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Mid-Century Modern Animal 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 celebrated 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.

Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. 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
Mid Century Mexican Mixed Metal Copper & Brass Lion Attributed to Bustamante
Located in Atlanta, GA
Attributed to: Sergio Bustamante (Mexican, born 1949), circa 1970. The lion features the unique work Bustamante is known for, constructed of traditional copper and brass. The tail i...
Category

20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Copper

MARIO CACCIAPUOTI - Silver-plated copper-plated stoneware - Made in ITALY .1930
Located in Milano, IT
This piece is one of the few that could be attributed to MARIO CACCIAPUOTI , in his brief stint with the MARIO CACCIAPUOTI AND C, In Milan. It is made of stoneware and plated with s...
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Copper, Other, Sheet Metal

Set of Four Elephants Sculpture Travertine by Fratelli Mannelli, circa 1970
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of 4 elephants sculpture travertine by Fratelli Mannelli Manufactured in Italy, circa 1970. In original condition with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a be...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Karl Springer style Lucite, and brass ram sculpture..1970s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A Karl Springer style highly stylized Ramshead in highly polished brass with acrylic horns… on a hexagonal brass base… The horns, the post and the base all come apart easily and reco...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Royal Copenhagen Danish Stamped Signed Porcelain Fighting Polar Bears Model 2317
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully designed and colored figurine of two playful fighting/wresting polar bears by Danish Royal Copenhagen. Stamped, numbered (2317), and signed ("OP") on the base. W...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Mid Century Mosaic Bull after Genaro Alvarez Ceramic Tile
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Striking mid century ceramic mosaic bull in the style of Genaro Alvarez. Great period subject and colors. Handmade craftsmanship with timeless appeal.
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Large German Porcelain Lion Sculpture by Rudolstadt, circa 1900
Located in Antwerp, BE
Large German Porcelain Lion Sculpture by Rudolstadt, circa 1900 An impressive and highly decorative porcelain lion sculpture, crafted in Germany around 1900 by the renowned Rudolsta...
Category

20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain, Pottery

Pair of Lucite and Brass Ram Sculptures, circa 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning pair of brass and Lucite table sculptures dating from the early 1970s. Each brass bust depicts a highly stylized ram’s head, with two long acrylic horns attached by a post t...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Goose Bird Fighting Reflection in Mirror by Curtis Jere
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern bronze goose bird fighting reflection in mirror on quartz by Curtis Jere. Signed (original label bottom of stone) the stone base 8" X ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Metal

1970s Abstract Sculpture Bronze Bird Crystal Base
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Abstract sculpture bronze bird crystal hexagon base in the style of Loet Vanderveen 9 h x 4 diameter Patina present tiny spots on bird. Original unrestored preowned vintage conditi...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

1970s Chrome Sculpture of Birds in Flight on Painted Wood Base
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1970s Chrome Sculpture of Birds in Flight on Painted Wood Base 5 Birds Ascending in Flight Vintage Brutalist sculpture Richly textured with p...
Category

1970s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Sheet Metal

Vintage Mid 20th Century Italian Glazed Ceramic Afghan Dog
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fabulous vintage MCM life size dog. A chic glazed ceramic Afghan dog with a glazed ceramic finish. Made in Italy. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Walter Bosse Shoehorn Shows a Cat, circa 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse shoehorn shows a cat, circa 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Life-Size Fiberglas Penguin Italy 1970s
Located in Munich, DE
Beautiful life-size sculpture of a penguin, made in fiberglass and painted in black and white in Italy in the 1970s. Excellent original condition with a friendly smile on the penguin...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Fiberglass

Murano Style Art Glass Fish Sculpture
Located in Dallas, TX
This listing features a beautiful yellow and green stripped fish with silver leaf flake details. Murano glass dates back to the 6th century AD with the island of Murano becoming a pr...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass

Murano Glass Fish Sculpture
Located in Antwerp, BE
Large Italian Murano glass fish sculpture. Measures: Width 62 cm. Height 15 cm. Depth 12 cm.
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass

Walter Bosse Cancer Zodiac Sign Brass Figurine, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse cancer zodiac sign brass figurine, 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Murano Style Art Glass Fish Sculpture
Located in Dallas, TX
This listing features a beautiful yellow Murano glass fish sculpture. Shown are yellow fins with a colorful body with orange, light blue, dark blue, and yellow. The process of crea...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass

Small Richard Rohac Duck Figurine, Vienna, around 1950s 'Marked on Bottom'
Located in Wien, AT
Small Richard Rohac Duck figurine, Vienna, around 1950s (Marked on Bottom) Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Vintage 1950s Architectural Wooly Mammoth Pottery Sculpture Figure Animal
By Gordon Newell
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A hard to find vintage ceramic abstract animal figure, the Wooly Mammoth. Artist unknown. No chips, No cracks. However, over time there has appeared some...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Murano Gambaro Poggi Green Red Blue Italian Art Glass Turtle Figure Paperweight
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand green, red, and blue Italian art glass sea turtle figurine / sculpture. The piece is documented to the Gambaro & Poggi company, with an original "Vetrer...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass

1960s Geese in Flight Sculpture on Driftwood Base
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1960s Sheeted Brass Geese In Flight Sculpture On Driftwood Base Wood Pot has signature Weber '86 could be used for a potted plant to add greenery to this spirited sculpture...
Category

1960s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Sheet Metal

Murano Glass Penguin Vase Mid Century, Italy circa 1960
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Extraordinary 20th century Murano Glass Penguin Vase out of the famous workshops in Italy from the 1960s. An exceptional designed vase in the shape of a p...
Category

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

Materials

Murano Glass

Herta Baller Capricorn Mid-Century Brass Bottle Opener, Vienna, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A nice Mid-Century bottle opener featuring a Capricorn zodiac figurine from the 1950s, crafted from solid brass. Designed by Hertha Baller in Austria ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

1970s Handcrafted Embroidered Indian Raj Camel Folk Art
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Handcrafted Raj Indian Camel embroidered fabric colorful patchwork. Measures: 10.5 tall x 9 deep x 4.25 wide Preowned original vintage condition. See images provided.  
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Fabric

Large White Glazed Ceramic Seated Cat or Fox Sculpture Italy, Mid-Century 1960s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Fabulous larger than life cat or fox sculpture, seated on a pedestal, in white glazed ceramic with attractive yellow-orange eyes. Our foxy friend is one hand-built unit, with evocati...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Plexiglass Bear from the 1970s Italian Manufacture Single Block
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Plexiglass bear from the 1970s Italian manufacture single block.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Plexiglass

Walter Bosse Rabbit Brass Cork Screw Bottle Opener, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Mid-Century bottle opener / cork screw, displaying a rabbit. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. Made of polished brass, in ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Bitossi Ceramic Depicting Wild Boar in Fake Excavation, 1960
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Bitossi ceramic depicting wild boar in fake excavation, 1960.
Category

1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano White Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Baby Duck Figure
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown white and gold flecks Italian art glass baby bird figurine sculpture. Documented to the Seguso Vetri d'Arte company, recently found on their illus...
Category

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

Materials

Gold Leaf

Vintage Bronze Greyhound or Whippet
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Vintage Bronze Greyhound or Whippet
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

21st Century Grey European Lead Bust of a Horse Head
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A classic profile of a raised horse head in lead with beautiful handcrafted details. The animal bust is mounted on a rectangular base with multiple bevel. The horse head has always r...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Lead

1950 Hagenauer Bronze Salt and Pepper Dispenser Cocker Spaniel Puppies
Located in Vienna, AT
The object on sale is a little bronze figurine modelled after an endearing pair of cocker spaniel pups, that was originally intended to hold salt and pepper dispensers. But it can al...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Large Signed Mid Century Italian Glazed Ceramic Frog or Toad in White Bitossi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very large ceramic floor sculpture from Italy circa 1970's. It features white glazed ceramic form. Marked & numbered. No condition issues.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Italian Ceramic Boston Terrier and Panda
Located in Hanover, MA
Delightful large-scale ceramic figures of a nearly life-size black and white glazed Boston Terrier and a Panda bear. Marked with numbers and Made in Italy. Attributed to Eugenio Patt...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Pair of Large Carved Hard Wood Graduated Alligators by Racar
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of Large Carved Hard Wood Graduated Alligators by Racar. Measurements: Larger 52" in width, 10" in depth , 6" in height. Smaller: 43.5" in width, 8" in width and 4" in height.
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Hardwood

Standing Ruby Red Deer in Blown Murano Glass with Red Shades Venice Italy 1990s
Located in Villaverla, IT
Standing Ruby Red Deer in Blown Murano Glass with Red Shades Venice Italy 1990s. Completely handmade in the 1990s in Murano, the Venetian island renowned for its centuries-old tradit...
Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass, Murano Glass

