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
Mid-century Modern Glass Sculpture of a Man Holding a Flag, by Jan Černý
Located in San Francisco, CA
The faded handwritten sticky note on the sculpture’s base (photo #6) reads "jan cerny / (autor = / socrec).” This suggests this is a mid-20th-century Czech studio art glass sculpture...
Art Glass
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
“SHOWSOMEBALLS” Wall mounted heavy metal sculpture.
By Jan Paul
Located in Maastricht, NL
“SHOWSOMEBALLS” Wall mounted heavy metal sculpture. Inspired by classic heavy metal band-logo's and record-sleeve artwork. The object is motivationally telling you what to do / l...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Wooden Zodiac Aries Ram Wall Plaque Relief Brutalist Midcentury, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful wooden wall plaque relief sign, made in the Brutalist style in Germany in the 1970s. This is a wonderful Zodiac sign. This can be used as a Wall decoration or as a decorati...
Wood
Brutalist Cast Bronze Mother and Child Sculpture by Irma Suzanne Barness
By Henry Moore
Located in New York, NY
Cast bronze mother and child sculpture by noted artist Irma Suzanne Barnes ( 1913 - 2013 ). Executed in the Brutalist style, verdigris finish,...
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
$2,319 / 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
1980s Vintage Forged Brutalist Abstract Stainless Sculpture, Style of Leo Amino
By Leo Amino
Located in Miami, FL
1980s Vintage Forged Brutalist Abstract Stainless Sculpture, Style of Leo Amino Offered for sale is a 1980s vintage Brutalist abstract sculpture created with substantial stainless-...
Marble, Stainless Steel
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
$1,159Sale Price|20% Off
Marcello Fantoni style. Stunning brutalist sculpture, Italy, 1950s
By Paul Evans, Silas Seandel, Marcello Fantoni
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
Contemporary Brutalist Style Bronze & Marble Jazz Musician Band Figures 5 Pc Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Contemporary Brutalist Style Bronze & Marble Jazz Musician Band Figures - 5 Pc Set. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: (5) Standing Musicians: 13" H x 4.5 W x 5" D
Bronze
$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
Danish Artist Peder E. Madsen Brutalist Primeval Sword-Fish Skeleton in Bronze
Located in Esbjerg, DK
The Danish artist and Sculptor Peder Evald Madsen was born in 1951 and died last year in his home. These pieces came from his own collection and were sold at auction in 2024. A parti...
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 Art Pottery Studio Sculpture Man with Gun Riding a Camel signed
Located in New York, NY
1970's Brutalist Studio Art Pottery sculpture depicting a Arab man, carrying a rife, riding a camel. The sculpture is signed illegibly on its base, this example is in very good, or...
Pottery
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
"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
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 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
$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
$3,896Sale 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
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
Mid Century Modern Brutalist Solid Bronze Crucifix Sculpture 1960s
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid Century Modern Brutalist Solid Bronze Crucifix wall hung sculpture. Beautifully crafted sculpture with a rich patina. Unsigned. 1960s
Bronze
Sergio Bustamante Metal Owl Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Showcasing expressive folk-modernist character, this vintage mixed metal owl sculpture features a rotund body constructed from hundreds of individually cut and layered sheet metal fe...
Metal, Brass
"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
$1,800 / item
Small Decorative Brutalist Sculpture on Brass Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Striking mid-century brutalist sculpture on brass stand featuring bold, abstract geometry and raw, textured metalwork. This piece has a great patina and every side is its good side. ...
Brass, Cut Steel
Vintage Faceted Wood Sphere
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Embrace the soulful intersection of geometry and nature with this striking vintage faceted wood sphere. A masterclass in Organic Modernism, this hand-carved object features a series ...
Wood
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
Curtis Jere "Windswept" Brutalist Sculpture, Brass and Marble
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Miami, FL
Curtis Jere "Windswept" Brutalist Sculpture, Brass and Marble Offered for sale is a vintage Curtis Jere Brutalist "Windswept" sculpture on a black marble base. This brass sculptur...
Marble, Brass
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
Liza Monk (1906-?) Brutalist nail sculpture of Hercules WPA artist based in CA
By Monk Designs
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Brutalist sculpture of Hercules by Liza Monk - Los Angeles based WPA artist. Heavy and welded pieces of metal/ nails.
Metal
Klaus Lehmann, Brutalist German Studio Pottery Cube Art Sculpture No. No. 337 81
Located in Hamburg, DE
Klaus Lehmann, Postmodern Brutalist German Studio Pottery Cube Art Sculpture No. 337 81, 1981
Pottery
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
Midcentury Modern 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
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
Mid-century Abstract Brutalist Bronze
By A. Robillard
Located in San Francisco, CA
Fabulous bronze of what looks to be a sphere. To me it seems brutalist in style, but also abstract. It has a big R on the bottom and it is dated 1967. Definitely a mystery piece. It ...
Bronze
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
$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
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
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
$1,350Sale 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
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
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
Late 20th Century Vintage Boho Carved Wood Totem Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Introduce a powerful and dramatic vertical element into your interior with this monumental hand-carved wooden totem sculpture. A masterful work of Brutalist and Organic Modern design...
Metal
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
Still Stand Abstract Wood Sculpture, Column, Totem, Chainsaw Carved, Handmade
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Still Stand Abstract Biomorphic Wood Sculpture, Chainsaw Carved From Single Piece of Oak Wood
Oak
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
$9,364Sale Price / item|20% Off
NONO Elefante Foyer Table 09, Oak Precision, Minimalist Elegance
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Foyer Table 09, Oak Precision, Minimalist Elegance ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modern...
Hardwood
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
Modern Brutalist African Wooden Sculpture – Female Bust
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Modern Brutalist African Wooden Sculpture – Female Bust – 50 cm This is a striking sculpture of a female bust, carved in solid wood, in a style that combines modern minimalism, bruta...
Wood
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
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
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
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
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
Daniel Gluck Brutalist Bronze 'Lotus' Sculptural Coffee Table Base, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An extraordinary Daniel Gluck sculptural bronze "Lotus" coffee table base, handcrafted in California during the 1970s and representative of the artist's distinctive fusion of functio...
Metal
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
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.
Metal
Vintage Boho Abstract Figurative Cast Metal Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This powerful vintage sculpture captures a fluid, dynamic human form in motion, executed with the rough texture and expressive technique characteristic of Brutalist or Abstract Expre...
Iron
Rick Owens Bronze Coupe Vase, Nitrate Patina, Brutalist Design, France
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
$11,706 / item
Table Elefante by NONO 02, Oak Pure, Distinctive Style
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Table Elefante by NONO 02, Oak Pure, Distinctive Style ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Touch...
Hardwood