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.
Massive Outdoor Abstract Steel Floor Sculpture in Geometric Stacked Cube Form
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A massive brutalist sculpture outdoor sculpture circa 1980's. It consists of welded steel construction with patinated cubes on a black enameled base. Just shy of 8 feet tall. Unmarked.
Steel
A Sculpture of Dark Elegance, Biomorphic Black Solid Wood, Still Stand No97
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A Sculpture of Dark Elegance, Biomorphic Black Solid Wood, Still Stand No97 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a ...
Hardwood
Large brutalist wall sculpture, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Architectural brutalist wall mounted sculpture made from cast metal. Imposing wall sculpture 1970s - Belgium Height: 90cm Width: 175cm Ref.: 2508120403 *All images are always pa...
Metal
$13,130Sale Price / item|10% Off
Abstract Dark Art in Modern Sculpture, Burned Oak by Escalona, Still Stand No94
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Abstract Dark Art in Modern Sculpture, Burned Oak by Escalona, Still Stand No94 Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a ...
Hardwood
$13,130Sale Price / item|10% Off
Modern Burned Oak Totem, a Design of Sleek Darkness, Still Stand No101
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Modern Burned Oak Totem, a Design of Sleek Darkness, Still Stand No101 _ Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testamen...
Hardwood
$13,130Sale Price / item|10% Off
Still Stand No90, The Sleek Burned Oak Totem, a Synthesis of Dark Elegance
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Still Stand No90, The Sleek Burned Oak Totem, a Synthesis of Dark Elegance —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a t...
Hardwood
Brutalist Abstract Wall Sculpture in the Style of Curtis Jere
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this large diameter wall sculpture in the style of C. Jere, circa 1960.
Metal
$13,130Sale Price / item|10% Off
Modern Sculpture in Dark Art, Black Solid Wood by Escalona, Still Stand No94
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Modern Sculpture in Dark Art, Black Solid Wood by Escalona, Still Stand No94 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a...
Hardwood
Bronze Mounted Brutalist Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bronze mounted abstract sculpture. The sculpture showcases an interlocking narrow bronze sculpture on a Douglas fir base. Dimensions 6.75" width x 3.25" depth x 13.25" height. Cond...
Bronze
Sleek and Dark Design in Black Solid Wood Totem, Still Stand No87
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Sleek and Dark Design in Black Solid Wood Totem, Still Stand No87 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testament t...
Hardwood
Large burtalist wal sculpture, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Architectural brutalist wall mounted sculpture made from cast metal. Imposing wall sculpture 1970s - Belgium Height: 85cm Width: 185cm Ref.: 2508120401 *All images are always pa...
Metal
$11,165Sale Price / item|15% Off
Abstract Modern Wood Sculpture, Still Stand No1 by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
“Still Stand” sculptures by Joel Escalona Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testament to the power of the material...
Hardwood
Table Lamp, Brutalist, Abstract Root Driftwood Brown color France 20th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
We can notice the organic curves. The Driftwwod is a Root. We have a socket in plastic, with a plastic switch You can use any kind of bulb up to 100 watt, but choose by priority, bul...
Driftwood
Joel Escalona's Modern Totem, Dark Burned Oak Creation, Still Stand No84
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Modern Totem, Dark Burned Oak Creation, Still Stand No84 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a tes...
Hardwood
Table Lamp, Brutalist wood, Brown color France 20th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
We can notice the curves. The wood is a solid Wood. We have a socket in plastic, with a plastic switch You can use any kind of bulb up to 100 watt. Art deco or tribal and Brutalist s...
Wood
Carved Modern Totem in Dark Black Solid Wood Elegance, Still Stand No95
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Carved Modern Totem in Dark Black Solid Wood Elegance, Still Stand No95 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a tes...
Hardwood
1970s Vintage Geometric Wood Wall Sculpture, Brutalist Relief Panel
Located in La Mesa, CA
Handcrafted in the 1970s and sourced from a Southern California estate, this sculptural wood wall panel showcases a bold geometric relief design, meticulously assembled from richly g...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist C Jere Tree Sculpture Signed
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A great Mid-Century Modern Curtis Jere brass, copper and metal life-size tree sculpture. Rare form Brutalist design. Large leaves and verdigris green metal base. Signed C Jere on leaf.
Metal, Brass, Copper
Brutalist Wall Sculpture, Danish Art, 1970s
By Henrik Horst
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Brutalist wall sculpture designed and manufactured by the Danish artist Henrik Horst, circa 1970s. Patinated metal construction mounted on a frame of wood.
Metal
Table Lamp, Brutalist wood, Brown color France 20th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
We can notice the curves. The wood is a solid Wood. We have a socket in plastic, with a plastic switch You can use any kind of bulb up to 100 watt. Art deco or tribal and Brutalist s...
