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Vintage Hand Blown Glass Figurine

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Murano Glass Hand Blown Penguin Sculpture
By Vintage Murano Gallery
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage collectible Murano art glass hand blown sculpture of a penguin in blue and yellow colored
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Murano Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Murano Art Glass Crane Sculpture Hand Blown Venetian Italian Crystal Glass
By Vintage Murano Gallery
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage collectible Murano art glass hand blown sculpture of a crane in clear and purple colored
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

12 Vintage German Hand Blown Art Glass Farm Animal Display Figurines 1" to 3"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage lot of twelve farmhouse ornament / figurine animals, hand blown in various colors and
Category

Late 20th Century Animal Sculptures

Materials

Blown Glass

Hand Blown Murano Art Glass Bird 1960s
By A. Silvestri and Co., Vintage Murano Gallery
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Murano art glass hand blown sculpture bird figurine. Beautiful Mid-Century Modern hand
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Art Glass

Art Nouveau Peacock Bimini Art Glass Sculpture Figurine, 1910s
By Bimini Glass, Lauschaer
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early-20th century hand blown Peacock Figurine, made probably in the Lauscha Thuringia Area
Category

Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Animal Sculptures

Materials

Blown Glass

Vintage Light Blue and Yellow Blown Murano Glass Fish Decorative Figurine, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Murano, Italy, 1950s. This fish is made in hand-blown Murano glass. It is a vintage piece
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Murano Glass

ROYAL DOULTON Martini Crystal Etched Glasses Set of 2 Vintage Cocktail Barware
By Royal Doulton
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage ROYAL DOULTON Martini Crystal clear Etched Glasses Set of 2.Royal Doulton precious crystal
Category

Late 20th Century English Post-Modern Barware

Materials

Crystal

Impressive 25" Tall Murano Art Glass Caribbean Blue Shark on a Wave Figurine
By Vintage Murano Gallery
Located in Tustin, CA
Very impressive, hand made and mouth blown in Italy, Murano art glass figure or sculpture of a
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Murano Glass

Impressive Over Two Feet Tall Murano Art Glass Hot Pink Shark on a Wave Figurine
By Vintage Murano Gallery
Located in Tustin, CA
Very impressive, hand made and mouth blown in Italy, Murano art glass figure or sculpture of a
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Murano Glass

Vintage Murano Glass Cat Figurine by Carlo Moretti
By Carlo Moretti
Located in Forney, TX
A fine avant-garde Murano art glass cat figurine sculpture attributed to Carlo Moretti. Handmade
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Large Scale Vintage Murano Glass Duck Bird Figurine Sculpture Dino Martens
By Fratelli Toso, Venini, Barovier, Seguso, Dino Martens
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This is a large, massive duck sculpture from the 1950s made in the Sommerso and mezza filigrana technique. It is a decorative piece and was likely designed by Dino Martens for Fratel...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass

Dark Green Controlled Bubbles Italian Art Glass Vintage Bunny Rabbit Figurine
By Toscany
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Cute vintage handblown dark green with controlled bubbles, Italian art glass bunny rabbit sculpture
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass

Duck Murano Glass Vetri di Murano Italy Vintage Art Glass, 1950s
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A Venetian sculptural duck figurine in hand blown glass, produced on the isle of Murano, circa
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Vintage Multicolored Murano Glass Fish Decorative Figurine by Fratelli Toso
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Murano, Italy, 1950s. This fish is made in polychromed encased hand-blown Murano glass with fins
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Murano Glass

Vintage Murano Glass Fish Decorative Figurine by Fratelli Toso, Italy
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Murano, Italy, 1950s. This fish is made in polychromed hand-blown Murano glass. It is a vintage
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Murano Glass

Murano Glowing Uranium Italian Art Glass Frog Paperweight Figurine Sculpture
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown glowing green with olive spots Italian art glass frog sculpture
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Uranium Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Murano Italian Art Glass Fish Sculpture Statue, Italy Vintage
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A Venetian sculptural fish figurine in hand blown glass, produced on the isle of Murano, circa
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Murano Red Orange Italian Art Glass Mushroom Toadstool Figurine Paperweight
By Fornasa De Murano A L'Insegna Del Moreto, Galliano Ferro
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown clear body with spots Italian art glass mushroom / toadstool
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Uranium Glass, Glass

Fratelli Toso Murano Rainbow Filigrana Ribbons Italian Art Glass Swan Figurine
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown rainbow Filigrana ribbons with satin surface Italian art glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Glass

Murano Gambaro Poggi Yellow Blue Italian Art Glass Fish Figurine Paperweight
By Gambaro & Poggi
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown bright yellow, cobalt blue and orange Italian art glass puffer
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Opaline Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Murano Gambaro Poggi Purple Scavo Italian Art Glass Rabbit Figurine Paperweight
By Gambaro & Poggi
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown purple, blue and green Italian art glass bunny rabbit
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Opaline Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Seguso Murano Black White Italian Art Glass Baby Elephant Figurine Sculpture
By Archimede Seguso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown black and white spotted Italian art glass baby elephant
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Murano Sommerso Glowing Uranium Green Italian Art Glass Owl Bird Figurine
By Alfredo Barbini, Cenedese
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and cute, vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso bright yellow-green with inner olive green
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Murrine, Uranium ...

