Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe mid-century modern American furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
Postwar American architects and designers were animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist “International Style” architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the ’30s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale, in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for, respectively, pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair. George Nelson and his design team created Bubble lamp shades using a new translucent polymer skin. Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were re-purposed: the Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs that used surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century designers caught the spirit.
Classically-oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb — who designed holistic groups of sleek, blonde-wood furniture — and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
As the collection of vintage mid-century modern American furniture on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
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Bronze Sculpture Made by Marcello Pietrantoni, Italy 1980 ca.
Located in Carpaneto Piacentino, Italy
Bronze sculpture made by Marcello Pietrantoni, Italy 1980 ca.
The sculpture is signed on the base.
Marcello Pietrantoni was born in Brescia in 1934. Throughout his life he has ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
21st Century Monroe Floor Lamp Polished Brass, Off White Lampshade, Art Lighting
Located in Oporto, PT
Inspiration:
Marilyn Monroe, the sexiest Pin-up of the 1950s, inspired a piece of Art & Design. The design of the Monroe Lamp captures the essence of her image and the sensuality of...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Brass
Large Pedro Friedeburg Silver Leaf Hand Foot Sculpture with COA, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible hand foot sculpture by Pedro Friedeburg (signed underneath) includes a certificate of authenticity by LOS CONTEMPORÁNEOS, more details below about this significant hi...
Category
20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Carl Auböck Model #4072/G 'Rooster' Brass Bell
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #4072/G 'Rooster' brass bell. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural bell is executed in polished brass.
Price is per item. One in stock ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Archimede Seguso Murano Black White Italian Art Glass Elephant Figure Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, and rare, vintage Murano hand blown black and white spotted Italian art glass elephant sculpture. Documented to designer Archimede Seguso, from the "Bianco Nero" series. I...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Glass
Vintage Vases in Bronze, 1980s
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Vintage sets of vases in gilt and sculpted bronze.
Sold as a pair of 1 big model and 1 smaller model.
France, 1980s
3 sets availables
Dimensions:
19 x 10 x H 50 cm
15 x 9 ...
Category
1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Group of Three Large Scale Carved Teak South Asian Musician Figures
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A set of three large heavy carved teak musician figures. All are seated in elegant dance- like poses and wear local style loincloths, neck torques and anklets. One plays a stringed i...
Category
20th Century Asian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Teak
Irving Harper Toothpick Construction Dome
Located in Chicago, IL
Irving Harper toothpick construction dome.
Hand constructed out of toothpicks, Harper the genius of George Nelson Design for Herman Miller, who created the most iconic award winning...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Sculpture “Mermaid” by Johnny Mattsson, Sweden, 1950’s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pine with teak base.
Measures: H: 28 cm/ 11"
D: 7 cm/ 2 3/4".
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Teak, Pine
Pair of Modernist Figural Sculptures in Burlwood
Located in San Diego, CA
Super cool pair of modernist figural sculptures in burlwood, circa 2000s. The figures are hand carved and measure: 7.5" W x 2.5" D x 6.5" H. The pieces are signed "Maria" on the unde...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Burl
Mid-Century Modern Large Brass Pineapple Pina Colada Cup, Jar with Lid, 1970
Located in Miami, FL
Decorative brass pineapple Pina Colada cup, jar with lid from the 1970s.
Recently polished and professional cleaned.
Mid-Century Modern collectible item and Fine Art Sculpture.
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Alfredo Barbini Murano Black Gray Gold Italian Art Glass Poodle Dog Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and rare Murano hand blown Pulegoso bubbles, black and gold Italian art glass poodle puppy dog sculpture. Documented to designer Alfredo Barbini, circa 1950-1960 and publis...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Gold Leaf
Vintage Ikebana Japanese Midcentury Hexagon Ceramic Bud Vessels
Located in San Diego, CA
Alluring pair of Japanese hexagon ceramic bud vases/vessels. Modernist and striking, these ceramic pieces present an organic patina and texture which complements its sharp lines. Bea...
Category
1960s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Two-Part Extra Large Lladro Figure Maiden, 1960s
By Lladro
Located in Rijssen, NL
The figure consists of 2 parts, the main part is a life-size young girl, the front part is a bowl that the girl is apparently holding in her hands.
The pictures in different angle...
Category
1960s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Midcentury Japanese Geisha Figurines
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool pair of Japanese geisha figurines, circa 1960s. The pieces are cast iron with verde gris finish and are quite heavy; they would make a great Mid-Century Modern accent in ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Wall Mask of Afro Child, Afro Woman , Mid-20th Century, Germany
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage Afro Child , Afro Woman Wall Mask which looks great.
This wall head decoration is very detailed and was made in Germany.
This German pottery mask dates circa 1950-1960.
It's ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Whimsical Mid-Century Modern Smiling Sun Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An uplifting Mid-Century Modern plaster sculpture of a stylized smiling sun.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
Decorative Murano Ice Glass Sculpture attributed to Tagliapietra 1980s Italy
Located in Villaverla, IT
Decorative Murano ice glass sculpture, attributed to Tagliapietra, 1980s, Italy.
