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Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

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
Stunning pair of vintage ceramic leopards sculptures made in Italy 1960s
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Stunning pair of vintage female and male ceramic leopard sculptures, Italy 1960. Beautiful set of two vintage glazed ceramic leopard sculptures. Made i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

1970's Large Italian Ceramic Cheetah
Located in Redding, CT
1970's Large Italian Ceramic Cheetah. This fabulous Hollywood Glam sculpture would be the perfect centerpiece. Unmarked but most likely Italian.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Very Rare Pavonessa Artpiece by Gio Ponti for De Poli Enamel
Located in Munich, DE
De Poli Italy, 1956 fired enamel over copper engraved signature and inscription "De poli."
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Enamel

Mix Metals & Leather Rare Beautiful Fish Sculpture Attrib. to Sergio Bustamante
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and rare table sculpture in brass , copper and leather scales never seen one like it, great quality and design , circa 1970's sitting on a removable base.attributed to serg...
Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Hand-embossed 800 silver fruit, almost real size, Buccellati style
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Hand-embossed 800 silver fruit, almost real size, Buccellati style
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Silver

Structurist Wall Relief by Roan Barrion
Located in Winnipeg, MB
Structurist wall relief by Roan Barrion. Can be mounted vertically or horizontally
Category

2010s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Acrylic, Wood, Reclaimed Wood

Vintage Mid Century Modern Decorative Carved Wooden Mushroom Sculpture
Located in Seattle, WA
Originally used as a serving method of appetizers in the 60s/70s.Beautiful wood grain. Makers mark on the bottom as shown. Dimensions. 7 W ; 5 D ; 7 H
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Modern Carved Marble Head Sculpture Signed Crook
Located in Bridgeport, CT
20th century modern carved marble sculpture depicting head, carved pink/purple and white marble tall thin stylized head of a bearded male with a helmet like top and deep eye sockets,...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Pair of Brass & Chocolate Brown Lacquer Antelope Horns, Style of Springer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Brass and Chocolate Brown Lacquer Antelope Horns, Style Springer  USA, circa 1980s A striking pair of brass and chocolate brown lacquer antelope horns, embodying the distinc...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass

20th Century Charles O. Perry for Gavina Sculture mod. Dada
Located in Turin, Turin
Charles Owen Perry was an American sculptor particularly known for his large-scale public sculptures. Perry initially studied architecture at Yale University, graduating in 1958. He...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Pair of Zoomorphic Andirons
Located in London, GB
A pair of forged iron zoomorphic fire dogs France, mid 20th Century 30.5 cm high by 45 cm wide by 18.5 cm depth
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Salviati Murano Sommerso Emerald Green Italian Art Glass Owl Figure Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso dark to lighter emerald green Italian art glass owl bird figure, sculpture. Documented to the Salviati Company. Have owned several with l...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Murrine, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Mid-century Ceramic Sculpture by Jitka Forejtova for Keramos, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
Mid-century ceramic sculpture designed by Jitka Forejtova and produced by Keramos in the 1960's in Czechoslovakia. All imperfections can be seen in the photos.
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Marble Square with two sizes of Round Marble spheres.
Located in Wichita, KS
Presented is a Mid-Century Marble Square solid pedestal base with two sizes of Round Marble spheres. The larger sphere has a flattened bottom to sit on the pedestal or next to it. The smaller sphere is fully round. This beautiful sculptural set of marble pieces can also be used separately or differently than pictured. The marble is in great shape with minor scratching and wear. Marble square 12 x 12 x 12 larger marble sphere...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Carrara Marble

Vintage Modernist Abstract Stone Sculpture on Coquina Plinth
Located in west palm beach, FL
Elevate your space with a captivating blend of artistic prowess and natural beauty. This vintage modernist abstract stone sculpture, elegantly perched atop a coquina plinth, commands...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Vintage Boho Glazed Ceramic Duck Planter
Located in west palm beach, FL
Add a touch of whimsy and character to your space with this delightful vintage ceramic duck planter. With its bohemian flair and glossy glazed finish, this charming piece brings a pl...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Brutalist Mid Century Sculpture by Frank Cota
Located in Redding, CT
Brutalist Mid Century Sculpture by American Artist Frank Cota. Large in scale and vibrant in design. Perfect for an entry way or to feature on a pedestal.
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Mexican Sermel Papier Mâché Small Mushroom Sculpture
Located in Stamford, CT
Papier mâché small mushroom by Sermel. Hand painted design with overall areas of wear and minimal paint loss. Signed on the underside.
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Paper

Life sized mid century sheep, 1970s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Impressive mid century life size sheep stool. Made from beech wood and real wool. A very decorative item. One ear has had a slight damage, other then that its in good condition ...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wool, Beech

