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.
Vintage Brutalist Wrought Iron Candle Sconce, Italy, Circa 1970
By Paul Evans
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage wrought iron candle sconces in the Brutalist style will certainly light up a room and create interesting shadows. Sculptured and patinated, each iron piece holds a single tap...
Wrought Iron
"Un Jardín" – Abstract brutalist cantera stone sculpture
Located in Guadalajara, MX
This small scale sculpture cut in black cantera stone abstracts the text “nada menos que el universe entero” (nothing less than the entire universe”, which is what Luis Barragán said...
Stone
Brutalist Owl Sculpture in Raw Metal with Glass Eyes in the Style of Curtis Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in San Diego, CA
A really cool brutalist owl sculpture in raw metal with glass eyes in the style of Curtis Jere, circa 1960s. The sculpture is in very good vintage condition and measures 7"W x 3.5"D...
Metal
Sculptural Soft Green Glazed “Pallini” Vase by Matteo Giampaglia, Italy 2023
Located in New York, NY
Hand-sculpted in Florence by renowned Italian artist Matteo Giampaglia, this extraordinary piece blurs the line between functional vessel and fine art sculpture. Every detail is form...
Ceramic
$547Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Italian Steel Vase in the Style of Luciano Frigerio, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Sculptural vase from the 70s in a brutalist style. The structure of the vase develops on two levels. The first level is a parallelepiped with a quadrangular section; It has a smoo...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist C Jere Tree Sculpture Signed
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A great Mid-Century Modern Curtis Jere brass, copper and metal life-size tree sculpture. Rare form Brutalist design. Large leaves and verdigris green metal base. Signed C Jere on leaf.
Metal, Brass, Copper
Monumental Patinated Fiberglass Figure Sculpture Style of Alberto Giacometti
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Long Island City, NY
Monumental Patinated Fiberglass Figure in the Style of Alberto Giacometti A monumental fiberglass sculpture with a bronze tone patinated finish, executed in the style of Alberto Gia...
Fiberglass
American Nautical Hand-Crafted Coral Brass Fish Sculptural Table Lamp Modern
Located in Miami, FL
Brutalist Style whimsical nautical Brass Fish on a natural white coral core and mounted on a rectangle Wood Base. The Stem is a copper piece of pipe and topped with the socket and ...
Coral, Brass
Vintage Pair of Brutalist Candle Holders, Hand Forged Wrought Iron
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage pair of wrought iron candle sticks features a streamlined columnar body on footed base with wide scalloped bobeches and tall, slightly flared candle holders. The textured abs...
Wrought Iron
$100 / set
James de Wulf Concrete Color Samples
Located in Paia, HI
James de Wulf Concrete color samples in light grey, natural, dark grey, black, and creamy white.
Concrete
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist German Studio Pottery Vase Gerhard Liebenthron 1975
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist German Studio Pottery Blue Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1975
Pottery
Brutalist Candle Holder in Patinated Sand Cast Brass 1960s
Located in Meer, VAN
Brutalist Candle Holder in Patinated Sand Cast Brass, Europe, 1960s. A very distinct brutalist style candle holder in heavy sand cast brass with a lovely patina. Quintessentially mi...
Brass
$538Sale Price / set|20% Off
Matthew Hilton. Brutalist candle holders, England, 1980s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Brutalist candlesticks by Matthew Hilton, England, 1980s, set of 2. Sculptural shapes made of aluminium. Totally timeless pieces for any current interior with a classic or contempora...
Aluminum
32-Inch Tall Bronze Brutalist Candle Holder, Mid-20th Century
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A sculptural and commanding Brutalist candle holder, standing at an impressive 32 inches in height. Crafted in solid bronze with a raw, hand-forged texture, this piece embodies the b...
Bronze
Sculptural Vintage 3-Arm Wrought Iron Candelabra, Handcrafted
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage hand-crafted wrought iron candle holder features sculptural shape with 3 branches with textured leaves flowing upwards from the base and terminating into round candle holder...
Wrought Iron
Vintage Boho Brutalist Modernist Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Command attention with the raw, architectural power of this vintage Brutalist sculpture. Epitomizing the avant-garde spirit of the Mid-Century Modernist movement, this striking abstr...
Stone, Aluminum
$2,620Sale Price|20% Off
1970 Brutalist Studio Pottery Floor Vase by Inge
Located in New Windsor, NY
Handmade slab built monumental Brutalist pottery vase. Meticulously decorated and glazed with organic and geometric patterns and shapes. Applied neck. Signed and dated, Inge, 70 a th...
