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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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

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

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

In stock in Los Angeles, Gold / White Vase, by Stefania Boemi, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (2) In Stock in Los Angeles A poetic ode to traditional craftsmanship and modern sensibility...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Busts

Materials

Gold Leaf

Vintage Italian Head in White Glazed Ceramic
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Orig...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Busts

Materials

Ceramic

French Modern Marble Portrait Bust of a Lady, by L. Cordonnier, 1951
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French modern marble portrait bust of a lady, by L. Cordonnier, '51 A serene carved marble portrait bust of a young lady with braided hair looking downwards. Signed L. Cordonnier,...
Category

20th Century French Modern Busts

Materials

Marble

Modern Matte Black Ceramic Torso
Located in Miami, FL
Modern matte black ceramic torso.
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Busts

Materials

Clay

Tucan 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

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

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

Bronze Abstract Head By Wolf Bröll 1993
Located in Norwich, GB
Striking Abstract Impressionist bronze head by Wolf Bröll (1950-2016) part polished, with dark brown rough textured areas. Artist monogram WB and number 1/12. Dated 1993. The bron...
Category

1990s German Modern Busts

Materials

Bronze

Modern Black Flute Pedestal Sculpture Column Handmade in Portugal 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

Ms. Bubble by Daniel Meyer Wood and Acrylic Woman Sculpture
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a contemporary sculpture by American artist Daniel Meyer (1945), circa the 1990s-2000s. A Chicago native, Dan received experience at the renowned School ...
Category

1990s Modern Busts

Materials

Acrylic, Hardwood, Lacquer

Sculpture of a Tilted Face in Patinated Bronze, Contemporary Art, 21st Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture of a tilted face in patinated bronze, Contemporary art, 21st century. Sculpture of a tilted face in patinated bronze, contemporary art, 21st century. h: 42cm, w: 40cm, d: ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Busts

Materials

Bronze

Contemporary Bust of a Man made out of carved and painted Pine, 2023
Located in Berlin, DE
Crafted in 2023, the Contemporary Bust of a Man breathes life into the age-old tradition of sculptural expression. Hewn from pine, its form emerges from the raw essence of nature, ca...
Category

2010s German Modern Busts

Materials

Plaster, Pine, Paint

Ephraim Doner Plaster Bust by Florence Fiore
Located in Savannah, GA
Florence Fiore (American, 1905-1999) A plaster bust of Ephraim Doner by Florence Fiore, circa 1930s. Ephraim Doner was a prominent figure and artist of the Big Sur and Carmel milieu in the mid 20th century. He was a friend to Henry Miller who mentions him extensively in Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch. 10 inches wide by 9 ½ inches deep by 18 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

Florence Fiore - Rudolph Gruen Plaster Bust, c.1930s
Located in Savannah, GA
Florence Fiore (American, 1905-1999) A from-life plaster bust of American composer Rudolph Gruen, circa 1930s. 10 inches wide by 11 inches deep by 20 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

"Sharp is the Action" Mask Sculpture by Dave Root, High-Fire Stoneware, Signed
Located in Kansas City, MO
From a series of masks and heads, "Sharp is the Action" is a tabletop sculpture inspired by the masks and heads made throughout Oceania. Landing in the nebulous zone between ceremony...
Category

2010s American Modern Busts

Materials

Stoneware

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

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

Earthenware Sculpture by Lennart Olausson
By Lennart Olausson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Soulful earthenware sculpture of a face by Lennart Olausson. Glazed turquoise with a slight shimmer. Lennart Olausson (born 1944) is a Swedish a...
Category

Early 2000s Swedish Modern Busts

Materials

Earthenware

Ira Yeager Sculpture Pierrot Clown Head on Stand
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

Contemporary Pop Art Bust in Concrete and Paint, Felix Bachmann 2024
Located in Berlin, DE
Experience the vibrant energy of contemporary pop art bust by Felix Bachmann, created in 2024. Crafted from concrete and adorned with bold paint strokes, it embodies the fusion of mo...
Category

2010s German Modern Busts

Materials

Concrete

Richard Russell Jr. Bust by Rosario Russell Fiore, 1975
Located in Savannah, GA
Rosario Russell Fiore (American, 1908-1994) A large plaster bust of Georgia Governor and United States Senator Richard Russell Jr., 1975. The bronze is in the Capitol Museum Collect...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Busts

Materials

Plaster

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

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

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

Venere V26, Man's Moorish Head, Vase without Crown, Handmade in Sicily, Size M
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 V26, Woman's Moorish Head, Vase without Crown, Handmade in Sicily, Size M
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 M
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 V25, Man's Moorish Head, Handmade in Sicily, 2021, Gold Finish, Size M
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, Woman'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

Venere V15, Woman's Moorish Head, Handmade in Sicily, 2021, Hand Painted, Size M
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

ISIDE I12.Man's Moorish Head, Handmade in Sicily, 2021, Centerpiece, 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 comb...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Busts

Materials

Enamel

ISIDE I12, Man's 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 comb...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Busts

Materials

Enamel

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

Pinocchio Design 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

Skater Boy, 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

Rapper with Dog, 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

Man's Head Sponge Decorative Ceramic Piece, Handmade Italy, 2021, Hand-Crafted
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a man's head in a modern way. Our designer creates these pieces completely by hand.    
Category

