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...
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
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
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 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
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
Vintage Steampunk Patinated Resin Bust Of Man
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Showcasing expressive folk-industrial character, this vintage sculpted resin bust depicts a stylized man with a prominent mustache, wide eyes, and chiseled angular features. The scul...
Resin, Paint
Sculpture of a White Horse's Head.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture of a white 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
$2,162
H 38.59 in W 74.81 in D 28.75 in
Tom Dixon-attributed Harley-Davidson motorcycle sculpture for Habitat in rattan
By Tom Dixon, Habitat International
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This extraordinary, almost life-sized motorcycle sculpture made of rattan, wicker, and bamboo is attributed to the British designer Tom Dixon and was probably created in connection w...
Rattan
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
$558 / 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
Set of Three Glazed Pottery Cat Sculptures
Located in Houston, TX
Set Of Three Glazed Pottery Cat Sculptures. Whimsical trio of handmade colorful glazed pottery cat sculptures. Each of these beautifully executed animal sculptures is artist signe...
Pottery
Geometric Wooden Sculpture by Luciano Bertolotto, Italy 1995
Located in Antwerpen, BE
This wooden art sculpture by Luciano Bertolotto shows his talent for turning raw wood into bold, expressive forms. The tall shape rises with sharp lines and carved details that creat...
Wood
Motorcycle Bronze with Driver Desk Piece Sculpture
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Fantastic detailed motorcycle bronze desk piece. Very nice Automobilia sculpture. Figure with brown patina. Mounted over a Portoro Italian marble. Pe...
Marble, Bronze
Chris Knight, Silver & Steel Sculptural Bowl with Crosses, UK, 2015
By Chris Knight
Located in New York, NY
Chris Knight's work resides on the boundaries between art, craft, and design. This sculptural bowl in cast silver and stainless steel is covered in dozens of well placed crosses, all...
Stainless Steel, Silver
$4,220Sale Price|43% Off
H 35 in W 32 in D 84 in
Vintage Life-Sized Folk Art Harley Davidson Motorcycle Sculpture
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Hand-carved from wood in the 1960s, this life-sized Folk Art Harley-Davidson is a one-of-a-kind sculpture. Not just for the hog aficionado, this piece is an incredible example of ear...
Wood
Unavailable|$1,495
H 31 in W 41.5 in D 24 in
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
$943
H 7.25 in W 16 in D 6 in
Large Steam Engine Model 'Mamod Steam Wagon' Decorative Shelf Art Vintage Toy
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A lovely old British Made Vintage Steam Engine Model. The piece has good scale and a beautiful vintage patina, ideal as an art piece or shelf model. The item dates to circa 1970s wh...
Metal
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