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.
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
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
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
Mid-Century Modern German Studio Pottery Brutalist Floor Vase Elly Wilhelm Kuch
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Large German Studio Pottery Brutalist Floor Vase by Elly & Wilhelm Kuch, 1960s
Pottery
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
Pair of two large Vintage Brutalist Mid-Century Candlesticks
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
Set of two brutalist candlesticks from the 1970s, crafted from twisted iron in a style typical of the period. Beautiful as a pair, with a refined finish that enhances their bold, scu...
Metal
Mid-Century Danish Brutalist Cast Iron Candleholder by Jens H. Quistgaard
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Danish Brutalist Cast Iron Candleholder by Jens H. Quistgaard, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalo...
Metal
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
French Minimalist Solid Aluminum Catchall, Sculptural Design, 1970s
By Max Sauze, Willy Rizzo
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Minimalist catchall or sculptural desk object crafted from solid aluminum in France during the 1970s. Precisely machined from a thick aluminum block, the piece features a deeply rece...
Aluminum
XL Mid-Century Brutalist Chamotte Vase by Spara Keramik, 1960s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
XL Mid-Century Brutalist chamotte vase - by Spara Keramik - incised decoration red brown - Germany 1960s Mid-Century German Brutalist chamotte vase by Spara Keramik. This very large...
Ceramic
Mid-Century German Brutalist Carafe Vase in the style of Gerhard Liebenthron
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Brutalist Carafe Vase in the style of Gerhard Liebenthron, 1960s, in None conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Color: Brow...
Ceramic
Mid-Century East German Brutalist Studio Pottery Floor Vase, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century East German Brutalist Studio Pottery Floor Vase by Kerstin & Ralf Unterstab for Kunsttöpferei Unterstab KTU, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This pi...
Ceramic
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
Danish Brutalist Sculptural Cast Aluminum Candleholder
Located in Hamburg, DE
Danish Brutalist Sculptural Cast Aluminum Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Aluminium Color: Silver Styles: Brutalist ...
Aluminum
Vintage Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Brutalist Candle Holder handmade from Wrought Iron. Additional information: Style: Brutalist Color: Black Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned Dimensions: 9.06ʺW × 32.68ʺH...
Glass
Set of Two Beautiful 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 Brutalist German Carafe Vases from Hartwig Heyne Pottery, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist German Carafe Vases from Hartwig Heyne Pottery, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional informatio...
Ceramic
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
Vintage Brutalist sculpture "Monk With The Book" by Salvino Marsura, Italy 1970s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Mid-century modern metal Brutalist sculpture "Monk With The Book" by Salvino Marsura, made in Italy in the 1970s. Salvino Marsura is an Italian artist born in Treviso in 1938. His c...
Iron
"Rino"Contemporary Silver Hanger in Aluminium Cast by Estudio Orth
By Estúdio Orth
Located in Sao Paulo, BR
Produced in São Paulo, Brazil. This contemporary Hanger was meticulously handmade by master artisans one piece at a time. It is therefore quite difficult, if not impossible to mak...
Aluminum
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
Mid-Century Brutalist Metal Candleholder with Gold Finish, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Metal Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Metal Style: Brutalist Color: Gold Item Type: Vin...
Metal
Brutalist Sculpture Abstracted Plant Forms on Terracotta Base
Located in New York, NY
Brutalist stylized plant form growing out of the terracotta earth base. Well done metal work reminiscent of Paul Evans, or Jere.
Metal
Beautiful Set of three Copper Handmade Brutalist Flower Vase, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful set of three flower vase made in Germany, circa 1970s. Made of copper, has some nice patina, but this is old-age. The size given in the dimensions section refers to the lar...
Copper
Brutalist Bronze Horse Sculpture on Base
Located in San Diego, CA
Powerful Brutalist bronze sculpture depicting an abstracted horse, characterized by bold massing, angular reduction, and expressive surface modeling, circa 1970s. The elongated equin...
Bronze
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
Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron candelabra candle holder
Located in BELFORT, FR
Mid century and brutalist style wrought iron candelabra. Perfect condition.
Wrought Iron
Scandinavian Brutalist Glazed 3-neck Stoneware Vase, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Unusual stoneware vase executed in white, brown and maroon drip glazes . It features 3 necks and can be viewed as The Scandinavian Equivalent of Japanese Ikebana. It was made anonymo...
Stoneware
Tall Bronze Masai Sculptures 1960s Vintage Kenya Mother Baby Giacometti Style
Located in London, GB
Two 1960s bronze sculptures from the Maasai tribe in Kenya and Tanzania in everyday motherhood figures. The elongated and brutalist-like effect figures evoke a Giacometti-like aest...
