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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chair — crafted 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.
Style: Modern
Color: Brown
"Vanadium Opal" Glazed Ceramic Car Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Keith Simpson, who grew up in St. John Washington, a farming Community of about 600 people in eastern WA state, always makes the underdog models of cars. He says, "They are like the ...
Category
2010s American Modern Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Contemporary Korean Ceramic, "Small Stack Vessel I" by Soo Joo
Located in New York, NY
Stack Vessel II by Soo Joo is a stack sculpture made in Korean Ceramic. It is a timeless form, reminiscent of a stack of perfectly balanced river stones. This is the taller of the tw...
Category
2010s Korean Modern Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Gerhard Henning, Gracious Female Figure in Burnt Clay
Located in Kastrup, DK
Gerhard Henning 1880-1967.
Gracious female figure in burnt clay mounted on stone plinth of travertine.
Original Gerhard Henning work.
Figure height: 41 cm - with plinth: 50 cm.
Category
20th Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Clay
21st Century Hand Sculpted "Mopane" Tree by Atang Tshikare
Located in Cape Town, WC
"It feels like the branches connect us all to each other, entangling us in our complexities. They hold us up and anchor us down, like a melting pot that has stopped boiling half way ...
Category
2010s South African Modern Sculptures
Materials
Sandstone, Bronze
Small Tree Elemental Spinning Top in Oiled Walnut by Alvaro Uribe for Wooda
By Alvaro Uribe, 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
Pair of Wooden Native American Busts
By Jose Pinal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A complementary pair of male and female Native American, wooden busts by Jose Pinal, made in Mexico. One form highlights a more subdued disposition with lon...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Modern Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Man's Head Sponge Decorative Ceramic Piece, Handmade Italy, 2021, Hand-Crafted
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The piece is a unique representation of a man's head in a modern way.
Our designer creates these pieces completely by hand.
Category
2010s Italian Modern Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Modern Coffee Table in Wood & Glass Unique Edition
By Duffy London
Located in London, GB
A bespoke rectangular edition Abyss coffee table by Christopher Duffy for Duffy London. This is a one-off, artists-proof edition piece and the only ...
Category
2010s British Modern Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Beech, Birch
Leather Patchwork Turtle Pillow
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage leather patchwork turtle - leather animal.
Cute looking turtle animal which can be used as a decorative item
or as pillow or cushion.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Modern Sculptures
Materials
Leather, Fabric
Contemporary Korean Ceramic, Stack Sculpture - "Stack Vessel Pair" by Soo Joo
Located in New York, NY
Large Stack Vessel is a stack sculpture made by Soo Joo in Korean ceramic stoneware and celadon glaze. Its timeless form expresses the ideal ratio and formal balance through a variet...
Category
2010s Korean Modern Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Italian Hollywood Regency Sculptural Crystal Lucite Decorative Tall Wall Lights
Located in New York, NY
These colossal sconces will leave a statement for any entryway or any space. Unique one-of-a-kind sleek organic design entirely handcrafted in Italy, extremely decorative with sophis...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Hand Carved Rosewood Hammerhead Shark
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine carved hammerhead shark executed in vividly grained exotic hardwood on naturalistic stand.
Category
1990s Canadian Modern Sculptures
Materials
Zebra Wood
Set of Three Large Italian Marble Eggs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Unique set of three large Italian polished marble egg specimens from Italy. Beautifully hand-formed and each having a slightly different color. The exquis...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Feng Shui Bonsai "Zen", Handmade in Italy, Sculpture, Contemporary
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The Zen Bonsai is inspired by the Zen gardens, tipical places in Japan. Calm, spirit and relax are the main inspirations.
The materials are wood and metals, representing both the st...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Sculptures
Materials
Aluminum
Feng Shui Bonsai "Hell in heaven", Handmade in Italy, Sculpture, Contemporary
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The Hell in heaven Bonsai is inspired by the catastrophic events caused by global warming.
