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 Bronze Vase
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
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
Vintage Brutalist Metal Candleholder
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Metal Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist Item Type: Vintage, Ant...
Metal
Mid-Century Pottery Ikebana Vase from BKW Böttger Keramik Wandsbek, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Pottery Ikebana Vase from BKW Böttger Keramik Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution ma...
Ceramic
Corry Ammeriaan Brutalist Candlestick for Artihove
Located in San Diego, CA
Corry Ammeriaan Brutalist Candlestick for Artihove, brutalist metal candle stick holder . rare piece by Dutch artist .
Metal
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
Monumental Brutalist Floor Vase, Signed Inge
Located in New Windsor, NY
Monumental 1960s Brutalist slab built floor vase. This is another amazing piece of architectural pottery offered here signed by Inge. Incised decor. Good condition with no visible ha...
Clay, Stoneware
Paul Evans Style Brutalist Iron & Brazed Brass Drip Square Vase, circa 1970
By Paul Evans
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Handcrafted Brutalist Brazed and Flowed Brass on Iron Vase, 1970's Featuring a rectangular form, hand poured brazed Brass atop Metal in mottled Black, Brown, Rust, Gold, and Deep Gre...
Brass, Iron
Brutalist Owl on Bench Sculpture in Raw Metal on Quartz by Ken Rains
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical brutalist owl on bench sculpture in raw metal on quartz base by Ken Rains, circa 1970s. The sculpture is in very good vintage condition and measures 8"W x 4"D x 5.5"H; it...
Quartz, Metal
$14,320Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
Travertine candle holder by Fratelli Mannelli, Italy 1970s
By Enzo Mari, Fratelli Mannelli
Located in ECHT, NL
Solid travertine candle holder. Designed by Enzo Mari for Fratelli Mannelli in the 1970s. Its can hold three standard diameter candles. The piece is still in very good condition. N...
Travertine
Circa 1970s Brutalist Torch Cut Flower Display on Quartz Rock
By John Steck
Located in Charleston, SC
This excellent brutalist sculpture has 4 verdigris color flowers and torch cut bronze leaves that all sit on a solid piece of quartz. Circa 1970’s. Styled after John Steck, not sig...
Rock Crystal, Bronze
Vintage Original Studio Pottery Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Exude an air of organic sophistication with this striking vintage studio pottery vase. A masterful example of mid-century craft, this tall vessel features a compelling Brutalist infl...
Clay, Pottery, Stoneware
$15,215Sale Price / item|15% Off
Elegant and Dark, the Biomorphic Burned Oak Sculpture Still Stand 88
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elegant and Dark, the Biomorphic Burned Oak Sculpture by Joel Escalona, Still Stand No88 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. ...
Hardwood
Large Brutalist Ceramic Tortoise Sculpture by Toni Fabris, Italy 1960s
By Toni Fabris
Located in Roma, RM
A striking large-scale Brutalist ceramic tortoise sculpture created in the early 1960s by the Milanese sculptor Toni Fabris in his studio in the historic Brera district of Milan. Th...
Ceramic
A Brutalist Sculpture By Chet LaMore ca' 1960
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An elegant, bronze sculpture by a noted artist Chet LaMore, ca' 1960, entitled "Column". On original base. "Chet La More was an American painter, sculptor,...
Bronze
Sculptural Acer Candle Holder R:2 - Solid Walnut - by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Acer candle holder R:2 features architectural cubic volumes and semi arched voids. Made out of solid wood and steel, showing signs of handcraft. Designed by Aad Bos and crafted...
Steel
$254Sale Price|20% Off
Sculptural Solid Oak Wooden Candle Holder R:2
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The surrealism inspired Acer candle holder R:2 features architectural cubic volumes and semi arched voids. Designed by Aad Bos and hand crafted in Amsterdam from solid oak wood and s...
Steel
Brutalist School of Fish Brass & Burlwood Sculpture in the Style of Curtis Jere
Located in San Diego, CA
Cool and unique brass welded school of fish sculpture circa 1970s in brass finish, sitting on burlwood base.
Brass
Brutalist Candle Holder R:2 - Solid Dark Brown Oak - by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Acer candle holder R:2 features architectural cubic volumes and semi arched voids. Made out of solid wood and steel, showing signs of handcraft. Designed by Aad Bos and crafted...
Steel
Brutalist totem sculpture in cast bronze by Anna Mizak
Located in London, GB
Verdigris bronze totem sculpture on plinth base. Anna Mizak was born in 1939 in Poland. She studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw and later at the Royal Institute of Art in ...
Bronze
A Dark, Elegant Design Materializes in Burned Oak, Still Stand No91, by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A Dark, Elegant Design Materializes in Burned Oak, Still Stand No91, by NONO —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a...
