Modern Sculptures and Carvings
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Item Ships From: USA
Style: Modern
Japanese Bamboo Art Sculpture Kawashima Shigeo Soul's Trance
Located in Atlanta, GA
A contemporary bamboo sculpture art pieces by Japanese artist Kawashima Shigeo (1958-). Entitled
"Soul's Trace", this bespoken piece was made in 2009 and purchased from Tai Modern, ...
Category
Early 2000s Japanese Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bamboo, Thread
William Taggart "Berserk" Mixed Media, 1979
Located in New York, NY
William Bill Taggart (American, 1936-2007) "Berserk" Mixed Media, 1979, acrylic painting on foam and linen in two pieces, signed, titled, and dated to reverse. Provenance: From a 63...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Foam
Folkloric Style Polychrome Tiger Sculptures, 2
Located in New York, NY
Pair of folkloric style polychrome decorated tiger sculptures, possibly southeast Asian.
Category
20th Century Unknown Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Ronald K. Parker "Life" Bronze Sculpture, 1999
Located in New York, NY
Ronald K. Parker (American, b. 1939) "Life" Verdigris Patinated Bronze Sculpture, 1999, signed "Parker" and marked "c 99 21/99" to leg.
Dealer: S138XX
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Ronald K. Parker "Love" Bronze Sculpture, 1999
Located in New York, NY
Ronald K. Parker (American, b. 1939) "Love" Honey Verdigris Bronze Sculpture, 1999, signed "Parker" and marked "c 99 40/99" to leg.
Dealer:...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Ruben Hernandez "Untitled" Bronze Sculpture, 1988
Located in New York, NY
Ruben Hernandez (Mexican, 20th-21st Century), Untitled, Abstracted Bronze Sculpture, 1988, labeled to base "Ruben Hernandez G, Escultor, 1988". Provenance: from 200 E 89th.
Dealer: ...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
LeRoy Neiman "Defiant" Bronze Sculpture, 1983
Located in New York, NY
LeRoy Neiman (American, 1921-2012), "Defiant", Patinated Bronze Sculpture, 1983, signature and numbered edition 283 of 350 to reverse.
Dealer: S138XX
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Subirachs "Untitled" Bronze Sculpture, 1982
Located in New York, NY
Subirachs (Josep Maria Subirachs, Spanish, 1927-2014), "Untitled", Bronze Sculpture, numbered and stamped in cast “56/250 RKP Int. Corp c. 1982”. Provenance: From the collection of t...
Category
Late 20th Century Spanish Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Cast Concrete Sculpture of a Skull
Located in New York City, NY
Cast Concrete Sculpture of a Skull
Cast concrete skull with marks of blue and white paint.
Additional Information:
Materials: Cast Concrete
Origin: United States
Period: 1980-1999
...
Category
20th Century American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Concrete
Baccarat France Crystal Cobalt Blue Glass Parrot Paperweight
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Baccarat French cobalt blue glass parrot paperweight.
Baccarat France crystal cobalt blue glass parrot bird paperweight figurine
A finely stunning dee...
Category
20th Century French Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Crystal
Japanese Bamboo Basket Ikebana by Abe Motoshi
By Abe Motoshi
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese Ikebana bamboo basket woven by artist Abe Motoshi (Japanese, b. 1942). Constructed with lacquered reddish Madake bamboo and rattan with technique of open and irregular twinning, the basket features an organic form with undulating woven surface with wavy crossing lines. The basket appears simple and refined, but the making process is deceivingly sophisticated. Clean and precise, it is of the signature style of Abe Motoshi's.
The basket is signed on the base. It comes with the original tomobako storage box with inscription of the title on the lid as well as the artist's name and seal under the lead. A yellow wrapping cloth and a printout of the artist's biography from Tai Modern...
