Mid-Century Modern Marble Bird Sculpture

Name: Mid-Century Modern Marble Bird Sculpture
Brand: wh91
Availability: LimitedAvailability

Stylized Mid-Century Modern white marble bird sculpture on a dark marble base, displayed on a wooden chest. - view 1

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Average (4/10)

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QUICK FACTS

DESCRIPTION

A stylized bird sculpture crafted from white marble, mounted on a dark square marble base via a metal rod. The bird features smooth, minimalist lines, reminiscent of early to mid-20th century abstract or modernist design. There are natural gray/black inclusions or specks within the marble on the bird's surface, particularly visible near the 'head' area. The design is fluid and organic, capturing the essence of a bird in flight or at rest with simplified forms.

CULTURAL ECHOES

Where This Object Echoes

Art Deco1920s-1930s

The use of exotic materials and stylized animal forms in decorative arts was a hallmark of the earlier Art Deco movement, influencing later modernist interpretations.

Scandinavian Modernism1950s-1960s

Many Scandinavian designers embraced organic forms and natural materials, producing similar biomorphic sculptures that celebrated simplicity and craftsmanship.

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

•Domestic display and decoration, serving as an aesthetic focal point in a living space.
•Gift-giving for housewarmings or special occasions, symbolizing elegance and appreciation for art and nature.

Meaning Through Time

Ancient Civilizations

Birds often symbolized gods, spirits, or messengers between the earthly and divine realms.

Art Nouveau (late 19th - early 20th century)

Birds were used as ornate, flowing decorative motifs embodying natural beauty and organic lines.

Mid-20th Century Modernism

Birds were reinterpreted as simplified, abstract forms, symbolizing freedom, nature, and the pursuit of minimalist beauty in a modern world.

HISTORICAL STORY

Stylized animal sculptures, particularly birds, were popular motifs in Mid-Century Modern design, reflecting a shift towards organic forms and natural materials. This aesthetic emphasized clean lines and functional beauty, often drawing inspiration from nature while simplifying its complexity. ...

DID YOU KNOW?

The Mid-Century Modern design movement, spanning roughly 1945-1969, emerged as a reaction to earlier ornate styles, favoring simplicity, natural shapes, and integration with nature.

Marble, a metamorphic rock, has been prized for sculpture since ancient times due to its translucence, which allows light to penetrate slightly, giving sculptures a soft, lifelike sheen.

MATERIAL & CONDITION

Surface

The white marble body of the bird is polished smooth, with natural veining and speckled inclusions of grey/black. The dark marble base appears to have a polished or honed finish, and the metal rod is likely brushed or satin finished.

Weight & Feel

Given the material, the sculpture would likely feel substantial and dense, with a solid weight due to the marble elements.

Condition

The object appears to be in excellent condition, with no visible chips, cracks, or significant wear on the marble sculpture or base, aligning with a 'mint' assessment.