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
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.
Vintage Brutalist Torch-Cut Steel Vessel / Bowl by Brother Mel Meyer, 1970s
Located in San Diego, CA
A powerful and sculptural Brutalist bowl or ashtray by Brother Mel Meyer, executed in heavily worked welded steel with a warm bronze-toned patinated finish. The piece features an arc...
Cut Steel, Iron
Brutalist Iron & Gilt Fruit Bowl, Mid-Century Spanish Decorative Centerpiece
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Brutalist Iron & Gilt Fruit Bowl, Mid-Century Spanish Decorative Centerpiece Spanish brutalist centerpiece bowl - Circa 1950s. Centerpiece or fruit bowl entirely made by hand i...
Metal, Iron, Cast Iron
Brutalist Decorative Bronze Bowl, Kaj Blomqvist, Finland 1970s
Located in Helsinki, FI
A striking brutalist decorative bowl by Finnish designer Kaj Blomqvist, executed in solid cast bronze during the 1970s. Visually powerful, the bowl is characterised by its richly tex...
Bronze
Decorative Solide Bronze Rock Shaped Vide Poche by Monique Gerber - France 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Iconic solid bronze trinket tray by Monique Gerber. France, 1970s. Shaped like a rock. Large model no. 517 in the catalogue of the publisher L'Art du Bronze. Patina on all surfaces....
Bronze
Large Brutalist Decorative Bronze Bowl, Kaj Blomqvist, Finland 1970s
Located in Helsinki, FI
An impressive and substantial brutalist decorative bowl by Finnish artist Kaj Blomqvist, crafted in solid cast bronze during the 1970s. Considerably larger and heavier than the more ...
Bronze
Asian Stoneware Dish or Vide Poche, Brown Color, Korean, circa 1950
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is a Stoneware dish or Vide poche, brown and Black Color color, made circa 1950 in Korea.
Pottery, Stoneware
Vintage Iron Fruit Basket with Grape Leaves Decor, Italy 1950s-1960s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage wrought iron fruit basket features grapes and grape leaves decorations; the basket is formed by spreading grape wide branches with le...
Wrought Iron, Metal
French Minimalist Solid Aluminum Catchall, Sculptural Design, 1970s
By Max Sauze, Willy Rizzo
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Minimalist catchall or sculptural desk object crafted from solid aluminum in France during the 1970s. Precisely machined from a thick aluminum block, the piece features a deeply rece...
Aluminum
Brutalist Celtic Tray A097 Solid Sand Cast Aluminum and Brass Handmade in Spain
Located in Benahavis, AN
The small tray was created by David Marshall, from sand cast aluminium . We use recycled materials all our pieces are handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in ...
Aluminum, Brass
Brutalist Ethnic Sweet Bowl Handmade in Spain Aluminium Brass
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Sweet Bowl was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast aluminum and sand cast brass. Handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in Spain from recycled materials. Certified authentic by the Artist David Marshall with his signature. The Artist is inspired by nature and land scape...
Aluminum, Brass
Mid-Century Studio Pottery Bowl from Lehmann Pottery, 1960s
By Lehmann
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Danish Studio Pottery Bowl from Lehmann Pottery, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs, designer r...
Ceramic
Brutalist wrought iron fruit bowl or candle holder, Netherlands 1950s
By Jean Touret, Atelier Marolles
Located in ECHT, NL
Brutalist style fruit bowl or candle holder. Hand crafted from wrought iron. The piece show quality craftsmanship in all its details. The curled legs are riveted to the bowl and the ...
Wrought Iron
Salvino Marsura Brutalist Forged Iron Centerpieces, 1970s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
One-of-a-kind round brutalist and sculptural centerpiece, designed and made in Italy in the 1970s by the Italian sculptor Salvino Marsura. In hand-forged iron, silver patinated with ...
Iron
Vintage Wooden Mortar Handcarved Brutalist Form, 1970s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
This vintage wooden mortar from the 1970s is a striking handcarved piece in a bold Brutalist form, attributed to Piero de Buren. Its rough, sculptural shape emphasizes the natural gr...