Murano Gambaro Poggi Orange Purple Italian Art Glass Snail Figurine Paperweight
By Gambaro & Poggi
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown bright orange, yellow and lavender Italian art glass snail
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Opaline Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Seguso Murano Black White Italian Art Glass Bunny Rabbit Figurine Sculpture
By Archimede Seguso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown black and white spotted Italian art glass bunny rabbit figurine
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Murano Opalescent White Blue Bubbles Italian Art Glass Dove Bird Figurines
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful pair of vintage Murano hand blown opalescent blue and white, with controlled bubbles
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paperweights

Materials

Glass, Opaline Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Seguso Murano Sommerso Pink Black Italian Art Glass Fish Figurine Paperweight
By Archimede Seguso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso pink Italian art glass fish sculpture / figurine
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso

Seguso Murano Sommerso Orange Red Yellow Italian Art Glass Squirrel Figurine
By Archimede Seguso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and very cute, vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso red orange, yellow Italian art glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass

Cat Paperweight Figurine Black White Art Glass Abstract Signed ICET Murano
By Alfredo Barbini, ICET Murano
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage ICET Arte Murano hand blown deep black with white accents abstract shape tuxedo
Category

Late 20th Century Venezuelan Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Sommerso, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Seguso Murano Sommerso Green Italian Art Glass Horse Head Figurine Sculpture
By Archimede Seguso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso green to clear Italian art glass horse head sculpture
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Sommerso, Art Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass

Murano Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Standing Puppy Dog Figurine Sculpture
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso golden amber and gold flecks Italian art glass puppy
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf

Seguso Murano Black White Italian Art Glass Baby Duck Bird Figurine Sculpture
By Archimede Seguso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown black and white spotted Italian art glass baby duck bird
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Murano Gambaro Poggi Red Blue Purple Italian Art Glass Bird Figurine Paperweight
By Gambaro & Poggi
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown bright red, dark cobalt blue and lavender Italian art glass
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass, Opaline Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Glass

Seguso Duck Loving Couple Figurines Pink Alabastro Murano Studio Art Glass
By Seguso, Archimede Seguso
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This vintage mid-century wrapping around each other loving couple of ducks in pink alabastro art
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass

Murano Gambaro Poggi Green Red Blue Italian Art Glass Rabbit Figurine Sculpture
By Gambaro & Poggi
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand green, red, and blue Italian art glass bunny rabbit figurine
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Seguso Murano Clear with Black Accents Italian Art Glass Owl Bird Figurine
By Archimede Seguso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown clear crystal with black accents Italian art glass horned baby
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso

Barovier Toso Murano Teal Pink Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Bird Figurine
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown teal green, pink, gold flecks and bubbles Italian art glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Emerald Green Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Swan Bird Sculpture Figurine
By Salviati, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown emerald green and gold flecks Italian art glass swan sculpture
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Red Orange Gold Flecks Chevron Pattern Italian Art Glass Fish Figurine
By Fornasa De Murano A L'Insegna Del Moreto, Galliano Ferro
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso red orange, white and gold flecks Italian art glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf

Archimede Seguso Murano Sommerso Red Orange Italian Art Glass Owl Bird Figurine
By Archimede Seguso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso yellow orange over red Italian art glass horned owl
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Sommerso, Art Glass, Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass

Seguso Murano Green Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Standing Duck Bird Figurine
By Archimede Seguso, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown green and gold flecks Italian art glass duck bird figurine
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Blue White Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Duck Bird Figurine Sculpture
By Archimede Seguso, Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, and cute, vintage Murano hand blown blue and white Italian art glass bird or duck
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf

Mid Century Modern Gino Cenedese Antonio da Ros Frog Figurine Murano Art Glass
By Cenedese, Antonio da Ros
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A lovely vintage decorative frog figurine with blue accents attributed Antonio da Ros for Cenedese.
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass

Barovier Toso Murano Yellow Blue Gold Fleck Italian Art Glass Love Bird Figurine
By Barovier&Toso, Ercole Barovier
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown bright yellow and sapphire blue spots, bubbles and gold flecks
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf

Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano White Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Dog Figurine
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Alfredo Barbini, Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown white and gold flecks Italian art glass puppy dog figurine
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf

Seguso Murano Large Green Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Duck Bird Figurine
By Archimede Seguso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, extra large, vintage Murano hand blown green and gold flecks Italian art glass duck bird
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Sommerso Red Green Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Pony Horse Head Figurine
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Cute vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso red to green, with gold flecks Italian art glass pony horse
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Glass Fish Sculpture Coral Reef Italian Art Glass Centerpiece Sculpture
By Archimede Seguso, Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in North Hollywood, CA
vintage Murano, hand blown, Italian art glass colorful tropical fish attached to a large coral sculpture
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Art Nouveau Deer Bimini Style Lauscha Art Glass Sculpture Figure, 1910s
By Bimini Glass, Lauschaer
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early-20th century hand blown Deer Figurine, made probably in the Lauscha Thuringia Area in
Category

Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Animal Sculptures

Materials

Blown Glass

Barbini Murano White Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Bird Figurine Paperweight
By Alfredo Barbini
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown white and gold flecks Italian art glass bird on base figurine
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf

Vintage Murano Art Glass Black Bird Mid-Century Modern, 1960's
By Barovier
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Modern Murano Glass Bird in the Manner of Barovier. Beautiful Murano hand blown black Italian art glass
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Blown Glass

Seguso Murano Label Vintage Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Fish Sculpture Figure
By Archimede Seguso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown clear and gold flecks Italian art glass fish sculpture
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf

Murano Large Vintage White Spots Gold Fleck Italian Art Glass Dove Bird Figure
By Ercole Barovier, Barovier&Toso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown white spots and gold flecks Italian art glass figurine
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf

Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Vintage Blue Opal White Italian Art Glass Bird Figure
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso opalescent white and sky blue Italian art glass bird
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Opaline Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Vintage Opal White Blue Italian Art Glass Bird Figure
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso opalescent white and sky blue Italian art glass bird
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Sommerso, Art Glass, Opaline Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass

Murano Italian Art Glass Sword Fish Sculpture Statue, Italy Vintage
By Murano 5
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A Venetian sculptural fish figurine in hand blown glass, produced on the isle of Murano, circa
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Seguso Murano Opalescent White Caramel Italian Art Glass Bunny Rabbit Sculpture
By Archimede Seguso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown opalescent white and caramel Italian art glass bunny rabbit
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass, Glass

Murano Gambaro Poggi Orange Blue Yellow Italian Art Glass Horse Figure Sculpture
By Gambaro & Poggi
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown bright orange yellow and blue Italian art glass horse head
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Archimede Seguso Murano Black White Italian Art Glass Bird Dove Figure Sculpture
By Archimede Seguso
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown black and white spotted Italian art glass dove bird figurine
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Murano Gambaro Poggi Red Yellow Purple Italian Art Glass Horse Figure Sculpture
By Gambaro & Poggi
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown bright red, yellow and lavender Italian art glass horse head
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

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Vintage Hand Blown Glass Figurine For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the vintage hand blown glass figurine you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each vintage hand blown glass figurine for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using glass, art glass and blown glass. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect vintage hand blown glass figurine — we have versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. Each vintage hand blown glass figurine bearing mid-century modern, modern or Art Nouveau hallmarks is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made vintage hand blown glass figurine over the years, but those crafted by Archimede Seguso, Fratelli Toso and Seguso Vetri d'Arte are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Vintage Hand Blown Glass Figurine?

Prices for a vintage hand blown glass figurine can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $150 and can go as high as $1,400, while the average can fetch as much as $495.

A Close Look at mid-century-modern Furniture

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

Finding the Right animal-sculptures for You

Invite the untamed wonders of the animal kingdom into your home — and do so safely — with the antique, new and vintage animal sculptures available on 1stDibs.

Artists working in every medium from furniture design to jewelry to painting have found inspiration in wild animals over the years. For sculptors, three-dimensional animal renderings — both realistic and symbolic — crisscross history and continents. In as early as 210 B.C., intricately detailed terracotta horses guarded early Chinese tombs, while North America’s native Inuit tribes living in the ice-covered Arctic during the 1800’s wore small animal figurines carved from walrus ivory. Indeed, animal sculpture has a long history, and beginning in the 19th century, the art form started becoming not only fashionable but artistically validated — a trend that continues today. At home, animal sculptures — polished bronze rhinos crafted in the Art Deco style or ceramic dogs of the mid-century modern era — can introduce both playfulness and drama to your decor.

In the case of the frosted glass sculptures crafted by artisans at legendary French glassmaker Lalique, founded by jeweler and glass artist René Lalique, some animal sculptures are purely decorative. With their meticulously groomed horse manes and detailed contours of their parakeet feathers, these creatures want to be proudly displayed. Adding animal sculptures to your bookcases can draw attention to your covetable collection of vintage monographs, while side tables and wall shelving also make great habitats for these ornamental animal figurines.

Some sculptures, however, can find suitable nests in just about any corner of your space. Whimsical brass flamingos or the violent, realist bronze lions created by Parisian sculptor Antoine-Louis Barye are provocative and versatile pieces that can rest on windowsills or your desk. Otherwise, the brass cat shoehorns and bronze porcupine ashtrays designed by Viennese artist Walter Bosse are no longer roaming aimlessly throughout your living room, as they’ve found a purpose to serve.

Embark on your safari today and find a fascinating collection of vintage, modern and antique animal sculptures on 1stDibs.