Modern Figurative Sculptures
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
Salvador Dali Contemporary Portlligat Wood Sculpture Sunbed
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Design by Salvador Dalí, 1903
manufactured by BD Barcelona
Solid Iroko wooden structure with polyamide wheels. Optional upholstered cushion with water repellent foam and materi...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Frederico Cantu Large Impressive 1986, Bronze of a Mother Nursing
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A large and impressive work by the California or Mexican noted artist Frederco Cantu (1907-1989). It is signed and dated 1986. Quite large and heavy.
A brief bio follows from askant:
Federico Cantú...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Jean Hastings Ceramic Figurative Sculpture in Blue White & Brown, circa 1970
By Hastings
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Jean Hastings Clothed Figurative Art Studio Glazed Ceramic Sculpture. Vase. Featuring hand constructed figurative form elements from potters wheel with separate hand built and applie...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Clay, Ceramic
Female Nude Glass Sculpture by Venini & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Female nude glass sculpture made by Venini & Co. deep purple glass, iridescent.
Marked: Venini Murano, Alma Angelo 1939 (acid stamp).
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass
11 Erinna Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Erina vase is blown glass, originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is part of the “Vetri Glass” collection. Made in Murano, its hand blown with techniques from m...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Blown Glass
Five Spanish Silver Figural Band Musicians .91 Silver SG Hallmark
Located in Toledo, OH
Five Spanish silver .915 band musicians sculptures. Stamped star. Very good condition. Dimensions: 2.75" diameter x 6" H.
Category
20th Century European Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Silver
Sandro Red Libs Militar Tabaco Ashtray Contemporary Artwork, 2017
By Sandro
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Sandro 'Porcelain' Artwork , 2017.
Contemporary Artwork
Measures: 24 Ø cm x 3.5 H cm
Made in Berlin in 2017.
Sandro's artwork "Porcelain," created in Berlin in 2017, features an antique ceramic...
Category
2010s German Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Organic Material
Stone Sculpture, Carved Stone, Contemporary Work.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Stone sculpture, carved stone, contemporary work.
Sculpture, carved stone sculpture, 20th century, beautiful reproduction of a Pierre Balbal sculpture.
These Balbals, carved around 3,000 years ago, were memorial stones planted...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Sandstone
"Vanadium Opal" Glazed Ceramic Car Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Keith Simpson, who grew up in St. John Washington, a farming Community of about 600 people in eastern WA state, always makes the underdog models of cars. He says, "They are like the ...
Category
2010s American Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Modern Still Life Bronze Sculpture 'Manzanas y Naranjas' by Rafael Muyor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Rafael Muyor Spanish, Madrid, born 1943
Bronze Sculpture ‘Manzanas y Naranjas’ (Apples and Oranges )
Signed on the center bottom.
A beautiful bronze sculpture of ‘Manzanas y Naranj...
Category
20th Century Spanish Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
12 Amaltea Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Amaltea Vase was designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is part of the “Amaltea Glass” collection. Made in Murano. Signed “E.Sottsass per Memphis”. Signed on the base.
Et...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Glass
Vintage Bronze of a Nude Girl Seating
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing our exceptional Vintage Bronze of a Nude Girl Seating, Signed Chavez, circa 1960's – a timeless piece of art that exudes elegance and charm. This...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Llardo Madame Butterfly Japanese Geisha Figurine, Signed and Dated
Located in Plainview, NY
A 1970's Lladro figurine of a Madame Butterfly Japanese Geisha holding a fan. The figurine is signed by the maker and dated 1978. The figurine is numbe...
Category
Late 20th Century Spanish Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Bronze Sculpture "Feminity" by James L. Lawton, 1967
Located in Miami, FL
Bronze sculpture by James Lawton, titled "Feminity"
Signed and dated Jim Lawton 67
Comes with archive pictures and letter by the artist (see pictures).
Category
1960s North American Vintage Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Lalique Crystal Small Sculpture Of A Koi Fish
By Lalique
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Lalique Crystal Sculpture of a Koi Fish. It depicts a frosted crystal bent Koi Fish over a clear round crystal base. Below the base...
