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Mid-Century Modern Busts

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Framed Anunciation Image, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mid-20th century traditional Spanish 'papier-mâché' framed Anunciation image. . Made in Barcelona, Spain. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, pr...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Paper

Mid-20th Century Plaster Montserrat Virgin Statue
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mid-20th Century traditional Spanish 'Montserrat' virgin statue made of plaster. Made in Barcelona, Spain. In original condition, with minor wear c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Plaster

Mid Century Plaster Bust
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Spectacular life size bust of a male. Great deep details and expression. Sit on a wood plinth base.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Hand Carved Bone Bust of Nefertiti on Wood Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Wonderful Carved Nefertiti Head on Base. The piece is carved bone and finely detailed. A compliment to many spaces - on a shelf, or as a paper weig...
Category

20th Century Asian Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Bone, Wood

Vintage Decorative Nefertiti Egyptian Queen Bust Statue on Marble Base
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A classic decorative bust statue. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal on a Marble base. Very decorative and nice to display in your library or any room.
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Marble, Metal

Mid-20th Century Baby Jesus Figure in the Cradle
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mid-20th century hand painted baby Jesus figure made of plaster in the cradle. Made in Barcelona, Spain. In original condition, with minor wear consis...
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Bust Head of Nefertiti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful acrylic resin head of Nefertiti. A compliment to any shelf, desk or work station. Could be used as a paper weight or bookend as well. The piece is of good size and is wel...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Resin

Man's Torso Sculpture
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Sculpture Year: 1970 Material:metal and bronze We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your ...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Bronze, Metal

1960s Robert Berks Sculpture Bust John F Kennedy JFK Miami Beach Mid-Century Art
Located in Hyattsville, MD
This is a rare 1965 presentation award bust of JFK. A wonderful piece of mid-century historical decor from an important American sculptor, Robert Berks. Hi...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Resin, Wood

Vintage Mid Century Terracotta Bust
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Nice period bust of a woman in a fashionable Turbin. Ready for the pool! Great period expression.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Terracotta

Pair of Two Mid-20th Century Clay Animal Sculptures
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mid-20th century traditional Spanish clay figures of a bull and a mule. Made in Barcelona, Spain. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Clay

Vintage Hand-Painted Wooden Figure
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mid-20th century hand-painted traditional figure made of wood. Made in Barcelona, Spain. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautifu...
Category

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Wood

Christian Paix Resin Sculpture, circa 1990
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Sculpture made by French artist Christian Paix. Manufactured in Resin, circa 1990. Signed on the sculpture with the mold. In original condition with minor wear consistent of age...
Category

1990s French Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Resin

Old Large Conch or Queen Helmet Shell, 1970
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Old large conch or Queen helmet shell, 1970 In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Mater...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Shell

"Portrait of a Woman" by K. Server for Austin Productions
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With it’s raw, organic form and masterful use of space, Klara Server’s “Portrait of a Woman” is a mesmerizing highlight in any room. Made by the renowned New York company Austin Prod...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Resin

Traditional Religious Turned Jesus Christ Wooden Sculpture
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mid-20th century turned Jesus Christ figure of made of wood. Made in Olot, Spain. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, ...
Category

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Wood

Mid-20th Century Ceramic Montserrat Virgin Memorabilia
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mid-20th Century traditional Spanish 'Montserrat' virgin statue made of ceramic. Made in Barcelona, Spain. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, pre...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Ceramic

Former Mannequin Head Representing The French Actor Fernandel, circa 1960
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Former Mannequin Head Representing The French Actor Fernandel, French Manufacturing circa 1950/1960.
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Plaster

Traditional Religious Jesus Christ Sculpture
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mid-20th century turned Jesus Christ figure of made of plater. Made in Olot, Spain. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and u...
Category

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Wood

Bust of the Architect Morris Lapidus
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This iconic bust of the famed architect Morris Lapidus will be the perfect piece for a mid-century modernest collection. Note: The piece is fabricated ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Ceramic, Walnut

Mid-20th Century Baby Jesus Figure in the Cradle
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mid-20th century hand painted baby Jesus figure made of ceramic in the cradle. Made in Barcelona, Spain. In original condition, with minor wear consistent ...
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

Mid-20th Century Wood Montserrat Virgin Statue
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mid-20th century Spanish montserrat virgin statue made of wood. Made in Barcelona, Spain. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Wood

