Modern Abstract 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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
7
to
2
7
7
7
7
21
10
8
7
5
4
4
4
2
2
3
617
2,089
7
107
412
2
4
3
14
50
136
100
70
Height
to
Width
to
3
2
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
Style: Modern
Period: Early 20th Century
Andrianna Shamaris Large Copper African Currency
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful patina on this 20th century copper African currency. Celebrating the cracks and crevices found in this unusual large size.
This item was sou...
Category
Early 20th Century Congolese Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Copper
Antique Bronze Tabletop Sculpture of ChiId illegible Artist Signed like Rodin
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Antique Tabletop Bronze Sculpture of a Mother and Child or Cherubs in the Sea? Procured from high-end Washington D.C. Estate. We are unable t...
Category
1920s American Vintage Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
1920s Swedish Grace Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
This abstract 1920s Swedish sculpture of painted-and-gilded plaster, on a painted-wood base, is pleasing from all angles. At the time and place where it...
Category
1920s Swedish Vintage Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Plaster, Wood
Pair of Decorative Blue Painted Italian Small Mahogany Pedestals
Located in New York, NY
Pair of decorative blue painted Italian small mahogany pedestals. Pair of decorative blue painted mahogany columns bases on plinths in a mottled faux lapis color, Italy, circa 1930.
...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Mahogany
Rare Large French Early Modern Iron Sculpture / Eiffel Tower Obelisk, 1920
Located in New York, NY
Stunning, Rare French early modernist wrought iron freestanding sculpture / obelisk in a Modern Industrial style reflecting the late 19th century and early 20th century fascination w...
Category
Early 20th Century French Modern Abstract Sculptures
Modernist Abstract Twisting Ribbon Sculpture in Chromed Metal
Located in New York, NY
Modernist abstract sculpture of a twisting ribbon on an oblong black base. The piece is made of chromed metal and is in great vintage condition with age...
Category
Early 20th Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Modernist Hourglass, 1990's
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Modernist hourglass with silver details, 1990's.
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Glass
Related Items
Bronze Tabletop Statue of Lady Justice
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Randolph Rose Lady Justice statue is a personification of the moral force in judicial systems. It originated from the Ancient Roman Art known as ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Large Drift Timber Wooden Brutalist Sculpture
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Wonderful large sculpture made from drift timber, natural form. Very good texture and colour to the wood, aged over time.
Would look great either indoor or outdoor.
ST1526.
Category
20th Century English Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique, Rare & Decorative Pair of Hand Carved and Hand Painted Horse Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning and unique pair of matching horse sculptures.
With a combined experience of almost 30 years in the antiques trade, we were thrilled to once again find beautifully hand-crafted and decorative antiques that we had never seen before. From the density and the weight we can see and feel that these highly decorative horse sculptures are made of a tropical hardwood. Like, for example, with antique mirror frames or church sculptures these horses too were first covered with a mixture of chalk and glue so that the paint would hold longer. And, as so often is the case with antiques, the colors that were used for painting these horses are so much more beautiful than anything you find in this day and age that they truly are an absolute joy to look at. From the colors, the wear, the materials and the techniques that were used to create these horses we can see that these are 19th century antiques. However and unfortunately we lack the knowledge to be able to tell you from which country these highly decorative and sizeable works of art originate. We just can't find matching style horse sculptures anywhere on the worldwide web. They could be Chinese or Nepalese, but they could also be Persian or Arabian. We just have not been able to find out. What we do know is that they are definitely antique, they are in beautiful condition (with some wear, consistent with their age), they are highly decorative, probably unique and they have a look and feel that will instantly change the atmosphere of the room they are in.
Mind you, our sharp price for this wonderful pair of horse sculptures...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Free Shipping
H 20 in W 21 in D 7 in
Pair of Terra Cotta Decorative Panels
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of terra cotta decorative panels. Probably from a fireplace.
Category
1890s French Antique Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Monumental Figurative Wire Iron Sculpture, Female Figure Titled "DOMINATRIX
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental figurative wire iron sculpture, female figure titled "DOMINATRIX, amazing skilled artist, great sense of the human female form. Hand delivery avail to New York City or any...
