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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 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.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s 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 pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using 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 influencer 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. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture 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, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere 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
Color:  Brown
Jan De Swart Monumental Sculptural Ship
Located in Chicago, IL
Jan De Swart's "Ark" Ship, sculpted architectural and playful elements intricately displayed showing the master’s wit and technical skills.Exhibited at Collective Design Fair N.Y. Ma...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Dorothy Thorpe Resin Pekingese Dog Sculpture
Located in Westport, CT
Dorothy Thorpe resin Pekingese dog transparent molded sculpture. With original paper label.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Resin

Decorative Bonsai Style Brass Tree
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Unusual artwork in the style of Curtis Jere, featuring brass trees set on a bark looking base. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).  
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Pair of 1938 Andre Bourgault Miniatur Carved Wood Statues Couple Rocking Chairs
By Andre Bourgault
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of very small original Andre Bourgault statues hand carved and stamped Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it ...
Category

1940s Canadian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Terracotta Nude Ceramic Sculpture Woman Shapes Very Reminiscent Botero Style
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Terracotta nude ceramic sculpture of woman with shapes very reminiscent of Botero style, signed G.Vecchia.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

1960s Table Top Sculpture by John Steck
Located in Sagaponack, NY
From Steck’s 'Desert Flower’ series, this tabletop sculpture exhibits, per an America House advertisement in Craft Horizons January/February 1965 (which illustrates this sculpture), ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Metal

Clara Shainess 1940s Carved Wood Sculpture
By Clara Shainess
Located in New York, NY
An African School carved wood sculpture made in the 1940s (circa 1940) by U.S. artist Clara Shainess and mounted on a painted wooden base. Good condition, some age cracks and chips; ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

1960s Table Top Sculpture by John Steck
Located in Sagaponack, NY
From Steck’s 'Desert Flower’ series, this tabletop sculpture exhibits, per an America House advertisement in Craft Horizons January/February 1965 (which illustrates this sculpture), ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Metal

Set of Three Kokeshi Dolls from Northern Japan
Located in Antwerp, BE
Kokeshi (こけし こけし, kokeshi), are Japanese dolls, originally from northern Japan. They are handmade from wood, have a simple trunk and an enlarged head with a few thin, painted lines t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

1950s Paul McCobb Dr. No Tall Windsor Chair Rustic Farmhouse Boho Abstract Chic
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful and rare example of this early McCobb design in original unaltered tobacco finish. Small remnants of original label remains. Measure: Seat H 17.5 in. / arm H 27 in.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Birch

Large White Glazed Pottery Lion Sculpture
Located in Antwerp, BE
This lion sculpture with its beautiful manes and muscular tone is very well and realistically and thanks to the wonderful patina it also comes close to a lions true colors. This maje...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain, Pottery

Modern Artist Made Signed Crusifix, Russian, Bent Copper and Wood after Heifetz
Located in Buffalo, NY
Wonderful modernist sculpture, artist made, signed Crusifix, Russian, bent copper and wood, Reminiscent of sculptural designs by Heifetz, amazing quality, Retains original plaque wit...
Category

1950s Russian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Copper

Handmade Leather Decorative Elephant
Located in San Diego, CA
A rare and unique leather elephant toy or decorative object, with handstitched leather cord, and engraving on the sides as shown, metal rings as eyes well done piece filled inside.
Category

20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Leather

Signed Mid 20th Century Plaster Bust of a Young Man by Harold Sampson Pfeiffer
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very handsome patinated plaster bust of a young man, most likely a commissioned piece bearing the sitters initials J.D.F. signed on the reverse with impressed signature and dated 0...
Category

Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Plaster

1950s Wooden Monk Lamp by Aldo Tura Signed Macabo Italy Midcentury
Located in Rome, IT
Not many Aldo Tura pieces can be compared to this unique lamp, hand-carved from a single piece of wood. Aldo Tura lamps were done in small editions and the detail and level of sophis...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Italian Plaster Sculpture Representing a Boy, Milan, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian plaster sculpture representing a boy, Milan 1970s Plaster sculpture representing a human face, in particular a boy. The piece is fi...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Plaster

Bird Sculpture
Located in Antwerp, BE
Brass bird sculpture. Measures: Width 42 cm. Height 20 cm. Depth 18 cm. Weight 2 kg.
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Alfredo Barbini Murano Art Glass 1960s Colored
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Alfredo Barbini Murano art glass, 1960s, character in multicolored Murano glass with gold dust inside, made in the year 1960. Murano art glass.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Murano Glass

