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
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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
Italian mid-century Ceramic sculpture of a sea lion by Urbano Zaccagnini, 1920s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century Ceramic sculpture of a sea lion by Urbano Zaccagnini, 1920s
Ceramic sculpture depicting a sea lion with its snout pointing upwards. Finely crafted and painted.
Pr...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Glazed pottery Chimp
Located in Seattle, WA
Sold as is - This piece has a cracked bottom but still functions well as a Decor piece that can stand on its own. This Piece has nice patina and character. Vintage Condition as pictu...
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Cast Resin Horse
Located in New York, NY
Decorative cast resin horse, circa 1970s-1980s.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Resin
Abraham Palatnik Lucite Black Elephant, Brazil, c1970
Located in Pymble, NSW
A large black lucite elephant by Abraham Palatnik. Made in Brazil in the early1970’s with its label and signed in the item.
In exceptional condition i...
Category
1970s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Lucite
Handmade leather dog /Boxer by DERU, Germany 1960s.
By Deru
Located in Köln, NW
Handmade leather dog / Boxer by DERU, Germany 1960s.
These small leather animals are folded from a thicker piece of brown leather and riveted . Stamped Deru.
Origami technique.
The m...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Leather
Italian Midcentury Finissime Porcellane Swans Sculpture, Firenze , 1950s
By Finissime Porcellane
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Impressive porcelain by "finissime porcellane" 1950s from Firenze in Tuscany.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Ivo De Santis for Gil Etruschi Ceramic Elephants Sculpture, Italy
Located in San Francisco, CA
Ivo De Santis for Gil Etruschi, Italy. Polychromed ceramic family of elephants stacked on top of each other. Dad, Mom and two children playfully stacked in very good original conditi...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Wooden Carved Elephant Sculpture Stand
Located in Seattle, WA
Antique Style Elephant Carving. Wear and Cracking Consistent With Age. Could be Used as Plant Stand.
Dimensions. 9 W ; 7 D ; 11 H
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Fratelli Toso Murano glass bicolor with bubbles circa 1950 cock.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Fratelli Toso Murano glass bicolor with bubbles circa 1950.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
Mid-century ceramic lying bull, Petucco and Tolio, Nove Italy 1960s
Located in Firenze, IT
Mid-century ceramic lying bull
Ceramic art workshop Giovanni Petucco and Antonio Tolio, Nove Italy 1960s
H 14.5 - 24 cm diam.
Conditions: excellent, no defects
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Cenedese Murano glass tricolor circa 1950 cock.
By Cenedese
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Cenedese Murano glass tricolor circa 1950 cock.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
Pair of Ceramic fish, mid-century by Florence Monte Carlo
Located in Hamburg, DE
Introducing our delightful Pair of Ceramic Fish Figurines, a charming representation of mid-20th-century artistry from the enchanting city of Monaco, courtesy of Florence Monte Carlo...
Category
1960s Monacan Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Mid-Century Modern Goose Bird Fighting Reflection in Mirror by Curtis Jere
By Curtis Jeré
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
Antonio da Ros Murano glass bicolor with silver circa 1950 cock.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Antonio da Ros Murano glass bicolor circa 1950 cock.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
Set of Two Murano Glass Sculptures by Seguso, Italy, 1960s
Located in Milan, IT
Marvelous pair of Murano glass fishes by Seguso.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
Silas Seandel Brutalist Bird Sculpture, Signed
Located in Dallas, TX
Unique bird sculpture by Silas Seandel. Signed.
Silas Seandel (born August 11, 1937, New York City) is a furniture sculptor based in New York City.
Seandel studied sculpture a...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Leather Monkey by Deru
By Deru
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A monkey handcrafted from a pinched and riveted piece of leather.
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Leather
Barbini Murano glass green, red and gold with bubbles circa 1950 large cock.
By Barbini
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible BARBINI sculpture in Murano glass green, red and gold with air bubbles and applied glass circa 1950. Unique piece.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
Barbini Murano glass multicolor with gold circa 1950 cock.
By Barbini
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Barbini Murano glass multicolor with bubbles and gold circa 1950 cock.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
Pair of Vintage Bronze Black Patina Elephant Lamps
Located in London, GB
Pair of late 20th century bronze black patina elephant lamps, Vietnam.
