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Roland Cabot, French Steel and Painted Sculpture, Untitled
By Roland Cabot
Located in New York, NY
Roland Cabot, Untitled, French Steel and Painted Sculpture
The quadrilateral totem of overlapping
Category
Vintage 1970s French Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Tribal mask from Central America
By Ethic&Tropic
Located in VALENCIA, ES
, totem animals, or mythological characters.
- Craftsmanship and Artisans
The creation of these masks is
Category
2010s Panamanian Primitive Animal Sculptures
Materials
Cane
Monkey animal head from indigenous tribe
By Ethic&Tropic
Located in VALENCIA, ES
, totem animals, or mythological characters.
- Craftsmanship and Artisans
The creation of these masks is
Category
2010s Panamanian Primitive Animal Sculptures
Materials
Cane
Shamanic mask from indigenous tribe
By Ethic&Tropic
Located in VALENCIA, ES
, totem animals, or mythological characters.
- Craftsmanship and Artisans
The creation of these masks is
Category
2010s Panamanian Primitive Animal Sculptures
Materials
Cane
Tribal shamanic mask from the Darien jungle
By Ethic&Tropic
Located in VALENCIA, ES
, totem animals, or mythological characters.
- Craftsmanship and Artisans
The creation of these masks is
Category
2010s Colombian Primitive Animal Sculptures
Materials
Cane
Exceptional Reception Table, Oak and Wrought Iron, 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
, D 218 cm.
Totem: W 146, H 197 cm.
Lighted oak table with rough edge and wrought iron resting on
Category
Vintage 1970s French Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Expressive Papua New Guinea Stopper, Ex John Friede Collection
Located in Vienna, AT
totem figure with cowry shell eyes and shell nose adornment dating to the late 19th - early 20th century.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
Sculptural Serving Plate Marble Contemporary Style
By Stromboli Associates, Ricardo Rodriguez Elias
Located in Mexico City, MX
"Alto Cumulus" by Ricardo Rodríguez Elías
Serving Plate Alto Cumulus is a sculptural totem that
Category
2010s Platters and Serveware
Materials
Marble
Huacas, 2 Piece Set, Incan Onyx, 1st Edition
By Javier Robles
Located in NEW YORK, NY
functionality can be expanded or enjoyed as a pure decorative TOTEM.
All Lumifer products are designed by
Category
2010s American Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Onyx
$1,800 / set
Huacas, 4-Piece Set, Black Marble, First Edition
By Javier Robles
Located in NEW YORK, NY
functionality can be expanded or enjoyed as a pure decorative TOTEM.
All Lumifer products are designed by
Category
2010s American Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Marble
$2,500 / set
Huacas, 2-Piece Set, Carrara Marble, First Edition
By Javier Robles
Located in NEW YORK, NY
functionality can be expanded or enjoyed as a pure decorative TOTEM.
All Lumifer products are designed by
Category
2010s American Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Huacas, 6-Piece Standard Set, Wood Walnut and Lenga Beech Oak, First Edition
By Javier Robles
Located in NEW YORK, NY
functionality can be expanded or enjoyed as a pure decorative TOTEM.
All Lumifer products are designed by
Category
2010s Peruvian Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Beech, Walnut
Huacas, 6 Piece Large Set, Wood Walnut and Lenga Beech Oak, 1st Edition
By Javier Robles
Located in NEW YORK, NY
functionality can be expanded or enjoyed as a pure decorative TOTEM.
All Lumifer products are designed by
Category
2010s Peruvian Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Beech, Walnut
Sculptural Serving Plate Black Marble Contemporary Style
By Stromboli Associates, Ricardo Rodriguez Elias
Located in Mexico City, MX
"Alto Cumulus" by Ricardo Rodríguez Elías
Serving Plate Alto Cumulus is a sculptural totem that
Category
2010s Mexican Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Marble
Rare "Glyph Wall" by David Cressey for Architectural Pottery
By David Cressey
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large, Free Standing Stoneware totems to be used as a Wall/Room Divider or outdoor/garden element
Category
Vintage 1960s American Screens and Room Dividers
Inuit Bear Eating Man by Adamie
By Adami Qaussiak Tukala
Located in Chicago, IL
a bear is a strong totem or spirit animal and if a hunter accepts being eaten by a bear, he will be
Category
Vintage 1970s Sculptures
Materials
Granite
Minoru Kano abstract bronze
By Minoru Kano
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
the marble and the stone, and works on resin creating his famous golden Totems, in the spirit of
Category
Vintage 1970s French Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
$10,087
Contemporary Wood Sculpture, Gratte-Ciel 180
By Natacha Heitz
Located in Mareil-Marly, Yvelines
. After turning her wood to form a TOTEM, she then burns the surface, and carefully brushes it with white
Category
2010s French Minimalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Contemporary Sculpture Modern/Tribal Art by Mort Golub, 21st Century
By Mort Golub
Located in By Appointment Only, CA
since the Paleolithic era, and probably much earlier. These transformational animals represented totemic
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Tribal Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Gilt Ganapati
Located in New York, NY
neck (as in Purana texts), stands astride his two rat totems, and is surrounded by a flaming mandorla
Category
Antique 19th Century Nepalese Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Makani
Australian Aboriginal Fish Sculpture
By Nawurapu Wununmurra
Located in London, GB
totems on their way.
