Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage 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. The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influence in the rise of modern design in the United States thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field.
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 chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Contemporary 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
Murano Orange Blue Italian Art Glass Mushroom Toadstool Paperweight Sculptures
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Priced Per Item (1 blue and 2 yellow available). Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown Italian art glass mushroom / toadstool paperweights. Created for the Fornasa De Murano A L'Insegn...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Uranium Glass, Glass
Carl Aubock Sculpture "Man With Stick" 4060
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock Sculpture "Man With Stick" 4060. This beautifully crafted sculpture first conceived in the 1950's by Carl Aubock is a wonderful example of whimsical forms that have made ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Wonderful Vintage Art Glass Daum Nancy Sculpture Porsche 911 On Stand Plaque
By Daum
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Vintage Art Glass Sculpture Porsche 911 On Wood Stand With Plaque. Possibly Daum.
Category
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass
Carl Auböck Model #3603L Large Brass and Leather Bell
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #3603L large brass and leather bell. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural bell is executed in polished brass and rich brown leather.
P...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Antique Early 20th Century Traditional Metal Iron, circa 1930
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Vintage traditional metal iron with a gravure and a wooden handle.
Made by unknown manufacturer in Spain, circa 1930.
In original condition, wear consistent with age and use, p...
Category
1930s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Gaetano Pompa Mid-Century Cast and Gilt Bronze, Winged Deity
By Gaetano Pompa
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An authentic and fantastic example of Italian mid-century Art by Gaetano Pompa (Italy, 1933-1998). Signed and dated Roma 1966 on the back of one wing. Hollow cast with gilt finish an...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Fulvio Bianconi Venini Model 2993 Bride Figure Circa 1950’s
Located in Ann Arbor, MI
Rare Bride Figure Model 2993 designed by Fulvio Bianconi for Venini Circa 1950’s. The figure is acid signed Venini Murano Italia.
One of the most famous post-war Italian graphi...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Blown Glass
Bronze Sculpture of Woman by Carl Tasha
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bronze sculpture by artist Carl Tasha, c.1970s, USA. Tasha was a sculptor from Provincetown, Massachusetts, known for his bronze jewelry, belt buckles and sculptures. This particular...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Italian Glazed Earthenware Chinoiserie Figures on Pedestals
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking pair of mid century chinoiserie figures crafted in terra cotta with a distinctive Italian white glaze, depicting a male and female figure seated on pillows over classical pe...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Sublime Italian Mid-Century Pearlized Ceramic Geisha Figurine on Pedestal
Located in Miami, FL
Unique Pearlized and Glazed Ceramic Geisha Figurine in Traditional Attire with Beautiful Back Bow, Delicate Hands, Hair Decor and Floral Motifs. Made in Italy.
The Figurine Sits o...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Folk Art Mid-Century Modern Blown Red Art Glass Face Masks, México
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern Folk Art blown red glass face masks made in México.
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Blown Glass
Mimi Gross Grooms Enamel Cut Aluminum Male Sculpture 1980s Post-Mod Pop Art
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mimi Gross Grooms enamel on cut aluminum sculpture "Tommie," depicting a seated man in street clothes, the reverse of his proper left leg numbered, signed and dated "#23/72 Mimi Gros...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Bronze, Sheet Metal
Pablo Picasso Signed Madoura Visage De Femme Sun Silver Pendant Medallion, 1949
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful and relatively rare Pablo Picasso silver Visage de Femme or Sun pendant/ medallion. Picasso created the piece at Madoura in Vallauris, Southern France in 1949.
Signed...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Silver
Porcelain Figurine of a Boy, Bing & Grondahl, Denmark, 1950s / 1960s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Porcelain figurine of a boy asking for help in putting on his shoe
Made in Denmark by Bing & Grondahl
Produced in 1958-1962
Model number # 2275
Very good condition, no da...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
1940's Sitting Faun by Elena Borch Produced in Disco Metal by Just Andersen A/S
Located in Knebel, DK
Sitting faun figurine by Elena Borch (1869 - 1950) produced in disco metal by Just Andersen A/S in the 1940 - 1950´s.
