Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
13
3,292
87
55
to
718
3,434
2,681
3,434
3,419
3,428
3,434
1,810
980
432
431
328
281
256
202
192
158
137
80
50
46
38
36
33
1
8
3,283
142
14
1,839
955
3
5
9
53
272
577
561
124
47
Height
to
Width
to
1,629
591
587
549
499
1,609
1,428
1,207
748
193
103
47
28
28
28
Item Ships From: USA
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Leonardo Nierman Onyx "Wing" Sculpture on Marble Base, Signed
Located in Kansas City, MO
Large table top Leonardo Nierman onyx "Wing" sculpture on marble base. Mint condition. Signed with engraved signature.
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Onyx, Marble
Vintage Modernist Black Ceramic Bird Form Sculpture Mid-Century Abstract Dove
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A glazed ceramic dove form sculpture by Quebec artists Guy Simoneau and Christiane Paquin.
Category
1980s Canadian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
Aldo Tura Sculpture, Red, Cream, Geometric, Lacquered Goatskin, Signed
By Aldo Tura
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Tura geometric sculpture, lacquered goatskin, red, cream, signed. Small to medium scale two-piece wood table sculpture covered in lacquered goatskin ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Goatskin
Dave Grossman Wire Spray Sculpture in the Manner of Bertoia
Located in Highland, IN
Clearly inspired by the form made famous by Harry Bertoia, this spray-shaped Kinetic sculpture is made of fine wires which can swing and sway in a soothing manner. The piece is marke...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Steel, Stainless Steel
Modern Complex Tools Group Sculpture Welded Tools
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Modern sculpture of real and old welded together tools. In style of Feliciano Bejar.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Hal Fromhold Midcentury Studio Ceramic Sculpture
By Hal Fromhold
Located in Norwalk, CT
This unique, whimsical sculpture is circa 1960s, from California.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Wall Sculpture of a Dolphin
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Hand-hammered brass dolphin sculpture caught in mid jump with a familiar friendly expression, attributed to Sergio Bustamante. Retaining its patina and lacquered for easy care.
Category
20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Modernist Abstract Sculpture Entitled "Sequeze Flurine" by Giorgio Zennaro
Located in San Diego, CA
A stunning modernist abstract sculpture entitled "Sequeze Flurine" in copper by Italian artist and sculptor Giorgio Zennaro, circa 1974. The piece sits on a 10" x 10" x 26.5" travert...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Travertine, Copper
Blue Mercury Glass Gazing Ball
Located in Palm Beach, FL
two-piece mercury glass gazing ball or sculpture with an alluring ice blue color and modern graceful form.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Mercury Glass
Karl Springer Benin Head on Custom Lucite Base, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Authentic bronze Benin head on a custom Lucite base by Karl Springer, American 1970s (comes with a Letter of Authentication from Karl Springer's former Dire...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
California King Palm Tree Floor Lamp by Christopher Kreiling
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The (extra tall and height customizable) California King Palm tree floor lamp is a celebration of living and creating in Los Angeles for almo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Stainless Steel
Ben Seibel "Clam" Bookends in a Copper Finish
By Ben Seibel
Located in Dallas, TX
Heavy bookends by Ben Seibel in a copper finish.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Pair of Eugenio Pattarino "Venetian Carnival" Lamps
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a superb set of midcentury Italian ceramic lamps by the renown Prof. Eugenio Pattarino that date to the mid-20th century. The ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Rare and Early Jens Risom Stool for Knoll Associates, New York City
By Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare and early Jens Risom stool for Knoll Associates, New York City. Simple, elegant design. Retains original finish as well as original early oil cloth upholstered top. Also origina...
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Upholstery, Birch
Erik Magnussen Sterling Silver And Green Hardstone Desk Accessory
Located in Norwood, NJ
Post Art Deco sculpture by Erik Magnussen (1884-1961) a well known Danish designer-silversmith. This unique item is sterling silver, bronze and aventurine. A beautiful and creative u...
Category
1930s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Quartz, Bronze, Sterling Silver
Modern Carved Burl Wood Sculpture by Sig de Tonancour
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Striking and sensuous Carved Burl Wood Sculpture of a Female Bust signed and dated '92 on the right back side, Asian style carved and polished femal...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Burl
Los Castillo Brass, Copper and Abalone Dish attributed to Salvador Teran
Located in Miami, FL
Los Castillo Brass, Copper and Abalone Dish attributed to Salvador Teran
Offered for sale is a brass, copper and abalone dish in the form of a whim...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Copper, Brass
1950s Abstract Bronze Sculpture Set
By Henry Moore
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Set of 3 abstract solid bronze sculptures arranged on a thinly sliced petrified palm root slate.
Organic shapes in the style of sculptor Henry Moore.
Each is signed G. W. Hall and ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
1970s Brass Tabletop Nail Sculpture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A petite round brass nail sculpture.
