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.
Monumental Patinated Fiberglass Figure Sculpture Style of Alberto Giacometti
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Long Island City, NY
Monumental Patinated Fiberglass Figure in the Style of Alberto Giacometti A monumental fiberglass sculpture with a bronze tone patinated finish, executed in the style of Alberto Gia...
Fiberglass
Wonderful Brutalist Hand Sculpted Metal Owl Sergio Bustamante
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Brutalist Hand Sculpted Metal Owl In The Manner Of Sergio Bustamante
Metal
20th Century French Vintage Abstract Brutalist Raw Metal Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern French abstract Brutalist sculpture, décor piece made of hand crafted raw metal, in good condition. Minor fading, scratches due to age. Wear consistent w...
Metal
Stunning Wooden Zodiac Wall Plaque Relief Brutalist Midcentury, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautifully crafted wooden wall plaque relief depicting all zodiac signs, designed in a bold Brutalist style and produced in Germany in the 1970s. The expressive carved forms and s...
Plywood
Brutalist Fiberglass Relief Wall Plaque, 1960s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Brutalist relief plaque made of fiberglass in the 1960s, featuring an abstract surface of geometric shapes and incised textures. The patinated finish in bronze-effect tones evokes th...
Fiberglass
$3,965Sale Price / set|20% Off
David Marshall. Brutalist aluminum and bronze wall sculptures, Spain, 1970s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Set of two brutalist wall sculptures by David Marshall, Spain, 1970s. Made of aluminum and bronze. These wall sculptures can be placed on the wall as decorative elements, or installe...
Aluminum, Bronze
Mid-Century Italian Paolo Soleri Brutalist Wind Chime Sculpture
By Paolo Soleri
Located in Forney, TX
A large and heavy patinated bronze Brutalism style windbell sculpture by Paolo Soleri (Italy, later America; 1919-2014). Beautiful, substantial Mid-century Post Modernist Brutali...
Bronze
"Greedy pig" life sized fully functioning heavy metal freestanding safe/vault
By Jan Paul
Located in Maastricht, NL
"Greedy pig" Life sized fully functioning heavy metal freestanding safe/ freestanding statement. Meta-commenting capitalism. The pigs snout is formed by a original 3-numbers lef-rig...
Metal
Cubist School Jazz Band Sculpture signed and dated Austin Productions 1964
Located in New York, NY
Stylized cast sculpture of a Jazz Band, marked Austin Productions 1964. Executed in the Brutalist style, with obvious Cubism School influence. Construct...
Plaster
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
$538Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist sculpture in welded and patinated copper and brass - Jarc - 1970
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Brutalist sculpture in welded and patinated copper and brass, depicting a stylized animal. Created by the artist Jarc in the 1970s, it is in excellent condition with a beautiful patina.
Brass
$9,200Sale Price|20% Off
Paul Evans Sculpture 1950s 1960s Mid Century Brutalist Abstract Metal Modern Art
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Peoria, AZ
AFTER PAUL EVANS MID CENTURY MODERN MONUMENTAL BRUTALIST FINE ART DIRECT METAL SCULPTURE! MAGNIFICENT TOWER STRUCTURE! IRON, BRASS, BRONZE & WOOD BASE CIRCA 1956 Similar to Diego Giacometi Approximate Dimensions: Large 34" Tower/ 13" Wide & Deep This is the Holy Grail for Mid Century abstract...
Bronze, Iron
1960s Austin Production "Loving Touch" Brutalist Sculpture.
Located in Miami, FL
1960s Austin Production "Loving Touch" Brutalist Sculpture. Features two nude figures in a tender embrace, inspired by Auguste Rodin's "The Kiss." Molded in resin, patinated to recre...
Resin
$12,000Sale Price|52% Off
1960s Mid Century Modern Abstract Metal "Wall Jewelry" Sculpture Harry Bertoia
Located in Peoria, AZ
MAGNIFICENT! BRUTALIST HANDWORKED SCULPTED METAL WALL ART Attributed to Harry Bertoia. INCREDIBLE WELDS, WORKMANSHIP & DESIGN! HUGE! App...
