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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Dalmatian Skull – Porcelain Sculpture by Andréason & Leibel, Contemporary
Located in Arlöv, SE
A shiny white porcelain figurine/sculpture titled Dalmation is a human skull redefined as a simplistic industrial form. Inglazed dots in different sizes imply the human's best friend...
Category

2010s Swedish Modern Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

DECÒ TERRACOTTA VASE 20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
DECÒ TERRACOTTA VASE 20th Century Handmade HEIGHT 50 cm WIDTH 26 cm good conditions
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Wiseman Ceramics, Elephant Big Five
Located in North Miami, FL
Introducing the Wiseman Ceramics Elephant Bust, a stunning piece hand-sculpted by Thabo Mbhele and painted by Virginia. Part of the Big Five Collection, this ceramic masterpiece capt...
Category

2010s South African Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Henri Bargas : "Polar bear, original terracota, unique piece C.1930
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Henri BARGAS (XXth C., France) : "Polar bear" Original patinated terracota Signed : "H. BARGAS" France, Art Déco period circa 1930 Dimensions Height = 9.5 cm Width = 19 cm Dept...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Gaston Schweitzer : "Old Breton woman sitting on a rock", original plaster -1930
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Gaston SCHWEITZER (1879-1962, France) : "Breton old woman sitting on a rock" Original plaster, unique piece, showing an old Breton (French Brittany )woman sitting down on a rock S...
Category

1930s French Vintage Modern Sculptures

Materials

Plaster

Contemporary French Polished Stoneware Ceramic Sculpture by Dominic Legros
Located in Stockholm, SE
A polished stoneware ceramic sculpture by the contemporary French ceramic artist, Dominic Legros. Reminiscent of wet pebbles in nature the smooth surface is created with intense hand...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Set/2 Lions, Calacatta Bianco Marble, Handmade by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set/2 Lions Guardian, Calacatta Bianco Marble, Lusitanus Home Collection by Lusitanus Home. Handcrafted Guardian Lion sculptures in Calacatt...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sculptures

Materials

Marble

21st Century Karim Rashid Queen Vase Murano Glass Honey and Oriental Red
Located in Brembate di Sopra (BG), IT
21st century Karim Rashid Queen vase Murano glass various Amber base blue top Queen designed by Karim Rashid is a curvaceous vase that combine regality with visual wit. Proposed in ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Murano Glass

Costantini Diego Modern Crystal Pulegoso Made Murano Glass Vase with Butterflies
Located in Murano, Venezia
Handmade Crystal Pulegoso Murano glass blown vase with 16 transparent multicolored butterflies attached with magnet. Modern vase ideal for a modern and rustic classic environment, ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Tall Vase Form, inspired by Kirkcaldy Patterns III by Frances Priest
Located in London, GB
Based in Edinburgh, ceramic artist Frances Priest explores the cultural histories of ornament through the creation of intricately made ceramic objects and is represented in collections of international significance. This Vase Form is from Frances' Kirkcaldy Patterns series. These pieces follow on from a commission the artist created for the Edinburgh Haematology Centre in 2021. While studying the industrial heritage of the Firth of Forth...
Category

2010s British Modern Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Earthenware

Hermes - Rose - Design Sculpture Paolo Giordano Concrete Cement Cast
Located in MILANO, ML
Contemporary Paolo Giordano Hermes abstract sculpture concrete cement cast grey Hermes is concrete sculpture. It's part of a large work that is also photographic: 'Digital Journey i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Concrete, Cement

Bonnie Contemporary LED Pendant @ 65cm/26". Solid Brass, Handmade in Sweden
Located in Torslanda, SE
The Bonnie range is designed around the stylized form of a Saffron flower, known around the world for its valuable beauty, fragrance and essence. Each organic flower-like form is st...
Category

2010s Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Mawu Sculpted Oak Chair by Laura Gonzalez
Located in Paris, FR
Original chair in golden oak, satin finish. Flared legs, backrest and seat upholstered in a textured cream fabric by Dedar.
Category

