c. 1941
The American sculptor Alexander Calder is known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling.
Because Calder's parents, both artists themselves, did not want him to suffer the hardships of trying to make a living in art, they encouraged the young Calder to study mechanical engineering at the Stevens Institute of Technology, in Hoboken, New Jersey. He worked a number of jobs, including as a hydraulic engineer and draftsman for the New York Edison Company, before deciding to pursue an artistic career. He never abandoned his engineering background, however, applying his understanding of gears and moving parts in all his artworks, from mechanical toys like the Cirque Calder (1931) and his revered prints to his free-standing abstract sculptures, called stabiles.
In 1926, Calder moved to Paris and established a studio in the Montparnasse quarter. He began creating the many parts of his famous miniature circus from found materials, such as wire, string, cloth, rubber and cork. Designed to be transportable, Cirque grew to fill five suitcases over the years. Always interested in putting forms in motion, Calder also pioneered a new art form called wire sculptures, which he described as “drawings in space.” Like his famous mobiles, the wire sculptures were suspended so that they turned with any movement of the air, presenting different forms when viewed from different angles.
In the 1950s, Calder returned to his roots in mechanical engineering, creating monumental abstract sculptures that verged on the architectural. He worked from loose gestural drawings like this preparatory sketch for his Man Stabile, from 1966. Throughout his career, he also worked as a set designer for the theater, as well as an illustrator and printmaker, producing vibrant, whimsical drawings for books and journals.
Find original Alexander Calder art today on 1stDibs.
$1,245
H 7.5 in Dm 3 in
Pop Art Sculpture of a Silver Egg by Herbert Distel, circa 1968
By Herbert Distel
Located in New York, NY
This sculpture, in the form of a silver electroplated egg with a white porcelain holder, represents esteemed Swiss artist Herbert Distel's most iconic form. He created a 22-ton egg d...
Silver
Bayou
By Eric Rhein
Located in New York, NY
Eric Rhein “Bayou” 2010 Signed, verso Gelatin silver print, sterling silver, bronze, and found objects 25 x 21 x 4 inches (63.5 x 53.3 x 10.2 cm), framed This work is offered by...
Silver, Bronze
Cave Branch (self portrait)
By Eric Rhein
Located in New York, NY
Eric Rhein “Cave Branch (self portrait)” 2010 Signed, verso Silver gelatin print, sterling silver, bronze, and found objects 25 x 24 x 4 inches (63.5 x 61 x 10.2 cm), framed Thi...
Silver, Bronze
$3,600
H 0.5 in W 17 in D 1 in
11 Charm Necklace: Silver Sculpture, Contemporary 21st Century Art
By Colleen Wolstenholme
Located in Montreal, Quebec
I have been taking impressions of pills and creating a pill archive where pills are cast in silver and/or gold since 1995. At that time I was given pills as an answer to something th...
Silver
$9,012
H 7.49 in W 7.88 in D 4.34 in
The Calf (Il Vitello) - Silver Sculpture - Sculpture by Sirio Tofanari - 1900 ca
Located in Roma, IT
A sculptor of animals, Sirio Tofanari (Florence 1886 – Milan 1969) is not inclined to the school discipline, he decides to learn and train as self-taught by travelling around Europe ...
Silver
KIng David with Harp
By Hana Geber
Located in Surfside, FL
American sculptor Hana Geber (1910 - 1990) She was born in Prague of Czechoslovakian heritage and eventually settled in New York. Her sculptures deal with Jewish themes She taught sc...
Marble, Silver
The leader of the herd
Located in Knysna, ZA
In order to maintain sales with our USA customers, I have had to reduce all prices by 20%, to offset the tariffs placed upon South Africa. Zawadi offers a wide range of silver-plate...
Bronze, Silver
Zebras fighting
Located in Knysna, ZA
In order to maintain sales with our USA customers, I have had to reduce all prices by 20%, to offset the tariffs placed upon South Africa. Because they cut back old growth and consu...
Bronze, Silver
$1,900Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.25 in W 9.25 in D 9.5 in
Antique Silvered Bronze Rooster, France circa 19th Century
Located in SANTA FE, NM
Antique Silvered Bronze Rooster France, circa 1900 10 1/4 x 9 1/2 (H x D) inches A very fine and lively bronze statuette of a preening Rooster. Nicely cast and well-carved and in ex...
Silver, Bronze
$1,200
H 2.25 in W 5.5 in D 5.5 in
Vintage Silver Plate and Tortoise Frog by Maitland Smith
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout mid century life size frog sculpture or object of art handcrafted in silver plate on bronze with a tortoise shell terrazzo back. Signed Maitland Smith on the bottom.
Silver
There are no sparkling gemstones on this necklace, but its value far exceeds the cost of its materials.
Get your dose of Vitamin D while surveying works by the likes of Alexander Calder, Keith Haring and Pablo Picasso.
