$9,425
H 2.5 in W 8.5 in D 4 in
"Kota Reliquary Figure Nigeria, " Wood & Copper created circa 1970
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Kota Reliquary Figure Nigeria" is a wood and copper sculpture created in Nigeria circa 1970. A
Copper
$658
H 11.42 in W 2.76 in D 2.76 in
20th Century African Songye Nkishi Kifwebe Figure, Democratic Republic of Congo
Located in London, GB
For sale is this wonderful vintage African hand-carved Kifwebe association Figure (or "N'kishi"), originating from the Songye people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly the...
Metal
Vintage Carved Wood Mask, African Folk Art 20th Century
Located in Bochum, NRW
A hand carved wood wall mask, vintage from the 20th Century. African Folk Art. Handmade and carved from a single piece of exotic wood, in a manner specific to traditional African ar...
Wood
$850
H 10.5 in W 6 in D 6 in
African Tribal Yoruba, Nigeria Rider Figure Offering Bowl Early 20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early Yoruba offering bowl in the from of a male figure with a beard riding on horse back surrounded by four small attendants, finely carved with nice patina from native use. Probabl...
Wool
African Helmet Mask 'Gelede' from Yoruba Nigeria
Located in San Francisco, CA
Blacked wood helmet mask (Gelede), large human head surmounted by a dog eating a snake which curves around the head. No perforation for attachment to costume from Yoruba, Nigeria. Pu...
Wood
Early 20th Century Male Baule Figure, Ivory Coast, Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early 20th century male baule figure, ivory coast, Africa A stylistically pleasing sculpture of a spiritual spouse (blolo bian) from the Baule culture. This excellent example is p...
Wood
$16,000
H 46 in W 24 in D 31 in
Rare African Solid Benin Bronze Ceremonial Throne Chair Multi Figure Sculpture
Located in Surfside, FL
Handmade Benin sculptural tribal bronze figural judgement throne chair. The base of the chair with two tiers of standing figures. The back of the chair with two more tiers of standin...
Bronze
Ashanti Maternal Fertility Figure
Located in Atlanta, GA
On offer is an Ashanti female fertility figure from Ghana, West Africa, circa Mid-20th century. Carved from a single block of wood, the statue depicts a female with typical coiffure ...
Glass, Wood
$35,500
H 30 in W 10 in D 11 in
Nok Terracotta Standing Dignitary Figure, TL Tested, Nigeria Africa 500-100 BC
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Nok Terracotta Standing Dignitary Figure in Royal Pose. I-II Century AD. Certificate of Authenticity with TL Test and Passport from Europe. Museum Piece. The Nok culture of northern...
Terracotta
Very Important “Nwantantay” African Dance Mask
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Very important “Nwantamtay” dance African mask, consisting of three sections: The upper in plain rectangular shape surmounted by a crescent shape moon, the middle with beautiful geom...
Wood
Carved African Mali Antelope Headdress
Located in Houston, TX
Carved abstract mythological abstract antelope anteater headdress mounted on wood stand. These motifs symbolize excellence in farming and bountiful harvests. Antelope horns signify g...
Wood
$4,725
H 18.5 in W 6.5 in D 5 in
"Bronze Statue - Ife, Nigeria, " Bronze Sculpture created circa 1920s
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Bronze Statue - Ife, Nigeria" is a bronze sculpture created in circa 1920. This figure has short legs and a short torso, but a large head. They held out their hands with two objects...
Bronze
Bambara Standing Male Figure Powerful Shoulders Mali Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Bambara Standing male figure with powerful shoulders, arms at sides and large feet. From Mali, Africa It is in good condition with wear, polish and erosion from traditional use, ap...
Wood
Reliquary Kota, Gabon, 1925
Located in Paris, FR
This exceptional Kota reliquary comes from the Mahogwe tribe, which lives along the Ogooué River in Gabon. The Mahogwe are part of the Kota ethnic group located in the northeastern r...
Brass
Benin ‘Nigeria’ Bronze Figural Offering Depicting Leopards and Tribesmen
By People from Benin
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-20th century Benin (Nigeria) bronze figural offering depicting leopards and tribesmen Offered for sale is a modern-day Benin (Nigeria) bronze figural offering depicting leopar...
Bronze
$11,385Sale Price|20% Off
H 21.26 in W 4.34 in D 1.58 in
Statue Songye, Republic of Congo, Misangu Glass Beads & Chiefly Raffia Skirt
Located in Cotignac, FR
A Songye Male Power Figure, Democratic Republic of the Congo, the male figure with openwork arms and hands resting on the abdomen, typical facial features and a waterbuck (kobus elli...
Metal
$12,325
H 28 in W 19 in D 9 in
"Bobo Mask Burkina Fasso-Upper Volta, " Carved & Painted Wood created c. 1945
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Bobo Mask Burkina Fasso-Upper Volta" is a wood carved sculpture with painted details. It features the image of an abstracted face with a large almost elephant-like ruck protruding o...
Wood
Figurative sculptures mix reality and imagination, with the most common muse being the human body. Animals are also inspirations for these sculptures, along with forms found in nature.
While figurative sculpture dates back over 35,000 years, the term came into popularity in the 20th century to distinguish it from abstract art. It was aligned with the Expressionist movement in that many of its artists portrayed reality but in a nonnaturalistic and emotional way. In the 1940s, Alberto Giacometti — a Swiss-born artist who was interested in African art, Cubism and Surrealism — created now-iconic representational sculptures of the human figure, and after World War II, figurative sculpture as a movement continued to flourish in Europe.
Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon were some of the leading figurative artists during this period. Artists like Jeff Koons and Maurizio Cattelan propelled the evolution of figurative sculpture into the 21st century.
Figurative sculptures can be whimsical, uncanny and beautiful. Their materials range from stone and wood to metal and delicate ceramics. Even in smaller sizes, the sculptures make bold statements. A bronze sculpture by Salvador Dalí enhances a room; a statuesque bull by Jacques Owczarek depicts strength with its broad chest while its thin legs speak of fragility. Figurative sculptures allow viewers to see what is possible when life is reimagined.
Browse 1stDibs for an extensive collection of figurative sculptures and find the next addition to your collection.