Category
Late 20th Century Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Vintage wall wood mallard, Decoration. 1950's.
Located in Praha, CZ
Veneer glued to wood.
Animal motive
Rare
Beautiful Decoration
Original condition
Category
1950s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Italian Murano Glass Penguin
Located in Englewood, NJ
A whimsical Mid-Century Modern Italian blown art glass penguin sculpture attributed to Antonio da Ros, made for Cenedese decorated with heavy clear layer...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass
Set of Three Murano Horses Head Sculptures by Sergio Costantini, 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of three Murano horses head sculptures by Sergio Costantini & Vetro Artistico Murano 1980s.
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
Boleslaw Danikowski High Enameled Ceramic Sculpture, France, 1950
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Boleslaw Danikowski ( 1928-1979) high enameled ceramic sculpture, France 1950.
Boleslaw Danikowski was the first ceramist to work regularly with Robert Guillerme and Jacques Chamb...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Bing & Grondahl Danish Horse Ceramic
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Danish Ceramic from the 1970s in good condition
Located in Brooklyn.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of cocks in glass bicolor circa 1970
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible pair of cocks in glass bicolor circa 1970.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass
Glazed Stoneware Lying Bear Figurine, Knud Kyhn for Royal Copenhagen #20271
Located in Chorzów, PL
This expressive *Bears* statue, crafted in the 1950s by renowned Danish artist Knud Kyhn for Royal Copenhagen, is a striking example of mid-century Scandinavian stoneware. Made from ...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Stoneware
Japanese Heavy Brass Koi
Located in Dallas, TX
This piece is a part of Brendan Bass’s one-of-a-kind collection, Le Monde. French for “The World”, the Le Monde collection is made up of rare and hard to find pieces curated by Brend...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Mid Century Modern Ceramic Lion Figurine in Brown
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A ceramic lioness figurine glazed in brown and cream. This mid-century statue will be a fabulous addition to a bookshelf or side table. Created from ce...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
A Portuguese Ceramic Swan and a Chinese Ceramic Duck
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
A Portuguese ceramic swan and a Chinese ceramic duck. The swan, larger and more imposing, has a sculpted body with delicate details on the feathers, emphasising its elegant appearanc...
Category
Mid-20th Century Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
Vintage Midcentury Oversized Brass Elephant Tusk Horn
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage midcentury oversized brass elephant tusk horn
Bold midcentury sculpted decorative brass elephant tusk/Horn. This impressive and rare scu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Dorothy Thorpe Resin Pekingese Dog Sculpture
Located in Westport, CT
Dorothy Thorpe resin Pekingese dog transparent molded sculpture. With original paper label.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Resin
Sculpture Mice, Year: 1950, Made in Austria
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Material: silver plated bronze
We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal.
Pushing...
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Glazed Stoneware Bears Figurine, Knud Kyhn for Royal Copenhagen #20193
By Knud Kyhn
Located in Chorzów, PL
This expressive Bears statue, crafted in the 1950s by renowned Danish artist Knud Kyhn for Royal Copenhagen, is a striking example of mid-century Scandinavian stoneware. Made from gl...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Stoneware
Vintage Asian Patinated Foo Dogs - a Pair
Located in west palm beach, FL
Elevate your décor with a touch of exotic elegance and American sophistication. This pair of vintage Asian patinated Foo Dogs exudes timeless charm, blending Eastern mystique with We...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Vintage 1980s Carved Wooden Cockatoo
Located in west palm beach, FL
Bring a touch of exotic elegance to your decor with our Vintage 1980s Carved Wooden Cockatoo. Handcrafted with intricate detail and timeless charm, this majestic piece captures the s...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Italian Animal Sculpture Set by Cantine Duca D'asti, 1973
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Unique and high collectable set of animal sculpture.
Cantine Duca d'Asti is an Italian ceramic manufacturer that produces a range of ceramics including animal sculptures.The animal ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Bird-Shaped Wood Sculpture By YG / C.1980
Located in Montréal, QC
Designer / Brand : Signed YG
Design Period : 20th Century
Material : Maple Wood
Condition : Good original condition , vintage.
