A charming rare pair of composition stone Austin & Seeley urns nicely proportioned with lobed rims, ribbonned swags, interspersed with dripping fruit, and lobed body. Slight restoration to one rim.

Felix Austin, a sculptor, started manufacturing in composition stone around the late 1820's in London. Sometime between 1836 and 1843, Austin went into partnership with another sculptor, John Seeley. The quality of their composition stone is excellent and is often mistaken for natural stone.

Austin and Seeley modeled most of their own pieces, for both of them were sculptors. They exhibited at the Great Exhibition of London in 1851. Examples of their work can be seen on the grounds of many Palaces and Stately Homes throughout Britain. They are believed to have continued production of their pieces until 1872. See the interesting article on the firm in John Davies's book "Antique Garden Ornament" [Antique Collectors' Club, Woodbridge, Suffolk. 1991].

Pair of French Napoleon III enameled wrought-iron urns exquisitely decorated with lion masks and ribbon-tied decoration, with fluting at the base and rim. Circa 1850.

Antique English 5-sided Romanesque-style stone planter carved with blind-arcading and interlaced arches shielding Romanesque style figures. Circa 1850.

A rare 18th century English limestone urn, the bowl carved with a garland of fruit and flowers and acanthus leaves with two mask handles, on a spreading limestone base. The bowl and base are both of the same period but were probably not together originally. Lovely weathered patination with mosses and lichens. C. 1750.