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.
Large Vintage Brutalist Glazed Ceramic Sculpture, English, 1980S
Located in Bristol, GB
VINTAGE SCULPTURE An abstract free-form organic shaped ceramic sculpture, incorporating multiple holes and voids to create a hollowed appearance slightly reminiscent of an alien lif...
Ceramic
Italian Brutalist Ceramic Planter, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Italian studio planter. Decorated with a mustard colored main glazes and set with splashes of thick blue lava glaze to the circular perforations and dots. Marked: Italy 77 to its bas...
Ceramic
Pair of Handmade Sculptures by American Artist PKW
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
Pair of handmade sculptures by American artist PKW. Rusted steel mounted into a solid fallen wood base. Signed on bases. As a pair they are a great mismatched pair with excellent sca...
Steel
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
Black Brutalist Stoneware Bowl with Shark Teeth Pattern
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A brutalist stylized stoneware bowl decorated with black glaze and shark teeth/fin decor around its perimeter. It's a unique piece by an unidentified Scandinavian ceramist. Its dated...
Stoneware
Sculptural Table Lamp Carved on in Olive Wood France 1950
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This table lamp, is carved in the wood. The wood has this light brown color of this wood, with the old patina. This lamp was made in France, circa 1950, The wood is olive wood. U...
Wood
Bronze Figural Group Of African Royal Family On Carrier And Attendants, C. 1920s
Located in Germantown, MD
An Early 20th century Bamoun Bronze sculpture. The art of bronze in african art at the service of the King. The king, a bearded figure, a symbol of wisdom, sits in his carrier chair,...
Bronze
Beautiful Metal Crane Flamingo Figure Smokers set Brutalist Era, Germany, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A large Figurine made of wrought iron for Holding Cigarettes, Matchsticks and Smoking Accessories. Made of metal with a nice patina and rusty parts. Typically made in Germany in the 1960s, as a statement piece on a cupboard or credenza. Also nice for a mens room.
Metal
Mid-Century Brutalist Bronze Vase, Vintage Design, 1960s, Brown Patina
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Bronze Vase, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Bronze Color: Brown Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century Modern Item ...
Bronze
Vintage Brutalist German Studio Pottery Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist German Studio Pottery Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional info...
Ceramic
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
Mid-Century Brutalist String Style Metal Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist candelabra with nine arms. The arms finely executed are executed black and mounted on a spiral walk. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalis...
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
Vintage German Studio Pottery Brutalist Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1980
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Studio Pottery Brutalist Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1980, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional infor...
Ceramic
Mid-Century German Studio Pottery Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1964
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist German Studio Pottery Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1964, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional i...
Ceramic
Brutalist Expressionist Horse Sculpture, Signed JC with Copyright Mark, 1980s
Located in San Diego, CA
A dynamic Brutalist-style horse sculpture rendered with heavy, expressive surface modeling and a strong sense of motion. The figure’s elongated limbs and bowed head convey tension an...
Resin
Mid-Century Brutalist West German Pottery WGP Fat Lava Vase, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist West German Pottery WGP Fat Lava Vase from Jopeko, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs...
Ceramic
Mid-Century German Space Age Bubble Glass Vase by from Gral, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Space Age Bubble Glass Vase by from Gral, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs, designer r...
Glass
Brutalist Glazed Stoneware Vase by Eric Astoul La Borne, Signed, circa 2000
By Eric Astoul
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Stoneware Vase by Eric Astoul - La Borne - Circa 2000 - Era Debril Joulia Astoul Sculptural stoneware vase by Eric Astoul, one of the leading ceramists working in La Borne, France. ...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Stoneware
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
Mid-Century Studio Pottery Brutalist Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1976s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Studio Pottery Brutalist Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1976s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional ...
Ceramic
Claudio Capotondi Abstract Bronze Table Sculpture, 1995
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Modern handcrafted Claudio Capotondi Brutalist Cast Bronze Table Sculpture on Black Marble Base. Featuring a rectangular form (12H x 12W x 2.25D) with double flared cast Bronze desig...