Bronze, Iron
Giovanni 'John’ Bucci Metal Art Sculpture, 1960s
Located in Savannah, GA
Giovanni 'John' Bucci (Italian-American, 1935-2019) A welded metal sculpture composed of various found metal pieces, 1960s. 20 inches wide by 24 inches tall by 8 ½ inches deep
Metal
Henri Fernandez Gold and Blue Longhorn Beetle Lamp
Located in Hastings, GB
Extremely rare sculpture in brass and agate, by Henri Fernandez for atelier Duval Brasseur, modelled as a Longhorn Beetle and dating to the 1970’s. The beautiful blue agate wings ar...
Agate, Brass
$1,180Sale Price|20% Off
Marcello Fantoni style. Stunning brutalist sculpture, Italy, 1950s
By Marcello Fantoni, Paul Evans, Silas Seandel
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Brutalist sculpture in Marcello Fantoni's style, 50s. Made of copper metal cut with a torch and welded together the pieces that form it, creating a body of purely brutalist phantasma...
Copper, Iron
American Brutalist Cubist Wrought Iron Sculpture Flying Bird, Kohn 1974
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Brutalist torch cut metal abstract sculpture depicts a flying bird with outstretched wings, supported by spiral structure resting on demilune metal base. T...
Metal, Cut Steel
$2,900 / item
Rick Owens Cast Bronze Coupe Nitrate Patina Vase
By Rick Owens
Located in Chicago, IL
The now iconic bronze coupe vase from the Rick Owens bronze relic collection. This is shown in the nitrate patina. Each piece is handmade and hand patinated so there is always a slig...
Bronze
"Un Jardín" – Abstract brutalist cantera stone sculpture
Located in Guadalajara, MX
This small scale sculpture cut in black cantera stone abstracts the text “nada menos que el universe entero” (nothing less than the entire universe”, which is what Luis Barragán said...
Stone
$2,360 / item
Abstract Sculpture in Cast Stone by Alentes Atelier
Located in PALEA FOKEA, ATTIKI
This limited-edition work balances monolithic weight with fluid, architectural movement. The piece exists somewhere between sculpture and spatial artifact — at once primitive and dis...
Cast Stone
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Patinated Brutalist Unicorn Tragedy Bronze Sculpture on Marble Base
Located in San Diego, CA
Patinateed Brutalist "Unicorn Tragedy" bronze sculpture on marble base, circa 1970s. The piece depicts the tragedy of a young unicorn realizing his mother has been speared and is on ...
Marble, Bronze
1970s Sergio Bustamante Style Metal and Ceramic Birds S/2
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of two 1970s brass and ceramic decorative birds. In the style of Sergio Bustamante. Burnished brass with blue/white painted ceramic. No artists signature or brand stamp. Owl: 5....
Brass
Brutalist Owl Sculpture in Raw Metal with Glass Eyes in the Style of Curtis Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in San Diego, CA
A really cool brutalist owl sculpture in raw metal with glass eyes in the style of Curtis Jere, circa 1960s. The sculpture is in very good vintage condition and measures 7"W x 3.5"D...
Metal
MARYLYN HYDE Post-War British Ceramic Sculptural Stoneware Pottery Vessel
Located in Torquay, GB
Striking British studio stoneware pottery sculptural vessel by Marylyn Hyde, dating from the late 1970s to early 1980s. This monumental stoneware jardiniere is formed as a fragmented...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Isabelle Faure Signed Illuminated Gold Butterfly Sculpture Light Brass and Agate
Located in Hastings, GB
An incredibly rare sculpture by world renowned sculptor Isabelle Faure, in hand worked brass and agate. The enormous butterfly spans over 80cm in diameter and the stunning agate wing...
Agate, Brass
Vintage Carved Solid Mahogany Decorative Post, Brutalist Style, 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsomely carved solid mahogany decorative post. Vintage, and originally intended as a banister stop. This is a strikingly beautiful piece that can serve as an eye catching art obje...
Mahogany
Harry Bertoia Gilt Bronze, Brass and Steel Dandelion Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Bertoia's Dandelion form is widely regarded to be the apex of his career. An overwhelming physical presence is balanced by its truly delicate nature. A gilt bronze central sphere is ...
