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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Bust of Caracalla in Terracotta, Early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Bust of Caracalla in Terracotta.
Early 20th century.
Measures: height 73 cm.
Width 58 cm
Depth 30 cm
Weight 18 kg
Base diameter 22 cm.
Historical period 216 ad.
Museum where the ori...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Terracotta
Julius Caesar Copy of a Roman Statue of the Vatican Museums Early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Julius Caesar - Terracotta - copy of a Roman statue of the Vatican Museums
Early 20th century
Terracotta bust of Julius Caesar 50-30 BC
This bust is taken from the original cast of a bust of the Vatican Museums.
Gaius Julius Caesar...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Terracotta
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
MarCo Aurelio Busto in Terracotta, Early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
MarCo Aurelio Busto in Terracotta
Early 20th century
Marcus Aurelius (Rome 121– Vindobona 180), Roman emperor, philosopher and writer.
Measures: Height 78 cm
Width 60 cm
Depth 30 cm...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Terracotta
Sculpture of Hercules in Terracotta Copy of Vatican Museums Early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Sculpture of hercules in terracotta copy of vatican museums early 20th century
Reproduction of "Hercules" located in the Vatican Museums.
Italy
Terracotta copy, supplied with a muse...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Terracotta
Head in Terracotta, Isis of the Greek-Roman World, Early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Head in terracotta - Isis of the greek-roman world early 20th century.
Patinated terracotta
cast of a Roman head from the second century BC of the Vatican Museums.
Taken from a plas...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Terracotta
LARGE TERRACOTTA BUST OF ATHENA FROM THE VATICAN MUSEUMS Early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
LARGE TERRACOTTA BUST OF ATHENA FROM THE VATICAN MUSEUMS Early 20th Century
Unique and non-replicable hand formed bust
Italia - Florence
HEIGHT 112 cms
WIDTH 58cm
DEPTH 38cm
WEIGH...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Terracotta
Terracotta Head of the Dying Warrior of the Frontons of Egina Late 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Terracotta head of the dying warrior of the frontons of Egina late 19th century
Italy
Measures: Height 23 cm
Width 25 cm
Length 33 cm
Weight 5 kg
Historical period between 500 and 48...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Modern Busts
Materials
Terracotta
MarCo Aurelio Head in Patinated Terracotta, Early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
MarCo Aurelio head in patinated terracotta, early 20th century.
Marcus Aurelius terracotta head.
(Rome 121 - Vindobona 180 AD)
Roman emperor (161-180), a follower of the philosophic...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Terracotta
Menelaus Head in Terracotta, Copy of a Greek Original, Early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Menelaus head in terracotta, copy of a Greek original, early 20th century
This is the copy of the head of Menelaus, from a sculptural group of Greek origin, Patroclus and Menelaus.
...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Terracotta
Paul Day (b. 1967) Portrait Plaster Bust of Male
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Paul Day (b. 1967) portrait plaster bust of a male. This renowned artist is one of the leading sculptors in Britain today. His series of human heads are recognised by the reflections...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Busts
Materials
Plaster
Head of Ulysses in White Terracotta, Odyssey of the Polifemo Group Early 20th C
Located in Madrid, ES
Head of Ulysses in white terracotta - odyssey of the polifemo group early 20th century.
Head in terracotta.
Italy.
The head is part of the sculptural group found in 1957 in a cave...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Terracotta
Vintage Pink Clay Bust of Woman in Headdress Sculpture
Located in Seguin, TX
Vintage pink clay bust of woman in headdress. Unsigned. Looks like small chip on edge of scarf.
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Busts
Materials
Clay
Herma of the Farnese Hercules 1:1 in White Carrara Marble, 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
HERMA OF THE FARNESE HERCULES 1:1 IN WHITE CARRARA MARBLE
20th century
Life size 1:1 of the huge head of the Farnese Hercules of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples - Ital...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Carrara Marble
Zeus Di Capo Artemision, Terracotta Head, Cronide, Early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Zeus Di Capo Artemision - terracotta head - Cronide.
early 20th century.
The Cronide of Capo Artemisio or Zeus of Capo Artemisio.
terracotta
Italy
Measures: height 38 cm
width 28 ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Terracotta
Bust in Terracotta of Publio Elio Adriano Imperatore Began, 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Bust In Terracotta Of Publio Elio Adriano Imperatore
began 20th century
(Italica, Seville 76 - Baia 138)
Roman emperor (117-138)
Bust in patinated terracotta in a workmanlike manner...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Terracotta
"Cesare Ottaviano" Bust in Terracotta Italian School, Early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Cesare Ottaviano Augusto bust in terracotta.
Italian School, early 20th century.
Measures: height 60 cm
Width 40 cm
Depth 20 cm
Weight 18 kg
Material terracotta.
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Terracotta
Pair of Heads of Athena Giustiniani in Patinated Terracotta, Early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
PAIR OF HEADS OF ATHENA GIUSTINIANI IN PATINATED TERRACOTTA, early 20th century
The Athena-Minerva Giustiniani is a Roman copy from the Antonine period of ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Terracotta
Magnifican Alexander the Great Bust of Carrara White Marble, 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Alexander The Great.
Bust of Carrara White Marble.
20th century.
Copy of a Greek original from the Athens Museum
Measures: Height 90 cm
Width 62 cm
Depth 32 cm
Weight 150 kg
Material...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Marble
Spring Calla Flower Womad face, Elegant and Unique. 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.