Category
20th Century French Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Crystal
Modernist Dan Bedik Sculpture "Musical Embrace" in Green Marble with Walnut Base
Located in New York, NY
This dynamic and sophisticated modernist sculpture was realized by the esteemed artist Dan Bedik in the United States circa 1990. Entitled "Musical Embrace",...
Category
1990s American Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Alpha Centaury Glass Flower Vase, by Marco Zanini for Memphis Milano Collection
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Alpha Centaury Glass Flower Vase was designed by Marco Zanini in 1982. Signed on the base, please see below for further information.
Marco Zanini was born in Trento in 1954. He ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Glass
34 Agelada Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Agelada Glass Vase with pendant was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986 for Memphis. It's part of the “Vetri Glass” collection. Made in blown Murano glass, and signed ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Glass
Russell Biles "Wee Baby" Black & Pink Porcelain Figurine
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine porcelain figurine.
In the form of a black back doll with pink geometric patterns to the torso that is reminiscent of magma cracks in stone.
By Russel Biles.
A self-d...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
1970s George Schreber 1 Cent Canada in Plexi / Lucite Cube Sculpture
Located in Biella, IT
George Schreber 1 cent year '74 Canada, sculpture cube in plexi / lucite design years 1970.
Signed George Schreber in the superior side, your see in the photo's particular.
Mea...
Category
1970s Canadian Vintage Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Copper
Aquaman by Mauro Oliveira
Located in Los Angeles, CA
One of a kind fiberglass male bust collage with hundreds of mixed Murano and other glasses in various shapes and colors covered with resin, including a custom made black stand.
Measu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Murano Glass
'Bedouina' Bronze Figurative Sculpture
By RinDesign
Located in London, GB
'Bedouina' bronze sculpture created by Rinat Design in the lost wax process.
This desert girl emits fierce presence and gravitas. A look of pride is permanently etched upon her face,...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Crescent Moon Sculpture by Shlomi Haziza
Located in Denton, TX
Crescent moon sculpture signed by Shlomi Haziza
Haziza started as a painter and later began to explore new mediums. He ran a small studio in h...
Category
20th Century American Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Acrylic, Lucite
Downtown - Handmade Glass Skyline of Lower Manhattan, Contemporary, Modern
Located in New York, NY
Handmade custom skyline of lower Manhattan composed of blown and hot sculpted glass objects. Grouping consists of 50 various pieces to compose the skyline as shown, along with a port...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Blown Glass
Vintage Crystal Leaded Glass 7" Modern Mallard Duck Figurine Sculpture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Crystal Leaded Glass 7" Modern Mallard Duck Figurine Sculpture. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 4.5" H x 7" W x 4" D.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Glass
Exceptional Life Size Wicker and Bamboo Racing Motorcycle
By Tom Dixon
Located in Hastings, GB
A superb sculpture in the form of a racing motorcycle, using wicker rattan and bamboo the detailing on this piece is fantastic, even down to the rear inter...
Category
1980s English Vintage Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wicker
Sandro Contemporary Art Still Life, Protection, 2017
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Minimalism contemporary art still life
Protection, 2017
Taxidermy, note book
Measures: 2 × 5 9/10 × 3 7/10 in
5 × 15 × 9.5 cm
By Sandro made in B...
Category
2010s German Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Organic Material, Paper
Wonderful Rare Modern Murano Italian Cobalt Blue Art Glass Bull Dog Sculpture
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful rare Modern Murano Italian solid cobalt blue art glass bull dog sculpture.
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Topography Gen II Sculpture by Chandler McLellan
Located in Geneve, CH
Topography Gen II Sculpture by Chandler McLellan
Limited Edition Of 8 Pieces.
Dimensions: D 12.1 x W 24.1 x H 17.8 cm.
Materials: Hard maple and walnut.
Sculptures will be signed a...