Granite, Brass, Bronze
Brutalist Brass Tree Sculpture by Friedle, Circa 1970s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Brutalist brass sculpture of a Tree Cluster grouping by Friedle.
Brass
$5,440Sale Price|20% Off
Monumental Paolo Soleri Brutalist Bronze Bell with Cast Aluminum Spine, 1960
Located in Chicago, IL
Monumental Paolo Soleri Brutalist Bronze Bell with Cast Aluminum Spine, 1960 A striking and monumental work by Paolo Soleri, this sculptural bronze bell is suspended from a cast alum...
Aluminum, Bronze, Copper
$309Sale Price / set|25% Off
Brutalist Mid Century Small Bronze Panther Sculptures, France, 1950s
Located in Valencia, VC
Pair of small Brutalist patinated cast bronze sculptures, representing two panthers on movement. Produced in France circa the mid 20th century. They are small but very beautiful in...
Bronze
Italian modern brutalist Brass sculpture by Edmondo Cirillo, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern brutalist Brass sculpture by Edmondo Cirillo, 1970s Brass sculpture with a rectangular base with reference to the brutalist style. The front of the sculpture is square...
Brass
$8,142
Bronze walrus skull
Located in BEEKBERGEN, NL
There is something primordial about this piece. Cast directly from an actual walrus skull, every anatomical detail is preserved in bronze with forensic pr...
Bronze
Belva Ball Brutalist Tree Sculpture Bronze Geode Mid-Century Modern 20th Century
By Belva Ball
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Brutalist sculpture depicting two elongated trees in bronze, their delicate, branching forms rising from a rough-cut geode base by Belva Ball. Circa mid 20th century. The contrast ...
Metal
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
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
Mid Century Brutalist Modern Abstract Wall Sculpture by Finesse Originals
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fun to look at piece of 3D wall created by Finesse Originals in the 1960's. It consists of a wood frame and the sculpture part is molded resin.
Resin, Wood
$1,380Sale Price / item|20% Off
Khadim Diop Bronze Sculptures African Ethnic Art Statue Musician Vintage Modern
Located in London, GB
Khadim Diop, the Senegalese artist renowned for his bronze sculptures that adorn many private collections worldwide, has crafted two captivating and expressive pieces that showcase his mastery of the medium, a rare find in the market outside Africa! The first sculpture portrays a dynamic figure playing the Djembe drum...
Bronze
Brutalist Cast Iron Fish Sculpture - Mid-Century Aquarium-Inspired Design 1977
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This striking Brutalist cast iron fish sculpture captures the essence of mid-century design with its raw, textured finish and bold aesthetic. Fea...
Iron
Sculptural Table Lamp Carved in an Olive Wood Block France 1950
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This table lamp, is carved in the Olive wood. The wood has this light brown color of this wood, with the old patina. This lamp was made in France, circa 1950, US PLUG ADAPTATOR W...
Wood
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...
Metal, Brass
Reclining Woman Sculpture in Chamotte Clay, France, 1970s
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Modernist sculpture of a reclining woman in black chamotte clay, made in France in the 1970s. This figurative sculpture depicts a reclining woman in a contemplative and minimalist p...
Clay
Vintage Boho Brutalist Modernist Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Command attention with the raw, architectural power of this vintage Brutalist sculpture. Epitomizing the avant-garde spirit of the Mid-Century Modernist movement, this striking abstr...
Stone, Aluminum
Monumental Brutalist Stacked Cube Steel Garden Sculptures, after David Smith
By Paul Evans, David Smith
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental Brutalist Stacked Cube Steel Garden Sculpture, after David Smith / Paul Evans.. Signed and dated bUT unfortunately illegible. Amazing use of color, texture and space, Eigh...
Steel
Mid Century Welded Dark Iron Rod Table Sculpture on Walnut Block Base
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Handmade patinated Iron Rod, Abstract Tree Form, Table Sculpture on Block Walnut base, Circa 1960. Featuring handcrafted vertical form composed of welded patinated 3/4"D cut, varied ...
