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.
David Marshall. Brutalist style clock, Spain, 1970s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Sculptural Brutalist style clock by David Marshall, Spain, 1970s. Handmade in aluminum and golden brass. It retains all its original parts. Like all of his brutalist works, David Ma...
Aluminum, Brass
Kienzle Uhren Brutalist Wall Mount Ceramic Clock, 1970s German
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking German Mid-Century wall-mounted clock from the 1970s, masterfully crafted by Kienzle Uhren. This clock stands out for its bold, sculptural form, featuring a textured matte...
Ceramic
Midcentury Brutalist Enameled Wall Clock by Kienzle, Germany, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful round Midcentury Brutalist wall clock, executed by Kienzle Germany in the 1970s. The clock has a housing made of ceramic with a colorful enamel glaze in brown, green, yel...
Enamel
Vintage Brutalist Grandfather Clock, Wood and Resin, Belgium, 1970s
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Brutalist - Standing Clock Measures : 35x40cm H:190cm Materials : Wood - resin - metal Place of Origin: Belgium Period: 1970-1979 Vintage Brutalist-style carved grandfather clock, m...
Metal
1970's Chamotte Earthenware Wall Mount Clock with Light
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Heavy Brutalist 1970's wall mount chamotte earthenware clock with European (E14) candelabra socket. No mounting plate on back, however clock can be affixed to wall using a sturdy hoo...
Earthenware
Clock perforated D018 Cast Brass, Gold coloured, Handmade in Spain
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Perforated Clock 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 materi...
Aluminum, Brass
Sun Clock D003 handmade in cast brass & aluminium
Located in Benahavis, AN
The Sun Clock was created by David Marshall, from sand cast aluminium and brass. We use recycled materials all our pieces are handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and works...
Aluminum, Brass
Octopus Clock D005 handmade in cast brass & aluminium
Located in Benahavis, AN
The Octopus Clock was created by David Marshall, from sand cast brass & aluminium. We use recycled materials all our pieces are handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and...
Aluminum, Brass
Puzzle Table Clock D021 Solid Brass and Aluminum Handmade in Spain
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Table Clock 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 fr...
Aluminum, Brass
Trapeze Clock D013 handmade in cast brass & aluminium
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Trapeze Clock Tray was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast aluminum and sand cast brass.Makes a beautiful Wedding or Company Gift. Handmade, mounted and...
Aluminum, Brass
DO16 Square Clock, Gold and aluminium coloured, Solid cast Brass & Aluminium
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Clock 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. Cert...
Aluminum, Brass
DO12 Perforated Clock, Gold coloured, Solid cast Brass Handmade
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Clock 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. Cert...
Brass
Vintage David Marshall Brutalist Brass and Aluminum 17.75" Tabletop Wing Clock
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This vintage brutalist brass and aluminum tabletop clock was made in Spain by Scottish sculptor David Marshall. The sand-cast battery-operated clock has a thick, asymmetrical brass ...
Aluminum, Brass
1960s by Lorenzo Burchiellaro Metal Figure Table Clock
Located in Brescia, IT
Lorenzo Burchiellaro 1960s. Metal table clock Perfect working order.
Metal
Vintage Brutalist Standing Clock, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage sculpted brutalist design grandfather clock made from resin and wood. The clock is illuminated on the inside and has a fully working mechanism. The piece was made in be...
Resin, Wood
1970s French Clock with Saint-Gobain glass numerals 27cm h 20cm w 9cm deep £980
By Poliarte
Located in Oxford, GB
Stunning 1970s clock for a mantelpiece table or desk. For someone looking for a beautiful, Modernist addition for their place - This clock is a knock out - beautiful and unique. Mad...
Metal
Window Clock D002 Brass and Aluminium Handmade
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Desk Clock 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
Zig Zag Clock Cast Aluminium and Brass Brutalist Style by David Marshall
Located in Benahavis, AN
The clock was created by David Marshall, from sand cast aluminium and brass. We use recycled materials all our pieces are handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop ...
Aluminum, Brass
Sun Clock D003 handmade in cast brass & aluminium
Located in Benahavis, AN
The Sun Clock was created by David Marshall, from sand cast aluminium and brass. We use recycled materials all our pieces are handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and works...
Aluminum, Brass
Vintage German Wall Clock in Brass
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A pocket watch shaped quartz (batteri-operated) wall clock featuring solid brass frame, Roman numerals and a sunburst dial in silver enamel. Manufacture...
Brass
$939
H 9.26 in W 7.88 in D 2.37 in
Beautiful elegant heavy Mid Century Kienzle wall clock made of bronze and brass
Located in München, DE
Beautiful, very elegant and heavy 1960s Kienzle wall clock made of bronze and brass. Made in Germany. Very nice, typically minimalist Mid Century Kienzle design. With battery-opera...
Brass, Bronze
Scottish Grandfather Clock
Located in New York, NY
Scottish Grandfather clock: Clock face painted with settings of the Fair Maid of Perth during the four seasons. Measures: 21" x 9" x 76" Weighs: 50 Lbs.
Wood
$647
H 6.54 in W 5.52 in D 2.76 in
Vintage 1960s Hollywood Regency brass walnut Table Clock by Kienzle, Germany
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Table clock Origin: Germany Producer: Kienzle, Germany Age: 1960s This original vintage table clock was produced in the 1960s by the prem...
Metal, Brass
$888Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.5 in W 15.5 in D 5.5 in
KIENZLE Art Deco Macassar Ebony and Oak Mantle Clock
Located in Chicago, IL
1930s Art Deco mantle clock by Keinzle, one of the top clock manufacturers in Germany during the Art Deco period. Constructed of Macassar Ebony or Zebra wood and oak wood with brass ...
