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Modern Sculptures

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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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

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Style: Modern
Color:  Brown
Pair of Heads of Athena Giustiniani in Patinated Terracotta, Early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
PAIR OF HEADS OF ATHENA GIUSTINIANI IN PATINATED TERRACOTTA, early 20th century The Athena-Minerva Giustiniani is a Roman copy from the Antonine period of ...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Zeus Di Capo Artemision, Terracotta Head, Cronide, Early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Zeus Di Capo Artemision - terracotta head - Cronide. early 20th century. The Cronide of Capo Artemisio or Zeus of Capo Artemisio. terracotta Italy Measures: height 38 cm width 28 ...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

White Lion, Ceramic Centerpiece, Handmade Design in Italy, 2021
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a Lion in a modern way. The animal is gently painted with a cream colour. Our designer creates these pieces completely by hand.   
Category

2010s Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Handcrafted Vase 071 by Lovebuch
Located in Geneve, CH
Handcrafted vase 071 by Lovebuch Dimensions: Ø 25 x H 35 cm Materials: Sandstone, porcelain, handcrafted piece Katia works with wood and clay, these raw, powerfully expressive m...
Category

2010s French Modern Sculptures

Materials

Sandstone

Feng Shui Bonsai "Cascata", Handmade in Italy, Sculpture, Contemporary
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The Cascata Bonsai is inspired by the Niagara falls. The materials are wood and metals, representing both the strength of life and the roots of Mother Nature. Sculptures are composed...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Aluminum

Feng Shui Bonsai "Pink curls", Handmade in Italy, Sculpture, Contemporary
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The Pink Curls Bonsai is inspired by the weeping willow tree, a wonderful and unique tree. The materials are wood and metals, representing both the strength of life and the roots of...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Aluminum

Menelaus Head in Terracotta, Copy of a Greek Original, Early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Menelaus head in terracotta, copy of a Greek original, early 20th century This is the copy of the head of Menelaus, from a sculptural group of Greek origin, Patroclus and Menelaus. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Alain Rothstein (1948) :"Shopping cart compression", original metal sculpture
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Alain Rothstein (1948, France) :"Shopping cart compression" Original gilded metal sculpture signed by engraving on brass board "Oeuvre originale d'Alain Rothstein Under 1st board s...
Category

Early 2000s French Modern Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Modigliani style Tete sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary Modernist style sculpture of a head made of composite materials resting on a black base (style of Modigiani "Tete") (signed and made by Austin Productions 1985)
Category

20th Century Unknown Modern Sculptures

Materials

Plaster

Antique Armillary Sundial on Terracotta Pedestal
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This large scale antique armillary sundial on a terracotta pedestal is a Blanchard original, stamped at the base with a maker’s mark. The co...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Modern Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Kachamukku by KAWS
By KAWS
Located in Weesp, NL
Kachamukku Designer Toy by KAWS - Where Art Meets Imagination! Are you ready to elevate your collection to a whole new level of artistic brilliance? Look no further, as the Kachamuk...
Category

2010s American Modern Sculptures

Materials

Plastic

Copper Metallic Teddy Bear Lamp with LED, Made in Italy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 400 other unique products. (2.2) The teddy bear, the emotional object par excellence, is reinterpreted by Stefano Giova...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Plastic

Sculpted Pink Wall Lamp in Glazed Ceramic Medium Size Designed by Laura Gonzalez
Located in Paris, FR
Wall lamp in geometric relief made by the Jean Roger workshop in Paris. Available in green, yellow, blue and matt white colors and in two sizes.
Category

2010s French Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Italian Horse Head Sculpture in Golden Ceramic Early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Italian Horse head sculpture in Golden Ceramic early 20th Century on ebonized wooden base, Measures: 38 x 44 x 20cm. overall size Very good conditions.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Khada Hand Carved Decorative Totem Sculpture Set
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
All our totem sculptures are hand carved in Southern Africa from sustainable alien timber by a group of Zimbabwean artists who set their own prices, th...
Category

2010s African Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Lladró Beautiful Catrina Figurine by Raul Rubio. Limited Edition.
Located in New York City, NY
Limited edition Mexican Bella Catrina figurine in black gloss finish porcelain, adorned with three handmade flowers. The people of Mexico have a special relationship with death, to the point that it is part of the culture and daily life of this North American country. The Bella Catrina, conceived in the imagination of the artist Jose Guadalupe Posada...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Alessandro Mendini 12 Colonne Collection Superego Editions
Located in Milan, Italy
Four ceramic sculpture of the 12 columns collection designed by Alessandro Mendini and produced by Superego editions. Small model. Limited edition of 50 pieces. Signed and numbered. ...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Aperture 4
Located in Glen Cove, NY
The Aperture series was created to provide a beautiful quality of light by combining bounce and ambient glow. The light source is held in a hand-spun perforated brass dome on one sid...
Category

