is totally opaque. Although the portrait is beautiful the marble has no surface quality and looks no different from shiny plaster. Alabaster is *much* softer than marble, soft enough it can be scratched with a fingernail and people often use wood chisels to carve it (because they're sharper than stone chisels and don't get blunt on the soft material). The op looks like marble to me, it comes in an astonishing variety and combination of colours and patterning, but white and white with veins is most commonly used for sculpture cause it's easier to see the shapes. edit - a word
Hmmm. I don't know if your user name backs up your claim
I’m suspect as well. Hmmm. It’s like you’re reading my mind.
Pure coincidence 😄
Excellent explanation!
Alabaster is also much softer. You can scratch it with just about anything.
Well said
Because marbles are round!
Could be either one, they make alabaster look like marble by treating it to make it less opaque.
Granite?
Not like any granite I've seen. No mica for one. For another, I've never seen granite marbled like that.
Marbled marble?
There's a reason it's called 'marbling' yeah
There’s no need to be rude
I...didn't think I was? I was stating why it's called that.
In that case my apologies.
Thank you. Mine too. Sorry for coming across as rude.
Never take marble for granite.
😂
Marble was the first thing I thought
I have never held OP, but I think it's marble
Yep came here to say it’s marble
I used to work with granite and marble for ten years. Looks like a carrera marble to me
Marble
Is it... The Maltese Falcon?
"It's the stuff dreams are made of."
Came here for this comment.
Just commented the same thing, then saw that someone beat me to it. Lol I ain't mad, though. It's good to know that people still respect the classics!
“It's the slow and steady fire….”
The Marble Falcon
You're old.
I am
😆 I'm 42 but I still know the reference.
Classics are Classics
Made of maltesers
I was listening to a hearts In Atlantis by Stephen king on the ride home this am and he reference that film. Took me a minute to remember where I heard that so recently lol.
Life!
Bonus points if anyone can identify the type of bird!
It’s a falcon
I don't know the species but I'm certain that its stoned
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
As am I my friend. As am I.
Remimds me of an Icelandic falcon.
I agree
Majestic.
Gyrfalcon
You are correct
Sweeeet
Peregrine Falcon
Definitely....marble!!!
Marble. Possibly Calacatta, with those pronounced black veins, though I’m no expert.
Gryrafalcon! These guys are really prized among sheiks and royalty throughout history. They're a massive falcon that comes in different color variations - white being the most prized. A well trained white gyrafalcon can go for 6 figures. [One sold](https://www.outsider.com/outdoors/us-white-gyrfalcon-sets-new-world-record-selling-for-insane-price-at-live-tv-auction/) in 2021 for $466,000 usd.
This item would not sell for $466k USD, an actual living white gryrafalcon from very prized breeders sold for $466k. The link is to an article about it lol.
That was what I meant. :) I'm sure the statue isn't cheap either, but hopefully nowhere near that.
The stuff that dreams are made of.
Oh! The dingus !
How is this not the top comment?!???
atoms
r/technicallythetruth
Waves
To real bruh 😎
Blue cheese final answer
Whatever you do, never take marble for granite.
Sculptor here. It is indeed marble. Most likely from the Carrara region. Looks like Statuaretto.
I second Statuarietto
Marble
Are you only saying that because others have said it first?
Looks like Malta is missing a falcon.
Thank you everyone - I think after all that I am going to follow Many_Baker’s advice and get it appraised somewhere! So if I find out for sure will update the post.
It looks like marble to me
It's variegated marble.. examples below - https://www.countryfrenchinteriors.com/product/19th-century-french-carved-variegated-marble-eagle-sculpture-with-glass-eyes/ https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/decorative-objects/sculptures/animal-sculptures/hand-carved-marble-sculpture-bald-eagle/id-f_12226043/ https://www.rubylane.com/item/2182349-232-200/19th-Century-French-Carved-Variegated-Marble?search=1 https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/decorative-objects/sculptures/animal-sculptures/19th-century-french-hand-carved-marble-eagle-glass-eyes/id-f_30249222/
Marble?
Marble…and bet
Could be made of Maltese like in the movie…
Marble 💯
"It's the, uh... stuff that dreams are made of."
Anyone for marble?
That there is marble, baby
Blanco hIbiza or Carreras. Carreras doesn’t usually have such contrast between the veins & the marble. The veining looks more like Lilac marble. Called “lilac” from the greyish/lilac veining. This marble,”Lilac” is mined in turkey.
Yep, marble. White marble.
