Japanese Seated Figure
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Japanese Figurative Sculptures
Bone
Antique Early 19th Century German Prints
Paper
Recent Sales
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Japanese Sculptures
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings
Lacquer, Wood
20th Century Japanese Statues
Giltwood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Japanese Sculptures
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Japanese More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Antique Early 17th Century Japanese Tibetan Figurative Sculptures
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Antique 19th Century Japanese Sculptures
Bronze
Antique 1890s Japanese Meiji Figurative Sculptures
Bronze, Enamel
Early 20th Century Chinese Metalwork
Bronze
Antique 19th Century Japanese Sculptures
People Also Browsed
2010s Italian Figurative Sculptures
Gold Leaf
Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Sofas
Fabric, Palmwood
Antique 1860s American Maps
Paper
Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Taxidermy
Other
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Ming Figurative Sculptures
Terracotta
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Vases
Art Glass
Antique Late 19th Century Maps
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Wood
20th Century French Desks
Metal
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vanities
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Sculptures and Carvings
Stone, Granite
Early 20th Century Egyptian Revival Cabinets
Wood
Antique 1890s Austrian Art Nouveau Vases
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Sofa Tables
Plywood
Early 20th Century French Classical Greek Centerpieces
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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