Val Bertoia was born in Santa Monica, California, in 1949. In the 1950s, his family moved from California to Pennsylvania, where he has lived and worked ever since.
In the 1960s, Bertoia studied mechanical engineering at Indiana Institute of Technology in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. In 1969, he was awarded “Speaker of the Year” at Indiana Tech. In 1971, he was released from Ft. Dix, New Jersey, from the US Army to return back to Pennsylvania.
Bertoia started working at a farm near his home, and soon afterward, his father, Harry Bertoia, asked him to work at Bertoia Studio with him. He worked with his father from 1972–78. The “sound sculpture” environment, which Harry continued to focus on for 10 years beginning in 1968, is trademarked “Sonambient.” Harry and Val installed large-scale commissioned metal sculptures, and Harry was amazed with his son’s level of precision and engineering abilities and often asked his advice.
In the late 1970s, Harry and Val made Bertoia sound sculptures for distribution worldwide. During those six years, Val worked on his own projects, which included wind-electric systems as derivatives of kinetic sculpture models. Harry was an intuitive engineer, and Val's wind systems, the heights of which reached over 90 feet, were refined by Harry and became well-balanced with a U.S. patent.
In 1978, continuing where Harry left off — and with the encouragement of his mother, Brigitta Bertoia — Val proceeded with the sculpture business of his father's legacy. Val Bertoia sculptures made after November 1978, when Harry died, are numbered, starting with “B-01.”
Find authentic Val Bertoia sculptures and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Bertoia Sonambient Sculpture Beryllium Rod
By Val Bertoia
Located in Wilmington, DE
Bertoia Sonambient sculpture. Offered is a beautifully unique sculpture by Bertoia studios (Val). Titled "4 Love Clover of Sound". The piece is made of Beryllium Copper...
Brass, Copper
$28,880Sale Price|24% Off
Large-Scale Val Bertoia Sonambient 'Sound Screen' Sculpture, Signed and Numbered
By Val Bertoia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A monumental four foot tall Sonambient sound sculpture titled 'Sound Screen' by Val Bertoia, dated 2013 and signed, stamped, and documented by the artist. This large-scale example, n...
Copper, Nickel
2019 Val Bertoia Sonambient Sculpture with 5 Brass Cat-Tail Tops
By Val Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Sonambient Wire Sculpture, created by Val Bertoia. This particular example was produced in 2019. The design features five brass rods arranged in a sculptural wire compositi...
Brass, Bronze
Mid Century Modern Floor Sound Sculpture by Val Bertoia in Copper & Brass
By Val Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stunning sound sculpture made by Val Bertoia. Makes a beautiful chime when played. Comprised of brass and beryllium copper. Gorgeous patina and comes with COA from the Bertoia Studio.
Brass, Copper
"Strum to Hum the Boomerang of Sound" Sonambient Sculpture by Val Bertoia
By Val Bertoia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Strum to Hum the Boomerang of Sound" is a sonambient sculpture by Val Bertoia consisting of 50 beryllium copper rods which strike together and chime when touched by hand or by the w...
Brass, Copper
$600Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.5 in W 7.75 in D 8.5 in
Cat Tail and Duck Sculpture on Onyx Base by C. Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool sculpture of a duck floating on a pond with cat tails in the background on a solid block of white onyx by C. Jere, circa 1970s. The piece i...
Quartz, Bronze
$1,350
H 48.04 in W 7.49 in D 7.49 in
Sonambient Cattails Sound Sculpture in the Manner of Harry Bertoia
By Harry Bertoia
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Vintage Sonambient cattails sound sculpture in the manner of Harry Bertoia circa 1970. It is in great vintage condition with patina throughout, four rows of four copper colored sound...
Metal, Brass
Harry Bertoia Gilt Bronze, Brass and Steel Dandelion Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Bertoia's Dandelion form is widely regarded to be the apex of his career. An overwhelming physical presence is balanced by its truly delicate nature. A gilt bronze central sphere is ...
Granite, Brass, Bronze
$575Sale Price|50% Off
H 19 in W 6 in D 12 in
Mid-Century Modern Hanging Toucan Sculpture Handcrafted Brass Copper Mexico 1970
By Sergio Bustamante
Located in Toronto, CA
A striking vintage toucan sculpture, handcrafted in Mexico during the 1970s, in the distinctive style of Sergio Bustamante. This life-size bird is beautifully detailed in a mix of co...
Brass, Copper, Metal
Val Bertoia Sound Sculptures, 2012
By Val Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary artist Val Bertoia's pair of Sound Sculptures made in 2012 are part of the Bertoia Sonambient series. The full circle piece is made of 10 ...
Brass, Copper
Val Bertoia Corner Sound Sculpture, 2008
By Harry Bertoia, Val Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary artist Val Bertoia's Corner Sound Sculpture made in 2008 is part of the Bertoia Sonambient series. It's made of 11 copper tops silvered to monel rods then silvered to a ...
Brass, Copper
Midcentury Harry Bertoia Sonambient Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Midcentury Harry Bertoia Sonambient sculpture featuring seven black monel "cat-tail" tops silvered to beryllium. Copper rods silvered to brass base. In fin...
