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Four Red Rings on Angled Legs TOTEM, Glazed Hand Built Ceramic Stoneware
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
Modern TOTEM. Created by Artist Helena Starcevic, this completely hand built ceramic sculpture is part of
Category
2010s American Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Hand Built Yellow Ceramic TOTEM, 3 Parts, V-Top, by Helena Starcevic
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
Brand new and hot out of the Kiln, this lovely straw-yellow Modern TOTEM is made of white stoneware
Category
2010s American Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Metallic Brown/Black TOTEM, HandBuilt Ceramic Sculpture, 2 Stacked Rings on Legs
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
This "Modern TOTEM" contains 2 rectangular rings with a crossbar stacked on one continuous u-shaped
Category
Early 2000s American Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Metallic Black TOTEM, Stacked Rings on Curved Legs, Hand Built Ceramic Sculpture
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
Part of an ongoing series of hand built modern TOTEMS, this one with stacked rings on curved legs
Category
2010s American Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Large Hand Carved Signed Wood Jungle Wildlife Animal Scene Totem Sculpture Pole
Located in Studio City, CA
A rather special and intricately carved large, heavy TOTEM sculpture/ pole featuring a wide range
Category
1990s North American Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Pair of Metallic Ceramic Modern TOTEMS, Hand Built by Artist Helena Starcevic
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
Two Modern TOTEMS in a rare metallic glaze, each with a sphere on tripod legs. One sphere has
Category
Early 2000s American Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Matte Black Hand Built Ceramic TOTEM "Take a Bite" on Tripod Legs
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
One of a trio of fully Hand Built Ceramic TOTEMS. All 3 are all in Matte Black Underglazed
Category
2010s American Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Unusually Tall Shlomi Haziza Signed Op-Art Colored Lucite TOTEM Form Sculpture
By Shlomi Haziza, Vasa Velizar Mihich
Located in St. Louis, MO
clear base. This totem form with notches also reminds me of a African Carved Wood Dogon Ladder. Signed
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Lucite
Metallic Silver-Black Ceramic TOTEM, Chalice Top on Long Tripod Legs, Hand Built
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
Metallic silver-black ceramic TOTEM, hand built by Artist Helena Starcevic. Part of an ongoing
Category
2010s American Organic Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stoneware, Ceramic
Cosmic Relics 1 - Sten Studio - 2023 - Edition 1 of 8 - Natural stones totem
By Sten Studio
Located in Tampa, FL
, pink onyx, stainless steel
Indoors and outdoors
Cosmic Relics totems are limited edition of 8 + 2AP
Category
2010s Mexican Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Onyx, Limestone, Travertine, Marble
Pair of Tall Modern TOTEMS, Dark Matte Brown/Black Hand Built Ceramic Stoneware
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
Made together, this pair of Tall Modern TOTEMS are part of an ongoing study of the Modern Totemic
Category
2010s American Organic Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Modern TOTEM, 3 Rectangular Rings Stacked on Legs, Black Glazed Clay, Hand Built
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
Inspired by Mid-Century Modern design, this "Modern TOTEM" was the first in a series. Made by hand
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Shou Sugi Ban Charred "TOTEM Light" from New York City Water Tower Wood
By Stefan Rurak
Located in Biddeford, ME
This TOTEM light is made of cedar from decommissioned New York City water towers. The wood is
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Floor Lamps
Materials
Steel
Contemporary Art TOTEM Chocolat Ceramic Brown Orange White Pa by Ettore Sottsass
By Mirabili, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Pistoia, IT
The message that Mirabili intends to portay involves well-known artist and designers, selected for their particular gifts and their poetic world, lending an innovative and sensitive ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Post-Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Wood
Organic Harmony: Modern Wood Totem Still Stand No77 by NONO, Escalona Design
By Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
“Still Stand” sculptures by Joel Escalona
Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testament to the power of the material...
Category
2010s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
Matte Black Ceramic TOTEM, Round and Rectangular Forms w/ Open Top, Small Feet
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
This new series of Modern TOTEMS consisting of soft round or rectangular forms on small feet. The
Category
2010s American Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Stoneware, Ceramic
Small Matte Black Ceramic TOTEM, Soft Rectangular Form w/ Bowl Top, Ball Feet
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
This new series of modern TOTEMS consists of soft round or rectangular forms on small feet. This
Category
2010s American Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Stoneware, Ceramic
Pop-Art TOTEM Cactus by Guido Drocco
Franco Mello for Gufram No. 487, Italy
By Gufram Furniture, Guido Drocco and Franco Mello
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage original, Pop-Art four-armed coat ‘Cactus' stand, produced in 1986 as number 487 /2000 designed by Guido Drocco & Franco Mello for GUFRAM in soft polyurethane, finished by ha...
Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coat Racks and Stands
Materials
Foam, Paint
Ettore Sottsass for Bitossi "Flavia" Minitotem, Series of Five
By Ettore Sottsass, Bitossi
Located in Naples, IT
"Flavia" monumental set of five totems, designed 1964, executed 1995-1996
Complete series of five
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Large Wood African Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Great African Ebony Sculpture
Totem pole of figures
Category
20th Century African Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Tall Abstract Modernist Aluminium Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Modernist TOTEM mask abstract aluminum sculpture standing 4 feet tall. Artist unknown.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Aluminum
Aboriginal "Matanife Fene" Woman
s Dance Stick from Australia
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Hand Carved Soft wood , Blackened + Powdered Charcoal + Plant Juice.
Frigale Bird Totem from Santa
Category
20th Century Australian Tribal Art
Smooth Black Glazed Ceramic Cube with Square Center Opening, 4 Legs, Handbuilt
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
Artist's ongoing series of Modern Totems. Starting with a dark brown clay body, the piece is glazed in a
Category
2010s American Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Pair of Bronze Frog or Toads
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of bronze frogs or toads. Wonderful indoor or outdoor or as a personal totem.
Measures
Category
20th Century Rustic Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Acrylic on Wood Memphis Style Sculpture by Todd Gray
By Todd Gray
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful 1980s Memphis style Sculpture by Artists Todd Gray. The sculpture is title “TOTEM
Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Acrylic, Wood
PC Consolidated Listing, 27 Ceramic Sculptures
Located in New York, NY
Including:
Black Ceramic Totemic Sculpture, 3 Stacked Rectangular Rings on Rectangular Foot , 15
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Three Dick Seeger Lollipop Sculptures
By Dick Seeger
Located in Phoenix, AZ
the pieces feature whimsical sun faces and the third is an abstract TOTEM. Price listed is for all
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Resin, Wood
Symbolic Krt 02 Sculpture by Karim Rashid
By Karim Rashid
Located in Weesp, NL
Happy and colorful ceramic TOTEM designed by Karim Rashid (1960) for Bitossi, Monte Lupo, Italy
Category
Early 2000s Italian Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Untitled Spirit Place
Sculpture by Hugh Townley
By Hugh Townley
Located in Dallas, TX
). Cut from red oak, this whimsical totem displays the artist's lifelong fascination with the abstracted
Category
Vintage 1980s American Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Vintage studio art ceramic figurative sculpture of a male head, 1970s
Located in View Park, CA
classic 70s do complete with mutton chops - very chic! A unique and endearing totem of the past. Great
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Small Dark Silver-Gray Hollow Rectangular Ring Ceramic Sculpture on 3 Legs
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
Primitive Modern TOTEMS. This study, by artist Helena Starcevic is an investigation into the connection
Category
2010s American Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
"Little Red" Ceramic Rectangular Ring on 4 Legs
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
, a sculptural "Family" of Modern Totemic Ceramic Objects. This piece has a delicious red glaze that
Category
2010s American Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
"One Eye" Metallic Black Hand-Built Ceramic Sculpture with Hollow Rings on Legs
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
Part of a new series of related pieces, a sculptural "Family" of Modern TOTEMS and ceramic
Category
2010s American Organic Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Metallic Black Ceramic Sculpture, Hollow Oval on 4 Legs, Hand Built
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
Modern Totemic ceramic stoneware objects. This piece has a matte black glaze with metallic highlights
Category
2010s North American Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Metallic Black Hand-Built Ceramic Sculpture with Small Rings on Legs
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
Part of a new series of related pieces, a sculptural "Family" of Modern TOTEMS and ceramic
Category
2010s American Organic Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Shimmery Black Rectangular Void, Ceramic Sculpture on 4 Legs With Brown Speckles
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
"Family" of Modern Totemic ceramic stoneware objects. This piece has a shimmery black glaze with brown
Category
2010s American Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Stoneware, Ceramic
19th Century Scandinavian Weather Vane
Located in High Point, NC
by a pumpkin shaped accent and an equestrian pendant, this Scandinavian totem formerly served as a
Category
Antique 19th Century Scandinavian Country Mobiles and Kinetic Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Monumental Morung Carving with Three Mithun Head Decoration
Located in Chicago, IL
artisans that create everything they need from the natural resources of their native land. This TOTEM
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
Raku Figure, Unique Handmade Ceramic Obelisk Sculpture with Porcelain Wings
By Peter Hayes
Located in Chicago, IL
, India.
