Items Similar to Industrial Robot Scale Design Model Desk Sculpture, German, 1970s
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 18
Industrial Robot Scale Design Model Desk Sculpture, German, 1970s
$580
£441.67
€504.36
CA$814.97
A$894.18
CHF 471.01
MX$10,637.20
NOK 6,033.59
SEK 5,509.49
DKK 3,768.04
About the Item
Vintage Industrial Robot Sculpture (1970s)
A rare example of early machinist craftsmanship, this miniature industrial robot was produced during the 1970s and discovered at an estate sale in Nuremberg, Germany. Far from being a mass-manufactured toy, these pieces were traditionally made by apprentice or novice machinists to test their skill and understanding of milling, turning, drilling, calculation, and precision finishing.
Expertly fabricated from solid steel, the robot showcases the demanding tolerances and multi-step machining required to create smooth joints, parallel surfaces, bevels, and mixed cylindrical forms. Every feature—from the articulated “arms” to the finely finished antenna—demonstrates both mathematical planning and careful machine operation.
Often kept on benches as a personal “signature piece,” these robots served as proof of a machinist’s technical ability and sense of craftsmanship. Today, they make striking industrial sculptures and unique display pieces for collectors, engineers, designers, and lovers of mechanical history.
Details:
Material: Steel
Era: 1970s
Origin: Nuremberg, Germany (estate find)
Type: Apprentice machinist exercise / Industrial sculpture
Height: Measurement refers from base to tip of antenna
A distinctive relic from a pre-digital era of manufacturing, where skill meant hand-set dials, mental math, and absolute precision.
- Dimensions:Height: 11.25 in (28.58 cm)Width: 3.38 in (8.59 cm)Depth: 3 in (7.62 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. With minor signs of wear consistent with age and use. As with any vintage piece, this item is not new, so please review all photos carefully prior to purchase.
- Seller Location:Nuernberg, DE
- Reference Number:Seller: RegA_Bo3_7850Z1stDibs: LU3998147936722
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2006
1stDibs seller since 2018
2,992 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Nuernberg, Germany
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllIndustrial Robot Scale Design Model Desk Sculpture, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An Industrial robot made in the 1970s. This unique object was traditionally an exercise given to a novice machinist to test their knowledge and skill at operating their machine. It r...
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Industrial Robot Scale Design Model Desk Sculpture, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An Industrial robot made in the 1970s. This unique object was traditionally an exercise given to a novice machinist to test their knowledge and skill at operating their machine. It r...
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Industrial Turners Cube Scale Design Model Desk Sculpture, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A nice scaled model of a turner cube made in the 1970s. This unique object, termed a Turner’s Cube, was traditionally an exercise given to a novice machinist to test their knowledge ...
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Models and Miniatures
Materials
Metal
Art Deco Style Traditional Wooden Artist Mannequin Model Vintage, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A handmade wooden Artist mannequin model - all joints move as they should. Found on a Estate sale in Vienna, Austria.
Shows some wear - but lo...
Category
Vintage 1950s German Art Deco Models and Miniatures
Materials
Metal
Art Deco Style Traditional Wooden Artist Mannequin Model Vintage, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A handmade wooden artist mannequin model - all joints move as they should. Found on an estate sale in Vienna, Austria.
Shows some wear - but l...
Category
Vintage 1950s German Art Deco Models and Miniatures
Materials
Metal
Dice Steel Metal Sculpture or Paper Weight Mid-Century Modern, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage German Steel Dice Paperweight (Art Deco Style, c. Mid-20th Century)
A striking minimalist sculpture and paperweight, this German steel cube features a single dice form balan...
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Paperweights
Materials
Metal, Steel
You May Also Like
Markel Robot Sculpture by Bennett Robot Works
By Norman Bel Geddes
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Custom robot sculpture named Markel by Bennett Robot Works, Brooklyn, NY
Bennett Robot Works, robot sculptures created by Gordon Bennett, are comp...
Category
Vintage 1940s American Machine Age Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Vintage 1950s Handmade Robot Ashtray Sculpture Metal Scrap Art Articulating
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Vintage One of a kind 1950s handmade metal Robot ashtray with articulating arms, pullout drawer and ash tray that comes out to be cleaned. On a hard plasti...
Category
Vintage 1950s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories
Materials
Metal
2020 Handmade Industrial Robot with Flickering Light
Located in Tarrytown, NY
2020 handmade industrial robot with flickering light.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Doug Spalding Studio Pottery Robot Night Light Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this whimsical ceramic robot sculpture night light by Michigan based artist, Doug Spalding. It features handmade construction, ...
Category
1990s American Post-Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Ceramic
"Junkyard" robot sculpture by Steve Heller
By Steve Heller
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Robot sculpture composed of various scrap metal elements, vintage electronic equipment and car parts by Steve Heller. Internally lit head and torso.
Category
1990s American Space Age Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
1970
s Chrome Robot Lamp by Torino Lamps
Located in Hanover, MA
Highly desirable chrome robot standing lamp by Torino Lamps, 1978.
Often believed to be of Italian origin this robot and other character lamps were des...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Space Age Table Lamps
Materials
Steel, Chrome
