Skip to main content

Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

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.

2
227
15
12
to
26
140
110
254
251
254
286
254
20
16
13
6
3
3
3
1
1
1
227
27
1
101
99
1
1
17
40
44
12
1
Height
to
Width
to
110
91
34
31
27
140
90
83
38
35
9
9
8
7
7
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Color:  Black
Glass Vase, Anonymous, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vase, anonymous, Sweden, 1950s. Glass. Dimensions: H: 52.5 cm/ 21" D: 8.5 cm/ 3 1/2"
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Modernist Abstract Welded Steel Sculpture "Explosion" by Robert Brock
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist abstract welded steel sculpture "Explosion" by Robert Brock. Intricately designed, precision welded steel rods, intentionally made to look as if it was blasted open, truly ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Large Carved and Polished Onyx Sculpture of Mother and Daughter Theme
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Modern abstract sculpture of mother and daughter. Large and heavy carved solid onyx black marble.
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Albert Feraud Brutalist Mid-Century Modern Abstract Metal Sculpture, France
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Mid-Century Modern steel table top abstract sculpture by internationally recognized French artist Albert Feraud, (1921-2008) Paris, France. Sculpture sign on base. Circa 1960's. Feraud created his unique sculptures from found materials from scrap metal and sky scrappers. Albert Féraud studied at the schools of fine arts of Montpellier, Marseille and Paris in the studio of Alfred Janniot...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Steel

Geometric Abstract Ceramic Plate with Black Color Decoration French Design 1950
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Abbaye du bec, circa 1950 French abstract ceramic plate. Decorative wall ceramic plate with black and brown abstract decoration. Perfec...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Modern Ceramic Sculptural Vase
Located in Pasadena, CA
This vase features a high glazed ruby base contrasting with rope-styled center and top areas varying from matt to upper areas glazed in olive green.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Abstract Mid-Century Modern Brass Composite Sculpture on Black Wooden Base 1970s
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern abstract patinated brass composite sculpture on black wooden swivel base, 1970s.
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Composition, Brass

Tony Rosenthal "Thunderclap" Wall Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Tony Rosenthal "Thunderclap" Wall Sculpture Sculpture by Rosenthal, torch-cut and burnished aluminum. Etched signature lower right corner Rosenthal 61 And on back "THUNDERCLAP" 61 Ca...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Aluminum

1980s Bruno Contenotte Italian Pottery Abstract Art Ceramic Sculpture
Located in Brescia, IT
Silver, gold and black ceramic. 1983, Bruno Contenotte Perfect condition Measure: H 24 cm.
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

Alessandro Mendini Contemporary Modern Colored Ceramic Italian TOTEM
Located in Madrid, ES
TOTEM "Criso" made in enameled ceramic, designed by Alessandro Mendini. Signed and numbered at base. Alessandro Mendini was an Italian designer and architect who played an important...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Enamel

Tea-Pot Sculpture by French Jean Fontaine Abstract Colors Mechanical Forms
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Jean Fontaine Beautiful sculptural tea-pot. Signed by the French artist. Decorative French art with abstract colors and mechanical forms. Excellent original condition. Di...
Category

Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Black Midcentury Ceramic Sculpture by Tim Orr, circa 1980
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Tim Orr Black stoneware ceramic sculpture by the artist Tim Orr Realized circa 1980 Elegant abstract form with black ceramic color Signed under the base Original perfe...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Curtis Jere Midcentury Brutalist Welded and Torched Metal Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
A Curtis Jere 1960s-1970s midcentury Brutalist sculpture made of torched and welded metal on top of a faux cement base. Signed Curtis Jere on the base. Original burnished torched pat...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Contemporary Josecho López Llorens Geometric Black Lacquered Pine Wood Sculpture
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Modern geometric sculpture model "Spiral 11008" designed by Josecho López Llorens. Made of pine wood board finished in finished in black lacquer with beta. Made in Spain. Josecho ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Pine

1960s Brutalist Spheric Globe Nail Spike Table Sculpture Nuclear Atomic Era
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful airy design, for such brutal components.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Elegant Curtis Jere Table Art Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant Jere table art sculpture Comprised of three metal finishes. Black, brass and mat silver. Marble base. Signed and dated (1993) on the base. Dimension...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Midcentury French Modern Enameled Brass Geometric Lamp Pair, Maison Barbier
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Midcentury French modern enameled brass geometric lamp pair, Maison Barbier, 1970s. Rare sculptural mod-century pair. Lamp bodies comprised of two...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Bronze Abstract Sculpture on Marble Base, Signed D. Angelo
Located in New York, NY
An abstract sculpture in textured bronze, circa 1960s, deftly mounted above a black marble base with veining, signed [D. Angelo A/P]. Both sculpture and base...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Stone Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Solid stone sculpture, polished stone sculpture.
Category