1950s by Paolo Loddo Dorgali Sardinia Italian Midcentury Ceramic Figure
Located in Brescia, IT
Traditional figure, Dorgali, Sardinia _ Italy 1950s Perfect condition.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Robert Cook Bronze Sculptures
Located in Highland, IN
Robert Cook b. 1921 is known for his dynamic sculptures which have a strong gestural quality and convey the fluid motion of dancers and athletes. We are pleased to be offer a collect...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

1950s by Francesco Messina Italian Sculpture Earthenware Angel
Located in Brescia, IT
Rare angel by Francesco Messina Perfect Condition.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Earthenware

Marcello Fantoni Ceramic Shelf Hanger
Located in Chicago, IL
Marcello Fantoni for Raymor ceramic shelf hanging person. Glazed Ceramic. Cat pictured sold separately.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

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 d...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Dick Seeger Sculptural Creature Artworks
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Dick Seeger large-scale sculptures, circa late 1980s. Seeger created a series of large-scale creatures all with saw horses on the interiors as foundations with papier mâché atop. The...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

Lynn Davis, Couple, Patinated Bronze Mobile Sculptural Group, circa 1961
By Lynn Davis
Located in New York, NY
A remarkable mobile double-figure sculptural group with both, male and female figures rotating freely around their own axis; and where both figures can be installed in any position relative to each other. With any new desirable position, it becomes apparent how their relationships change diametrically with each and any turn of the figures. Both, male and female sculptures...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

M. Kennedy, Marble Sculpture, circa 1970 Signed
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
M. Kennedy, marble sculpture, circa 1970. Signed. Direct cut on the block.  
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Thermometer in the style of Hagenauer, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Thermometer in the style of Hagenauer, 1950s. Original condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Rare Midcentury Modern Carved Teak Female Nude Sculpture Table or Floor Lamp
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautifully shaped from top to bottom. This hand-carved and stylish table or floor lamp is crafted out of one solid piece of teakwood. The natural grain in this beautiful hardwood a...
Category

Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Large Sculpture DeSimone 1960 Very Special and Rare, Fisherman
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Large sculpture Desimone 1960 very special and rare, fisherman. Made in clay ground, paperwork pieces and decorated with cold colors, very particular and rare in its kind.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Clay, Parchment Paper

Terra Cotta Mask Czech like Goldscheider
Located in Antwerp, BE
Terra cotta mask of a woman. Measures: Height 32 cm.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Mario Dal Fabbro Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Mario Dal Fabbro sculpture no. 24 Signed, 1976. Nodding head. C.6 Multi-disciplinary artist Mario Dal Fabbro was born in Cappella Maggiore, Italy in 1913. He trained in his family's furniture design shop prior to attending both the R. Superior Institute for Decorative and Industrial Arts in Venice as well as Magistero Artistico, graduating with high honours in 1937. From the years of 1938-1948 Dal Fabbro immersed himself in furniture design and academia. Primarily, he designed furniture for both design houses and private clients. Del Fabbro participated in the Triennale de Milano competition in both 1939 and 1947 and won the Ganzatti Contest for 'Standardization of Furniture". During this period he also contributed to the Italian design publications Domus and Stile and the French magazine L'Architecture D'Aujourd'hui. In 1948 Mario Dal Fabbro immigrated to America and began designing furniture for mass production, working for J.G. Furniture in New York and Quakertown, PA. During his years steady employ, he published Modern Furniture: Its Design And Construction in 1949 and contributed regularly to The New York Times and House and Garden. His subsequent publications spanned a little over the decade and included How to Build Modern Furniture (1951), How to Make Built-In Furniture (1955) and How to Make Children's Furniture and Play Equipment...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Italian Murano Glass Chinese Wise Man Figure
Located in New York, NY
An Italian 1940s Murano art glass figure of a Chinese wise man. Blown red glass with 24-karat gold. The piece is in excellent condition.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Murano Glass

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

Materials

Ceramic

Bronze Brutalist Figurative Table Sculpture of Man with Sword
Located in Markington, GB
Bronze Brutalist figurative table sculpture of man with sword.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Mid-Century Oak Nude Torso
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-century modern (1950s) limed oak stylized carved nude female torso mounted on an ebonized square base
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Oak

Large Decorative Cane Cactus, 1960s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Large decorative cane cactus, 1960s. In very good vintage condition with minimal wear of use.
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Cane

Unusual Mid-Century Modern Brass and Lacquer Table Lamp, Heifetz
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Mid-Century Modern brass and lacquer table lamp attributed to Heifetz. Organic flower form, black and white lacquered wood petals surrounded by brass, retains original finial...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Terracotta Sculpture Signed De Bonnaires and Dated 1959
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Terracotta sculpture signed De Bonnaires and dated 1959.
Category

