Alexander Calder Vanity Items

American, 1898-1976

The American sculptor Alexander Calder is known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling.

Because Calder's parents, both artists themselves, did not want him to suffer the hardships of trying to make a living in art, they encouraged the young Calder to study mechanical engineering at the Stevens Institute of Technology, in Hoboken, New Jersey. He worked a number of jobs, including as a hydraulic engineer and draftsman for the New York Edison Company, before deciding to pursue an artistic career. He never abandoned his engineering background, however, applying his understanding of gears and moving parts in all his artworks, from mechanical toys like the Cirque Calder (1931) and his revered prints to his free-standing abstract sculptures, called stabiles.

In 1926, Calder moved to Paris and established a studio in the Montparnasse quarter. He began creating the many parts of his famous miniature circus from found materials, such as wire, string, cloth, rubber and cork. Designed to be transportable, Cirque grew to fill five suitcases over the years. Always interested in putting forms in motion, Calder also pioneered a new art form called wire sculptures, which he described as “drawings in space.” Like his famous mobiles, the wire sculptures were suspended so that they turned with any movement of the air, presenting different forms when viewed from different angles.

In the 1950s, Calder returned to his roots in mechanical engineering, creating monumental abstract sculptures that verged on the architectural. He worked from loose gestural drawings like this preparatory sketch for his Man Stabile, from 1966. Throughout his career, he also worked as a set designer for the theater, as well as an illustrator and printmaker, producing vibrant, whimsical drawings for books and journals.

Find original Alexander Calder art today on 1stDibs.

Creator: Alexander Calder

Hair Comb by Alexander Calder

$98,500

Hair Comb by Alexander Calder

By Alexander Calder

Located in New Orleans, LA

Alexander Calder 1898-1976 American Hair Comb Brass wire This exceptional brass wire hair comb by Alexander Calder exemplifies the artist's revolutionary approach to sculptural f...

Category

20th Century American Retro Alexander Calder Vanity Items

Materials

Brass

Rectangular buffalo horn comb

$126 / item

W 2.37 in L 4.93 in

Rectangular buffalo horn comb

By Lera Treyger

Located in Antwerpen, BE

Fueki-ryuko is named for a state of mind that holds the eternal within the ever-changing, a harmony between constancy and transformation. It speaks to the quiet recognition that whil...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Modern Alexander Calder Vanity Items

Antique French Silver Hair Comb Hair Ornament

$697

H 3.67 in W 4.41 in D 0.67 in

Antique French Silver Hair Comb Hair Ornament

Located in Munich, Bavaria

This hair comb was handcrafted in the late 1830's, the engraving in the centre is typical for the design of the second quarter of the nineteenth The design of this hair comb feature...

Category

1830s French Antique Alexander Calder Vanity Items

Materials

Silver

Cartier Platinum and Diamond Comb, ca. 1925s

$20,860

W 1.15 in L 3.82 in

Cartier Platinum and Diamond Comb, ca. 1925s

By Cartier

Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE

A fine and rare Cartier platinum and diamond comb and case, ca. 1925s, signed Cartier London and numbered 8789, in its original suede pouch. A fine examp...

Category

1920s British Art Deco Vintage Alexander Calder Vanity Items

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique Victorian Cut Steel butterfly hair comb

$276

W 1 in L 3.5 in

Antique Victorian Cut Steel butterfly hair comb

Located in NEWARK, GB

A gorgeous antique Victorian era hair comb. It is a two pronged celluloid hair comb in a yellow shade. The top is adorned with a pretty cut steel...

Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Alexander Calder Vanity Items

Materials

Cut Steel

Victorian Coral Cabochon Filigree Comb

$1,295

H 4.5 in W 1.5 in L 4 in

Victorian Coral Cabochon Filigree Comb

Located in New York, NY

Lovely Victorian Coral Cabochon Filigree Comb from the 1880's. Hand made gilt wirework set with genuine coral cabochons. Set on a hinged comb base. Lovely size and design. 1880's Ita...

Category

1880s Italian Victorian Antique Alexander Calder Vanity Items

Materials

Coral, Gilt Metal

Antique Art Nouveau Hair Pin Hair Ornament Garnet Horn Silver Gilt

$2,044

W 1.23 in L 4.53 in

Antique Art Nouveau Hair Pin Hair Ornament Garnet Horn Silver Gilt

Located in Munich, Bavaria

This lovely hairpin was created in the last decade of the 19th century in Bohemia which, at the time of the creation of this hair ornament belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Bo...