Midcentury Glazed Terracotta Two Cats on a Pillow
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming Italian crackle glazed terracotta sculpture of two white cats on a striped pillow with tassels.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Walter Bosse Brass Shoehorn Displaying a Cow, Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful brass shoe horn, displaying a cow. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by Hertha Baller Austria in the 1950s. In very good condition with nice patina.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Abraham Palatnik. Owl II, c 1970. Signed under the base. Painted acrylic resin
Located in PARIS, FR
This captivating piece, entitled "Owl II", is a creation by the artist Abraham Palatnik, dating from about 1970. Made of acrylic resin painted with artistic meticulousness, this work...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Resin, Acrylic

Bronze Lion Abstract Sculpture Figurine, Belgium, 1960s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Bronze lion abstract sculpture figurine, Belgium, 1960s.
Category

1960s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Glass sculpture representing a stylized fish by Mario Pinzoni
Located in Uccle, BE
Murano glass sculpture representing a stylized fish by Mario Pinzoni, Seguso Vetri d’Arte (IT). In sommerso glass, the ruby-colored body submerged in a purple mass. (Rubino – Violett...
Category

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

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass

Brutalist Bird Sculpture, Iron and Brass, Mid Century Modern, France
Located in ROUEN, FR
Brutalist Metal Bird Sculpture in Iron and Brass, Mid Century Modern, France. A rare and expressive design, finely crafted in wrought iron and brass. The metalwork is particularly ...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Copper, Iron, Wrought Iron

Mid Century Modern Ceramic Zebra Statue Sculpture Figurine
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Ceramic Zebra Statue Sculpture Figurine A monumental Italian ceramic zebra statue.
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Giulia Mangani 24K Gold Embellished Porcelain Parrot
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Large Giulia Mangani porcelain parrot on a goldtone steel stand and black plinth.The parrot hand painted in vivid colors and embellished with 24K gold details. Marked as shown. Dime...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Mixed Metal Parrot Sculpture in the Style of Sergio Bustamante
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-century mixed metals parrot on perch sculpture in the Ssyle of Sergio Bustamante, circa 1970s. The piece has a rust distressed patina and would look great on an outdoor patio. It...
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Hertha Baller Monkey Figurine, circa 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Hertha Baller monkey figurine, circa 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Decorative Fish in Glazed Ceramic
Located in Tilburg, NL
Decorative Fish in Glazed Ceramic, late 20th century. Wonderful and fun decorative fish sculpture in glazed ceramic. Deep and interesting turquoise color and a playful yet elegant d...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Set of Four Metal Brutalist Owls
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Set of 4 Brutalist owls In the style of Curtis Jere USA, circa 1970. Measures: Height x Width x Depth Owl 1 : 12.6 x 7.8 x 6.3 in. (32 x 20 x 16 cm...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Bear in Italian Ceramic Albisola, 1940
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Bear in Italian ceramic Albisola, 1940.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic Majolica Italian Grey Hound Midcentury
Located in Rochester, NY
Majolica Italian grey hound. Mid-20th century.
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

C. Danda, Modern Carved Green Stone Sculpture of a Doe with Her Fawn
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Striking and finely polished Stone Sculpture. Carved and polished deep green stone figural group of a doe nursing her fawn. Brown inclusion on...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Walter Bosse Shoehorn Shows a Cat, circa 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Walter Bosse shoehorn shows a cat, circa 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Porcelain Stylized Cat Italian Production Studiolinea COM 1970s White
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Porcelain stylized cat Italian production Studiolinea COM 1970 white.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Mats Jonasson Frosted Crystal Glass Seal Toucan Paperweight Sculpture, 1980s
Located in Rome, IT
A lead crystal glass paperweight, produced circa 1980s by Mats Jonasson of Sweden, designed as a seal, with frosted detail in the shape of a toucan. Marki...
Category

1980s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Crystal

Dimitri Omersa English Leather Bull, Circa 1950
Located in Sarasota, FL
A leather bull designed by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie and Fitch in England circa 1950’s.
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Leather

Late 20th Century Vintage Boho Hand Painted Carved Wood Swan
Located in west palm beach, FL
This striking vintage swan sculpture captures the essence of bohemian elegance with its hand-painted detailing and artistic finesse. Featuring a sleek black finish accented by bold g...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Gold

Bruno Gambone Stoneware Horse Raw 1975
Located in Munich, DE
Raw glazed ceramic horse made by Bruno Gambone from 1975, signed Gambone on the bottom. Very rare in the raw version.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Stoneware

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

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern animal 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 animal sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern animal sculptures made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original animal sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Walter Bosse, Herta Baller, Sergio Bustamante, and Abercrombie & Fitch. 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 animal sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $34 and tops out at $295,000 while the average work can sell for $877.

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