Modern Animal 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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chair — crafted 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.
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Style: Modern
Creator: Maitland Smith
A Tessellated Marble Seahorse By Maitland Smith
Located in London, GB
A Highly decorative tessellated marble seahorse sculpture by Maitland Smith USA. Unusual and finished in a cream marble with marble and stone finished mount.
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble
A large Marble Perched Crane Sculpture By Maitland Smith
Located in London, GB
A large perched crane bird sculpture in tessellated Emporador marble and brass by Maitland Smith USA. Great scale, size and caught in perfect movement this modernist stylised sculptu...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Brass
A Pair Of Marble Elephants By Maitland Smith
Located in London, GB
A pair of tessellated Italian Emporador Marble and brass tusked elephants by Maitland Smith. Seated with up turned trunks, on black marble bases.
Category
Late 20th Century North American Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Brass
Tropical Fish Marble Sculpture by Maitland Smith
Located in London, GB
A tropical fish sculpture in Italian Emperador marble and brass. The fish covered in marble using the tessellation technique. A tessellation or tiling is t...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Brass
Modern Maitland-Smith Tessellated Marble Water Bird Table Top Sculpture
Located in Bainbridge, NY
1988 Maitland Smith handcrafted tessellated Marble decorative Water Bird. Featuring a rounded oval, floating waterfowl, shore bird form accented with ivory cream tessellated marble, ...
Category
1970s Philippine Vintage Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Marble, Brass
A Sculptural Tessellated Marble Tropical Fish
Located in London, GB
A Tropical fish mounted on plinth with brass accents in tessellated marble by Maitland Smith USA. Great form, subject and style
Category
1870s North American Antique Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble
1980s Maitland Smith Fossilized Coral Peacock Bird Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Absolutely stunning peacock made in the Philippines by Maitland Smith. Made from fossilized coral (which is now banded to export). The previous owner was a furniture importer, he bou...
Category
20th Century Philippine Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Coral
A Marble Bird Sculpture By Maitland Smith
Located in London, GB
A marble Sea Gull sculpture in tessellated Emporador Italian marble with brass accents by Maitland Smith USA circa 1980
Captured in movement, great scale and form.
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Brass
Related Items
Large Scale Recumbant Cast Bronze And Brass Camel Figurine Att. Maitland-Smith
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a large scale cast bronze Moorish style camel with brass repousse blanket attributed to Maitland - Smith. It is unmarked and has some age appropriate patina.
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Bronze
H 20 in W 14 in D 33 in
Vintage Maitland-Smith Egyptian Revival Tessellated Marble Inkwell
Located in Waxahachie, TX
This exquisite Vintage Maitland-Smith Egyptian Revival Tessellated Marble Inkwell is an impressive piece of craftsmanship that seamlessly blends function with artistic beauty. Its de...
Category
1990s Philippine Modern Animal Sculptures
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Stone, Brass
Wonderful Pair Maitland-Smith Japanese Bronze Figures Samaraui Geisha Sculptures
Located in Roslyn, NY
A beautiful pair of Japanese inspired bronze statues by the Maitland-Smith company. Includes one geisha figure and one samurai, both in a kneeling position. Details on the figures, r...
Category
20th Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
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H 14 in W 10 in D 8 in
Large Penshell and Silver Plate Snail Sculpture by Maitland Smith
Located in San Diego, CA
Large penshell and silver plate snail sculpture by Maitland Smith, circa 1970s. This hard to find piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 9.75"W x 2.25"D x 5"H. Marked ...
Category
20th Century Philippine Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Silver Plate
Maitland Smith Tessellated Oval Egg Form Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Maitland Smith tessellated stone and brass oval egg form sculpture. The bottom has a flat spot so it stands upright on its own.
Category
1980s Philippine Vintage Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Kelly Wearstler Hume Marble Sculptural Chair
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Uniquely carved from stone blocks and straddling the line between sculpture and functional design, the Hume chair can be used as both an indoor or outdoor decorative seating option. Each piece is hand carved from natural stone and is available in either nero marquina, big flower, or grey rainbow stone...
Category
2010s North American Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Maitland Smith Tessellated Marble and Tortoise Shell Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maitland Smith tessellated stone box with a mother of pearl finial handle. The interior of the box is lined with a black felt and has a removable lid. The box rests on sterling silver ball and claw feet as well as the entirety of the box is framed with a sterling silver border.