Our designer creates these pieces completely by hand, without any mo...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Modigliani style Tete sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary Modernist style sculpture of a head made of composite materials resting on a black base (style of Modigiani "Tete") (signed and made by Austin Productions 1985)
Category
20th Century Unknown Modern Busts
Materials
Plaster
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
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 Carrara Sculpture "Horse Head", Early 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.
Early 20th century.
Dimension: including base: H 46 x 37 x 15 cm....
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Marble
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
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
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
White Lion, Ceramic Centerpiece, Handmade Design in Italy, 2021
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a Lion in a modern way. The animal is gently painted with a cream colour.
Our designer creates these pieces completely by hand.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
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
Hammered Sculpture by Waylande Gregory
Located in Long Island City, NY
Hammered and Patinated Sculpture by Waylande Gregory on a raw wooden base.
Category
20th Century Danish Modern Busts
Materials
Metal
CLOVIS EDMOND MASSON (1838-1913) "Lion and Lioness" 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
CLOVIS EDMOND MASSON (1838-1913)
"Lion and Lioness".
Bronze sculptural group.
Signed.
Dim.: 32 x 84 x 22 cm
very good condition
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Modern Busts
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Female Torso Stylized Venus Brass Sculpture
Located in West Chester, PA
Vintage stylized nude torso hollow cast solid brass sculpture mounted on wood base. Circa late 20th C. unmarked.
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Busts
Materials
Brass
EDOUARD DROUOT (1859-1945) Sculptural Group in Gilded Bronze Signed
Located in Madrid, ES
EDOUARD DROUOT (1859-1945)
Sculptural group in gilded bronze, based on a black marble base.
Signed.
Dim.: 27 x 33 cm
very good condition
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Modern Busts
Materials
Bronze
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
Sculpture En Marbre Sur Sellette En Verre De Vicente Orti
Located in TOULOUSE, FR
Modern sculpture in polished brown marble (a woman's torso?) on a transparent glass stand.
20th century period.
This Valencian artist, Vicente Orti (1947-), is famous and known for...
Category
20th Century Spanish Modern Busts
Materials
Marble
1994 Modernist Complete Series of Three Nefertiti Bronze Vases by Lino Sabattini
Located in Aci Castello, IT
An extremely rare complete series of Nefertiti gilded and green painted bronze vases by Lino Sabattini, a numbered edition of only 50 specimens, co...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Bronze
White Glazed Ceramic Sculpture by the Famous Belgian Sculptor Albert Poels
By Albert Poels
Located in Tilburg, NL
White glazed ceramic sculpture by the famous Belgian sculptor from Antwerp,
Albert Poels 1903-1984.
Titled in dutch 'Heropbeuring’, which refers to...
Category
1930s Belgian Vintage Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic
Man in Nature 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
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
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
Brown Lion Ceramic Sculpture Centerpiece, Completely Handmade Without Mold. 2023
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a Lion in a modern way. The animal is gently painted with a brown color.
Our designer creates these pieces complet...
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
Paint, Ceramic
Bust 01 Sculpture by Pascale Girardin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
These decorative stoneware pieces, are hand-built, using traditional techniques of pinching and coiling. Their surface treatment is applied by brush strokes or by pouring.
Each pie...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Sheep 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 completely by hand, without any ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Bust 02 Sculpture by Pascale Girardin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
These decorative stoneware pieces, are hand-built, using traditional techniques of pinching and coiling. Their surface treatment is applied by brush strokes or by pouring.
Each pie...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Marry Me Gorilla Ceramic 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
Bust 10 Sculpture by Pascale Girardin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
These decorative stoneware pieces, are hand-built, using traditional techniques of pinching and coiling. Their surface treatment is applied by brush strokes or by pouring.
Each pie...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Bust 06 Sculpture by Pascale Girardin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
These decorative stoneware pieces, are hand-built, using traditional techniques of pinching and coiling. Their surface treatment is applied by brush strokes or by pouring.
Each pie...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Bust 12 Sculpture by Pascale Girardin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
These decorative stoneware pieces, are hand-built, using traditional techniques of pinching and coiling. Their surface treatment is applied by brush strokes or by pouring.
Each pie...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Bust 07 Sculpture by Pascale Girardin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
These decorative stoneware pieces, are hand-built, using traditional techniques of pinching and coiling. Their surface treatment is applied by brush strokes or by pouring.
Each pie...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Bust 09 Sculpture by Pascale Girardin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
These decorative stoneware pieces, are hand-built, using traditional techniques of pinching and coiling. Their surface treatment is applied by brush strokes or by pouring.
Each pie...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
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
Ira Yeager Sculpture Pierrot Clown Head on Stand
By Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Whimsical French pantomime pierrot head or bust sculpture mounted on a stand by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). One of several Ira created from pain...
Category
20th Century American Modern Busts
Materials
Concrete, Tin
Bust 05 Sculpture by Pascale Girardin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
These decorative stoneware pieces, are hand-built, using traditional techniques of pinching and coiling. Their surface treatment is applied by brush strokes or by pouring.
Each pie...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Elegant Head Ceramic Centerpiece Completely 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 completely by hand, without any mo...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
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
Naturalistic 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
Goat Bullet 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 completely by hand, without any ...
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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