Category
Early 2000s Japanese Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Japanese Woven Ikebana Hanging Basket by Suemura Shobun
By Suemura Shobun
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese woken bamboo Hanakago, a wall hanging Ikebana basket by Suemura Shobun (1917-2000). The basket is entitled Purple Bamboo Mt. Fuji and was woven with Susudake (smoked bamboo) using irregular plaiting technique to achieve a voluminous form that resembles the iconic Mount Fuji and with the textural appearance of a bird's nest. The base was detailed with mushi-maki knotting and the mouth rim is equipped with a small loop for hanging. The surface has a lustrous lacquer coating that shows off the natural pattern of the bamboo marking. It houses a removable lacquered container made from bamboo culm. The piece is not singed, but it comes with an original fabric stroage pouch, and an original storage box (Tomobako), which is signed with the title on the esterior Mt. Fuji Purple Bamboo” and signed Suemura Shobun on the inside with two red seals.
Suemura Shobun was from Kansai region and active in Osaka. He studies under Yamamoto Chikuryosai I. Shobun is known for making unconventional baskets that are modern and sculptural.
For reference, see page 94 Master of Bamboo" Rinne.
For a recently sold basket...
Category
20th Century Japanese Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bamboo
Korean Contemporary Buncheong Ceramic Sculpture by Sung Jae Choi
By Sung Jae Choi
Located in Atlanta, GA
A ceramic sculpture piece created in the tradition of Buncheong ware by contemporary Korean ceramicist Sung Jae Choi (South Korean, b. 1962). In a hollow rectangular with slight irregularity of being hand-made, the piece evokes the distant memory of the stoneware pillow...
Category
Early 2000s Korean Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Ceramic
Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Sculpture by Kawano Shoko
By Kawano Shoko
Located in Atlanta, GA
A contemporary Japanese bamboo sculpture entitled Light at Dawn (Gyoko) made in 2004 by Kawano Shoko (B. 1957). This airy piece is unconventi...
Category
Early 2000s Japanese Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Robert Lee Morris "Brass Stack" Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Robert Lee Morris , "Brass Stack" 1980's, hammered brass, signed Verso.
Category
20th Century American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Brass
Robert Lee Morris "Sail" Nickel Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Robert Lee Morris, "Sail" 1980's, Nickel-plate, Signed Verso.
Category
20th Century American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Nickel
Japanese Okimono of a Shunga Lady Playing a Biwa
Located in New York, NY
Japanese Heisei period wood carved okimono of a shunga lady playing a Biwa. Made during the Heisei period in circa 1990, the piece remains in remarkable vintage condition with age-ap...
Category
1990s Japanese Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Robert Lee Morris "Large Double Stack" Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Robert Lee Morris , "Large Double Stack" 1980's, Hammered brass, Signed Verso.
Category
20th Century American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Brass
Robert Lee Morris, "Mobile" Nickel Panel Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Robert Lee Morris "Mobile" 1980's Nickel rectangular panels supported on a black rectangular base (Signed Verso).
Category
20th Century American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Nickel
"The Rust' Three Sculptures by Japanese Artist Aijiro Wakita
By Aijiro Wakita
Located in Dallas, TX
Three sculptures from the series "The Rust" by renowned Japanese artist Aijiro Wakita, from a very prominent collection in Dallas The sculptures, were...
Category
1980s Japanese Vintage Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Cut Steel
Signed Rollin Karg Abstract Art Glass Sculpture
By Rollin Karg
Located in Pasadena, TX
Rollin Karg, is a renowned glass artisan from the Midwest who designs and creates small and massive sculptural pieces from molten glass, usually shaped in a freeform, asymmetrical ...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Art Glass
Yeo Byong-Uk Korean Multi-Fired Stoneware Pottery Ceramic Vessel Vase Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
Breathtaking in execution and form. Minimalist in design yet commanding the viewer's attention. This amazing piece is by Korean contemporary ceramist Yeo Byong-uk who is predominantl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Korean Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Stoneware
LeRoy Neiman "Vigilant" Bronze Sculpture, 1987
Located in New York, NY
LeRoy Neiman (American, 1921-2012), "Defiant", Patinated Bronze Sculpture, 1983, signature and numbered edition 283 of 350 to reverse.