This sacred design shows the water of Djalma Bay chopped up by the blustery
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Large Dayak Carved
Painted Wood Roof Ornament from Borneo
Located in Seattle, WA
totem animal of the afterlife and provider to the living. Part of a living tradition, these ornaments
Category
20th Century Bruneian Sculptures
Baypinga Ga Garkman
Australian Aboriginal Fish Sculpture
By Yumutijin Wununmurra
Located in London, GB
these sacred waters and Garkman the frog, another totem for the Dhalwannu has been depicted as well.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Nyapililngu
, Australian Aboriginal Wood Carving
By Galuma Maymuru 1
Located in London, GB
, Nyapilingu travelled with Guwak (night bird) and Marrnu (possum), making Mangalili totems, giving the people
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Nyapililngu
, Australian Aboriginal Wood Carving
By Galuma Maymuru 1
Located in London, GB
, Nyapilingu travelled with Guwak (night bird) and Marrnu (possum), making Mangalili totems, giving the people
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Brazilian Hand-Carved Wood Sculpture Heads Totem
Located in Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Originally entitled “Totem de Cabeças”, this is a hand-carved wooden sculpture by Racar, a
Category
2010s Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Zanini de Zanine Wood TOTEM #3 Sculpture
By Zanini de Zanine Caldas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Contemporary Brazilian designer, Zanini de Zanine. This particular totem is made from end pieces of
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Sculptures
Rare and Large 19th Century Aboriginal Churinga, Australia
Located in Vienna, AT
ochre
Churingas were sacred totemic items rarely seen, kept in a hallowed storehouse or hiding place
Category
Antique 19th Century Australian Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
19th Century Aboriginal Churinga, Australia
Located in Vienna, AT
ochre
Churingas were sacred totemic items rarely seen, kept in a hallowed storehouse or Ertnatulunga
Category
Antique 19th Century Australian Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
Wooden Totems
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Set of 3 totems in sculpted wood on metal base.
Signed by the artist C. Daguet
France, 2020
Category
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Metal
$8,544 / set
Totem Sculptures
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A unique and expressive set of life-size "totems" cast in patinated brass and beautifully mounted
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Garden Ornaments
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Totem sculpture
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
very nice patina
Category
Vintage 1970s Belgian Sculptures
Materials
Copper, Brass
EAST AFRICAN TOTEM
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large carved wooden totem from East Africa.
Category
20th Century African Folk Art Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
7 Foot Totem
Located in Santa Monica, CA
An amazing totem with vibrant coloring and bold carvings. Marked by the artist, Ed Daulman, of
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
$4,500
Totems, Maxime Perrolle
Located in Paris, FR
Maxime Perrolle
Totems
Oak wood
horizontal element:
11.811" x 17.71"
vertical element:
25.59" x
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Wood
$4,936 / set
6 Vintage "Totems"
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Set of 6 vintage Brutalist "Totems" in steel. France, 1970s
(Variable height / 2 set of six
Category
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Steel
$17,800 / set
Chiseled Granite Totem
Located in Pound Ridge, NY
Brancusi inspired chiseled granite sculpture. Signed by artist.
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Granite, Marble, Stone
$2,400
Pacific Northwest Totem Pole
Located in Asheville, NC
Genuine Indian Made Totem Pole Signed FL Rhinehart #9
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Tribal Art
Totem
by Victoria Shaw
By Victoria Shaw
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Totem' by Victoria Shaw, clay sculpture on wood base
Category
Late 20th Century American Sculptures
Materials
Clay
$2,500
Totem by Alessandro Mendini
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Girona, Spain
Large contemporary ceramic totem by Alessandro Mendini.
