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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
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
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
Kissing 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. 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
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
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
Macaque Handcrafted, 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
Couple of "To the beach" Pop Centerpiece Handmade in Italy Without Mold, 2023
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
This pieces are unique and handmade without mold. The girl and the boy are ready to go to the beach!
Our designer creates these pieces completely by hand, without any mold. Any piece...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Brutalist Style Bronze Sculpture of a Female Torso
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Beautiful large brutalist style bronze sculpture of a female torso, circa 1960s, unsigned.
Category
1960s French Vintage Modern Busts
Materials
Bronze
Snorkeling Beach 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
Dark Horse, 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
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
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
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
Modern Matte Black Ceramic Torso
Located in Miami, FL
Modern matte black ceramic torso.
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Busts
Materials
Clay
Table Tennis Man, 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 man in a modern way. The man is gently painted with acrylic color. Every piece is handmade without mold!
Our designer creates these pieces c...
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
Futuristic Horse, 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
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
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
White and Brown 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
Baywatch Octopus 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
French Bronze Brooch Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A cast bronze brooch by French Parisian Art Jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1950s. The small lovely bronze pieces features a medallion insignia design with olive branch wreath...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Busts
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Horse, White, Ceramic Centerpiece, Completely Handmade Without Mold, NEW 2023
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
Armor Horse, Silver finish, 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
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
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
Couple of Decorative Centerpieces Sculptures, Handmade Italy, 2020, Handcrafted
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The pieces are a unique representation created by our designer. The two heads represents a man and a woman with naturalistic character, in a satirical way.
The creations are complet...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
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
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
Baby Gorilla Pacifier Ceramic Centerpiece Handmade in Italy Without Mold, 2023
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a Gorilla in a modern way. The man 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
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
Venere V26, Man's Moorish Head, Vase without crown, Handmade in Sicily, 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
Abstract Origami Metal Sculpture Figure Hand Blackened Finish
By Redsoul
Located in Seattle, WA
Currently, 1 in stock ships in 5 business days.
The origami Metal Sculpture is an abstraction of human proportions. The metal folding sculptural figure builds on the contradiction...
Category
2010s American Modern Busts
Materials
Steel
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
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
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
Adam and Eve 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
Tightrope Antelope Sculpture Centerpiece, Completely Handmade Without Mold, 2023
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of an Antelope in a modern way. The animal is gently painted with a brown color.
Our designer creates these pieces com...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
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
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
Curlers Sunbath 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
Winning Swordfish 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
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
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
Emilio Greco, "Anna" A Cast Bronze Bust of a Women
By Emilio Greco
Located in Montreal, QC
Inspired by the Italian Mannerist tradition, this bronze bust titled "Anna" was cast in 1954 by Emilio Greco. (Italian, 11 October 1913 – 4 April 1995) The bronze has a brown patinat...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Bronze
Musician Trumpet Decorative Ceramic Piece, Handmade Italy, 2021, Hand-Crafted
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece represents a musician playing his trumpet.
Our designer creates these pieces completely by hand.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Hammerhead Muscle 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
Fish King Sunglasses, 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
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
Venere V15, Man's Moorish Head, Handmade in Sicily, 2021, Hand Painted, 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
Octopus 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
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
Ceramic Handmade Crocodile, Ceramic Centerpiece, handcrafted in Italy, 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 cream colour.
Our designer creates these pieces completely by hand.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Venere V15, Woman's Moorish Head, Handmade in Sicily, 2021, Hand Painted, 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
Venere V23, Woman'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
Playful Ibex, Ceramic Centerpiece, Handmade Design in Italy, 2021
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of an Ibex in a modern way. The animal is playing with some little rocks on his nose.
Our designer creates these pieces completely by hand.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
ISIDE I11, Moorish Head, Handmade in Sicily, 2021, Centerpiece, Size L. Vase.
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 comb...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Busts
Materials
Enamel
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.