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Brass
20th Century Gilt Flame Sculpture
Located in South Salem, NY
Striking modern flame sculpture on an ebony marble stand, originally sold by Harrod's Department Store in London. Dramatic, stylized flame, a classic s...
Category
20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
Mid-Century Brass Sculpture Dish
Located in New York, NY
A Mid-Century brass sculpture dish attributed to Tommi Parzinger. Solid Brass sculpture center mounted to a brass dish. Three detail cut-outs outline the base of the dish. Spectacu...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Brass
1947 Bronze Plaque by Warner Williams
By Warner Williams
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A bronze plaque of a boy and a girl in profile, seated on a bench and holding hands. Marked: April 1947 c Warner Williams
Gorham Co. Founders.
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
1960s Table Top Sculpture by John Steck
By John Steck
Located in Sagaponack, NY
From Steck’s 'Desert Flower’ series, this tabletop sculpture exhibits, per an America House advertisement in Craft Horizons January/February 1965 (which illustrates this sculpture), ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Metal
Mid-Century Modern Carved Wood Puzzle Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern carved wood puzzle sculpture in the shape of a couple gazing into each others eyes, each one having a carved heart inlay that ...
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Lorenzo Burchiellaro Italian Cast Etched and Black Aluminum Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Lorenzo Burchiellaro cast and etched aluminum square sculpture.
Patinaed black and natural etched aluminum composes this open cube with a dish depressed center for either holding va...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Aluminum
Large Irving Harper Paper Sculpture, Six Feet Tall
Located in Kansas City, MO
One of a kind tall geometric paper sculpture by Irving Harper. This work is unique.
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Paper
1940s Isamu Noguchi Black+White Train Clock Modernist Japanese Industrial Design
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Sale includes both, and both clocks are untested, thus graded DISTRESSED, despite being cosmetically good.
Category
1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Bakelite
Untitled Abstract Sculpture by David Haskell
Located in New York, NY
Abstract sculpture with dark blue glazes. Artist-signed.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Handcrafted Iron Bull Sculpture, circa 1980s
Located in Westport, CT
Sculpture of a bull handcrafted from solid iron. Natural oxidation adds tons of character. Artist unknown. Initialed MK.
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Mid-Century Modern Hawaiian Male and Female Bookends, Pair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This pair of Hawaiian Mid-Century Modern bookends feature skillfully carved male and female busts that have been coated in a sand/plaster finish further enhancing their antiqued look...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Normam Mercer Pink, Blue Ombre Blade Lucite Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Modernist gradient acrylic sculpture by renowned New York artist Norman Mercer. Labeled.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Lucite
Tall Modern Bronze Sculpture of Gymnast in Action Marble Base
By Giocometti
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Modern abstract sculpture of gymnast on marble base. Measures: 12 inches.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
1970s Brass Tabletop Nail Sculpture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A petite square brass nail sculpture.
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Brass
"Owl on Branch, " Early sculpture by Curtis Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small but sweet table top sculpture by C. Jere circa 1967. Made of brass with enamel eyes and installed on a natural onyx rock. table top sculpture. Signed and dated 67.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Onyx, Brass, Enamel
Tall Abstract Modernist Aluminium Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Modernist TOTEM mask abstract aluminum sculpture standing 4 feet tall. Artist unknown.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Aluminum
Loet Vanderveen Bronze Chimpanzee Sculptures
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century bronze chimpanzee family with polished faces and aubergine Patina by Loet Vanderveen, Dutch, 1921-2015. Limited Edition Pieces, Numbered ...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Mid-Century Modern Clay Wall Sculpture, circa 1968
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique handmade wall sculpture features a unique painted clay form mounted on a unique Lucite style frame. The textured three dimensional presentation of this vintage work of ar...
Category
1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Clay
Swan Sculpture on Travertine Base by Porta-Celi
Located in San Diego, CA
Ceramic swan sculpture on travertine base by Ports-Celi, circa 1970s.
Category
Mid-20th Century Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Travertine
James Gagnon Studio Craft Pewter and Teak Decanter Set
Located in Atlanta, GA
James Gagnon Studio Craft Pewter accessories, American, circa 1970s-1980s. Gagnon's work is hard to find as it was all handcrafted by the artist in limite...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Pewter
Gaucho Cowboy Figure in Blown Glass Attributed to Barovier
Located in New York, NY
Italian made figure of Spanish cowboy in emerald glass, attributed to Barovier Seguso Farro, unsigned. In perfect condition, free of chips, cracks, damage or repairs. Playful example...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Pair of Metal Sea Fan Sculptures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of stylized sculptures crafted in iron and ambitiously portraying mother nature's sea fan construction. Presented on classical two tiered bases and signed by the noted artist Ro...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Large Sculptural Vase #2 by Dena Zemsky
By Dena Zemsky
Located in New York, NY
Hand-built, glazed stoneware vase form. Signed and dated on underside.
