Modern Sculptures and Carvings
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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
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Style: Modern
Matt Moor Head Vase, Handmade in Sicily, Gold Leaf, Colors Customizable
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
This collection is a work of art that make a statement in modern décor and in the modern cultural art world. It can be used as a vase containing flowers, or as a beautiful centerpiec...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Gold Leaf
Modern Recycled Sculptural Tin Iron Life Size Crane Art Sculpture Statue Bird
Located in Dayton, OH
A unique and colorful sculptural crane or ostrich statue. Crafted from reclaimed iron and tin. Features a long purplish neck with orange beak, flow...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Iron, Tin
Bill Haskell Signed Carved Wood Turned Maple Burl Wood Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful work with elegant shape by California master woodturner artist Bill Haskell.
The piece is signed and noted "Maple Burl" on the base.
Wo...
Category
20th Century American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Maple
Set of 3 Moor Heads, Handmade in Italy, 2022. BESPOKE possibility. Sicily
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
This collection is a work of art that make a statement in modern décor and in the modern cultural art world. It can be used as a vase containing flowers, or as a beautiful centerpiec...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Gold Leaf
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 and Carvings
Materials
Sandstone, Bronze
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 and Carvings
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 and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Exceptional Life Size Wicker and Bamboo Racing Motorcycle
By Tom Dixon
Located in Hastings, GB
A superb sculpture in the form of a racing motorcycle, using wicker rattan and bamboo the detailing on this piece is fantastic, even down to the rear inter...
Category
1980s English Vintage Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wicker
Moor Heads Vases "Venus with gold", Handmade in Italy, 2019, Unique Design
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
This collection is a work of art that make a statement in modern décor and in the modern cultural art world. It can be used as a vase containing flowers, or as a beautiful centerpiec...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Gold Leaf
Indonesian Stone Coin, Large
Located in New York, NY
A large hand-carved stone coin from Indonesia, square-shaped center. Rustic finishing, natural off-white color. Mounted on a 18" x 8" black metal stand.
Category
Early 2000s Indonesian Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Stone
Moor Heads Vases "Galaxy Electric Blue", Handmade in Italy, 2019, Home Decor
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
This collection is a work of art that make a statement in modern décor and in the modern cultural art world. It can be used as a vase containing flowers,...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Gold Leaf
Moor Heads Vases "Mars with gold", Handmade in Italy, 2019, Home Decor
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
This collection is a work of art that make a statement in modern décor and in the modern cultural art world. It can be used as a vase containing flowers, or as a beautiful centerpiec...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Gold Leaf
Bill Haskell Signed Carved Wood Turned Olive Wood Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful work with elegant shape by California master woodturner artist Bill Haskell.
The piece is signed and noted "Olive" on the base.
Would be...
Category
20th Century American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Indonesian Stone Coin on Stand, Large
Located in New York, NY
A hand-carved stone coin from Indonesia, white color. Round center. Mounted on a black metal stand. Dimensions: 30 inches in diameter, 3 inches thick. Height: 35 inches (mounted on a...
Category
Early 2000s Indonesian Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Stone, Metal
2 Moor Heads "Futuristic Women", Handmade in Italy, 2019, Unique Design
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
This collection is a work of art that make a statement in modern décor and in the modern cultural art world. It can be used as a vase containing flowers, or as a beautiful centerpiec...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Gold Leaf
Indonesian Stone Coin, Extra-Large
Located in New York, NY
A large hand-carved stone coin from Indonesia, round center. Smooth finish in flat white. Mounted on a 18" x 8" black metal stand.
Category
Early 2000s Indonesian Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Stone
Collection of 2 Moor Heads "Pop Women", Handmade in Italy, 2019, Unique Design
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
This collection is a work of art that make a statement in modern décor and in the modern cultural art world. It can be used as a vase containing flowers, or as a beautiful centerpiec...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Gold Leaf
Original Abstract Architectural Paper Sculpture by Lucien Petit Unique Piece
By Lucien Petit
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Lucien Petit
French unique handmade sculpture by the artiste Lucien Petit
Famous french ceramic artist
This piece realised in 2000 is a paper sculpture with mixed media
O...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Paper
Collection of 4 Vases Moor Head, Handmade in Italy, 2019, Unique Design
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
This collection is a work of art that make a statement in modern décor and in the modern cultural art world. It can be used as a vase containing flowers, or as a beautiful centerpiec...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Gold Leaf
Collection of 2 Moor Heads "Mars x 2", Handmade in Italy, 2019, Unique Design
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
This collection is a work of art that make a statement in modern décor and in the modern cultural art world. It can be used as a vase containing flowers, or as a beautiful centerpiec...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Gold Leaf
Black Geometric Sculpture by Ursula Meyers Conceptual Artist
By Ursula Meyer
Located in Stamford, CT
Black geometric sculpture by Ursula Meyers conceptual Artist.
