Brutalist Decorative Objects
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
Wooden Zodiac Sagittarius 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...
Category
1970s German Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Plywood
Large Brancusi Inspired Abstract Brutalist Sculpture, Signed Gary Brandt
Located in Houston, TX
Large Mid-Century Modern solid aluminum Brutalist sculpture singed Gary Brandt. This heavy Postmodern sculpture in the style of Rene Brancusi is w...
Category
1970s Unknown Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Aluminum
Giant Concrete Bowl, Charcoal & Ash
Located in Camp Meeker, CA
This bowl was made using charcoal and ash from the artist's property in northern California. Every year, fuel reduction in the forest provides fuel for heating his old cabin. The ash...
Category
2010s American Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Concrete
One Vintage Brutalist Candle Sconce of Wrought Iron, Italian, 1970s
By Paul Evans
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage wrought iron candle sconces in the Brutalist style will certainly light up a room and create interesting shadows. Sculptured and patinated, each iron piece holds a single tap...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Wrought Iron
Big brutalist iron cast candle. The Netherlands 1960's
Located in BAAMBRUGGE, NL
Big 92cm high brutalist iron cast candle. Wonderful patina.
Category
1960s Dutch Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Monumental Brutalist Owl, Mid-Century Modern, Italy
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Buffalo, NY
Wonderful Brutalist owl sculpture, handmade, copper and brass, modernist, signed Italy.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass, Copper
Brutalist Art Pottery Studio Fat Lava Horn Spout Vase, Belgium 1960's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Brutalist in Design Art Pottery Studio Horn Spout model Fat Lava Vase. Made in Belgium, 1960's period. Turquoise blue fat lava glaze over black mat glaze. No marki...
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
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...
Category
1970s German Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Vintage Brutalist Decorative Glass Bowl
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite thick glass bowl with Brutalist textures that mimic glacier-like forms. The smooth curves and bumps create a visually dynamic object that exudes hints of delicacy while ...
Category
1970s Scandinavian Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Lucien Bénière Abstract Birchwood Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
French artist Lucien Bénière, born in 1922, studied wood sculpting and molding at the École Nationale Professionnelle de Saint-Étienne. From 1964, Lucie...
Category
1980s French Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Birch
Lucien Bénière Large Abstract Birchwood "Gerbe" Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
French artist Lucien Bénière, born in 1922, studied wood sculpting and molding at the École Nationale Professionnelle de Saint-Étienne. From 1964, Lucie...
Category
1980s French Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Birch
Michael Harjes Brutalist Bronze Candlestick
Located in New York, NY
Since 1912 the metal art workshop of Harjes has produced candle holders, bowls and other objects from bronze, copper and brass. This family business is now in its third generation, a...
Category
1960s German Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Set of Three Graduated Brutalist Copper Candleholders by Thomas Roy Markusen
Located in Garnerville, NY
A set of three graduated Brutalist Period copper candleholders by Thomas Roy Markusen. Circa 1968-1972. Markusen was a trained, silversmith, blacksmith and metalsmith, adept at forgi...
Category
Late 20th Century American Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper
Signed Sculptural Art Glass Vase in Iron Stand
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large, decorative and colorful signed Art Glass Vase in Red and Black glass housed in a custom Industrial style Iron stand. The Vase in Geometric design of the red circle within t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Large Unique Brutalist Stoneware Table Lamp by Sejer Ceramics, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
Stunning unique stoneware table or floor lamp in Brutalist style handmade at the workshop "Sejer Keramik" by Fritjof Sejer in the 1960s. The base is made from raw stoneware and the p...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Still Stand Abstract Biomorphic Wood Sculpture, Column, Chainsaw Carved, XL
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Still Stand Abstract Biomorphic Wood Sculpture, Chainsaw Carved From Single Piece of Oak Wood
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Croatian Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
Stoneware Vase by André Rozay from the Pottery Village of La Borne France 1960s
Located in London, GB
Stoneware vase from the 1960s by André Rozay made in the pottery village of La Borne in the Cher department in Central France.
André Rozay, painter and ceramic sculptor, "potter and ...
Category
1960s French Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Stoneware
Vintage Brass Medieval Knight's Helmet Mini Trinket Dish Catchall Figurine
Located in Draper, UT
A rare find! Charming vintage heavy brass catchall /trinket dish/figurine made into the likeness of a medieval helmet. All brass with a moveable top that opens and closes. Features...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Brutalist Stoneware Sculpture
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Brutalist stoneware sculpture with white glazed relief details.