Vintage Boho Carved Wood Love Knot Sculpture
Located in west palm beach, FL
Infuse your space with a dash of free-spirited charm and heartfelt sentiment. This vintage boho carved wood love knot sculpture exudes rustic elega...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Murano Glass Shark Sculpture, 1960s
Located in BARCELONA, ES
This Murano Glass Shark Sculpture from the 1960s, crafted with vibrant orange and clear glass, offers a compelling blend of artistic mastery and ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Mid 20th Century Brass Wall Hanging Crawfish Crayfish Prawn Lobster 12"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage mid 20th century brass wall hanging sculpture / figurine in the shape of a crawfish / crayfish/ prawn. Made in Taiwan - Republic of China. Dimensions: 11.75" x 6.5" x 4" (Wi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Brass Crucifix
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice MCM brass crucifix with Jesus on the cross, circa 1970s. Nice weight and detail. #3510
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Vintage African Head Bust in Hand Carved Black Wood
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Small scaled african head bust hand carved in black wood. It has a slight tilt - leaning to one side. It features fine details and textures. Particularly ...
Category

Mid-20th Century African Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Vintage Sheldon Rose Alpha Typographic Cube Sculpture Mixed Media
Located in North Miami, FL
This interesting alpha cube abstract sculpture by Sheldon Rose is a mixed media comprised of polychrome metal and paint. It features a medley of faux letterpress symbols, numbers and...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Metal

"Noodle" the Dachshund Dog Letter and Bottle Opener Bosse Vienna Austria, 1950s
By Ludwig Bemelmans
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s Austrian letter and Bottle opener, attributed to be designed by Ludwig Bemelmans showing "Noodle" the dachshund dog. Nice addition to your room, on your desk top ...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Sculpture by Max le Verrier, Ashtray in Brass, France circa 1960, Old Patina
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Sculpture by Max le Verrier, Ashtray in Brass, France circa 1960, Old Patina
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Modern Brutalist Sculpture of a Cattails
Located in Redding, CT
Mid Century Modern Brutalist Sculpture of Cattails. Large decorative piece of art. Perfect for a table top or Mantle.
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Large Italian Wooden Sword Fish
Located in Pasadena, CA
Mid Century Large Italian Wooden Sword Fish , Measures approx - 8d x 3.5w x 31h
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

French Midcentury Iridescent Glazed Cat Figures
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French midcentury stylized cat figures featuring an iridescent glaze.
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Multi-Plane Structurist Wall Relief by Roan Barrion
Located in Winnipeg, MB
Structurist wall relief by Roan Barrion. Mixed Media.
Category

2010s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Acrylic, Wood, Reclaimed Wood

A Beethoven Sculpture Mask, 1950s
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Investing in this Beethoven Sculpture Mask, reminiscent of the style of Franz von Stuck and dating back to the 1950s, offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of timeless artistic ...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Plaster

Abstract bronze sculpture by André Willequet, Belgium 1970s
By André Willequet
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Abstract bronze sculpture by André Willequet (1921 - 1998), Belgium 1970s. Willequet was trained by sculptor Oscar Jespers at the 'École Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture et des Ar...
Category

1970s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Mid-Century Brass Crucifix
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice MCM brass crucifix with Jesus on the cross, circa 1970s. Nice weight and detail; made in Germany. #3511
Category

Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Structurist Wall Relief by Roan Barrion
Located in Winnipeg, MB
Structurist wall relief by Roan Barrion. Mixed Media.
Category

2010s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Acrylic, Wood, Reclaimed Wood

Vintage Green and Gold Murano Art Glass Cat
Located in Charleston, SC
Murano Venetian Art Glass Cat Figurine. This little stunner has shades of blues and greens throughout and gold flecks. A clear tail and head with teal ears...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Murano Glass

Mid-Century Brass Crucifix
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice MCM brass crucifix with Jesus on the cross, circa 1970s. Nice weight and detail. #3465
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Glass Crystal Shovel Bookends by Blenko
Located in San Diego, CA
Midcentury glass sculptural pair of bookends designed by Wayne Husted for Blenko. Made of dense textured glass with shovel like design. Sculptural, unique and full ice like style. Ea...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Small Cast Bronze Woman Sculpture by Oskar Bottoli on a Black Marble Stand, 1969
Located in Berlin, DE
Created in 1969 by the renowned artist Oskar Bottoli, this small cast bronze sculpture captures the timeless allure of the female form. Depicting a standing nude woman, the piece ex...
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Bronze

