Classical busts are being used as an unexpected element in vignettes, as bookends, and as jewelry holders. Taking the trend even further from it's roots the forms are now also represented as USB drives, candles and as quirky planters.
1. A bust makes for a dramatic focal point against deep blue walls.
Via Made by Girl, image by Teri Lyn Fisher.
2. An antique bust is a perfect sculptural finish in the garden.
Image via Lonny Magazine.
3. A plaster bust atop a dresser pulls double duty as a jewelry organizer. Image via Made by Girl.
4. A USB hub is disguised as a ceramic Aphrodite bust for your desktop. This little sculpture is $10 via Fred Flare.
5. Perfect atop a vanity a bust top adorns a pretty perfume bottle. Le Rivage des Syrtes by MDCI, available via Lucky Scent $245.
(Images: as credited/linked above)






Sprout Side Table
One can only hope that human heads will replace the ubiquitous use of taxidermy.
@Panassus, thank you.
I stand in line behind PARNASSUS and DUANE HILL. Thank you.
I love the use of busts as added color elements. The Hotel Palomar in Philadelphia does this very well with colorful busts of Ben Franklin.
http://www.hotelpalomar-philadelphia.com/philadelphia-meeting-facilities/photos.html#
I have one in my living room just like the one in the third picture. I inherited it from my grandma.
@Parnassus, does that mean cowhide rugs will go the same way? I see human-shaped rugs of faux skin...sort of like chalk oulines at crime scenes. Mid-century Psycho.
@Rural and Rueful, don't give 'em any ideas!
I love busts ! Nice ones are hard to find, and now I'm bummed that everyone else will start looking for them.
I have a bust of Beethoven (as well as other teeny composer busts) and I loooooove it.
I have two busts in my house. They add a certain elegance.
I have a bust of Elvis in my living room - I think it makes me look pretty cool.
Maybe I'm just cranky, and I know this is off topic, but that first picture demonstrates one of my major decorating pet peeves - putting pretty before function. Right now, I'm trying to figure out a very small, but functional desk for my laptop and, at first glance, my heart leaped up. But on second glance I see that it is not functional at all.
That very nice chair has arms that won't fit under the very nice table, which has a deep apron. You'd have to perch on the edge of the chair which only works for about 2 minutes.
The 'desk' itself is also not functional - its a small surface with a large lamp, a bust, and, I think, the bottom picture may be resting on it, too. There's not even space for my little laptop.
As a table vignette, it's nice, but the chair turns it into a dysfunctional desk. Maybe in real life the chair just sits next to the table, and it was just changed for the picture. But as it stands, it's pretty but useless.
Sorry, I'm being cranky and off topic, visiting my personal decorating issues on AT.
On topic - put me on the petition with Parnassus, DuaneHill and Lyonstill. Busts, yes. Skulls, no.
I've always admired busts (museum-lover & wannabe Parisienne) particularly classical ones. Could we please have a post about sourcing? I would love to know where to find good examples to therapize my new apartment!
Having lived in a home with a life-size Grecian bust, I feel compelled to point out that Christmas ornaments make the most darling seasonal dangly earrings for a bust.
I like the first picture, but I'm not too keen on busts.