2010s French Modern Sculptures

Materials

Oak

'Antelope Bottle' Hand Blown Glass Bottle by Simone Crestani
Located in Camisano Vicentino, IT
'A Hand Blown Glass Bottle by Simone Crestani' Antelope Bottle is one of the pieces from the Africa Trophy Bottles. "A collection of bottles with lin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Lelapa Hand Carved and Cast Solid Brass 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

Steel, Brass

Ghidini 1961 Medium Rabbit in Polished Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Decorative object medium in brass "The rabbit is the latest iconic object I have designed. For Ghidini it has turned into a family of precious metal objects: salt and pepper, paper...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Microfreaks 'Hot Shot' Creature Sculpture by The Haas Brothers & Haas Sisters
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hot Shot, active and alert, uses her stalked eyes to surveil the land for any potential volcanic eruptions and to warn all of those in the area. Make no mistake, her frantic temperament is not a weakness, as she is a known heroine. Thick-skinned, she can even swim in lava, her eyes bobbing above the boiling flow. When the heat is on, she can keep her cool. Material: Pewter base, double brass-plated and 18-karat gold-plated and hand polished three times. Hand-beaded with Venetian and Czech glass beads. Underside incised with “Hot Shot” by The Haas Brothers and Haas Sisters...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Sculptures

Materials

Gold Plate

Microfreaks 'Dr. Licky' Creature Sculpture by The Haas Brothers & Haas Sisters
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Dr. Licky is a creature of the rain forest. With her elongated tongue, she licks, tastes and explores the countless mysterious microorganisms, plants and insects teeming in the tropical terrain. She also aids in the discovery of new medicines to share with the world. They are an acquired taste. Material: Pewter base, double brass-plated and 18-karat gold-plated and hand polished three times. Hand-beaded with Venetian and Czech glass beads. Underside incised with “Dr. Licky” by The Haas Brothers and Haas Sisters...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Sculptures

Materials

Gold Plate

Opinion Ciatti Ombres de Chats #4 Bookend
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ombres de Chats by Angelo Barcella are poetic objects, delicate table sculptures. Shadows of curious, busy, sore, angry or bored cats, instants which are made eternal when transforme...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Opinion Ciatti Ombres de Chats #2 Bookend
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ombres de Chats by Angelo Barcella are poetic objects, delicate table sculptures. Shadows of curious, busy, sore, angry or bored cats, instants which are made eternal when transforme...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Opinion Ciatti Papavero Delicato Large Table Decoration
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fragility and stability, lightness and solidity: those usually antithetical terms, Papaveri Delicati (Delicate Poppies), seem to be able to co-exist as in all the other creations of Gherardo Frassa. Small metal sculptures...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Giant Amoeba Sculpture in Orange Lucite
Located in New York, NY
See creature. A modern interpretation of a Classic starburst sculpture with a nod to the organic forms of the sea. Looks fab anchoring a tablescape or makes a great focal point in an unused fireplace. Our oversized acrylic sculptures start their journey in our Soho pottery...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sculptures

Materials

Acrylic

Ghidini 1961 Small Rabbit Figurine in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Small rabbit figurine in brass.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Bone Small Bowl in Brass by Tom Dixon
Located in New York, NY
The small bone bowl is part of a series of sculptural artefacts cast in solid brass with a matt finish bearing a bone-like quality. Bone bowls can be displa...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Fragile Structure#18 Norihiko Terayama Kaj Franck
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Green and blue are available. Red is sold. This series is made up of some glass and some ceramic works. These works are highly unique form and looking. Norihiko Terayama created the...
Category

2010s Japanese Modern Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Hoodoo Stacks, Sculptural Concrete Planters by OPIARY (H28"-52")
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Opiary is a Brooklyn-based biophilic design and production studio. We integrate nature in each of our designs, incorporating live greenery and organic shapes into bespoke furniture, planters, and sculpture. Through the ethos of biophilia, our work reflects the shifting, yet timeless relationship between humans and nature. These modern, elongated towers are an organic, elegant, and chic way to introduce nature and sculpture into your space. They are named after the geological term for tall thin rock spires protruding from the bottom of an arid drainage basin or badland. Unlike spires, hoodoos have a variable thickness often described as having a "totem pole-shaped body". Hoodoos are common to the Great Plains...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Sculptures