Hardwood
Vintage Boho Bronze Sculpture of Winged Man
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This captivating vintage figural sculpture is a masterclass in modern surrealism, capturing a hauntingly beautiful winged human form. Expertly cast with a stunning, multi-tonal verdi...
Other
Wood Sculpture, Burned Oak Masterpiece by Joel Escalona, Still Stand No100
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Wood Sculpture, Burned Oak Masterpiece by Joel Escalona, Still Stand No100 _ Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a tes...
Hardwood
$1,353Sale Price / item|20% Off
Khadim Diop Bronze Sculptures African Ethnic Art Statue Musician Vintage Modern
Located in London, GB
Khadim Diop, the Senegalese artist renowned for his bronze sculptures that adorn many private collections worldwide, has crafted two captivating and expressive pieces that showcase his mastery of the medium, a rare find in the market outside Africa! The first sculpture portrays a dynamic figure playing the Djembe drum...
Bronze
Metal Art Sergio Bustamante Handcrafted Duck Brutalist Era Mexico 1965
Located in Miami, FL
Metal Art Brutalist style duck, animal sculpture in brass and tin by Sergio Bustamante. Made in Mexico in the Mid-Century Modern Period. Stunner done and graceful in appearance. O-5...
Brass, Enamel, Tin
$9,882Sale Price / item|20% Off
Artisan Oak Unseen Force #54: Coffee Table Art by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Artisan Oak Unseen Force #54: Coffee Table Art by Joel Escalona Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the nature of the production process, each piece may vary in grain, texture, shape or even size. The dimensions provided refer to the table only. The dimensions and shape of the sculpture may vary. — About the Concept. Unseen Force Coffee Tables and Side Tables, design by Joel Escalona for NONO When Tables Talk Art...
Hardwood
Sleek Abstract Sculpture in Burned Oak, Still Stand No82 by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Sleek Abstract Sculpture in Burned Oak, Still Stand No82 by NONO —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testament t...
Hardwood
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
$15,215Sale Price / item|15% Off
Biomorphic Burned Oak Elegance, Still Stand No83, Crafted by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Biomorphic Burned Oak Elegance, Still Stand No83, Crafted by NONO —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. ...
Hardwood
$14,320Sale Price / item|20% Off
Joel Escalona's Sleek Dark Totem in Black Solid Wood, Still Stand No92
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Sleek Dark Totem in Black Solid Wood, Still Stand No92 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testam...
Hardwood
Sleek, Dark Abstract Design in Black Solid Wood by Escalona, Still Stand No96
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Sleek, Dark Abstract Design in Black Solid Wood by Escalona, Still Stand No96 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is ...
Hardwood
Solid Oak Unseen Force #63: Joel Escalona's Masterful Coffee Table Sculpture
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solid Oak Unseen Force #63: Joel Escalona's Masterful Coffee Table Sculpture Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the n...
Hardwood
Rustic Enameled Stoneware Vase, Mid-20th Century, Ceramic Decor, 11 cm
Located in London, England
Ce vase en grès céramique signé offre un design distinctif avec des motifs rustiques et une finition émaillée brune et blanche. Parfait pour apporter une touche d'authenticité et de ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$14,320Sale Price|20% Off
Sleek Black Solid Wood Sculpture, NONO's Art, Still Stand No82
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Sleek Black Solid Wood Sculpture, NONO's Art, Still Stand No82 Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene ...
Hardwood
Brutalist Bronze "Dove" Sculpture, Religious / Church
Located in Buffalo, NY
Super Stylized Cast Bronze Sculpture depicting a Dove. Salvaged from Downtown Buffalo New York Church, most likely part of a railing, alter. Amazing detail.Definitely created by a sk...
Bronze
Brutalist Aluminum & Brass Desenos Candlestick by David Marshall
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice Brutalist aluminum and brass "Desenos" candlestick by David Marshall, circa 1970s. The piece is the creation of the internationally renowned artist David Marshall, based ...
Aluminum, Brass
Sculptural Solid Walnut Wooden Candle Holder R:4
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Acer candle holder R:4 features a rhythmic architectural interplay of cubic volumes and semi arched voids. Designed by Aad Bos and hand crafted by our carpenters from solid oak o...
Steel
Unseen Force #66: Joel Escalona's Solid Wood Statement Table, Artistic Craft
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Unseen Force #66: Joel Escalona's Solid Wood Statement Table, Artistic Craft Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the nature of the production process, each piece may vary in grain, texture, shape or even size. The dimensions provided refer to the table only. The dimensions and shape of the sculpture may vary. — About the Concept. Unseen Force Coffee Tables and Side Tables, design by Joel Escalona for NONO When Tables Talk Art...