Category
Mid-20th Century Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Stoneware
Brutalist Mid Century Modern 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...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
A small brass sculpture of an owl in a brutalist style - France - 1970s
By César Baldaccini, Germaine Richier
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A small brass sculpture of an owl in a style reminiscent of Germain Richier or César Baldaccini. This unique piece features a textured, organic surface, marked by raw details and a h...
Category
1970s French Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
1950s Mid-Century Owl Bird Sculpture Made in Japan Heavy Metal
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Japanese Mid-Century forged heavy metal Bookend or Sculpture. Become an iconic design among MCM collectors.
Category
1950s Japanese Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Fritz Nagel and César Stoffi for BMF Orion Modular Candleholders
Located in New York, NY
Founded in 1902 as a modest metal-working manufactory in Bavaria, Germany, Bayerische Metall Fabrik (BMF) became an international manufacturer of high-quality and luxury design eleme...
Category
1960s German Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Vase by Angelo Bragalini
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Angelo Bragalini was born in 1913 and raised in Bologna. He studied architecture, fine and applied arts in Rome, Venice and Firenze. His talent and passion for sculpture were quickly...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper
Italian Carved Travertine Tray
Located in Chicago, IL
This Italian carved travertine tray embodies Brutalist design sensibilities with its raw, unfilled stone and striking, architectural form. The elongated, narrow shape, punctuated by ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Travertine
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: 77cm
Lenght: 193cm
Ref.: 437061
Category
1970s German Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Paire de bougeoirs en fer forgé attribués à l'Atelier Marolles, années 1950
Located in THONON-LES-BAINS, FR
Paire de bougeoirs à trois branches en fer forgé attribués à l'Atelier Marolles, Travail manuel, France, années 1950. Les bougeoirs reposent sur quatre pieds en forme de volutes se ...
Category
1950s French Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel
1970's Chamotte Earthenware Wall Mount Clock with Light
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Heavy Brutalist 1970's wall mount Chamotte earthenware clock with European (E14) candelabra socket. Clock is battery operated, with new clock mechanism. In otherwise original conditi...
Category
1970s German Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Earthenware
Brutalist Metal Sculptural Vase by Jim Heneveld in the style of Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A welded steel box vase sculpture with flamed metal decoration to the body and applied designs to each side . Made in the manner of Paul Evans with highlighted edges to the design in...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Signed Curtis Jere Brass Floral Table Sculpture Mounted on Board
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a lovely floral brutalist table sculpture by C. Jere dated 1967. It sits on a ebonized wood board. It is impressive in size.
There are some imperfections to the base (see ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Gilded Sculptural Profil Candlestick by Pierre Casenove for Fondica, 1990s.
Located in Lille, FR
Gilded Aluminium Cast Sculptural Profl Candlestick by Pierre Casenove for Fondica, 1990s.
Category
1990s French Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
1970s Brutalist Textured Brown Fusion Vase
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Brutalist Textured Brown Vase
7.75 h x 3.5 w x 2.75 d
signed art
Original vintage
Refer to listed images
Category
1970s Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
Decorative Pair of Brutalist Candle Sticks
Located in Cork, IE
We bought this unusual pair of candlesticks or candleholders from a private seller in Germany. Unfortunately we could not find out where they originated.
Their naive and textured l...
Category
1970s German Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Still Stand Abstract Biomorphic Wood Sculpture, Column, Chainsaw Carved
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Still Stand Abstract Biomorphic Wood Sculpture, Chainsaw Carved From Single Piece of Oak Wood
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Croatian Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
Large 1980's Marc Creates Brutalist Torch Cut Metal Nail Tree Sculpture
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Designed by Marc Weinstein for Marc Creates, this massive 1970's sculpture depicts a brutalist interpretation of a tree using large metal nails welded together. Highlighted with gol...
Category
Late 20th Century American Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
A Zoomorphic BRUTALIST Ritual SCULPTURE Unique PIECE from LA BORNE France 1980
Located in PARIS, FR
An exceptional, spectacular and "mystical" phantasmagorical sculpture, inspired by nature and the wild, mineral or organic and animal or even... shamanic! in 3 nested parts, Zoomorph...
Category
1980s French Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of Wrought Iron Tall Floor Candle Holders in Brutalist Style
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Carimate, Como
Pair of wrought iron tall floor candle holders in brutalist style
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Wrought Iron
Fluted Concrete Vases / Vessels, 'Set of 3'
Located in Camp Meeker, CA
A little Art Deco, a little Gothic, very Brutal. Cast concrete, tinted with dark gray pigment. Natural finish.
These vessels are great empty, but even better with flowers or a succ...