Category

1890s Czech Art Nouveau Antique Alexander Calder Vanity Items

Materials

Garnet, Silver

Antique French Silver Coloured Paste Hair Comb Hair Ornament

$2,164

H 3.55 in W 3.82 in

Antique French Silver Coloured Paste Hair Comb Hair Ornament

Located in Munich, Bavaria

This fine hair comb has been handcrafted in the 1830's. It is made out of silver and in the centre decorated with a beautifully sculpted large cental flower...

Category

1830s French Antique Alexander Calder Vanity Items

Tiffany & Co. Antique Pearl Beads Comb, Gold Frame, Circa 1900, USA

$1,200Sale Price|20% Off

W 3.15 in L 4.73 in

Tiffany & Co. Antique Pearl Beads Comb, Gold Frame, Circa 1900, USA

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv

Tiffany & Co Pearl Beads Comb Original Box, 1900 Very delicate item of its era. 1900. Originally obtained at the WA Bolin auction in Stockholm. Gold frame fo...

Category

Early 20th Century American Alexander Calder Vanity Items

Materials

Pearl

Vintage Tiffany & Co. 22K Gold Iron Hair Comb by Angela Cummings

$1,450

W 2.25 in D 0.031 in L 2 in

Vintage Tiffany & Co. 22K Gold Iron Hair Comb by Angela Cummings

By Angela Cummings for Tiffany & Co.

Located in Houston, TX

A vintage Tiffany & Co. 22 karat yellow gold damascene* lacquered striped iron hair comb created by Angela Cummings, circa 1980. The comb is signed "© T&CO." The dimensions a...

Category

1970s Vintage Alexander Calder Vanity Items

Materials

Metal, 22k Gold

Pair of Antique Gold Platinum and Gem set Hair Combs

$4,695

L 5.25 in

Pair of Antique Gold Platinum and Gem set Hair Combs

Located in Chicago, IL

Circa 1910 Pair of Phenomenal Hair Combs, measuring 5 1/4 inches in length and 1 3/4 inches wide, heavy 18k Yellow gold with Platinum mountings top sections on top of Tortoise, furth...

Category

1910s European Edwardian Vintage Alexander Calder Vanity Items

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Hair Pin Star Cut Steel Horn Hair Ornament

$288

W 0.79 in D 0.4 in L 3.78 in

Antique Hair Pin Star Cut Steel Horn Hair Ornament

Located in Munich, Bavaria

This charming little cut steel hair pin has been hand crafted in the second quarter of the 19th century. It is made from facetted steel nails riveted ont...

Category

1830s English Antique Alexander Calder Vanity Items

Materials

Cut Steel

Antique Victorian Gilt Metal Enamel Hair Comb Buckle Motif Suspended Ball

$1,683

W 4.34 in D 0.87 in L 4.77 in

Antique Victorian Gilt Metal Enamel Hair Comb Buckle Motif Suspended Ball

Located in Munich, Bavaria

This unusual hair comb is made out of gilt metal and features a buckle motif. It is decorated with a ball and a cone suspended from fine snake link chains.

Category

1870s English Victorian Antique Alexander Calder Vanity Items

Materials

Gilt Metal

Alexander Calder vanity items for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a range of Alexander Calder vanity items available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique items was designed with extraordinary care, often using brass. We have 1 pieces in this collection as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. While this collection reflects work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed during the 20th century. Prices for Alexander Calder vanity items can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $98,500 and tops out at $98,500, while pieces like these, on average, can sell for $98,500.