Wood
Brutalist Wood bowl in the spirit of Alexandre Noll - 1960s
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Brutalist Wood bowl in the spirit of Alexandre Noll Wabi Sabi decoration - Brutalist - Decoration Measures : 24cmx22.5cm H:7.5cm Material : Wood Wear consistent with age and use.
Wood
Large Brutalist German Studio Pottery Bowl by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Brutalist German Studio Pottery Bowl by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: ...
Ceramic
Brutalist Vide Poche by General Ceramics Co Alsace ., France, 1950
By General Ceramics Co.
Located in London, England
Ashtray or empty pocket year 1950, it represents the brutalist and unique spirit of the Pottery of Alsace, made of enameled Ceramic Stoneware having benefited from a high-fire cookin...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Mid-Century Brutalist Fat Lava Ceramic Bowl, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Fat Lava Ceramic Bowl, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Color: Black Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Ce...
Ceramic
David Marshall Bronze and Wood Fruit Bowl Sculpture, Organic Brutalist, 1980s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
This piece combines a deep, textured wooden bowl with an organic, sculpted bronze element, created by the renowned designer David Marshall in Spain during the 1980s. The design refle...
Bronze
Hand-Carved Wooden Bowl by Logniture, Solid Hardwood, Organic Design
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
This graceful, organic bowl is a one of a kind piece, hand carved from a single block of figured solid hardwood. Its fluid, free-form shape is defined by a gently undulating rim that...
Wood
Brutalist Stoneware Ceramic Bowl or Bonsai Planter with Crackle Glaze
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A striking mid-century modern stoneware bowl or bonsai planter with a distinct Brutalist aesthetic. Raised on four sturdy legs, this sculptural piece features a rough-textured exteri...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Massive Matte Black Brutalist Hammered Metal Noir Lily Pad Centerpiece Bowl 18"
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning modernist centerpiece bowl in matte black. Made of metal with a hammered surface and pleated details along the edge. Measures 18" diameter and is in excellent condition.
Metal
1970's Ikebana Japanese Brutalist Ceramic Dish in Glossy Finish
Located in San Diego, CA
Very cool unique Japanese ceramic dish , circa1970's great condition glossy finish in brown.
Ceramic
Midcentury German Brutalist Bronze Bowl
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A very decorative round German mid-century brutalist bowl made of bronze. Dimensions Height: 11 cm / 4.33 inch. Diameter: 20 cm / 7.87 inch. Weight: 3,68 kg
Bronze
$11,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Paul Evans Studio Collection of Three Freeform Bowls, 1965
By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Evans Studio Collection of Three Freeform Bowls, 1965 Unique and rare set of cast and patinated bronze, bronze composite, and aluminum examples. Two examples: 3½ h × 11 dia in (...
Aluminum, Bronze, Pewter
Brutalist Vide Poche in Cast Bronze 1960s
Located in Meer, VAN
Brutalist Vide Poche in Cast Bronze, mid 20th century. Beautiful and very distinct vide poche in heavy cast bronze. Quintessentially brutalist with rough and hand made shapes and he...
Bronze
$615Sale Price|77% Off
Hand-Carved Tourmaline Quartz Bowl, Organic Modern Design, 1960s
Located in Glasgow, GB
Hand-carved from a single piece of tourmaline quartz, this sculptural bowl merges organic mineral formation with refined craftsmanship. The raw exterior preserves the natural matrix ...
Quartz, Tourmaline
$2,400Sale Price|65% Off
Giant Concrete Bowl, Charcoal & Ash
Located in Camp Meeker, CA
This bowl was made using charcoal and ash from the artist's property in northern California. Every year, fuel reduction in the forest provides fuel for heating his old cabin. The ash...
Concrete
Handcrafted Wooden Bowl by Logniture, Carved Brutalist Design
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Elevate your home decor with our stunning carved wooden bowl, a true testament to artisanal craftsmanship. This bowl features a gracefully curved shape, making it not only a practica...