Dimensions : Height 26 in / Width 17.5 in / Depth ...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Maple
Vintage Flower Frog With Sculpture of Ducks.
Located in Seattle, WA
This Piece Features a Sculpture of 4 Ducks Walking ina Line. Bottom is Completely Sealed , Ready for Stems. Lime Green Color.
Dimensions. 7 W ; 4 D ; 5 H
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Pewter Dish by Russel Wright, 1930s
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pewter swan nut dish.
Category
1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Pewter
American Modern Brass Animal Horn Sculpture, Curtis Jere
Located in Queens, NY
American Modern Brass Animal Horn Sculpture, Curtis Jere
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Vintage Italian Tall Red Blue Green White Glass Crested Bird Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
This very expressive crested crane art glass sculpture, from the 1970s, is a true jewel-like work of art, in sophisticated blown Murano glass, with overlaid stripes decor in red, whi...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Hivo Van Teal Acrylic Sculpture Signed by Artist
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Three fish sculpture made of Lucite by Hivo Van Teal. Signed and numbered.
(Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Lucite
C. Jere Sculpture of Cranes
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large mid-century sculpture of walking cranes made by the C. Jere company. Great form and size.
Please confirm location.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Set of 4 Elephants by Fratelli Mannelli, Italy, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Set of 4 elephants by Fratelli Mannelli, Italy, 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Travertine
Midcentury Gould Collection Llama Sculpture
Located in west palm beach, FL
Fantastic tall Midcentury llama sculpture. Beautiful metal construction in a chic slender design. Signed The Gould Collection on the bottom. Acquired from a Plm Beach estate
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Style Brass and Marble Seagull Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gorgeous vintage modern sculpture features a heavy solid brass seagull sitting on top of a thick marble slab. The sturdy round marble base and...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Brass
Mid-Century Wall Resin Sculpture, 1950's
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia
Made of Resin
Good original condition.
Category
1950s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Resin
Italian Set of Cristal Animal Sculptures
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Italian Set of Cristal Animal Sculptures
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Crystal
Peacock Table Lamp in Ceramic
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful peacock in ceramic from the 1960s with brass stem.
European wiring
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Curtis Jere Brutalist Parrot on Swing Sculpture
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Mexico City, MX
A 1970's Brutalist parrot by American brand Curtis Jere. The silver plate parrots stands inside a brass ring.
Curtis Jere is a company of metalworks, ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Silver Plate, Brass
Hungarian Grey, White and Blue Animal Sculpture, 1970s
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Hungarian grey, white and blue animal sculpture 1970s.
Category
1970s Hungarian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Mid-Century Antiqued Brass & Glass Owl Sculpture signed Curtis Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in New York, NY
This captivating Mid-Century Modernist owl sculpture, signed by the renowned design firm Curtis Jere, is a striking example of artistic innovation from the era. Crafted in America ar...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Stunning Vintage Bassano Ceramic Bust Of A Rhinoceros * Free Delivery
Located in Portlaoise, IE
Stunning vintage Italian ceramic bust of a rhino. This charming and delightful sculpture is a real work of art and is extremely realistic. Made in Bassano Italy it boasts fabulous de...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Sculpture 'Lost Territory' by Almar Arvidsson, Sweden, 1960s, Copper, Wood
Located in Stockholm, SE
Almar Arvidsson
Sculpture 'Lost Territory' by Almar Arvidsson, Sweden, 1960s.
Signed.
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Copper
Ceramic Vide-Poche on a Stand
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A horse head in ceramic can be used as a vide poche on a metal stand.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Metal
School of Fish Glass Sculpture Attributed to Livio Seguso, 1970s
By Livio Seguso
Located in Brussels, BE
School of fish glass sculpture attributed to Livio Seguso, 1970s
Italy
New Wooden Base
Base : 40x40cm
fish 1 : 55h x 14 x 3 cm
fish 2 : 59h x 20x 3...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Wood
Terracotta Fish Sculpture by Raymond De Meester, Belgium, 1940s
By Raymond De Meester De Betzenbroeck
Located in Brussels, BE
Terracotta fish sculpture by Raymond de Meester - Belgium, 1940s.
Category
1940s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
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.