The artisan always takes inspiration from nature and natural events. This piece reminds u...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Sculptures
Materials
Aluminum
21st Century Hand Sculpted "Laathlela" Tree by Atang Tshikare
Located in Cape Town, WC
Lathlela in Setswana means ‘to throw’. Here Tshikare designed a tree, but with the focus on the leaves to tell the story of how “the pre-rain wind blows the leaves off and carries th...
Category
2010s South African Modern Sculptures
Materials
Sandstone, Bronze
Atang Tshikare, Bronze Sculpture, "PEO E ATANG"
Located in Cape Town, WC
"Peo e Atang" is a celebration by artist Atang Tshikare in honor of his firstborn son Peo. The word Peo means seed or beginning and Atang means to grow or multiply. Together they mea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
ClassiCon Folding Screen in Black by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
The high-tech look that arose in the 1980s and which is still potentially current had an ingenious predecessor. Over half a century ago, Eileen Gray anticipated the cool Industrial a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Sculptures
Materials
Wood
ClassiCon Folding Screen in Red by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
The high-tech look that arose in the 1980s and which is still potentially current had an ingenious predecessor. Over half a century ago, Eileen Gray anticipated the cool Industrial a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Bardiglio Grey Marble Sculpture by Juan Pablo Marturano, Argentina, 2014
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Bardiglio grey marble sculpture by Juan Pablo Marturano, Argentina, 2014.
Titled: "Ramada y Mercedario" from San Juan Province.
The sculpture ...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Agate Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand polished agate onyx stone paperweight in black, brown, and red intricate layered patterns
Measures: diameter 4 inches, height 2 inches
1 in stock in Palm Springs ON 50% OFF SALE...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Collection of 5 Articulated Wooden Monkeys/Toys/Sculptures in Style of Bojesen
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
So cute small collection of toys/sculptures of monkeys in wood. These pieces were made in Japan in the style of Kay Bojesen.
Category
1960s Japanese Vintage Modern Sculptures
Materials
Wood
"Extraterrestrial", Murano Glass, Handmade in Italy, Contemporary Design, 2020
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The jellyfish is the main element of the Mosche Bianche's "Medusa" Collection: fluid, delicate but also dangerous and deadly. It represents the water, the circle of life.
The spe...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass
Modern Shannon Clegg Dilmos Edizioni Vase Sculpture Dried Flower Colourful
Located in Milan, IT
Hand made vase created with sun dried flowers, acquired locally at the London market, city of its author. The select flowers are thus always unique: after a drying process of two months the flowers are woven together and then treated with a vegetal glue, in order to consolidate the shape.
Made by Shannon...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Sculptures
Materials
Natural Fiber
Pair of Wood Sculptures
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of carved wooden sculptures, each offering a unique Silhouette accentuated by natural wood grain details.
Category
20th Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Modern Mario Ceroli Signed Wooden Panel
By Mario Ceroli
Located in Roma, IT
Original Mario Ceroli wooden sculpture panel
Silhouette of a man showing his muscles
Multiple sculpture of balsa wood on paper.
Work signed lo...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Sculptures
Materials
Plexiglass, Wood
A. 1950 Oak Head Signed Francois Pochon
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An oak Africanist head signed Francois Pochon (dead in 2007) administrateur of Academic européenne des Arts-France.
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Sculptures
Materials
Oak
Vicenç Orsolà Sculpture Exempt AEM-501 Red Black Wood
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Sculpture AEM-501 made by Vicenç Orsola circa 2007 in Barcelona.
Painted wood
In great original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and ...
Category
Early 2000s Spanish Modern Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Art Glass Elephant Sculpture
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Red and clear elegant sculpture.
Category
1990s American Modern Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass
Sculpted Sun Wall Lamp in Glazed Ceramic Large Size 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
Modern Carved Marble Abstract-Biomorphic Sculpture Signed, I, Vallea '98
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Modern Carved Marble Abstract-Biomorphic Sculpture Signed, I. Vallea '98
USA, signed & dated I. Vallea '98
A good size well executed work, in earth tone marble, of horizontal oval ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Metal
Korean Ceramics , "Small Stack Vessel II" by Soo Joo
Located in New York, NY
Stack Vessel II by Soo Joo is a stack sculpture made in Korean Ceramic. It is a timeless form, reminiscent of a stack of perfectly balanced river stones. This is the shorter of the t...
