Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
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
- Brutalism emerged during the mid-20th century
- Term coined by architecture critic Reyner Banham
- Originated in the United Kingdom
- Brutalist architecture gained popularity in the United States beginning in the early 1960s
- Inaugural brutalist projects include Unité d'habitation and the city of Chandigarh, India, both of which owe to influential architect Charles-Édouard “Le Corbusier” Jeanneret
- Le Corbusier’s cousin, Pierre Jeanneret, designed hundreds of chairs, tables, cabinets and lamps for Chandigarh
- Informed by the Bauhaus, constructivism, modernism and the International Style; part of mid-century modernism
- Contrasted starkly with Beaux Arts style
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
Expressive Brutalist Abstract Wall Relief in Ceramic, 1970s
Located in London, GB
Expressive abstract relief sculpted in rough clay and glazed with copper oxides in matt grey-green. It is a dynamic wall decoration, signed H77.
Category
1970s Dutch Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Mother and Child Bronze by José Mariano Pagés Sculpture
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Exceptional bronze sculpture signed "Page´s '69". Sculpture has a very rich patina to the heavily articulated bronze surface and is seated on a marble base. Excellent modernist examp...
Category
Mid-20th Century Argentine Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Sculptural Sconces by Marc D'haenens
Located in Brussels, BE
An important 1980s brass Agate inset illuminating wall sculpture. By Marc D'haenens.
Category
1980s Belgian Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Agate, Brass
Harry Bouras Sculpture
By Harry Bouras
Located in Chicago, IL
Chicago art critic, Harry Bouras was the host of "Arts and Artists" for 25 years. Harry's pieces are in permanent collections in Chicago, New York, and Tokyo. Resin coated iron sculpture. Two matching sculptures...
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Iron
James Bearden Dwelling Box
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural box of blackened and polished steel, raised atop a slender column. From the Dwelling series, 2015, by Des Moines artist James Anthony Bearden.
Category
2010s American Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Tall Brutalist Studio Sculpture by John De La Rosa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tall Brutalist studio sculpture by John De La Rosa. Signed.
The last image shows a similar sculpture in an interior setting, for inspiration.
Category
2010s American Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Cut Steel
Richard Bitterman Brutalist Bud Vase or Sculpture
By Richard Batterham
Located in Buffalo, NY
Handcrafted Brutalist bud vase or sculpture, 1960s, brass, stee. Plastic test tube, signed R. Bitterman.
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Steel
Abbott Pattison Sculpture Abstract Bronze Titled 'Flight' 1977, Large Scale
Located in Dallas, TX
Large scale one of a kind abstract bronze Mid-Century Modern sculpture commissioned by the CHICU corporation in LA and executed by Chicago artist Abbott Pattison in 1977.
Masterf...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Modern Iron Sculptures in Male and Female Form
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Pair of modern iron sculptures in male and female form.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Compressed Metal Pipe Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This Mid-Century Modern metal sculpture has no artist's signature, but it believed to have been made in Canada in circa 1965. The sculpture is crafted from a length of steel pipe tha...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Metal
'Mother Creation' Lava Black Glass Art Object
By EXPERIMENTAL
Located in Riga, LV
'Mother Creation' glass art object from collection ‘Mother Creation’.
Highest quality, extra-clear glass in ice like effect, coated in black 'lava' (...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Baltic Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Mid-20th Century Pair of Brutalist Candleholders/Sculptures by David Palombo
Located in New York, NY
These two pieces by Israeli artist David Palombo are in his signature Brutalist style and use the two materials he is best known for iron and natural stone. Fully functional as candl...
Category
1960s Israeli Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Iron
Sculptural Vessels in Gray by Sonja Duo-Meyer
By Sonja Duó-Meyer
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural vessels in an ovoid form with walled aperture. Hand-built of gray chamotte Limoges porcelain by Swiss ceramic artist Sonja Duo-Meyer (b. 1953) and executed circa 1995. The...
Category
1990s Swiss Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Cast Aluminum Brutalist Sculpture by Dcalvi
By DCalvi
Located in New York, NY
A 1960s Brutalist style abstract sculpture in cast aluminum made by Dcalvi. Plaque mounted on painted wood base marked Dcalvi". Great original condition.
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Aluminum
1950s Brutalist Bronze Tabletop Sculpture by Costikyan 'Signed'
Located in New York, NY
A bronze tabletop sculpture on rectangular base. Signed Costikyan on underside.
Category
1950s American Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Philippe Cheverny Zodiac Sculpture Signed Philippe Cherverny Cast Metal, Gilded
Located in Somerton, GB
Philippe Cheverny is known for his Brutalist, obscure sculptural pieces designed and manufactured 1950s-1970s. His works have since become sought after due to their unconventional an...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Sculpture by Richard Walsh
Located in Chicago, IL
Richard Walsh freeform sculpture. Tubular metal bent and welded to torch-cut circular base, Brutalist in form and patina. Sturdy stabile sculpture,
circa 1975.