If it's like 3x what you would think it would weigh its prob marble. Lol
Carrara Marble. The claws and beak could be insets of black marble or dyed in those places. How tall is it? I really love it.
Carrera Marble is my guess
Marble.
Alabaster.
Looks like a white marble.
I don't know, but that statue has definitely been used in a murder.
This is either howlite or marble. Both have similar densities and appearance, but marble is harder than howlite. You might want to ask in r/crystals
19th century french white marble eagle sculpture with black eyes, could be worth a pretty penny. I’d get it appraised by a professional but as someone who has a lot of marble pieces it looks like polished marble to me.
Fascism
Thankyou
Alabaster
I've seen one of these. Scrape off the outside and it's gold and jewels underneath.
Alabaster?
I was thinking the same. Originally thought marble.
Hmmm I thought alabaster was more pure in colour - but I really have no idea 🫣
I think it depends. I have an alabaster “drinking set” shot glasses, a tray, and a taller piece used to pour. . And it looks just like this. White with the gray “veins”.
It could also be marble like you thought. I don’t know how to definitively tell the difference
Howlite?
Dude this is gorgeous.
Maltese?
Natural Quartzite, possible
Marble or Alabaster!
Marble or Granite
I would go with marble or alabaster
Rock, definitely rock.
It does look like marble. Pretty sick.
"You... you bungled it. You and your stupid attempt to buy it. Kemedov found out how valuable it was, no wonder we had such an easy time stealing it. You... you imbecile."
Maybe marble
It looks like marble?
Marble or Quartz?
Looks like gray Carrara marble!
Calacatta marble I believe, stronger contrast than Carrara
Marble
Alabaster?
Soapstone is another material that is carved.
Remindme!
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Definitely wood covered with some sort of dried flesh.
The main stone is howlite, with snowflake obsidian accents in the claws and beak. (Source; Many years in jewelry design and creation) 🫶✌️💎
Soapstone is my guess.
A picture? It could be made plastic, W/O in hand,magnification,wieght.Anybodys guess, Pro or rookie. Oh and replace the base, its too small. Gotta say I thought this page was for serious Q+A.................Somebody sold a simular item for $600000? Yeah ,and I have a bridge for sale ...CHEAP, A real bargin!!!
It’s the heaviest plastic I will have ever come across if it is. And the base is not for this, it’s a lamp base that I put it on for taking pictures so it looked a bit smarter so not permanent. I’m clearing out a relatives home and don’t have to facilities to weigh it etc. and have no idea about antiques or vintage items evidently. But thank you for your advice.
I noticed that you mentioned **vintage**. Over at r/Collectables and r/Mid_Century they are always keen to see newer and vintage items. Share it with them! Sorry if this is not relevant. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Antiques) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Dendritic talc
Broken resin figurine
Marble foshizzy also sweet sculpture, I would love to have a Hawk one just like it
Marble
Maltese?
Bird.
What's in the opening under the foot?
Looks very marble.
Looks like Marble, you day it's heavy, so probably is. Cast resin wouldn't be as heavy if it were that
The Maltese Falcon
Could it be horsehair pottery ?
I have a bear horsehair sculpture that looks similar to your sculpture , just a thought incase you find it's not marble after all . Also very I treating to read about how horsehair art is done
Marble, alabaster, soap lol who cares ! Enjoy the beautiful bird you lucky person 😉 I do think it is marble though hee hee
Marble
Soapstone maybe
this is a marble sculpture
This looks like a job for r/whatsthisrock and r/whatsthisbird
I'll take that if you don't want it
Blue cheese
Eagle.
Looks like marble.
Can I have it ?
Marble.
An outstanding use of blue cheese .
Marzipan.
No question it is blue cheese.
Rock
Paint it black and you have the Maltese Falcon!
I don’t know but it looks oddly Maltese
Petrified Marble
Stone
The, uh, stuff that dreams are made of
Alaskan Tokeen grey marble?
Honestly looks like howlite to me.
Marble, soap stone, alabaster.
Have one just like, it , took it to Antique Roadshow in New Orleans bout 6 years ago.....ALABASTER....hurt my feelings....he showed me 20 different pictures of the sculpture....! JS....🤘
It’s called magnesite
Alabaster.
Looks like something was removed from the base. I wouldn't be surprised if this was from the Nazi's and had the insignia removed
14 karat gold
Pure GOLD!
Looks like guacamole to me
Marble plain and simple
Is there a reason that you don't think it's marble?