Where to Buy Garden Statues

For Classical Pieces

• Walk through a sculpture garden such as Socrates Sculpture Park or Storm King in New York. Then, spend time in your own garden. Determine if the statue will be the focal point of the garden or blend in with the natural elements.

  Once you know what you want, find a classical statue that will stand up to outdoor conditions. Look at websites that specialize in classical outdoor statuaries, such as statue.com. These works are generally museum-quality reproductions crafted in materials such as bonded Carrera marble, bonded stone or bronze to name a few.

  Go directly to the source. For instance, Franco er Marmista (see Resources) is one of many design galleries located throughout Italy. Reproductions from Franco er Marmista are crafted by master craftsmen in pure marble using ancient sculpting techniques.

For Mythical Creatures

• Check out Bruno Torf's Fantasy Garden online for inspiration. Look in specialty shops for this genre which includes gargoyles, dragons and fairies.

  Design Tuscano (see Resources) features various artists to craft their garden sculptures. They offer Gothic gargoyles such as the Legend of the Cambridge Hopping or Balthazar's Watch gargoyles molded in resin for a detailed finish. Other sculptures include Celtic and other fairy-themed garden statuary. Browse online, order a catalog or visit the gallery store to view the vast selection.

For Antique Statues

• Hunt for antique French and Italian garden statuary in auction houses such as Sotherby's or Christies. Order 16th- to 20th-century French and Italian garden statuary from online sites such as Authentic Provence (see Resources). Take into account the statue's weight before ordering. The shipping cost might overshadow the decision to purchase it. Antique statuary can also be found in local antique shops that feature garden décor.

For Custom-Made Pieces

• Explore well-known gardens of Europe and the United States to get inspiration you then use to recreate a similar atmosphere in your garden. Work with an artist studio to fabricate a statue that will harmonize with your garden and individual style. This is a more expensive option, but it allows an individual statement. Compare prices before making a final decision.

  Explore Lotus Sculpture, a Connecticut studio which hand carves black granite and other materials into spiritual statuary such as Buddha, Ganesh and the Hindu God, Shiva.

  Visit The Large Art Company and its studio located in Baltimore. Their motto states "If you dream it, we can make it happen." Specializing in Bronze, statues are handcrafted by artists using the lost wax method which forms a mold from an original work of art. Due to originality, materials and workmanship, these statues are not for the faint-hearted buyer!