With magnificent buildings such as the Guggenheim Bilbao, Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and the new Foundation Louis Vuitton in Paris, Frank Gehry changed the nature and spirit of contemporary architecture. The architect has also enjoyed a prolific career as a designer of artful and functional objects, ranging from furniture to jewelry, that even at smaller scale are as lively and captivating as his architectural designs.
Gehry was born in Toronto and moved with his family to Los Angeles in 1947. He received a degree in architecture from the University of Southern California in 1954 and — after several years of casting about that included a stint in the U.S. Army and studies at Harvard — Gehry opened his architectural practice in L.A. in 1962.
Idiosyncratic renovations to his small, traditional house in Santa Monica — such as cladding portions of the exterior in chain-link fencing and corrugated metal — drew attention to Gehry in architectural circles. Corporate and institutional commissions added to his reputation, culminating in the global acclaim that greeted the opening of the Guggenheim Bilbao in 1997. But the combination of visual dynamism and structural integrity expressed by that building had been evident for decades in Gehry’s designs. In 1972 he introduced a much-admired line of furniture he called Easy Edges. The curves and flowing lines of the pieces, which include the Wiggle chair, seem antithetical to the material are made from: cardboard — a presumably flimsy material that, when stacked, laminated and folded, is actually extraordinarily sturdy.
Many of Gehry’s designs feature an abstracted fish motif. For the architect, it was a symbol of vitality, strength and flexibility. The fish appears in a group of 1982 plastic lamps created for Formica (and exhibited by the Jewish Museum in New York in 2010). Gehry used the motif in crystal goblets for Swid Powell (1990), his Pito kettle for Alessi (1992) and as earrings for a 2006 jewelry collection for Tiffany that also includes torqued rings, necklaces and bangles.
Gehry returned to furniture design in 1992 with a remarkably energetic line of furniture for Knoll with frames and seating made of bent, lightweight wooden strops. (The pieces' names, such as Power Play and Cross Check, derive from ice hockey.) In 2004, Heller released a group of twisted, faceted furnishings in molded polyethylene meant to evoke Gehry’s architecture. But — whether its tableware, jewelry or furniture — all Gehry’s designs do that--sharing an animated aesthetic built on a solid foundational core. To possess a piece of Gehry design is to own one of his buildings, in miniature.
Find vintage Frank Gehry chairs, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Frank Gehry Twisted Bronze Sculpture, 9 3/4" High, Signed, Numbered, Certificate
By Frank Gehry
Located in Toledo, OH
Frank Gehry Twisted Bronze Sculpture. Stacked, layered, swirls, and twisted design. 9 3/4" tall x 4" diameter, signed, numbered 37/200. Certificate I...
Bronze
$700
H 2.5 in W 6 in D 2 in
Loet Vanderveen Monkey/Orangutan Lying Down Bronze Sculpture, Signed, Numbered
By Loet Vanderveen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Loet Vanderveen was born in Holland and worked in fashion and later living in New York, London ,Zurich worked in the Zoo sculptures using great patinas. This orangutan is signed and ...
Bronze
$9,850
H 16 in W 12.5 in D 17.75 in
Mother and Child – Bronze Sculpture by Martin González Perez, Signed & Numbered
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A powerful and intimate bronze sculpture depicting a seated mother cradling her child, created by Martin González Perez, a Mexican figurative sculptor active during the late 20th and...
Bronze
Bronze Sculpture by Victor Gutierrez, Signed, Dated 94 & Number 9/10
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Victor Gutierrez (Mexican, born 1950). A limited edition cold painted bronze statue. A figural work produced in a modern style depicting a seated fema...
Bronze
$8,814
H 11 in W 9 in D 2 in
Stig Lindberg, Solfågeln, Bronze Sculpture, Signed & Numbered, Sweden, Late 20
Located in Hammarö, SE
“Solfågeln” is one of the most sculptural and evocative works attributed to Stig Lindberg, executed in bronze and presented in a numbered edition. This example is signed Stig L and n...
