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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
Large Brutalist Bronze Door Handle with Tree Bark Pattern
Located in London, GB
A large and impressive Brutalist bronze door handle with tree bark design. European, second half 20th century. The handle is heavily text...
Category

20th Century European Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

1970s Brutalist Abstract Solid Bronze Door Handle and Escutcheon
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Bronze Brutalist Door Handle Escutcheon Germany Door handle 5.75 h x 5.75 w x 2.25 h Keyhole 2.25 x 2.25 x .5 d Original preowned vintage condition Refer to images shown.
Category

Late 20th Century German Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

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 Bronze Push Pull Door Handles with Organic Wave Relief
Located in London, GB
Set of two rectangular bronze door handles with vertical wave relief, European 1970's. Their relief with original patina will give real personality to a house. These identical handle...
Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

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

1960s James Mont Style Iron Bacchus Door Knocker
Located in Richmond, VA
Listed is a magnificent, James Mont style sculptural door knocker in the form of Bacchus, circa 1960s. This substantial piece has a gorgeous patina allover, giving it some character ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Metal, Iron

4 Cast Bronze Scroll shaped Door/ Cabinet handles by Paul Evans
Located in London, GB
An iconic set of 4 Bronze Door/ Cabinet handles by the renowned Paul Evans in a scroll shape with textured details and chiselled edges This is a rare opportunity to purchase 2 pairs...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

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

Set of 4 Arts and Crafts Gothic Candle Stands This is a Set of 4
Located in Chillerton, 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

Brutalist Bronze Door Furniture Set with Tree Bark Pattern
Located in London, GB
A large and impressive Brutalist bronze door handle with tree bark design, together with matching keyhole plate and letterbox cover. European, se...
Category

20th Century European Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Large Brutalist Bronze Door Handle, Mid-20th Century European
Located in London, GB
A large bronze door handle in abstract brutalist design. Mid-20th century, European. This is a heavy piece, made of patinated cast bronze, wi...
Category

20th Century European Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Large Lateral Brutalist Push & Pull Copper Door Handle, 1960s
Located in Regensburg, DE
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

Robert Sonneman "Cityscape" Brutalist Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Modernist sheet steel and brass fixture, by Robert Sonneman. Large and impressive.
Category

1970s American Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Architectural Double Bronze Push Pull Door Handles with Eye Wear
Located in London, GB
Eye wear door handles are European 1970s. The glasses reliefs full of fine detail have the original patina of age. The identical handles can be applied insid...
Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Architectural Pair of Bronze Push Pull Door Handles with a Abstract Relief
Located in London, GB
Set of two rectangular bronze door handles with subtle relief, placed horizontal is European 1970's. Their relief with original patina will give real personality to a house. These i...
Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Architectural Pair of Bronze Push Pull Door Handles with Abstract Relief
Located in London, GB
Set of two rectangular bronze door handles with abstract Brutalist relief and irregular textures, European 1970s. Their relief with original patina is...
Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Architectural Bronze Push Pull Pair Door Handles with Bulls for Double Doors
Located in London, GB
Set of two large square double bronze door handles expressing bulls, European 1970's. Their reliefs have the original patina of age. These identical handles can be applied inside o...
Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

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 a style and trend that emerged in th...
Category

1960s Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Iron

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

Brutalist Pair of Bronze Push Pull Door Handles with Relief
Located in London, GB
Set of two rectangular Brutalist bronze door handles with abstract relief and irregular textures, European 1970's. Their relief with original patina is expressive and will give real ...
Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Architectural Bronze Square Push and Pull Door Handle and Letterbox
Located in London, GB
Square push and pull door handle and matching letter box with rhythmic relief resembling the waves of sound; Their original patina brings ou...
Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Round Push Pull Door Knobs in Acrylic and Brass for Architectural Projects
Located in London, GB
Double pair of clear perspex and brass round door knobs, European 1970's. These identical door handles can be applied inside or outside on a pair of ...
Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Brass

