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.
Figurative Brutalist Iron Sculpture by Dusan Gakovic, Yugoslavia 1980s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a Modernist or rather Brutalist sculpture by Yugoslav artist Dusan Gakovic. This sculptural composition exemplifies Dušan Gaković’s expressive approach ...
Iron
Large Solid Cast Aluminum Medusa Bowl A077 Cuenco Medusa Grande Handmade
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Large Medusa Bowl was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast aluminum. Handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and worksh...
Aluminum
Abstract Charred Wood Sculpture, Totemic Form, By Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
This expressive abstract sculpture is a one of a kind piece, hand carved from a single block of solid hardwood. Its dynamic silhouette, defined by reaching limbs and an open stance, ...
Wood
Vintage Ceramic Bottle Vase, PV Stamp, Wabi Sabi Brutalist Style
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Vintage Ceramic Bottle vase "PV" stamp Wabi Sabi Style - Decoration - Brutalist Measures : Ø 10,5cm H:21cm Material : Ceramic
Ceramic
$14,320Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
Brutalist Medium Mesh Fruit Bowl Solid Cast Aluminium Reference A050 Handmade
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Medium Mesh Fruit Bowl was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast aluminum . Handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in Spain from recy...
Aluminum
Ethnic Tray A074 Decorative Center Piece solid Brass and aluminium
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative tray was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast aluminum and sand cast brass. Handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in Spain from rec...
Aluminum, Brass
Organic Sculptural Stoneware Vessel with Volcanic Texture, Handmade Ceramic
Located in Istanbul, TR
This piece is entirely handmade in my Istanbul studio using high-temperature stoneware. The surface is created through an experimental firing and glaze interaction that produces an o...
Stoneware
$6,000Sale Price|33% Off
Abstract Modern Art Sculpture! "Phoenix Rising" Direct Metal & Marble 1950s
By Seymour Lipton
Located in Peoria, AZ
MAGNIFICENT! DIRECT METAL SCULPTURE "PHOENIX RISING" MID CENTURY ABSTRACT ART! ATTRIBUTED TO SEYMOUR LIPTON Signed & Titled "Phoenix Rising" Lipton 1958 DIMENSIONS: 23" HIGH x 7...
Marble, Bronze
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist tripod candle holder handmade from wrought iron. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century Modern Period: 1960s Item Type: Vinta...
Wrought Iron
$176Sale Price|43% Off
Mdina Art Glass Vase, Bark Texture, Tortoiseshell Effect, Malta, 1970s
By Mdina
Located in Glasgow, GB
This Mdina art glass vase, handcrafted in Malta in the 1970s, features a bark-textured surface with a distinctive tortoiseshell effect, reflecting the studio’s experimental approach ...
Art Glass
Mid-Century Danish Brutalist Cast Iron Candleholder by Jens H. Quistgaard, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Danish Brutalist Cast Iron Candleholder by Jens H. Quistgaard for Paro, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additio...
Metal
1950s French Wooden Female Sculpture – Expressive Carved Figure with Draped Skir
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
1950s French Wooden Female Sculpture – Expressive Carved Figure with Draped Skirt Description: This beautiful sculpture of a woman is carved fro...
Wood
Ceramic Wall Sculpture Plaque Ruscha West Germany
By Ruscha
Located in Poperinge, BE
Abstract vintage wall sculpture, plaque made of partially glazed terracotta, depicting leaves and a flower with twigs, fat lava accents in the background, West German pottery, possib...
Terracotta
N026 PIcture frame, silver and gold colured in solid cast brass and aluminium
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Picture frame , was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast brass. Handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in Spain from recycled mater...
Aluminum, Brass
1950's Brutalist Metal Wall Soccer Football Hanging Sculpture MCM 3D
By Curtis Jeré
Located in San Diego, CA
Very cool and unique metal wall hanging soccer football game 3D, circa 1950's nice patina finish unique piece great for the world cup 2026.
Metal
Brutalist Hand-Forged Metal Candleholder, Venetian Style, Europe 1960s
By Luciano Frigerio di Desio, Tommaso Barbi, Maison Jansen
Located in Herentals, BE
A powerful and sculptural brutalist candleholder, crafted in Europe circa 1960s–1970s, distinguished by its commanding presence and subtle Venetian stylistic influence. The piece fea...
Metal
A105 Leaf Bowl in solid cast brass
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative tray was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast brass. Handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in Spain from recycled materials. Certi...
