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Garden Ornaments

The decoration of gardens with ornamental pieces such as sculptures, figurines, fountains, outdoor furniture, and birdhouses is a pastime enjoyed worldwide. The first gardens to be adorned with decorative objects were in Ancient Greece and Rome, where classical statuary, busts, fountains, urns, sundials, and lounging furniture were the preferred ornamental pieces. In 7th century A.D., artificial rock gardens, or scholar rocks, became important decorative pieces in China, where they inspired intellectuals to gaze and reflect upon upon their asymmetrical, visually stimulating qualities.

The 18th century witnessed an important shift in garden decoration with the fusion of European and Asian styles. In Britain, gardens incorporated ornamental pieces collected in and inspired by distant lands, such as fragments of Egyptian obelisks and miniature pagodas produced in Europe.

During the 19th century, marble and porcelain figurines, especially gnomes, became wildly popular in Germany and were collected and displayed outside homes across Europe and the United States. Garden gnomes remain one of the most sought after decorative pieces for gardens today. An incredible variety of garden ornaments including religious sculptures, bird baths, wind mills, chimes, and Christmas décor are available at auction.


Quick Facts

  • On April 19, 2015, Heritage Auctions Beverly Hills sold a cardboard garden gnome signed by all four members of the Beatles for $42,500
  • The Gardens of Versailles, which are decorated with more than two hundred water fountains, sculptures, and busts, are visited by more than six million visitors each year
  • Wealthy Romans installed extravagant gardens with fountains, chaise lounge chairs, sculpted ancestor busts, and potted plants inside their villas

Recommended Items at Auction

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A Large Garden FIgure of Buddha
Feb 20, 10:00 AM PST
A Large Garden FIgure of Buddha
by Abell Auction
Est: $300- $500
$1,10013 Bids
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Faux Snake Plant in White Ceramic Decorative Pot and Wood Base 30 in. (76.2 cm.)
Feb 25, 6:00 PM EST
Faux Snake Plant in White Ceramic Decorative Pot and Wood Base 30 in. (76.2 cm.)
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$2110 Bids
A pair of composite stone urn form planters, Height 55cm Diameter 40cm
Feb 25, 7:00 PM AEDT
A pair of composite stone urn form planters, Height 55cm Diameter 40cm
by Lawsons
Est: AUD300- AUD400
AUD2407 Bids
A Large Pagoda-Form Garden Ornament
Feb 20, 10:00 AM PST
A Large Pagoda-Form Garden Ornament
by Abell Auction
Est: $300- $500
$6007 Bids
Monumental Bronze Nautical Pelican Garden Fountain
Feb 25, 11:00 AM EST
Monumental Bronze Nautical Pelican Garden Fountain
by Akiba Galleries
Est: $1,000- $3,000
$1,3006 Bids
Victorian Style Metal Garden Urn. Matches Lot 164. 25"X25"X43"
Mar 01, 10:00 AM EST
Victorian Style Metal Garden Urn. Matches Lot 164. 25"X25"X43"
by Swisher Bros. Auction
Est: $0- $0
$306 Bids
Victorian Style Metal Garden Urn. Matches Lot 163. 25"X25"X43"
Mar 01, 10:00 AM EST
Victorian Style Metal Garden Urn. Matches Lot 163. 25"X25"X43"
by Swisher Bros. Auction
Est: $0- $0
$256 Bids
Bronze Boy with Flute Sculptural Garden Fountain
Feb 25, 11:00 AM EST
Bronze Boy with Flute Sculptural Garden Fountain
by Akiba Galleries
Est: $100- $1,000
$1505 Bids
A large composite stone planter on pedestal base, Height 194cm x Diameter 60cm Ex Patchway
Feb 25, 7:00 PM AEDT
A large composite stone planter on pedestal base, Height 194cm x Diameter 60cm Ex Patchway
by Lawsons
Est: AUD800- AUD1,200
AUD1805 Bids
Cast iron bird bath, Height 67cm x 49cm
Feb 25, 7:00 PM AEDT
Cast iron bird bath, Height 67cm x 49cm
by Lawsons
Est: AUD120- AUD180
AUD805 Bids
Large Bronze Lady with Shell Sculptural Garden Fountain
Feb 25, 11:00 AM EST
Large Bronze Lady with Shell Sculptural Garden Fountain
by Akiba Galleries
Est: $200- $2,000
$2004 Bids
A set of 3 composite stone trough planter, Height 36cm x Width 100cm x Depth 40cm
Feb 25, 7:00 PM AEDT
A set of 3 composite stone trough planter, Height 36cm x Width 100cm x Depth 40cm
by Lawsons
Est: AUD300- AUD500
AUD1104 Bids
A group of mixed five terracotta planters, one with citrus tree, total height 135cm
Feb 25, 7:00 PM AEDT
A group of mixed five terracotta planters, one with citrus tree, total height 135cm
by Lawsons
Est: AUD200- AUD400
AUD704 Bids
Bronze Lady Peacock Garden Fountain
Feb 25, 11:00 AM EST
Bronze Lady Peacock Garden Fountain
by Akiba Galleries
Est: $200- $2,000
$1753 Bids
A pair of composite stone trough planter, Height 36cm x Width 100cm x Depth 40cm
Feb 25, 7:00 PM AEDT
A pair of composite stone trough planter, Height 36cm x Width 100cm x Depth 40cm
by Lawsons
Est: AUD200- AUD300
AUD603 Bids
Monumental Bronze Garden Fountain Heron Nature Scene
Feb 25, 11:00 AM EST
Monumental Bronze Garden Fountain Heron Nature Scene
by Akiba Galleries
Est: $1,000- $3,000
$7503 Bids
2 pairs of composite stone planters, total Height 85cm, width 45cm x depth 45cm
Feb 25, 7:00 PM AEDT
2 pairs of composite stone planters, total Height 85cm, width 45cm x depth 45cm
by Lawsons
Est: AUD200- AUD300
AUD1303 Bids
Billy Haines Installation: Greek Carved Stone Planter
Feb 19, 10:00 AM PST
Billy Haines Installation: Greek Carved Stone Planter
by Abell Auction
Est: $200- $300
$1753 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Garden Ornaments


Lawsons

Lawsons

Rivich Auction

Rivich Auction

Kamelot Auctions

Kamelot Auctions

Austin Auction Gallery

Austin Auction Gallery