Mid-20th Century Baby Jesus Figure in the Cradle
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mid-20th century hand painted baby Jesus figure made of plaster in the cradle. Made in Barcelona, Spain. In original condition, with minor wear consiste...
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Philippe Conficconi, Two Heads of Men, France, 2005
Located in PARIS, FR
Two beautiful busts of men by Philippe Conficcioni in the midcentury style. Both busts are signed and one is dated 11/2005. In good condition. Dimensions in cm ( H x L x l ) : ...
Category

Early 2000s French Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Earthenware

Set of Two Antique Hand-Painted Wooden Duck Figures, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of two hand-painted antique figures of two ducks made of wood. Made by unknown manufacturer in Barcelona, Spain, circa 1950. In original cond...
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Wood

Vintage Traditional Catalan Hand-Painted Wooden Figures
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mid-20th century hand-painted traditional Catalan figures made of wood. Made in Barcelona, Spain. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a be...
Category

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Wood

French Glazed Terracotta Boy Head, France, 1958
Located in Firenze, IT
French glazed terracotta boy head. France 1958. Signed and dated on the base. Blue, white, pink colors. Measures : 30H x 22 cm Conditions: Excellent.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Terracotta

Martini Rossi advertising sculpture or bust, 1960s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Cool advertising sculpture or bust for Martini & Rossi to display a bottle in shops. Great to use in our bar or as a decorative piece in your ho...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Plaster

Large Stoneware Blue and Brown Figurativ Bust Sculpture circa 1960 Unique Piece
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
La Borne - french unique piece. Large figurative ceramic bust by french artist Realised circa 1970 Sonteware ceramic piece with blue and white ceramic glazes colors Origi...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Ceramic

Roger Capron - Ceramic Sculpture Visage Repousse or Empreinte
Located in Stratford, CT
Vintage ceramic sculpture - Face Relief by Roger Capron Vallauris, France.
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Ceramic

Original Hand Made Art Mask Jean-Paul Belmondo
Located in Oakland, CA
Original Hand Made Art Mask, a lifelike image of French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo. This mask is very dimensional with great artistic details and a natural...
Category

1990s Argentine Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Paint, Paper

Roger Capron - Ceramic Sculpture Cleopatra
Located in Stratford, CT
Vintage double sided ceramic sculpture of Cleopatra by Roger Capron Signed by Capron at Vallauris, France. Roger Capron was in influential French ceramicist, known for his tiled tab...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Ceramic

Set of Two Vintage Compass, 1940
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Two vintage Compass, 1940 Made in Barcelona, Spain. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautif...
Category

1940s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Metal

Victor Salmones Female Bust Bronze Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Victor Salmones (Mexican, 1937-1989), Female Bust, bronze sculpture, depicting the bust of a woman contemplating, edition 2/10, marked "M - 28," signed. Measures: 17.5" H x 12" W x 9...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Bronze

Large White Ceramic Bust Sculpture of a Bald Man
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A large hand-sculpted bust of a man. Created from white clay, this piece is life-size and depicts a man who stares off into the distance. Measures: 14.75" tall 8.5" deep 7.5" w...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-20th Century Baby Jesus Figure in the Cradle
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mid-20th century hand painted baby Jesus figure made of plaster in the cradle. Made in Barcelona, Spain. In original condition, with minor wear consiste...
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Wood, Plaster

Original Hand Made Art Mask Marcello Mastroianni
Located in Oakland, CA
Original Hand Made Art Mask, a lifelike image of Itallion actor Marcello Mastroianni. This mask is very dimensional with great artistic details an...
Category

1990s Argentine Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Paint, Paper

Traditional Catalan Religious Virgin "La Moreneta" Wooden Sculpture
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Traditional Catalan religious Virgin "La Moreneta" wooden sculpture Hand Made in Catalonia, 1990. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving...
Category

1990s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Wood

Antique Wood Sculpture or Bust of a Woman or Madonna - Hand Carved and Bronzed
Located in Nova Scotia, NS
This bronzed wood sculpture or bust is beautifully carved in a minimalist style that evokes a sense of serenity. Interestingly, this wooden sculpture comes from Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec -- formerly a 17th century French...
Category

18th Century Unknown Antique Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Wood, Hardwood, Paint

Mid-Century Plaster Bust/Sculpture of Ludwig Van Beethoven, circa 1950
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Portugal Made of Plaster Measure: Height 20cm Original condition.    
Category

1950s Portuguese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Plaster

Mid-20th Century Wood Virgin Statue
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mid-20th century traditional virgin statue made of wood. Made in Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and us...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Wood

