Mid-20th Century Fantail Pigeon Garden Sculpture - 13¾"

A mid 20th-century garden sculpture of a fantail pigeon, likely French, cast in reconstituted stone with a pale gray, speckled surface, presents a poised bird with a boldly fanned tail and neatly layered plumage standing on a rocky plinth. The modeling captures the rounded chest, tucked wings, and textured feathers, while the base is rugged and naturalistic. The surface shows a weathered, timeworn patina with scattered pitting, small edge nicks to the base, and traces of moss staining.

Cast-stone bird figures became popular during the interwar and postwar decades as durable, frost-resistant alternatives to carved limestone. This material, made from a mixture of crushed stone and cement, emulated the look and weight of quarried stone while allowing artisans to achieve lively detail at an accessible scale. The fantail pigeon, long prized by breeders, symbolizes peace, fidelity, and domestic harmony, enduring themes in garden iconography since the 19th century.

This piece lends a touch of grace to a terrace, conservatory, or balcony and it pairs beautifully with wrought-iron seating. Indoors, it serves as a sculptural accent on a console, mantel, or library table, bringing texture and a gentle natural accent to layered interiors from French country to English garden style.