Wood
$10,104Sale Price / item|20% Off
Abstract Modern Wood Sculpture, Still Stand No1 by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
“Still Stand” sculptures by Joel Escalona Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testament to the power of the material...
Hardwood
NONO Crafts Dark Elegance, Biomorphic Burned Oak, Still Stand No93
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Crafts Dark Elegance, Biomorphic Burned Oak, Still Stand No93—— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. ...
Hardwood
Joel Escalona Defines Sleek, Dark Burned Oak in Abstract Design, Still Stand 96
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona Defines Sleek, Dark Burned Oak in Abstract Design, Still Stand No96 _ Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one i...
Hardwood
Brutalist Wall Sculpture, Danish Art, 1970s
By Henrik Horst
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Brutalist wall sculpture designed and manufactured by the Danish artist Henrik Horst, circa 1970s. Patinated metal construction mounted on a frame of wood.
Metal
$14,589 / item
Black Solid Wood Sculpture by Escalona, Still Stand 102
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
The Dark Elegance of Abstract Black Solid Wood Captured by Escalona, Still Stand No102 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Eac...
Hardwood
Modern Totem in Dark Elegance, Carved Burned Oak, Presented in Still Stand No95
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Modern Totem in Dark Elegance, Carved Burned Oak, Presented in Still Stand No95 _ Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a...
Hardwood
By Joel Escalona, Burned Oak Abstract Beauty, Still Stand No79
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
By Joel Escalona, Burned Oak Abstract Beauty, Still Stand No79 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Eac...
Hardwood
Anonymous late 20th Century European modern sculpture. Sphere of metal bolts.
Located in København K, 84
Anonymous European modern sculpture. This captivating sculpture, comprised of hundreds of intricately welded metal bolts, converges into a seamless and imposing sphere. This work of...
Metal
A Dark, Elegant Design Materializes in Burned Oak, Still Stand No91, by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A Dark, Elegant Design Materializes in Burned Oak, Still Stand No91, by NONO —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a...
Hardwood
Vintage Large Scale Brutalist Cattail Sculpture on a Burled Wood Base
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Charleston, SC
A beautiful brutalist mixed metal sculpture on a Burled wood base. It featured 7 cattails in different heights as well as leaves of different heights and shapes. After C. Jere.
Metal
Chaumet Paris, a French Silver-Gilt Seahorse Mounted Rhodochrosite Cup
By Chaumet
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Chaumet Paris, A French Silver-Gilt Seahorse Mounted Rhodochrosite cup Circa 1980. An exceptional object A quadrangular cut cup in rhodochrosite and the handle made of a sea...
Sterling Silver
Large Brutalist Wall Sculpture, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Architectural Brutalist wall mounted sculpture made from cast metal. Imposing wall sculpture 1970s - Belgium Height: 87cm/34.25" Lenght: 190cm/74.80".
Metal
Brutalist Bronze Mounted Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bronze mounted abstract sculpture. The sculpture features four topographical like forms connected to a narrow bronze stem, mounted to a thick limestone base. Signed by the artist. D...
Limestone, Bronze
Brutalist Abstract Wall Sculpture in the Style of Curtis Jere
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this large diameter wall sculpture in the style of C. Jere, circa 1960.
Metal
$13,130Sale Price / item|10% Off
The Abstract Elegance of Burned Oak, Dark and Sleek, by Escalona, Still Stand 98
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
The Abstract Elegance of Burned Oak, Dark and Sleek, by Escalona, Still Stand No98 _ Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one ...
Hardwood
Unique Wall Art/Wall Object from the 1970s in Brutalist Style
By Henrik Horst
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Brutalist wall sculpture designed and manufactured by the Danish artist Henrik Horst, circa 1970s as a wave in danish mid-century modern design. Patinated metal construction mounted on a frame of wood. unique wall art...
Metal
Timeless Design with Subtle Hand Forged Forms, Wrought Iron Fireplace Tools Set
Located in Lisse, NL
This artistic and strong wrought iron fire set will help manage the fire in your fireplace. If you are passionate about artistic and handcrafted antiques, then this fireplace set fr...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Monumental Wooden Sculpture Inspired in Constantin Brancusi Style
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
This monolithic sculpture, designed by the talented Artist Joel Escalona, is a towering example of beauty in craftsmanship. Hand and digital machine made; the standing sculpture stan...
Hardwood
$13,130Sale Price / item|10% Off
Modern Art Carved in Sleek Dark Black Solid Wood, NONO's Still Stand No99
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Modern Art Carved in Sleek Dark Black Solid Wood, NONO's Still Stand No99 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a te...
Hardwood
Biomorphic Elegance, Black Solid Wood by NONO, Still Stand No83
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Biomorphic Elegance, Black Solid Wood by NONO, Still Stand No83 Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testament to th...