1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Large Ceramic Geisha Elcod, 1940 Cacciapuoti
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Large ceramic Geisha Elcod 1940 Cacciapuoti, unique elegance, very beautiful colors, small chips.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

1970s Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Stone Obelisks
Located in New York, NY
1970s modern Maitland Smith Style tessellated stone with brass inlay detail obelisks, in vintage original condition with minor wear and pagtina due to age and use. Smaller obelisk...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Brass

'Head of a Woman' Large Sculpture after Carl Nesjar for Picasso
By Carl Nesjar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare piece to come up for sale. It appears to be a maquette done by Carl Nesjar for Picasso. The photo example shown is of another one from the book "The sculpture of Picasso...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Wall Sculpture by Richard Filipowski
Located in Chicago, IL
Richard E. Filipowski, graduate of the Chicago Institute of Design, hand-sculpted Marquette. Stylized branch composition out of delicate components...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Copper

Signed Mid Century Marble Sculpture "Kubus" on Ebonized Walnut Base by Max Bill
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful Mid Century Modern marble sculpture, entitled "Kubus", was realized by the renowned Swiss sculptor Max Bill in 1966. It features...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Painted Plaster "Construction Worker" by Beverly Lopez
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Anatomical tour de force by multidisciplinary American artist Beverly Lopez. The cut off and construction boot wearing male figure stands 24" high, and stands on a 5" block with plaq...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Plaster

Signed Nude Sculpture Table Lamp
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern signed nude sculpture table lamp.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Two Ceramic Lions
Located in Antwerp, BE
Set of two ceramic lions.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Two Ceramic Lions
Two Ceramic Lions
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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

43"H Large Mid Century Modern Nude Bronze Abstract Dancer Sculpture Walnut Base
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Artist signed Mid-Century modern nude abstract bronze sculpture dancer standing on one leg 43" tall.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Carved Wood Mid-Century Sculpture Titled “Miss Num” by Diane Derrick
Located in Peabody, MA
Carved wood sculpture of a female form titled “Miss Num' by Diane Derrick, circa 1973. Diane Derrick is renowned for her allegorical sculptures of women and for her many years of ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Bronze Bust by J.D. Murillo
Located in Houston, TX
Mid-Century Modern bronze bust by J.D. Murillo. Interesting Mid-Century Modern Brancusi inspired patinated bronze bust or head sculpture signed J.D....
Category

20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Carved Wood Mid-Century Sculpture of a Female Form by Diane Derrick
Located in Peabody, MA
Carved wood sculpture of a female form titled “Apple Mary" by Diane Derrick, circa 1972. Diane Derrick is renowned for her allegorical sculptures of women and for her many years ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

“New England Woman, ” Minna Harkavy
Located in New York, NY
Hand-built terra cotta bust. Signed on lower rear. Published: “American Art Today, Gallery of American Art Today, New York World’s Fair.” Whalen & Goodyear, pg 201. *This sculptur...
Category

1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Beautiful Large Original Midcentury Ceramic Nude Figure by Gmundner
Located in München, DE
Beautiful large female nude figure made of ceramic. Table decoration from the 1950s. A midcentury Classic from Gmundner. Made in Austria. Very good condition with no chips, cracks ...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Austin Productions Mother Swinging Child
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Austin Productions Aluminum Mother Swinging her Child. Figures are mounted to a Piece of Marble. Very nicely done! Presents very well!
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Aluminum

Rare Witco Tiki Figural Table Lamp, , Abstract Modernist Design
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare Witco tIKI Figural table lamp, abstract modernist design, seldom seen,, retains original shade.. figure measures 27". shade measures 18" in diameter.. ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Parchment Paper

Venitian Dancer Gold Glass Murano gold incrustation by Seguso, Italy 1960
Located in DÉNIA, ES
Exceptional Seguso venitian couple with incrustation gold glass Murano. The Design and the quality of the glass make this piece the best of the Italian Design. This unique Seguso da...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Murano Glass

1950s, Creamy Tasseled Trumpet Horn of Plenty Decorative Ceramic Art Deco
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Creamy tasseled trumpet horn of plenty vintage ceramic art. Very elegant Mid-Century Modern Art Deco decorative piece. Measures: 7.5 tall x...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Italian Mid-Century Modern Wooden Sculpture of a Banana Plant, 1950s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern Wooden sculpture of a banana plant, 1950s Sculpture of a banana plant in carved wood with interlocking leaves. Hand crafted an...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Mid-century Modern figurative sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern figurative sculptures 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 figurative sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern figurative sculptures 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 figurative sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Archimede Seguso, Curtis Jeré, and Jihokera. 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 figurative sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $40 and tops out at $225,000 while the average work can sell for $1,200.

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