Modern Busts
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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Sculpture, head of a woman in light terracotta, Alex Waleij, Sweden early 1900s.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful head of a woman, made in light terracotta by swedish artist/sculptor Alex Waleij.
No 30/50, signed A Waleij
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Modern Busts
Materials
Terracotta
Sculpture, Hellenistic Female Bust.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture, Hellenistic female bust.
A magnificent reproduction of a fragment of a female bust, delicately evoking the ideal of classical beauty. The unfi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Busts
Materials
Resin
Sculpture, Sandstone Bust in the Taste of Ancient Egypt, XXth Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture, sculpted sandstone bust in the taste of ancient Egypt, XXth century.
Bust, carved sandstone sculpture in the taste of ancient Egypt, 20th century.
H: 58cm, W: 30cm, D: 40...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Busts
Materials
Sandstone
"NUR" bust with semi-gloss black enamel finish
Located in Treviso, IT
A fascinating handcrafted sculptural work celebrating feminine beauty. "Nur" is part of a liimited first edition made in Italy according to the strictest craftsmanship techniques.
Th...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic
Hermes - Natural Concrete - Design Sculpture Paolo Giordano Classic Cement Cast
Located in MILANO, ML
Contemporary Paolo Giordano Hermes abstract sculpture concrete cement cast grey
Hermes is concrete sculpture. It's part of a large work that is also photographic: 'Digital Journey i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Concrete, Cement
Pair of Profiles of Roman Emperors in Plaster and Wood.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of profiles of Roman Emperors in plaster and wood.
Reissue of profiles of Roman Emperors in the Cameo style made in the 18th century during the ‘Grand Tour’. They were particu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Busts
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Hermes - Rose - Design Sculpture Paolo Giordano Concrete Cement Cast
Located in MILANO, ML
Contemporary Paolo Giordano Hermes abstract sculpture concrete cement cast grey
Hermes is concrete sculpture. It's part of a large work that is also photographic: 'Digital Journey i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Concrete, Cement
Beach Lover Decorative Ceramic Centerpiece, Handmade Italy, 2020, Hand-Crafted
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation created by our designer.
The creations are completely made by hand.
Ceramic and paint are water resistant.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Elegant Marine Head Ceramic Centerpiece Handmade in Italy Without Mold, 2023
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a woman in a modern way. The woman is gently painted with acrylic color.
Our designer creates these pieces complet...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Marble Bust of a Young Roman Man, Patinated Marble, Contemporary Work.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Marble bust of a young Roman man, patinated marble, contemporary work.
Bust of a young man in patinated marble and black granite base, reproduction of a Roman bust from the 1st-2nd ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Busts
Materials
Marble
21st Century Raw Bronze Contemporary Sculpture, 'Emotion' by Margit Wittig
Located in London, GB
This raw bronze sculpture has a natural golden brass finish. The female and male Giacometti-influenced portraits are individual objects and can be positione...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Busts
Materials
Bronze
Sculpture of a Head of Apollo in the Hellenistic Style, 21st Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture of a head of Apollo in the Hellenistic style, 21st century.
Sculpture on base of a head of Apollo, in patinated plaster and resin, 21st century.
H: 65cm, W: 52cm, D: 50cm
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Busts
Materials
Resin, Plaster
Sculpture of Diana the Huntress, 21st Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture of Diana the Huntress, 21st century.
Sculpture on base of Diana the Huntress, in patinated plaster and resin, 21st century, model from the Musée du Louvres, Paris.
H: 32c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Busts
Materials
Resin, Plaster
Perforated Ceramic Horse, Candle, Centerpiece Handmade Without Mold, NEW 2024
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of an Horse in a modern way. The animal is gently handcrafted starting from clay and all hand worked. All the pieces from Mosche Bianche are uniq...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic
Sculpture of a Woman's Head in Patinated Bronze after Picasso, 21st Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture of a woman's head in patinated bronze after Picasso, contemporary art, 21st century.
Sculpture of a woman's head in patinated bronze after Picasso, contemporary art, 21st ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Busts
Materials
Bronze
Venere V26, Woman's Moorish Head, Vase Without Crown, Handmade in Sicily, Size L
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The Collection
This collection offers ideas for contemporary décor through sophisticated revelations of art bound to the tradition of ceramics of Caltagirone, objets d’art that co...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Enamel
Marble Bust Representing Hermes, Patinated Marble, Contemporary Work.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Marble bust representing Hermes, patinated marble, contemporary work.
Hermes bust in patinated marble and black granite base, reproduction of a 1st-2nd century Roman bust.
H: 49.5 ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Busts
Materials
Marble
Set/12 Ceramic Chess Pieces, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set of 12 Ceramic Chess Pieces, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
A luxurious chess set designed for the mo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Busts
Materials
Gold
Venere V23, Woman's Moorish Head, Handmade in Sicily, 2021, Gold finish, Size S
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The Collection
This collection offers ideas for contemporary décor through sophisticated revelations of art bound to the tradition of ceramics of Caltagirone, objets d’art that co...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Enamel
Italian School "Apollo Belvedere" early 20th Century Bust Carrara Marble
By Europa
Located in Madrid, ES
Italian School "Apollo Belvedere" early 20th Century
Bust in white Carrara marble and polychrome, H. 79 cm, resting on a fluted column with a capital, H. 75 cm
Reference work: Mid-2n...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Marble
1991 Male Torso Sculpture Sergey Eylanbekov Alva Studios
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1991 Plaster Male Torso Sculpture Sergey Eylanbekov
Plaster Sculpture by Russian sculptor Sergey Eylanbekov for ALVA studios.