Unique piece. Prototype, signed and dated.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Sculptures
$13,000
Wooden Naga-Tribe TOTEM
Located in Chicago, IL
. They are particularly adept at carving wood, which they have a lot of. This carved wooden totem depicts
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
$4,800
Earnst Neizvestny "Dante - TOTEM"
By Ernst Neizvestny
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Powerfully sculpted figure in patinated bronze on this sculpture by Neizvestny (Russian, 1925 - 2016.)
Signed 3/7 E.N. on base.
Category
20th Century Russian Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Totemic Abstract Marble Sculpture
Located in Rochester, NY
A dramatic and large scale abstract modernist carved and polished white marble sculpture constructed in four separate pieces, rectangular tapered base, signed "S. Morin 89." Large cu...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Sculptures
Totem Sculpture by Christian Astuguevieille
By Christian Astuguevieille
Located in London, England
Abstract 'Totem' sculpture of knotted ultramarine painted cotton cord, on metal base.
Metal base
Category
Early 2000s French Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Cord
French Ceramic Totem Sculpture, 1990s
Located in New York, NY
French ceramic TOTEM sculpture, 1990s.
Category
1990s French Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Set of 3 Vintage Totems
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Set of 3 vintage steel "Totems" sculptures. 3 different heights. France, 1970s.
Measures: H 250 cm
Category
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Steel
$13,053 / set
Large Douglas Fir Totem Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Abstract totem-pole like sculpture. California Designer from the early 60's. It was bought from
Category
Vintage 1960s American Sculptures
A Wooden Naga-Tribe Totem
Located in Chicago, IL
are particularly adept at carving wood, which they have a lot of. This carved wooden totem depicts six
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Mounted Objects
Materials
Hardwood
Mid-Century Ceramic "Totem" Sculpture
Located in Pasadena, CA
This playful, mid-century sculpture features three "totems" made up glazed ceramic pieces on metal
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Onyx Polished Totem Floor Lamp
Located in Paris, FR
Floor Lamp Onyx Polished Totem with all structure in pure onyx,
carved piece in polished finish
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Floor Lamps
Materials
Onyx
Totemic Assemblage by Will Gianotti
By Will Gianotti
Located in New York, NY
An aged and weather worn assemblage by folk artist Will Gianotti. The totem is crafted of two wood
Category
Late 20th Century American Sculptures
Materials
Reclaimed Wood, Leather
Hand Carved Wood Totem Pole
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Exquisite hand carved cedar totem pole with ornate carvings and detail. Natural color wood has
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Onyx Raw Totem Floor Lamp
Located in Paris, FR
Floor Lamp Onyx Raw Totem with all structure in pure onyx,
carved piece with raw edges and flat
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Floor Lamps
Materials
Onyx
Large Carved Wood TOTEM Pole
Located in Toronto, ON
This exceptional hand carved vintage wood TOTEM is unique for its design and wood graining. It
Category
Vintage 1950s Canadian Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Large Walnut Totem-Like Sculpture
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This impressive totem-like sculpture stands over 7' tall and is rendered out of five concave walnut
Category
Vintage 1970s American Sculptures
Materials
Chrome, Steel
Totemic Sculpture by Robert Zeidman
By Robert Zeidman
Located in New York, NY
An impressive and sculptural work by Robert Zeidman, titled, "Lady in Heather Mist".
Category
Late 20th Century American Sculptures
Materials
Aluminum
TOTEM Sculptures After Max Ernst
Located in Phoenix, AZ
4 large scale ebonized carved wood sculptures after Max Ernst circa early 1970's. These were purchased from a Frank Lloyd Wright home and the residents were collectors of Ernst. Larg...
Category
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
$7,500 / set
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Totems For Sale on 1stDibs
An assortment of totems is available at 1stDibs. Each of these unique totems was constructed with extraordinary care, often using ceramic, wood and metal. There are 173 antique and vintage totems for sale at 1stDibs, while we also have 109 modern editions to choose from as well. Totems have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. Totems bearing Modern or Mid-Century Modern hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. There have been many well-made totems over the years, but those made by Helena Starcevic Ceramics, Pascale Girardin and Ashley Hicks are often thought to be among the most beautiful.
How Much are Totems?
Prices for totems start at $180 and top out at $195,000 with the average selling for $3,800.
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.
Questions About Totems
- What does totem mean in art?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022In art, a totem means more than one thing. Generally, a totem is any item that depicts another object, person or animal. Indigenous people often use totems to symbolize their family heritage and ancestors. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of totems.
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