1960s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Vintage Abstract Iron Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage modern abstract iron sculpture is very odd and would make a great addition to any home. (Please confirm item location NY or NJ with dealer).         
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Handwrought Cactus Coat Hall Tree /Umbrella Stand Entrance Sculpture
By Giocometti
Located in Westport, CT
Handwrought iron and steel cactus sculpture coat rack umbrella stand, all in heavy gauge iron hand-hammered, dark charcoal grey and iron patina, in very fine condition. Made in two s...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel, Iron

Cut Metal Brutalist Modern Abstract Cat Standing Sculpture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Studio made artist signed Brutalist cut steel abstract standing sculpture standing on 15x15" square metal plate base. Paul Evans Erwine & E...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Studio Pottery Glazed Stoneware Sculptural Box Signed "Polk 70"
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1970 Polk stoneware "box" with a high-gloss black glaze blended with white, resulting in a smudged black and almost pink base color with burnt orange banding. Crude by design with an...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Stoneware

1950s Surrealist Modern Patinated Bronze on Marble Base Sculpture
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Large-scale sculpture, resembling an abstract underwater sea creature, in the style of master artist Joan Miró. Materials are patinated bronze attached to a white marble base. Sculp...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Classic 8 Arm, 16 Bulb Italian Modern Chrome Chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic 8 arm, 16 bulb Italian modern chrome chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari..Amazing design, arms can be adjusted in multi-position. As desired. Presently 39 i...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Midcentury Harry Bertoia Sonambient Sculpture
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...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Copper

Bronze Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculpture by Albers Henselmann
Located in North Miami, FL
This heavy bronze abstract Mid-Century Modern sculpture entitled "Worshipper" is by a sculptor named Albers Henselmann, circa 1890-1974. The original label is on the bottom. From eve...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Clyde Burt Figural Ceramic Face on Plinth
Located in Chicago, IL
Clyde Burt figural ceramic face on attached plinth in glazed stoneware and hand painted face. Signature to underside: [CB].
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Brutal Art Light Scupture
Located in Munich, DE
Handmade iron sculpture from the 1960s. / unsigned.
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Vintage Joseph Burlini Bronze Sculpture or Artist Proof
Located in Chicago, IL
Sensual form. Signed and dated vintage work by Joseph Burlini. Signed "Joseph A. Burlini, 1980, AP." Dimensions include the base. It may be desirable to remount the bronze onto a...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Urbano Zaccagnini Ceramic 'Tribal' Mask Bowl
Located in Sharon, CT
A low intaglio relief of a tribal mask, white crackle glaze on brown fired clay. Remnants of painted signature on bottom.
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Weeping Willow Sculpture by Brian Bijan
By Brian Bijan
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Very attractive weeping willow tree sculpture by Brian Bijan. Tree is made with mixed copper and brass metal supported by a quartz stone base. Stamped 1...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Quartz, Metal, Brass, Copper

Sculpture "Leaves" Shaped by the Danish Glass Artist Lene Bødker, 2010-2011
Located in Lejre, DK
Captivating Sculpture 'Leaves' by Danish Glass Artist Lene Bødker (born 1958), crafted in 2010-2011: An exquisite manifestation of artistic brilliance and craftsmanship. This stunni...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Modernist Abstract Table Sculpture by Don Frost, after Noguchi
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large modernist abstract table sculpture by Don Frost, one of his earlier works. Most likely a study, maquette for an eventual larger sculptur...
Category

1970s Canadian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Plaster, Rope

Yves Rhayé '1936-1995' Large Terracotta Sculpture, circa 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Yves Rhayé (1936-1995) large terracotta sculpture, circa 1970.
Category

1970s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Glazed Terracotta, Italy, circa 1970-1980
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Glazed terracotta, Italy, circa 1970-1980.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Modernist Handcrafted Copper Wire and Lucite "Lite-Up" Base Tree Sculpture
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist handcrafted copper wire and Lucite "lite-up" base tree sculpture, unsigned, very well executed, twisted copper wire with mesh leaves, black acrylic base, on off light source.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Copper

Walther Bosse for Hertha Baller Blackface Sculpture
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual blackface head/sculpture by Walther Bosse for Hertha Baller, circa early 1950s.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Shlomi Haziza Mid-Century Modern Abstract Lucite Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Shlomi Haziza Mid-Century Modern abstract multicolored acrylic Lucite sculpture.
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Acrylic, Lucite

Untitled Abstract Sculpture by David Haskell
Located in New York, NY
Abstract sculpture with dark blue glazes. Artist-signed.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Pierre Charbin Resin Sculpture, 1980s
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
In 1970s Pierre Charbin (Gilles his real name) created most of his pieces in resin. This amber sculpture color is unique with inclusions inside, it com...
Category

