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Brutalist Desk Accessories

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 Brass Sculpture Flowers and Leaves Style of Silas and Jere
Located in New York, NY
A signed brass and metal sculpture of flowers and leaves, Brutalist period, in the style of designers Silas Seandel or C. Jere, circa mid-20th century. A Brutalist sculpture of flowe...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brutalist Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal, Brass

Schmidt Rhea Heart Paperweight, American Studio Art Glass, 1981
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Colorful Post-Modern art glass paperweight features a complex abstract fused glass design enclosed inside the heart-shaped clear glass in sommerso technique. Blue, pink, and white p...
Category

Late 20th Century American Brutalist Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Sommerso

Mid Century Modern Brutalist Ash Tray by Holger Backstrom
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Vintage mid century modern ashtray. Brutalist in style. Featuring 16 holes and 20 points. Made from aluminum. Designed by Holger Backstrom. Not marked. Tasteful patina. 7” long 7” ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Brutalist Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum

Vintage Molten Bronze and Green Marble Signed Gerber Abstract Sculpture
By Adolf Gerber
Located in North Miami, FL
One could interrupt the nature of this vintage signed abstract bronze and dark green with black marble sculpture through the feet. Brutalist in molten form of the bronze. The variega...
Category

1970s American Vintage Brutalist Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

"Prince", Contemporary Sculptural piece in Cast Brass by Estudio Orth
Located in Sao Paulo, BR
Produced in São Paulo, Brazil. This contemporary sculpture in cast brass was meticulously handmade by master artisans one piece at a time. It is therefore quite difficult, if not impossible to make identical items. The brass casting is produced by formation of a mold from a mixture of sand and the liquid alloy of copper and zinc. The projects are based on a contemporary appropriation of traditional methods from Brazilian artisans and reinterpreted through the integration of new forms and noble materials. An aesthetic infused with “beauty of imperfection" is obtained by the expressive potential of each material, generating works that recall nature and rationality. Estúdio Orth...
Category

2010s Brazilian Brutalist Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Enzo Mari, Travertine desk organizer, Fratelli Mannelli Italy 1970s
Located in Firenze, IT
Travertine desk organizer Enzo Mari, Fratelli Mannelli, Italy, 1970s. H 10 cm - 13 × 14.5 cm. Conditions: good condition consistent with age and use. Defects.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Brutalist Desk Accessories

Materials

Travertine

Enzo Mari, Travertine desk organizer, Fratelli Mannelli Italy 1970s
Located in Firenze, IT
Travertine desk organizer Enzo Mari, Fratelli Mannelli, Italy, 1970s. H 16 cm - 19 × 15.5 cm. Conditions: good condition consistent with age and use.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Brutalist Desk Accessories

Materials

Travertine

Cast Bronze Shark Sculpture by J. Dale M'Hall
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast bronze shark sculpture by American sculptor J. Dale M'Hall. James began sculpting in the 1960's and has worked with a variety of different media thr...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Beautiful Metal Crane Flamingo Figure Smokers set Brutalist Era, Germany, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A large Figurine made of wrought iron for Holding Cigarettes, Matchsticks and Smoking Accessories. Made of metal with a nice patina and rusty parts. Typically made in Germany in the 1960s, as a statement piece on a cupboard or credenza. Also nice for a mens room.
Category

1960s German Vintage Brutalist Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

James de Wulf Concrete Color Samples
Located in Paia, HI
James de Wulf Concrete color samples in light grey, natural, dark grey, black, and creamy white.
Category

2010s American Brutalist Desk Accessories

Materials

Concrete

Noughts & Crosses Game M001 handmade in cast brass & aluminium
Located in Benahavis, AN
The Noughts & Crosses Game 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 foun...
Category

2010s Spanish Brutalist Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Vintage Signed Gerber Bronze and Variegated Marble Sculpture Style of Oppenheim
Located in North Miami, FL
This heavy molten bronze question mark, bird or chicken sculpture has the traccia feet that is reminiscent on the coveted Meret Oppeneheim table. It sits in the original variegated green and black marble base with a bronze pole...
Category