2010s American Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Small Cairn Elemental Spinning Top in Oiled Walnut by Alvaro Uribe for Wooda
Located in Omro, WI
The initial inspiration for the elemental top collection by Alvaro Uribe for Wooda was Wooda’s iconic logo of a tree. We felt it captured the company’s synergy for working with wood ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sculptures

Materials

Hardwood, Walnut

Hammered Sculpture by Waylande Gregory
Located in Long Island City, NY
Hammered and Patinated Sculpture by Waylande Gregory on a raw wooden base.
Category

20th Century Danish Modern Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Hermanos Calavera Traicionera in Oiled Mahogany by Miguel & Ilse Silva for Wooda
Located in Omro, WI
These handsome but quirky brothers designed by Miguel and Ilse Silva for Wooda are the result of an engaging mix of personality, love, fun and mischievousness. Los Hermanos Calavera(...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sculptures

Materials

Hardwood, Mahogany, Maple, Oak

Unir Solid Stone Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Hathor is the first collaboration between Farrah Sit and TRNK Collection. The collection is inspired by Farrah’s pilgrimages to ancient monolithic structures and her reactions to the...
Category

2010s American Modern Sculptures

Materials

Stone, Limestone

Porcelain Leopard Sculpture , Italy, 1970.
Located in Madrid, ES
Hand-painted leopard sculpture made of porcelain, 1970.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

David SHRIGLEY (1968) : "Brass Tooth" (2010), Solid polished brass, Ed° 80 ex.
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
David SHRIGLEY (1968) : "Brass Touth" Solid polished brass, Edition of 80 pieces 2010 Provenance : Private French collection bought from Galerie Yvon Lambert, Paris, France "Artist David Shrigley has no qualms in playing up our fears of the dentist chair by hugely exaggerating the size of a common molar and rendering it in solid, heavy brass. Premiered at the London Art Fair, Shrigley's matter-of-fact sculpture Brass Tooth...
Category

2010s French Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Erik Lagoni Jakobsen Unique Wall Mounted Object in Painted Wood, Denmark, 1968
By Erik Lagoni Jakobsen
Located in Odense, DK
Playful abstract artwork by Danish artist Erik Lagoni Jakobsen made at his own workshop in 1968. The work consist of different found object mounted on a circle and painted. It is ins...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Wall Sculpture White Contemporary Geometric Totem Brutalist Wood organic plaster
Located in Seville, ES
Territorio 2.3.74 - III We discovered organic plaster stucco when we arrived at our workshop in Seville. Artisans dedicated to the world of Holy Week in Seville work in the same s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Sculptures

Materials

Composition

Lalique Clear Frosted Buddha
Located in Norwood, NJ
A stunning rendition of the sage on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. The Buddha meditates solemnly in this Fine mouth-blown and hand carved crystal sculpture...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sculptures

Materials

Crystal

Sculptural Centerpiece in the Manner of Gaetano Pesce, 1990s
Located in Lille, FR
Sculptural centerpiece in the manner of Gaetano Pesce, 1990s.
Category

1990s Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Resin

Cloud Sculpture #2205 by Chris Gustin
Located in New York, NY
Glazed stoneware. Unique, wood-fired sculpture.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Desk with Vanity Organic Modern Contemporary Blackened Steel and Walnut Drawer
Located in Bronx, NY
DESK NO. 1 J.M. Szymanski d. 2023 With the combined power of our steel smith and the modern machine, this desk/vanity is hydrology bent from 3/8” thick solid steel. The table is han...
Category

2010s American Modern Sculptures

Materials

Steel, Iron

Constantin Andreou monumental sculpture 280 cm
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Constantin Andreou (1917-2007) Oiseau du zénith, 1965 Laiton soudé signé sur la terrasse Pièce unique Monumental sculpture, rare work on the market
Category

1960s Greek Vintage Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Pair of Carved Fossilized Limestone Bookends with Many Fossils Visible
Located in Morristown, NJ
20th c., a high quality pair of demilune columnar form stone bookends, unmarked. Skillfully carved beige limestone with a large number of spiral shell gastropods, nautiloids, and other fossils polished to show off the beauty of the fossils. There are natural streaks of dark and light limestone, orange iron oxide, and crystalline calcite in the shells. The stone contains a large amount of calcite (or aragonite) with the remainder made of impurities such as dolomite, quartz or silicates, clay, iron oxides, and rock particles of many kinds. These are of lovely quality and are fascinating to look at. As they are cut from the same piece, the fossils match up when both bookends are placed together and the corresponding portion of fossils can be seen on the opposite interior vertical plane. Dimensions: 7"h x 5.75"w x 2.75"d (each half) Condition: Good, a few scratches and nicks on base, attractive appearance. Provenance: A Private Collection: The Sherry Netherland...
Category

