Maiden Alabaster Bust
Antique 19th Century French Busts
Alabaster
Antique 1890s French Napoleon III Busts
Alabaster
Antique Early 1900s Italian Busts
Marble
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Bookends
Alabaster
Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Figurative Sculptures
Marble
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1920s British Victorian Sofas
Leather, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Porcelain
Bronze
1990s German Modern Sofas
Wool, Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Renaissance Busts
Alabaster, Marble
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate
Silver Plate
20th Century Egyptian Sculptures
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Busts
Marble, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Swiss Art Deco Mantel Clocks
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Decorative Bowls
Alabaster
Early 20th Century Swiss Art Deco Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Brass, Enamel
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Silver, Brass
Early 20th Century Belgian Art Deco Busts
Other
Vintage 1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Busts
Ceramic, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century European Art Nouveau Busts
Marble
Early 20th Century French Victorian Busts
Marble
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Busts
Terracotta
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century Italian Victorian Busts
Alabaster, Marble
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Busts
Alabaster
Antique 19th Century Belgian Art Nouveau Busts
Alabaster, Marble, Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Busts
Alabaster
Antique 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Busts
Marble
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Figurative Sculptures
Alabaster, Marble
Antique 1820s Austrian Biedermeier Mantel Clocks
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Busts
Early 20th Century Renaissance Revival Figurative Sculptures
Alabaster
Antique 19th Century Italian Busts
Alabaster, Marble, Bronze
Antique 1890s Italian Busts
Alabaster
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
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.
These Soft Sculptures Are Childhood Imaginary Friends Come to Life
Miami artist and designer Gabriela Noelle’s fantastical creations appeal to the Peter Pan in all of us.
This Vivacious Teapot Has Agnes Martin on One Side and Jean-Michel Basquiat on the Other
Ceramist Roberto Lugo brings a street-art sensibility to a dainty serving vessel while paying homage to his artistic heroes.
This Rare Set of 100 Alessi Vases Includes Designs by Scores of International Artists
Alessandro Mendini, Michael Graves, Ettore Sottsass and other design luminaries contributed to this unusual collection of porcelain wares representing a time capsule of late-20th-century decorative art.