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  • silla | antiques & art
  • (717) 708-9017
  • 117 W Burd St. Shippensburg, PA 17257

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About us

silla was born out of a passion for beautiful objects: special pieces with aesthetic and historical significance. In 2009, after years of collecting, Andrew Silla and his wife Grace began to work privately with clients from their residence in Southern Maryland. Quickly outgrowing the space, the business was moved from Maryland to Pennsylvania in 2012 and after several warehouse location changes it was firmly settled in the present brick-and-mortar location in downtown Shippensburg.

The 9000 square foot brick-and-mortar gallery is home to a large collection of works of art and estate jewelry. We specialize in sculpture circa 1860 through 1930 with a particular emphasis on the Animaliers and as such the gallery always has a very large collection of exceptional European and American sculpture available on display.

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(717) 708-9017

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silla | antiques & art

Vela, Vincenzo

Vincenzo Vela, born on July 3, 1820, in Ligornetto, Switzerland, was a prominent sculptor known for his skill in creating lifelike and emotionally charged sculptures of both historical and modern human beings, walking a very careful line between strict Realist and idealistic Romanticist. His works, characterized by their attention to detail and ability to convey deep human emotions, left an indelible mark on the world of 19th-century sculpture.

Vela was born to a family of artists and his artistic inclination was fostered by his father, Pietro Vela, a skilled woodcarver. In 1836, at the age of 16, Vincenzo Vela enrolled at the Brera Academy in Milan, Italy. Under the guidance of his mentor and instructor Pompeo Marchesi, he honed his sculpting skills and developed a deep appreciation for the human form. During his time at the academy, Vela began to distinguish himself as a sculptor capable of capturing the essence of his subjects with remarkable precision.

Vela's artistry was deeply rooted in the principles of realism. He rejected the prevailing Romantic trends of his era, which often idealized the human form and emotions. Instead, he sought to create sculptures that were true to life, often depicting ordinary individuals in moments of everyday emotion.

One of his most celebrated works, "The Last Days of Napoleon," exemplifies this commitment to realism. Created in 1867, this sculpture portrayed Napoleon Bonaparte in his final moments of exile on the island of Saint Helena, capturing the former emperor's frailty and vulnerability.

Vincenzo Vela was not content with merely sculpting beautiful forms; he used his art as a medium to address pressing social issues of his time. His sculpture titled "The Slave," completed in 1859, is a powerful commentary on the horrors of slavery.

Vincenzo Vela passed away on January 3, 1891, leaving behind a substantial body of work that continues to be celebrated for its emotional depth and commitment to realism. His sculptures, often characterized by their exquisite attention to detail and their capacity to elicit profound human emotions, remain cherished treasures in museums and art collections around the world.

Vincenzo Vela's enduring legacy lies in his ability to transcend artistic conventions of his time, using his unusual insights and observations of the human condition to breathe life and emotion into the stone and bronze figures he created. His dedication to portraying the human experience with authenticity and compassion has cemented his lasting influence on the world of sculpture.

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