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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.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Period: 1920s
Set of Four Vintage Weights, circa 1920
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of four vintage weights: 5, 2, 1 and a half kilograms. By unknown manufacturer, circa 1920. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with...
Category

1920s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Marble and Glass Abstract Sculpture
Located in Dallas, TX
Original Abstract Marble and Glass sculpture signed “G.G. Rivers 2006”. Perfect for Hallway decoration or Home office decor.
Category

1920s South American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Napoleone Martinuzzi for Venini Red Cactus Succulent Sculpture, Signed, 1929
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Napoleone Martinuzzi for Venini red Cactus Succulent sculpture, Signed, 1929. Exceedingly rare example of a signed Venini succulent by Matinuzzi. Museum-worthy masterwork by Martinuzzi during his groundbreaking tenure as artistic director of Venini. Large-scale. Original brass frame. This stunning pulegoso glass and gold leaf “pianta grassa” is in very good antique condition with no apparent signs of repair. Acid etched Venini signature is at bottom. Lovely contrasting white glass rim on pot. Playful use of co lot with the green pot...
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Important Pair of Constructivist Table Lamps in the Style of Alexandre Rodchenko
By Alexandre Rodtchenko
Located in New York, NY
Rare pair of handmade Mid-Century wood table lamps with sculptural bases utilizing constructivist and cubist principles. Each lamp is different and complimentary to each other both r...
Category

1920s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Wood

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Large Original Vintage Map of Australia, circa 1920
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Great map of Australia Original color. Good condition Published by Alexander Gross Unframed.
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Large Original Vintage Map of Australia, circa 1920
Large Original Vintage Map of Australia, circa 1920
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Vintage Murano Glass Decorative Item of a Fig by Martinuzzi for Venini, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1930s. This fig is made by Napoleone Martinuzzi for Venini in Murano glass. This item might show slight traces of use since it's vintage as a chip on the top, but it ...
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Vintage Murano Glass Decorative Set of Three Tangerines by Martinuzzi for Venini
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1930s. These tangerines are made by Napoleone Martinuzzi for Venini in Murano glass. These items might show slight traces of use since they are vintage as a chip on t...
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Napoleone Martinuzzi Attr. for Venini 'A Bolle' Vase, ca. 1927
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Napoleone Martinuzzi attr. for Venini 'A Bolle' Vase ca. 1927 A large 'soffiato a bolle' vase in amber glass with regular air bubbles. Attributed to Napoleone Martinuzzi, manufactur...
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Early 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

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Art Glass, Murano Glass

Venini Deco Glass Vase in Horizon Blue by Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase in horizon blue designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in 1930. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Also available in other colors...
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

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Murano Glass Abstract Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
This graceful work consists of a clear glass flame-like design on a cylindrical frosted glass base. The piece has an ethereal quality about it, and can add star power to a room witho...
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20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

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Murano Glass Abstract Sculpture
Murano Glass Abstract Sculpture
H 24 in W 6 in D 6 in
Chess Set by Marco Celotti Circa 1970
Located in Hudson, NY
A one of a kind chess set by Italian American artist Marco Celotti. Created circa 1970, the set is quit marvelous. Each figure is filled with detail. Even the individual pawns, each...
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1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

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Pottery

Susan Pelish Glass and Marble Table Sculpture
By Susan Pelish
Located in New York, NY
1990s Etched glass glass sculpture with marble base designed by Susan Pelish, in good vintage original condition with some wear and patina due to ...
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

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Marble

Venini Deco Glass Vase in Apple Green by Napoleone Martinuzzi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini glass vase in apple green designed by Napoleone Martinuzzi in 1930. Perfect for indoor home decor as container or statement piece for any room. Also available in other colors ...
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Large Original Vintage Map of Greece, circa 1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great map of Greece Original color. Good condition Published by Alexander Gross Unframed.
Category

1920s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Paper

Large Original Vintage Map of Greece, circa 1920
Large Original Vintage Map of Greece, circa 1920
No Reserve
H 19.5 in W 25 in D 0.07 in
Abstract Marble Sculpture
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
One-of-a-kind abstract marble sculpture by Montreal sculptor Kevin Noordberg. Signed and dated.
Category

2010s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Abstract Marble Sculpture
Abstract Marble Sculpture
H 9.75 in Dm 6.5 in
Brass Pair of Owl Table Lamps from Loevsky & Loevsky, 1960s
Located in Verviers, BE
Charming sculptural brass owl lamp made by Loevsky & Loevsky and sold by Deknudt lighting company. Loevsky & Loevsky produced these table lamps from the...
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1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures

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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.

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