Bust of Roman Emperor in White Marble and Flowered Alabaster
Located in Milano, IT
Bust of a Roman emperor in white marble and flowery alabaster, Italy, mid-20th century. Alabaster toga. Base in black marble.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Alabaster, Marble

Set of Five Nativitiy Scene Figures, 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of five nativitiy scene figures, 1960 Made in Barcelona, Spain. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Mater...
Category

1960s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Plaster

Traditional Preliminary Sketch Wooden Sculpture
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mid-20th century hand-carved trial figure made of wood. Made in Olot, Spain. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. ...
Category

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Wood

Paul Troubetzkoy "the Teenager" in Dark Wood, Signed
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful dark wood statue made in the 1920s by the great artist Paolo Troubetzkoy, fine Italian manufacture. The statue is titled 'The Teenager' an...
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Wood

Modernist Carved Ebonized Wood Female Bust, ca. 1950
Located in New York, NY
This remarkable modernist carved ebonized wood female bust, ca. 1950s with a proudly set head on an exaggeratedly elongated neck and hair flowing over the shoulders, immediately conj...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Wood

Sensational Greek Sphinx Verdigris Sculpture Female Bronze and Forged Steel
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Greek mythology Sphinx imagery Bronze Sculpture female lion bust with wings 61.5 tall x 24.5 w x 34 d Mounted on forged steel base. Unsigned. Original vintag...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Bronze, Steel

Stunning Greek Sphinx White Sculpture Female Bronze Forged Steel
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Greek mythology Sphinx imagery White Sculpture female lion bust with wings 61.5 tall x 24.5 w x 34 d Mounted on forged steel base. Unsigned. Original vintage...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Bronze, Steel

Gio Ponti Woman Sculpture in Terracotta 'Attr.'
Located in Milano, IT
Rare terracotta sculpture attributed to the great designer Gio Ponti in the 1950s, fine Italian manufacture. The sculpture is intended to be hung on the wall, as the back is flat. ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Terracotta

Antique "Ecce Homo" in Carved Stone
Located in Milano, IT
Wonderful carved stone sculpture depicting Christ, modeled by a master sculptor in the 15th century, carved entirely by hand. This sculpture is known as Ecce homo. As tradition tell...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Stone

Strikingly Powerful, Vintage Clay Sculpture Bust Of A South American Macho Male
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Mid 20th century hand sculpted clay bust of a Peruvian male The intense expression and rough texture accentuate the machismo of this piece A portion of one shoulder is missing, howev...
Category

Mid-20th Century Peruvian Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Ceramic

Mid 20th Century Plaster Bust
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Great mid century piece from the estate of modern architect John Mooney, NY. Pencil signed. Appears to be unfinished as it shows some pencil mark...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Plaster

French Mid Century Rattan Hat Stand Head Sculpture C1950
Located in Trensacq, FR
French Mid Century Rattan Hat Stand Head Sculpture. A superb French milliner's 'Marotte' in rattan. Circa 1950's France In very good vintage condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Rattan

Italian Ceramic by Etruria
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Italian Ceramic hand painted virgin by Etruria Colle Val d’Elsa 1950s. Colle Val d’Elsa a Famous location in Tuscany where they work with ceramic since always.   
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Ceramic

Serenely Peaceful, Clay Head Study of a Young Elizabethan Woman
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Graceful study of a young Elizabethan woman in natural clay Eyes closed, wearing a close fitting coif and petite ruff - perhaps a final true portrait Signed with initials E J to n...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Ceramic

Mid Century Modern Black Buddha Head by Alexander Backer, 1950's
By Alexander Backer
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Very cool mid-century black Buddha head by Alexander Backer, 1950's, made of plaster composite, hallmarked.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Plaster

Set of Two Antique Hand-Painted Wooden Duck Figures circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of two hand-painted antique figures of two ducks made of wood. Made by unknown manufacturer in Barcelona, Spain, circa 1950. In original cond...
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Wood

Sicilian Moorish Heads Pair in Polished Lava Stone, Limited Edition
Located in Milano, IT
Fabulous pair of limited-edition, contemporary art Sicilian Moorheads of fine Sicilian workmanship. The Moor heads are made entirely of lava stone: the male head is polished, while ...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Lava

Mid-century Modern busts for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern busts for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage busts created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern busts made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original busts, popular names associated with this style include Aldo Londi, Bitossi, Lino Sabattini, and Gio Ponti. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for busts differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $160 and tops out at $58,200 while the average work can sell for $1,451.

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