Brass, Copper
$32,500
H 36 in W 24 in D 24 in
Val Bertoia Double Vertical Spray Sculpture, Steel Wires with Brass Base, 2014
By Harry Bertoia, Val Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary artist Val Bertoia's Double Vertical Spray Sculpture made in 2014. This Kinetic sculpture was made by cutting one grouping of stainless-steel wires that were made by Har...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Harry Bertoia Multi-Plane Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Multi-plane sculpture by Harry Bertoia made of steel and molten brass. This was a working model for a large commission installation of ten sculptures ...
Brass, Steel
Harry Bertoia Bush Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
"Untitled" (Bush) Sculpture by Harry Bertoia, circa 1970's made of welded bronze. Harry Bertoia, was an Italian-born American artist, sound art sculptor, and...
Bronze
Harry Bertoia Bronze Multi-Plane Cube Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine example from this series of work. The surface of the brass-coated bronze plates show a stunning Patinated irregular surface in rouge reds, gold and Verdi gris green Possibl...
Bronze
$1,245
H 10.75 in W 6 in D 5 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Torch Cut Atlas Sculpture in Copper & Steel
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Expressive metal sculpture depicting an Atlas-inspired figure supporting a pierced globe overhead. Coiled gold-tone metal defines the figure’s limbs and torso, contrasting with the d...
Stone, Copper, Cut Steel
$40,000
H 47 in W 12 in D 11 in
Large Bertoia Studios 32-Rod 'Sounding Chess / B-2466' Copper & Brass Sculpture
By Val Bertoia, Harry Bertoia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Bertoia Studios 32-Rod 'Sounding Chess / B-2466' copper & brass sculpture. A lyrical and musical sound sculpture with certificate of authenticity signed by Val, the artist and son of the original designer, Harry Bertoia. Hand made at the original Bertoia...
Silver, Brass, Copper
Sold|$40,000
H 50 in W 12 in D 11 in
Large Bertoia Studios 10-Rod 'B-2700' Brass, Copper & Silver Sound Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia, Val Bertoia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Bertoia Studios 10-Rod 'B-2700' Brass, Copper & Silver Sound Sculpture. A lyrical and musical sound sculpture with certificate of authenticity signed b...
Silver, Brass, Copper
Large Willow Sculpture by Harry Bertoia
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Atlanta, GA
Stunning wire sculpture by Harry Bertoia (American, 1915-1978). Made of stainless steel in free standing form. Provenance: Purchased directly from the artist by the current owner in ...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 17.5 in W 11 in D 7 in
Mid Century Abstract Modern Sound Sculpture by Val Bertoia in Copper & Brass
By Val Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stunning sound sculpture made by Val Bertoia. Makes a beautiful chime when played. Comprised of 39 beryllium copper rods silvered to brass base. Stamped and numbered with COA from ...
Brass, Copper, Silver
Panel Mushroom Sculpture by Val Bertoia
By Val Bertoia
Located in Dallas, TX
Panel mushroom sculpture, early work by Val Bertoia. Melted bronze shot into panel as mushroom head on heat pressed copper tube stem on bronze shot melted base. Sold with COA. Beauti...
Bronze
Val Bertoia Sound Spray Prototype Sculpture
By Val Bertoia
Located in Dallas, TX
This sounding spray sculpture was created by artist Val Bertoia in the Harry Bertoia studio. This work consists of approximately 100 beryllium copper rods silvered to brass plate in...
Brass, Copper
20th Century Val Bertoia Sounding Sculpture 'B2398'
By Val Bertoia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sounding sculpture by Val Bertoia (marked B2398). Made from bronze and brass. United States, 20th century. Dimensions: 51.5"H x 11"W x 11"D.
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 42 in W 9.5 in D 9.5 in
Tall Mid Century Modern Floor Sound Sculpture by Val Bertoia in Copper & Brass
By Val Bertoia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stunning tall sound sculpture made by Val Bertoia. Makes a beautiful chime when played. Comprised of brass and beryllium copper. Stamped and numbered with COA from Bertoia Studio.
Brass, Copper
Val Bertoia Sounding Sculpture B2398, 20th Century
By Val Bertoia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Val Bertoia sounding sculpture B2398. Bronze and brass. United States / 20th century.
Brass, Bronze, Copper
Val Bertoia Sounding Sculpture B2390, 20th Century
By Val Bertoia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Val Bertoia sounding sculpture B2390. Bronze and Brass. United States / 20th century.
Brass, Bronze, Copper
Val Bertoia 20-Rod Sonambient Sound Sculpture
By Val Bertoia, Harry Bertoia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Val Bertoia 20-Rod Sonambient sound sculpture. A lyrical sculpture with “Certificate of Authenticity” signed by the artist and son of the original designer, Harry Bertoia. Comprised ...
Brass, Silver, Copper
Two Circle Sounds Sculpture by Val Bertoia
By Val Bertoia
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vertical bronze sculpture with sonambient style flexible rods. Impressed B-1038 to base. From a Manhattan, NY estate. Dimensions: 6" w x 4.75" d x 40.25" h overall. Good original con...
Bronze