1980s Unknown Vintage Modern Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Somso Anatomical Horse Model, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Somso anatomical horse model - zoology model - veterinary model. This vintage school model - educational model dates circa 1950s and is made of plaster ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Modern Sculptures

Materials

Plaster, Wood

Midnight Matinee, Ceramic and Found Object Assemblage Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Artist statement: During the summers in Connecticut when I was a pre-teen, I lived for playing baseball. I grew up on a farm and had to work hard, but I always made time for baseball. I played everyday and sometimes even slept with my glove underneath my pillow. I dreamed of playing professionally for the New York Yankees. The only thing that dragged me away from playing baseball was an arts and craft’s class in my school’s summer program. On Tuesday afternoon, after lunch, baseball was on hold for arts and crafts. In my first class, they taught us how to make pot holders and build things with Popsicle sticks by gluing them together. It was so much fun. I guess this was the earliest telling of what was to unfold in the future years. I continued to play semi-pro baseball until the age of 38. I was also into weightlifting and even placed in a national competition. Sports and art have always been my passions. I was willing to put sports on hold for my art, though. And sports have always influenced my artwork. My first great influence in art was my craft teacher in high school, Shirley Charron. I was not an “A” student by any means and I did not excel in math or science. Ms. Charron knew I wasn’t a great student and encouraged me to apply for art school at Silvermine College of Arts. The college was holding interviews and all I had to do was make an appointment and bring my artwork. I was excited to find out that they didn’t need to know my S.A.T. scores. So I met with Dean Bob Gray and he liked my artwork. I became a student at the Silvermine College and received my Associate’s Degree from there. I went on to the Maryland Institute of Art where I received my Bachelor of Arts degree. I met several students from various backgrounds and different countries. I was fortunate for having great teachers and mentors along the way. Visiting artists were a big influence to me, as well. My college years helped greatly, keeping me out of the ‘real world’ and into the realm of creativity and free­ flowing ideas. After receiving my Masters Degree from the Art Institute of Chicago in 1977. I stayed in Chicago. I became ‘so-to-speak’ a “Chicago” artist, living in lofts, dreaming the dreams of becoming known and reaching for the stars. I was still quite naïve at the age of 30. Luckily, I kept my day job as a cleaning man. I worked hard during those years after graduate school and still do 28 years later. During those 28 years, I tried out for the Chicago White Sox...
Category

2010s American Modern Sculptures

Materials

Metal

1970s Large Scale Molded Resin Boxer Dog Statue / Sculpture Style of Marwal Ind
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage Marwal Industries style large scale molded resin boxer dog statue or sculpture. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vinta...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Sculptures

Materials

Resin

Aina Jurassic Fossil Marble Keops Pyramid Game Sculpture, Living Collection
Located in ES
Keops Pyramid game sculpture sculpted from four solid pieces of Jurassic Marble, with Nerineas fossils. Do you dare to try to build it? Designed by AINA and manufactured by NERINEA i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Domingos Tótora "Escultura Âmago Mod.06", Brazil 21st Century
Located in Utrecht, NL
This organic sculpture by contemporary artist Domingos Tótora is a visual expression of the artist’s view of design. Tótora creates objects and sculptures where beauty is inseparable...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Paper

Plaster Traditional Dog Figure, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Traditional plaster figure of a dog. Made in traditional Catalan atelier in Olot, Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserv...
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Modern Sculptures

Materials

Plaster

Vida Aged Wood Sculpture by CEU Studio, Represented by Tuleste Factory
Located in New York, NY
Vida 2021 by CEU L 55,1" x H 115" Aged wood sculpture with steel base. One of a kind. Shipping is not included. Please contact us for shipping...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Modern Sculptures

Materials

Steel

1970s Terracotta Sicilian Sculpture of a Woman by Tudisco
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A Sicilian Sculpture by Tudisco created in the 1970s, in very good conditions, signed on a side. The sculpture portrays a lying naked woman Terracotta is a type of clay-based cerami...
Category

Mid-20th Century Sicilian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Tatto Limited Edition Gardener Meets NIKE 2006 Designer Toy
Located in Weesp, NL
Tatto limited edition Gardener meets Nike 2006 Art Toy in beautiful laser engraved wooden box by Michael Lau and produced by Crazysmiles. This rare...
Category

