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Brutalist Architectural Elements

BRUTALIST STYLE

The design of brutalist furniture encompasses that which is crafted, hewn and worked by hand — an aesthetic rebuke (or, at least, a counterpoint) to furniture that is created using 21st-century materials and technology. Lately, the word “brutalist” has been adopted by the realms of furniture design and the decorative arts to refer to chairs, cabinets, tables and accessory pieces such as mirror frames and lighting that are made of rougher, deeply textured metals and other materials that are the visual and palpable antithesis of the sleek, smooth and suave. 

ORIGINS OF BRUTALIST FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF BRUTALIST FURNITURE DESIGN 

  • Use of industrial materials — tubular steel, concrete, glass, granite
  • Prioritizes functionalism, minimalism and utilization of negative space
  • Spare silhouettes, pronounced geometric shapes
  • Stripped-down, natural look; rugged textures, modular construction
  • Interiors featuring airy visual flow and reliance on neutral palettes

BRUTALIST FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

VINTAGE BRUTALIST FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The term brutalism — which derives from the French word brut, meaning “raw” — was coined by architecture critic Reyner Banham to describe an architectural style that emerged in the 1950s featuring monumental buildings, usually made of unornamented concrete, whose design was meant to project an air of strength and solidity.

Le Corbusier essentially created the brutalist style; its best-known iterations in the United States are the Whitney Museum of American Art, which was designed by Marcel Breuer, and Paul Rudolph's Yale Art and Architecture Building. The severe style might have been the most criticized architectural movement of the 20th century, even if it was an honest attempt to celebrate the beauty of raw material. But while the brutalist government buildings in Washington, D.C., seemingly bask in their un-beauty, brutalist interior design and decor is much more lyrical, at times taking on a whimsical, romantic quality that its exterior counterparts lack.

Paul Evans is Exhibit A for brutalist furniture design. His Sculpture Front cabinets laced with high-relief patinated steel mounts have become collector's items nonpareil, while the chairs, coffee table and dining table in his later Cityscape series and Sculpted Bronze series for Directional Furniture are perhaps the most expressive, attention-grabbing pieces in American modern design. Other exemplary brutalist designers are Silas Seandel, the idiosyncratic New York furniture designer and sculptor whose works in metal — in particular his tables — have a kind of brawny lyricism, and Curtis Jere, a nom-de-trade for the California team of Curtis Freiler and Jerry Fels, the bold makers of expressive scorched and sheared copper and brass mirror frames and wall-mounted sculptures.

Brutalist furniture and sculptures remain popular with interior designers and can lend unique, eccentric, human notes to an art and design collection in any home.

Find authentic vintage brutalist chairs, coffee tables, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Brutalist
Brutalist Aluminium Door Panel with Antique Bronze Finish
Brutalist Aluminium Door Panel with Antique Bronze Finish

Brutalist Aluminium Door Panel with Antique Bronze Finish

A Brutalist aluminium door panel with integrated handle and bronzed patina. Second half 20th century, found in Belgium. A sculptural piece, unsigned, reminiscent of the style of Bil...

Category

Late 20th Century Belgian Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Aluminum

Door Handle with Amphora Ceramic Tile, Belgian Modernist Design, 1960s
Door Handle with Amphora Ceramic Tile, Belgian Modernist Design, 1960s

Door Handle with Amphora Ceramic Tile, Belgian Modernist Design, 1960s

Located in Herentals, BE

An elegant and collectible door handle by Sobinco, featuring a ceramic tile attributed to Amphora, Belgium, circa 1960. The design combines a geometric brass frame with a vibrant tur...

Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Aluminum

Brutalist Chain Link Sculpture
Brutalist Chain Link Sculpture

Brutalist Chain Link Sculpture

Located in Malibu, CA

Antique chain sculpture that defies gravity. The term brutalism — which derives from the French word brut, meaning “raw” — was coined to describe this style trend that emerged in the...

Category

1960s Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Iron

Pair of Bronze Push Pull Door Handles Rectangular with Brutalist Relief
Pair of Bronze Push Pull Door Handles Rectangular with Brutalist Relief

Pair of Bronze Push Pull Door Handles Rectangular with Brutalist Relief

Located in London, GB

Set of two rectangular horizontal Brutalist bronze door handles with abstract relief and irregular textures, European 1970's. Their relief with original patina is expressive and will...

Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Two Pair of French Brutalist Cast Bronze Door Pulls
Two Pair of French Brutalist Cast Bronze Door Pulls

Two Pair of French Brutalist Cast Bronze Door Pulls

Located in Hanover, MA

Two pair of heavy cast bronze and nickel plated architectural door pulls shaped like the gores of a terrestrial globe. Price listed is per pair.

Category

1950s French Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze, Nickel

Brutalist Bronze Square Push Pull Door Handles with Embossed Relief
Brutalist Bronze Square Push Pull Door Handles with Embossed Relief

Brutalist Bronze Square Push Pull Door Handles with Embossed Relief

Located in London, GB

Brutalist pair of bronze relief with subtile geometric pattern with repetition of embossed rectangles is made in the 1960-70's. They are a work of art, made for doors of cast bronze ...

Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Brutalist Pair of Bronze Square Push Pull Door Handles with Flower Relief
Brutalist Pair of Bronze Square Push Pull Door Handles with Flower Relief

Brutalist Pair of Bronze Square Push Pull Door Handles with Flower Relief

Located in London, GB

Pair of push and pull bronze door handles with organic expressionist flower relief for double doors or a single door on both sides. They are works of art for your doors. These door h...

Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Large Lateral Brutalist Push & Pull Copper Door Handle, 1960s
Large Lateral Brutalist Push & Pull Copper Door Handle, 1960s

Large Lateral Brutalist Push & Pull Copper Door Handle, 1960s

Located in Steinheim am Albuch, BW

Large lateral mid century copper push & pull door handle with strong brutalist relief which creates a stunning detail to any door. There is a key hole for the installation of a lock cylinder. Originally mounted on a front door sometimes in the 1960s as an decorative oversized door handle...

Category

Mid-20th Century European Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Copper

Brutalist Pair of Bronze Square Push Pull Door Handles with Geometric Relief
Brutalist Pair of Bronze Square Push Pull Door Handles with Geometric Relief

Brutalist Pair of Bronze Square Push Pull Door Handles with Geometric Relief

Located in London, GB

Brutalist pair of bronze relief with strong relief and geometric pattern with repetition of squares is made in the 1960-70's. These heavy pieces, made of cast bronze are in perfect c...

Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Vintage Brutalist Belgian Metal & Ceramik Entry Door Pull Handle
Pair of Vintage Brutalist Belgian Metal & Ceramik Entry Door Pull Handle

Pair of Vintage Brutalist Belgian Metal & Ceramik Entry Door Pull Handle

By Juliette Belarti

Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie

This pair of original door handles was designed and made by the Belgian artist Juliette Belarti during the 1960s. The geometric frame is made of aluminum and the center is filled wit...

Category

1960s Belgian Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Aluminum

Bronze and Glass Square Push Pull Door Handle
Bronze and Glass Square Push Pull Door Handle

Bronze and Glass Square Push Pull Door Handle

Located in London, GB

Solid cast bronze and glass relief are in perfect condition. The bronze has a strong patina due to the textured surface and its age. The circle of clear glass has insertions of small pieces of metal. The handle can be applied inside or outside on a single door. It can also be used cupboard...

Category

1960s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Bronze Square Door Handles for Push & Pull with Organic Relief
Pair of Bronze Square Door Handles for Push & Pull with Organic Relief

Pair of Bronze Square Door Handles for Push & Pull with Organic Relief

Located in London, GB

Rectangular pair of push and pull bronze door handles with organic expressionist relief for double doors or a single door on both sides. They are works of art for your doors. These d...

Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Architectural Pairs of Bronze Square Push Pull Door Handles with Letterbox
Architectural Pairs of Bronze Square Push Pull Door Handles with Letterbox

Architectural Pairs of Bronze Square Push Pull Door Handles with Letterbox

Located in London, GB

Two sets of square pairs of push and pull bronze door handles with rounded edges and matching letterbox. They have an expressionist relief of poppy flowers. They are designed for dou...

Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Mid Century Modern Brutalist Artisan Hammered Brass Door Knocker One of a Kind
Mid Century Modern Brutalist Artisan Hammered Brass Door Knocker One of a Kind

Mid Century Modern Brutalist Artisan Hammered Brass Door Knocker One of a Kind

By Tom Greene

Located in St.Petersburg, FL

Mid Century Modern Brutalist Artisan Hammered Brass Door Knocker One of a Kind Fantastic Artisan Hand Made, Hammered Brass Modernist, One-of-a-Kind, Focal Door Knocker. At 5" Lon...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass

Pair of Round Bronze Relief Door Handles with Oval Grip
Pair of Round Bronze Relief Door Handles with Oval Grip

Pair of Round Bronze Relief Door Handles with Oval Grip

Located in London, GB

Pair of sculptural round push and pull door handles with an articulated oval hole make a good grip. They are very decorative and give doors an outstanding character and are produced ...

Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Square Bronze Push Pull Door Handles pair with Subtle Relief
Square Bronze Push Pull Door Handles pair with Subtle Relief

Square Bronze Push Pull Door Handles pair with Subtle Relief

Located in London, GB

Brutalist pair of square bronze push & pull door handles with subtle relief are made in the 1960-70's. These pieces are made of cast bronze and are in perfect condition. The bronze i...

Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Architectural Pair of Square Bronze Push Pull Door Handles with Nature Relief
Architectural Pair of Square Bronze Push Pull Door Handles with Nature Relief

Architectural Pair of Square Bronze Push Pull Door Handles with Nature Relief

Located in London, GB

Set of two square Brutalist bronze door handles with forest vegetation textures European 1970's. Their relief with original dark patina will give real personality to a house. These i...

Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Architectural Pairs of Bronze Push and Pull Door Handles with Art Relief
Architectural Pairs of Bronze Push and Pull Door Handles with Art Relief

Architectural Pairs of Bronze Push and Pull Door Handles with Art Relief

Located in London, GB

Two sculptural pairs of Brutalist square push and pull bronze door handles with intense abstract relief and original patina are for double doors or on a single door on both sides. Th...

Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Set of 4 Arts and Crafts Gothic Candle Stands   This is a Set of 4
Set of 4 Arts and Crafts Gothic Candle Stands   This is a Set of 4

Set of 4 Arts and Crafts Gothic Candle Stands This is a Set of 4

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Set of 4 Arts and Crafts Gothic Candle Stands This is a Set of 4 Superbly Hand Forged Iron 5ft Floor Standing Cathedral Candle Sticks These wonderful pieces were designed by Harri...

Category

1990s Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Iron

Large Ceramic Art Tiles with Multi Color Bright Glazes 1960s
Large Ceramic Art Tiles with Multi Color Bright Glazes 1960s

Large Ceramic Art Tiles with Multi Color Bright Glazes 1960s

Located in London, GB

Art tiles, set of four, each unique in glaze in dramatic colors and explosive patterns. The translucent glazes are applied thick so that they create a crackling effect. These glazes ...

Category

1970s German Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Ceramic

Full Width Aluminium Push-Pull Door Handle in Brutalist Style
Full Width Aluminium Push-Pull Door Handle in Brutalist Style

Full Width Aluminium Push-Pull Door Handle in Brutalist Style

Located in London, GB

A large aluminium door handle in brutalist style, dating from the 1970s. Found in Germany. The handle comprises a panel to fit across the full width of the door, with a large raised...

Category

20th Century Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Aluminum

Architectural Pair of Bronze Square Push Pull Door Handles with Letterbox
Architectural Pair of Bronze Square Push Pull Door Handles with Letterbox

Architectural Pair of Bronze Square Push Pull Door Handles with Letterbox

Located in London, GB

Square pair of push and pull bronze door handles with rounded edges and matching letterbox have an expressionist relief of poppy flowers. They are designed for double doors or a sing...

Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Ceramic Square Art Tiles with Multi Color Bright Glazes 1960s
Ceramic Square Art Tiles with Multi Color Bright Glazes 1960s

Ceramic Square Art Tiles with Multi Color Bright Glazes 1960s

Located in London, GB

Art tiles, set of four, each unique in glaze in dramatic colors and explosive patterns. The translucent glazes are applied thick so that they create a crackling effect. These glazes ...

Category

1970s German Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Ceramic

Brutalist architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Brutalist architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage architectural elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Brutalist architectural elements made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original architectural elements, popular names associated with this style include and Robert Sonneman. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for architectural elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $615 and tops out at $6,500 while the average work can sell for $2,262.