Laying Down Sculpture

In art, sculptures are three-dimensional works of art made by hand or with various tools and machinery. Bronze, marble, plaster, wood and stone are among the most traditional materials for sculptures. However, artists may also incorporate found objects, paper, fabric and other items into their work. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of sculptures.

Jackson Pollock is the American artist famous for laying the canvas on the floor and dripping the paint from a bucket using a stick. He called this innovative technique "drip painting." Pollock stood at the forefront of Abstract Expressionism to the point that his name has become nearly synonymous with the movement. He was deeply respected by his contemporaries, and Pollock’s paintings, prints and other art — as well as his commitment to the work — influenced artists worldwide. Explore a collection of Jackson Pollock art on 1stDibs.

Illusion sculptures are pieces of art that the artist has crafted in a certain way so that it seems to come alive. Illusion art is also referred to as trompe l’oeil, which is a French term meaning “to fool the eye.” See the magic for yourself and shop a collection of illusion sculptures from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

When referring to artwork, contemporary simply means “the art of today”, or artwork that was produced in the second half of the 20th century onward. This term extends to all art, including sculptures. You’ll find a variety of contemporary sculptures from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Geometric sculpture is a style of art that emphasizes mathematical shapes in an artistic way.

An alabaster sculpture is one that is made out of alabaster, which is a soft white or translucent stone. A variety of gypsum, alabaster is described as fine-grained and marble-like. On 1stDibs, find a collection of alabaster sculptures from some of the world’s top sellers.

For bronze sculptures, a series is the limited number (eight plus four artist's proofs, in French legislation) of numbered specimens which qualify as original editions.

A sculpture series can mean a body of work created by an artist that is similar in design, style and media. A limited edition bronze sculpture or casting in another material (resin, concrete, plaster, etc.) are made from the same mold. The patina or color may differ but each work has been assigned a number in the series.

A freestanding sculpture is one capable of standing on its own. It differs from reliefs and installed works, which are attached to a wall or other surface. Some famous examples of freestanding sculptures include Michelangelo's David, Rodin's The Thinker and Bernini's Apollo and Daphne. On 1stDibs, find a selection of freestanding sculptures.

In sculpture, perspective refers to how a piece fits into the space around it and what a viewer sees when they look at it from different angles. This differs from perspective in painting and drawing, which describes how to add depth to make two-dimensional objects seem three-dimensional. Find a wide variety of sculptures on 1stDibs.

Yes, ivory tusks can be used for sculptures and figurines. However, the U.S. and many other countries have banned the import of ivory, meaning many artists no longer work with the material. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of sculptures from some of the world's top galleries.

Yes, artist Brian Donnelly, known professionally as KAWS, does make his own art. He admits he has a regimented schedule now that he has children, and finds that this has made him more productive, allowing him to focus on sculptures and paintings in the mornings. On 1stDibs, find a variety of original artwork from top artists.

How KAWS makes his sculptures varies. The New Jersey-born artist Brian “KAWS” Donnelly works with a variety of materials, including fiberglass, wood and bronze. By mixing up his techniques and experimenting with different mediums, KAWS can incorporate various colors and textures into his sculptures, figures and toys, and continues to innovate his practice.

In 1999, KAWS partnered with Bounty Hunter, a Japanese toy and streetwear brand, to release his first toy. Companion was the first of more than 130 toy designs, which came to include such characters as Chum, Blitz, Be@rbrick, BFF and Milo, each immediately recognizable as KAWS figures by their XX eyes. Fans have proved insatiable (and counterfeiters have since taken notice).

In 2017, MoMA’s online store announced the availability of a limited supply of KAWS Companion figures; as avid collectors logged on to stake their claim, the website crashed — multiple times.

Find authentic KAWS art on 1stDibs.

The cost of a marble sculpture will vary depending on the size, artistic time, warehouse space, engineering and administration. Since marble is rarer it is more expensive than other types of rocks used for sculpture. On 1stDibs you will find figurative, abstract, still-life and nude marble sculptures starting from a range of $200 and upward.