Category
1970s American Vintage Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Abstract Metal Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Decorative welded metal sculpture that resembles a rooster. Heavy oxidized iron welded together to form an abstract art.
(Please confirm item location N...
Category
1990s Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Metal
African Currency, 19th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
This set of 3 pieces of African currency is very interesting. Looking like some sort of ancient maraca, these 19th century pieces jingle and noise-make with each step. The dimensions...
Category
19th Century African Antique Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Metal
African Fulani Currency Bracelet, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Characterized by its open shape capped with geometric ends, this bracelet is but one form of the many types of body adornments favored the Fulani people of West Africa. The thick des...
Category
Early 20th Century Nigerien Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Colby Wooden Decorative Sculpture in Small by CuratedKravet
Located in Woodbury, NY
A small decorative wooden sculpture.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Pair of Decorative Turquoise Blue Foo Dogs Sculptures, Ceramic Statue
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A very nice pair of vintage, turquoise blue, ceramic foo dogs, circa 1980s. Excellent condition and patina; makes a fun decor item in any room!
Category
1980s Chinese Vintage Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Large Abstract Polychrome Nafana "Bedu" Mask, Burkina Faso, Africa Wood Pigments
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Nafana "Bedu" mask, from Southern Burkina Faso/Ivory Coast. Wood with natural earth pigments. Note the double faces, one with tubular eyes and mouth for the dancer and the larger a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Burkinabe Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Wood
H 58.5 in W 26 in D 3 in
Bronze Sculpture, Contemporary Work, The Thinker, Model by Auguste Rodin, XXIst
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture, Bronze with brown patina representing The Thinker, model by Auguste Rodin, XXIst Century.
W: 17.5cm, H: 19.5cm, D: 10cm
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
H 6.89 in W 7.68 in D 3.94 in
Previously Available Items
Modernist Hourglass, 1990's
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Modernist hourglass with silver details, 1990's.
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Glass
Japanese Green Glass Fisherman’s Float, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This beautiful green sphere is an early 20th century glass float used by Japanese fishermen to keep their fishing nets or droplines afloat in the ocean. The hollow float would have been encased by a rope netting and used just like a modern buoy. Because these floats were commonly produced from recycled sake bottles, most antique glass floats...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Blown Glass
Japanese Green Glass Fisherman’s Float, C. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This beautiful green sphere is an early 20th century glass float used by Japanese fishermen to keep their fishing nets or droplines afloat in the ocean. The hollow float would have been encased by a rope netting and used just like a modern buoy. Because these floats were commonly produced from recycled sake bottles, most antique glass floats...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Blown Glass
Handmade Cubist Female Figure Sculpture in Terracotta
Located in Richmond, VA
Cubist female figure sculpture in terracotta. Signed LTM '04.
Category
Early 20th Century American Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Clay
Large Modern Rootwood Sculpture
Located in North York, ON
This large, modern sculpture is composed of a single piece of natural rootwood. It has been burnished and lacquered, and is perfect for adding some rustic flair to any home.
Category
Early 20th Century American Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Wood
John Flannagan "Chimpanzee" Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A cast-stone edition of a granite sculpture by American artist John Bernard Flannagan (1895-1942). Along with Robert Laurent and William Zorach,...
Category
Early 20th Century American Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Large Artist's Wood Palette, circa 1900
Located in Rochester, NY
Very large palette made of a single board.
Category
Early 20th Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Christian Berg Cubist Sculpture in Bronze
By Christian Berg 1
Located in Berlin, DE
Sculpture, "third stage of a development of a torso,
Paris 1920s,
Christian Berg was a Swedish painter and sculptor associated with a group of pion...
Category
1920s French Vintage Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Modern abstract sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Modern abstract 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 abstract sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern abstract sculptures 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 abstract sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Richard A. Hirsch, Kue King, Jacopo Foggini, and Orfeo Quagliata. 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 abstract sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $25 and tops out at $450,000 while the average work can sell for $2,322.