Skip to main content

Modern Natural Specimens

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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.

6
to
2
3
2
6
5
5
10
6
2
2
2
2
1
1
6
Height
to
Width
to
6
4
2
1
1
4
3
2
2
2
1
Style: Modern
Color:  Gold
Opinion Ciatti Papavero Delicato Small Table Decoration
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fragility and stability, lightness and solidity: those usually antithetical terms, Papaveri Delicati (Delicate Poppies), seem to be able to co-exist as in all the other creations of Gherardo Frassa. Small metal sculptures...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Metal

Opinion Ciatti Papavero Delicato Large Table Decoration
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fragility and stability, lightness and solidity: those usually antithetical terms, Papaveri Delicati (Delicate Poppies), seem to be able to co-exist as in all the other creations of Gherardo Frassa. Small metal sculptures...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Metal

Hosta Leaf, Small Scale Cast Bronze Botanical Sculpture with Subtle Patina
Located in Chicago, IL
This small bronze sculpture is a maquette for a large scale sculpture at the Olbrich Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin. Made with the ancient lost wax method, a process dating back to th...
Category

2010s American Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Bronze

Bonsai Cast Bronze Sculpture in Verdigris Finish on Marble Base by Elan Atelier
Located in New York, NY
Bonsai Cast Bronze Sculpture in Verdigris Finish on Marble Base by Elan Atelier Intricate lost wax cast bronze sculpture of a Bonsai Tree in Verdigris bronze on marble base by Elan ...
Category

2010s European Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Hosta Leaf, Small Scale Cast Bronze Botanical Sculpture with Subtle Patina
Located in Chicago, IL
This small bronze sculpture is a Marquette for a large scale sculpture at the Olbrich Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin. Made with the ancient lost wax method, a process dating back to the 3rd millennium BC, in which the hosta leaf is carved in wax then set in clay. The wax is then melted and drained out leaving a cavity into which the molten bronze is poured. Then a patina is applied by hand giving the sculpture its own uniqueness. Sylvia Beckman Hosta leaf bronze Measures: 4.50 H x 9 W x 10 D in 11.43 H x 22.86 W x 25.40 D cm Sylvia Beckman, b. 1938, Detroit, MI Education University of Michigan, School of Arch. & Design University of Wisconsin, Botany Private apprenticeship in stone sculpture, bronze, gilding and painting Exhibitions 2017 “Coming Attractions”, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 1997 S.O.F.A. exhibition, Ann Nathan Gallery, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 1997 Monumental Bronze Sculpture Commisson, Olbrich Park, Madison, WI 1994 Sculpture, Olbrich Botanic Gardens, Spring Display, Madison,WI 1994 Paintings & Drawings, North Seas Gallery, Charlevoix, MI 1994 Paintings & drawings, Olbrich Botanic Center, Madison, WI 1988 Monumental Stone Sculpture...
Category

2010s American Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Bronze

Modern Bronze Sculpture "The Wind Of The Wisdom"
Located in Rome, IT
Precious sculpture in bronze casting with lost wax technique. The celebration of the encounter between the past that the mighty oak, a symbol of wisdom, represents and the future t...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Bronze

Related Items
Contemporary Swimming Pool Table by RAIN, Small Side Table
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The contemporary swimming pool table which also functions as a small contemporary styled side table. The inspiration for this collection comes fro...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Metal

Alexander The Great Bust Made with Compressed Marble Powder / Istanbul / Small
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Height: 56 cm / Weight: 20 kg Alexander, the real name of Macedonian III. Alexandros, commonly known as Alexander the Great, was king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Statuary Marble

Brutalist Style Bronze Sculpture in a Marble Base by Trapani
By Trepani
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This bronze sculpture is very reminiscent to Silas Seandel works but is labeled Trepani. The sculpture is very imposing and is large in size, the marble base is sort of a cream colo...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Small Vintage Lost Wax Cast Bronze Snail Sculpture with Dark Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A vintage lost wax cast bronze snail sculpture from the mid 20th century with dark patina. We have several available. Created with the tradition...
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Painted Moose Sculpture on Marble Base
Located in San Diego, CA
Very nice and detailed hand painted bronze moose sculpture on a black marble oval base. Th piece measures 6" wide x 4" deep x 6" high. Would mak...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Large Scale Japanese Cast Bronze Garden Peacock
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1172 Japanese hand cast finely detailed sculpture of a spread feathered peacock
Category

