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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
Brass Hummingbird in Flight Sculpture by Joaquin Tinta
Located in Southampton, NJ
Spanish name: Colibrí de Rama, Translation: Branch Hummingbird Handmade polished brass hummingbird with abstract embossed and engraved detail. This unique design can be displayed as...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Art Glass Bird / Duck Sculpture by Cenedese for Murano Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
Large Murano glass bird / duck sculpture on base by Cenedese studio for Murano Glass, circa 1980s. This is a beautiful piece that is in very good vintage condition with no chips or s...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Murano Glass

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

Small Fish Figurine by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller
Located in Wien, AT
Small fish figurine by Walter Bosse for Hertha Baller Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Solid Brass with Patina'd Accents Zebra and Donkey Pair, Walter Bosse Style
Located in Ferndale, MI
Solid brass with patina'd accents zebra and donkey pair, Walter Bosse style and/or Herta Baller. Herta worked for Bosse until he fled to Germany. Herta took over the company and desi...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Sculpture Glazed Ceramic Dog Sealed
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Beautiful and exclusive enameled ceramic that represents a dog with an intense look, an incredible curly coat and enormous nails that make it an extremely rare and unique work. Seale...
Category

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

Materials

Terracotta

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cut Square Nail Curtis Jere Style Birds Sculpture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Mid-Century Modern metal sculpture. Depicting 8 birds in flight. Constructed of cut square steel. In the style of Curtis Jere. Simply a great Mid-Century Modern sculpture!...
Category

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

Materials

Cut Steel

Small Duck Figurine by Richard Rohac, around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Small duck figurine by Richard Rohac, around 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Richard Rohac Figurine Pretzel Holder, Ring Holder, Vienna, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Richard Rohac figurine pretzel holder, ring holder, Vienna, 1950s Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Two Ceramic Lions
Located in Antwerp, BE
Set of two ceramic lions.
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Maestro Renato Anatra Large Sommerso Murano Art Glass Bird Sculpture Signed
Located in Ann Arbor, MI
Maestro Renato Anatra Large Sommerso Murano Art Glass Bird Sculpture Signed By the artist as pictured. Also retains original labels.
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Brass Cat Figurine Pretzel Holder, Ring Holder Attributed to Richard Rohac
Located in Wien, AT
Brass cat figurine pretzel holder, ring holder attributed to Richard Rohac Original condition.  
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Val Saint Lambert France Engraved Glass Disc Pisces Paperweight
Located in New York, NY
Dreamy engraved round glass disc Pisces paperweight by Val Saint Lambert, France, circa 1970s. Signed with engraved signature on disc edge, as pictured.
Category

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

Materials

Art Glass

Sandro Couple Sculpture, 2017
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Sandro couple sculpture, 2017 Taxidermy, Ceramic Plate. Made in Berlin in 2017.   
Category

2010s German Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Organic Material

1980s Tony Evans Raku Pottery Green Cat Animal Ceramic Sculpture
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a captivating raku pottery cat sculpture by American ceramic artist Tony Evans, signed by the artist, circa the 1980s. This exquisite piece features dis...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Large Mid century design brass birds , 1970’s
Located in Delft, NL
Dimensions: 38,5cm H , 24cm W, 14 cm D and 28cm H, 27,5cm W, 17,5cm W Condition: Good Material: Brass Color: Gold Period: 1970’s
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Marilyn Neuhart Alexander Girard Doll Textiles and Objects
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare Hand Made Doll, by Marilyn Neuhart for Textiles & Objects, which was a "pop up shop" conceived by Alexander Girard and sponsored by Herman Miller in May of 1961. See the last tw...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wool, Linen, Silk

Midcentury Italian Multicolored Murano Glass "Chubby" Cat Sculpture, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing hand blown midcentury multicolored Murano glass "Chubby" cat sculpture. This piece was designed in Italy during 1970s. The sculpture represents a chubby, fluffy cat bendin...
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Amusing Carved Hardstone Quartz Cockatoo
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Amusing carved stone cockatoo with a quirky expression and brass feet mounted on an impressive smoky quartz specimen.
Category

20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Rock Crystal

1960 Porcelain Sculpture of Dogs, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
Original undamaged condition.
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-Century Modern Murano Glass Art Glass Fish Sculpture by Licio Zanetti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An abstract Murano glass sculpture of a fish by Licio Zanetti for Zanetti Vetreria Artistica. The clear glass fish is twisted as if jumping through the air and mounted on a stylized ...
Category

