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.
Brutalist table clock by David Marshall, aluminum & brass, 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
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
1960s by Lorenzo Burchiellaro Metal Figure Table Clock
Located in Brescia, IT
Lorenzo Burchiellaro 1960s. Metal table clock Perfect working order.
Metal
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
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
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
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
Spanish Colonial Wall Clock / Wall Decoration in Enamel & Wood, Spain 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching wall clock with hand-painted and enamel decorative details. Spain, 1950s. This wall clock features a carved wood backplate with scalloped edge adorned by a central circl...
Brass, Enamel, Gold Leaf
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
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
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
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
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
Pair of brass brutalist mantel clock fittings - 20th
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Antique - Decoration - 20th These objects could serve as decorative vases. They are made of brass in a brutalist style, characterized by their trapezoidal geometric shape and oxidize...
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
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
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
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
$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
Vintage German Brass Ship Clock from Philips, 1970s
By Philips
Located in Kojetice, CZ
Vintage ship clock made by Philips in West Germany during the 1970s.It features a brass body frame and clear glass cover. This item has been converted into a battery-powered clockwor...
Brass
Black Industrial Square Wall Clock from Pragotron, 1970s
By Pragotron
Located in Kojetice, CZ
- Wall clock designed by Pragotron in former Czechoslovakia during the 1970s and made till 1990s - Was used in factories, schools and railway stations - Newly black painted metal fr...
Aluminum, Iron
Industrial Bakelite Factory Wall Clock from Pragotron, 1970s
By Pragotron
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This wall clock was produced by Pragotron in former Czechoslovakia during the 1970s. The piece features a dark brown (black) bakelite frame, a black bakelite dial, an aluminum hands ...
Glass, Bakelite
$760
H 4.34 in W 7.09 in D 2.96 in
Vintage Hollywood Regency Brass Table Clock by Diehl Electro, Germany, 1960s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Table clock Origin: Germany Producer: Diehl Electro, Germany Age: 1960s This original vintage table clock...
Metal
Vintage Dark Blue Wall Clock from Metamec, 1970s
By Metamec
Located in Kojetice, CZ
Wall clock produced by Metamec in Great Britain during the 1970s. It features a dark blue bakelite clockface with white numerals, a white aluminium hands, chrome -plated frame and a ...
Chrome
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
Dunhill Brass and Wood Domed Desk Clock, circa 1940s
By Dunhill
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Dunhill of London STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Gothic Dome METAL / MATERIAL: Brass and Wood CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 7" X 9" X 2 1/2" MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Back Winding DIAL / HANDS: Silvered with Gilt Markers ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT The house of Dunhill is one of England's premier gentleman's clothier. They specialized in the finest in everything. If you were British Royalty, your finery came from them. From Clocks to clothing, to smoking attire and accoutrements, Alfred Dunhill was the place to go. They had locations all over the world, in the finest shopping areas. I remember they had until recently a store in Beverly Hills as well. This clock represents the finest in English styling and will look great on a smaller mantle...
Brass
Vintage East German Kitchen Wall Clock from Weimar, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
Vintage kitchen wall clock with timer was made by Weimar in former East Germany during the 1970s - 1980s. It features a silver blue bakelite body and a convex clear glass cover. The...
Glass, Plastic, Bakelite
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
Vintage Red Seiko Ship Wall Clock, 1970s
By Seiko
Located in Kojetice, CZ
Vintage Seiko navy slave clock designed during the 1970s and produced till 1990s. These clocks were used on large Japanese tankers and cargo ships. It fe...
Iron
Vintage Green Seiko Ships Double-Sided Wall Clock, 1970s
By Seiko
Located in Kojetice, CZ
Vintage Industrial triangle ships wall clock made by SEIKO in Japan during the 1970s. These clocks were used on large tankers and cargo ships. It features a dark green metal body, a ...
Iron
David Marshall Scultura Orologio Brutalist, Scozia 1970s
Located in Naples, IT
Orologio scultoreo brutalista realizzato da David Marshall, artista scozzese attivo in Spagna dagli anni '70. L'opera è un tipico esempio del suo stile, caratterizzato dalla combina...
Aluminum, 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
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
Sold
H 10.63 in W 7.88 in D 3.55 in
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
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