This is an outstanding Italian artwork, attributed to the famous Venetian maestro Tagliapietra, and ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass, Murano Glass
Martin Sumers Abstract Figurative Modernist Bronze Sculpture, circa 1970s
By Martin Sumers
Located in Peabody, MA
An abstract female figure in bronze by the Expressionist Martin Sumers, circa 1970s. Like his contemporary Willem de Kooning, Sumers found his primary inspiration in a stylized and e...
Category
1970s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Antique Metal Airplane Propeller Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Well done handmade welded in brass and metal plane sculpture, circa 1970s nice patina. We can’t read the signature.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Children Statues Figurines by Cortendorf Vintage German, 1960s
By Cortendorf
Located in Nürnberg, DE
A collection of 1960s Children figurines made by Cortendorf, Germany. A nice addition to any room. Made of Ceramic. Marked with manufactory label. Tallest approx. 6 5/8" high, smalle...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Walter Bosse, for Herta Baller, "Black Gold Line" Hand in Bronze, 1950s
By Carl Auböck
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical and unique solid brass catch it all jewelry ring holder, circa 1950's practical and unique.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Pop Art Limoges French Porcelain Lipstick Miniature Trinket Box Rochard Signed
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare Limoges France Rochard Peint main trinket box crimson lipstick in blue marbled case with brass accent. Marked as shown. The hinged lidded trinket box measures 1.25 inches tall, ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Brass "Windswept" Sculpture by Curtis Jere
By Curtis Jere
Located in Burbank, CA
Stunning vintage brass “Windswept” sculpture designed by Curtis Jere and manufactured in the United States. At the top, we have an elegant representation of abstract art where its ci...
Category
1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Brass
Selection of Abstract Wood Sculptures
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of abstract wood sculptures, probably American, circa 1950s-1960s. From left to right, the sculptures measure: 13.5" H x 14.5" W x 10" D, 16.5" H x 3.5" W x 3" D, 8" H x 12...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Miguel Berrocal La Mini Cariatide Puzzle Sculpture
Located in Washington, DC
Intricate puzzle sculpture by Spanish artist Miguel Berrocal. Sculpture consists of 25 individual pieces, plus one brass heart that is a wearable ring. Comes complete with original b...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Mexican Pens Holder
Located in Wien, AT
Mexican pens holder.
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Beautiful Figurine by Tieberghien Oswald
Located in Antwerp, BE
Tieberghien Oswald (born 1936) is a sophisticated Belgian artist, who has his own ceramics studio in Eeklo started in 1955.
Glazed ceramic in strong yet subtle colors.
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Belgium Handcrafted Ceramic Wall Art, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage ceramic wall art. Brown earthenware with hand painted accents. Design of 8 figures in ceramic and glazed in the tones blue, gold, white and grey.
Category
1970s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Mermaid by Walter Bosse
Located in Wien, AT
Mermaid by Walter Bosse.
Original condition.
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Brass
James Hunolt "Mother & Child" Abstract Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
We are featuring one of our favorite Californian Modernist sculptures by Big Surs's local artist, James Hunolt, circa 1970s. This specific design, known as "Mother & Child" is part o...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Limestone
Pair of Murano Glass and Sterling Silver Musical Clowns by Vittorio Angini
By Vittorio Angini
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of Murano glass and sterling silver musical clowns by Vittorio Angini, charming set with stunning detail, retain original silver plaque signatures and made in Murano Italy labels.
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Silver
Signed Carl Auböck Midcentury Brass Foot Paperweight Handmade Sculpture
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming modernist paperweight in the shape of a foot, designed by Carl Auböck in the 1950s.
Handmade of solid polished brass by Werkstätte Auböck in Austria. Fully stamped and m...
Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Brass
In the Style of the Maison Charles, Pair of Pineapples, circa 1980, France
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
In the style of the Maison Charles, pair of pineapples,
Golden brass,
circa 1980, France.
Measures: Height 32 cm, diameter 20 cm.
Category
1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Feliciano Béjar Signed Magiscope Magic Mirror
Located in Hingham, MA
Feliciano Béjar (1920-2007) sculpted these "Magiscopes" in Mexico during the 1970s and 1980s using glass ground with optic bubbles on both sides of the glass giving the viewer both c...
Category
1980s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Sculpture, Decorative Owl, Brass, Mid-Century, Brass, Vintage, circa 1950
By Curtis Jere
Located in New York, NY
Sculpture of a decorative brass owl, mid-century, circa 1950.
Beautifully handmade brass sculpture.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Murano Formia for Marta Marzotto Green Art Glass Cactus Plant, 1990
Located in Rome, IT
Italian design by Marta Marzotto creator of style, this cactus is a fashion icon of the Italian style, emerald green with a blue and yellow colored spot, the flower.
In limited ed...
Category
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Murano Formia for Marta Marzotto Green Art Glass Cactus Plant, 1990
Located in Rome, IT
Italian design by Marta Marzotto creator of style, this cactus is a fashion icon of the Italian style, emerald green with a red and white colored spot, the flower.
In limited edit...