History and craftsmanship for nearly four decades Maitland-Smith has been in the business of creating exquisite and unique decorative accessories, lighting and accent furniture and elegant mirrors from our La Barge Collection. Founded by a London antiques dealer with the eye of a connoisseur, Maitland-Smith has carried on the tradition of creating stunning accents for the home of the highest quality. From the beginning, our many workrooms have been artisan based and employ time-honored techniques developed before the machine age. Many of these skills date back to the world’s earliest civilizations, and are associated with Fine quality furniture and decorative arts. Maitland-Smith is well-known for many handcrafted specialties, including hand carved tropical mahogany, handcut and inlaid exotic wood veneers, lost wax cast metal mounts and decorative objects, as well as, traditional vegetable tanned and hand-tooled leather. Other areas of expertise include finely executed porcelains, sophisticated finishing techniques, and detailed hand painting. Maitland Smith draws inspiration from great works from the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries and in collaboration with design partners Tony Duquette Studios and its president, Hutton Wilkinson and also Celerie Kemble, Donald Bustraan...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Marble, Sterling Silver
Tessellated Horn Jewelry Box by Maitland-Smith
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Tessellated horn jewelry box by Maitland-Smith.
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Jade, Brass
Maitland Smith Bronze Figural Monkey Sculpture Toilet Paper Holder 21"
Located in Dayton, OH
Large vintage Maitland Smith bronze sculpture or statue of a happy monkey walking on all fours with his tail raised over his back. Use...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Maitland Smith bronze monkey carrying fruit lidded container
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Maitland Smith Cast Bronze Monkey with Lidded Basket/ Planter Pot/ Statue/ Sculpture.
The piece features cast bronze construction.
A solid ...
Category
1990s Philippine Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Brass Tropical Tang Fish Sculpture on Stand
Located in New York, NY
Brass Tropical tang fish sculpture on brass stand. Rubbery felt on bottom of base. Overall good condition. Dark and light spots in photos is reflection. Will look great on desk or bo...
Category
20th Century Korean Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Tropical Fish Aquarium Wall Sculpture Curtis Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool and rare striking large aquarium by Curtis Jere. unique large wall sculpture.
Category
20th Century American Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Previously Available Items
A Pair Of Marble And Brass Parrots By Maitland Smith
Located in London, GB
A large pair of tessellated marble and brass parrots by Maitland smith USA.
The pair on perches with brass claws, beaks and feathered heads. Tessellated in Italian Emporador Marble...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Brass
Set of Large Stylised Bird Sculptures by Maitland Smith
Located in London, GB
A set of large stylised birds by Maitland Smith in tessellated stone and marble with brass accents. Good scale and proportions. Images are a true reflection of colour and condition.
...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Marble, Brass
Set of Stone and Marble Perched Birds by Maitland Smith
Located in London, GB
A set or matched pair of stone and tessellated marble birds with brass beaks and feet. Perched on stylised rocks. A tessellation or tiling is the covering of a surface, using one or ...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Marble, Brass
Tessellated Marble Orca Sculpture by Maitland Smith
Located in London, GB
A large tessellated marble orca or killer whale animal sculpture by Maitland Smith. Mounted on a stone base. Images a true reflection of size and condition.
A tessellation (or tilin...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Marble
Maitland Smith Marble and Brass Bird Sculpture
Located in London, GB
A tall tessellated marble and brass bird perched on a rock base, in black and white marble by Maitland Smith.
Category
Late 20th Century North American Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Brass
Set of Four Cranes in Tessellated Marble and Brass Sculptures
Located in London, GB
A stylised pair of sculptures each with 2 stalking Cranes. In tessellated marble with brass beaks, legs, feet and feather. Wonderful form and movement. Great subject.
Category
1870s North American Antique Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Brass
Tessellated Marble Seal Sculpture by Maitland Smith
Located in London, GB
A stylised Seal balancing a ball in tessellated marble by Maitland Smith USA. Great form, movement and size.
Circa 1970's -80"s.
Category
1970s North American Vintage Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Maitland-Smith Tessellated Travertine, Marble and Brass Fish Sculpture
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautiful sculpture designed by Maitland-Smith, and featuring an oversized fish. The fish table sculpture is made of stone veneered (marble and travertine) with gilded brass and se...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Travertine, Marble, Metal, Brass
H 14.57 in W 15.75 in D 5.12 in
Tessellated Marble Panther Sculpture by Maitland Smith
Located in London, GB
A very stylised recumbent panther sculpture in Italian tessellated Portoro marble. Tessellation or tiling is the covering of a surface, using one or more geometric shapes, called til...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Tessellated Portoro Marble Elephant Sculpture
Located in London, GB
A seated and rearing Elephant in Portoro tesselated marble, with brass tusks. Great size and subject. By Maitland Smith USA.
Category
Late 20th Century North American Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Three Tropical Fish in Tessellated Marble by Maitland Smith
Located in London, GB
A tessellated tropical fish sculpture by Maitland Smith. The 3 fish in Zebra pattern with Black fossil marble design with brass accents, suppor...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Marble, Brass
Pair of Tessellated Marble and Stone Birds by Maitland Smith
Located in London, GB
A pair of tessellated marble and stone birds with brass beaks and feet. Perched on stylised boulders and each one in a different pose. Made by Maitland Smith USA.
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Marble, Brass
Modern animal sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique 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, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used 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 Mosche Bianche, VG design and laboratory department, Stefano Giovannoni, and Superego Editions. 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 $53 and tops out at $6,718,000 while the average work can sell for $1,745.