Chinese Zodiac Figurines
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21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Sculptures
2010s Dutch Animal Sculptures
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Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
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20th Century Chinese Ceramics
Ceramic
Finding the Right Sculptures for You
Styling your home with vintage, new and antique sculptures means adding a touch that can meaningfully transform the space. By introducing a sculptural work as a decorative finish to any interior, you’re making a statement, whether you tend toward the dramatic or prefer to keep things casual with modest, understated art.
A single, one-of-a-kind three-dimensional figurative sculpture mounted on your dining room wall is a guaranteed conversation piece, while a trio of abstract works arranged on your living room bookshelves can add spontaneity to the collection of first-edition novels or artist monographs you’re displaying as well as draw attention to them. Figurative sculptures are representational works that portray a specific person, animal or object. And while decorating with busts, which are sculpted or cast figurative works, hasn’t exactly topped the list of design trends every year, busts are back. According to designer Timothy Corrigan, “They give humanity in a way that a more abstract sculpture can’t give.” Abstract sculptures, on the other hand, are not meant to show something specific. Instead, they invoke a mood or scene without directly stating what they are portraying.
Busts made of stone or metal may not seem like a good fit for your existing decor. Fortunately, there are many ways for a seemingly incongruous piece to fit in with the rest of your room’s theme. You can embrace a dramatic piece by making it the focal point of the room, or you can choose to incorporate several elements made out of the same material to create harmony in your space. If an antique or more dramatic piece doesn’t feel like you, why not opt for works comprising plastic, fiberglass or other more modern materials?
When incorporating sculpture into the design of your home — be it the playful work of auction hero and multimedia visionary KAWS, contemporary fiber art from Connecticut dealer browngrotta arts or still-life sculpture on a budget — consider proper lighting, which can bring out the distinctive aspects of your piece that deserve attention. And make sure you know how the size and form of the sculpture will affect your space in whole. If you choose a sculpture with dramatic design elements, such as sharp angles or bright colors, for example, try to better integrate this new addition by echoing those elements in the rest of your room’s design.
Get started on decorating with sculpture now — find figurative sculptures, animal sculptures and more on 1stDibs today.
- What are Chinese figurines?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2020
Chinese figurative sculptures vary widely depending on the medium and intended use. Ornate Buddhist figures assisted ritual meditation, wooden ancestor figures embodied the lingering spirit of a relative, ceramic mingqi burial figures accompanied one’s spirit in the afterlife, and decorative export sculptures presented an idealized version of Chinese culture and beauty.
Lotus GallerySeptember 23, 2020Most figurines just need a light dusting every once in a while. For a deeper cleaning to remove residue (such as nicotine or adhesives), try soaking in warm soapy water and gently washing with a soft cloth.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022One type of Chinese figurines that is quite popular is shekwan or mudware. These small handmade figurines are often called mudmen and are, not surprisingly, crafted out of mud. In the early 1950s, a new era of mudman figurines began but these are not made individually and by hand. On 1stDibs, find authentic shekwan pieces from some of the world’s top sellers.
- Lotus GallerySeptember 23, 2020
Chinese figurines come in all shapes and sizes. Most figures measure between 4” and 18” tall, with some being as small as 1” in height or as large as 36” (or more) in height
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