Ursula Meyer (1915-2003) American sculpture signed and dated. This monumental geometric form sculpture is one the first work of art ever offered for sale, only at Greenwich Living, by renowned artist Ursula Meyer. Provenance:
From the Estate of Ann Pollon Re: The Collection of Ursula Meyer. Descendant.
Acquired from the Artist Studio.
Ursula Meyer was a German-born American sculptor, art-focused academician, and fine art
critic, who proved an influential player in the transmission of and appreciation for European born Modernism to the United States in the post-World War II era. At first a ceramicist beholden to the teachings of 1930s Germany’s Bauhaus and Italy’s Futurists, she eventually became a creator and exponent of a crisp, geometry-focused sculptural lexicon in ceramics, and later wood and metal sculpture. Her legacy includes a decades-long exploration of Minimalism, as well as experimentations in creating and deciphering Conceptual and
Expressive genres.
Born in Hanover, Germany in 1915 to Ernst Josef Meyer and Elsa Katzenstein, Ursula Meyer is
recorded as having “studied with former Bauhaus masters after the Bauhaus itself had closed
under threat of National Socialism” in 1933. Spanning the years 1934 through 1937, Ursula’s
Bauhaus tutorial is not fully documented, but it may well have included at least brief study with
the French-born Marguerite Friedlaender Wildenhain (1896-1985), the first woman to earn the
Master Potter certification in Germany, and who worked with Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky,
Max Kehan and Gerhard Marcks (1889-1981). Meyer is recorded as having directly worked
with Marcks, as well as with Otto Lindig...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Cardboard Cubist Study of Womans Head
Located in Peekskill, NY
I found this interesting cardboard study in a New York Flea Market almost 50 years ago. It been on the shelf all that time and never gave it a 2nd thought. Its unsigned and I have no idea if its important or not... It is what it is...
Category
Early 20th Century American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Paper
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 and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Pine
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 and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Copper Clad Cedar Biomorphic Form by Bill Anson
By Bill Anson
Located in Palm Desert, CA
As part of his Copper Clad Cedar Collection, this one of a kind Biomorphic form by Bill Anson is a wonderful example of his mixed media work utilizing cedar...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Copper
Face Sculpture from Vallauris, Stoneware, signed by Isabelle Vigo
Located in Munich, DE
Signed stoneware sculpture by the French sculptor Isabell Vigo.
Raw , unglazed stoneware.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Stoneware
Steel Found Objects Brutal Wall Sculpture by Bruce Gray
By Bruce Gray
Located in Denton, TX
A mixture of nuts and bolts and scrap metal with gears welded together to make this Brutalist sculpture a real show stopper
Bruce Gray known for his art in many museums and private ...
Category
20th Century American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Metal, Steel
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 and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Hawaiian Artist Hand Carved Turned Wood Vessel Garniture Sculpture Vase Chalice
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully designed and unusually shaped wood-turned vessel / sculpture / chalice. Very well crafted.
Noted: "Norfolk Pine. Carved in Hawaii" by the artist on the base.
From a collection of...
Category
20th Century American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Pine
Ed Edward Moulthrop Signed Large Turned Figured Tulipwood Centerpiece Art Bowl
Located in Studio City, CA
A magnificent work by 20th century master wood-turner/artist Ed Moulthrop who is recognized as the father of modern woodturning, and credited with moving woodturning from a simple cr...
Category
20th Century American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Iron Crucifix Sculpture In The Style Of Regardt Van De Meulen
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish iron work sculpture of Christ hanging on the cross in the manner of Regardt van de Meulen and dating from the 20th/21st century. The crucifix stands on a rectangular w...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Iron
Stoneware Silhouette Sculpture
Located in Denton, TX
Stoneware silhouette double sided sculpture.
Category
1970s Vintage Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Stoneware
Koi Fish Installation Figure by Robert "Bob" Matheny
By Bob Matheny
Located in San Diego, CA
Koi Fish installation figure by Southern California Artist Robert "Bob" Matheny. This piece was acquired at Robert Matheny’s estate. The piece is 16” in...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Ceramic, Wood
Elegant Bronze Horse Sculpture by Cocky Duijvesteijn, Signed and Numbered
Located in Voorburg, NL
A truly eye-catching bronze sculpture named ‘a Horse’, designed and made by Dutch Sculpture Artist Cocky Duijvesteijn van der Gun. Number 2 of 8 ever made, signed by the artist and n...
