Skip to main content

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

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

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.

12
1,858
to
166
951
849
1,858
1,858
1,858
856
196
139
122
93
62
22
22
12
12
12
6
4
4
1
5
8
6,061
387
60
3,466
7
1
10
41
108
742
1,046
1,061
237
109
Height
to
Width
to
719
468
277
274
242
1,059
568
489
485
193
64
40
33
32
30
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Period: Late 20th Century
Vintage Wooden Hand Caved Bear Figurines
Located in Seattle, WA
Bear Figurine with striped design and dark wood tone. Hand Carved detailing. No Makers mark. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured. Dimensions. 6 W ; 3 D ; 4 H
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Vintage Hand Carved Wooden Figurines With Flute From Ecuador by Akios Industry.
Located in Seattle, WA
This wooden figure was hand made in Ecuador. Depicts a person carrying a flute. Beautiful wood grain with exaggerated features. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured. Di...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Beautiful Manta Sting Ray Sculpture Nickeled Metal, on Base, Vintage 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This nickel plated metal statue was most likely made in the 1980s in Italy. Can not tell the maker or the artist. This particular statue is a beautiful piece, it can be displayed as ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Mid-Century Brutalist "Raindrops" Wall Sculpture in Brass Signed Curtis Jere
Located in New York, NY
This dynamic and incredibly formed Mid-Century Brutalist "Raindrops" Wall Sculpture in Brass is Signed Curtis Jere and originates from the United States, Circa 1970. Features an open...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Gigantic Nickel Etruscan Horse Sculpture Weinberg Style 1970s, Italy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is a nickel plated metal sculpture, in the style of the antique statues and figures of the Etruscans. It is a gorgeous interior furnishing item, an incredibly stylized Horse and...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Vintage Stoneware Racoon Sculpture by John Seymour
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Awesome ceramic racoon sculpture by John H Seymour. signed.
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Stoneware

Seguso Murano Black Red Gold Leaf Italian Art Glass Decorative Flower Sculpture
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Rare, and beautiful, vintage Murano hand blown black and red bands Italian art glass flower sculpture. Documented, and signed by designer Archi...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Gold Leaf

Mid-Century Polished Chrome Kinetic "Tangle" Sculpture by Richard X Zawitz
By Richard X Zawitz
Located in New York, NY
This highly dynamic and brilliantly designed Mid-Century Modernist Kinetic "Tangle" Sculpture in Polished Chrome is by Richard X Zawitz and originates from the United States, 1982. F...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Chrome

Eric Astoul French Ceramic Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Eric Aston French abstract ceramic sculpture with highly textured and crazed glazed surface. Wood fired ceramic . Astoul lives and works in LaBorne France.
Category

1980s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Spanish Women Cast Bronze Sculpture by W.N. Cardobo 1973
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Beautiful 1973 Spanish cast bronze sculpture depicting a woman walking with a basket of fish on her head. Marked W.N. Cardobo 73 (see detail photo). In original beautiful condition...
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Giraffe figurine made of travertine marble by Fratelli Mannelli
Located in Berlin, BE
Giraffe sculpture in genuine travertine from Rapolano (Tuscany) made by the renowned Italien designer Fratelli Mannelli in the 1970s.⁠ Next to figures by Fratelli Mannelli we offer...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Travertine

Pino Signoretto Murano Glass Sculpture of Woman, 1980s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Beautiful glass sculpture made by Italian Murano Glass Master Pino Signoretto during the 1980s. The sculpture shows a woman with long hair, kneeling, with her head bowed. Her arms ar...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Murano Glass

1970 Abstract Wood Sculpture
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
70s wood sculpture Abstract wood sculpture France circa 1970 Height: 300 cm Length: 38 cm Width: 38 cm
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Mexican ram's horn in fish form
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970. We offer this Mexican ram's horn in fish form. made in silverplated.
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Metal

1970s ceramic bottles sculpture
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
1970s ceramic bottles sculpture Ceramic sculpture. Individual bottles crafted on a wheel and joined before firing to form a single piece. Signed by the artist. France 1970 1.40 cm W....
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Seldom seen Paper Mache NaNa Sculptures by Niki de Saint Phalle
Located in Buffalo, NY
Seldom seen Paper Mache , polychromed "NaNa" Sculptures by Niki de Saint Phalle,,
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Paper

Guilia Mangani Hand Painted Porcelain Toucan & Leaves On Gilt Bronze
Located in Chicago, IL
An Italian ceramic toucan sculpture on a gilt bronze and tole metal wire tree branch by famed Italian artist Giulia Mangani. The colorful bird is accented by hand painted ceramic le...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Whimsical Tradition: 'Cap Gros' Papier-Mâché Netól Character, c. 1970
Located in Barcelona, ES
Type: Papier-Mâché Netól Character Style: Popular Art, Traditional Origin: Handmade in Spain, c. 1970 Original Condition Whimsical Charm Handcrafted Tradition Behold ...
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Paper