Category
2010s Korean Modern Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Waveform Carved Square Sculpture by Bradley Duncan Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carved square waveform
Redwood
Measures: 48” x 5.25” x 3.5”
2018
8 LBS
waveform-
Burnt with an icon of authenticity
Produced by hand in Los Angeles, CA. from regional wood.
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sculptures
Materials
Wood
'Twisting by Soo Joo' Hanging Wooden Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Twisting by Soo Joo has a timeless beauty that is not affected by trends and can be enjoyed for decades. The sculptural work fits into any interior, thanks to its natural wooden mate...
Category
2010s American Modern Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Pierre Bouvet, France. Colossal modernist brass sculpture. Late 20th century.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Pierre Bouvet, France. Colossal modernist brass sculpture. Late 20th century.
Measures: 62 x 42 cm.
In excellent condition.
Sticker.
Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Scheibe-Alsbach Davoust Napoleon Porcelain Figurine, Germany
Located in Toledo, OH
General on horseback with cavalry sword. Gold birds on the corners. Marked on the bottom. No damage. Dimensions: 3.5" depth x 8.25" W x 10.63" H.
Category
20th Century European Modern Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Modern Curved Lines Dreamy Blue Enamel Sculpture Koa Wood Base 1980s
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Sculpture
Decorative Sculpture blue with modern curved lines. Mounted on Koa Wood.
7 long x 4.63w x 2.88
It can be used a dish or splendid as stand-alo...
Category
1980s North American Vintage Modern Sculptures
Materials
Enamel
Large Italian Banded Onyx Sculpture Egg on a Pedestal
Located in Hudson, NY
Carved from a single block a rare banded onyx this large sculpted egg rests on an electrified pedestal that creates internal light for the egg making it a ...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Sculptures
Materials
Onyx, Wire
Contemporary V Lamp Hardwood, Solid Glass and Brass
By Louis Jobst
Located in London, GB
Louis Jobst' V lamp is composed from, a cone, a sphere and a triangle. Their proportions are carefully judged to create a harmonious formation, with each shape ...
Category
2010s British Modern Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Modernist Vintage Polished Brass Sculpture of Abstract Venus Female Torso
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A modernist abstract figurative sculpture, made of brass. We believe it can be the Torso of Venus the goddess of love, beauty, desire, fertility and pro...
Category
1970s German Vintage Modern Sculptures
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
Large Modernist Carved Serpentine Stone African Shona Head on Iron Base Zimbabwe
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Standing 21 inches tall including the custom made iron base this Shona head is carved in Serpentine stone originating in Zimbabwe. It is carved in a strikingly modern way stylizing a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Zimbabwean Modern Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Louise Nevelson Style Dimensional Signed Wood Box Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This amazing and intricate carved wood box sculpture that stands tabletop is signed and dated. The signature is not terribly legible but is dated 1996. It is in the style of Louise Nevelson. The box opens to geometric and raised forms that are dimensional. It bridges Folk Art, Tramp Art and modern art all in one. As you can see from the photos it folds up like a small suitcase...
Category
1990s American Modern Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Margot Kempe Abstract Fox Sculpture
By Margot Kempe
Located in Highland, IN
This charming little fox by sculptor Margot Kempe conveys so much personality with it's simplified, abstract modernist design.
