John Biccard Owl Michael Angelo Crushed Marble Sculpture. Signed. 11.5cm

John Biccard Owl Michael Angelo Crushed Marble Sculpture. Signed.  

Height : 11.5cm

John Biccard (born John Henry Burnwood on February 6, 1941) grew up amidst the rolling farmlands and vineyards of the Cape Peninsula, just beyond the bustling port city of Cape Town. Educated locally, he later travelled extensively across Europe, even spending time studying at Cambridge in London, England—a journey that left a distinct Eurocentric influence on his work.

Upon returning to South Africa, Biccard immersed himself in his art, drawing on his travels for inspiration. He became known for his charming and whimsical sculptures, lovingly referred to as the “Biccard Marbles.” Working primarily in crushed or ground marble, each piece began as a pencil sketch—a moment or character that had sparked his imagination. From these sketches, he sculpted playful caricatures that carried both elegance and humor.

Though the precision of his figures suggests they were cast from molds, each sculpture was carefully hand-finished by Biccard himself, with painted details and subtle shading bringing them to life. The result : a collection of collectable treasures that reflect both a sharp eye for detail and a deep love for storytelling in miniature form.