Category
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Italian Bronze Sculpture by Marcello Pietrantoni
Located in Carpaneto Piacentino, Italy
Italian bronze sculpture by Marcello Pietrantoni, 1980 ca.
The sculpture is signed on the base.
Marcello Pietrantoni was born in Brescia in 1934. Throughout his life he has acc...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Figurative Wooden Sculpture by F Tamba
Located in Antwerp, BE
Highly rare and decorative elegant scene in wood of a man making respectfully advances to a lady, with female servants bringing food. Made in Congo in the 20th century, and offered b...
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Set Vintage Ceramic Sculptures by Freek Berends, 1985
By Freek Berends
Located in Schagen, NL
These mushroom like ceramic sculptures were created by the Dutch Ceramist Freek Berends in 1985. They were most likely created for decorative purpose but can also be used as small va...
Category
1980s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
'4' Four Hakone Japanese Bisque Figurines, Circa 1950
By Hakone Manufacturer Japan
Located in Incline Village, NV
Four bisque hand painted Japanese Hakone figurines; also referred to as "Hakata Dolls" or Suyaki Ningyu. These style "dolls" were first introduced in 17th century Japan as offerings ...
Category
1950s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Modern White Signed Plaster Italian Sculpture
By Ida Fua
Located in Roma, IT
Very interesting plaster sculpture depicting a lovely young woman.
The author is an Italian artist Ida Fua who worked in Torno near Como.
The elegant, elongated neck, recalls the I...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
White Winged Crown, 4 Part Ceramic TOTEM, Hand Built Sculpture by H. Starcevic
Located in New York, NY
A tall, hand built ceramic Modern TOTEM, created by artist Helena Starcevic, this is one in an ongoing study of the totemic form. Here, there are 4 separate parts hand-formed and att...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Marcello Fantoni, 1950s, Italian, Pair of Ceramic Figures
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of glazed ceramic figures by Italian designer Marcello Fantoni. Signed.
Price is for the pair.
Complementary delivery in the Los Angeles / Beverly Hills area. Pick up is also a...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Art Deco Resin Sculpture with Italy 1970 Silver Foil Woman with Fan
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Art Deco resin sculpture with Italy 1970 silver foil woman with fan.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Silver
Sterrit-Gittings Kelsey Bronze Tennis Player on Marble Base Royal Copenhagen
Located in Westport, CT
Sterrit-Gittings Kelsey Bronze Tennis woman, marble base Royal Copenhagen 152/2500 signed and dated 1976.
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Bronze Sculpture "Furnace Flowers"
Located in Rochester, NY
Bronze sculpture Polished and patinated bronze sculpture. "Furnace Flowers" by mid century modern Italian sculptor Francesco Somaini (Italy 1926-2005), dated 1963. Mounted on hea...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Bronze, Iron
1987 Signed Post Modern Mannequin Head by Lindsey B Balkweill
Located in Melbourne, AU
1980s signed and dated Post Modern highly stylised mannequin head by Lindsey B aka Lindsey Balkweill. She studied sculpture at St Martins School of Art. In 1983 she started the Linds...
Category
1980s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Resin, Acrylic
Aqua Monumental Organic Freeform Venetian Art Glass Vase, Signed by David Dona
By Davide Dona
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental organic freeform Venetian art glass vase, signed by David Dona.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass
Adam & Eve Bronze Sculpture Signed Zavel Silber
Located in Atlanta, GA
Adam & Eve bronze sculpture signed Zavel Silber
Zavel (Zavel Silber) Zavel is active/lives in New York / Latvia. Sculptor and painter
Midcentury abstract bronze-clad sculpture
Bea...
Category
1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Composition, Bronze
Carl Auböck Model #4059 'Optimist/Pessimist' Brass Sculpture
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #4059 'Optimist/Pessimist' brass sculpture. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural figure is executed in polished and patinated brass. Can b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Lady Porcelain Figurine, Royal Dux, Czechoslovakia
By Royal Dux
Located in Chorzów, PL
Lady porcelain figurine, Royal Dux.
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Fiberglass Sculpture by Milosevic
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Vintage sculpture by MILOSEVIC.
Dragoljub D.A, MILOSEVIC (1939-2019), is an artist born in 1939. He showed early gifts for the drawing and plastic modeling of busts. He thus obtai...
Category
1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Fiberglass
Large Art Glass Sommerso Sailboat Sculpture by Murano Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
Large art glass Sommerso sailboat sculpture by Murano Glass, circa 1970s. The sailboat is clear glass with a dark blue on one half of the piece; it is 14" high and in excellent vinta...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass
Modernist Patinated Bronze Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Modernist patinated bronze sculpture on a black wood base, circa 1960s. The piece has a 3-dimensional face (Julius Ceasar?) in bronze that is mounted to a small marble disk and the a...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Carl Auböck Optimist Pessimist Handcrafted Brass Sculpture
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful brass figure called "optimist / pessimist", model #4059, designed by Carl Auböck back in 1957. A very charming object, which can be positioned in two ways, as an optimist...
Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Boleslaw Danikowski High Enameled Ceramic Sculpture, France 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Boleslaw DANIKOWSKI high enameled ceramic sculpture, France 1950.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
