What is contemporary sculpture?

When referring to artwork, contemporary simply means “the art of today”, or artwork that was produced in the second half of the 20th century onward. This term extends to all art, including sculptures. You’ll find a variety of contemporary sculptures from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Small Contemporary Sculpture

Plexi Sculpture

Balance Sculpture

Indoor Metal Sculpture

Ad Dekker

Cube Art

Functional Sculpture

Rusted Steel Sculpture

Plexiglass Cube

Jennifer SmallGolden Slumbers Sculpture, Contemporary Acrylic and Plaster, 2010-, 2017

$6,800

Golden Slumbers Sculpture, Contemporary Acrylic and Plaster, 2010-

By Jennifer Small

Located in Montreal, Quebec

For Nicolas Bourriaud, the flea market is a place where “past production is recycled and switches direction” and where “an object is given a new idea.” On the stalls of the flea mar...

Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Plaster, Acrylic, Plastic

Jennifer SmallThe First Cut is the Deepest: Contemporary Metal and Leather Sculpture, 2018

$1,800

$1,500

Singing Bowl Alabaster Pure - Small - Sculpture, Contemporary, 2010+

By Marlene Hilton Moore

Located in Bloomfield, ON

This alabaster white coloured metal indoor sculpture was inspired by traditional singing bowls. Canadian artist Marlene Hilton Moore is highly regarded for creating provocative and ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Sculptures

Materials

Stainless Steel

Marlene Hilton MooreSinging Bowl Green - Small - Contemporary Stainless Steel Sculpture, 2025

$1,500

Singing Bowl Green - Small - Contemporary Stainless Steel Sculpture

By Marlene Hilton Moore

Located in Bloomfield, ON

This green metal indoor sculpture was inspired by traditional singing bowls. Canadian artist Marlene Hilton Moore is highly regarded for creating provocative and meaningful sculpt...

Category

2010s Contemporary Sculptures

Materials

Stainless Steel

$320

Elongated Contemporary Ceramic Sculpture Segmented Organic Form Small Scale

By Óscar Aldonza Torres

Located in FISTERRA, ES

The result is an expressive contemporary sculpture that negotiates between human condition, organic transformation, and sculptural experimentation.

Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

Stefan TralocContemporary Sculpture - "Globe Lamp", rusted on an oak pedestal - small height, 2021

$499Sale Price|20% Off

Contemporary Sculpture - "Globe Lamp", rusted on an oak pedestal - small height

By Stefan Traloc

Located in Winterswijk, NL

Here you will find an extraordinary and high quality lamp, which conjures a beautiful shadow pattern on the wall or ceiling. Customization possible and designed in 2010. This ball l...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Sculptures

Materials

Stainless Steel

Recent Sales

Catharina BondBadgastein - Contemporary Small Size Sculpture, 2023

Unavailable

Unavailable

H 5.91 in W 5.91 in D 3.55 in

Small Ring of Kerry, 2011, nickel silver, sculpture, knot, contemporary

By Maximilian Verhas

Located in Munich, DE

Maximilian Verhas Smaller Ring of Kerry, 2011 nickel silver 15 x 15 x 9 cm 25 Expl. (Please note: due to the artist choice of material, slight oxidation of the patina is completely...

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Maximilian VerhasSmaller Steps and Stairs, 2016, Bronze sculpture, contemporary, rolling body, 2016

Unavailable

H 7.88 in W 7.88 in D 5.91 in

Smaller Steps and Stairs, 2016, Bronze sculpture, contemporary, rolling body

By Maximilian Verhas

Located in Munich, DE

Maximilian Verhas smaller Steps and Stairs, 2016 bronze 20 x 20 x 15 cm 7 3/4 x 7 3/4 x 6 in Ed 25 MV/S 81 (Please note: due to the artist choice of material slight oxidation of th...

Category

2010s Abstract Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Anya Pesce'Small Orange Flame #1', Bright, colourful contemporary abstract wall sculptures, 2020

Unavailable

H 4.73 in W 6.7 in D 4.34 in

'Small Orange Flame #1', Bright, colourful contemporary abstract wall sculptures

Located in Darlinghurst, NSW

‘Surface’ is fundamental to my practice as it is the external material skin that captures the essence of what I make. Historically ‘Finish Fetish’ in contemporary practice contextual...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Abstract Sculptures

Clay, Fabric, Textile, Glaze, Underglaze

Jittanun LoengroengvejKitty Gang : Contemporary, 6 small piece bronze sculpture with patina, cute cats, 2008