Metal, Brass
1890s Arts and Crafts Advertising Grandfather Clock and Cabinet
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a very rare and unusual Arts and Crafts advertising clock display cabinet. It reads.. Time to Use Cedarine Furniture Polish. This example is as clean and fresh as it gets and...
Wood
Gigantic Rare Heavy Sunburst Mirror Wall Clock from the 1970s
Located in München, DE
Gigantic very rare heavy Sunburst mirror wall clock from the 1970s. Beautiful elaborate high quality design. The clock has a body made of black lacquered wood, at the front there are...
Glass, Mirror, Wood
$835 / item
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 2.37 in
Handmade Cris G Wall Clock by Nomon, Brass & Walnut, Modern Design
By Nomon
Located in NEW YORK, NY
The Cris G is a handmade clock that combines emotive aesthetic with strong impact. The design incorporates contrasting materials, such as brass, walnut ...
Brass
Midcentury Kienzle Wall Clockc
Located in Vienna, AT
Brass construction with antique pink painted clock face from the early 1950s. Original mechanical movement but it can be changed to AAA-battery movement on request. Delivery time a...
Brass
David Marshall Brutalist Candlestick, Spain, 1970s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Aluminium and Brass Brutalist Candle Holder by David Marshall, Spain, 1970s. David Marshall Desenos Brutalist three-arm aluminum and brass candlestick. Very good condition. Original...
Brass, Aluminum
Vintage Porcelain East German Wall Clock from Weimar Electric, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
Vintage Industrial wall clock produced by Weimar Electric in former East Germany during the 1970s. It features a porcelain body and an aluminium hands .The battery-powered clockwork ...
Aluminum
$1,430Sale Price|24% Off
H 4.5 in W 6.5 in D 2.5 in
Vintage Tiffany and Co. Square Brass Desk Clock, 1970s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Handsome 8 day, Swiss jeweled Tiffany and Co. square desk clock in patinated brass with stepped dial frame and two-tiered base. Face pivots between f...
Brass
Vintage Brutalist Table Clock from Schmid 1970s
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Brutalist Table Clock by Schmid, Germany, 1970s This striking table clock from the German brand Schmid is a distinctive example of 1970s Brutalist design. Its architectural form, de...
Metal
Brutalist Table Clock in bronze by David Marshal, Spain 1970s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a breathtaking Brutalist Table Clock. Designed by a Scottish designer David Marshall, who moved to Spain and designed a variety if decorative objects. H...
Bronze
Brutalist table clock in aluminium & bronze by David Marshall
Located in STRASBOURG, FR
Table clock by David Marshall, aluminum and bronze In good condition, signed, functional, small parts of the hands are missing but do not impede reading.
Aluminum, Bronze
Sun Clock D003 handmade in cast brass & aluminium
Located in Benahavis, AN
The Sun Clock was created by David Marshall, from sand cast aluminium and brass. We use recycled materials all our pieces are handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and works...
Aluminum, Brass
Brutalist Clock by David Marshall, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Sculpted brutalist clock in bronze and cast aluminum by Artist David Marshall. Marshall settled in Spain in the mid 1960s, opening a workshop in Malaga in 1969 where he produced scu...
Aluminum, Bronze
Sold
H 8.25 in W 8 in D 3 in
Surrealist mixed metal table clock by David Marshall for Art3, Spain circa 1970
Located in View Park, CA
An incredibly rare brutalist / surrealist clock in bronze and aluminum by David Marshall for Art3, Spain circa 1970. From the Moroccan estate of a private collector. “Melting” edges ...
Aluminum, Bronze
Sold
H 8 in W 12 in D 1 in
Franco Bastianelli Brutalist Enamel Wall Clock, Studio Cellini, Italy, 1960s
By Laurana
Located in Vienna, AT
A wonderful multicolor Brutalism wall clock from the 1960s. Designed by Franco Bastianelli for Studio Cellini / Laurana Rame D'Arte in Pesaro, Italy. This decorative clock is handcra...
Copper, Enamel
Brutalist Clock by David Marshall, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Sculpted brutalist clock in bronze and cast aluminum by Artist David Marshall. Marshall settled in Spain in the mid 1960s, opening a workshop in Malaga in 1969 where he produced s...
Aluminum, Bronze
Brutalist Table Clock in Brown Stained Ceramic, 1970s
Located in Hilversum, NL
Rectangular shaped Brutalist table clock in brown stained ceramic. This unique 'bluntly' shaped table clock in its typical 1970s style is the perfect eye catcher in any eclectic inte...
Ceramic
Sold
H 29.53 in W 18.51 in D 1.97 in
Large Brutalist Handcrafted Iron Sunburst Wall Clock, Germany, 1960s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Brutalist, decorative, extremely rare. Handcrafted. Very good condition. High end quality.
Brass, Wrought Iron
Sold
H 7.09 in W 7.09 in L 7.09 in
Brutalist Aluminium and Brass Decorative Clock by David Marshall, circa 1980s
Located in London, GB
An aluminium and brass brutalist style decorative table clock by David Marshall, circa 1980s. The piece is weighty and wonderfully tactile with the maker's mark impressed on the fron...
Aluminum, Brass
Sold
H 22 in W 36 in D 5.5 in
William Vose for Curtis Jere Brass and Copper Brutalist Wall Sculpture Clock
By Curtis Jeré, William Vose
Located in Van Nuys, CA
William Vose designed brass Brutalist wall sculpture with a quartz clock in the center. The wall sculpture features hand forged and rolled copper and bras...
Brass, Copper