15.25 h x 8.75 w x 4.38 d
Signed on verso. No COA is av...
Category
1990s European Modern Busts
Materials
Plaster
Angel Botello Sculpture "Denise", circa 1981, Spain
Located in Girona, Spain
Angel Botello sculpture "Denise".
Made with bronze.
Very decorative.
Signed and numbered 6/6.
Certificate.
Circa 1970, Spain
Angle Botello was born in 1913 in the small town of...
Category
1980s Spanish Vintage Modern Busts
Materials
Bronze
W. Beaupre Chain Mail Bust
Located in New York, NY
Futuristic android bust with hand applied chain mail and vintage jewelry findings and tiara from New York artist W. Beaupre. Signed.
Category
20th Century American Modern Busts
Materials
Metal
Batman, Natural Height Sculpture in Black Marble
Located in Tivoli Terme, Roma
The sculpture was made from a single block of black marble, natural height sculpture, one of a kind piece.
It is a unique piece for collectors.
Dimensions of the sculpture: cm 170 ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Marble
Sculpture, Marble Bust of a Roman in the Taste of Antiquity.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture, sculpted marble bust of a Roman in the taste of Antiquity, 20th century.
Bust, carved marble sculpture of a Roman in the taste of Antiquity resting on a black granite bas...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Busts
Materials
Granite, Marble
Amedeo Clemente Modigliani '1884–1920' d´après, Large Bronze Sculpture
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Amedeo Clemente Modigliani (1884–1920) d´après.
"Tête de jeune femme". Large bronze sculpture in solid bronze on a green marble base.
Bronze fo...
Category
Late 20th Century Spanish Modern Busts
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Sculpture, Bust of Zeus in Patinated Marble, Statue in the Style of Ancient Rome
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture, bust of Zeus in patinated marble, statue in the style of Ancient Rome, 21st century.
Bust, sculpture of Zeus in patinated marble, contemp...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Busts
Materials
Marble
This Is Not Self Portrait Sculpture by Thomas Dariel
Located in Geneve, CH
This is not a self portrait sculpture by Thomas Dariel
Dimensions: D 24 x W 26.5 x H 63 cm
Materials: Solid plaster sculpture wrapped in elastic band color paint finish, accent ri...
Category
2010s French Modern Busts
Materials
Plastic, Plaster
Pink Flamingo Ceramic Sculpture Centerpiece, Handmade Without Mold, new 2023
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a Pink Flamingo in a modern way. The animal is gently painted with a pink different shades. The flamingo lives in Italy especially in Sicily. ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Sculpture in the Taste of Antiquity, White Marble Patina, White Marble Effect.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Small-scale model of our beautiful sculpture in the Taste of Antiquity. This bust represents Hermes, son of Zeus and messenger of the gods. It is a fragment of a statue from the Impe...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Busts
Materials
Resin
Spiderman Bust Sculpture in Carrara Marble
Located in Tivoli Terme, Roma
The sculpture was made from a single block of Carrara statuary marble, one of a kind piece.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Carrara Marble
In Stock in Los Angeles, Venus De Milo Statue in Red
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products
In Stock in Los Angeles
Venus De Milo statue in red.
Ful...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Modern Busts
Materials
Composition
Sculpture in the Taste of Antiquity, Black Patina, Black Marble Effect.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture in the Taste of Antiquity, black patina, magnificent patina, black marble effect.
Small-scale model of our beautiful sculpture in the Taste of Antiquity. This bust represe...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Busts
Materials
Resin
Pelican Ceramic Sculpture Centerpiece, Completely Handmade Without Mold, 2023
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a Pelican in a modern way. The animal is gently painted with a brown color.
Our designer creates these pieces comp...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Ostrich Ceramic Centerpiece, Gold details Completely Handmade Without Mold, 2024
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a Bird in a modern way. The animal is gently painted with a may different colors. All the pieces from Mosche Bianche are unique since they are...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Livio Seguso, Visionary Early Abstract Bust Sculpture, Clear Glass, Signed
By Livio Seguso
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
This sculpture of Livio is an early work. It carries the seed of his vision, 1970s.
Livio started as a great maestro, his figurative pieces of his artist infancy already had a tende...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass
7 Stunning Italian Marble Sculptures Representing "The Baths of Apollo" VIDEO
Located in Madrid, ES
7 Stunning Italian Marble Sculptures Representing "The Baths of Apollo" H: 220cm early 20th Century
France. Versailles. Palace. Gardens. Grove of the Baths of Apollo. Hubert Robert....