Unavailable

H 7.88 in W 8.67 in D 5.91 in

Kitty Gang : Contemporary, 6 small piece bronze sculpture with patina, cute cats

Located in Bangkok, Bangkok

Kitty Gang is a group of 6 bronze sculptures variable in sizes. The tallest sculpture is 7.8" (20 cm) height. This set of sculptures bring out the inner childhood in all of us. Cu...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Krista BonelliSmall, Contemporary, Resin, Layers, Primary Colors, Transparent, 2016

Unavailable

H 6 in W 9 in D 6.5 in

Small, Contemporary, Resin, Layers, Primary Colors, Transparent

Located in Inglewood, CA

Krista Bonelli Accretion No. 6 Abstract Sculpture Small, Contemporary, Resin, Layers, Primary Colors, Transparent Resin 6 x 9 x 6.5 in. 2016

Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Resin

Ivy NatéSmall Cement Totem Sculpture: 'The Tribe #3', 2020

Unavailable

H 9.5 in W 8 in D 4 in

Small Cement Totem Sculpture: 'The Tribe #3'

By Ivy Naté

Located in New York, NY

‘The tribe serves as a sacred narrative of a time passed that I have chosen to birth anew. . Each one of my pieces carries the love of thousands, those who came before us and those ...

Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Mixed Media

Unavailable

H 8 in W 4 in D 4 in

Small Sculpture: 'Fingerprint Pinned Cat Toy'

By Valerie Huhn

Located in New York, NY

People have used fingerprints for mark-making since the earliest recorded days of civilization. Yet fingerprints today are far more likely to be used for marking others than for stam...

Category

2010s Contemporary Still-life Sculptures

Materials

Mixed Media

Unavailable

H 24.81 in W 11.42 in D 11.42 in

Fly around Blue Small Decoration Metal Sculpture Maite Carranza

Located in Madrid, MD

Blue flutter. Game of two waves in harmony breaking space

Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Giovanni RindlerKleine Pomina (Small Pomina) - Bronze, Female Nude, Contemporary, Austrian,, 2012

Unavailable

H 11.82 in Dm 5.12 in

Kleine Pomina (Small Pomina) - Bronze, Female Nude, Contemporary, Austrian,

By Giovanni Rindler

Located in Wien, AT

This Bronze shows a female nude on an oval foot. Giovanni Rindler was born 1958 in Bruneck (South Tyrol). He learned wood sculptor there and from 1979 to 1981 he went to the master...

Category

2010s Contemporary Nude Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Willem BothaFemale Torso - Small Figurative Sculpture Woman Bronze Dark Brown Patina, 2022

Unavailable

Unavailable

H 26 in

Small Moose

By Charles Pachter

Located in Oakville, ON

Baked enamel on steel Edition 3/10 26" inches 2015 Provenance: The Artist

Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Enamel, Steel

John BisbeeSmall Collective USA, 2017

Unavailable

H 13.5 in W 18 in D 3 in

Small Collective USA

By John Bisbee

Located in New York, NY

John Bisbee is an American sculptor born in 1965. He is an art professor at Bowdoin College in Brunswick. Bisbee received his B.F.A. from Alfred University and attended the Skowhegan...

Category

2010s Contemporary Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Unavailable

H 6 in W 6 in D 24 in

Contemporary Korean Ceramic, "Small Stack Vessel I" by Soo Joo

By Soo Joo Studio

Located in New York, NY

Stack Vessel II by Soo Joo is a stack sculpture made in Korean Ceramic. It is a timeless form, reminiscent of a stack of perfectly balanced river stones. This is the taller of the tw...

Category

2010s Korean Modern Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Kay AustenSmall Gold Triptych # 2, 2022

Unavailable

H 14 in W 6.5 in D 2.5 in

Small Gold Triptych # 2

Located in Richmond, BC

Artist: Kay Austen Obvara Fired Wall Sconces Small Gold Triptych # 2 Clay, Epoxy and Acrylic 14 x 6 ½ x 2 ½ inches 2022 Handbuilt Raku clay wall sconce. Coated in terra sigilata and...