Category
2010s American Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Concrete
French brutalist candlesticks
Located in PAU, FR
Brutalist candlesticks in rusty forged métal
14 items
Different sizes between 64cm and 104 cm
Category
1960s French Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Blow Glass Milk Jar by Odilon Avalos
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Descendant of a family of glass workers, Odilón Ávalos Razo, was born in Puebla in 1881. He came to Guadalajara attracted by the economic and Industrial development that characterize...
Category
1940s Mexican Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Blown Glass
Brutalist tripod candlestick in wrought iron, France, 1950s
Located in Lyon, FR
Tripod candlestick made in France in the 1950s, in wrought iron.
Brutalist style, with nice details (corollas, twist, feet), for 3 candles.
Good condition, nice patina.
Dimensions :...
Category
1950s French Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Wrought Iron
Bronze Artist Made Large Brutalist Flower Sculpture, Early 21st Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This just arrived,
This very large Bronze Brutalist Flower Sculpture or Topiary, made by an Atlanta Artist.
There is a great Verdigris pat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Pair of brutalist organic black ceramic vases, 1950's, France
Located in BELFORT, FR
One of a kind pair of organic and brutalist ceramic vases, black, perfect condition. They are both signed, but wasn't able to identify the artist.
Category
1950s French Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron candle holder sticks
Located in BELFORT, FR
Pair of mid century and brutalist style wrought iron candle holders. Perfect condition.
Category
1950s French Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Wrought Iron
Brutalist Mid Century zoomorphic wrought iron candelabra candle holder
Located in BELFORT, FR
Large mid century and brutalist style wrought iron candelabra.
Category
1950s French Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Wrought Iron
Large Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron floor candelabra candle holder
Located in BELFORT, FR
Large mid century and brutalist style wrought iron floor candelabra.
Category
1950s French Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Wrought Iron
Brutalist Mid Century Bronze candelabra candle holder
Located in BELFORT, FR
Mid century and brutalist style Bronze candelabra, signed on the base "Strassacker Kunstguss Sussen".
Category
1950s French Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
1960's California Design Mid Century Abstract Walnut & Bronze Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Modernist abstract table top walnut and bronze sculpture , circa 1970's great llok and design California Design , mid century home decor.
Category
20th Century American Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Arik Amir Brutalist Sculpture of a Dancer
Located in Redding, CT
Arik Amir Brutalist Iron Sculpture of a Dancer, signed Arik on the base.
Arik Amir (b 1922-2008) Tel Aviv, Israel. Biography from The Isreali Museum of Jerusalem refered to him as ''...
Category
Late 20th Century Israeli Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Still Stand Abstract Biomorphic Wood Sculpture, Column, Chainsaw Carved, XL
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Still Stand Abstract Biomorphic Wood Sculpture, Chainsaw Carved From Single Piece of Oak Wood
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Croatian Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron candelabra candle holder
Located in BELFORT, FR
Large mid century and brutalist style wrought iron candelabra. Very nice condition.
Category
1950s French Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Wrought Iron
Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron candelabra candle holder
Located in BELFORT, FR
Mid century and brutalist style wrought iron candelabra. Perfect condition.
Category
1950s French Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Wrought Iron
Set of Four Brutalist 1970s Oak & Brass Candlesticks
Located in Norwich, GB
A set of four Brutalist brass and solid oak candlesticks. Circa 1970.
There are a few signs of use to the finish as expected with age and use, the brass having the original patina.
...
Category
1970s European Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Taurus, Chainsaw Carved, Burnt Oak Bull Sculpture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Taurus, Chainsaw Carved, Burnt Oak Bull Sculpture
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Croatian Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
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...
Category
1950s French Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Fruitwood
Silas Seandel 'Ribbon' Brass Wall Mounted Abstract Sculpture, c 1970, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fascinating Silas Seandel 'Ribbon' wall-mounted sculpture is constructed from brass and formed into an organically abstract art piece in a large 63" wide size.
Unlike other 'R...
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
1960s Brass Flower Sculpture on Composition Base
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1960s Brass Flower Sculpture on Composition Base
Mid Century Modern
Flowers and Leaves in distressed patinated brass and metal
Composition Base
Category
1960s Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Vintage Stainless Steel "Blow Up" Citrus Basket by Fratelli Campana for Alessi
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage stainless steel "Blow Up" citrus basket by Fratelli Campana for Alessi, circa 1990s. This super cool brutalist style basket / bowl is made of we...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Brutalist Decorative Objects
Materials
Stainless Steel
Brutalist decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Brutalist decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Brutalist decorative objects made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include David Marshall, James Bearden, David Palombo, and Taylor Ruby Bell. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $42 and tops out at $450,000 while the average work can sell for $1,290.
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