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Vintage Brutalist Table Sculpture in Iron and Bronze
Located in Charleston, SC
Vintage Brutalist abstraction Iron and Bronze Table Sculpture. C. 1960’s
Bronze, Iron
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
Bernard Rooke. Large sculptural floor vase in stoneware. 1960s/70s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Bernard Rooke Brutalist unique ceramic vase, 1960s/70s. Large, sculptural floor vase in hand-built stoneware with a raw, heavily textured surface and relief ornamentation in beige an...
Stoneware
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
$105Sale Price|40% Off
1970 Brutalist Postmodern Tallboy Glass Block Table Vase, West Germany
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Original 1970s Brutalist glass block table vase popular in West Germany during the 1960s and 70s it features a 3" opening along the top for receiving a floral arrangement of choice. ...
Glass
$1,217Sale Price / set|20% Off
Brutalist David Marshall's style vases by Alfonso Márquez, Spain, 1970s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Pair of big vases in the brutalist style by the Spanish designer Alfonso Márquez, 1970s. Both pieces are entirely made of metal, combining polished aluminum and brass. The labels are...
Aluminum, Brass
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...
Concrete
Vintage Jack Boyd Brutalist Kinetic Sterling Silver Bangle Bracelet
By Jack Boyd
Located in Southampton, NJ
This striking hand-forged sterling silver bracelet by renowned artist Jack Boyd is a testament to his mastery of sculptural jewelry design. Featuring Boyd’s signature organic forms, ...
Sterling Silver
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
Brutalist Candlestick Holder done in solid brass, Austria 1970s
By Heinz Goll
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a gorgeous Brutalist candlestick holder done in solid and textured brass or bronze. It features striking design typical for the era. Made in Austria in ...
Brass
Candle holder made of candle and brass, France, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Wax and brass candlestick, France, 1970s, a unique decorative piece blending raw materials and metallic elements. This candlestick consists of a deliberately irregular and textured c...
Brass
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
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...
Copper
Vintage German Brutalist Metal Candleholder from Dalbeck 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist Candle Holder from German Manufacturer Dalbeck. This heavy Candle Holder has 2 arms and follows an organic form language. Official proof of authenticity such as vintage cat...
Metal
Svelte Elefante Console 18, NONO Design, Tactile Wood Finish
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Svelte Elefante Console 18, NONO Design, Tactile Oak Finish ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist To...
Hardwood
Mid-Century Brutalist Bronze Candleholder, Metal, Gold Finish, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Bronze Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Gold Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century...
Metal
Mid-Century Wall Sculpture by Pia Manu, Belgium 1960s
By Pia Manu
Located in Meulebeke, BE
A powerful and architecturally expressive Brutalist wall sculpture designed by Pia Manu, the Belgian artistic workshop led by Jules Dewaele, during the 1960s. Known for their raw mat...
Concrete, Iron
Mid-Century Brutalist Candleholder, 20th Century
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century Modern Item ...
Metal
1960s Vintage Brutalist Metal Candle Holder in Good Condition
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Candle Holder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Gray ...
Metal
Mid-Century Brutalist West German Pottery WGP Fat Lava Carafe Vase, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist West German Pottery WGP Fat Lava Carafe Vase from Jopeko, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 Official proof of authenticity such as vintage c...
Ceramic
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 Swedish Brutalist Bowl by Mari Simmulson for Upsala Ekeby, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Swedish Brutalist Bowl by Mari Simmulson for Upsala Ekeby, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional informati...
Ceramic
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
Joel Escalona's Unseen Force #59: Coffee Table Sculpture, Solid Oak
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Unseen Force #59: Coffee Table Sculpture, Solid Oak Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized...
Hardwood
Two Massive Brutalist Candlesticks by David Marshall
Located in Stockholm, SE
Two massive, brutalist candlesticks designed and manufactured by the Scottish artist David Marshall made with an ancient sand pressing technique. They come with patina. A great gift ...
Brass, Steel
Mid-Century Brutalist WGP West German Pottery Vase, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist WGP West German Pottery Vase, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Color: Brown Styles: Brutalist,...
Ceramic
Design of Sleek Darkness, Modern Black Solid Wood Totem by NONO, Still Stand 101
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Design of Sleek Darkness, Modern Black Solid Wood Totem by NONO, Still Stand No101 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each o...
Hardwood
$14,320Sale Price / item|20% Off
Joel Escalona's Creation, Dark Black Solid Wood Totem, Still Stand No84
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Creation, Dark Black Solid Wood Totem, Still Stand No84 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testa...
Hardwood
Still Stand Abstract Wood Sculpture, Chainsaw Carved, Walnut, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Still Stand Abstract Wood Sculpture, Chainsaw Carved, Walnut
Walnut
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