1970s American Vintage Brutalist Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Brutalist Silvered Bronze Table Set by Morbelli, Italy, 1970s
Located in Conversano, IT
A rare and sculptural brutalist-style table set crafted in silvered bronze with a richly textured surface and organic openwork design. Produced by the renowned Italian art foundry Mo...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Brutalist Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Corkscrew C020 handmade in cast brass
Located in Benahavis, AN
The Corkscrew was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast brass.Makes a beautiful Wedding or Company Gift. Handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in Sp...
Category

2010s Spanish Brutalist Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

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1970s Murano Italian Art Glass Paperweight
Located in Chula Vista, CA
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Tiffany Studios Style Iridescent Favrile Glass Scarab Paperweight
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts or Art Deco style iridescent favrile glass scarab paper weight In the manner of Tiffany Studios USA, 20th Century Measures: 4.63"W x 2.75"D x 1.63"H Very...
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Murano "millefiori" Art Glass Paperweight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Murano Multicolor Art Glass Paperweight unmarked, maker unknown, 1970's "Millefiori is a glasswork technique which produces distinctive decorative patterns on glassware. The term m...
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Danish Modern Desk Organizer / Letter Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
Very functional Danish modern cherry veneer desk organizer / letter tray, circa 1970s. The piece is in excellent condition and measures 24" wide, 9.25" deep and 7" high. Beautiful ch...
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Danish Modern Desk Organizer / Letter Tray
Danish Modern Desk Organizer / Letter Tray
$475
H 7 in W 24 in D 9.25 in
1980 Italy Post-Modern Bronze Abstract Sculpture Beppe Bonetti Piccolo Racconto
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Beppe Bonetti. Title "Piccolo racconto" translate "Little tale"" Beppe Bonetti was born in 1951 in Brescia, Italy, where he lives an...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Brutalist Desk Accessories

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Bronze

1980 Italy Post-Modern Bronze Abstract Sculpture Beppe Bonetti with Base
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Beppe Bonetti. Title "Piccolo racconto" translate "Little tale"" Beppe Bonetti was born in 1951 in Brescia, Italy, where he lives and ...
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Art Glass Heart Paperweight Decorative Object
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial art glass heart paperweight or decorative object by artist Robet Held, circa late-20th century. Heart is a light blue art glass with touches of blue and p...
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Late 20th Century Canadian Brutalist Desk Accessories

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Art Glass Heart Paperweight Decorative Object
Art Glass Heart Paperweight Decorative Object
$275
H 1 in W 2.32 in D 2.57 in
Casted Glass Banana in Crystal, Lilac
Located in Richmond, VA
Casted glass banana in dichroic lilac by Devon Made inspired by blown glass fruit makers and collectors from the 1960's. The light playful approach to everyday fruit is contrasted wi...
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2010s New Zealand Brutalist Desk Accessories

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Casted Glass Banana in Crystal, Lilac
Casted Glass Banana in Crystal, Lilac
$450
H 4 in W 6 in D 1.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Crystal Owl Paperweight by Baccarat of France
Located in New York, NY
This elegant paperweight was realized by Baccarat- one of the world's finest makers of crystal products since 1765 in France, circa 1960. Artisanally created in translucent crystal, ...
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1960s French Vintage Brutalist Desk Accessories

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Crystal

Monique Gerber French Sculptural Cast Bronze Letter Opener Art du Bronze
Located in Chicago, IL
Monique Gerber French bronze cast letter opener in a very sculptural and minimalist form. Designed Monique Gerber. Can be used as a sculptural object or paper weight as well. Re...
Category

1970s French Vintage Brutalist Desk Accessories

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon Bronze Sculpture Desk Inkwell, Signed Emile Pinedo
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Napoleon Bonaparte bronze desk inkwell, signed Pinedo with foundry mark. Mounted over a Green Alps marble. Antique signed 19th large bronze ...
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Mid-Century Abstract Brutalist Metal Art Flower Sculpture, After Curtis Jere
Located in Decatur, GA
Mid century brutalist style mixed metal flower sculpture, after Curtis Jere. Unsigned. Patinated metals mounted on a black lacquered wood block....
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Previously Available Items
Brutalist / Modern Concrete Bookends, White
Located in Camp Meeker, CA
These geometric concrete bookends will keep your literature in place with their timeless, sculptural beauty, as well as with their substantial weight. Small batches, with limited...
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2010s American Brutalist Desk Accessories