Marble, Bronze
Mid-Century Swedish Brutalist Metal Candleholder by Harry N Boström, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Brutalist Candle Holder by Harry N Boström. This rare object is a limited edition. This one is 11/1000. Labeled Boström on bottom. This piece has an attribution mark, I am sure...
Metal
1960's Swiss Brutalist wrought iron floor standing Candle Holder
Located in Bern, BE
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
Still Stand Abstract Wood Sculpture, Chainsaw Carved, Walnut, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Carved from a single solid log, the form rises through a series of open, pierced voids that give the piece a lightness completely at odds with the density of the material. It reads d...
Walnut
Beautiful cast iron Candlestick Holder Brutalist Era, Germany, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A large candlestick holder for four candles. Made of cast iron with a nice patina. Typically made in Germany in the 1960s, as a statement piece on a cupboard or credenza. Found at an...
Metal, Iron
Vintage German Brutalist Studio Pottery Vase, 1979
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Brutalist Studio Pottery Vase, 1979, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Style: Brutalist Period: 1970s Country...
Ceramic
Pair of West German Fat Lava Pottery Vessels Attributed to Marei Keramik, 1970s
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking pair of vintage West German art pottery vessels attributed to Marei Keramik, executed during the height of the celebrated Fat Lava movement of the late 1960s and early 197...
Ceramic
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Brutalist Metal Gecco Figurine in Gray
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Metal Gecco Figurine, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Material: Metal Color: Gray Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century...
Metal
$3,605Sale Price / set|20% Off
Brutalist hammered metal buffaloes sculptures, Spain, 1950s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Pair of large Spanish sculptures depicting two buffaloes in brutalist style, circa 1955. Made of patinated and aged wrought iron metal, with polychromed horns and eyes in gold leaf. ...
Iron, Gold Leaf
Mid-Century French Brutalist Studio Pottery Floor Vase, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century French Brutalist Studio Pottery Floor Vase from La Poterie De La Colombe, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark, I am s...
Earthenware
Vintage Brutalist German Studio Pottery Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1974
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist German Studio Pottery Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1974, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional infor...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Space Age Brutalist Block Bubble Glass Vase by Horst Tüselmann 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Space Age Brutalist Block Bubble Glass Vase by Horst Tüselmann for Ichendorf Glashütte, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official proof of authentici...
Glass
Brutalist Bronze Candleholder 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist Bronze Candleholder, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Materials: Bronze Color: Gold Styles: Brutalist Item Type: Vintage, Ant...
Bronze
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
Brutalist Fat Lava Pottery Vase, West Germany, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist Fat Lava Pottery Vase from Ruscha, West Germany, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official proof of authenticity such a...
Ceramic
$14,320Sale Price / item|20% Off
Modern Totem in Dark Elegance, Carved Burned Oak, Presented in Still Stand No95
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Modern Totem in Dark Elegance, Carved Burned Oak, Presented in Still Stand No95 _ Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a...
Hardwood
Mid-Century German Studio Pottery Brutalist Floor Vase, 1977
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Studio Pottery Brutalist Floor Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1977, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark, I am sure that...
Ceramic
Square Brutalist Stoneware Trinket by Sejer Keramik, Denmark, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Raw looking yet delicately glazed quardratic trinket/box in glazed stoneware. Abstract circular lid motif in earthy/dusty glazes. Brilliant decorative piece for personal smalls, jewe...
Stoneware
Set of Three Travertine Candle Holder by Fratelli Mannelli, Italy 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful set of Candlesticks in Travertine Marble is a wonderful example of Italian decorative objects production during the 1970s. Made by Fratelli Mannelli, the color and the...
Travertine
Mid-Century Italian Brutalist Travertine Candleholder by Fratelli Mannelli
Located in Hamburg, DE
Schlichter candlesticks made of travertine, designed by Fratelli Mannelli from the 60s. A no-nonsense design that draws its elegance from the minimalist design and the particular mat...