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Brutalist Enamelled Iron Étagère in the Style of Paul Evans
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Brutalist enameled iron étagère in the style of Paul Evans, sculptural, freestanding, fitted with two removable bronzed glass 19" x 7" shelves
The bas...
Category
20th Century North American Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Brutalist Vase Form Glazed Pottery Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Brutalist urn form glazed pottery sculpture signed by the Artisan from a Palm Beach estate.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
Bill Lett Brutalist Rooster in Bronze
By Bill Lett
Located in New York, NY
A sculpture by Brutalist artist Bill Lett, circa 1960s, depicting a silhouette of a rooster in torch cut and patinated bronze, mounted on a wooden cylinder base. Includes plaque [Bil...
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Torch Cut Brutal Sculpture
Located in Denton, TX
1970s metal freestanding sculpture very organic.
Category
20th Century North American Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Abstract Raindrop Tree Sculpture by D. Berger circa 1970 in Brutalist Style
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Raindrop style tree sculpture, circa 1970 by D. bergere, in the style of Curtis Jere.
This Brutalist form tree has a marble base and metal abstract tree form with 3 branches In gold...
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Abstract Bronze Figure titled "Fruit Picker" by Gurdon Woods S F, Bohemian Club
By Gurdon Woods
Located in San Francisco, CA
Abstract bronze figure titled " Fruit Picker " by Gurdon Woods, S F, Bohemian Club. Bearing a Bohemian Club label, Post and Taylor, S F, on the wooden bo...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Large Modern Brutalist Bronze Iron Sculpture 21st Century Signed
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Large bronze iron Brutalist style modern sculpture by Oklahoma City artist Basil Martin, circa 2001. Beautifully crafted and can be displayed at any angle. We love the angle as shown...
Category
Early 2000s American Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Iron
James Bearden "Pod" Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
"Pod" sculpture in patinated steel with fused bronze. A new work by Des Moines, Iowa, artist James Bearden. Bearden's work was recently featured in a solo exhibition at the NY Design...
Category
2010s American Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Steel
Italian Design Contemporary Pair of Brutalist Cast Bronze Double Lit Lamps
Located in New York, NY
This exclusive pair of Italian sculpture custom design lamps, handcrafted for Cosulich Interiors & Antiques, presents a very interesting Brutalist cast bronze base and sail-shaped fr...
Category
2010s Italian Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Brutalist Mid-Century Bronze, T. Mori 1962 Butterfly.
Located in Buchanan, MI
Brutalist Mid-Century bronze, T. Mori Butterfly 1962. Spectacular, great color and patination. Feel free to call for more product information.
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Bernard Dejonghe, Sandstone TOTEM, France, 1980
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Bernard Dejonghe (1942), exceptional Totem in Sandstone, France, 1980.
Signature incised right bottom
Unique piece.
Category
1980s French Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Sandstone
James Bearden "Pod Box on Stand"
Located in New York, NY
"Pod Box on Stand," a sculptural work in patinated steel and fused bronze by Des Moines, Iowa artist James Bearden. The hinged and abstractly naturalistic...
Category
2010s American Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Steel
1973 "Romolo Gling" Abstract Sculpture in Metal
Located in Milano, IT
1973 "Romolo Gling" abstract sculpture in metal.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Harry Bouras Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Chicago art critic, Harry Bouras was the host of "Arts and Artists" for 25 years. Harry's pieces are in permanent collections in Chicago, New York and Tokyo. Resin coated iron sculpture. Two matching...
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Brutalist Sculpture in Carved Bronze by Mike Feeney
By Mike Feeney
Located in New York, NY
A Brutalist abstract sculpture by American artist Mike Feeney, made in the mid to late 20th century circa 1970s in cast and carved patinated bronze atop a wooden base. Good original ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Linda Goodman Brutalist Bronze Figurative Sculpture
By Linda Goodman
Located in Miami, FL
Linda Goodman Brutalist Bronze Figurative Sculpture
Offered for sale is a Brutalist bronze sculpture by the American artist Linda Goodman (1910-2004). ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
American Brutalist Welded Metal Sculpture by Jason Seley
By Jason Seley
Located in New York, NY
A Brutalist abstract sculpture made from welded car bumpers by Jason Seley (1919-1983), sculptor and dean of the Cornell University College of Architecture, Art and Planning. Excelle...
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Aluminum
Paul Evans & Phillip Lloyd Powell Handcrafted Steel, Brass & Wood Brutalist Bell
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Early collaborative Paul Evans and Phillip Lloyd Powell torch cut metal Hand held Bell, early 1960s. Featuring a hand worked rectangular Iron bell form, circular Brass details with s...