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Marble
Hermes - Dark Grey - Design Sculpture Paolo Giordano Concrete Cement Cast
Located in MILANO, ML
Contemporary Paolo Giordano Hermes abstract sculpture concrete cement cast grey
Hermes is concrete sculpture. It's part of a large work that is also photographic: 'Digital Journey i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Concrete, Cement
Harley-Davidson Santa Design Centerpiece Handmade in Italy, 2021
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a funny revisiting of the Harley-Davidson myth. Santa Claus is riding this famous bike bringing his famous Christmas gifts.
Our designer creates these pieces completel...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Small Chinese Zodiac Head Busts
Located in Greenwich, CT
These small Chinese Zodiac head busts were handcrafted and designed from the Netherlands and feature sculptural busts of the twelve signs of the Chinese zodi...
Category
2010s Dutch Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic
Ostrich Aviator, Centerpiece sculpted Completely Handmade Without Mold, 2024
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of an Ostrich in a modern way. The animal is gently painted with a may different colors. All the pieces from Mosche Bianche are unique since they...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Bronze Female Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful, small, substantial bronze female head bust sculpture on cylindrical wood pedestal base, circa early-20th century or earlier. Artist is un...
Category
Early 20th Century Modern Busts
Materials
Bronze
Sculpture Representing a Bust of the Emperor Augustus, 21st Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture representing a bust of the Emperor Augustus, 21st century.
Sculpture of a bust of the Emperor Augustus, in patinated plaster and resin, 21st century, model from the Musée ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Busts
Materials
Resin, Plaster
Wild Boar Fish Decorative Centerpiece, Handmade Italy, 2020, Hand-Crafted
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation created by our designer.
The creations are completely made by hand.
Ceramic and paint are water resistant.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Naturalistic Ceramic Centerpiece Marine Handmade in Italy Without Mold, 2023
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a man in a modern way. The man is gently painted with acrylic color.
Our designer creates these pieces completely by hand, without any mold....
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Venere V11, Man's Moorish Head, Handmade in Sicily, 2021, Black/White
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The Collection
This collection offers ideas for contemporary décor through sophisticated revelations of art bound to the tradition of ceramics of Caltagirone, objets d’art that co...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Enamel
Sculpture of a Roman Emperor in Resin, Very Beautiful Black Bronze Patina.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture of a Roman Emperor in resin, very beautiful black bronze patina.
Sculpture representing a bust of Antoninus the Pious. This fragment comes from an original statue dating f...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Busts
Materials
Composition
Pegasus Contemporary Pop Centerpiece Handmade in Italy Without Mold, 2023
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a man in a modern way. The man is gently painted with acrylic color.
Our designer creates these pieces completely by hand, without any mold....
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Miguel Berrocal: "Eros", Sculpture-jewel and Perfume - 1994
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Miguel Ortiz Berrocal (1933-2006, Spain): "Eros"
Perfume bottle in its original box topped with a sculpture of a male bust with an antique green patina, and 24-carat gold plated fo...
Category
1990s French Modern Busts
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Elegant Sea Head Ceramic Centerpiece Handmade in Italy without Mold, 2023
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a woman in a modern way. The woman is gently painted with acrylic color.
Our designer creates these pieces complet...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Woman's Head Sponge Decorative Ceramic Piece, Handmade Italy, 2021, Hand-Crafted
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a woman's head in a modern way.
Our designer creates these pieces completely by hand.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Venere V25, Man's Moorish Head, Handmade in Sicily, 2021, Gold finish, Size S
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The Collection
This collection offers ideas for contemporary décor through sophisticated revelations of art bound to the tradition of ceramics of Caltagirone, objets d’art that co...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Enamel
Colorful Chimpanzee, Ceramic Centerpiece, Handmade Design in Italy, 2021
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a Chimpanzee in a modern way.
Our designer creates these pieces completely by hand.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Woman's Head Decorative Ceramic Piece, Handmade Italy, 2021, Hand-Crafted
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a woman's head in a modern way.
Our designer creates these pieces completely by hand.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Medusa, White Matt Terracotta Sculpture, Handmade in Italy, 2022, Unique Piece
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
In Greek mythology, Medusa, was one of the three monstrous Gorgons, generally described as winged human females with living venomous snakes in place of hair.
Those who gazed into her eyes would turn to stone.
Medusa was beheaded by the Greek hero...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Terracotta
Monkey Ceramic Sculpture Centerpiece, Completely Handmade Without Mold. 2023
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a Sheep in a modern way. The animal is gently painted with a brown color.
Our designer creates these pieces comple...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Set of 6 Wooden Chess Pieces, Linden Wood, Handmade Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set of 6 Ceramic Chess Pieces, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home.
A luxurious chess set designed for the most sophisticated and ambitious...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Busts
Materials
Gold Leaf
Selfie Lady, Design Decorative Centerpiece Handmade Italy 2020, Hand-Crafted
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation created by our designer.
The creations are completely made by hand.
Ceramic and paint are water resistant.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Modern busts for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern busts 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 busts created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, paint and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern busts 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 busts, popular names associated with this style include Mosche Bianche, Europa Antiques, Pascale Girardin, and VG-VGnewtrend. 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 busts differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $175 and tops out at $134,774 while the average work can sell for $2,774.