2010s Italian Modern Busts

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Ibex Animal Ceramic and Gold Leaf Centerpiece, Handmade Design in Ital, 2021
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of an ibex in a modern way. The animal is browsing leaves (gold leaf). Our designer creates these pieces completely by hand.   
Category

2010s Italian Modern Busts

Materials

Gold Leaf

Gift Santa Decorative Ceramic Piece, Handmade Italy, 2021, Hand-Crafted Design
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a funny revisiting of Santa Claus bringing his famous Christmas gifts. Our designer creates these pieces completely by hand.     
Category

2010s Italian Modern Busts

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Rosario Russell Fiore Plaster Bust
Located in Savannah, GA
A plaster bust of sculptor Rosario Russell Fiore, circa 1980. Unsigned. Likely by his wife Florence Fiore. 8 inches wide by 9 ½ inches deep by 16 ½ inches tall Rosario R. Fiore was a prominent American sculptor and member of the National Sculpture Society. Fiore studied at the Mechanics Institute, the National Academy of Design, and the Beaux Arts Academy. Protege of Robert Aitken, he assisted with the creation of the figures in the pediment of the Supreme Court Building, the front of the Archives, and in the Samuel Gompers Memorial. Other notable achievements include serving as a sculptor for the National Park Service and WPA, the Smithsonian, the Department of the Interior, receiving awards for service provided to the US Army, and undertaking commissions for the White House during the Truman and Kennedy administrations. Born in New York, he was active there, in Washington and in Jekyll...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Busts

Materials

Plaster

Terracotta Head of the Dying Warrior of the Frontons of Egina 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Terracotta head of the dying warrior of the frontons of Egina 20th century Italy Measures: Height 56 cm Width 25 cm Length 33 cm Weight 8 kg Historical period between 500 and 480 BC ...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Busts

Materials

Terracotta

Bust of Julius Caesar carved on Cipollino Apuan Marble end 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Bust of Julius Caesar carved on Cipollino Apuan Marble end 20th Century for the bust and white Carrara marble for the head. Italy Turned base in white Carrara marble Original one-...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Busts

Materials

Carrara Marble

Particolare Scultura "Anatomica" in marmo bianco di Carrara
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Scultura su marmo carrara, anatomia umana, scultura anatomica, scultura anatomia, scultura memento, scultura italiana, scultura made in italy ParticoIare e unica scultura rappresenta...
Category

2010s 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

Head Bust of Indian, Lapis Lazuli & Silvered Metal Sculpture, Mexico, ca. 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary Head Bust of Indian Lapis Lazuli, Silvered Metal & Granite Mexico, ca. 1980s DIMENSIONS Height: 13.75 inches Width: 4.5 inches ...
Category

1980s Mexican Vintage Modern Busts

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Metal

Female Torso Sculpture by Brajak Vitberg
Located in Geneve, CH
Female Torso sculpture by Brajak Vitberg 10 Pieces Dimensions: Ø 35 x H 65 cm Materials: white or black cotton lampshade, cotton wiring Bijelic and Brajak are two architects fr...
Category

2010s European Modern Busts

Materials

Clay

Chaim Gross Bronze Bust of Chaim Weizmann
Located in Astoria, NY
Chaim Gross (Ukrainian/American, 1902-1991) Patinated Bronze Bust of Chaim Weizmann, signed and dated, and titled in Hebrew. 21" H x 7.5" W x 7.5" D. Note: Chaim Weizmann was an Isra...
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Busts

Materials

Bronze

Italian Marble Sculpture Early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Italian Marble Sculpture Early 20th Century Marble 70cm x 50cm good original condition
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts

Materials

Marble

French Bronze Brooch 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

Emilio Greco, "Anna" A Cast Bronze Bust of a Women
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

Pair of Angels in Italian Marble Early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of Angels in Italian Marble Early 20th Century Marble 65cm x 30cm original conditions
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts

Materials

Marble

Beautiful Italian Terracotta Sculpture 19th Century "The Girl with the Flowers"
Located in Madrid, ES
Beautiful Italian Terracotta Sculpture 19th Century " The Girl with the Flowers " Terracotta 175cm x 65cm with base: 200cm good original condition
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Modern Busts

Materials

Terracotta

Richard Walter Bock Bronze Bust of Theodor Menges Sculpture on Marble Base
Located in Countryside, IL
Richard Walter Bock Bronze Bust of Theodor Menges Sculpture on Marble Base This sculpture measures: 20.75 wide x 13 deep x 26 inches high This bust is in Good Vintage Condition with...
Category

2010s American Modern Busts

Materials

Marble, Bronze

This is Not a 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

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

Italian Stone Sculpture Early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Italian Stone Sculpture Early 20th Century stone 70cm x 50cm good original condition
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Modern Busts

Materials

Stone

Chéri-Bibi
Located in Paris, FR
Edition in bronze with green patina, founder's stamp A. Valsuani (Paris) Signed and numbered Chéri-Bibi, the central character in a fascinating work by Gaston Leroux, is a captivat...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Busts

Materials

Bronze

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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