Travertine
Glazed Stoneware Honey Jar With Bee by Danish Getter Hundstrup
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Unsual hard-fired stoneware jar or urn featuring a playfull bee to its lid. Designed and made by the Danish Female Ceramist Getter Hundstrup in Denmark during the 1980s. It has this ...
Stoneware
$456Sale Price / set|40% Off
1970s Brutalist Art Glass Vases by Kurt Wokan, Handmade in Germany
Located in Valencia, VC
Pair of Brutalist 1970s Art Glass Vases by Kurt Wokan for Ingrid Glashütten A unique pair of moulded art glass vases designed by Kurt Wokan, then Creative Director at Ingrid Glashüt...
Glass, Art Glass
Wooden Zodiac Capricorn 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...
Plywood
Brutalist German Carafe Vase from Krösselbach Keramik, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist German Carafe Vase from Krösselbach Keramik, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution markIt is completely authentic Additional...
Ceramic
Brutalist Wood Bowl, Large, in a Brown Patina, India, 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This vide poche has been made in India circa 19th century. It is a Brutalist style bowl. In a brown color.
Wood
Mid-Cenutry Brutalist Studio Pottery Vase Signed 55
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Cenutry Brutalist Studio Pottery Vase Signed 55, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Color: Blue Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Ce...
Ceramic
Travertine Marble Italian Box & Catchall Desk Accessory Fratelli Mannelli, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful square-shaped catchall and the rectangular Box in Travertine Marble is a wonderful example of Italian decorative objects production during the 1970s. Made by Fratelli...
Travertine
Vintage Brutalist Metal Candleholder, 20th Century
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Metal Brutalist Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Material: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist Item Type: Vintage, Anti...
Metal
Arenson Studio “Infinity” Brutalist Hammered Brass, Leather Box
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
Hand-hammered copper box by Arenson Studios, West Palm Beach, FL, circa 1970s.
Copper
Handmade Brutalist artist bronze candlestick signed Beergmeister Germany
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Bronze candlestick object Art Deco Kunstschmiede Bergmeister Ebersberg. With beautiful patina
Bronze
Large Mid-Century Brutalist Floor Candleholder in Wrought Iron, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Mid-Century Brutalist Floor Candleholder in Wrought Iron, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Material: Metal Color: Black Period: 1...
Metal
Set of 5 planters, decorative vases by Dutch Mobach in clay. Midcentury modern.
By Mobach
Located in Forest, BE
Set of large planters / decorative vases by dutch company Mobach. Strong and heavy in light various tones of beige and brown. __________________...
Clay
Mid-Century Brutalist WGP Pottery Model 25 Vase from Pan Keramik, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist WGP Pottery Model 25 Vase from Pan Keramik (P-Keramik), West Germany, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official proof of authenticity such ...
Ceramic
Large Brutalist Glass Vase, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Brutalist Glass Vase, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Materials: Glass Styles: Brutalist Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-owne...
Glass
$228Sale Price|49% Off
Vintage Scandinavian Brutalist Box in Copper
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A wellmade and beautifully patinated box in hammered copper. Suitable for Jewelry or small personal items. Distinct brutalist styling with architectural...
Copper
Mid-Century German Brutalist Studio Pottery Floor Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern German Brutalist Studio Pottery Floor Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1969
Pottery
Vintage Brutalist Bronze Candleholder, Three Arms, Gold Finish, 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
Vintage German Brutalist Bronze Ornamental Carafe from Gilde, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Heavy bronze carafe with ornamental forms and reliefs. This piece has an attribution markIt is completely authentic Additional information: Materials: Bronze Styles: Brutalist Peri...
Bronze
Brutalist Ceramic Vase, Green, Germany, 1980s, Studio Pottery Design
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist Studio Pottery Vase, Germany, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Color: Green Styles: Brutalist Period: 1980...
Ceramic