1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Resin

Set of 2 Ceramic Studio Pottery Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, Germany, 1980s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Ceramic stoneware object set of 2 Designer and producer: Gerhard Liebenthron Information: Gerhard Liebenthron, Bremen 1925-2005 Decade: 1980s Th...
Category

Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware

Signed Rusted Steel Mid-Century Modern Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern rusted steel indoor or outdoor table sculpture. Signed and dated on the bottom.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Theo Niermeijer Abstract Modern Screws Sculpture, 1970
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice iron sculpture designed by Theo Niermeijer (1940-2005) Amsterdam, 1970. This large and heavy sculpture is made of oxidized metal, cut and welded into this abstract modern s...
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Large Portoro Marble Sculpture by JF Bourdier
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large Portoro marble sculpture with white estremoz base by the talented French artist J F Bourdier
Category

Early 2000s French Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Mid-Century Modern Hand Carved Grisaille Granite Sculpture on Custom Swivel Base
Located in New York, NY
This dynamic and refined Mid-Century Modern sculpture was realized in the United States, circa 1970. It features a TOTEM hand carved form consisting of various tiers of grisaille granite- replete with a rich and organic innate texture. The granite form, suggesting an abstracted corkscrew, is both austere (suggesting the highly reductive forms of Constantin Brancusi) and dynamic, full of verve and energy. The piece sits on a custom swivel...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Granite

Unique Mid-Century Hand-Forged Wrought Iron Magazine Stand with Stylized Tree
Located in Lisse, NL
Artistic and perfect condition Mid-Century magazine and newspaper stand. For the collectors of stylish, decorative, practical and handcra...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Wrought Iron

Curtis Jere Brass Spray Sculpture on Marble Base with Pedestal
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
A large brass sculpture by Curtis Jere for Artisan House with swooping ribbon forms, ending in a multi-rod spray with chrome beads. The sculpture sits in a cylindrical marble base. I...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Mid-Century Modern Heavy Carved Marble Sculpture on Revolving Pedestal
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Nice Mid-Century Modern carved marble "Three Graces" sculpture on revolving pedestal.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Marshall Cunningham Constructivist Sculpture
By Marshall Cunningham
Located in Dallas, TX
Abstract modernist steel sculpture produced by Texas artist Marshall Cunningham. This sculpture was a private commission for the Norman V. Kinsey family of Shreveport LA. It is about...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Aluminum Paper Mixing Blade Sculpture Model II
Located in Oakville, CT
Aluminum Paper Mixing Blade Sculpture Model II. Complete set of three available. Aluminum on steel base. Measures: 52" in height, 19" in width, 14" in depth. Base is 14" x 14".
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Aluminum, Steel

Brutalist Welded Steel Sculpture by California Artist Paul Kasper
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Welded steel Brutalist sculpture by Paul Kasper, circa 1960s. Was purchased from the estate of Paul Kasper. Biography Paul Kasper. Paul Charles Kasper was born in Whiting, I...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

John Risley Metal Sculpture
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual sculpture by John Risley, circa 1960s. Could be hung or stand on a pedestal.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Pair of Rebajes Copper Mid-Century Modern Candlesticks
Located in North Miami, FL
These lovely pair of signed Mid-Century Modern Rebajes midcentury candlesticks have blackened copper with alternating copper forms. They resemble origami folds in metal. They are scu...
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Copper

Modernist Abstract Steel Sculpture, Brutalist Guitar by John Metzen
By John Metzan
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist abstract sculpture, Brutalist guitar by John Metzen. Wonderful use of color, texture and space, twisted steel and blue coated wire.
Category

Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel, Wire

Pair of Mid-Century Pop Art / 'Arte Povera' Oil Barrel Lounge Chairs, c. 1960
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Artist conceived, Industrial design armchairs or club chairs re-purposed from Gulf Oil barrels and reflecting a modern 1960s counter-cultural aesthe...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Ceramic Sculptures by Marianna von Allesch
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A superb handcrafted naturalistic grouping of fruits and vegetables in painted ceramic, glass and rattan-wrapped metal. Created by Marianna von Allesch, ci...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Wire

Modern Geometric Steel Sculpture
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Modern geometric steel sculpture, painted metal with tall black central support, added red circle, and black panels with attached white elements. The b...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Mid-century Modern abstract sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern abstract sculptures 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 abstract sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern abstract sculptures made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original abstract sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Joel Escalona, Curtis Jeré, Carstens Tönnieshof, and Gerhard Liebenthron. 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 abstract sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $76 and tops out at $260,000 while the average work can sell for $1,960.

Recently Viewed

View All