Category
2010s American Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Walnut, Maple
"Abba" Boot Sculpture Made by Swedish Artist Gertrud Alfredsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Contemporary ceramic "Abba" Boot sculpture, made by Swedish artist Gertrud Alfredsson. Best featured on a table, desk or shelf, for anyone looking for something fab with a twist.
...
Category
2010s Swedish Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Ceramic Figurative Sculpture by Akio Takamori Published
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large figurative ceramic sculpture entitled by Akio Takamori (1950 - 2017) created in 2004. Stoneware with hand-painted surface, the sculpture depicts a half-naked standing boy figure with his hands in praying position. His berobed lower body, interestingly, morphed into a highly sculptural form. The scarlet color drapery with black stripes swells and coils into shapes that resembles breasts, echoing the statue's young age. The figure was apparently based on Prince Shotoku (574-622AD), a semi-legendary regent of the Asuka period...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Large Figurative Bronze Sculpture Entitled "Adam's Rib" by Roark Congdon
Located in San Diego, CA
A large figurative bronze sculpture entitled "Adam's Rib" by Roark Congdon, circa 1990s. The piece is in very good condition with a great patin...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
21st Century Elena Salmistraro Flame Red Vase Polyurethane Glass Catodo Scapin
Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT
Catodo vase, design by Elena Salmistraro, product by Scapin Collezioni
Limited Edition
The design of Catodo arises from an elegant combination of different volumes and materials....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Plastic
Lauro Malusi Table Lamp and Sculpture Olive Tree
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Table lamp and sculpture belonging to the famous Italian cellist.
Measures in cm: Statue cm 40 Lamp cm 82 Basis cm 18 x 18
Notes
Giovanni Lauro Malusi was born in Cervia on Ju...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Olive
Twisted Lucite Sculpture by Shlomi Haziza
Located in Denton, TX
Haziza started as a painter and later began to explore new mediums. He ran a small studio in his hometown. Later on he started his journey to Los Angeles. Which in turn, presented a ...
Category
20th Century North American Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Acrylic, Lucite
A sculpture of a male figure, cast
By RinDesign
Located in London, GB
Standing 80cm tall a striking sculpture of a male figure meticulously sculpted, molded and cast. Inspired by the organic form and texture of tree bark, the middle and lower sections...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Lladró the Guest Small Figurine by Tim Biskup, Numbered Edition
Located in New York City, NY
Glossy porcelain figurine in silver luster created by Tim Biskup for the collection The Guest by LLadró Atelier with a white base attached to the piece. This piece is renowned design...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
"Cobalt Runner" Glazed Ceramic Car Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Keith Simpson, who grew up in St. John Washington, a farming Community of about 600 people in eastern WA state, always makes the underdog models of cars. He says, "They are like the ...
Category
2010s American Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Peter Strang for Meissen, Figure in Hand-Painted Porcelain, Bassist
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Peter Strang (b.1936) for Meissen.
Figure in hand-painted porcelain. Bassist from the clown orchestra.
Late 20th century.
Measures: 7 x 5.5 cm.
In e...
Category
Late 20th Century German Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Cenedese Murano glass fish sculpture /paperweight attb to Da Ros.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful modern fish sculpture by Cenedese .
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Glass
Important Modern Opaline Glass Vase by Ermanno Nason for Cenedese.
Located in Chicago, US
Ermanno Nason for Cenedese; Murano, Italy
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
"Leaf Rambler" Glazed Ceramic Car Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Keith Simpson, who grew up in St. John Washington, a farming community of about 600 people in eastern WA state, always makes the underdog models of cars. He says, "They are like the ...
Category
2010s American Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Bronze Leaf Centerpiece Sculpture #5
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful bronze leaf centerpiece sculpture is handmade by a French artisan. Please see our additional listings of this design as they are all unique. Amazing details and aged finish...