Pair of Jean-Claude Hug Mounted Brass Sculptures - SIGNED
Located in East Hampton, NY
These wonderful tall free-standing abstract brass sculptures by Jean-Claude Hug, France (Born 1939), are being sold together. HUG is known for metal work sculptures, these two curve...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Coco De Mer or Double Coconut Sculpture on Brass Stand, France 1970s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find "Coco De Mer" nut presented on a brass and chrome stand in typically Mid Century Modern manner. Coco de Mer or Lodoicea, commonly known as the sea coc...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Large Solid Marble Decorative Sphere on Bronze Griffin Base
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful large solid green marble decorative sphere on bronze base with three griffins, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good condition with no chips or cracks; it has a nice polis...
Category

Late 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Abstract Bronze Sculpture, Prince Monyo
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This is a striking abstract bronze sculpture by Prince Mono. Utilizing the lost wax process, the piece is polished bronze. The piece has its own square base which is signed, "Monyo"....
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

1970 Tommaso Barbi Uovo Scultura Metallo argentato Vassoi Ciotole Impilabili
Located in Brescia, IT
Uovo Scultura Tommaso Barbi Italy, 1970 Uovo scultura composto da sette ciotole impilabili Metallo Cromato Oggetto di design di ottima fattura Etichetta adesiva "TB made in italy" O...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Important Italian Glass Artist Ermanno Nason Female Murano Glass Female Bust
Located in St. Louis, MO
Master Italian Glass Artisan Ermanno Nason (1928-2013) created this smoked glass young female bust with ponytail sculpture in 1975. The only other example I found in my research was ...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Blown Glass

Mid-Century Abstract Brutalist Sculpture in Cut Bronze, Manner of Curtis Jeré
Located in New York, NY
This simultaneously bold yet subtle Mid-Century Modernist Abstract Brutalist Sculpture in Cut Bronze is in the manner of Curtis Jeré, and originates from the United States, Circa 197...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Stunning Handcrafted Abstract Ceramic Sculpture by Giancarlo Scapin, 1970s
Located in Brescia , Brescia
Reminiscent of a graceful fan delicately resting on a sphere, this sculpture is a striking blend of abstract form and meticulous craftsmanship. Crafted with care and precision, this...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Big Unic Elvio Becheroni Abstract wooden sculpture: Amazonia series
Located in Rovereta, SM
Big Unic Elvio Becheroni Abstract wooden sculpture: Amazonia series published
Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Porcelain sculpture by Lladro
Located in Roma, IT
Lladró is the success story of an iconic Spanish brand. A world leader in the design and production and distribution of artistic porcelain creations, Lladró is a unique blend of tale...
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Vibrant Motion: Kinetic Sculpture - Iron, Paint, Movement
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Vibrant Motion: Kinetic Sculpture - Iron, Paint, Movement Manufactured in France by unknown artist, circa 1990. In original condition with minor wear consistent of age and use, pre...
Category

1990s French Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Whimsical Hand Painted Ceramic Lion Sculpture in the Style of Sergio Bustamante
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical hand painted ceramic lion sculpture in the style of Sergio Bustamante, circa 1980s. The piece is in good vintage condition and measures 4.5"W x 9.75"D x 4.75"H, Very cool ...
Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Original Vintage Mid-Century Italian Modern Ceramic Cheetah Sculpture, 1970s
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This large figure of a cheetah probably was produced in Italy during the 1970s. The figure is made of high-quality hand-painted ceramics in intense shades of orange. The cheetah is p...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern Carrara Marble Abstract Sculpture on Black Granite Base
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Mid-Century Modern sculpture was realized in the United States, circa 1970. It features an organic abstract sinuously curved form- full of verve and dynamism- with a fla...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Carrara Marble

Concrete relief sculpture by Momcilo Milovanovic, France 1970s
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Concrete relief sculpture by Momcilo Milovanovic (1921 - 2013), France 1970s. Milovanovic studied sculpting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Belgrade until 1958, his life path took him...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Concrete, Metal

Mid-Century Modernist Pyramidal Lucite Sculpture signed Yaccov Heller
Located in New York, NY
This unique and geometrically dynamic Mid-Century Modernist Pyramidal Lucite Sculpture is signed by Yaccov Heller and originates from the United States, Circa 1970. Features a pyrami...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Lucite

XL Black Abstract cubistic wooden sculpture, France 1970s
Located in Rotterdam, NL
XL abstract wooden sculpture, France 1970s. Powerful presence with rough organic shapes and strong cubistic cut outs. The sculpture shows an interesting play of balance and a nice co...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Vintage Whaling Harpoon Decorative Reproduction on Wood Backing.
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage whaling harpoon on wood Backing, ready to be hung on the wall. Rope attached. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured. Dimensions. 38 W ; 5 D ; 1 H
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