Wood
Handcrafted Wooden Bowl by Logniture, Brutalist Design, 36x42 CM
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Elevate your home decor with our stunning carved wooden bowl, a true testament to artisanal craftsmanship. This bowl features a gracefully curved shape, making it not only a practica...
Wood
Handcrafted Wooden Bowl by Logniture, Carved Brutalist Design
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Elevate your home decor with our stunning carved wooden bowl, a true testament to artisanal craftsmanship. This bowl features a gracefully curved shape, making it not only a practica...
Wood
Vintage Boho Cast Lizard Ceramic Bowl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking vintage cast ceramic bowl is a masterful exploration of Organic Modernism and bold animalia. Hand-sculpted with a raw, stone-like texture, the vessel features intricate...
Ceramic
1970's Brutalist welded Bronze Decorative Basket fruit Bowl
By Paul Evans
Located in San Diego, CA
Patinated Welded Bronze Basket . brutalist style circa 1970's . Rare and unique.
Bronze
Large Carved Elm Lobed Vide Poche, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
A large carved elm vide poche wit five lobes forming an abstract flower pattern.
Elm
Brutalist Shallow Bowl Cast Alumium and Brass Reference A024 by David Marshall
Located in Benahavis, AN
The shallow small bowl was created by David Marshall, from sand cast aluminium. We use recycled materials all our pieces are handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in Spain. It is certified authentic by the Artist David Marshall. He is insipired by nature and the landscaps making useful art with cast brass and alumium materials. We also make bespoke designs for clients, like signage for condominums, private homes, Hotels & Restaurants, awards for Charity...
Aluminum, Brass
Striking Contemporary Art Bowl with Screw Decor, 21st Century
Located in Copenhagen, DK
One-of-a-kind unusual ceramic art piece with large rustic screws fitted along the smooth edge of the sand colored bowl. Three screws sit loosely in their separate holes, the other sc...
Metal
Oval Bowl Decorative Center Countertop Piece Silver and Gold Coloured Cast Metal
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Oval Bowl was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast aluminum and sand cast brass. Handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in Spain from...
Aluminum, Brass
Canoa A059 Dish Handmade Silver and Gold coloured Bowl
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Canoa Dish was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast aluminum and sand cast brass. Handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in Spain fro...
Aluminum, Brass
$255Sale Price|19% Off
Løvemose Keramik Volcanic Lava Glaze Ceramic Bowl — Mid-Century
By Løvemose
Located in Rødekro, DK
A rare and striking ceramic bowl by Løvemose Keramik, one of Denmark's most celebrated studios for artistic studio pottery. Heavy, tactile and utterly singular, this piece exemplifie...
Ceramic
Vintage Carved Pine Wood Basket
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional magazine rack is a prime example of Brutalist folk art craftsmanship, defined by its rugged and highly tactile presence. Hand-carved from solid pine, the piece featu...
Pine
Sculptural Aluminium Leaf Centerpiece bowl by David Marshall with Gilded Stem
Located in Benahavis, AN
Designed by David Marshall, this sculptural aluminum centerpiece takes inspiration from the organic form of a leaf, a recurring theme in the artist’s work. The piece stands out for i...
Aluminum, Brass
A105 Leaf Bowl in solid cast brass
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative tray was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast brass. Handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in Spain from recycled materials. Certi...
Brass
Vintage Original Studio Pottery Match Strike Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite two-piece studio pottery set perfectly captures the Wabi-Sabi aesthetic of the 1970s, celebrating the raw beauty of hand-thrown functional art. Handcrafted with a clea...
Pottery
Brutalist Small Metal Bowl A018 Solid Cast Aluminium & Brass
Located in Benahavis, AN
The small Basket bowl was created by David Marshall, from sand cast aluminium and brass. All our pieces are handmade, mounted and finished in out foundry and workshop in Spain. It ...
