International Style Sculptures
INTERNATIONAL STYLE
The International Style, a modernist movement within architecture and furniture design that was given its name by American architect Philip Johnson and historian Henry-Russell Hitchcock, was born during the 1920s and ’30s. It gained steam initially in Europe and then in the United States as a response to the first World War. Building projects associated with the movement, as well as vintage International Style chairs, tables and other furnishings, are minimal and pared back.
Pioneers of the International Style — architect Walter Gropius and his Bauhaus colleagues Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, De Stijl advocate and Dutch architect J.J.P. Oud and visionary designer Le Corbusier — stripped away decorative elements and placed considerable value on functionality and clean lines, integrating the use of industrial materials like steel, concrete and large sheets of glass in their work. Quite aptly, this mode of design and architectural style coincided with an era now known as the Machine Age and became a global symbol of modernism. The primary motive of its practitioners was to address the changing needs of a rapidly industrializing society, especially the demand for office complexes and apartments in large cities, through economical, technologically advanced, yet aesthetically pleasing designs for furniture and buildings.
“Space and light and order. Those are the things that men need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep,” said Le Corbusier of the philosophy behind his practical modernist architecture.
The International Style’s designers and architects were inspired by the advantages afforded them by the era’s new technology and industrial machinery as well as state-of-the-art materials. Le Corbusier was fond of framing his buildings in steel but reinforced concrete made far more economic sense. He is probably most admired for the iconic private homes and commercial buildings that he designed or codesigned with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, which are spread across the world, from New York City to Paris to Chandigarh, India. Today, Breuer’s Wassily Lounge chair; the elegant LC series created by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand; and Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair, crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich, are emblems of progressive modernist design and all make prominent use of tubular steel. Vintage originals are the prized cornerstone of collections.
“The International Style is probably the first fundamentally original and widely distributed style since the Gothic,” posited Johnson in the book that accompanied “Modern Architecture: International Exhibition,” an architectural show he cocurated with Hitchcock that featured the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Richard Neutra and others. While the term “International Style” had previously been circulating in Europe, when the show opened at the Museum of Modern Art in 1932, it yielded a much broader application of this important style of design.
Find International Style furniture on 1stDibs.
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Style: International Style
Stainless Steel Double Chain, by Rain, Wall Piece, Stainless Steel, Polished
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Chains series represents a particular look into a rough object, which is often strictly associated to its functional purpose. The piece propose a reflection on mass production...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Sculptures
Materials
Stainless Steel
Natural size pair of african sculptures in noble wood representing giraffes
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and huge sculptures representing a couple of giraffes polychromed. Fantastic.
Category
1950s Kenyan Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Wood
URSS Ceramic Sculpture of a Seal from the 1940s
Located in Milano, MI
Russian USSR ceramic seal figurine, made in the 1940s
Ø 14 cm Ø 13 cm h 13 cm
Category
1940s Russian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Pablo Picasso ceramic plate signed and numbered edition 80/200
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible plate hand painted and engraved signed and numbered.
Category
1940s Spanish Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Pablo Picasso ceramic plate signed and numbered edition 114/200
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible plate hand painted and engraved signed and numbered.
Category
1940s Spanish Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Natural Specimen Real Sea Reef Coral - Beach Decor (USA ship only)
By Oceanic Arts
Located in Warrenton, OR
Vintage Natural Specimen Real Sea Reef Coral - Beach Decor (USA ship only).
*****NOTICE: OUR 1ST DIBS SHOP CLOSES AT THE END OF MAY*****
A stunning piece of nature for the home or office of an ocean lover or beach dweller.
Note: This is a vintage coral reef...
Category
Early 20th Century American International Style Sculptures
Materials
Coral
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 International Style Sculptures
Materials
Metal
French Cast Iron Figural Flatback Rust Patina Garden Panel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A cast iron flatback panel originally from a balcony rail in France.
Dating to the mid-late 19th century, these decorative objects were used as building or garden elements.
Heavy, weighing about 25 pounds, and aged with a beautiful patina, the panel shows a robed figure within an ornate scrolled frame.
Imagine it as a piece of outdoor sculpture, used as a fireback, turned into a table base, or framed in a garden gate.
Measures: 26.5 inches H x 15.5 inches W x 1.25 inches deep.
In very good antique condition with the desired rusted patina.
Category
1850s French Antique International Style Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Black Chain, by Rain, Wall Piece, Stainless Steel, Black
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Chains series represents a particular look into a rough object, which is often strictly associated to its functional purpose. The piece propose a reflection on mass production...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Sculptures
Materials
Stainless Steel
Swimming Pool Table, Large, by RAIN, Contemporary Table, Metal and Painted Glass
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The contemporary swimming pool table. The inspiration for this collection comes from dreamlike images of leisure and good times that swimming pools...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Stainless Steel Chain, by Rain, Wall Piece, Stainless Steel, Polished
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Chains series represents a particular look into a rough object, which is often strictly associated to its functional purpose. The piece propose a reflection on mass production...
