“You don’t have to worry about anyone stealing that,” the man said as he walked up to me. That thought hadn’t crossed my mind as I stood there looking at the massive concrete garden seat in a side yard at the auction house.
I was actually thinking about how heavy it looked, so he was right on the mark, even though a bit ahead of me. It was too mammoth a piece for someone to just pick up from your yard and take it for themselves. Once that baby was situated, it wasn’t moving.
The garden seat was displayed alongside some metal outdoor furniture, a beautiful old stove and sundry other items. It was the only concrete piece among the mix, unlike the double rows of garden statuaries that had accosted me and other auction-goers at an auction house just down the street.
In the front driveway, right near the doors to the main gallery and the check-in/check-out office, that auction-house staff had rolled out stone and marble lions, gnomes, gargoyles, a cross and what looked to be a quartet of Four Seasons statues, along with just as many metal sculptures. They were not to be missed.
I’m not much into statuaries, and definitely not ones that are just as tall as me. I go for small stone animals that almost get lost in my garden, partially hidden by tall flowers and leafy plants. No cupids with an arrow for me.
But if garden statuaries are your thing, this was the place to be.
Most of them appeared to be made of stone, which seems to be the most typical material because, according to one site, it lasts longer and is easy to detail. If you want something to show off, though, choose bronze – but it will cost more.
I wasn’t around when the statuaries sold, but here’s a sampling of what was available:
