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.
Rare 1970s MCM János Lehoczky Artisan Brutalist Hand Wrought Steel Candle Holder
By János Lehoczky, Károly Bieber, Paul Evans
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rare 1970s Mid-Century Modern Brutalist, 3 candle candelabra, hand forged by the hands of Hungarian blacksmith János Lehoczky. Height includes can...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Brutalist Art Studio Pottery Lidded Jar Pot by Jaan Mobach, Netherlands 1960's
By Mobach
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Rare Brutalist Dutch Art Studio Pottery Lidded Jar Pot by Jaan Mobach. Made in the Netherlands, 1960's period. Marked on the bottom. Brown bronze glazes on this pot with lid....
Ceramic
$380Sale Price|20% Off
Mexican Abstract Brutalist Modernist Bracelet 925 Sterling Silver Cuff, 1960s
By Jack Boyd
Located in San Diego, CA
Wonderful abstract bracelet cuff. All in sterling silver haute couture - iconic. This piece is not only a ready to wear creation but also the most dynamic piece of modern sculpture. ...
Sterling Silver
Vintage David Marshall Brutalist Brass and Aluminum 17.75" Tabletop Wing Clock
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This vintage brutalist brass and aluminum tabletop clock was made in Spain by Scottish sculptor David Marshall. The sand-cast battery-operated clock has a thick, asymmetrical brass ...
Aluminum, Brass
Fratelli Mannelli A pair of travertine four arm Candleholders
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Fratelli Minelli candleholders… Travertine from the 1960s a rare find.. these elegant candleholders made of beautiful beige travertine, With such a striking look they have b...
Travertine
$325Sale Price|40% Off
Aluminium and Bass Brutalist Style Vide-Poche by Alfonso Marquez, circa 1970s
Located in London, GB
Aluminium and brass Brutalist style vide-poche by Alfonso Marquez (in the style of David Marshall). Weighty and wonderfully tactile, this bowl is decor...
Aluminum, Brass
$173Sale Price|43% Off
Mdina Glass Bark Textured Vase, Tortoiseshell Effect, Malta, 1970s
By Mdina
Located in Glasgow, GB
A bark textured art glass vase by Mdina, handcrafted in Malta during the 1970s. The surface treatment evokes the classic tortoiseshell effect...
Art Glass
Large wrought iron candelabra with an abstract design and three candle holders
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Vintage decoration - candle holders Brutalist decoration - Candle not included - This piece is probably unique. Measures : 43X36cm H:107cm This wrought iron chandelier features a t...
Iron
Large Brancusi Inspired Abstract Brutalist Sculpture, Signed Gary Brandt
By Gary Brandt, (after) Salvador Dali, Brancusi, Rene Brancusi
Located in Houston, TX
Large Mid-Century Modern heavy metal Brutalist sculpture singed Gary Brandt. This heavyweight Postmodern sculpture in the style of Rene Brancusi i...
Metal
Scandinavian Brutalist Candleholder in Glazed Stoneware
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Exceptionally decorative tri-fitted candle in vibrantly glazed brown ceramic. It's signed indistinguishable by an unknown Scandinavian artist/ceramist. It's in fine and intact condit...
Ceramic
20th Century French Pair of Brutalist Candle Holders, Wrought Iron Sticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage French pair of handsome brutalist iron candleholders hand forged and hammered with their original painted finish. These elegant and simple pair of candle sticks have perfec...
Metal, Wrought Iron
$14,320Sale Price / item|20% Off
Carved Elegance, Black Solid Wood Still Stand No80 by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Carved Elegance, Black Solid Wood Still Stand No80 by NONO —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testament to the ...
Hardwood
$368Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Brutalist Handcrafted Ceramic Vase, 1980
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century handcrafted brutalist ceramic vase. Signed and dated 1980.
Ceramic
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
Brutalist Pottery Bust of W. C. Fields, American, Vintage 1960s Decor
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Brutalist Bust of W. C. Fields, artist unknown "nice size, glaze and color" "in good vintage as found condition" W. C. Fields was an American comedian, actor, and juggler who rose ...
Pottery
Taurus, Chainsaw Carved, Burnt Oak, Abstract Sculpture, Bull, Handmade, Black
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Taurus, Chainsaw Carved, Burnt Oak
Oak
$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
Brutalist Erotic 3D Wall Picture in Metal from the Artist F. Michel, 1973
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
One of a kind. Handmade.
Metal, Lead
$2,400Sale Price|65% Off
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...
Concrete
Vintage Original Studio Pottery Lunar Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional vintage studio pottery vase is a masterclass in Brutalist form and Wabi-Sabi philosophy. Crafted with a sculptural, spherical "lunar" silhouette, the piece features ...
Pottery
1960s mid century brutalist brass CANDLEHOLDER for one big candle
Located in Mannheim, DE
Fantastic 1960s candleholder for one big candle with a max. diameter of 4.33" (11 cm). Made of brass. A perfect addition to any mid century interior. Dimensions in cm: Height 23.3 ...
Brass
Brutalist Metal Rooster Sculpture by Ivan Zajec, Yugoslavia, 1967
Located in Lucija, SI
Yugoslavian brutalist rooster sculpture. Made by Ivan Zajec in 1967. Signed.
Metal
Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron candelabra candle holder
Located in BELFORT, FR
Mid century and brutalist style wrought iron candelabra. Perfect condition.
Wrought 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
Scandinavian Brutalist Vase in Hand-Embossed Copper, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A sculptural handled vase in hand embossed copper. It displays all the right elements of Scandinavian Brutalism. Anonymous Scandinavian metal worker/artist circa 1970. It has no mark...
Copper
Wall Sculpture in Bronze 47 Skulls Entangled, Rat King, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A studio piece open to a lot of interpretations. The media is cast bonze with a dark brown patina. It depicts 47 rat skulls connected almost melted together (in appearance) via tubes...
Bronze
Vintage Carved Solid Mahogany Decorative Post, Brutalist Style, 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsomely carved solid mahogany decorative post. Vintage, and originally intended as a banister stop. This is a strikingly beautiful piece that can serve as an eye catching art obje...
Mahogany
Brutalist Flower Sculpture Manner of Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Fulton, CA
Brutalist floral table sculpture in the manner of Curtis Jere. Torched brass and metal mounted to a stone base. Measures 20 inches tall.
Stone, Metal, Brass
Freestanding Brutalist Metal Sculpture after Jere
Located in New York, NY
Impressive freestanding Brutalist sculpture in the manner of Jere, Evans, unsigned. The piece has an organic form top (10 inch in diameter,) which stands on metal rods, which are att...
Steel, Wrought Iron
Brutalist Style Vintage Bowl in Brass Aluminium by David Marshall, Circa 1970s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Brutalist Style Vintage Bowl in Brass Aluminium by David Marshall, Circa 1970s. Double brass handles by the Scottish artist David Marshall. The bottom has the trademark leather base...
Aluminum, Brass
$192Sale Price / set|60% Off
Vintage rock form candleholders in real stone, 1970s
Located in View Park, CA
A pair of bouldercore candelaria, 1970s. Tones of basalt, moss, and aubergine. Real stone - heavy. Felted bases. Pick up in LA or worldwide delivery option...
Stone
Contemporary Children Swinging Bronze Sculpture
Located in Astoria, NY
Contemporary School Children Swinging Bronze Sculpture, unsigned. 8" H x 7" W x 4.5" D. Provenance: From a Long Island Estate.
Bronze
Signed Brutalist Bronze Sculpture Of A Dancer
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The sculpture with a rough textured finish and abstract figural form, characteristic of the brutalist style, emphasizes the raw material and focuses on the form and movement over rea...
Marble, Bronze
Max Finkelstein Brutalist Welded Sculpture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Max Finkelstein brutalist welded and hammered brass sculpture in heavy patina. Signed Finkelstein 64
Brass
Small Brutalist Studio Pottery Signed Figural Vase
Located in San Diego, CA
An interesting figural brutalist studio pottery stoneware vase, circa 1970s. It is has an abstract Picasso influenced look to it. Very cool and different piece that is signed on the...
Stoneware
Early Peter Voulkus Ceramic Vase
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Peter Voulkus ceramic vase early 1960'd [unsigned].
Ceramic
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...
Blown Glass
Paul Evans styled Brutalist Metal Sculptural Vase by Jim Heneveld
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...
Metal
$11,706 / item
Elefante by NONO Desk 04, Oak Precision, Functional Art
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante by NONO Desk 04, Oak Precision, Functional Art ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Touch ...
Hardwood
Modernist Candle Holder - Stainless Steel Brutalist Candlestick - Italy 1980s
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Modernist Candle Holder - Stainless Steel Brutalist Candlestick - Italy 1980s Superb design for this piece, quite reminiscent of the Memphis Group style. Made of stainless steel an...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Vintage Candle Holder For 3 Candles Stainless Steel Brutalist Design Italy, 70s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
Vintage candle holder for 3 candles stainless steel brutalist design Italy,70s This vintage candle holder for three candles in a brutalist design from the 1970s brings timeless eleg...
Stainless Steel
$1,596Sale Price|38% Off
Brutalist Direct Metal Bull Sculpture Yahweh, Gilt Polychroming Stock Market
Located in Peoria, AZ
Rare! Brutalist Bull Sculpture Depicting Archaic Deity Yahweh Gilt Polychroming Verso base "Yahweh" This fascinating sculpture is done in a simple, primitive style, looking like...
Metal, Enamel
Rare Brutalist Iron Candleholder, Hand-Forged European Design, 1960s
Located in Herentals, BE
A rare and beautifully executed Brutalist iron candleholder, handcrafted in Europe during the 1960s. The columnar form, pierced with organic voids, and the thick, hammered surface cr...
Iron
Carved from Elegance, Still Stand No80 in Burned Oak by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Carved from Elegance, Still Stand No80 in Burned Oak by NONO —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testament to th...
Hardwood
20th Century School Brutalist Bronze Sculpture of Standing Woman, Signed
Located in Germantown, MD
A brutalist bronze sculpture of well dressed standing woman in good vintage condition. Measures 6" in width, 6" in depth and stands 18.25" tall. Signed on base
Bronze
Vintage Boho Drip Glaze Vase in Stand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A masterful fusion of ceramic art and rustic metalwork, this vintage studio pottery vase makes a powerful statement. The ceramic vessel itself features a rich, earthy brown base that...
Iron
Salvino Marsura Brutalist Forged Iron Centerpieces, 1970s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
One-of-a-kind round brutalist and sculptural centerpiece, designed and made in Italy in the 1970s by the Italian sculptor Salvino Marsura. In hand-forged iron, silver patinated with ...
Iron
$140Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Tin Wrapped Box
Located in San Diego, CA
Brutalist tin wrapped wooden box, circa 1970s. The piece was made in Mexico and is in very good vintage condition. #843
Metal
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
Vintage Handcarved Dark Wooden Candleholder with Brutalist Italian Design, 1960s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
This vintage wooden candleholder from 1960s Italy is a striking example of handcarved Brutalist design. Crafted from dark wood with strong sculptural lines, it combines raw texture w...
Wood
Vintage Wooden Mortar Handcarved Brutalist Form, 1970s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
This vintage wooden mortar from the 1970s is a striking handcarved piece in a bold Brutalist form, attributed to Piero de Buren. Its rough, sculptural shape emphasizes the natural gr...
Wood
Vintage Iron Candleholder Hand with Copper Texture, 1960s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
This vintage iron candleholder from the 1960s is a powerful example of hand-forged Brutalist design. Crafted with a sculptural form and enriched by a subtle copper-toned texture, it ...
Iron
Vintage Bronze Desk Set, Ashtray, Table Lighter and Pen Holder or Vase, 1960s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
This vintage 1960s Brutalist bronze desk set is a powerful sculptural ensemble, comprising an ashtray, table lighter, and pen holder or small vase. Each piece is beautifully crafted ...
Bronze
'Regatta', An American Brutalist Iron Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
This mid-20th century American Brutalist iron sculpture, titled Regatta, captures the dynamic energy of a sailboat race with bold, abstracted forms. The composition features four sai...
Iron
Brutalist Candle Holder R:4 - Solid Black Oak - by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Acer candle holder R:4 features a rhythmic sequence of architectural cubic volumes and semi arched voids. Made out of solid wood and steel, showing signs of handcraft. Designed...
Steel
Dark Elegance, Biomorphic Black Solid Wood Crafted by NONO, Still Stand No93
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Dark Elegance, Biomorphic Black Solid Wood Crafted by NONO, Still Stand No93 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and ...
Hardwood
$600Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Raw Metal Torch Cut Flower Sculpture by Dan Jordan
Located in San Diego, CA
Brutalist raw metal torch cut flower sculpture by Dan Jordan, circa 1983. The sculpture is in very good vintage condition and measures 12.5"W x 11"D x 17"H; it is signed and dated 19...
Quartz, Metal
$734Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Brass
Unveiling Modern Elegance, Dark Black Solid Wood, Still Stand No89 by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Unveiling Modern Elegance, Dark Black Solid Wood, Still Stand No89 by NONO —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a t...
Hardwood
Anne Van Kleeck standing woman brutalist bronze
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Anne Van Kleeck American… 1922 - 1998. this is a modernist bronze female sculpture, her face is beautifully sculpted, and her clothing is draped in a modernness fashion covering her ...
Bronze