Category

2010s Contemporary Still-life Sculptures

Materials

Clay, Epoxy Resin, Acrylic

"Costume Armature", Reinforced Plaster Sculpture, Portrait, Altered Human Figure

By Jedediah Morfit

Located in Philadelphia, PA

"Costume Armature" is an original piece by Jedediah Morfit made from fiberglass, reinforced plaster, paint, and wood. This piece measures 20.25"h x 24.25"w x 2.75"d framed, and is sh...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Fiberglass, Plaster, Wood, Paint

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Fire Large Wall Sculpture by Corine Vanvoorbergen

$110,403 / item

H 1.97 in Dm 78.75 in

Fire Large Wall Sculpture by Corine Vanvoorbergen

Located in Geneve, CH

Fire Large Wall Sculpture by Corine Vanvoorbergen Dimensions: Ø 200 cm Materials: Brass, wood, crystal glass & mixed media Emotion stands front and centre in these pieces. A monochr...

Category

2010s Dutch Modern Contemporary Art

Materials

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Small Contemporary Sculpture For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact piece of small contemporary sculpture you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Find abstract versions now, or shop for abstract creations for a more modern example of these cherished works. Making the right choice when shopping for an item from our selection of small contemporary sculpture may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 20th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 21st Century. When looking for the right choice in our collection of small contemporary sculpture for your space, you can search on 1stDibs by color — popular works were created in bold and neutral palettes with elements of gray, gold, brown and beige. There have been many interesting object in our assortment of small contemporary sculpture examples over the years, but those made by Olivier Julia, Mireia Serra, Haringa + Olijve, Dieter Kränzlein and Giuseppe Palumbo are often thought to be among the most thought-provoking. Artworks like these — often created in metal, bronze and ceramic — can elevate any room of your home.

How Much is a Small Contemporary Sculpture?

The average selling price for a piece of small contemporary sculpture we offer is $2,501, while they’re typically $0 on the low end and $1,500,000 for the highest priced.

Finding the Right Sculptures for You

The history of sculpture as we know it is believed to have origins in Ancient Greece, while small sculptural carvings are among the most common examples of prehistoric art. In short, sculpture as a fine art has been with us forever. A powerful three-dimensional means of creative expression, sculpture has long been most frequently associated with religion — consider the limestone Great Sphinx in Giza, Egypt — while the tradition of collecting sculpture, which has also been traced back to Greece as well as to China, far precedes the emergence of museums.

Technique and materials in sculpture have changed over time. Stone sculpture, which essentially began as images carved into cave walls, is as old as human civilization itself. The majority of surviving sculpted works from ancient cultures are stone. Traditionally, this material and pottery as well as metal — bronze in particular — were among the most common materials associated with this field of visual art. Artists have long sought new ways and materials in order to make sculptures and express their ideas. Material, after all, is the vehicle through which artists express themselves, or at least work out the problems knocking around in their heads. It also allows them to push the boundaries of form, subverting our expectations and upending convention. As an influential sculptor as much as he was a revolutionary painter and printmaker, Pablo Picasso worked with everything from wire to wood to bicycle seats.

If you are a lover of art and antiques or are thinking of bringing a work of sculpture into your home for the first time, there are several details to keep in mind. As with all other works of art, think about what you like. What speaks to you? Visit local galleries and museums. Take in works of public art and art fairs when you can and find out what kind of sculpture you like. When you’ve come to a decision about a specific work, try to find out all you can about the piece, and if you’re not buying from a sculptor directly, work with an art expert to confirm the work’s authenticity.

And when you bring your sculpture home, remember: No matter how big or small your new addition is, it will make a statement in your space. Large- and even medium-sized sculptures can be heavy, so hire some professional art handlers as necessary and find a good place in your home for your piece. Whether you’re installing a towering new figurative sculpture — a colorful character by KAWS or hyperreal work by Carole A. Feuerman, perhaps — or an abstract work by Won Lee, you’ll want the sculpture to be safe from being knocked over. (You’ll find that most sculptures should be displayed at eye level, while some large busts look best from below.)

On 1stDibs, find a broad range of exceptional sculptures for sale. Browse works by your favorite creator, style, period or other attribute.

Questions About Small Contemporary Sculpture

What is contemporary sculpture?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
When referring to artwork, contemporary simply means “the art of today”, or artwork that was produced in the second half of the 20th century onward. This term extends to all art, including sculptures. You’ll find a variety of contemporary sculptures from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

100 Works That Remind Us Why Glass Can Be a Radical Art Form

A new show at Upstate New York’s Corning Museum of Glass shows off the best and brightest contemporary works of the last few years.

Proving It’s More Than Mansions, Palms and Beaches, a Storied Florida Playground Is Getting Serious about Art

The newly redesigned Norton Museum and other impressive exhibition spaces around Palm Beach are drawing art aficionados to the tony enclave year-round.