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Jan De Swart Monumental Sculptural Ship
By Jan De Swart
Located in Chicago, IL
Jan De Swart's "Ark" Ship, sculpted architectural and playful elements intricately displayed showing the master’s wit and technical skills.Exhibited at Collective Design Fair N.Y. Ma...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Black Anthropomorphic Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
A Mid-century modern partly glazed black sculpture in an anthropomorphic shape. The piece has a mark on one if its feet and is in good vintage quality.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Torch Cut and Welded Brass on Steel Brutalist Sculpture Signed Pascoe
Located in Ferndale, MI
Well executed and detailed tabletop welded and brazed Brutalist "Garden" sculpture by D. Pascoe.
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Greg Copeland Three-Dimensional Layered Paper Wall Sculpture, 1973
Located in Kensington, MD
Three dimensional assemblage of five layers of paper cut-out signed by Greg Copeland, 1973 in chromed metal frame.
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Paper
Rare 1960s Dirk Rosse Tear Drop Cutting Board American Studio Craft Midcentury
By Dirk Rosse
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Modernist tear drop form. Dirk Rosse (1925-2014) was an exhibited studio furniture maker. Cutting board in walnut, signed with his DDR mark to edge. 13 inches in length total when hu...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Elegant Curtis Jere Table Art Sculpture
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegant Jere table art sculpture
Comprised of three metal finishes. Black, brass and mat silver.
Marble base.
Signed and dated (1993) on the base.
Dimension...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Metal
1960s Erotic Art Sculpture Woman’s Waist Pottery Ashtray Vessel Female Body Form
Located in Hyattsville, MD
White Hi-gloss glazed ashtray, heavily crazed. Artist/Maker unknown. Procured in Puerto Rico.
Category
1960s Puerto Rican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern Abstract Hand-Carved Lucite Sculpture on an Oval Base
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern abstract Lucite sculpture, table sculpture on an oval base.
Beautiful hand carved details in a very clear Lucite.
No markings.
This is a great desk accessory fo...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Lucite
Hivo Van Teal Mid-Century Modern Abstract Lucite Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern abstract Lucite sculpture designed by Hivo Van Teal in the shape of wave elements rising from a base. The piece is signed by the maker on one of the corners of the...
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Lucite
Anthony Redmile Mounted Impala Horns and Skull on Pyramidal Base
Located in New York, NY
Anthony Redmile Impala horns and skull mounted atop a pyramidal shaped patinated metal base. The piece was made in the United States during the 1970s and h...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Metal
1960s Large Modernist Steel Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Stunning oversize 1960s welded steel modernist sculpture. In vintage original condition with some wear and patina.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Cut Steel
Vintage Acrylic and Teak Abstract Cat Sculpture by Robert D. Harvey
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Robert D. Harvey (b. 1927-2015 - Marshfield, MA, USA) abstract sculpture composed of cut acrylic / Lucite (both smoked and transparent) and sculpted walnut assembled to represent a c...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Acrylic, Lucite, Walnut, Pine
Mid Century Modern Abstract Curtis Jere Free-Form Brass Sculpture
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a beautifully unique, original signed Curtis Jerè sculpture. The piece is made with a removable brass top and marble/onyx base. It is in good condition, showing minor age...
Category
1970s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Brass
Vintage Life-Size Brass "Entwined Cranes" Sculpture by Boris Lovet-Lorski
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Beautiful vintage life-Size cranes sculpture designed by Boris Lovet-Lorski in Lithuania, circa 1950s. These elegant cranes intertwine at their necks and t...
Category
1950s Lithuanian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Brass
Abstract Bronze and Enamel Sculpture
By Del Campo
Located in New York, NY
Abstract bronze and enamel sculpture by Del Campo. Signed.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Enamel
Mid Century Brass and Abalone Shell Crab Sculpture or Serving Dish
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Amusing, mid century serving dish or bowl crafted in Mexico, in the Los Castillo manner with copper and brass inlaid with abalone and depicting a crab. Perfect for entertaining or en...
Category
20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Mid-century Modern sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern 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, 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 Mid-Century Modern sculptures made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Walter Bosse, Herta Baller, Curtis Jeré, and Joel Escalona. 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 $34 and tops out at $295,000 while the average work can sell for $1,322.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Noses And Ears
Polychrome Lion
Santos Figure
Small Bronze Figurine
Sphinx Head
West African Wood Sculptures
Antique Shoe Sign
Antique Shops Vienna
Antique Vintage Dog
Barbedienne Fondeur Bronze
Blue Dog Sculpture
Bronze Diana Sculpture
Bronze Eagle Marble
Bronze Rubbing
Bronze Sculpture Diana
Italian Polychrome Figure
Necked Statues
Onyx Bird