Dealer: S138XX
Category
20th Century American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Rachel Whiteread "Herringbone Floor" Engraving
Located in New York, NY
Dame Rachel Whiteread DBE (English, b. 1963), "Herringbone Floor", Relief Engraving. 2001, signed in pencil "RW" and numbered "103/450" lower right, dated and titled lower left.
Di...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Illegibly Signed Contemporary Art Sculpture, 2000
Located in New York, NY
Wall mounted Illegibly Signed Painted Wood Sculpture, 2000, signed and dated to verso.
Dealer: S138XX
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
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Previously Available Items
LeRoy Neiman "Vigilant" Bronze Sculpture, 1987
Located in New York, NY
LeRoy Neiman (American, 1921-2012), "Defiant", Patinated Bronze Sculpture, 1983, signature and numbered edition 283 of 350 to reverse.
Dealer: S138XX
Category
20th Century American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Rachel Whiteread "Herringbone Floor" Engraving
Located in New York, NY
Dame Rachel Whiteread DBE (English, b. 1963), "Herringbone Floor", Relief Engraving. 2001, signed in pencil "RW" and numbered "103/450" lower right, dated and titled lower left.
Di...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Illegibly Signed Contemporary Art Sculpture, 2000
Located in New York, NY
Wall mounted Illegibly Signed Painted Wood Sculpture, 2000, signed and dated to verso.
Dealer: S138XX
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Joan Shapiro Reclining Odalisque Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Joan Hyde Shapiro (American, XX-XXI) white alabaster stone sculpture carved into a reclining nude female figure, signed to reverse, mounted on a black lacquered base. Provenance: Fr...
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Joan Shapiro Abstract Alabaster Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Joan Hyde Shapiro (American, XX-XXI) Modern abstract veined gray white alabaster stone sculpture carved into an organic freeform shape with central rectangular cutout, signed to reve...
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Getto, "Virgo" Polished Bronze Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Getto (American, XX) "Virgo" a Polished Bronze Sculpture, signed "Getto" to back of plinth and further inscribed "Virgo 101 / 365".
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Louis Mendez Art Pottery Horse Sculptures, 8
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Louis Mendez (American, 1929-2012), Eight Ceramic Horse Sculptures, each signed on base. Provenance: Property from the estate of the artist Louis Mendez.
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Japanese Modern Bamboo Sculptural Basket Nakatomi Hajime
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A striking hand-woven bamboo flower basket (ikebana) in the shape of a flying saucer by Japanese artist Nakatomi Hajime (born 1974). Made in 2007, the piece is entitled "Step by Step" and was purchased from Tai Modern...
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Esther Shimazu Signed Japanese Hawaiin American Sculpture Woman with Cat
By Esther Shimazu
Located in Studio City, CA
A quite wonderful and whimsical work by Japanese American Hawaiin artist Esther Shimazu. Shimazu is the granddaughter of Japanese immigrants and was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawa...
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Indonesian Stone Coin
Located in New York, NY
A black stone coin from Indonesia, mounted on a black metal stand.
14 inches in diameter, 20 inches high. Stand dimensions: 4.5" x 7.5".
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Robert Lee Morris "Copper Sack" Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Robert Lee Morris, "Copper Stack" 1980's, Hammered Copper, Signed Verso.
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Copper
Robert Lee Morris "Sail" Silver Sculpture
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Robert Lee Morris, "Sail" 1980's, sterling silver, Signed Verso.
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Modern sculptures and carvings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern sculptures and carvings for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sculptures and carvings created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern sculptures and carvings made in a specific country, there are Europe, Peru, and South America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sculptures and carvings, popular names associated with this style include LAAB Milano, Salvador Dalí, RAAQUU, and Robert Lee Morris. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for sculptures and carvings differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $295 and tops out at $450,000 while the average work can sell for $2,800.
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