Bronze Baby Laughing
Antique 19th Century French Victorian Busts
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Argentine Art Deco Bookends
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century American American Craftsman Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1980s American Modern Benches
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Vintage 1950s Italian Lounge Chairs
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century French Rustic Bottles
Glass, Wicker
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Vases
Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Figurative Sculptures
Silver Plate, Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Urns
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century German Arts and Crafts Vases
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Art Glass
Antique 19th Century French Vases
Porcelain
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Other Vases
Pottery
20th Century American Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Rococo Vases
Ormolu
2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal, Brass
2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Brass, Steel
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Blown Glass
2010s Spanish Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Brass, Metal
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century French Art Nouveau Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
20th Century American Beaux Arts Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Vintage 1930s Italian Sculptures
Bronze
Antique 19th Century Italian Busts
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Finding the Right sculptures for You
Styling your home with vintage, new and antique sculptures means adding a touch that can meaningfully transform the space. By introducing a sculptural work as a decorative finish to any interior, you’re making a statement, whether you tend toward the dramatic or prefer to keep things casual with modest, understated art.
A single, one-of-a-kind three-dimensional figurative sculpture mounted on your dining room wall is a guaranteed conversation piece, while a trio of abstract works arranged on your living room bookshelves can add spontaneity to the collection of first-edition novels or artist monographs you’re displaying as well as draw attention to them. Figurative sculptures are representational works that portray a specific person, animal or object. And while decorating with busts, which are sculpted or cast figurative works, hasn’t exactly topped the list of design trends every year, busts are back. According to designer Timothy Corrigan, “They give humanity in a way that a more abstract sculpture can’t give.” Abstract sculptures, on the other hand, are not meant to show something specific. Instead, they invoke a mood or scene without directly stating what they are portraying.
Busts made of stone or metal may not seem like a good fit for your existing decor. Fortunately, there are many ways for a seemingly incongruous piece to fit in with the rest of your room’s theme. You can embrace a dramatic piece by making it the focal point of the room, or you can choose to incorporate several elements made out of the same material to create harmony in your space. If an antique or more dramatic piece doesn’t feel like you, why not opt for works comprising plastic, fiberglass or other more modern materials?
When incorporating sculpture into the design of your home — be it the playful work of auction hero and multimedia visionary KAWS, contemporary fiber art from Connecticut dealer browngrotta arts or still-life sculpture on a budget — consider proper lighting, which can bring out the distinctive aspects of your piece that deserve attention. And make sure you know how the size and form of the sculpture will affect your space in whole. If you choose a sculpture with dramatic design elements, such as sharp angles or bright colors, for example, try to better integrate this new addition by echoing those elements in the rest of your room’s design.
Get started on decorating with sculpture now — find figurative sculptures, animal sculptures and more on 1stDibs today.
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