Steampunk style places emphasis on the bespoke, the recycled and the handmade, as well as high-quality materials and craftsmanship. Steampunk fans also share an interest in the industrial and in machines, especially steam-powered ones.
As a design concept, steampunk can feel elusive. Unlike movements such as Arts and Crafts or American Craftsman, which are rooted in specific historical periods, steampunk combines an imagined past with the present and sometimes even the future.
In the late 1980s, writer K. W. Jeter coined the term steampunk to describe his science-fiction stories, which were set in an idealized version of Victorian London. Since that time, steampunk has evolved, emerging as a design style and a subculture.
Since the mid-1990s, steampunk-styled settings and interiors have become popular in mainstream films such as Sherlock Holmes (2009) with Robert Downey Jr.; Van Helsing (2004), which starred Hugh Jackman; or the Will Smith vehicle Wild Wild West (1999). These movies present a contemporary version of the Victorian past. Steampunk elements, such as dark walls, industrial lighting, brass fittings and Edison bulbs, have also been featured in the designs of numerous restaurants.
When talking of steampunk, design professionals often emphasize the style’s industrial elements. Interior designer Stephen Shadley particularly likes steampunk’s inclusion of factory-style light fixtures. “The elegant simplicity of those fixtures, a white or clear glass shade on a brass base, the bakelite switch. They’re beautiful and functional,” he says. “Here, form follows function almost completely.”
One of the appeals of steampunk lies in its oppositions: domestic versus industrial, refined and polished versus coarse and gritty, Victorian versus new, fantasy versus reality. Because it is up to the individual designer to develop the right steamy mix, you will find a large range of steampunk looks.
A steampunk interior can appear much like the Victorian drawing room in your imagination — stately, restrained, proper — while at the same time containing contemporary comforts and conveniences. Another steampunk-style room can look more theatrical, much like the lair of a mad scientist. And, of course, objects with high steampunk quotient, such as brass light fixtures or Victorian scientific instruments, can add charm and interest to almost any set up.
Steampunk, by combining antique and contemporary and repurposing industrial items, offers a fresh way to enjoy Victorian style.
Find steampunk-style wall decorations, lighting, decorative objects and more on 1stDIbs.
Red and White Graphic New York Bus Subway Destination Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Very large New York bus destination sign. Unusual in red. Very graphic. Bottom of roll was date stamped 1951. 7 1/2 feet tall.
Canvas
Parker Carousel Company Wood Carved Chariot Side
By John Adams Parker
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Carved wood Parker Carousel chariot side. Fantastic carved dragon with the original jewel eye.
Wood
Magnavox Television Factory TV Sign, circa 1950s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Incredible giant TV sign that graced the circa 1950s . Magnavox TV factory in Utah. Just under 11 feet tall. Mounted on original heavy iron pole. Original whit...
Iron, Sheet Metal
Steampunk Folk Art Scarlet Tanager Songbird Found Object Sculpture by Jim Mullan
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Petite Steampunk songbird (presumably a Scarlet Tanager) perched on a blue croquet ball by Jim and Tori Mullan (ca. 2006, USA). No two birds were designed the same, each was hand-pai...
Metal
Vintage Bronx Toy Factory Copper and Screw Eyes Iron Doll Mold Head
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage Bronx toy factory industrial doll head mold. Awesome screw eyes. Fantastic patina and layered surface from exposure to various chemicals and high heat during the manufacturin...
Copper, Iron
Monumental 1930s Wood No Smoking Sign from New York City
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental hand carved wood sign from the 1930s. Made by H.H. Upham & Co. Interestingly, this company owned a huge sign manufacturing business in the ...
Wood
$409Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 19 in W 13 in D 15 in
2 Folk Art Carved & Painted Wood Mushroom Sculptures by JD 19"
Located in Dayton, OH
2 carved and painted mushrooms sculptures by JD. Signed along underside. Dimensions: 15" x 13" x 19", 13" x 12" x 18"
Hardwood, Paint
Hand Carved Wood Lion Toy Figure in Orange and Black, Africa, 1970s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A whimsical hand carved lion statue from Africa. Hand carved by local artisans in East Africa in the 1970s, this wooden statue will be a great accen...
Wood, Paint
$2,396Sale Price|20% Off
H 52 in W 9.5 in D 59.75 in
Mid-20th Century Hand-Painted Carousel Horse in The Manner of C.W. Parker
By Charles Looff Or C.W. Parker
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Vintage 1970s C.W. Parker style carousel horse cast in resin, mounted on a golden metal display pedestal. Perfectly captured in all it’s glory, this handsome carousel horse is sure t...
Brass
Antique Folk Art Horse Sculpture
Located in Sheffield, MA
Wonderfully charming hand-carved 19th Century American folk art horse sculpture on stand. Pay special attention to its face and the carved details to appreciate this fine specimen. ...
Wood
Antique American Carousel Horse Carnival Ride Attrib Charles Dare
Located in Forney, TX
A charming antique, circa 1920, American track machine carousel horse amusement ride attributed to legendary carver Charles W. Dare Company (United States), now mounted on a custom r...
Wood, Paint
$2,210
H 136 in W 24 in D 1 in
Large Scale Vintage New York City Bus or Subway Roll, Brooklyn-Queens , 8th ave
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large Scale Vintage New York City Bus or Subway Roll, Brooklyn-Queens , 8th ave... Over 11 feet !! Great old sign, double sided.