Brass
Brutalist style. Huge handmade candle holders by Ferro Art, Spain, 1960s
By Ferrocolor, Ferro Art
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Huge and sculptural Brutalist set of 2 candelabras by Ferro Art, Spain, 1960s. Pair of candlesticks made entirely of sheet metal or tin. Worked, hammered and welded entirely by hand,...
Iron, Sheet Metal, Tin
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
A BRUTALIST Golden SHABBY-CHIC Wrought Iron CANDELABRA CANDLESTICK, France 2001
Located in PARIS, FR
A spectacular candlestick or candelabra sculpture, Post-Modernist, Brutalist, Shabby-Chic, "organic" tree composition of golden wrought iron rods, folded and welded, mounted on a tri...
Wrought Iron
Mid-Century German Brutalist Studio Pottery Vase by Lu and Gerd Grove, 1968
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Brutalist Studio Pottery Vase by Lu and Gerd Grove, 1968, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark, I am sure that it is c...
Ceramic
Large Scale Brutalist Gilt Metal Pelican Sculpture Ashtray Stand
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large scale, brutalist gilt metal pelican bird sculpture. American Mid century handcrafted metal Pelican Ashtray Stand. This stylish sculpture of a pel...
Metal
Brutalist Celtic Bowl Solid Cast Aluminium and Brass A070 by David Marshall
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Celtic Bowl was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast aluminum and sand cast brass. Handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in Spain from recycled materials. Certified authentic by the Artist David Marshall with his signature. The Artist is inspired by nature and land scape making functional art and sculptures out of recycled materials. We work with arquitects, interior designers and private clients to create specific designs, signage, staircases etc. for Homes, Hotels, Restaurants. Awards for Charity...
Aluminum, Brass
Mid-Century Brutalist Metal Candleholder 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant Slim Brutalist Candle Holder handmade from Metal. Marked with WN. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Silver Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century Modern Period: 1960s ...
Metal
Brutalist Vintage Steel Fish Sculpture 1960's in the Manner of Fantoni
Located in Wilton, CT
Large vintage Brutalist steel sculpture of fishes fashioned from old pliers and a sheet metal snip. In the manner of Marcello Fantoni. The steel has been drizzled with solder to give...
Steel
Organic Sculptural Metal Vase – Nature-Formed Abstract Vessel, Brutalist Style
Located in Hannover, DE
This exceptional sculptural vase is a true masterpiece shaped not by human hands, but by the raw forces of nature itself. Formed over time through natural processes, this organic met...
Iron
Egg Fruit Bowl A054 Abstract Brass Aluminium Silver and Gold Coloured
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Fruit Bowl was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast aluminum and sand cast brass. Handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in Spain fro...
Brass
Mid-Century German Brutalist Schamotte Series Vase from Spara Keramik, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Brutalist Schamotte Series Vase from Spara Keramik, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional informati...
Ceramic
Vintage Caged Brutalist Vase or Urn in Brass
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Raw industrial looking and brutally styled urn or lidded vase for flower arrangement or incense. Both the wire lid and container are made from solid brass. Un-known origin circa 1960...
Brass
Vintage Boho Abstract Sculptural Metal Bowls - Set of 2
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking vintage metal sculpture is an extraordinary example of mid-century studio craft, characterized by its fierce, Brutalist energy and unique, hand-applied patina. The vess...
Metal
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
Huge Brutalist rugoso and somerso Murano glass by Salviati, Italy, 1960s
By Salviati
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Large brutalist hand-blown murano glass vase from the 60s. Stylized and organic body, manufactured by the process in which the piece is bathed in small fragments of glass that end up...
Murano Glass
Glen Davis Welded Metal Sculpture
By Glen Davis
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s in great vintage condition. W. Glen Davis is an American sculptor who was born in the 20th Century
Metal
$1,482
Swiss clock vanity
Located in Grenoble, FR
Vanity made of lead and old clockwork elements in homage to Dali and his melted clock
Brass, Lead
Mid-Century Brutalist Minimalist Candle Holder
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Minimalist Candle Holder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Gray...
Metal
French Rustic Olive Wood Salt Box – Wall-Mounted – 1970s Artisan Craft
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
French Rustic Olive Wood Salt Box – Wall-Mounted – 1970s Artisan Craft Description: This is a beautiful rustic salt box, handcrafted in solid olive wood, made in France in the 1970s...
Wood, Olive
Brutalist Candlestick Holder Done in Brass and Nickel, Italy, 1970s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a rare Brutalist three-arm candlestick holder done in bronze and chrome. It features sculptural form, with thick bronze sticks curved in symmetrical dir...