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

Materials

Art Glass

Herons by Jaroslaw Jezek, Royal Dux, 1958
Located in Meda, MB
This elegant and fine Royal Dux porcelain figurine sculpture was produced in the Czech Republic in 1958. It features a modern design by Ja...
Category

1950s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Carved Buffalo or Bison Sculpture S.L. Mitchell
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Fantastic pair of hand carved wooded buffalo or bison. Great detail and proportions. Slightly different in size. Signed SL Mitchell
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Pair of Italian Modernist Sea Garden Ceramic Horses by Alvino Bagni for Raymor
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Scarcely seen ceramic horses from the "Sea Garden" line designed by Alvino Bagni for Raymor (ca. 1960, Italy). Attractive oceanic color combinations with incised geometric shapes and...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Key Hanger Walter Bosse Showing a Cow, circa 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Key hanger Walter Bosse showing a cow, circa 1950s. Very beautiful original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Large Figure of Iron stork. 1970's
Located in Barcelona, Cataluna
Very decorative piece and a size that is very good.
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Dog Figurine Holding a Thermometer by Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Dog Figurine holding a thermometer by Walter Bosse Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

1960's Porcelain Polar Bear Sculpture Royal Dux, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
White porcelain sculpture of a polar bear made in former Czechoslovakia in the 1960's by the famous Royal Dux.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Mid Century Modern Brass Life Size Sculpture of a Whippett
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous simple and elegant brass sculpture of a life-size Whippett. Elegant style. Excellent casting. Age related patina on brass, see pics. In excellent vintage condition with mini...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Tall Danish Teak Animal Sculpture by Knud Albert, Denmark, Signed
Located in Kansas City, MO
Whimsical large animal sculpture (dog? kangaroo? giraffe? or trippy made up animal? whatever it is, it's cool!) signed by artist Knud Albert, Denmark, 1960...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Teak

Murano Opalescent Art Glass Dog by Seguso
Located in New York, NY
Hard to find figural glass item by master Italian glassblower Seguso. Perfect condition, possibly a Beagle, or Bassett Hound?
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Mid 20th C. a Pair of Curtis Jeré Style Polished Chrome Sculptures of Cranes
Located in Morristown, NJ
A pair of sleek, modernistic chrome sculptures depicting cranes in the style of design duo Curtis Jeré. These birds are elegantly elongated, with long legs and necks, and are positio...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Chrome

Vintage Mid Century Modern Solid Carved Wood 24" Cat Art Sculpture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid Century Modern Solid Carved Wood 24" Cat Art Sculpture. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 23.5" H x 8.5" W x 10" D.
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Stunning Pair of Tall Leather Elephants Probably Retailed by Liberty & Co London
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A stunning pair of large (130cm H) 20th century leather elephant sculptures in lovely worn condition. Very sought after item. 1970s. Probably retailed by Liberty & Co of London. Superb quality! The dimensions are: height: 130cm (51.2in) width: 114cm (44.9in) depth: 44cm (17.3in) This pair of leather sculpture elephants probably retailed by Liberty & co are in good antique condition throughout with some signs of age and remain in good, clean condition. Overall, a good example. Great quality! Our workshops inspects, repairs, and restores all our items, so you can have full confidence that what you buy from us is ready for your home! I'm Anthony from Anthony Short...
Category

Late 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Leather

Elephant Black Ceramic Picher
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This pitcher which represents an elephant, is made of a black glazed ceramic. This is a French work, circa 1970.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Licio Zanetti, Large Mid-Century Murano Glass Dolphin Sculpture from 60s
Located in Catania, CT
Great manufacturing for this large sculpture made from clear Murano glass. Signed on the base by Licio Zanetti and produced in Murano during the 1960s. No chips or cracks.
Category

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

Materials

Murano Glass

Sculpture of a Toucan Designed by Livio Seguso ca. 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A heavy sculpture of a toucan in orange and clear glass. Designed by glass sculptor Livio Seguso ca. 1960. On the base with incised signature of the artist (LS) and made in Murano st...
Category

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

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass

Elephant in Beaten Glass and Graven 1960s Transparent Glass Signed
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Elephant in beaten glass and Graven 1960s transparent glass signed.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Crystal

Porcelain Stonewar Stylized Birds Italian Production Studiolinea COM, 1970 White
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Porcelain stonewar stylized birds Italian production Studiolinea COM 1970 white and black.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Stoneware