Hardwood
Table Lamp, wood, Brown color France 20th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Table Lamp, wood, Brown color France 20th Century US PLUG ADAPTATOR WILL BE FURNISHED FOR FREE TO THE US BUYERS Shade is not Furnished
Wood
Carved from Elegance, Still Stand No80 in Burned Oak by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Carved from Elegance, Still Stand No80 in Burned Oak by NONO —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testament to th...
Hardwood
Still Stand No102, The Dark Elegance of Abstract Burned Oak by Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Still Stand No102, The Dark Elegance of Abstract Burned Oak by Escalona _ Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testame...
Hardwood
Burned Oak's Sleek Dark Design in Abstract Totem Form, Still Stand No87
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Burned Oak's Sleek Dark Design in Abstract Totem Form, Still Stand No87 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a tes...
Hardwood
In Burned Oak, a Dark Biomorphic Sculpture of Elegance Emerges, Still Stand No97
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
In Burned Oak, a Dark Biomorphic Sculpture of Elegance Emerges, Still Stand No97 _ Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is ...
Hardwood
$13,130Sale Price / item|10% Off
Elegant Biomorphic Sculpture, Black Solid Wood by Escalona, Still Stand No88
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elegant Biomorphic Sculpture, Black Solid Wood by Escalona, Still Stand No88 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a ...
Hardwood
$19,200Sale Price|20% Off
Important Peter Voulkos 'Plate', 1981 – Wheel-Thrown Stoneware, Surface Drawing
Located in Chicago, IL
Important Peter Voulkos 'Untitled Plate', 1981 – Wheel-Thrown Stoneware with Surface Drawing Dimensions: 5¼ D × 21 W× 20 H in Signed: Voulkos 81, to reverse Catalog: Registered under...
Clay
$13,130Sale Price / item|10% Off
Joel Escalona's Creation, Dark Black Solid Wood Totem, Still Stand No84
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Creation, Dark Black Solid Wood Totem, Still Stand No84 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testa...
Hardwood
Escalona's Black Solid Wood Sculpture of Abstract Elegance, Still Stand No85
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Escalona's Black Solid Wood Sculpture of Abstract Elegance, Still Stand No85 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw bea...
Hardwood
$13,130Sale Price / item|10% Off
Abstract Beauty in Black Solid Wood, Escalona's Work, Still Stand No79
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Abstract Beauty in Black Solid Wood, Escalona's Work, Still Stand No79 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testa...
Hardwood
Brutalist wall sculpture, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Architectural brutalist wall mounted sculpture made from cast metal. Imposing wall sculpture 1970s - Belgium Height: 75cm Width: 180cm Ref.: 25090304 *All images are always part...
Metal
$13,130Sale Price / item|10% Off
Elegant and Dark, the Biomorphic Burned Oak Sculpture Still Stand 88
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elegant and Dark, the Biomorphic Burned Oak Sculpture by Joel Escalona, Still Stand No88 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. ...
Hardwood
Dark, Elegant Black Solid Wood Design Materializes, Still Stand No91
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Dark, Elegant Black Solid Wood Design Materializes, Still Stand No91 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testame...
Hardwood
Unveiling Modern Elegance, Dark Black Solid Wood, Still Stand No89 by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Unveiling Modern Elegance, Dark Black Solid Wood, Still Stand No89 by NONO —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a t...
Hardwood
$13,130Sale Price / item|10% Off
Design of Sleek Darkness, Modern Black Solid Wood Totem by NONO, Still Stand 101
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Design of Sleek Darkness, Modern Black Solid Wood Totem by NONO, Still Stand No101 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each o...
Hardwood
$13,130Sale Price / item|10% Off
The Sleek Totem of Dark Elegance in Black Solid Wood, Still Stand No90
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
The Sleek Totem of Dark Elegance in Black Solid Wood, Still Stand No90 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testam...
Hardwood
Abstract Elegance, Dark, Sleek Black Solid Wood by Escalona, Still Stand No98
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Abstract Elegance, Dark, Sleek Black Solid Wood by Escalona, Still Stand No98 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a...
Hardwood
Wood Sculpture, Burned Oak Masterpiece by Joel Escalona, Still Stand No100
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Wood Sculpture, Burned Oak Masterpiece by Joel Escalona, Still Stand No100 _ Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a tes...
Hardwood
Dark Modern Totem, Black Solid Wood, Vision by Escalona, Still Stand No81
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Dark Modern Totem, Black Solid Wood, Vision by Escalona, Still Stand No81—— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a tes...
Hardwood
$13,130Sale Price / item|10% Off
Sleek Abstract Sculpture in Burned Oak, Still Stand No82 by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Sleek Abstract Sculpture in Burned Oak, Still Stand No82 by NONO —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testament t...
Hardwood