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Steel, Brass
Molten Bronze and Variegated Marble Signed Sculpture Vintage
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 Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Vandevoorde Brutalist Abstract Welded Bronze Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
A Brutalist abstract sculpture in welded bronze with partial gold patina, made by Vandevoorde in the 1960s-1970s. Signed. Good overall condition. Original wooden base has plaque with...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Ronald Edward Street, Spear Thrower, Oxidized Bronze Sculpture, 1970s
By Ronald Edward Street
Located in New York, NY
Ronald Edward Street (American, 1950-2016)
This is most unusual and one of a kind work of art from the sculpture garden of the Estate of Ron Street, ex-employee of the Metropolitan ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Paul Evans Welded Steel 1967 Brutalist Cocktail Table
By Paul Evans
Located in Buffalo, NY
Paul Evans welded steel 1967 Brutalist cocktail table. Wonderful patina, class Evans design, retains original glass. Heavy base can hold much l...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Steel
James Bearden Sculpture, "Passage"
Located in New York, NY
Tall Brutalist sculpture of blackened and collaged steel, perched on attached columnar steel base, executed in 2016. Titled "Passage," it is p...
Category
2010s American Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Black Washed and Hand-Hammered Aluminum and Marble Sculpture Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This Dual spiral abstract sculpture is hand-hammered aluminum with a black painted wash over it. In some ways it has a Brutalist feeling to it. It sits on a black marble base and is ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Aluminum
Brutalist Iron Wall Sculpture of Two Mermaids in the Style of Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
A vintage wall sculpture, composed of soldered and reworked iron, depicting two Brutalist style abstracted mermaids, produced circa 1970s in the manner of Paul Evans. Good condition,...
Category
1970s Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Iron
"Caravan I" Ernest Shaw, Large Brutalist Mixed-Media Wood and Iron
By Ernest Shaw
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Brutalist/Tribal sculpture with great form and Industrial appeal. Made of wood, iron, rubber and string. Signed and dated 1987 on Verso.
Category
Late 20th Century American Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Stunning Hammered Iron and Geode Standing Sculpture
Located in Montreal, QC
Stunning hammered and patinated iron and agate geode standing sculpture signed Y.S and dated 1974. A similar sculpture was presented at the Marc du Plantier exhibition at the Galerie...
Category
1970s Belgian Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Agate, Iron, Bronze
Signed Large Scale Jules De Waele Brutalist Wall Sculpture Belgium 1969 Pia Manu
Located in Dallas, TX
This is a very early and rare abstract Brutalist wall sculpture by the Paul Evans of Belgium, Jules De Waele. Jules is the founder of the Pia Manu studio. Thi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Concrete, Steel
Mid-Century Abstract Sculpture, Free Form Chamotte Clay
By Vassil Ivanoff, Tim Orr
Located in ROUEN, FR
Free-form sculpture in brown chamotte clay, circa 1950. The piece is composed of a beautiful harmony of straight lines and curves. The chamotte technique is made from a mix of smooth...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Clay
Unique Existentialist Statue, France 1970s
Located in NANTES, FR
Unique, large scale, handcrafted fiberglass statue from the 70s in France, unsigned.
It's existentialist manner is reminiscent of the works by Alberto Giacometti, Robert Couturier, a...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Fiberglass
Important Existentialist Statue, circa 1970
Located in NANTES, FR
Unique, large-scale, hand-crafted fiberglass statue from the 70's in France, unsigned.
It's existentialist manner is reminiscent of the works by Alberto Giacometti, Robert Couturier,...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Fiberglass
Abstract Three Quarter Life Size 1980s Figural Bronze Sculpture by J M Labret
By J.M. Labret 1
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage circa 1980's late 20th century abstract figurative bronze bust wall hanging sculpture signed by the artist, J. M. Labret. I believe the artist also inscribed the words 'pie...
Category
Late 20th Century American Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Welded Steel Snake Sculpture, circa 1970
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Patinated Welded Steel Snake Sculpture, circa 1970. Signed with illegible signature to the base.
Category
20th Century American Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Brutalist Signed Metal Flower Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Brutalist monumental sized metal flower sculpture consisting of three flower heads on a base with leaves. One of the leaves has an illegibly sig...
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Brutalist Cut Steel "Stalactite" Sculpture by Sue Taves, 1992
By Sue Taves, Paul Evans
Located in Buffalo, NY
Brutalist cut steel "stalactite" sculpture by Sue Taves, circa 1992, Classic modernist design, manner of Paul Evans.
Category
1990s American Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Cut Steel
Lindsey Decker Untitled Bronze Sculpture, Signed
By Lindsey Decker
Located in New York, NY
An abstract sculpture by Lindsey Decker, the Brutalist inspired piece comprised of bronze. Markings include the artist's signature and date [Lindsey Dec...
Category
1950s American Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Harry Bouras Sculpture
By Harry Bouras
Located in Chicago, IL
Chicago art critic, Harry Bouras was the host of "Arts and Artists" for 25 years. Harry's pieces are in permanent collections in Chicago, New York, and Tokyo. Resin coated iron sculpture. Pictured with three other matching sculptures...
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Brutalist abstract sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Brutalist abstract sculptures 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 abstract sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, wall decorations, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Brutalist abstract sculptures made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original abstract sculptures, popular names associated with this style include James Bearden, David Palombo, John De La Rosa, and Harry Bertoia. 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 abstract sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $150 and tops out at $450,000 while the average work can sell for $2,227.
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