Steampunk style places emphasis on the bespoke, the recycled and the handmade, as well as high-quality materials and craftsmanship. Steampunk fans also share an interest in the industrial and in machines, especially steam-powered ones.
As a design concept, steampunk can feel elusive. Unlike movements such as Arts and Crafts or American Craftsman, which are rooted in specific historical periods, steampunk combines an imagined past with the present and sometimes even the future.
In the late 1980s, writer K. W. Jeter coined the term steampunk to describe his science-fiction stories, which were set in an idealized version of Victorian London. Since that time, steampunk has evolved, emerging as a design style and a subculture.
Since the mid-1990s, steampunk-styled settings and interiors have become popular in mainstream films such as Sherlock Holmes (2009) with Robert Downey Jr.; Van Helsing (2004), which starred Hugh Jackman; or the Will Smith vehicle Wild Wild West (1999). These movies present a contemporary version of the Victorian past. Steampunk elements, such as dark walls, industrial lighting, brass fittings and Edison bulbs, have also been featured in the designs of numerous restaurants.
When talking of steampunk, design professionals often emphasize the style’s industrial elements. Interior designer Stephen Shadley particularly likes steampunk’s inclusion of factory-style light fixtures. “The elegant simplicity of those fixtures, a white or clear glass shade on a brass base, the bakelite switch. They’re beautiful and functional,” he says. “Here, form follows function almost completely.”
One of the appeals of steampunk lies in its oppositions: domestic versus industrial, refined and polished versus coarse and gritty, Victorian versus new, fantasy versus reality. Because it is up to the individual designer to develop the right steamy mix, you will find a large range of steampunk looks.
A steampunk interior can appear much like the Victorian drawing room in your imagination — stately, restrained, proper — while at the same time containing contemporary comforts and conveniences. Another steampunk-style room can look more theatrical, much like the lair of a mad scientist. And, of course, objects with high steampunk quotient, such as brass light fixtures or Victorian scientific instruments, can add charm and interest to almost any set up.
Steampunk, by combining antique and contemporary and repurposing industrial items, offers a fresh way to enjoy Victorian style.
Find steampunk-style wall decorations, lighting, decorative objects and more on 1stDIbs.
Thoughtful Mixed Media Sculpture Titled Finding Stillness in a Spinning World
By Fay Sciarra
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Imaginative tabletop sculpture on found object pulley with porcelain doll hands, doll face with clock #’s as eyes and pocket watch scalp and decorative clock hands. Titled “Finding ...
Iron
$3,150Sale Price|30% Off
TODT Dystopian Motorcycle Art Sculpture 1995 Reclaimed Steam Punk
Located in Dayton, OH
TODT Dystopian contemporary Motorcycle Art sculpture 1995 reclaimed steam punk TODT art sculpture From their Weapon Series at the Zero-Sum exhibition...
Metal, Other
$1,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Three "See No, Speak No, Hear No Evil" Steampunk Heads / Sculptures
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool and unique set of three "See No, Speak No, Hear No Evil" steampunk heads / sculptures by southern California artist Steve Artz, circa 1980s. The Industrial looking pieces...
Metal, Copper
Pandemic Sculpture by Fay Sciarra: Mixed-Media Glass & Iron Art
By Fay Sciarra
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A thought provoking mixed-media sculpture inspired by the pandemic, with 3 socially distanced figurines standing on a round glass surface that's the top of a ship porthole, metaphor for Mother Earth. It is beautifully collaged with stamps from every corner of the globe. An upside down black midcentury...