Materials

Cement

Large Iron Sculpture Designed by Torsten Johansson, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sculpture designed by Torsten Johansson, Denmark, 1960s. Iron. Dimensions: H: 103 cm W: 77 cm D: 30 cm Base: 30 x 45 cm
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Modern Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Artistic Handmade Murano Glass Sculpture Aquamarine Turtle
Located in Murano, VE
Immerse yourself in the beauty of our modern artistic aquatic turtle sculpture, entirely handmade with precision in authentic Murano glass. Each exquisite detail is meticulously craf...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Murano Glass

Fin Trivets from Souda, Silver, in Stock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Made using a manufacturing process utilized for railways, medical devices and electronics, the fin trivets bring an industrial touch to your tabletop. Both durable and multi-function...
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Sculptures

Materials

Aluminum, Metal

Hermanos Calavera Conquistador in Oiled Walnut 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

Oak, Walnut, Maple, Hardwood

Fin Trivet from Souda, Black, in Stock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Made using a manufacturing process utilized for railways, medical devices, and electronics, the Fin Trivets bring an Industrial touch to your tabletop....
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Artistic Handmade Murano Glass Sculpture Gold Soul "Anima"
Located in Murano, VE
Anima is a collection of exquisite sculptures crafted by our skilled artisans in our factory in Murano. Each sculpture embodies the essence of life and spirituality, taking the form ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Murano Glass

Set of 3 Small Elemental Spinning Tops 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

Wood, Hardwood, Walnut

Seletti "Limited Gold Edition" Porcelain My Robot
Located in Doral, FL
From its very first year in 1964, Seletti in Cicognara, Mantova, has followed its principle of professionality service and constant research to strive for betterness innovation and o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Seletti "Memorabilia" Porcelain My Crown
Located in Doral, FL
From its very first year in 1964, Seletti in Cicognara, Mantova, has followed its principle of professionality service and constant research to strive for betterness innovation and o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Seletti "Memorabilia" Porcelain My Spaceship
Located in Doral, FL
From its very first year in 1964, Seletti in Cicognara, Mantova, has followed its principle of professionality service and constant research to strive for betterness innovation and o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Small Agua 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

Seletti "Memorabilia" Porcelain My Robot
Located in Doral, FL
From its very first year in 1964, Seletti in Cicognara, Mantova, has followed its principle of professionality service and constant research to strive for betterness innovation and o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Hermanos Calavera Jefe in Oiled Mahogany by Miguel and 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

Set/12 Ceramic Chess Pieces, Handmade in Portugal by Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set of 12 Ceramic Chess Pieces, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home. A luxurious chess set designed for the mo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sculptures

Materials

Gold

Diane Cooper Mixed Media over Wood Wall Mounted Bundle Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Diane Cooper Mixed Media over Wood Wall Mounted Bundle Sculpture, From Ruth Horwich collection. Textures Canvas and Metal About Diane Cooper: Inspired by the visual culture in Japan,...
Category

1990s American Modern Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Bronze 'Super Egg' Objet d'Art Piet Hein
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Esoteric art object. Simple and mundane. Arresting and bold. Hold it your hand for comfort and energy or cool your cocktail. Solid bronze. Original vintage condition with a nice pati...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

French Bronze Surrealist Bronze Apple Sculpture Style of Claude Lalanne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Bronze Surrealist Bronze Apple Sculpture Style of Claude Lalanne A charming French Bronze Surrealist Apple Sculpture, made in the style reminiscent of the renowned artist Cla...
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Adrian Abstract Paint, circa 2017
By Yayoi Kusama
Located in Barcelona, ES
Adrian Abstract Paint, circa 2017. Manufactured in Spain. Materials: Wood Dimensions: D 3,7 cm x W 33,5 cm x H 41 cm The artwork is in its original condition, showing minor sign...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Adrian Abstract Artwork, circa 2017
Located in Barcelona, ES
Adrian Abstract artwork, circa 2017. Manufactured in Spain. Materials: Wood Dimensions: D 5 cm x W 21 cm x H 21 cm The artwork is in its original condition, showing minor signs ...
Category

