Formia Murano Birds
Recent Sales
Vintage 1970s Italian Animal Sculptures
Murano Glass
Vintage 1980s Italian Animal Sculptures
Art Glass
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Murano Glass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Art Glass
Early 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Glass
Art Glass
Vintage 1980s Italian Animal Sculptures
Glass
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Glass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Murano Glass
Late 20th Century Italian Glass
Art Glass
20th Century Italian Other Animal Sculptures
Murano Glass
Vintage 1960s Italian Art Nouveau Animal Sculptures
Murano Glass
20th Century Italian Animal Sculptures
Murano Glass
Vintage 1970s Italian Animal Sculptures
Murano Glass
Finding the Right Animal-sculptures for You
Invite the untamed wonders of the animal kingdom into your home — and do so safely — with the antique, new and vintage animal sculptures available on 1stDibs.
Artists working in every medium from furniture design to jewelry to painting have found inspiration in wild animals over the years. For sculptors, three-dimensional animal renderings — both realistic and symbolic — crisscross history and continents. In as early as 210 B.C., intricately detailed terracotta horses guarded early Chinese tombs, while North America’s native Inuit tribes living in the ice-covered Arctic during the 1800’s wore small animal figurines carved from walrus ivory. Indeed, animal sculpture has a long history, and beginning in the 19th century, the art form started becoming not only fashionable but artistically validated — a trend that continues today. At home, animal sculptures — polished bronze rhinos crafted in the Art Deco style or ceramic dogs of the mid-century modern era — can introduce both playfulness and drama to your decor.
In the case of the frosted glass sculptures crafted by artisans at legendary French glassmaker Lalique, founded by jeweler and glass artist René Lalique, some animal sculptures are purely decorative. With their meticulously groomed horse manes and detailed contours of their parakeet feathers, these creatures want to be proudly displayed. Adding animal sculptures to your bookcases can draw attention to your covetable collection of vintage monographs, while side tables and wall shelving also make great habitats for these ornamental animal figurines.
Some sculptures, however, can find suitable nests in just about any corner of your space. Whimsical brass flamingos or the violent, realist bronze lions created by Parisian sculptor Antoine-Louis Barye are provocative and versatile pieces that can rest on windowsills or your desk. Otherwise, the brass cat shoehorns and bronze porcupine ashtrays designed by Viennese artist Walter Bosse are no longer roaming aimlessly throughout your living room, as they’ve found a purpose to serve.
Embark on your safari today and find a fascinating collection of vintage, modern and antique animal sculptures on 1stDibs.
- What is Formia Vetri di Murano?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Formia Vetri di Murano is a marking found on some decorative objects made out of glass. It indicates that the item is authentic Murano art glass. Artisans in Murano, Italy, are known for producing this handblown and mouth-blown glass that has a multicolored mosaic quality. Find a range of Murano art glass on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023To tell if a bird sculpture is made of Murano glass, professionals recommend having an antiques dealer or Murano glass expert examine it. Otherwise, look for the signature of the artist or factory on the piece. Authentic Murano glass will often, but not always, include labels with the name of the workshop, the signature of the glass master and a certificate of authenticity. Use trusted online resources to determine if the maker's location is or was in Murano, in northeastern Italy. Seeing the word "Murano" on a glass decorative object doesn't mean that it is authentic. In fact, most genuine pieces won't show the word "Murano." Murano glass is identifiable by its richly layered colors and characteristic gold or silver flecks inside the glass. Authentic Murano glass often has small imperfections and an irregular shape due to the freeform creation process. Find a collection of Murano glass decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Read More
Kazuyo Sejima’s Flowering Tree Blooms Year-Round
The brilliantly simple design turns a modest bouquet into a major statement.
He Wrote ‘Oedipus Rex,’ but Do You Know What He Looked Like?
The Greek tragedian is said to have been handsome in his day.
Cigar Culture Was Once the Peak of Masculinity. Now, It’s a Compelling Curiosity
Even for those who don’t indulge, elegant smoking accessories and audacious art portraying cigar enthusiasts hold a nostalgic allure.
African Travel Plans on Hold? This Ardmore Leopard Vase Brings the Beauty of the Savanna to You
It’s an excellent example of the sought-after ceramics coming out of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province.
With a High-Tech Flagship and Cool Collabs, Lladró Is Breaking the Mold for Porcelain Production
Thanks to its new leadership, the Spanish maker of figurines, busts and lighting is on a mission to update the art of porcelain for the 21st century.
Zoë Powell’s Magnolia 05 Vessel Is Handmade from Clay She Unearthed Herself
The free-form stoneware piece is inspired by the magnolia tree and its associations with home.
8 Ways to Breathe New Life into a Space with Plants
The pair behind the Instagram account @houseplantclub share their tips for making any room of the house gloriously green.
Paris Gallerist Sandy Toupenet Gets Fired Up over 20th-Century Ceramics and Inventive New Makers
Her space on the city’s Left Bank mixes mid-century pieces by the likes of Jean Cocteau and Pablo Picasso with whimsical contemporary creations.