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Concrete

Brutalist / Modern Concrete Bookends, White
Brutalist / Modern Concrete Bookends, White
H 7.75 in W 3.575 in D 6.25 in
Noughts & Crosses Game M001 handmade in cast brass & aluminium
Located in Benahavis, AN
The Noughts & Crosses Game 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 foun...
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Aluminum, Brass

Solid Bronze Apple Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Whimsical Bronze Apple Sculpture Green Tone Patina with Darker Bronze Accents Paperweight or Display
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1970s Italian Vintage Brutalist Desk Accessories

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Bronze

Solid Bronze Apple Sculpture
Solid Bronze Apple Sculpture
H 3 in W 3.5 in D 3 in
Brutalist hand-carved metal cowboy hat objet d’art, 1970
Located in View Park, CA
A vintage brutalist forged iron cowboy (or cowgirl) hat objet by Metzke, signed, 1970. Allegedly this is also an ashtray - or a paperweight. To each one’s own. Darling as a gift for ...
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1970s American Vintage Brutalist Desk Accessories

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Iron

Brutalist / Modern Concrete Bookends, White
Located in Camp Meeker, CA
These geometric concrete bookends will keep your literature in place with their timeless, sculptural beauty, as well as with their substantial weight. Small batches, with limited...
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2010s American Brutalist Desk Accessories

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Brutalist / Modern Concrete Bookends, White
Brutalist / Modern Concrete Bookends, White
H 7.75 in W 3.575 in D 6.25 in
Brutalist Metal Task Lamp in the Style of Gino Sarfatti and Rodchenko
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This is a wonderful brutalist metal task lamp. This lamp is styled after Gino Sarfatti's Rodchenko inspired lamp. Inspired by Aleksandr Rodchenko's sta...
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Late 20th Century American Brutalist Desk Accessories

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Metal

Brutalist / Modern Concrete Bookends, White
Located in Camp Meeker, CA
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Brutalist / Modern Concrete Bookends, White
Brutalist / Modern Concrete Bookends, White
H 7.75 in W 3.575 in D 6.25 in
Fratelli Mannelli Travertine Rhinoceros Brutalist Sculpture or Bookend
Located in Melbourne, AU
A Rhinoceros sculpture by Fratelli Mannelli in travertine, dating to the 1970s. We love the Mannelli animal sculptures - they have a lot of personality in spite of being made of ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Brutalist Desk Accessories

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Travertine

F.lli Mannelli Travertine Italian Desk Set Brutalist Style, 1970
Located in Prato, Tuscany
Desk set in Tuscan travertine Brutalist style; the set consists of a fish-shaped ticket holder, a rounded pen holder, and a triangular envelope holder; they were designed and produce...
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Late 20th Century Italian Brutalist Desk Accessories

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Aluminium and Brass Brutalist Style Vide-Poche by David Marshall, circa 1970s
Located in London, GB
This aluminium and brass Brutalist style vide-poche (circa 1970s) by David Marshall is weighty and wonderfully tactile with the maker's mark impressed on the brass surface. There are...
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1970s Spanish Vintage Brutalist Desk Accessories

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Aluminum, Brass

Lock and Key Paper Weight Bookend
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wooden paper weight / Bookend - a once used portion of a door with a non-removable key that turns - the piece is a wonderful architectural eleme...
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20th Century Mexican Brutalist Desk Accessories

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Metal

Lock and Key Paper Weight Bookend
Lock and Key Paper Weight Bookend
H 7.5 in W 8.75 in D 5.5 in
Brass, Amethyst and Quartz Hand Forged Picture Frame Desk Accessory Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This fabulous hand forged Brazilian vintage picture frame is from the 1970s and is one of a kind. The brass has dimensional designs and jutting stones o...
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1970s Brazilian Vintage Brutalist Desk Accessories

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Amethyst, Quartz, Brass, Copper

Brutalist desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Brutalist desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desk accessories created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Brutalist desk accessories made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Brazil pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desk accessories, popular names associated with this style include Estúdio Orth, Paul Evans, and James de Wulf. 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 desk accessories differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $100 and tops out at $7,500 while the average work can sell for $1,638.

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