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
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
"Echorchè Man", Resin Sculpture by Edoard Lanteri
Located in Naples, IT
Resin sculpture marked Chapman and Hall 1901, "Ecorche Man" by Eduardo Lanteri.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Resin
Franco Toffolo Commedia Dell'Arte Glass Clown Acrobat Figure
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish Murano commedia dell'arte clown style art glass figure designed by Italian Maestro glassmaker Franco Toffolo and dating from around 1960. Toffolo worked at Venini from 1946...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Blown Glass
Franz Hagenauer Wooden Canoe with 4 Standing African Paddlers
Located in St. Louis, MO
Karl Hagenauer sculpted wooden canoe with four bronze standing African paddlers with black patina, having bronze headdresses and bronze paddles. Bottom has stamped Handmade Hagenauer...
Category
1940s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Mid-Century Modern Life-Size Bronze Duck, Animal Sculpture, Table Decoration
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern polished decorative heavy bronze duck, animal sculpture or table decor.
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
1960s Carved Wood African Teak Female Nude Sculpture
Located in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
1960s hand-carved female nude sculpture in African teak.
Measures: H 44cm x W 16cm x D 9cm.
Category
Mid-20th Century African Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Teak
Small Austrian Ceramic Figure Collection / Candleholder by Leopold Anzengruber
Located in Chicago, IL
A group of 3 Austrian ceramic figures attributed to Leopold Anzengruber.
Manner of Walter Bosse and the Wiener Werkstatte
Dimension is of dancing large figure.
Note: They are all ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Austrian Midcentury African Warrior Bronze and Brass Sculpture by Hagenauer
Located in Vienna, AT
Amazing iconic African warrior sculpture designed by Karl Hagenauer and manufactured by Werkstätte Hagenauer Wien during the 1950s. It is made of black patinated bronze and brass, ma...
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Brass
Nuremberg Water Fountain Souvenir Statue Pewter Figure Vintage German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful pewter figurine of the goose man, a statue in the middle of a water fountain in Nuremberg, Germany. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal. A be...
Category
1930s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Pewter
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Figurative Wrought Iron Candleholders, 1960s
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Cool pair of midcentury wrought iron candleholders, figurative African women, 1960s.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wrought Iron
Hal Fromhold Midcentury Studio Ceramic Sculpture
By Hal Fromhold
Located in Norwalk, CT
This unique, whimsical sculpture is circa 1960s, from California.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
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
Hal Fromhold Midcentury Studio Ceramic Sculpture
By Hal Fromhold
Located in Norwalk, CT
Monogram stamp CHF, circa 1960s, California.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Feliciano Béjar Signed Magiscope Magic Mirror
Located in Hanover, 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
Monumental Inox Sculpture by Dutch Artist Diet Wiegman, circa 1970
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
A monumental sculpture in stainless steel / Inox by Dutch artist Diet Wiegman made in 1969
This sculpture was placed at a Catholic School in Rotterdam, circa 1970
The connectio...
Category
1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stainless Steel
Wood Orphan Child Lantern Table Lamp by Aldo Tura for Macabo, Italy, 1950s
Located in Rome, IT
This particular and sophisticated lamp made by Aldo Tura is most likely a unique prototype lamp. Aldo Tura lamps were done in small editions, thus the details and level of sophistica...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Fine Mid-20th Century Miniature Bronze Bust by Harold Pfeiffer, Circa 1960
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A finely sculpted limited edition miniature bronze bust of a Bahamian man exhibiting a fine brown/green patina overall, signed & numbered on the reverse H. Pfeiffer 3/6, raised upon ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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
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
Porcelain „ Flamingo“ by G. Bochmann for AK &Kaiser, West Germany, 1950s
By AK Kaiser
Located in Basel, BS
Enrich your everyday life with a flamingo around. This beautiful vintage animal sculpture "Flamingo" made during the 1950ies by West-German porcelain manufacturer AK Kaiser is a stun...
Category
1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Otello Rosa Venetian Carnival Mask Pantalone Sculpture for San Polo 1950s
By Otello Rosa
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Otello Rosa Venetian carnival mask Pantalone sculpture for San Polo 1950s.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Wooden Carved and Painted Tintin and Milou Figure, Late 20th Century
Located in Uppsala, SE
Charming and a bit naive, but well made, carved and painted wooden figure, depicting Tintin and Milou, made in the late 20th century by unknown maker. Very good vintage condition wit...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Gladiator Statue
Located in Tarleton, GB
Gladiator statue
This is a mid-century resin statue of a Roman gladiator.
Fabulous detail on this large room statue. In the same home from new it looks fabulous in any room.
...
Category
1950s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Carved Wood Figurative Sculpture Attributed to Elaine Kaufman Feiner circa 1960s
Located in Norwalk, CT
Elaine Kaufman Feiner, American (b. 1922).