Iron
Upcycled Steampunk Spaceship by Chris Spollen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wonderfully unique up-cycled retro-futurism inspired "steampunk" rocketship sculpture by late New York City artist, Chris Spollen (August, 1952 – September, 2019). Chris Spollen had been a life-long resident of Staten Island. He was accepted into The High School of Art and Design, and then received a full scholarship to Parsons School Of Design NYC in 1971. Over the past forty years in his role as an award-winning illustrator, Chris was a pioneer in the field of graphic art and Illustration. Not only did he have his own home-built darkroom and a professional stat camera in his home, but he was also one of the first to introduce the computer in 1990 into the world of illustration. With it being his specialization, Chris devoted his passion and love for illustration to his established company, Moonlight Press Studio; after 30 years of entrepreneurship, he began teaching his knowledge of art and computer to the students at the Fashion Institute of Technology, which continued for some 20 very joyful years as an Adjunct Associate Professor. Spollen’s work has won numerous awards and is featured in many permanent collections, including The New Britain Museum of Illustration, The Museum of American Illustration, The Norman Rockwell Museum, the US Air Force Art Program, and The Pentagon. He’s also published several books of his illustrations; the latest one, The Art of Recycling, is a three hundred page full colored book of Chris Spollen’s recent sculptures published in 2015. In the summer of 2019, Chris Spollen showcased his Solo exhibition “Modeling the Future” at the Fashion Institute of Technology; and immediately after, pieces from the exhibition were transported and displayed at Bergdorf Goodman’s display...
Aluminum, Metal, Brass
$985
H 4 in W 4 in D 4 in
Vintage Alpha Typographic Cube Sculpture By Sheldon Rose Mixed Metal Media 1968
By Sheldon Rose
Located in North Miami, FL
This interesting vintage alpha cube abstract sculpture by Sheldon Rose is a mixed media comprised of polychrome metal and paint. It features a medley of faux letterpress symbols, num...
Metal
Large Vintage Hand-Crafted & Signed Mixed Media Zebra Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large and substantial zebra sculpture was made by Monica Oliver, and unknown artist, in 1990 in a modern realistic style. The sculpture appears to be composed of various materia...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Paper
$1,820Sale Price|35% Off
H 11 in W 17.5 in D 8.5 in
Whimsically Crafted "Steampunk" Sewing Machine Tractor Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This amazingly creative sculpture is made from industrial components, including a vintage sewing machine. This masterpiece was made by Mr. T. Fa...
Metal, Iron
Sculpture of a Black Horse's Head.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture of a black horse's head. This sculpture, taken from an original bronze statue created by Monti in the early 19th century, reveals all the animal's finesse and power. This ...
Composition, Metal
Antique Cement Garden Sculpture of a Woman in Thoughtful Pose
Located in Doylestown, PA
Lovely antique weathered solid cement garden statue of a woman in a thoughtful pose, circa 1890-1910. She displays the patina of many years spent in an English garden. With her pens...
Cement
Large Modern Spinning Sculpture in Turquoise Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This modern geometric sculptures will add a touch of color to any space, you can place them on top of books on your coffee table or even as a centerpiece. The possibilities are endle...
Resin
Small Modern Spinning Sculpture in Turquoise Resin by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This modern geometric sculptures will add a touch of color to any space, you can place them on top of books on your coffee table or even as a centerpiece. The possibilities are endle...
Resin
Sculpture of a Female Head, circa 1900
Located in Greding, DE
Sculpture out of marble by an unknown sculptor of the early 20th century, depicting a middle-aged woman. The upper body shows a partly rough surface, the head is slightly tilted.
Marble
Oversized Plaster Sculpture of a Horse Head
Located in London, GB
Maginificent oversized Plaster Horse Head Amazing Attention to detail Would look Tremendous in any Room Approximate Weight 40kg
Plaster
Chris Petersen Sculpture Trio: Cat, Pelican and Owl
By Chris Petersen
Located in Littleton, CO
Elevate your space with the whimsical charm of this trio of 1970s signed Chris Petersen cast aluminum sculptures - cat, owl and rare pelican. In the 1970s, artists began to embrace ...
Aluminum
$575 / set
H 10.24 in W 3.94 in D 0.79 in
Set of Three Wall Brass Decor Sculptures of Seagulls, Austria, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
Iconic wall sculptures.
Brass
Chris Verbeek, "Broken I" zinc and wood, the Netherlands, 1977
Located in Weesp, NL
Chris Verbeek, “Gebroken I (Broken I),” Zinc and Wood, The Netherlands, 1977 Dimensions: H. 27 cm (10.63 in.) x W. 22.5 cm (8.86 in.) x D. 6.5 cm (2.56 in.) A rare and striking zin...
Zinc