Antica Incudine Bicornia
Located in Felino, IT
antica incudine Bigornia o Bicornia. in acciaio temprato, montata su ceppo antico. pulita e trattata con ovatrol. adatta come oggetto decorativo. non presenta ne difetti ne crepe. pe...
Category

1820s European Antique Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Steel

Square Bronze Push Pull Door Handles for Double Doors
Located in London, GB
A set of two double (or four single) push and pull square door handles with abstract relief. They are unused bronze door handles with an abstract textured motif, produced in the 1970...
Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Bronze Round Push Pull Door Handles Architectural with Geometric Relief
Located in London, GB
A set round push and pull door handles with strong vertical geometric relief are like door sculptures with original patinas, produced in the 1970's. The identical handles to be appli...
Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Brutalist Bronze Rectangle Push and Pull Door Handles Double Doors
Located in London, GB
A set of three double push and pull square door handles with abstract relief. They are unused bronze door handles with an abstract textured motif, produced in the 1970's, the bright ...
Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Architectural Pair 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

Large Architectural Bronze Door Handle and Wall Relief Sculpture
Located in London, GB
Large midcentury sculptural bronze door or wall mounted abstract sculpture for in-or outdoors. It was originally mounted on the front door of a villa in Germany in the 1960s as an ov...
Category

1960s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Brutalist Bright Bronze Push and Pull Door Handles for Double Doors
Located in London, GB
A set of two artistic Brutalist bronze door handles with abstract textured design. They have a bright patina protected with a coating against wear. European 1970s with the original A...
Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

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

Brutalist Square Abstract Bronze Push Pull Door Handle Pair
Located in London, GB
Set of two artistic Brutalist bronze door handles with abstract textured design 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

Pair of Brutalist Bronze Push and Pull Door Handles for Double Doors
Located in London, GB
Set of two artistic Brutalist bronze door handles with abstract textured design 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

Pair of Square Bronze Push and Pull Door Handles for Double Doors
Located in London, GB
The art relief on the cast bronze door handles are like the surface crust of the moon. It is as if asteroids and meteorites collide with the ce...
Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Handmade Sculptural Iron, Copper, Bronze 4 Piece Railings, by Larry Griffis Sr.
Located in Buffalo, NY
Handmade sculptural iron, copper, bronze 4 piece railings, by Larry Griffis Jr. Stunning artistic railings originally commissioned for downtown Buffalo N...
Category

1970s American Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze, Copper, Iron

Modernist Sculptural Copper Wall Plate Signed Bolba H
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Brutalist/modernist sculptural copper wall plate signed Bolba H.
Category

Mid-20th Century Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Copper

Architectural Relief Push Pull Door Handles, Double Pair for Double Doors
Located in London, GB
Set of two large rectangular double door handles with subtitle abstract relief in cast iron, European 1970s. Their reliefs have the original patina of age. These identical handles can be applied inside or outside on a pair of double doors next to each other, on a single door on opposite sides. They can also be used as single handles to make cupboard doors and kitchen units look out of this world. The handle brackets are attached to the main plate by two fixings, they can be positioned in two ways, inwards outwards on glass or wooden doors. The handles will be fitted to the door with two long standard bolts (not supplied) suiting the thickness of the doors. We have a large collection of door handles available, see all listings by The Moderns. We can also provide letter boxes, bells and key hole covers...
Category

1970s German Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Steel

Architectural Pairs of Brutalist Bronze Push Pull Door Handles for Double Doors
Located in London, GB
Four sets of artistic Brutalist bronze double door handles with abstract textured design. They have a bright patina protected coating against wear. European 1970's with the original ...
Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

Architectural Pair of Round Bronze Push Pull Relief Door Handles and Keyholes
Located in London, GB
A set round push and pull door handles with spiral relief & pair of matching keyhole covers 5 cm diameter. They produced in the 1970's. The identical han...
Category

1970s European Vintage Brutalist Architectural Elements

Materials

Bronze

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.

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