Genuine American Fresh Water Snapping Turtle Shell
20th Century American Mounted Objects
Brass
20th Century American Mounted Objects
Onyx
20th Century American Mounted Objects
Onyx
Recent Sales
20th Century American Mounted Objects
Coral
20th Century American Mounted Objects
Onyx
20th Century American Mounted Objects
Onyx
20th Century American Animal Sculptures
Coral
20th Century American Mounted Objects
Brass
20th Century American Mounted Objects
Coral
20th Century American Mounted Objects
Coral
20th Century American Mounted Objects
Coral
20th Century American Mounted Objects
Coral
20th Century American Mounted Objects
Coral
20th Century American Mounted Objects
Coral
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary English Wall Mirrors
Shell
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Porcelain
Porcelain
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Brass
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Natural Specimens
Stone, Malachite
21st Century and Contemporary Peruvian Organic Modern Busts
Pyrite
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Stoneware
21st Century and Contemporary American Industrial Stools
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern End Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century German Armchairs
Steel
Early 20th Century American Busts
Terracotta
2010s Indian Sundials
Aluminum, Brass
Antique 19th Century Chinese Beds and Bed Frames
Gold Leaf
20th Century American Wall-mounted Sculptures
Tortoise Shell
Antique Late 18th Century Austrian Folk Art Wardrobes and Armoires
Pine, Paint
2010s South African Settees
Hide
20th Century American Wall-mounted Sculptures
Tortoise Shell
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.
Read More
How a Craving for Color Revolutionized Glass
After synthetic dyes changed fashion, home goods and printed matter, it was only a matter of time till glass caught up.
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.