German born Kempe (1898...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Sculptures
Materials
Clay
Agate Onyx Paperweight
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand polished agate onyx stone paperweight in black, brown, and red intricate layered patterns
Measures: length 4.25 inches, width 3.25 inches, height 2 inches
1 in stock in Palm Spr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Oli Tray by Onora
Located in Geneve, CH
Oli tray by Onora
Dimensions: 28 x 38 cm
Materials: Wood
Hand etched and lacquered trays from Guerrero. The rich luster of these trays is created by endless layers of oil mixed ...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Sculptures
Materials
Wood
James Marshall Ceramic Sculpture
Located in Highland, IN
This stunning abstract ceramic sculpture by James Marshall features a minimalist form with a richly textured glaze in a vivid orange color. Executed in 2006, it is fixed to a black s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Unique Painted Handmade Sculpture Dilmos Edizioni Colourful Geometric
Located in Milan, IT
Unique painted wooden sculpture, entirely handmade by the designer Monica Taverniti for Dilmos Edizioni. The geometric and futuristic shape of the object has atemporal connotations, ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sculptures
Materials
Acrylic, Hardwood, Paint
Venere V23, Woman's Moorish Head, Handmade in Sicily, 2021, Gold finish, Size S
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
The Collection
This collection offers ideas for contemporary décor through sophisticated revelations of art bound to the tradition of ceramics of Caltagirone, objets d’art that co...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Sculptures
Materials
Enamel
RAH:Stones
By STUDIO:RAH
Located in San Pedro, CA
Our take on the traditional "Tumi Isihi" stacking toy. Beautifully curated scales and faceted lines. These stones can be used and loved by all ages and eq...
Category
2010s American Modern Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
Stella Benvenuto Hand Made Embroidery Mobile, Argentina, 2019
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Stella Benvenuto hand made embroidery mobile, Argentina, 2019.
Untitled.
The embroidery mobile was exhibited in her solo show "Between sky and earth" at Calvaresi in Buenos Aires, ...
Category
2010s Argentine Modern Sculptures
Materials
Textile
Pop Comic Artistic Murano Glass Sculpture King Lion
Located in Murano, VE
King lion, is a blown glass created by Roberto Beltrami, in Murano glass.
A comic and pop collection in Murano glass, the 'PUPI' are 100% mouth-blown and entirely handmade, offering...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Sculptures
Materials
Murano Glass
STACKED Sculpture No 5. Made of Salvaged Walnut by Richard Haining Available Now
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This is Richard's third free-form exploration using his signature STACKED style. As with all of his work, this sculpture was built, sculpted, and finished entirely by hand. To the confusion of many, there is no lathe work involved. The desired profile is defined during the building process. Imagine coil pottery...
Category
2010s American Modern Sculptures
Materials
Walnut, Pottery, Scrap Wood, Reclaimed Wood, Mahogany, Hardwood, Wood
"Farmer" Sculpture in Ceramic and Metal
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Exceptional "Farmer" sculpture in sculpted metal base and ceramic top.
Origin: France, 2022.
Sculpture mounted on wheels for easier displacements.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Large Chalkstone Architectural Element on Steel Mount
Located in Dallas, TX
Large chalkstone architectural element on steel mount. home decor. In my organic, contemporary, vintage and mid-century modern aesthetic.
This piece is a part of Brendan Bass’s one-...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Steel
Tzompantli Box by Onora
Located in Geneve, CH
Tzompantli box by Onora
Dimensions: 25 x 25 x 18 cm
Materials: carved obsidian or marble.
The Tzompantli box references the altars raised in honor of the human sacrifices made t...
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Vintage African Carved Bust's or Bookends Girl & Boy in Ebony, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A set of vintage African Busts; boy and girl, possibly Nigerian/Lagos. Hand-carved from Ebony wood. Very decorative with a strong 'dark' and stylish presence. Due to their weight the...
Category
1970s African Vintage Modern Sculptures
Materials
Ebony
Mid Century Bronze Sculpture of a Man by Michael Shacham "Power of Tyranny"
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and elegant in it's sheer size and power, 29.25 inches tall. Michael Shacham is a prolific sculptor and artist born in 1938 and has been a cre...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Hawaiian Artist Signed Hand Carved Turned Wood Vessel Garniture Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully designed and unusually shaped wood-turned vessel/ sculpture.
Signed by the artists with pressed signature and noted: "magnolia wood. carved in Hawaii".
From a collection of wood...
Category
20th Century American Modern Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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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