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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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
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

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

"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 - 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Modern Monique Pedestal Sculpture Calacatta Marble Handmade Portugal Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Monique Pedestal Stand, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Monique is the perfect standing piece of art to enhance any interior. Monique is a unique design in Calacatta...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Busts

Materials

Onyx, Travertine, Marble, Carrara Marble

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

Abraham Chikumbirike Ironwood Carving of Female Bust
Located in Highland, IN
This exquisite bust by African artist Abraham Chikumbirike is carved from dense ironwood. The finely detailed likeness of a dignified woman is especially impressive due to the diffic...
Category

1980s African Vintage Modern Busts

Materials

Wood

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

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

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

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

Early 20th Century Patinated Bronze Figurative Bust with Marble Base, France
Located in North Miami, FL
Early 20th century Modern patinated bronze figurative bust with marble base, France By: unknown Material: bronze, copper, metal, stone, marble Technique: cast, molded, metalwork, pa...
Category

Early 20th Century French Modern Busts

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal, Bronze, Copper

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

Sculpture of Diana the Huntress, 21st Century.
Sculpture of Diana the Huntress, 21st Century.
$1,528 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Amedeo Clemente Modigliani '1884–1920' d´après, Large Bronze Sculpture
Located in København, Copenhagen
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

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

Italian Studio Murano Glass Female and Male Sculpture by Dino Rosin
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1990’s Italian studio Murano glass female and male sculpture by Dino Rosin. Stamped Studio Rosin Murano Venezia on the back and hand signed Dino Rosin on the front. Measurements:...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Busts

Materials

Murano Glass

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 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

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

Sea Head Coral 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

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

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

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

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

Wall Sculpture of Childs Face by Artist Eugene Canneel, Belgium
By Eugeen Canneel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Wall Sculpture of Childs Face Artist Eugene Canneel (1882-1966) Belgium, circa 1950 Inscribed Signature along the Edge "a very nice child's face wall scuplture ready to hang" "it w...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Modern Busts

Materials

Clay

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

Marble Female Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial female nude torso white marble sculpture with dark veining, circa 20th century. Sculpture is predominately white marble with traces of dark veining as sho...
Category

20th Century European Modern Busts

Materials

Marble, Carrara Marble

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

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

Modernist 20th Century Soviet Russian Nude Male Sculpture in Blackened Bronze
Located in New York, NY
This handsome sculpture was realized in Russia in the 20th century. Created in blackened bronze, it features a male nude figure in the process of forging a sword. He is portrayed mid swing as he strikes the sword with a Hammer. His body torqued all of his muscles appear flexed. The male figure- with his chiseled physique- appears as the paradigm of male beauty- a true adonis. This sculpture offers a timeless motif- employed from Greek antiquity...
Category

20th Century Belarusian Modern Busts

Materials

Bronze

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 the Head of Hercules, Small Size, in Resin and Metal Base.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture of the head of Hercules, small size, in resin and metal base. Heracles is the son of Zeus and Alcmene. Greek mythology lends him a great many adventures that saw him trave...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Busts

Materials

Metal

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

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

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

Sculpture of the Head of Artemis in Patinated Plaster.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture of the head of Artemis in patinated plaster. Daughter of Zeus, Artemis is the sister of Apollo, goddess of hunting and the moon. This statue comes from a cast made by an a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Busts

Materials

Plaster

Sea Head Water 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

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

Livio Seguso, Visionary Early Abstract Bust Sculpture, Clear Glass, Signed
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

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

3 Naturalistic Ceramic Centerpiece Flowers 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 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

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

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

Modern Spanish White Plaster Female Bust-Sculpture by Lucita Latorre, 1991
Located in Salzburg, AT
Modern plaster female bust / sculpture white colored patinated in grey and brown signed Lucita Latorre 1991. The bust reveals a pure and stright lined d...
Category

1990s Spanish Modern Busts

Materials

Plaster

Contemporary Bronze Nude Female Torso Sculpture
Located in Paris, FR
Contemporary bronze sculpture by outstanding Russian artist Tatiana Brodatch based in Milan. This "Venus Torso" from the famous project "Love is a verb", ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Busts

Materials

Bronze

Roberto Estevez Monumental Stylized Torso in Glazierite 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Large stylized torso in glazierite by Roberto Estevez for Karl Springer, American 1980's. Glazierite was a resin composite created by Karl Springer’s artisans. This model was also ca...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Busts

Materials

Resin

Medium-Sized Resin Sculpture Representing a Fragment of the Sculpture of Apollo.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Medium-sized resin sculpture representing a fragment of the sculpture of Apollo. Sculpture representing a reduced model of a Fragment of the sculpture of Apollo, exhibited in the en...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Busts

Materials

Resin

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

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

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

Italian Marble Sculpture Early 20th Century H: 200cm
Located in Madrid, ES
Italian Marble Sculpture Early 20th Century Marble 200cm x 65cm good original condition
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts

Materials

Marble

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

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

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.

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