Stoneware
Midcentury Brutalist Brass Sculpture, circa 1960s
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful hand-made brass sculpture, Midcentury Modern/Brutalist period, circa mid-20th century, 1960s. Piece is unsigned; In the style of designers Paul Evans, Curtis Jere. Piece is all brass with a square black composite base. Very good condition as shown in images. Dimensions: 22.75" Height. Other items shown available separately, search 1stDibs ref. #: Mackenzie-Childs vase, search ref. #: LU1314226933622 (SOLD.) Agate dish...
Composition, Brass
Large brutalist wall sculpture, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Architectural brutalist wall mounted sculpture made from cast metal. Imposing wall sculpture 1970s - Belgium Height: 90cm Width: 175cm Ref.: 2508120403 *All images are always pa...
Metal
Harry Bertoia Gilt Bronze, Brass and Steel Dandelion Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Bertoia's Dandelion form is widely regarded to be the apex of his career. An overwhelming physical presence is balanced by its truly delicate nature. A gilt bronze central sphere is ...
Granite, Brass, Bronze
Small Scandinavian Brutalist Stoneware Vase w. Orange High Fire Glaze
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A small high fired stoneware vase executed with reddish orange glazes with earthy/black accents. Unknown Scandinavian ceramist in the style of Jaap Ravelli circa 1970. Measurements...
Stoneware
Still Stand Abstract Sculpture, Wood, Chainsaw Carved, Walnut, contemporary
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Still Stand Abstract Wood Sculpture, Chainsaw Carved, Walnut
Walnut
Mid-Century Italian Brutalist Bronze Amadeus Series Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Italian Brutalist Bronze Amadeus Series Candleholder by Kurt Jesch for Fratelli Tonini, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additio...
Metal
$604Sale Price|20% Off
Abstract surrealist wooden sculpture by Fredrik Weerkamp, Netherlands 1980s
Located in ECHT, NL
Surrealist abstract sculpture made from different kinds of wood. Created by Dutch visual artist Frederik Weerkamp. This sculpture was part of his personal collection. It depicts a p...
Wood
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Extendable Floor Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Extendable Floor Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Color: Black Styles: Brutalist, Mid-...
Iron
Vintage Studio Pottery Brutalist Drip Glaze Vase, Signed, circa 1970s
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking vintage studio pottery vase featuring a faceted geometric form with an organically sloped rim and expressive hand-applied drip glaze decoration. Executed in earthy terraco...
Pottery, Stoneware
Midcentury Torch Cut Metal Abstract Brutalist Sculpture
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti, Tony Melendy, Silas Seandel, Diego Giacometti, Curtis Jeré
Located in Houston, TX
Midcentury torch cut metal abstract Brutalist sculpture. Beautifully executed Mid-Century Modern Brutalist torch cut mixed metal abstract sculpture. ...
Brass, Copper
Anthropomorphic Modernist 'Makonde' Sculpture 1950s
Located in Meer, VAN
Anthropomorphic Modernist 'Makonde' sculpture 1950s This is a wonderful piece of modernist African art. It is a so called 'Makonde' sculpture. These unique pieces are crafted by t...
Wood, Ebony
$1,021Sale Price|41% Off
Pair of French Brustalist Candle Holder, 1950
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A unique set of two brutalist candle holders from the fifties. each one is made and welded from a fork. Great design and great patina.
Steel
Italian modern brutalist Brass sculpture by Edmondo Cirillo, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern brutalist Brass sculpture by Edmondo Cirillo, 1970s Brass sculpture with a rectangular base with reference to the brutalist style. The front of the sculpture is square...
Brass
Vintage Brutalist Bronze Candleholder from Gallo, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Bronze Candleholder from Gallo, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Bronze...
Bronze
Eddie Hackman The Shearer Bronze Figure Limited Edition 1986 Australian Outback
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Eddie Hackman "The Shearer" Bronze Figure Limited Edition 1986 Australian Outback, Signed to Rear. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 4" H x 3.75" W x 2.5" D.
Bronze
Pieter Spruyt handmade Brass 3 Brutalist Torchères
Located in Den Haag, NL
Hand made Brass Torchères. Made and signed by Pieter Spruyt 1980s . fit for tea lights . or other Candles . set of Three .