2010s Spanish Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Geometric Forms, 8" tall Circa 1900
Located in Culver City, CA
Geometric Forms, 8" tall Italy circa 1900 Collection of (10) with taped lettering. 3”-8”h
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Yaacov Agam Art
Located in Weesp, NL
Art Yaacov Agam Signed and numbered 25/27 from the Meissner Galerie in Hamburg Measurements: H 33 x W 23 x D 4 cm. Agam's first solo exhibition was at the ...
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Sculptures

Materials

Acrylic, Wood

Marcel Duchamp Thonet Readymade "Porte Chapeau"
Located in Sharon, CT
Thonet manufactured this object (11022) around the turn of the century and was illustrated in their 1904 catalog (see photo). In 1917 Duchamp hung one from the ceiling of his New Yor...
Category

Early 20th Century French Modern Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Contemporary Metal Bird Silhouette Decor Minimalist Accents for Modern space
Located in Vilnius, LT
Flight shadows decoration This object symbolizes the dynamic movement of a static form. Visual incompleteness demonstrates the dynamics of the form transformation, the acquisition o...
Category

2010s Ukrainian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Dali as an Idol, Sculptural Construction W / Mirror, Painting and Found Objects
Located in Chicago, IL
Self-taught artist John Seubert, AKA John Dolly, uses objects he uncovers as he rehabs older homes in Chicago. This piece is constructed with a small framed mirror...
Category

2010s American Modern Sculptures

Materials

Reclaimed Wood, Paint

Modern Monique Pedestal Sculpture Calacatta Marble Handmade Portugal Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Monique Pedestal Stand, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Monique is the perfect standing piece of art to enhance any interior. Monique is a unique design in Calacatta...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sculptures

Materials

Onyx, Carrara Marble, Marble, Travertine

Girl and Giraffe bronze sculptural table lamp, hand crafted
Located in London, GB
'The Girl and the Giraffe' bronze sculptural table lamp, hand crafted, molded and cast in bronze in the lost wax process. A whimsical sculpture lamp of a young girl and a giraffe, e...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Sculptures

Materials

Bronze, Gold Leaf

Modern Marble Cube Side Table Pedestal Sculpture Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Marble Cube, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. Marble Cube in Calacatta Bianco marble, a decorative piece that draws the eye with it's beautiful colo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sculptures

Materials

Onyx, Carrara Marble, Marble, Granite, Travertine, Gold Leaf

Modern Martin Pedestal Sculpture Black Gold Leaf Handmade Portugal Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Martin Pedestal Stand, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. Martin is the perfect standing piece of art to enhance any interior. A unique design with co...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sculptures

Materials

Onyx, Travertine, Marble, Carrara Marble, Gold Leaf

Bonnie Config 1 Contemporary Custom Extra Large LED Sculptural Chandelier
Located in Torslanda, SE
This piece was designed around the form of the artists newborn daughters eyes, and aptly named after her. Matthew Holleman is originally from New Zealand but now resides in Sweden wh...
Category

2010s Scandinavian Modern Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Charming hippopotamus by Dimitri Omersa. Leather footstool.
Located in Köln, NW
Charming hippopotamus by Dimitri Omersa. The leather animals by Omersa were originally used as footstools but have since become popular Design Objects for indoor use. The hippopotamu...
Category

2010s English Modern Sculptures

Materials

Leather

Set of Mushroom Sculptures in Cream Lacquer by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mushroom Sculpture (Set of 2) Cream Lacquer Hand Repoussé Limited Edition Each piece is individually crafted and is unique. Lacquer is a technique that dates back to the Shang ...
Category

2010s Modern Sculptures

Materials

Lacquer

Sculpture of whale vertebra in stone , with wrought iron support, Roche Bobois
Located in Valladolid, ES
Extraordinary contemporary sculpture, reproduces a large whale vertebra in stone simile. On a refined base in wrought iron style. The treatment of the piece is worked with great natu...
Category

Early 2000s French Modern Sculptures

Materials

Stone

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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