Category
1960s French Vintage Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Boeltz Style Large Shell Sculpture in Gold with Malachite Elements 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Large shell sculpture model No 22, 24-karat plated "exploded bronze" design with malachite accents, in the manner of Claude Victor Boeltz, France 1970's. Boeltz’s "exploded-bronze" p...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Malachite, Gold Plate, Bronze
20th Century School "Roaring Lion " Sculpture
Located in Madrid, ES
20th Century School "Roaring Lion " Sculpture
Bronze with green patina
L. 47 x W. 10 x H. 25 cm
good condition
Category
20th Century French Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Preston L Prescott (1898-1988, American) Stone Sculpture of Seated Young Woman
Located in San Francisco, CA
Preston L Prescott (1898-1988)
Stone Sculpture of a Seated Young Woman
5.5"W x 3.25"D x 12"H
Category
20th Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stone
French sculptor, double-sided face in solid bronze on bronze base.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
French sculptor, double-sided face in solid bronze on bronze base.
Heavy sculpture of high quality.
Approximately from the 1980s.
Marked.
Edition 4/8.
With foundry/makers mark.
Perf...
Category
1980s French Vintage Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Semi-Refractory Engobe & Glazed Ceramic Sculpture "My Head Inside the Nature"
Located in Firenze, Tuscany
Alessandro Roma (born in Milan 1977) studied at Accademia di Brera in Milan and after he was invited for a residency at Kunstlerhauser Worpsede in Germ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
"Chartreuse Accord" Glazed Ceramic Car Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Keith Simpson, who grew up in St. John Washington, a farming community of about 600 people in eastern WA state, always makes the underdog models of cars. He says, "They are like the ...
Category
2010s American Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Bronze Sculpture of a Man
Located in Queens, NY
Bronze Sculpture of a Man
Category
20th Century Unknown Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Madame Pompadour 20th Century Tiche Porcelain
Located in Madrid, ES
Madame Pompadour (1721-1764) 20th century Tiche Porcelain
Italian sculptural group in molded and relief porcelain by Tiche.
Polychrome and gilded d...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Gary Slater Aluminum Sphinx Sculpture Signed MSL Slater AP 1994
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
Discover the allure of modern minimalism with the Aluminum Sphinx sculpture by Gary Slater. This piece, boasts a sleek, reflective surface that plays with...
Category
1990s American Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Aluminum
Vintage Murano Glass Decorative Artwork, Attributed to Donà, 1980s
Located in Villaverla, IT
Vintage Murano glass decorative artwork, attributed to maestro Donà, 1980s.
This masterpiece of Murano glass art stands out for its delightful shapes, colors, and delicacy.
The whole sculpture surface is colored with white milk, and it is decorated only by 3 small Greek spirals...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Milk Glass, Murano Glass, Cut Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass, Glass
Mid Century Glass Sculptural Bust "Adonis" by Dino Rosin Murano
By Dino Rosin
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous glass sculpture of Adonis in bust form on a black glass plinth by Dino Rosin. Murano, Venice Italy. Signed in numerous places. In excellent condition.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass, Hardwood, Paint
Vintage Crystal Leaded Glass 7" Modern Mallard Duck Figurine Sculpture B
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Crystal Leaded Glass 7" Modern Mallard Duck Figurine Sculpture. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 4.5" H x 7" W x 4" D.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Glass
Lladró the White Guest Figurine Large Model in White by Jaime Hayon
By Jaime Hayon, Lladro
Located in New York City, NY
White glossy porcelain figurine created by Jaime Hayon for the collection The Guest by LLadró Atelier with a white base attached to the piece. The Guest is a piece created by Jaime H...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
"Slate Celica" Glazed Ceramic Car Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Keith Simpson, who grew up in St. John Washington, a farming community of about 600 people in eastern WA state, always makes the underdog models of cars. He says, "They are like the ...
Category
2010s American Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
1999 Victor Rozo Last Supper Abstract Wood Sculpture Mexico DF
By Victor Rozo
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Modern Sculpture Last Supper Victor Rozo La Ultima Cena
Hand carved solid wood. Oiled Wood.
Signed Victor Rozo 1999 Mexico DF
1 thick x 8 h x 19 w
Orig...
Category
1990s Mexican Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Modern figurative sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique 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 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 Mosche Bianche, Superego Editions, Lladro, and Europa Antiques. 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 $99 and tops out at $434,607 while the average work can sell for $2,755.