Category
2010s Brazilian International Style Sculptures
Materials
Stainless Steel
Large Fossil Stone Ammonite
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
O/6416 - Large fossil stone shell - Ammonites were predatory Prehistorie cephalopod mollusks which existed between 400 and 66 million years ago before dying out during the exinction ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Malagasy Antique International Style Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Barovier&Toso circa 1948 "zebrato" couple
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible couple of cats in Murano glass by Barovier&Toso 1948 "zebreto oro" circa 1948
Category
1940s Italian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
Narciso italian pompeian bronze circa 1900.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible old bronze reproduction by Narciso found in Pompei 1862.
Category
1860s Italian Antique International Style Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Le Faguays bronze Art Deco "Pierrot e Columbine" signed
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Art Deco bronze signed Le Faguays from 1930 original representing "Pierrot and Columbina"
Category
1930s French Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Maghault Fils france Art Deco bronze "Don Quixote" circa 1930.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible bronze signed MAGHAULT FILs circa 1930 Art Deco "Don Quixote"with two marbles base.
Category
1930s French Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Biscuit two men fighting with knives
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
incredible couple of two men fighting with knives in white biscuit.
Category
1930s French Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Seguso Vetri dArte Murano glass abstract sculpture circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Seguso Vetri dArte abstract sculpture in Murano glass circa 1950
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
Bronze Sculpture Nocturnal by Perrin & Perrin France
Located in Paris, FR
Bronze sculpture by Perrin & Perrin, French glass artists represented by Galerie Negropontes, 2021
Measures: H 23 x L 19.5 x P 8 cm / H 9 x W 7.5 x D 3.14 inch
Martine and Jacki Perr...
Category
2010s French International Style Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
20th Century, Art deco
Located in Vienna, AT
Pair of Art Deco Bookends in the form of 2 Sitting Elephans, solid bronze,Vienna 1920, good condition
Category
1920s Austrian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Auguste Rodin french museu reproduction in plaster and wood signed "Le Penseur"
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible museu reproduction in plaster and wood by Auguste Rodin sculpture "Le Penseur" circa 1950 signed in the piece.
Category
1950s French Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
Signed and Numbered Original Bronze Mouse Sculpture by Artist Siggy Puchta
By Siggy Puchta
Located in San Diego, CA
Petite solid bronze original sculpture by listed artist Siggy Puchta, sitting on a travertine Base.
Category
20th Century Canadian International Style Sculptures
Materials
Travertine, Bronze
Primitive pantera onca brazilian stool in noble wood circa 1900
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible primitive brazilian stool in noble wood representing 'Panther'circa 1900
Category
1950s Brazilian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antonio Canova italian brown bronze circa 1850 "Gladiator"
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and big italian brown bronze after Antonio Canova circa 1850 representing "Gladiator"
Category
1850s Italian Antique International Style Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Archimede Seguso bottle in Murano glass to Luxardo circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
incredible Archimede Seguso Murano glass bottle for Luxardo in two colors circa 1950.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
Vintage Italian Carved Wood Seated Monkey
Located in Bradenton, FL
Vintage Italian Venetian hand carved wood sitting monkey. Very well carved and realistic look. Painted finish with monkey sitting on silver gilt rock ba...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian International Style Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Archimede Seguso sculpture in Murano opalino glass circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible sculpture by Archimede Seguso circa 1950 in opalino Murano glass in big size and perfect conditions, To collectors.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
Sculpture in Murano glass with gold representing a fish circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible sculpture in Murano glass with gold representing a fish circa 1950.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
Seguso Vetri d'Arte pair of birds with profusion of gold circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and beautiful pair of birds in profusion of gold by Seguso Vetri d'Arte circa 1950
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
Clown in Murano glass attributed to Seguso Vetri dArte circa 1950.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible sculpture in Murano glass attributed to Seguso Vetri dArte circa 1950
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
c. 1300-1500s Bronze Buddha From Aytthaya, Thailand
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Bronze Buddha from Historic City of Ayutthaya, Thailand, circa 1300-1500s. Found in the ruins of Ayutthaya by famed ichthyologist Dr. Hugh McCormick Smith in the 1920s. The ancient c...
Category
16th Century Thai Antique International Style Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Archimede Seguso pair of sculptures in Murano glass red fishes 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible pair of fishes in red Murano glass by Archimede Seguso with air bubbles circa 1950.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
Sonja Blomdahl Nordstrom Christmas Ornament Art Glass Blown Orb Sphere Spiral
Located in Hyattsville, MD
1996 Limited edition, hand blown, Christmas ornament, by renowned glass artist, Sonja Blomdahl exclusively for Nordstrom. The ornament is signed by the artist, Sonja 96' It is in ros...
