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.
c.1960s Monumental Brutalist Abstract Sculpture by Calif. Artist Tony Melendy
By Tony Melendy
Located in Oakland, CA
Monumental torch cut Brutalist Abstract sculpture by California artist Tony Melendy c.1960s. A figurative abstract sculpture with intricate metal work details through out the entire ...
Metal
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 Brutalist Metal Work Figure of an Owl, Attributed Sergio Bustamante
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Brutalist Metal Owl Sculpture, Attributed to Sergio Bustamante Mexico, circa 1970s This striking Brutalist metal owl sculpture, attributed to Sergio Bustamante, exemplifies the bold...
Metal, Brass
Still Stand Abstract Wood Sculpture, Chainsaw Carved, Walnut, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
This captivating sculpture is a one of a kind piece, hand carved from a single block of solid hardwood. Its form is a continuous, biomorphic loop, an abstract ribbon of wood that twi...
Walnut, Wood
Mid-Century Italian Brutalist Bronze Amadeus Series Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Italian Brutalist Bronze Amadeus Series Candleholder by Kurt Jesch for Fratelli Tonini, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additio...
Metal
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
Stoneware vase, Brutalist style, 1960
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is a vase-shaped stoneware lamp in the Brutalist style. It's heavy and can be used as a decorative piece or as a regular lamp, provided it's rewired. Created in France in the 19...
Sandstone
1980s Brutalist Clear Glass Cylinder Vase by Jan Gabrhel
Located in Aci Castello, IT
The item is a clear glass cylinder vase, characterized by a heavily textured "brutalist" surface. This textured effect resembles ice or rough-hewn stone, giving the vase a robust and...
Glass
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
Set of 2 Vintage Brutalist Metal Candleholders, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Metal Candleholders, 1970s, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Material: Metal Color: Gold Styles: Brutalist Item Ty...
Metal
Brutalist Candelabra, Sculpture in Wrought Iron, 1970s, France
Located in Antwerp, BE
Handcrafted brutalist candelabra, sculpture with five bronze holders made in France, one piece unique five-arm candelabra a work of craftsmanship by an unknown artist. It's an except...
Bronze, Wrought Iron
1970s Set of 3 large Original Travertine Animal Sculptures by Fratelli Mannelli
Located in Nuernberg, DE
1970s Set of 3 original travertine animal sculptures designed by Fratelli Mannelli. These items are in original as found conditions. Not easy to find this set. Two of them (Elephant ...
Travertine
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
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
$540Sale 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
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
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
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
32-Inch Tall Bronze Brutalist Candle Holder, Mid-20th Century
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A sculptural and commanding Brutalist candle holder, standing at an impressive 32 inches in height. Crafted in solid bronze with a raw, hand-forged texture, this piece embodies the b...
Bronze
Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large brutalist Candle Holder. Handmade from wrought Iron. 7 arms and tripod foot.. Additional information: Material: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist Period: 1970s Item Type: V...
Metal
Large Tree Shaped Candle Holder in Hand Forged Steel 1970s
Located in Meer, VAN
Large Tree Shaped Candle Holder in Hand Forged Steel 1970s This well sized hand forged candle holder is wonderfully shaped like a tree, it origins from Europe, 1970s. It is original...
Wrought Iron
Spanish Brutalist Aluminum + Brass Jug Handled Vase Attrib to Alfonso Marquez
Located in Troy, MI
Found in Spain, this brutalist style aluminum and brass jug style vase is attributed to Alfonso Marquez and dates from the 1970s. Vase is 10-1/2” tall and has a diameter just shy of ...
Aluminum, Brass
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Extendable Floor Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Extendable Floor Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Color: Black Styles: Brutalist, Mid-...
Iron
$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
Decorative Brass Leaf Sculpture and Nut Cracker By David Marshall 1970’s
Located in Hastings, GB
A superbly executed large sculpture of a brutalist brass leaf with accompanying nut crackers in brass and cast aluminium by the Spanish based Scottish artist and sculptor David Marsh...
Brass
Paolo Soleri Special Order Large 55 inch Brutalist Windbell 1975
By Paolo Soleri
Located in Chicago, IL
Paolo Soleri Special Order Large 55 inch Brutalist Windbell 1975 Cast aluminum, patinated bronze, and copper 55 h × 13 w × 7½ d in Cast artist's cipher to body. Condition: Natural pa...
Bronze, Copper
$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
$15,215Sale Price / item|15% 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
Mid-Century Brutalist Carafe Vases from Hartwig Heyne Pottery, Germany, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Carafe Vases from Hartwig Heyne Pottery, Germany, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional informat...
Ceramic
Elefante by NONO Console 20, Slender Oak Elegance, Substantial Presence
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante by NONO Console 20, Slender Oak Elegance, Substantial Presence ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a ...
Hardwood
Klaus Lehmann, Brutalist German Studio Pottery Cube Art Sculpture No. 255 78
Located in Hamburg, DE
Klaus Lehmann, Postmodern Brutalist German Studio Pottery Cube Art Sculpture No. 255 78, 1978, Ceramic & Metal
Metal
$1,184Sale 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
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
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
Vintage Brutalist Bronze Candleholder from Gallo, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Bronze Candleholder from Gallo, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Bronze...
