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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
The Keisha Bust
Located in Napanoch, NY
Inspired by the tradition of artists such as Edmonia Lewis, Elizabeth Catlett, and Augusta Savage, The Keisha Bust by Haitian-American artist Jessica Jean-Baptiste is a celebration o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Busts
Materials
Plaster
$1,670 / item
80's Modigliani insp David Fisher Woman Head Bust Tete Sculpture Austin Prods
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Monumental Modigliani bust of lover, Jeanne Hebuterne, by David Fisher for Austin Productions, 1985
Substantial sculpture, 20" H, in exquisite detail....
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Busts
Materials
Plaster
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
Pair of Wooden Native American Busts
By Jose Pinal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A complementary pair of male and female Native American, wooden busts by Jose Pinal, made in Mexico. One form highlights a more subdued disposition with lon...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Modern Busts
Materials
Wood
$450 / set
Italian Marble Carrara Sculpture "Horse Head" Began 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Horse head sculpture on white Carrara marble of a horse in classic style placed on a turned base in Carrara marble.
End 19th century.
Dimension: including base: H 40 x 30 x 13 cm.
...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Marble
$7,653 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Skiing Man, 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 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
Silver Metallic Android Bust by W. Beaupre
Located in New York, NY
Futuristic silver metallic android bust by W. Beaupre composed of vintage jewelry findings.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Busts
Materials
Metal
The Jamal Bust
Located in Napanoch, NY
Inspired by the tradition of artists such as Edmonia Lewis, Elizabeth Catlett, and Augusta Savage, The Jamal Bust by Haitian-American artist Jessica Jean-Baptiste is a celebration of...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Busts
Materials
Plaster
$1,670 / item
JEAN-ANTOINE HOUDON'S "SCORTICATO" IN PLASTER early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
JEAN-ANTOINE HOUDON'S "SCORTICATO" IN PLASTER early 20th Century
1: 1 reproduction in plaster of the head of the Flayed by the French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon (Paris, 1741-1828).
He studied in Rome, at the French Academy...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Plaster
$2,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Modern Sculpture Mother & Child by Willow Woosav for Austin Productions
Located in Topeka, KS
Lovely vintage modern sculpture of mother and child comprised of durastone and signed by Willow Woosav for Austin Productions. Beautiful condi...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Busts
Materials
Composition
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
Austin 1980s Large Female Head Sculpture
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A large plaster female bust in the 1980s vibe reminiscent of Studio 54 in satin white on a wooden base, signed to the back neck area Austin Product...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Busts
Materials
Plaster
Modern Art Bronze Male Bust Sculpture T.B.-1
Located in Toledo, OH
Modern art bronze male bust sculpture. Laminate base. Very nice condition. Dimensions: 8" depth x 9" W x 17" H.
Category
20th Century Unknown Modern Busts
Materials
Bronze
Felipe Castañeda
By Felipe Castañeda
Located in New York, NY
Felipe Castañeda Felicidad (1984)
Marble sculpture Measure: H 18 inches
Signed F Castanee 1984.
Category
20th Century Mexican Modern Busts
Materials
Marble
$17,000
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
Italian Marble Bust of a Smiling Young Woman, Signed Tiruk
Located in Montreal, QC
This bust sensitively captures the beauty and innocence of youth. Her thick hair is worn in a single braid; her head is thrown back as she laughs. The sculptor, who signs indistinctl...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Marble
Plaster mannequin by Christian Dior.
Located in Lugo, IT
Plaster mannequin by Christian Dior.
Good condition.
Thank you
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Busts
Materials
Gesso
Sculpture in Italian Roman Travertine
Located in Tivoli Terme, Roma
The sculpture was made from a single block of Roman Travertine.
Dimensions of the sculpture: cm 93 x 52 x 40 cm.
Size of the sculpture with shaft an...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Travertine, Marble
Bust of Octavian Augustus in Breccia Pernice and white Carrara end 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Bust of Octavian Augustus in Breccia Pernice and white Carrara Marble
placed on a turned base in white Carrara marble
height 73 cm base included,
weight 80 kg
Italy
73x55x28cm
Go...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Carrara Marble
$11,480 Sale Price
20% Off
Goat Ceramic Centerpiece, Gold details Completely Handmade Without Mold, 2024
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a goat 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
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
Picnic Fashion Lady, 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
White and Pois Horse, Ceramic 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
Black Orangutan, Ceramic Centerpiece, Handmade Design in Italy, 2021
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of an orangutan in a modern way.
Our designer creates these pieces completely by hand.
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
ISIDE I11, Moorish Head, Handmade in Sicily, 2021, Centerpiece, 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 combine history and design.
The extreme attention to details, supported by twenty years of experience of master craftsmen, is the company’s strength.
The production technique hides secrets and art mixtures that make the product unique and exclusive. Mosche Bianche chooses to combine art and design to recall history through ceramic artworks in doing so, history revives, as in a fairy tale, an incredible civilization that is the sicilian culture.