Category
Late 20th Century Dutch Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Cast Bronze Sculpture of Lounging Woman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This cast bronze sculpture depicts a woman, captured in a moment after she just finished a swim at her favourite lake. She’s gazing upon the view, reclining on a rock as she air drie...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Wood Thai Dancer Statue
Located in Pasadena, TX
6ft wood Thai dancer statue
Thai deity with mirrored accents throughout. Deity is holding a staff, with arm outstretched. Statue is hand carved.
Category
Early 20th Century Thai Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Doug Ayers Signed California Artist Large Organic Wood Turned Weed Vase
By Doug Ayers
Located in Studio City, CA
A very beautifully made, organic wood turned weed vase by famed American / California (Mendocino, CA) artist/ sculptor Doug Ayers.
Signed and dated by Ayers on the base.
Ayers ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Stunning Vintage Natural Burr Elm & Walnut Fruit Bowl & Apples & Pears Fruit
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning vintage handmade route root burr walnut fruit bowl and a selection of burr elm and & walnut apples and pe...
Category
20th Century English Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Vitrix Hot Glass Studio Sculpture by Thomas Kelly
By Thomas Kelly
Located in North Miami, FL
“Rainbow” Heechee Probe with black glass spine abstract
Sculpture
By Thomas Kelly.
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Blown Glass
Large Rare Hand Carved Lions Mane Bust Head in Wood with Solid Marble Base
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning very large and decorative solid wood hand carved Lion's mane mounted to a marble base
A very good looking well made and decorative...
Category
20th Century English Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Marble
Josecho López Llorens Unique Piece Sculpture “Diagonal Recto 10003” Spain, 2019
Located in Madrid, ES
Sculpture designed by Josecho López Llorens in okoume plywood, unique piece.
Josecho López: artist and designer linked to the Minimalist movement and Geometric Art. His works ran...
Category
2010s Spanish Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Iron
William Umbreit, Shovel, American, circa 1974
Located in New York, NY
William Umbreit was born in East Orange, New Jersey, in 1935. After serving in the United States Army from 1954-56, he was honorably discharged in 1962. Umbreit received a BSA from N...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Iron
Vincenzo Eulissi 1970 Bronze Modern Sculpture in Lost Wax
Located in Milano, IT
Vincenzo Eulissi 1970 gilded bronze modern sculpture in lost wax.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Folk Art Handmade Pottery Sculpture of a Fish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Folk art handmade pottery sculpture of a fish - a great replica of a fish trophy in the most outrageous of colors and style - a compliment to any decor, tr...
Category
20th Century Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Pottery
Floor Sculpture after Louise Nevelson, 1970s
Located in Ft Lauderdale, FL
Floor Sculpture after Louise Nevelson, 1970s. Large wooden Industrial found objects art sculpture after Louise Nevelson, 1970s. This piece - entitled "Marilyn" after Marilyn Monroe -...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
21st Century LOL Skateboard Sculpture by artist Tom Banks-NYC, Miami, London
By Tom Banks
Located in Miami, FL
One of a kind skateboard LOL sculpture by artist Tom Banks. This is from his earlier works and is actually one of his first pieces, using pieces of copper pi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Brass, Copper
Azerbaijan Blown Art Glass Vase
Located in Pasadena, TX
Azerbaijan Russian art glass fluted vase. Measures: 12.75".
Hand crafted art work features multiple layers of hand blown glass in shades of red and amber, rimmed in blue.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Azerbaijani Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Art Glass
Metal Face Sculpture
Located in London, GB
An Anthony Calder-esque metal sculpture on a stand, made using scrap metal. Circa 1980's France.
Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Steel
Life-Size Chef with Menu Board Statue
Located in Pasadena, CA
Fiberglass statue with wood framed Masonite menu. Very good shape with a great look. Shows areas of wear and other flaws. Tough piece to find. Measures: 68"X24"X20".
Category
1970s Vintage Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Fiberglass, Masonite
Modern sculptures and carvings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern 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, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern sculptures and carvings made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States 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 Mosche Bianche, Atang Tshikare, Doug Ayers, and Jérôme Pereira. 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 $149 and tops out at $28,500 while the average work can sell for $1,953.
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