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Minimalist Sculptures and Carvings

MINIMALIST STYLE

A revival in the popularity of authentic Minimalist furniture is rooted in history while reflecting the needs and tastes of the 21st century. Designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s aphorism that “less is more” influenced the evolution of 20th-century interiors with an emphasis on function and order. This was a shift from the 19th century, with its lavish Victorian decorating, and was spread around the world through design styles including Bauhaus and brutalism.

Yet Minimalism was present in furniture design long before the clean lines of modernism, such as in the simple and elegant utility of Shaker furniture. Although the Minimalist art movement of the 1960s and ’70s had little crossover with furniture design, artist Donald Judd was inspired by the Shakers in creating his own spare daybeds and tables from sturdy wood. (Judd, whose advocacy of symmetry also informed his architectural projects, furnished his Manhattan loft with unassuming but poetic works by iconic modernist designers such as Gerrit Rietveld and Alvar Aalto.)

Understatement rather than ornamentation and open space instead of clutter are central themes for a Minimalist living room and bedroom. As opposed to Maximalism, the focus for Minimalist furniture and decor is on simplicity and considering the design and purpose of every object.

Furnishings are usually made in neutral or monochrome colors and pared down to their essentials — think nesting coffee tables, sectional sofas and accent pieces such as ottomans. And Minimalist ceramics can help achieve a decor that is both timeless and of the moment. The organic textures and personalization of handmade craftsmanship associated with these works have served as a sort of anti-Internet to screen-weary decorators. That said, while the thoughtful ergonomics of Scandinavian modern furniture, with its handcrafted teak frames, are at home in Minimalist spaces, so are the quietly striking pieces by Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa that employ industrial materials like stainless steel, aluminum and plastic.

Minimalist furniture is not for making flashy statements; it boasts subdued appeal and excels at harmonizing with any room. And, as it encompasses many different movements and eras of design, it also never goes out of style, owing to its tasteful refinement.

Find a collection of Minimalist tables, seating, lighting and more furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Minimalist
Unique Sculpted Wooden Artwork
Located in Nijlen, BE
This beautiful craftwork by an unknown creator is a beautiful interplay of three-dimensional cubes in recycled wood. The sculpted cubes stand on a wooden plate. Earthy warm color to...
Category

1980s French Vintage Minimalist Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Reclaimed Wood

Sculpture "Tactile Monolith No 2" by Stine Mikkelsen
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculpture "Tactile Monolith no 2" by Stine Mikkelsen Dimensions: 60 x 108 x 18 cm Materials: Composite material based on crushed granite and fish glue. The inner construction is ...
Category

2010s Danish Minimalist Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Granite

Sculpture "Tactile Monolith No 6" by Stine Mikkelsen
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculpture "Tactile Monolith no 6" by Stine Mikkelsen Dimensions: 137 x 75 x 20 cm Materials: Composite material based on crushed granite and fish glue. The inner construction is po...
Category

2010s Danish Minimalist Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Granite

Sculpture "Tactile Monolith No 3" by Stine Mikkelsen
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculpture "Tactile Monolith no 3" by Stine Mikkelsen Dimensions: Height 52 cm Width 74 cm Depth 23 cm Materials: Composite material based on crushed granite and fish glue. The ...
Category

2010s Danish Minimalist Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Granite

Sculpture "Tactile Monolith No 1" by Stine Mikkelsen
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculpture "Tactile Monolith no 1" by Stine Mikkelsen Dimensions: 135 x 75 x 20cm Materials: Composite material based on crushed granite and fish glue. The inner construction is pol...
Category

2010s Danish Minimalist Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Granite

Elegant Bronze Sculpture Showing a Hoop Dancer Original Patina 1978
Located in London, GB
Elegant Bronze Sculpture Showing a Hoop Dancer Original Patina 1978 A beautiful sculpture in bronze with original patina showing a figure of a hoop dancer performing a very flexible ...
Category

1970s Russian Vintage Minimalist Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

Antique 1920's French Female Art Bust Mannequin
Located in Las Vegas, NV
INCREDIBLE. I use that word to describe only the befitting, and this piece truly is. Currently a piece in our personal collection, this female mannequin style bust on stand was pur...
Category

Early 20th Century Minimalist Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Steel

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'Rat Dog' Sculpture in Fiberglass by Finn Stone
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We love this piece! Number 2 from an edition of 2, the other was sold recently on Saatchi online, and honestly we don't mind rat dog hanging around, he eats no...
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2010s English Minimalist Sculptures and Carvings