1970's Italian Ceramic Baby Leopard
Located in Redding, CT
1970's Italian Ceramic Baby Leopard Sculpture. Made in Italy . Collectible and decorative.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Mid Century Italian Ceramic or Porcelain Cat and Dog Sculptures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Best friends together, vintage Italian life size dog and cat figures on matching cushions, crafted in ceramic, hand decorated and glazed.
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Exquisite Hand-Painted Ceramic Decorative Cones by Giancarlo Scapin, 1970s
Located in Brescia , Brescia
These cones, signed by the artist, exude a timeless elegance and sophistication. Crafted in a warm terracotta hue and embellished with a spherical motif at the midpoint, reminiscent...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Poltronova abstract sculpture made in Italy 1970
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Unique sculpure purchased at Poltronova in the 1970s, by unknown designer or artist. Probably experimental made, unique either way. This piece has an interesting abstract shape with ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Walnut

Abraham Palatnik Lucite Optic Art Swan Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Abraham Palatnik Lucite Optic Art Swan Sculpture
Category

1970s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Lucite

Pair of Vintage Quartz Sculptures on Lucite
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of chic Mid Century sculptures having quartz specimens artistically arraigned in brass receptacles on brass rods presented on lucite bases.
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Quartz, Brass

Abstract marble sculpture ‘Orione’ by Vittorio di Muzio, Italy 1977
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Abstract marble sculpture 'Orione' by Vittorio di Muzio (1924 - 2014), Italy 1977. Di Muzio studied sculpture at the l’Accademia delle Belle Arti di Brera in Milan and was trained by...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Hugo Demarco Kinetic artwork "Refelection", France 1975
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Kinetic artwork "Refelection" by Hugo Demarco (1932–1995), France 1975. The work is made out of blue acrylic glass, a black shiny acrylic frame at the back and a motorized polished s...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Stainless Steel

Abraham Palatnik Lucite Optic Art Owl Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Abraham Palatnik Lucite Optic Art Owl Sculpture
Category

1970s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Lucite

Nino Caruso Ceramic sculpture Italy 1974
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Beautiful modular sculpture made by Nino Caruso in Italy in 1974. This sculpture is made of cream white glazed ceramic. It has four different shapes stacked as a puzzle together, cre...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Ceramic Woven Sculpted Bowl
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredibly beautiful finished ceramic art piece. This vintage mid-century piece is unique as it is interesting. Crafted with artistry to resemble a woven finished piece, this beaut...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern Solid Brass Standing Doe Deer Sculpture
Located in Barntrup, DE
Standing doe deer sculpture made of solid brass, from the circa 1970s. Adorable and decorative piece - a brass sculpture of a standing doe. Dimensions: height: 31 cm / 12.2 in; width...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Toshiko Takaezu Ceramic Wall Hanging Tile
Located in Oakland, CA
Ceramic wall tile by Toshiko Takaezu (1922-2011) circa 1980s purchased by the original owner who was a personal friend of Takaezu's and was part of her collection of numerous pieces...
Category

1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Huge Bronze sphere by Ado Chale mid modern century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Ado Chale’s Bronze Sphere This captivating bronze sphere, a testament to the artistic genius of Ado Chale, exudes timeless elegance. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, it ...
Category

1980s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

C. Jere Raindrops Tree Sculpture, Circa 1970, Signed.
Located in Chicago, IL
Authentic 1970 C. Jere Raindrops Tree Sculpture. Not a reproduction. The piece is made of chrome plated metal circles or “raindrops” welded to iron branches in the shape of a round t...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Chrome, Iron

Mexican Sermel Papier Mâché Small Mushroom Sculpture
Located in Stamford, CT
Papier mâché small mushroom by Sermel. Hand painted design with overall areas of wear and minimal paint loss. Signed on the underside.
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Paper

Whimsical Metal Wire Large Lion Sculpture in the Style of C. Jere
Located in San Diego, CA
Metal wire large and rare size sculpture of a lion on a black metal base. The body is black metal wire and the mane is tinted in gold. In the style of C. Jere, circa 1990s.
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Guido Gambone Ceramic Horse Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Guido Gambone Ceramic Horse Sculpture
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Curtis Jere Raindrop Tree Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This patinated multi metal disk Curtis Jere life-size tree is weathered. The faux soil that is a resin/plastic and the pot that is metal makes the tree look...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Chrome, Copper, Nickel

Signed Somchai Verdigris Bronze Brutalist Parrot Sculpture on Marble Base 1970s
Located in Troy, MI
Modernist parrot sculpture by Hattakitkosol Somchai circa 1970s Solid bronze parrot on perch with verdigris finish mounted to white marble base Signed and numbered 5.5 inch width 5 ...
Category

1970s Thai Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Vintage Wooden Dutch Folk Style Cookie Mold.. Decorative Primitive Decor.
Located in Seattle, WA
Commonly used for Specula-as or Gingerbread creation. Nice rustic aging and Petina on the wood. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured. Dimensions. 27 W ; 1/2 D ; 5 H
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Vibrant Motion: Kinetic Sculpture - Iron, Paint, Movement
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Vibrant Motion: Kinetic Sculpture - Iron, Paint, Movement Manufactured in France by unknown artist, circa 1990. In original condition with minor wear consistent of age and use, pre...
Category

1990s French Mid-Century Modern Sculptures

Materials

Metal

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 All