Skip to main content

Modern Abstract Sculptures

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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.

4
to
4
4
4
4
26
13
1
1
2
3
625
2,090
7
111
419
2
3
14
50
140
102
73
Height
to
Width
to
2
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
Style: Modern
Period: 1930s
"Dark Reflections" a Sculpture by Mac Whitney
Located in Houston, TX
Dark Reflections a sculpture by Mac Whitney (b. 1936) a respected Texas artist most widely noted for his monumental sculptures. The piece is a black polish...
Category

1930s American Vintage Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Acrylic

Pair of Venini Torqued Obelisks
Located in New York, NY
Around 1930 Gio Ponti gave Paolo Venini some sketches for glass obelisks. Shortly thereafter Carlo Scarpa designed for Venini a torqued obelisk in transparent diamante glass -- so na...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Large Bronze Six-Corned Flower Vase with Chain Pattern by Aida Tomiyasu
Located in Stamford, CT
Of ovoid shape with a short neck, each panel of the body decorated with a single vertical band alternating with a double band filled with spirals and lines in relief. Original wooden box, the lid with an inscription reading Seidô ruimon rokugata kabin (bronze six-corned flower vase with chain pattern), the reverse of the lid with inscription reading Teiten shuppin (displayed at Teiten) Tomiyasu saku and sealed Tomi. A bit about the artist- Aida Tomiyasu...
Category

1930s Japanese Vintage Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Owl Titled "Grand Duc" by Francois Pompon
Located in Stamford, CT
A large cast bronze Owl by Francois Pompon, titled "Grand Duc" designed in 1928 and cast between 1934-1939. The patinated bronze is marked with a Fonde...
Category

1930s French Vintage Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Related Items
Shiva Flower Vase by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Shiva flower vase by Ettore Sottsass was designed in 1973 following the inspiration garnered from his love for Catalan women w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Shiva Flower Vase by Ettore Sottsass
Shiva Flower Vase by Ettore Sottsass
H 9.06 in W 6.7 in D 2.76 in
"Chinoise” Sculpture by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney
Located in New York, NY
"Chinoise” Sculpture by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. This sculpture, a self portrait which stylistically mixes Art Nouveau and orientalism, is among her earliest successes. This piec...
Category

Early 20th Century American Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Plaster

Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Bronze Sculpture "Chinoise" circa 1915
Located in San Francisco, CA
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Bronze Sculpture "Chinoise" circa 1915. A standing figure of a woman in a flowing gown with Buddha-like hand gestures standing on a lotus form base. Ma...
Category

Early 20th Century American Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

François Pompon. “Poule”, bronze, 2006 print.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
François Pompon, signed. Atelier Valsuani, edited by. Sculpture entitled “Poule”. Bronze with brown patina, lost wax casting. Stamp of the Foundry “cire perdue C. Valsuani”, on the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Contemporary Pair of Red Marble and Bronze Obelisks
Located in Toronto, ON
A pair of bronze & red marble obelisks embellished with tortoises made by a master bronze maker in Florence, Italy.
Category

2010s Italian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Dark Kukkii Sculpture 1 Flower by Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Geneve, CH
Dark Kukkii sculpture 1 flower by Antrei Hartikainen. Materials: Black stained oak, natural oil waxed walnut. Dimensions: W 75 / 60 / 40 cm, D 10 cm, H 34 / 42 cm Also available...
Category

2010s Finnish Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Cast Resin Polar Bear Sculpture by Francois Pompon for the Moma Collection
Located in San Diego, CA
Cast resin polar bear sculpture by Francois Pompon for the MOMA Collection, circa 1980s. The piece is a minature reproduction of the famous work by Po...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Resin

Dark Kukkii Sculpture 2 Flowers by Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Geneve, CH
Dark Kukkii sculpture 2 flowers by Antrei Hartikainen. Materials: black stained oak, natural oil waxed walnut. Dimensions: W 75 / 60 / 40 cm, D 10 cm, H 34 / 42 cm Also Availabl...
Category

2010s Finnish Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Contemporary Cherries Sculpture in Dark Antique Copper by Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cherries Sculpture Dark Antique Copper Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Repoussé is the traditional...
Category

2010s Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Copper

Iridescent Bronze Vase by Daniele Giannetti
Located in Geneve, CH
Iridescent bronze vase by Daniele Giannetti Dimensions: Ø 25 x H 18 cm. Materials: Glazed terracotta. All pieces are made in terracotta from Montelupo, only fired once, then co...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Iridescent Bronze Vase by Daniele Giannetti
Located in Geneve, CH
Iridescent bronze vase by Daniele Giannetti Dimensions: Ø 36 x H 18 cm. Materials: Glazed terracotta. All pieces are made in terracotta from Montelupo, only fired once, then co...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Silver Bronze Vase by Daniele Giannetti
Located in Geneve, CH
Silver bronze vase by Daniele Giannetti Dimensions: Ø 25 x H 18 cm. Materials: glazed terracotta. All pieces are made in terracotta from Montelupo, only fired once, then colore...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Previously Available Items
Gaston Lachaise Bronze Sculpture Reclining Female Torso
Located in New York, NY
A bronze sculpture of a stylized reclining female torso by celebrated French-born American modernist sculptor Gaston Lachaise (1882-1935). Signed G. Lachaise and marked 'Roman Bronze...
Category

1930s American Vintage Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Modern abstract sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique 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, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used 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 Richard A. Hirsch, Kue King, Jacopo Foggini, and Orfeo Quagliata. 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 $25 and tops out at $450,000 while the average work can sell for $2,322.

Recently Viewed

View All