1960s Vintage Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Bronze

Curtis Jere "Birds in Flight" Bronze Sculpture, circa 1976
Located in San Francisco, CA
Curtis Jere "Birds in Flight" bronze sculpture, circa 1976 Fantastic 1970s hand signed bronze sculpture by noted artist / designer Curtis Jere. Hand welded bronze birds on a py...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Copper, Bronze

Antique Cast Bronze Elephant Figural Statue Sculpture on Marble Base
Located in San Diego, CA
Great cast bronze elephant sculpture mounted on a marble base. Elephant has wonderful details and appears the tusks were replaced over time. Base has one tiny edge chip. Elephant has...
Category

Early 20th Century Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Bronze

Zebra Wall Head Wall Decoration
Located in Paris, FR
Wall Decoration zebra wall head made in ceramic hand-painted.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Ceramic

Zebra Wall Head Wall Decoration
Zebra Wall Head Wall Decoration
H 31.5 in W 11.82 in D 23.63 in
Bronze Sculpture of the Mexican Eagle by Alberto Estrada
By Alberto Estrada
Located in Brussel, BE
Impressive large bronze of an eagle holding a serpent on a cactus (national symbole of Mexico). Number 2 out of 5 examples made by Alberto Estrada. Bronze on a black marble base.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Bronze

Discobolus Discus Thrower Sculpture Made with Compressed Marble Powder
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Step into the world of ancient Greece with 'The Athlete Throwing Discus,' a renowned sculpture also known as Discobolus, meticulously completed by the skilled artist Myron during the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Statuary Marble

Rare Flying Birds Sculpture in Bronze Finish Raw Marble Base Signed Jere
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare signed Curtis Jere striking birds flying sitting on raw marble base, circa 1970's very unique piece.
Category

20th Century American Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Previously Available Items
Pair of Bronze and Marble Bird Sculptures
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1970’s pair of polish bronze Ibis birds sculptures on a round marble base. This are not lacquered, newly polish. Measurements: 1st- 29.75” High, 9”...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Hosta Leaf, Small Scale Cast Bronze Botanical Sculpture with Subtle Patina
Located in Chicago, IL
This small bronze sculpture is a Marquette for a large scale sculpture at the Olbrich Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin. Made with the ancient lost wax method, a process dating back to the 3rd millennium BC, in which the hosta leaf is carved in wax then set in clay. The wax is then melted and drained out leaving a cavity into which the molten bronze is poured. Then a patina is applied by hand giving the sculpture its own uniqueness. Sylvia Beckman Hosta leaf bronze Measures: 4.50 H x 9 W x 10 D in 11.43 H x 22.86 W x 25.40 D cm Sylvia Beckman, b. 1938, Detroit, MI Education University of Michigan, School of Arch. & Design University of Wisconsin, Botany Private apprenticeship in stone sculpture, bronze, gilding and painting Exhibitions 2017 “Coming Attractions”, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 1997 S.O.F.A. exhibition, Ann Nathan Gallery, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 1997 Monumental Bronze Sculpture Commisson, Olbrich Park, Madison, WI 1994 Sculpture, Olbrich Botanic Gardens, Spring Display, Madison,WI 1994 Paintings & Drawings, North Seas Gallery, Charlevoix, MI 1994 Paintings & drawings, Olbrich Botanic Center, Madison, WI 1988 Monumental Stone Sculpture...
Category

2010s American Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Bronze

Hosta Leaf, Small Scale Cast Bronze Botanical Sculpture with Subtle Patina
Located in Chicago, IL
This small bronze sculpture is a maquette for a large scale sculpture at the Olbrich Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin. Made with the ancient lost wax method, a process dating back to th...
Category

2010s American Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Fruit Bowl Centerpiece Signed Rhonda Roland Shearer, 1984
Located in Stamford, CT
A realistic still life sculpture in cast bronze of pears and apples in a bowl. According to the artist this is a unique cast, not an edition. The beautifully cast fruit sit in a sepa...
Category

20th Century American Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Bronze

Hosta Leaf, Small Scale Cast Bronze Botanical Sculpture with Subtle Patina
Located in Chicago, IL
This small bronze sculpture is a maquette for a large scale sculpture at the Olbrich Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin. Made with the ancient lost wax method, a process dating back to th...
Category

2010s American Modern Natural Specimens

Materials

Bronze

Modern natural specimens for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern natural specimens 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 natural specimens created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with stone, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern natural specimens 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 natural specimens, popular names associated with this style include Interi, Studio Greytak, Rinat Design, and Edizione Limitata. 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 natural specimens differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $178 and tops out at $35,800 while the average work can sell for $1,300.

Recently Viewed

View All