Bronze
$2,375
H 9.5 in W 13 in D 6.5 in
Loet Vanderveen Bronze Reclining Horse Sculpture Signed Numbered Limited Edition
By Loet Vanderveen, Franz Hagenauer
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Loet Vanderveen Limited Edition Bronze Reclining Horse Sculpture, Signed & Numbered 230/500 A striking limited edition bronze horse sculpture by renowned Dutch-American sculptor Loet Vanderveen (1921–2015). Expertly cast in patinated bronze, the sculpture depicts a reclining horse with its head gracefully raised in a powerful, expressive pose, as if neighing, capturing both strength and serenity through Vanderveen's distinctive stylized aesthetic. Known for his masterful interpretations of wildlife, Vanderveen combined the elegance of Art Deco, the simplified forms of Mid-Century Modern design, and subtle Cubist influences to create sculptures celebrated for their timeless appeal. The rich dark patina is beautifully contrasted by warm bronze highlights on the tail, emphasizing the refined modeling and exceptional craftsmanship. This example is signed "Loet ©" and numbered 230/500 on the underside, from a strictly limited edition of only 500 casts. Highly collectible, Vanderveen's bronze animal sculptures are sought after by collectors of modern sculpture, equestrian art, and fine decorative objects. Perfect for display on a desk, bookshelf, mantel, or cocktail table, this elegant bronze horse makes a sophisticated statement in both traditional and contemporary interiors. Artist: Loet Vanderveen (Dutch/American, 1921–2015) Title: Reclining Horse Edition: 230/500 Origin: USA Date: Late 20th Century Material: Patinated bronze, the piece features a distinct dark-and-light golden-brown patina Style: Mid-Century Modern / Art Deco / Modernist Dimensions: 13 in x 9.5 in. Condition: Excellent vintage condition with a rich original patina. Signed "Loet ©" and numbered 230/500 on the underside. An exceptional and highly collectible work by one of the most celebrated animal sculptors of the 20th century, ideal for collectors of bronze sculpture, equestrian art, Mid-Century Modern design, and wildlife sculpture. Keywords: Loet Vanderveen, Loet bronze...
Bronze
$1,450
H 5.5 in W 7.25 in D 2 in
Loet Vanderveen Bronze Sculpture of a Gazelle Signed Numbered Limited Ed.
By Loet Vanderveen
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Loet Vanderveen (Dutch, 1921-2015). Artistic African Antelope bronze wildlife animal sculpture. Original Loet Vanderveen bronze Ibex or gazelle sculpture in Charcoal patina finish. L...
Bronze
Abstract Bronze Sculpture by Alfredo Lanz, Signed and Numbered 4/20
Located in Madrid, ES
Elegant abstract bronze sculpture by the Italian artist Alfredo Lanz, signed and numbered 4/20, demonstrating the sculptor's mastery of form, balance, and modern artistic expression....
Bronze
$2,295
H 17 in W 12.5 in D 4 in
Miodrag Tasic (Born 1954) Bronze Sculpture Man Climbing Signed and Numbered
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Miodrag Tasic (Born 1954). Bronze sculpture of man climbing. Signed and numbered 5/8 on mans rear. Overall sculpture is 17" H x 12.5" W x 4" D. No condition issues. Very good con...
Bronze
Signed and Numbered Modern Bronze Bull Sculpture on Marble Base
Located in Madrid, ES
Striking modern bronze sculpture depicting a bull, mounted on an elegant marble base and signed and numbered by the artist. Despite its compact dimensions, the work possesses a remar...
Bronze
Signed and Numbered Abstract Solid Bronze Sculpture, 1970s
Located in Madrid, ES
Elegant abstract sculpture in solid bronze, created during the 1970s and signed and numbered by the artist. This refined work embodies the spirit of post-war modernism, where sculpto...
Bronze
$352
H 5.52 in W 4.34 in D 3.15 in
Frechilla Abstract Aluminum Bronze Sculpture, Signed, Numbered 123/500, 1970s
By Lorenzo Frechilla del Rey
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Sculpture titled Composición de Tubos y esfera de bronce (Composition of Tubes and Bronze Sphere) by the Spanish artist Lorenzo Frechilla (1927-1990). This piece is a compelling exam...
Aluminum, Bronze
Bird High Bronze Sculpture
Located in Paris, FR
Sculpture Bird High Bronze all in solid bronze, lost wax bronze technic. On bronze base, base dimensions: L60xD30xH3cm.
Bronze
Sold
H 7.63 in W 4.25 in D 3.25 in
Postmodern Art Glass Sculpture by Architect Frank Gehry for Swid Powell Co.
By Swid Powell, Frank Gehry
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial limited edition designer Postmodern art glass sculpture vessel glass goblet designed and signed by architect Frank Gehry for Swid Powell Co., circa 1990s....
Glass
Sold
H 14.5 in W 14.5 in D 7 in
Frank Gehry Modern Corrugated Cardboard and Cork 9 Bottle Wine Rack, circa 1980s
By Frank Gehry
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic modern design piece by famed American architect/ designer Frank Gehry. Made from corrugated cardboard and cork. Becoming quite rare and hard to find these days. A mus...
Cork, Paper
Stunning Archimede Seguso Murano Vase by Frank Gehry for Tiffany and Co.
By Archimede Seguso, Frank Gehry, Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
A stunning Archimede Seguso Murano vase designed by Frank Gehry for Tiffany and Co. Handblown Venetian Murano glass displays the essence of legendar...
Blown Glass
Frank Gehry Fish Sculpture by Archimede Seguso for "Tiffany & Co."
By Frank Gehry
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Extraordinarily rare fish sculpture designed by noted architect Frank Gehry. Executed in 2006 by Archimede Seguso and retailed through the Tiffany "Blue Book." Fewer than ten example...
Sterling Silver