Iron
Mid-20th Century Vintage Brutalist Table Sculpture in Iron and Bronze
Located in Charleston, SC
Vintage Brutalist abstraction Iron and Bronze Table Sculpture. C. 1960’s
Bronze, Iron
Eddie Hackman The Shearer Bronze Figure Limited Edition 1986 Australian Outback
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Eddie Hackman "The Shearer" Bronze Figure Limited Edition 1986 Australian Outback, Signed to Rear. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 4" H x 3.75" W x 2.5" D.
Bronze
Vintage metal Brutalist sculpture Bird by Salvino Marsura, Italy 1950s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Amazing mid-century modern metal Brutalist sculpture "Bird" by Salvino Marsura, made in Italy in the 1950s. Salvino Marsura is an Italian artist born in Treviso in 1938. His career ...
Iron
$190,575
Harry Bertoia Bush Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
"Untitled" (Bush) Sculpture by Harry Bertoia, circa 1970's made of welded bronze. Harry Bertoia, was an Italian-born American artist, sound art sculptor, and...
Bronze
Midcentury Brutalist Brass Sculpture, circa 1960s
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful hand-made brass sculpture, Midcentury Modern/Brutalist period, circa mid-20th century, 1960s. Piece is unsigned; In the style of designers Paul Evans, Curtis Jere. Piece is all brass with a square black composite base. Very good condition as shown in images. Dimensions: 22.75" Height. Other items shown available separately, search 1stDibs ref. #: Mackenzie-Childs vase, search ref. #: LU1314226933622 (SOLD.) Agate dish...
Composition, Brass
Monumental James Bearden Mystical Galaxy Chimes Sculpture Steel Bronze Brutalist
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed and studio-made by American craftsman James Bearden, this chime sculpture is among the largest made, and the largest on sale today. An early m...
Bronze, Steel
Brutalist Male Bust by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, Patinated Bronze
Located in Astoria, NY
Philip LaVerne (American, 1907-1987) and Kelvin LaVerne (American, 1937-2025) Male Figure Patinated Bronze Portrait Bust Sculpture, signed to reverse. 22.5" H x 14" W x 7" D. Prove...
Bronze
Brutalist Metal Rooster Sculpture by Michel Anasse, France, c. 1960
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
An elegant and highly decorative metal rooster sculpture by Michel Anasse (1930–2020), one of the key figures of French modernist metalwork. This exceptional piece showcases Anasse’...
Metal
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
$5,600Sale Price|22% Off
Paul Evans Brutalist Cocktail Table in Patinated Steel and Bronze, c. 1970
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exceptional Brutalist coffee table by Paul Evans, created as part of his celebrated Sculptured Metal Collection for Directional, exemplifies the raw artistry and architectural p...
Bronze, Steel
$288Sale Price / set|20% Off
Organic Modern Burl Wood Bookends, Sculptural Brutalist Studio Craft, 1970s
Located in San Carlos, CA
A striking pair of sculptural bookends carved from solid burl wood, celebrating the natural beauty and irregularity of the material. Each bookend features dramatic swirling grain, kn...
Burl
Brutalist Abstract Iron Sculpture, Signed CH, Netherlands, 1960s
Located in DE KWAKEL, NL
An expressive Brutalist sculpture in welded iron, composed of sharply cut geometric elements that merge into a dynamic and almost architectural form. The layered construction, pierce...
Iron
Brutalist Torch-Cut Steel Sculpture "The Buffalo" on Marble Base by Tom Hardy
By Thomas Bush Hardy
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning brutalist torch-cut steel sculpture "The Buffalo" on black marble base by listed artist, Tom Hardy, circa 1950s. This striking buffalo sculpture is crafted from torch-cut st...
Marble, Cut Steel
Abstract Modernist Bronze Sculpture Figural with Brutalist Relief Texture 1970s
By Lynn Chadwick
Located in Troy, MI
Unique post-war abstract sculpture in solid bronze Anonymous artist circa 1970's Slab like torso cast in deep relief texture and nuanced patinas Three elongated legs and subtly offs...
Bronze
Large Abstract Gilded Metal Sculpture by Philippe Cheverny, 1970s
Located in Chicago, IL
An abstract sculpture by French artist Philippe Cheverny, rendered in gilded metal. Its Brutalist form emerges from molten metal, poured and shaped into a freeform silhouette. Rests ...
Metal