Aluminum, Brass
Vintage Original Hand Painted Studio Pottery Bowl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking studio pottery vessel makes a bold statement with its substantial scale and primitive, tribal-inspired aesthetic. Hand-crafted with a robust, bulbous form, the bowl fea...
Pottery
Vintage Brass and Pewter Walnut Bowl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This captivating vintage bowl is a masterclass in bi-metal artistry, realistically rendered in the form of a halved walnut shell. A sophisticated example of the 1970s Brutalist movem...
Brass, Pewter
Vintage Boho Original Studio Pottery Bowl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Celebrate the art of the handmade with this charming vintage studio pottery bowl. Hand-thrown from gritty stoneware clay, this piece perfectly embodies the Wabi-Sabi aesthetic, findi...
Pottery
Studio Textured Sculptural Vessel by Ceramic Artist Ani Kasten
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Contemporary Studio Textured Sculptural Art Vessel by Ceramic Artist Ani Kasten impressed "A" monogram on the underside "Blade Runner meets Mad Max" very good condition ( last coup...
Ceramic, Pottery
Vintage Original Studio Pottery Hanging Bowl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage studio pottery bowl is a masterwork of textural exploration and artisanal craftsmanship. Its robust, hand-thrown form features deeply incised carvings and geometric moti...
Pottery
Sculptural Bowl by David Marshall, Polished Aluminum & Brass, 1980s
Located in ROUEN, FR
A rare and huge sculptural catch-all or decorative bowl created by David Marshall in Spain during the 1980s. this iconic piece perfectly embodies the designer's aesthetic language, c...
Aluminum, Brass
Large Basket Bowl A016 Solid Cast Brass Aluminum Handmade Spain
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Basket Bowl was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast aluminum and sand cast brass. Handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in Spain f...
Aluminum, Brass
Small Canoa Dish A060 cast brass (gold colour) and aluminium (silver colour)
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Dish was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast aluminum and sand cast brass. We can engrave this piece with your Initials or Logo, makes a beautiful Weddi...
Aluminum, Brass
Agate Ashtray or Vide Poche, Grey and Brown Color, Italy 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This Vide-poche, or ashtray, was carved from a block of stone,Agathe stone, then polished. We can see as a decoration scheme this extraordinary sinuous Veinage, in brown and beige gr...
Agate
$515 / item
Mesh Fruit Bowl A050 Solid Brass Sand Cast
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Brass Fruit Bowl was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast brass. Handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in Spain from recycled mater...
Brass
Vintage French Riviera Style Hand Carved Olive Wood Bowl
Located in New Orleans, LA
Carved from a single block of rich, highly polished olive wood, this stunning bowl showcases a glossy dark brown finish, deep undulating ridges, and a prominent organically sculpted ...
Wood, Olive
Large antique wooden tray, brutalist style, Sweden, 1800's
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very large baking trough. Handmade i Sweden and signed 1889. Hand carved from a single piece of pine tree trunk Good condition. Consisting with age. Only flaw is an older repair t...
Wood
Brutalist Scandinavian Stoneware Black and Blue Bowl, 1970s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Striking handmade Scandinavian modern brutalist stoneware bowl produced in the late 1960s-early 1970s. Shiny black glaze on the inside. Geometric hand-carved shapes around the edge w...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
$2,427Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Brutalist Sunburst Centerpieces / Fruit Bowls in Wrought Iron, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair if Sculptural Spanish Brutalist Centerpiece Bowls Spain, 1950s. These spanish revival centerpieces or fruit bowls were entirely made by hand in wrought iron. They have brutalist...
Iron
Sculptural Bowl by David Marshall, Polished Aluminum & Brass, 1980s
Located in ROUEN, FR
A rare and huge sculptural catch-all or decorative bowl created by David Marshall in Spain during the 1980s. this iconic piece perfectly embodies the designer's aesthetic language, c...
Aluminum, Brass
West German Brutalist Pottery Bowl from WGP, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
West German Brutalist Pottery Bowl from WGP, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Color: Black Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Ce...
Ceramic