Carved wood sculpture on stone base, circa 1960s. Apparently unsigned.
The poignant simplicity in this figurative tabletop sculpture evok...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Italian Large Ceramic Saraceno, Hand Made in Ischia Island, Napoli 21st Century
Located in Milano, IT
One of a set of three ceramics handmade in Ischia Island close to Naples, for an exhibition on the theme of “ Saraceno” or “ Sarracino” .
Each piece is an unique and with different ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Bronze Sculpture "Furnace Flowers"
By Francesco Somaini
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
Bronze Skiing Sculpture by Robert Cook
By Robert Cook
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Bronze sculpture of a skier signed on the bottom "R. Cook", great movement in this piece. Robert Cook is an innovator in the “lost wax” process of casting, creating larger sculptures...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Contemporary Monroe Floor Lamp Aged Brass Cast, Lampshade with Tassel Fringe
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 o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Metal
Curtis Jere Oversized Metal Spoon
By Curtis Jere
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fantastic replica of a spoon by Curtis Jere. The spoon is made of metal and looks identical to a household spoon, however it is huge at 46 Inhes tall... a wonderful addition to a c...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Madonna with Child Murano Glass Torchon Frame by Venini, 50s
By Venini
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Murano glass torchon frame Venini production, inside Madonna with child in plaster on a xylonite base, dating back to the early 1950s.
Patented Model.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass, Plastic, Plaster
Vintage Capodimonte Ceramic and Gold Decorative Item of a Reading Child, Italy
By Capodimonte
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s.
This reading child is made in Capodimonte ceramic, which has been lacquered and hand-painted with pure gold.
This item might show slight traces of use since i...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Gold
Early Gilt Bronze Necklace by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A gilt bronze necklace with chain and a square plaque on the subject of "Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden" with apple tree in the center, designed and made by Line Vautrin in her e...
Category
1930s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Painted Metal Sculpture of Palm or Banana Tree and Flower
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A painted metal palm tree or banana with removable leaves. Detailed trunk and leaves and a fabulous white flower. What is it about palm trees, that conjures up the romantic? Perfect ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Big Unique Mid Century Bronze Sculpture by German Artist Theo Bechteler 60ties
By Theo Bechteler
Located in Essen, NW
Artist : Theo Bechteler 1903 Immenstadt im Allgäu - 1993 Augsburg
Title: 'GERÜSTPLASTIK AUFBAU' Titled below.
Material: Bronze, dark patina. Part. with traces of oxidation.
Measure...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
MCM Ceramic "Space Bank" by Malcolm Leland for N.S. Gustin Co
Located in San Diego, CA
A fabulous MCM ceramic "Space Bank" by Malcolm Leland for N.S. Gustin Co., circa 1950s. #2389
Designed in 1954 as a series with Los Angeles-based ceramics house N.S. Gustin, the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Resting Vintage German Yard or Garden Gnome Statue, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous character ceramic figural gnome statue - attributed to Griebel Germany, a well known manufacturer of this kind of figures. This character statue has been made in Germany, ...
Category
1930s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Earthenware
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. T...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Glass, Murano Glass
Large Wooden Sculpture of an Archer dated and Signed, France 1968
Located in Den Haag, NL
Large Wooden Sculpture of an Archer dated and Signed, France 1968
Wonderful decorative object, in good vintage condition. One hand is missing some fingers but we think gives this ...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Plaster
Vintage Studio Pottery Wall Hanging Canteen Sculpture by Joan Pearson Watkins
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage studio pottery crafted by ceramic artist Joan Jockwig Pearson Watkins circa 1970's. This unique sculpture depicts an original canteen water jug made out of a clay medium with...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Rope
Mid-Century Modern Yellow Spotted Ceramic Leopard or Cheetah
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Ceramic Italian glazed leopard in yellow with black spots. Hand-painted and in excellent condition. One available.
Measurements are:
2" deep
7" wide
3" tall.
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Archimede Seguso Murano Black White Italian Art Glass Puppy Dog Sculpture Figure
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful, and rare, vintage Murano hand blown black and white spotted Italian art glass puppy dog sculpture. Documented to designer Archimede Seguso, from the "Bianco Nero" series. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Carl Auböck Model #4867 'Egg' Polished Brass Paperweight
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Aubo¨ck Model #4867 'Egg' brass paperweight. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly clean and refined Viennese paperweight is hand fabricated in polished brass by Werkstätte Car...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Brass