2011
Raku Totem, Private Collection, Maryland. USA
Glass Water Sculpture, Private Collection
Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Earthenware
Ceramic Sculpture With 5 Hollow Rings on Angled Legs, Black With Metallic Specks
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
Part of a new series of related pieces, a sculptural "Family" of modern primitive TOTEMS and
Category
2010s American Organic Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Bright Red Rectangular Ring on 4 Bare Brown Stoneware Legs, Ceramic Sculpture
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
related pieces, a sculptural "Family" of Modern Totemic ceramic stoneware objects. This piece has a
Category
2010s American Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Metallic Black Hand-Built Ceramic Sculpture With 4 Rectangular Rings on Legs
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
Part of a new series of related pieces, a sculptural "Family" of Modern Totems and ceramic
Category
2010s American Organic Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Inspirational Assemblage Sculpture Titled "Wish"
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Assemblage sculpture is a thoughtful totem inspired by the ways people make wishes. Predominantly
Category
Late 20th Century American Sculptures
Pair of Carved Wood Sculptures by Sacha Kolin
By Sacha Kolin
Located in Highland, IN
dynamic range and inventiveness of her work. The two totem-esque pieces are each carved and painted in
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
Vintage Maroon Sculptural Wall Hanging Found Object Melbourne 1940s
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Melbourne, AU
the subconscious - it's arresting and absorbing, with totemic overtones, like some kind of midcentury
Category
Vintage 1950s Australian Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Fiberglass
Monumental Morung Carving with Leaf Muntiac and Five Mithun Head Decoration
Located in Chicago, IL
artisans that create everything they need from the natural resources of their native land. This totem
Category
20th Century Indian Tribal Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
Small Black Rectangular Ceramic Sculpture with Center Opening on 4 Legs
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
ongoing series of Modern Totems. A dark brown clay body, coated with black underglaze showing all the
Category
2010s American Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Teal Blue Hand Built Ceramic Sculpture, Stacked Oblong Cube, Oval, and Crescent
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
Hand built totemic ceramic sculpture has a mottled matte teal blue surface. The parts are hand-formed
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Large hand-carved figurative sculpture, birchwood circa 1980
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
sculptural process as well as imbuing the figure with a primal or totem-like appearance.
Artist unknown
Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Birch, Fruitwood
"Dwelling" Sculpture by James Bearden
By James Bearden
Located in Highland, IN
distinctive for their dense, heavily worked surfaces, repetitive shapes, and complex compositions. Totem-esque
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
3 Rectangular Ovals, Short Angled Legs, Metallic Black-Glazed Clay Sculpture #1
By Helena Starcevic Ceramics
Located in New York, NY
This tall "Modern Totem" sculpture consists of softly rectangular rings stacked one on top of the
Category
2010s American Organic Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Wooden Carving / Sculpture of Kneeling Wooden Figure from Timor, Indonesia
Located in London, GB
members. Similarly guardian spirits, ancestor figures or totemic spirits are all captured in wood, to be
Category
Mid-20th Century Indonesian Tribal Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Wooden Carving or Sculpture of Standing Ancestral Figure from Timor, Indonesia
Located in London, GB
. Similarly guardian spirits, ancestor figures or totemic spirits are all captured in wood, to be passed down
Category
Mid-20th Century Indonesian Tribal Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Vintage Boho Abstract Figurative Sculpture of Woman After Giacometti
By Alberto Giacometti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
with a base measuring 11.5" wide by 7.5" deep, its totemic presence makes a bold statement in any space
Category
Late 20th Century American Brutalist Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Bitossi Ceramic Refrattaria Busts "Mother and Daughter" – Italy, 1970s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Brescia, Brescia
kinship and continuity. Their totemic presence evokes the work of Italian post-war artists who blurred the
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Mid Century Carved Rosewood Abstract Sculpture
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
from a single block of richly grained solid rosewood, the form is both biomorphic and totemic, with
Category
Vintage 1960s South American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Rosewood
Georges Pelletier White, Gold and Platinum Enameled Ceramic Hen Sculpture
By Georges Pelletier
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
, Dijon Contemporary Art Centre in France.
In the 1980s, he started to produce his famous Totems ans
Category
2010s French Other Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
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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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