Category
1990s American International Style Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass
Archimede Seguso "sfumato oro" sculpture in Murano glass circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible sculpture in Murano glass by Archimede Seguso "sfumato oro" circa 1950 in perfect condition.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
Franz Weissmann Brazilian Abstract Sculpture steel !979
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible abstract sculpture in steel by Franz Weissmann 1979
Category
1970s Brazilian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Guido Cacciapuoti italian porcelain "Putan" circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Guido Cacciapuoti porcelain representing "Putan" circa 1950 signed and sealed.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Terracota polychromed bust of woman with flowers signed
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and big bust of woman with multicolor flowers in terracota signed A.TALLARI 1992
Category
1990s Brazilian International Style Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
LENCI porcelain hand painted representing a surreal bird circa 1950
By Lenci
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
incredible surreal bird signed LENCI hand painted circa 1950. Fantastic.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Archimede Seguso sculpture in Murano glass 'Sfumato oro' circa 1950.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Archimede Seguso Murano glass sculpture in "sfumato oro" bird circa 1950.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
Natural size Tamandua Bandeira brasilian sculpture in noble wood circa 1950
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible brasilian Tamandua Bandeira big sculpture in noble wood circa 1950 NATURAL SIZE
Category
1950s Brazilian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Art Deco bronze woman naked signed B Forslund circa 1930
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
incredible bronze Art Deco signed B Forslund representing woman naked.
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Italian 19th Fauno in bronze circa 1850.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible FAUNO in bronze made in Italy circa 1850 playing flutes.
Category
1850s Italian Antique International Style Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
ZANETTI fish Murano with applied parts "piece unique"
By Antonio Zanetti
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Murano glass by ZANETTI "piece unique" with applied parts sculpture.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
Cenedese Murano glass set of pears with bubbles circa 1950
By Cenedese
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible set Cenedese Murano glass pears multicolor circa 1950
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
E. Aurelio italian Art Deco brown bronze male circa 1930
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible sculpture in italian bronze signed E. Aurelio Art deco circa 1930 depicting naked boy sitting on edge of cliff.
Category
1930s Italian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Archimede Seguso sculpture in Murano glass "sfumatto oro" circa 1950 Museo
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible Archimede Seguso "sfumatto oro"sculpture in Murano glass circa 1950. Museo.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
Bronze Sculpture Alto by Perrin & Perrin France
Located in Paris, FR
Bronze sculpture by Perrin & Perrin, French glass artists represented by Galerie Negropontes.
Measures: H 21 x L 18 x P 7 cm / H 8.3 x W 7.1 x D 2.7 inch
Martine and Jacki Perrin scu...
Category
2010s European International Style Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Nicolas Vlavianos steel 1974 sculpture with wood base signed
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible NICOLAS VLAVIANOS brazilian steel 1970 abstract sculpture with wood base.
Category
1970s Brazilian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Remo Bernucci 1970 set of 9 totens in plaster and wood polychrome sculpture.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible RENO BERNUCCI group of sculptures in plaster, wood polychrome with 9 pieces.
Category
1970s Brazilian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Bronze Sculpture Bolero by Perrin & Perrin France
Located in Paris, FR
Bronze sculpture by Perrin & Perrin, Galerie Negropontes, 2021
Measures: H 22.5 x L 19 x P 7 cm / H 8.7 x W 7.5 x D 2.7 inch
Martine and Jacki Perrin sculpt together as one, forming ...
Category
2010s European International Style Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Venini Murano glass incolor hourglass circa 1950
By Venini
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
incredible Venini Murano glass incolor hourglass circa 1950.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
Emanoel Araujo brazilian sculpture in fiberglass and wood polychrome circa 1980
By Emanoel Araújo 1
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible EMANOEL ARAUJO abstract sculpture in fiberglass and wood signed and polychrome circa 1980.
Category
1980s Brazilian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Fiberglass, Wood
Beautiful Wall Assembled Figure of King David playing the Harp by Emaus workshop
Located in Mexico, DF
Very well-designed stylized decorative piece depicting King David playing the harp with the walls and buildings of Jerusalem suggested in the elements in the background. The work com...
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Sheet Metal
Airin Canedo brazilian multicolor sculpture circa 1990
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible AIRIN CANEDO multimaterials sculpture circa 1990.
Category
1990s Brazilian International Style Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Other
Pair of Murano glass bicolor apples with bulicante.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible pair of Murano glass of apples bicolor with bubbles circa 1970.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
Nicolas Vlavianos Greek steel 1974 sculpture with wood base signed
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible steel sculpture with wood base signed VL 74 to Nicolas Vlavianos 1974
Category
1970s Greek Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Steel Sculpture by Nicolas Vlavianos, 1970
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Steel sculpture signed and dated Vlavianos in perfect conditions.
Category
1970s Greek Vintage International Style Sculptures
Materials
Steel
International Style sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique International Style 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 sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, tables, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used International Style sculptures made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Brazil pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Archimede Seguso, Nicolas Vlavianos, Perrin & Perrin, and Jonathan Adler. 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 sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $108 and tops out at $70,000 while the average work can sell for $2,700.