Questions About Alexander Calder Vanity Items

What is a mobile Alexander Calder?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
The American sculptor Alexander Calder is known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. On 1stDibs, find a variety of vintage Alexander Calder drawings and other sculptures.
Where is Alexander Calder’s art?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Alexander Calder’s artwork has found its home in many museums and art galleries around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim Museum. Shop a selection of Alexander Calder’s pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.
What did Alexander Calder invent?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
The American sculptor Alexander Calder invented the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. His mobiles were an innovative feat and initially used motors for movement, which he later abandoned for air currents alone. Calder was also a pioneer of wire sculptures. Shop a selection of Alexander Calder pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.
What was Alexander Calder famous for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2024
Alexander Calder was famous for his work as an artist. The American sculptor is known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. He also created large-scale sculptures that frequently involved kinetic elements. Some of his best-known works include Mobile (Arc of Petals), Cirque Calder, Josephine Baker (III), Fish and A Universe. On 1stDibs, explore a selection of Alexander Calder art.
Was Alexander Calder a Surrealist?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024
Most artists consider Alexander Calder to be a Kinetic artist rather than a Surrealist. The American sculptor is known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms usually suspended from the ceiling. Calder also pioneered a new art form with wire sculptures, which he described as “drawings in space.” Like his famous mobiles, the wire sculptures were suspended so that they turned with any air movement, presenting different forms when viewed from different angles. Explore a diverse assortment of Alexander Calder art on 1stDibs.
What was Alexander Calder best known for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
Alexander Calder is best known for his sculptures. He produced large, playful freestanding and hanging works in vibrant colors. Examples include Mobile-Stabile, Lobster Trap and Fish Tail and Flying Dragon. On 1stDibs, you can shop a selection of Alexander Calder art.
What is Alexander Calder best known for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
American artist Alexander Calder is best known for his work in sculpture, particularly his monumental sculptures and innovative ‘mobiles’ in the tradition of kinetic art. Shop a collection of authentic Alexander Calder pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.
What art did Alexander Calder make?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024
Alexander Calder mostly made sculptures, although he also worked in printmaking, painting, performance and other media. He is known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. Some of his most famous works include Cirque Calder, A Universe, Josephine Baker (III), Mobile (Arc of Petals), Devil Fish, Romulus and Remus and Fish. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Alexander Calder art.
What is so revolutionary about Alexander Calder's mobiles?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Alexander Calder's mobiles were revolutionary because he largely pioneered the art form of creating hanging sculptures that were able to move freely in response to airflow. Calder was a prolific artist believed to have produced more than 22,000 works during his life. Shop a variety of Alexander Calder art on 1stDibs.
Why are Alexander Calder’s sculptures called mobiles?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
The term ‘mobile’, which was coined by Marcel Duchamp, was used to describe Alexander Calder’s work, as Calder’s sculptures often moved with the help of motors or wind. ‘Mobiles’ was a French pun which meant ‘motion’. On 1stDibs, find a variety of original artwork from Alexander Calder.
Which characteristics describe Alexander Calder’s sculptures?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
There are several interpretations of how to describe the characteristics of Alexander Calder’s sculptures. Some say they are abstract, with life-like elements, others say they are flat, simplified shapes that intersect at opposing angles. See the magic for yourself — shop a selection of Alexander Calder pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.
How much is an Alexander Calder mobile worth?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024
How much an Alexander Calder mobile is worth depends on its historical significance, size, condition and other factors. In 2012, his 1945 piece Lily of Force sold for $18.5 million at auction in New York City. The American sculptor is known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. Always interested in putting forms in motion, Calder also pioneered a new art form called “wire sculptures,” which he described as “drawings in space.” Like his famous mobiles, the wire sculptures were suspended so that they turned with any movement of the air, presenting different forms when viewed from different angles. If you're in possession of a Calder mobile, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable art dealer can help you determine how much it may be worth. On 1stDibs, explore a range of Alexander Calder art.
What elements of art did Alexander Calder use?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024
Alexander Calder used many of the elements of art when producing his works. The American sculptor is known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. These kinetic pieces use color, shape and space to convey a sense of unity, and the form of the art allows it to interact with its environment. Find a variety of Alexander Calder art on 1stDibs.
What art movement was Alexander Calder connected to?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024
The art movement that Alexander Calder was connected to was kinetic art. The term refers to art that moves or has the appearance of movement. With their ability to sway and turn once suspended, Calder's mobiles are often referenced as examples of kinetic art. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Alexander Calder art.
What type of sculpture did Alexander Calder invent?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 3, 2024
Alexander Calder invented the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. The revered American sculptor's mobiles were an innovative feat and initially used motors for movement, which he later abandoned for air currents alone. Calder was also a pioneer of wire sculptures. (He was a celebrated modernist printmaker, too, and while jewelry was a secondary métier for him, interest in his wearable art has accelerated in recent years.)

For Calder, the fascinating moment of artistic alchemy comes sometime between his representational canvases of the late 1920s and 1931, the year of his first show of abstract sculpture. Moving to Paris helped spur his creativity, as it did for so many artists and writers. The moment Calder arrived, he began working on one of his most seminal pieces, Cirque Calder (1931), his delightful distillation of the circus into what are essentially three-dimensional line drawings made with wire.

Shop authentic Alexander Calder prints, sculptures and other art from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.
Which mood best describes Alexander Calder’s sculptures?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Like all meaningful works of art, the mood that best describes American artist Alexander Calder’s sculptures is subject to interpretation. Common descriptors for his abstract work include “playful” or “whimsical.” Calder is best known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling. Shop a selection of Alexander Calder pieces from some of the world’s top art dealers on 1stDibs.
How many works of art did Alexander Calder make?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024
Alexander Calder produced more than 22,000 works of art during his lifetime. The prolific artist made paintings, drawings, prints, tapestries, stage sets, jewelry and other types of art. Some of his most famous pieces include Cirque Calder, Josephine Baker (III), A Universe, Mobile (Arc of Petals) and Devil Fish. Shop a diverse assortment of Alexander Calder art on 1stDibs.