Bronze
Vintage Perletinn Brutalist Box in Pewter, Norway 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A Norwegian brutalist box for cigarettes, cigar, playing cards, jewelry or other personal smalls. Distinct crater paneling micmicing the surface of the moon. Made and designed by Per...
Pewter
Vintage German Brutalist Metal Candle Holder from Harjes, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist Candle Holder from German Manufacturer Harjes. Three thin arms in organic forms. Additional information: Materials: Metal Style: Brutalist Country of Origin: Germany Perio...
Metal
Large pair of Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron floor candelabra candle holder
Located in BELFORT, FR
Large pair of mid century and brutalist style wrought iron floor candelabras. Measurements of the bigger one : height 119 cm, width 28 cm, depth 24 cm Measurements of the smaller on...
Wrought Iron
David Marshall. Brutalist style clock, Spain, 1970s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Sculptural Brutalist style clock by David Marshall, Spain, 1970s. Handmade in aluminum and golden brass. It retains all its original parts. Like all of his brutalist works, David Ma...
Aluminum, Brass
$3,981Sale 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 Brutalist Mid Century Steel Metal Family Table Sculpture Signed Hardy
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Brutalist Mid Century Steel Metal Family Table Sculpture Signed Hardy. Item features a sculpture of a man, woman, and child (in the man's arms) unique brutalist design. Signe...
Metal
Mid-Century Brutalist Torch-Cut Metal Wall Sculpture signed Silas Seandel
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the renowned American artist Silas Seandel, this mid-century Brutalist wall sculpture from 1976 is a masterful fusion of industrial design and artistic craftsmanship. Craft...
Cut Steel
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
Brutalist Bronze Sculpture by Ralph Tazian
By Paul Evans
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Brutalist bronze sculpture on a mahogany base by Laguna Beach based artist Ralph Tazian
Bronze
Brutalist Glazed Ceramic Horse Sculptures, 3
Located in Astoria, NY
Group of Three Brutalist Polychrome Glazed Ceramic Horse Sculptures, signed "JJ" to the undersides, each mounted on acrylic base. Tallest overall: 8" H x 6.25" W x 3" D. Provenance...
Ceramic
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
Abstract Brutalist Sculpture in Bronze & Black Horn, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Unusual paper weight or desk sculpture fashioned from a heavy bronze disc from which a decorative piece of old black/dark brown horn from a Yak is towering (removable). Anonymously m...
Bronze
Brutalist Wall Sculpture of Patinated Metal
By Silas Seandel, Tony Melendy, Curtis Jeré
Located in Houston, TX
Brutalist wall sculpture of patinated metal. Monumental Brutalist wall sculpture of patinated metal inspired by Silas Seandel. Fabulous large Brutalist abstract wall sculpture of patinated metal in the manner of Silas Seandel/Curtis Jere/Tony Melendy...
Iron
$580Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Brutalist Rare Hand Hammered Brass Candle Holders
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare pair of candleholders solid hand hammered brass, we got these pair in Norway beautiful and unique.
Brass
Knud Erik Christensen - Danish Brutalist Sculpture in Bronze, 1980s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A studio made small bronze sculpture in an abstract form. It sits loosely on a white marble base. Very tactile texture and gilded finish. Hand-signed beneath its base: KEC. Measure...
Bronze
Vintage Brutalist Bronze Candleholder, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Heavy bronze candelabra with three arms. Additional information: Materials: Bronze Color: Gold Styles: Brutalist Period: 1970s Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned Dimensions: 9...
Bronze
Mid-Century Brutalist Candleholder from Harjes, Germany, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Candleholder from Harjes, Germany, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Material: ...
Metal
American Nautical Hand-Crafted Coral Brass Fish Sculptural Table Lamp Modern
Located in Miami, FL
Brutalist Style whimsical nautical Brass Fish on a natural white coral core and mounted on a rectangle Wood Base. The Stem is a copper piece of pipe and topped with the socket and ...
Coral, Brass
1980s Brutalist Iron and Brass Italian Three Arms Candelabra
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This striking 1980s Italian candelabra is a masterclass in Brutalist design, merging raw industrial strength with sophisticated Mid-Century flair. Hand-forged with a dramatic archite...
Brass, Iron
BMF Nagel Quist Variomaster Brutalist Stockable Modular Candleholder
Located in Vienna, AT
Stackable modular candleholder by BMF Quist Nagel, the candleholders were designed by Ceasar Stoffi and Fritz Nagel and manufactured by BMF (Bayerische Metal...
Brass, Chrome
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
Michael Harjes Large Brutalist Hanging Ceiling Candelabra Candle Holder, 1970s
By Michael Harjes, Harjes Metallkunst 1
Located in Vienna, AT
A decorative and substantial sculptural Brutalist Mid-Century Modern hanging pendant candle holder / candelabra / candlestick / chandelier from the 1970s. Designed and handcrafted by...
Bronze
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
Vintage Bronze Abstract Brutalist Bull Fighter Sculpture by Prince Monyo, 1970s
By Prince Monyo
Located in Troy, MI
Vintage Prince Monyo Bronze Abstract Brutalist Sculpture 1970s Rare Bull Fighter sculpture by Prince Monyo Mihailescu-Nasturel (b. Bucharest, 1...
Bronze
$5,760Sale Price|20% 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