Hardwood
$9,882Sale Price / item|20% Off
Sculptural Unseen Force #62: Joel Escalona's Solid Wood Table, Modern Art Piece
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Sculptural Unseen Force #62: Joel Escalona's Solid Wood Table, Modern Art Piece Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the nature of the production process, each piece may vary in grain, texture, shape or even size. The dimensions provided refer to the table only. The dimensions and shape of the sculpture may vary. — About the Concept. Unseen Force Coffee Tables and Side Tables, design by Joel Escalona for NONO When Tables Talk Art...
Hardwood
Mid Century Copper And Brass Brutalist Vide Poche Centre Piece C.1960
Located in London, GB
Mid Century Copper And Brass Brutalist Vide Poche C.1960 In very good condition commensurate with age. Please refer to photos.
Brass, Copper
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
Still Stand No78, Elegance Redefined in Burned Oak by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elegance in Black Solid Wood by NONO, Still Stand No78 Redefined —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testament ...
Hardwood
"Caravan I" Ernest Shaw, Large Brutalist Mixed-Media Wood and Iron
By Ernest Shaw
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Brutalist/Tribal sculpture with elemental form and Industrial style. Made of wood, iron, rubber and string. Signed and dated 1987 on Verso.
Iron
Still Stand No86 Reveals Dark Elegance in a Carved Burned Oak Totem
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Still Stand No86 Reveals Dark Elegance in a Carved Burned Oak Totem —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testame...
Hardwood
Joel Escalona's Masterpiece in Elegant Dark Black Solid Wood, Still Stand No100
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Masterpiece in Elegant Dark Black Solid Wood, Still Stand No100 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one i...
Hardwood
$15,215Sale Price / item|15% Off
Sleek and Dark, Joel Escalona's Burned Oak Totem Emerges, Still Stand No92
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Sleek and Dark, Joel Escalona's Burned Oak Totem Emerges, Still Stand No92 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a t...
Hardwood
$15,215Sale Price / item|15% Off
Dark, Modern Totem in Burned Oak, Escalona's Vision, Still Stand No81
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Dark, Modern Totem in Burned Oak, Escalona's Vision, Still Stand No81 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testa...
Hardwood
Fratelli Mannelli 1970's Italian sculpture of an elephant designed by Enzo Mari
Located in Oxford, GB
Fratelli Mannelli 1970's Italian sculpture of an elephant designed by Enzo Mari. Quirky whimsical signed and original piece from Fratelli Mannelli . Brutalism at its charming and am...
Travertine
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
Bronze Sculpture Romantic Dreams by Susanne Vertel
Located in New York, NY
Stylized cast bronze sculpture depicting three women in reclining position by noted sculptor Susanne Vertel. This sculpture is part of a limited edition...
Bronze
Rare Handmade Brutalist Ceramic Jugs from Early 1900s Italy
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Add a touch of history and artistry to your home decor with this exceptional set of handmade Brutalist ceramic jugs from early 1900s Italy. Crafted with care and attention to detail,...
Ceramic
Large brutalist bronze hanging candle holder , 1970’s
Located in Delft, NL
Large brutalist bronze hanging candle holder , 1970’s
Bronze
$14,320Sale Price / item|20% Off
Elegance in Black Solid Wood by NONO, Still Stand No78 Redefined
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elegance in Black Solid Wood by NONO, Still Stand No78 Redefined —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testament ...
Hardwood
$9,882Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
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
$9,364Sale Price / item|20% Off
NONO Elefante Buffet 19, Oak Stalwart, Tiered Shelving Design
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Buffet 19, Oak Stalwart, Tiered Shelving Design ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Craf...
Hardwood
Unseen Force #55: Joel Escalona's Table, Sculpture-Inspired Solid Wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Unseen Force #55: Joel Escalona's Table, Sculpture-Inspired Solid Wood Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonize...
Hardwood
Large Sculptural Vase #4 by Dena Zemsky
By Dena Zemsky
Located in New York, NY
Large sculptural vase #4 by Dena Zemsky. Hand-built, glazed stoneware vase form. Signed and dated on underside.
Ceramic, Stoneware
Oak Artistry Unseen Force #70: Joel Escalona's Coffee Table, Sculpture Blend
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Oak Artistry Unseen Force #70: Joel Escalona's Coffee Table, Sculpture Blend Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the ...
Hardwood
Sculpture-Base Unseen Force #67: Joel Escalona's Oak Coffee Table, Unique Design
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Sculpture-Base Unseen Force #67: Joel Escalona's Oak Coffee Table, Unique Design Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to ...
Hardwood
Tall Brutalist Black / Gold Ceramic Candle Light Candelabra, Norway, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Painted black and gold ceramic candle light candelabra, made in Norway, 1960s.
Ceramic