Modernist Kinetic Table Sculpture by C. Jeré
Located in Skokie, IL
Modernist Kinetic Table Sculpture by C. Jeré An early and rare form 1960s fun and colorful kinetic table sculpture by Curtis Jeré. Brass and resin pieces mounted are on metal rods, and set into an ebonized wooden base. The base is mounted with a brass plaque signed...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Archemide Seguso Murano Gold Sommerso Polvery Glass Bookend Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful Murano Seguso, Glass pear sculpture bookend flat on the side and bottom gorgeous colors and condition, no chips cracks, or scratches.Great for mid-century danish Modern and...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Blown Glass

1970's Pair of Large Italian Ceramic Giraffes
Located in Redding, CT
1970's Pair of Large Italian Ceramic Giraffes. Endearing Mother and baby . Largest giraffe measure approximately : 14.25" tall x 17.25 long x 7...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Square Studio Ceramic Vases in Natural Earth Tones
Located in London, GB
Five Mid-Century Modern square studio pottery vases glazed in natural earth tones that vary from dark red, grey-green to brown. They are hand formed and in different heights by Mobac...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Exceptional Giovan Battista Mitri Ceramic Cat, Incredible Patina, 1950s
Located in Brescia , Brescia
Capture the essence of mid-century Italian craftsmanship with this extraordinary ceramic cat created by Giovan Battista Mitri in the 1950s. Renowned for his mastery of form and colo...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Large Abstract concrete Sculpture by Roger Desserprit, France 1969
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Unique large abstract sculpture by Roger Desserprit (1923-1985), France 1969. The sculpture is made out of reinforced solid concrete, the surface is finished in a sand coloured and o...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Concrete

Large Abstract Carrara marble sculpture by André Eijberg, Belgium 1970s
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Abstract Carrara marble sculpture by André Eijberg (1929 -2012), Belgium 1970s. Refined sculpture carved out of a beautiful heavy piece of white Carrara marble with a very nice smoot...
Category

1970s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Carrara Marble

Babe Ruth Vintage Baseball Slugger "The Bambino" Sculpture, Original Paint
Located in South Burlington, VT
Babe Ruth "The Bambino" Slugger New York Yankees "Pin Stripes" sculpture in original cream, black, green, and red hand painted colors. Babe Ruth was called "Bambino" as a nickname, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Aldo Londi for Bitossi Rimini Blu Large Ceramic Horse
Located in Miami, FL
Tall Italian handmade ceramic horse sculpture in the vibrant signature blue of Aldo Londi's iconic art pottery collection Rimini Blu, originally designed in 1959 for Bitossi Ceramich...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Structurist Wall Relief by Roan Barrion
Located in Winnipeg, MB
Structurist wall relief by Roan Barrion. Mixed media with vintage magazine clipping
Category

2010s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Acrylic, Wood, Reclaimed Wood, Paper

Vintage Crystal Sailboat Sculpture Signed
By Daum
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Large crystal sailboat sculpture in the manner of Daum, France, circa 1970s. Etched signature on bottom. Excellent condition. No chips or scratches.
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Crystal

Decorative Object Elephant Porcelain Midcentury Modern Italian Design 1970s
Located in Palermo, IT
Very nice and large elephant in white enamelled porcelain with golden definitions. Italian production from the 70s. Note: We try to offer our customers an excellent service even i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Scultura in Bronzo Piero Maggioni Italia XX Secolo
Located in Milano, IT
Scultura raffigurante famiglia; presente etichetta con nome dell'artista sulla base.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Wall Art Forged Iron Snake Sculpture
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Modernist Decor Wall Art Forged Iron Snake Sculpture 17.5 h x 18.75 w x .25 Original vintage condition unrestored Refer to images provided.
Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Handmade leather elephant 1960s Brown
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Handmade leather elephant 1960s
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Leather

Female Torso in Marble
Located in London, GB
Hand carved marble female torso.
Category

1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Rotating Agate Geode With Amethyst Crystals
Located in Pasadena, CA
Rotating Agate Geode With Amethyst Crystals. The base of this natural specimen is made in a way hat allows the geode to turn in a 360 degree angle. It can be turned to face any direc...
Category

1960s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Amethyst

Art Glass Murano Swan Bird Animal Figurine
Located in Toronto, ON
Beautiful art murano glass swan figurine. This art glass figurine was made using the Sommerso technique. This technique involves submerging a glass blown piece into crystal clear gla...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Mid-Century Modern Brass, Copper and Enamel Mobile by Cesar Vasquez
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Hand crafted bronze, brass and enamel wall hanging or mobile by Chilean artist Cesar Vasquez.
Category

1960s Chilean Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Copper, Enamel

Mid-century Modern sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern sculptures 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 sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern sculptures made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Walter Bosse, Herta Baller, Curtis Jeré, and Joel Escalona. 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 sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $34 and tops out at $295,000 while the average work can sell for $1,322.

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