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Wooden Folk Art Crow
Located in Chicago, IL
Richly textured with whimsical appeal, this late 20th century wooden crow is a delightful example of naive American sculpture. Poised mid-caw, it is hard to tell whether this crow ha...
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Wooden Folk Art Crow
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Irati Bronze Sculpture
Located in Milan, IT
This bronze sculpture is an original piece created in 2004 by Raffaello Romanelli, whose aim was to represent a moment of internal reflection thanks to the position of the body. For the piece, Raffaello Romanelli used a live model...
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2010s Italian Minimalist Sculptures and Carvings

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Irati Bronze Sculpture
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African Benin Bronze Sculpture
Located in Atlanta, GA
African Benin Bronze Sculpture, Africa, circa mid 20th Century. Beautiful casting with wonderful attention to detail. Solid, heavyweight...
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African Benin Bronze Sculpture
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Set of Three Sculpted Paper Mache Hanging Swans
Located in Pasadena, CA
Set of Three Sculpted Paper Mache Hanging Flying Swans. Each swan is in a difernt action pose. There is some discoloration to the exterior of the swans. Each paper mache bird is oter...
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1960s Italian Vintage Minimalist Sculptures and Carvings

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Modernist Stabile Sculpture by Graham Sears
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist stabile sculpture by Graham Sears.
Category

2010s American Minimalist Sculptures and Carvings

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Rhinoceros Bronze Sculpture
Located in Milan, IT
This is an original piece by Raffaello Romanelli executed in 2011 after being commissioned by a private collector to the Galleria. The rhinoceros was modeled with clay looking at different pictures and the clay mold...
Category

2010s Italian Minimalist Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

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Rhinoceros Bronze Sculpture
Rhinoceros Bronze Sculpture
H 7.88 in W 14.97 in D 5.12 in
Monumental Mexican Carved Polychrome Mermaid Dance Mask, Folk Art Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent life-size Mexican folk art hand carved and painted wood body dance mask, in the form of a mermaid, dating to the early 20th century, most likely originating in Guerrero, Mexico. Featuring a large nude female form, exquisitely detailed throughout, including intricately painted eyes, sculpted wavy hair and rich polychrome decorated scaled tail mounted with fish figure, having cutout for wearing around waist, moderately hollowed body reduces overall weight, and arms jointed at the shoulder allowing the arms to rotate and freely move when worn. Retaining later looped wires for hanging from the ceiling or wall. Great original antique / vintage condition with expected heavily distressed patina and chippy paint finish losses. All wear consistent with age and indicative of use. Provenance / Acquisition: From the collection of Mrs. Bettye Wellons, Austin, Texas. Acquired from highly reputable auction house Austin Auction Gallery, established in 1983, Austin, Texas. 2022 Texas Mansion Carved Antiques & Decor catalog. Overall dimensions: (approx) Raised on arms angled back with back head up...
Category

Early 20th Century Mexican Minimalist Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood, Gesso, Paint

Bronze Art Deco Lion Sculpture
Located in Oakland, CA
An Art Deco era bronze statue of a lion with a great marble base of three tones inlaid in geometric shapes. The lion is powerfully rendered, its expression and musculature well defined. Throughout history, the Lion has been known as the “king of the jungle” but has also served as symbol of protection for a home or public building. The task of scaring off the “demons” and keeping away intruders is the reason you can find sculptures of lions guarding structures from the ancient Ishtar Gates...
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1930s French Vintage Minimalist Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

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Bronze Art Deco Lion Sculpture
Bronze Art Deco Lion Sculpture
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1900s Scandinavian Wooden Horse
Located in High Point, NC
Like a mysterious inhabitant of a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, this wooden quadruped crafted in Scandinavia circa 1900 exudes a gentle melancholy of the North. The whitenes...
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Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Minimalist Sculptures and Carvings

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1900s Scandinavian Wooden Horse
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H 31.9 in W 28 in D 10.4 in
Modernist Abstract Welded Steel Sculpture "Explosion" by Robert Brock
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist abstract welded steel sculpture "Explosion" by Robert Brock. Intricately designed, precision welded steel rods, intentionally made to look as if it was blasted open, truly ...
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1970s American Vintage Minimalist Sculptures and Carvings

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Imposing Pair of Cast Iron Door Porters 'Lion Serjent Erect' in Original Patina
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A good quality pair of of Cast iron door porters in a 'Lion Sejant Erect' form or sometimes termed 'sejant-rampant' - and in the manner of the coat of arms of dominion of the British Royal Monarch. In their original state with some original white paint but mostly exposed iron which has been sealed and waxed to preserve the beautiful patina. A decorative...
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Late 19th Century European Antique Minimalist Sculptures and Carvings

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Minimalist sculptures and carvings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Minimalist sculptures and carvings 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 and carvings created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with granite, plastic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Minimalist sculptures and carvings made in a specific country, there are Europe, Denmark, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sculptures and carvings, popular names associated with this style include and Stine Mikkelsen. 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 and carvings differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,092 and tops out at $8,500 while the average work can sell for $3,600.

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