Korhogo Cloth, Canvas
Provincetown Folk Art Carved Wood Whale Wall Sculpture
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
3-575 hand carved wood grey whale wall sculpture signed Claire on verso
Fruitwood
$650
H 11.5 in W 25 in D 6.5 in
Oaxaca Wood Alebrije Mexican Folk Art Sculpture Signed By Pepe Santiago
Located in Tampa, FL
A striking example of traditional Oaxacan folk art, this hand carved and hand painted wood sculpture is signed by renowned artisan Pepe Santiago. Dating to the 1970s, the work exempl...
Wood, Paint
$2,555Sale Price|30% Off
H 57 in W 48 in D 10.5 in
Rare Antique Distressed Carousel Horse on Iron Stand Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Fantastic antique found unpainted carousel horse form having distressed wood, amazing character, and handsome custom iron stand. Makes a stunning folk art sculpture with monochromat...
Wood
$3,052Sale Price|20% Off
H 31 in W 50 in D 11 in
Early 20th century Limonaire Freres Paris fairground carousel horse
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century Limonaire Freres Paris fairground carousel horse Dimensions in inches: H 31” x W 50” x D 11” Age: 1920 Origin: France (Paris) Condition: Fair Overview A rare ear...
Wood
$3,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 72 in W 19 in D 2 in
Early 20th Century Hand Carved English Fairground Carousel Panel
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Hand Carved English Fairground Carousel Panel A rare piece of traditional English fairground art attributed to Orton and spooner. All carved from sections piece ...
Pine
Rare 19th century fairground Bayol carousel horse
Located in London, GB
Rare 19th century fairground Bayol carousel horse Dimensions: H 47” x W 29” x D 9” Weight: 20kg Date: Late 19th Century Origin: EU Material: Pine and metal Info: This item does no...
Wood
New York City Subway Station Sign "Fulton Street" Porcelain Enamel
Located in Newfoundland, PA
New York City Subway "Fulton Street" Porcelain Enamel Station Sign Overview An exceptional piece of American industrial history, this authentic mid-century New York City subway pla...
Metal
$2,125Sale Price|20% Off
H 40 in W 40 in D 1.5 in
Early 20th Century English Fairground Carousel Panel
Located in London, GB
English Fairground Carousel panel We are proud to offer a wonderful example of an early 20th century English fairground panel. From a fairground carou...
Wood, Paint
Weird and Quirky Bistro Garden Table and Chairs
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Weird and Quirky Bistro Garden Table and Chairs Weird and Quirky Bistro Garden Table and Chairs made from Iron Tools and Car parts This is no do...
Iron
Marine Curiosity Cabinet Collection
Located in Leesburg, VA
A marine Wunderkammer collection of two sea urchins and a melo shell eloquently mounted on turned and lacquered antique wood bases. Approximate height: 12,...
Shell, Wood
Very Rare Diselpunk Trade Sign from 1978, Adriano Goldschmied Renzo Rosso
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Very rare Diselpunk trade sign from 1978, Adriano Goldschmied Renzo Rosso This is the best of Art from of 1970s Era, a trade sign designed to promote the Diesel Brand, Punk, it ...
Clay
Rare Early Cadbury’s Cocoa Enamel Sign
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Rare early Cadbury’s Cocoa enamel sign Very rare old sign, this is one of the earliest Cadbury signs, it has green writing on a white background, it is made in ceramic enamel ...
Enamel
Carnival Midway Flashing Sputnik Light
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage flashing Sputnik light from carnival midway. Real attention grabber. One side has old repair. Please see images. One socket is not electrified. L...
Plastic
Sold
H 8 in W 4 in D 5 in
Vintage Bronx Toy Factory Copper Iron Doll Mold Head with Original Latex Head
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage Bronx toy factory industrial doll head mold with original production plastic latex doll head attached. Fantastic patina and layered surface from exposure to various chemicals...
Copper, Iron
Vintage Bronx Toy Factory Copper and Iron Doll Mold Head
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage Bronx toy factory industrial doll head mold. Fantastic patina and layered surface from exposure to various chemicals and high heat during the manufacturing process. Please se...
Copper, Iron
Vintage Wood Geometry Surface and Volume Teaching Sphere
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic multidimensional geometry teaching sphere. Wonderful warm patina to wood surface. Original notes displayed on the sphere and inside. Opens up to many different shapes and o...
Wood
Bronx Toy Factory Copper and Iron Man Toy Mold
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This guy is someone, but we can't figure out who. Many were marked with the character. Unfortunately this guy was not. Striking facial features. Vintage Bronx toy...
Copper, Iron
Vintage Leather Viking Gym Wrestling Dummy
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great simple human form. Vintage Viking white leather gym wrestling dummy. This guy is solid. Nicely worn leather. Team Viking on front and makers iden...
Vintage School House Classroom United States Map
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Graphic vintage United States classroom map that has been heavy map material mounted on solid board for display.
Wood, Paper
Late 19th Century Midwestern Train Depot Luggage Cart
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Late 19th century substantial luggage cart from a Midwestern United States train station. Cart moves on four cast iron casters. Wood slats with riveted an...
Iron
Vintage Movie Marquee Sheet Metal Letters Metropolitan
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic vintage movie marquee channel letters "Metropolitan" from Midwestern movie theater. Heavy sheet metal construction. Most likely neon skins that were stripped from the original marquee sign...
Vintage Automobile or Motorcycle Cat Eye Reflector Collection
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Collection of vintage automobile or motorcycle cat eye reflectors. The collection ranges in size from 4.5 wide x 7.5 tall x 4" deep to 6.5 wide x 16...
Metal
Vintage Rubber Duckie Bronx Toy Factory Doll Mold
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Classic Rubber Duckie Bronx Toy Factory doll mold. Fantastic patinated copper form that latex would be removed from after cooling and setting. Patina comes f...
Copper, Iron