Abraham Palatnik Set of Two Camels Sculpture
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Gorgeous set of two camels, one with a yellow cover, the other with a blue cover. The Brazilian artist Abraham Palatnik (1928) was the founder of the technological movement in Bra...
Category

1970s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Lucite

Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Bronze Macaw Parrot Sculpture on Granite Base
Located in Miami, FL
Patinated bronze Macaw Parrot (Papagaio) sculpture on granite base by unknown artist. Brazil circa 1950s.
Category

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

Materials

Granite, Bronze

2 Bear Penholder by Walter Bosse, Vienna, 1950s (sold and priced per piece)
Located in Wien, AT
2 Bear penholder made of blackened brass by Walter Bosse, Vienna, 1950s.  Original condition. The pen is not for sale it is only for the photoshooting (sold and priced per piece)
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Otto Keramiek Buffalo Figurine by Otto Gerharz
Located in Verviers, BE
Dramatic piece of German 20th century ceramics inspired by natur.: Red buffalo by Otto Keramiek Ceramic buffalo figurine by Otto Gerharz (former dire...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Earthenware

Renata Anatra Murano Art Glass Stylized Bird Figurine Signed
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Renata Anatra Murano Art Glass stylized bird figurine signed. Very impressive size standing 14" tall. Wonderful condition with very minor age appropriate wear on base.
Category

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

Materials

Murano Glass

Ermanno Nason for Cenedese Italian Murano Alexandrite Glass Horse Head Sculpture
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Stunning, rare and vintage midcentury centrepiece glass sculpture by Ermanno Nason (1928-2014) for Cenedese of Murano, Venice, Italy. An absolutely stunning piece of Mid-Century Mura...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Cow Figurine Holding a Thermometer by Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Cow figurine holding a thermometer by Walter Bosse Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Barbini Murano glass green, red and gold with bubbles circa 1950 large cock.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible BARBINI Murano glass red, green and gold with air bubbles and applied glass. Unique piece. Perfect.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Murano Glass

1960s Design Lady Sculpture by Jaroslav Ježek for Royal Dux - Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- perfect original condition - marked jr
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Jere’ Bird on Rock
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Jere Bird on a Rock. Signature to one wing. Nice Finish to metal, classic Jere form and design!.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Metal

Jeffrey Dashwood (British, B. 1947) Numbered & Signed Bronze Goose Sculpture
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Bronze sculpture of a lesser snow goose with pierced eyes, precariously balanced on one leg and surmounted on a circular base. The goose in a multi-tonal blue/green patina. Signed on...
Category

20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Archimede Seguso "blue rubino" Murano glass circa 1950 big pheasant.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and big Archimede Seguso "blue rubino" Murano glass circa 1950 pheasant on tree.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Murano Glass

Vintage Panda Mom & Cubs Toy Set and Slide
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Panda Collection Toy Set and Slide Diameter varies mother 5 h x 4 d x 3 w Slide 13 long 2.5 w x 4 Preowned vintage condition Refer to images
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Fabric, Paint, Plastic, Wood

Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Hand Carved Wood Marten, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Hand Carved wood marten, 1960s.
Category

1960s Scandinavian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Era Dark Amber Art Glass Bull Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage art glass scupture is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Italy and date to approximately 1960 and done in the period Mid Centur...
Category

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

Materials

Art Glass

Murano Glass Fish Decanter Bottle by Seguso Alabastro
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This piece is a limited edition, Mid-century decanter by Seguso Alabastro for Girolamo Luxardo in Torreglia, Italy. It features a tan and stone white ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Modernist Hand Carved Rosewood Polar Bear Sculpture in the Style of Tjomsland
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool modernist hand carved rosewood polar bear sculpture in the style of Arne Tjomsland, circa 1960s. This hard to finf MCM piece is in very good vintage condition and measure...
Category

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

Materials

Rosewood

Licio Zanetti Mid Century Murano glass sculptured cockerel
Located in Norwich, GB
Murano clear glass hand sculptured cockerel by Licio Zanetti. Signed to base. Circa 1960-70. Very good condition with no chips or cracks. One small mark to note, as shown. The Zane...
Category

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

Materials

Murano Glass, Blown Glass

Gold, Clear Murano Glass Shark by Barovier
Located in New York, NY
Mid Century gold Murano glass shark on clear glass stylized rock base. Barovier, Italy.
Category

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

Materials

Murano Glass

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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