Brass, Nickel
Mid-Century German Brutalist Studio Pottery Vase from Fritz Van Daalen, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Brutalist Studio Pottery Vase from Fritz Van Daalen, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 I have official proof of authenticity such as vintage ca...
Ceramic
Mid-Century French Handcrafted Brutalist Iron Chain Link Candleholder
Located in COLMAR, FR
An authentic, brutalist, mid-century modern chain candleholder sourced in France. This is a spiked candleholder made for pillar candles (up to a max...
Iron
Large 19th Century Stoneware Ceramic from La Borne Pottery French Handmade
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
La Borne - 19th century Large stoneware pottery from center of France Realised circa 1880 Original good condition its peculiarity is to have a piece of another pot fixed...
Ceramic
Jack Brubaker Forged Bronze Sculpture or Candle Holder
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage serpentine forged bronze sculpture features petal shaped sconce compartment that allows it to be used as a candle holder, supported by freestyle shaped tendrils and stems. T...
Bronze
Mid-Century Brutalist German Floor Vase from Krösselbach Keramik, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist German Floor Vase from Krösselbach Keramik, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark, I am sure that it is compl...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Brutalist Fat Lava Ceramic Bowl, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Fat Lava Ceramic Bowl, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Color: Black Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Ce...
Ceramic
Multi Metal Brass and Copper Brutalist Style Hand made Hinged Box with Bun Feet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Muti-Metal Hinged box of Brass and Copper. The piece is of the Brutalist Style and its hand Crafted qualities of welded or soldered pieces of Metal t...
Brass, Copper
Collection of 5o 19th Century Carved Wood Molds for Castings, Sizes Vary
Located in Buchanan, MI
Collection of 50 19th century carved wood molds for castings. Would make a great residential or commercial art installation. Sizes vary, great color and patina. Please note there ar...
Wood
Whimsical Metal Tree Sculpture in the Brutalist School
By Curtis Jeré
Located in New York, NY
Interesting wire and brass sculpture on a slate base. Done in the Brutalist style, and of the period.
Brass
Beautiful Set of four Copper Handmade Brutalist Flower Vase, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful set of four flower vases made in Germany, circa 1970s. These are single flower or rose vases. Made of copper, they have some nice patina, but this is old-age. The size give...
Copper
Brutalist German Vase from Bareuther Waldsassen, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist German Vase from Bareuther Waldsassen, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additiona...
Ceramic
Rare 1950s Wire Shadow Box Figure Ship Scene Mid Century Wall Art Sculpture
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Extremely rare shadow box wall art from the 1950's. Reminiscent of the work of Laurids Lonborg and Richard Galef, but probably Austrian. We had a t...
Metal, Wire
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder, 1960s Black Metal
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century...
Metal
Vintage Boho Original Studio Pottery Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent example of Brutalist studio pottery, this vintage vase is a sculptural masterpiece of form and texture. The artist has expertly crafted a towering, organic silhouette c...
Pottery, Stoneware
Brutalist Danish Weight Here Series Candleholder by Kibisi for Menu
By KiBiSi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist Danish Weight Here Series Candleholder by Kibisi for Menu, in Very Good conditions. Designed from 2000 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Material...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist German Studio Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1974
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist German Studio Pottery Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1974, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. This piece has an attribution mark. Addi...
Ceramic
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
Vintage Brutalist Metal Candleholder, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Metal Candleholder, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Materials: Metal Style: Brutalist Color: Brown Item Type: Vintag...
Metal
$600Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Owl Sculpture in Raw Metal on Quartz by Curtis Jere for Artisan House
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical brutalist owl sculpture in raw metal on quartz base by Curtis Jere for Artisan House, circa 1967. The sculpture is in very good vintage condition and measures 11.5"W x 4.5...
Quartz, Metal
Vintage Brutalist Danish Wooden Candleholder, 1970s Design, Brown Wood
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Danish Wooden Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Materials: Wood Color: Brown Styles: Brutalist Item Type: Vinta...
Wood
1960's Swiss Brutalist wrought iron floor standing Candle Holder
Located in Bern, CH
Large Brutalist floor standing wrought iron candle holder dating from the late 1950's - early 1960's. With single candle holder on a decorated tripod base. Believed to be of Swiss or...
Wrought Iron
1970s Brutalist Iron Candleholder Sculpture, Vertical Architectural Form
Located in Stockholm, SE
A sculptural Brutalist iron candleholder composed as a vertical architectural structure. The composition consists of stacked, heavy iron elements placed on top of one another in a ca...
Metal, Wrought Iron, Iron