Mathurin Moreau Spring
1890s Academic Figurative Sculptures
Marble
Recent Sales
Antique Early 1900s French Figurative Sculptures
Terracotta
Antique Early 1900s French Figurative Sculptures
Terracotta
Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
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Antique Late 19th Century Italian Belle Époque Figurative Sculptures
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19th Century Academic Figurative Sculptures
Marble
1890s Art Nouveau Figurative Sculptures
Marble
1890s Art Nouveau Figurative Sculptures
Marble
Late 19th Century Figurative Sculptures
Marble
Mathurin Moreau for sale on 1stDibs
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024To tell if a statue is real bronze, try striking it with the handle of a butter knife. Bronze will typically produce a sustained ringing sound. Other metals will usually produce a duller, more muffled or shorter-lived sound. Researching the artist can also be beneficial. By learning what types of materials they worked with, you may be able to determine whether your piece is likely to be bronze. Another option is to have a certified appraiser or experienced art dealer inspect your statue for you. On 1stDibs, explore a range of bronze statues.