The moorish heads in ceramics, tribute to the beauty of ancient Sicily...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Enamel
2 Horses, Brown, Ceramic Centerpiece, Completely Handmade Without Mold, NEW 2023
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a Horse in a modern way. The animal is gently painted.. All the pieces from Mosche Bianche are unique since they are done without any mold. Ha...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic
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
$119,589 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Woman's Head Blue 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
$2,747 Sale Price / item
25% Off
Vintage African Carved Bust's or Bookends Girl & Boy in Ebony, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A set of vintage African Busts; boy and girl, possibly Nigerian/Lagos. Hand-carved from Ebony wood. Very decorative with a strong 'dark' and stylish presence. Due to their weight the...
Category
1970s African Vintage Modern Busts
Materials
Ebony
Couple of Horses in Ceramic Centerpiece Handmade in Italy Without Mold, 2023
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of two horses in a modern way. The horses are gently finished with golden leaf.
Our designer creates these pieces completely by hand, without any...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Gold Leaf
Horse Head, Unique Ceramic 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
Bust of a man in transparent glass attributed to Pino Signoretto
Located in Lugo, IT
Bust of a man in transparent glass attributed to Pino Signoretto.
Good condition.
Thanks
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Busts
Materials
Murano Glass
2 Horses, Silver Ceramic Centerpiece, Completely Handmade Without Mold, NEW 2023
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a Horse in a modern way. The animal is gently painted.. All the pieces from Mosche Bianche are unique since they are done without any mold. Ha...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic
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
Gaius Julius Caesar - Caricature Head in Hand-Carved Oak, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Well it does not look much like what we know about the Roman Emperor Gajus Julius Caesar's facial appearance. But given the inscription to its back Julius - 44 (Caesar died in 44 bef...
Category
20th Century Danish Modern Busts
Materials
Oak
$550 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Swimming suit Woman, Going to the beach in summer. Handmade with no mold. Italy
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. Every piece is handmade without mold!
Our designer creates these piec...
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
Roberto Estevez Tall Polished Solid Brass Kudu Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Roberto Estevez 1980's tall polished solid brass kudu sculpture with circular pedestal base.
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Busts
Materials
Brass
Sunbathing Lady 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 Black Flute Pedestal Sculpture Column Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Flute Pedestal Stand, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern.
Flute is the perfect standing piece of art to enhance an...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Busts
Materials
Brass
$3,181 Sale Price / item
30% Off
Venere V26, Man'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 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
Fashion Beach Lady, 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
Robert Frost Bust by Florence Fiore, c.1930s
Located in Savannah, GA
Florence Fiore
(American, 1908-1994)
A from-life plaster portrait bust of Robert Frost, circa 1930
“When he was professor of English at Amherst College, Florence traveled there to sculpt his portrait. Florence wanted to finish the bust as quickly as possible because Frost was recovering from an illness. She completed this sculpture in three days.”
11 ½ inches wide by 11 inches deep by 19 inches tall
Florence Reeve Fiore was a portrait artist and sculptor who was active on the east coast in New York, Washington and Jekyll Island...
Category
1930s American Vintage Modern Busts
Materials
Plaster
Beach Lover Lobster 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
Toucan Ceramic Centerpiece, Completely Handmade Without Mold, 2024
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a Toucan in a modern way. The animal is gently painted with a may different colors. All the pieces from Mosche Bianche are unique since they a...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Venere V25, Man's Moorish Head, Handmade in Sicily, 2021, Gold Finish, 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 combine history and design.
The extreme attention to details, supported by twenty years of experience of master craftsmen, is the company’s strength.
The production technique hides secrets and art mixtures that make the product unique and exclusive.
Mosche Bianche chooses to combine art and design to recall history through ceramic artworks in doing so, history revives, as in a fairy tale, an incredible civilization that is the sicilian culture.
The moorish heads in ceramics, tribute to the beauty of ancient Sicily...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Enamel
Art Toy by Frank Kozik x Kidrobot “Smokin’ Joe Stalin” Bronze Bust, 2007
By Frank Kozik
Located in Weesp, NL
Frank Kozik x Kidrobot “Smokin’ Joe Stalin” Vinyl Bronze Bust, 2007 — Limited Edition of 50
A rare and iconic piece from the late legendary artist Frank Kozik, this limited edition bronze Stalin bust...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Busts
Materials
Plastic
Sculpture of a Female Bust in Patinated Bronze, Contemporary Art, 21st Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture of a female bust in patinated bronze, contemporary art, 21st century.
Sculpture of a female bust in patinated bronze, contemporary art, 21st century.
h : 37cm, w : 26cm, d...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Busts
Materials
Bronze
Giraffe with Butterfly, Ceramic Centerpiece, Handmade Design in Italy, 2021
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a Giraffe in a modern way. The animal is gently painted with a cream colour.
Our designer creates these pieces comp...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
$4,905 Sale Price / item
25% Off
Raku Horse, Ceramic 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
Barrel Sommelier 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
Sunbathing Seal Lady, 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
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
Horse, White, Ceramic Centerpiece, Completely 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
Marble Bust & Pedestal Middle Eastern Man in Turban
Located in Toledo, OH
Marble bust of a Middle Eastern gentleman with white marble turban sitting on a dark green pedestal with white veining. Some small chips to the backsid...
Category
20th Century Unknown Modern Busts
Materials
Marble
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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