Early 2000s Hong Kong Modern Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Gerhard Henning Sculpture
Located in Kastrup, DK
A sculpture made in fired clay depicting an erotic couple. Titled: No 1. Signed Gerhard Henning, 1927 NB: The plinth has been repaired, the sculpture itself is in mint condition.
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Modern Sculptures

Materials

Clay

Alma Aged Wood Sculpture by CEU Studio, Represented by Tuleste Factory
Located in New York, NY
Alma 2019 by CEU L 74.8" x H 72" Aged wood sculpture with steel base. One of a kind. Shipping is not included. See our shipping polici...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Modern Sculptures

Materials

Steel

De Sede Leather Elephant Toy Accessory by Alfredo Häberli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Miniature toy elephant accessory designed by Alfredo Ha¨berli for De Sede.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sculptures

Materials

Leather

Italian Pug Dog Ceramic Statue Figurine Vintage, 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1980s Italian Majolica ceramic dog statue figurine. Nice addition to your room or entry hall. Made of Majolica ceramic, hand painted. ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Domingos Tótora "Escultura Âmago Model 04", Brazil 21st Century
Located in Utrecht, NL
This organic sculpture by contemporary artist Domingos Tótora is a visual expression of the artist’s view of design. Tótora creates objects and sculptures where beauty is inseparable...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Paper

X4 Object Contemporary Sculpture in Oak
Located in London, GB
X4 is an ongoing series of simple graphic forms that create timeless and enduring designs. The handcraft wooden pieces sits somewhere between furniture, object and sculpture. The designs start as a 2D composition that we translate to a 3D object...
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Sculptures

Materials

Oak

Splendid Italian Sculpture in Marble "American Indian", Early 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Splendid Italian Sculpture in Marble "American Indian", early 20th century. Very good conditions. 45cm x 13cm H: 68cm.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Dali Vase, Glass Object
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Glass object, glass vase, surrealism.
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Tropical Fish Marble Sculpture by Maitland Smith
Located in London, GB
A tropical fish sculpture in Italian Emperador marble and brass. The fish covered in marble using the tessellation technique. A tessellation or tiling is t...
Category

Late 20th Century North American Modern Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Brass

Aura Reclaimed Wood Sculpture by CEU Studio, Represented by Tuleste Factory
Located in New York, NY
Aura 2018 by CEU L 110.2" - W 29.5"" x H 90.6" Reclaimed wood sculpture with steel base. One of a kind. Shipping is not included. See our shipping policies. Please contac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Modern Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Lalique Amber Crystal Model of a Seated "Happy Buddha"
Located in Norwood, NJ
A Lalique limited edition amber glass model of a seated 'Happy Buddha', numbered 809/888.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sculptures

Materials

Crystal

Set of 3 wooden spherical sculptures, France 1960s
Located in Firenze, IT
Set of 3 wooden spherical sculptures France 1960s Diam. 22.5 cm - 21 cm - 19.5 cm Conditions: excellent consistent with age and use.
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Shona Head Sculpture Carved Stone Kumberai Mapanda, circa 1970
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Kumberai Mapanda (1940-) Small head. circa 1970. Carved serpentine stone 5 1/4" in. (13.4 cm.) high, excluding base. Shona sculpture is the name given to a modern move...
Category

Late 20th Century Zimbabwean Modern Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Lladro Porcelain Couple Figurine "Amor Et Desirerium"
Located in Norwood, NJ
Lladro porcelain sculpture Amor et Desirerium sculpted by Ernest Massuet for Lladro. Translated to Love and Desire, porcelain figure in matte and glazed finish. Two lives merge into ...
Category

Early 2000s Spanish Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain, Wood

Zachary Weber Contemporary Ceramic Sculpture Seedling Number 7
By Zachary Weber
Located in Chicago, IL
Zachary Weber contemporary ceramic. Seedling number 7. Various works available. Words on Art and Practice Zachary Weber (b.1997) devotes much of his prof...
Category

2010s American Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Beautiful Ceramic Swallows Nest, Italy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful black swallows, made and hand painted in Italy will make a nice addition to your room. Made in Italy, about 1980s they are still a nice wall decoration.
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

French Modern Carved Pine Sculpture of a Standing Monkey
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Modern Carved Pine Sculpture of a Standing Monkey A well carved figure of a crouching monkey with the arms resting on the legs. Raised on an eboinzed wood base.        
Category

20th Century French Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Pine

Modern sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique 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, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern sculptures 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 sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Mosche Bianche, Superego Editions, Europa Antiques, and Richard A. Hirsch. 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 $19 and tops out at $6,718,000 while the average work can sell for $2,219.

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