Brass
Monumental Brutalist Stacked Cube Steel Garden Sculptures, after David Smith
By David Smith, Paul Evans
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental Brutalist Stacked Cube Steel Garden Sculpture, after David Smith / Paul Evans.. Signed and dated bUT unfortunately illegible. Amazing use of color, texture and space, Eigh...
Steel
$1,355Sale 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
Tom Dixon Gold “Gem” Series Candelabra, Rough & Smooth Collection, 2013
By Tom Dixon
Located in London, GB
For sale is a gold Tom Dixon “Gem” series cast-aluminium three-candle candelabra, for the "Rough & Smooth" Collection, dating from 2013. Tom Dixon’s “GEM” series was part of Dix...
Aluminum
Asymmetrical Brutalist Bronze a single flower vase by Heinz Goll, Italy 1960s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a very rare and absolutely extraordinary sculptural asymmetrical Brutalist vase done in bronze, for a single flower. It was designed by Austrian designer Heinz Goll...
Bronze
Hand Blown Glass Solarized Ghost Vase by Gregory Nangle, Brutalist Design
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Solarized Cleaving Ghost Vase. Hand Blown Crystal Glass and also available in Ruby transparent color, faded silvering at base. The artist blows these into M...
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Silver
Large Brutalist Metal Work Figure of an Owl, Attributed Sergio Bustamante
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Brutalist Metal Owl Sculpture, Attributed to Sergio Bustamante Mexico, circa 1970s This striking Brutalist metal owl sculpture, attributed to Sergio Bustamante, exemplifies the bold...
Metal, Brass
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 Spain, circa 1950, The wood is olive wood. Signed Falcon Spain...
Wood
Henri Fernandez Gold and Blue Longhorn Beetle Lamp
Located in Hastings, GB
Extremely rare sculpture in brass and agate, by Henri Fernandez for atelier Duval Brasseur, modelled as a Longhorn Beetle and dating to the 1970’s. The beautiful blue agate wings ar...
Agate, Brass
Large Tree Shaped Candle Holder in Hand Forged Steel 1970s
Located in Meer, VAN
Large Tree Shaped Candle Holder in Hand Forged Steel 1970s This well sized hand forged candle holder is wonderfully shaped like a tree, it origins from Europe, 1970s. It is original...
Wrought Iron
Brutalist Blue and White Reactive Art Glass Vase, Europe, 1970s
Located in Valencia, VC
Brutalist Blue and White Reactive Art Glass Vase, Europe, 1970s Striking European art glass vase produced during the 1970s, acquired in Belgium. The piece features a substantial bot...
Glass, Art Glass
Wooden Zodiac Libra 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...
Wood
Brutalist Bronze Vase by Kaj Blomqvist for Rakennusvaline, Finland, 1960s
Located in Malmö, SE
A stunning Brutalist / Scandinavian Modern bronze vase with amazing patina. Designed by Kaj Blomqvist and made by Rakennusvaline, Finland, 1960s. Great original condition.
Bronze
Two Sunburst Centerpieces / Fruit Bowls, Wrought Iron, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair if Sculptural Spanish Brutalist Centerpiece Bowls Spain, 1950s. These spanish revival centerpieces or fruit bowls were entirely made by hand in wrought iron. They have brutalist...
Iron
Brutalist Patinated Metal Abstract Sculpture by Frans de Boer Lichtveld, 1964
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Brutalist sculpture. Design by Frans de Boer Lichtveld. Striking Dutch design from the 1960s. Patinated metal with various decorative elements. This wonderful Br...
Metal
Vintage Brass and Pewter Walnut Bowl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This captivating vintage bowl is a masterclass in bi-metal artistry, realistically rendered in the form of a halved walnut shell. A sophisticated example of the 1970s Brutalist movem...
Brass, Pewter
$191Sale Price / set|49% Off
Danish Brutalist Glazed Ceramic Planters, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Curated set of 2 ceramic pieces. A pot shaped bowl/planter from Dot keramik in Denmark circa 1970 and an unknown square fat-lava vase or small planter from the the early 1970s. The s...
Ceramic
Elefante by NONO Console 20, Slender Oak Elegance, Substantial Presence
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante by NONO Console 20, Slender Oak Elegance, Substantial Presence ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a ...
Hardwood
60s Mid Century Modern Brutalist K L Hakuli Brass Abstract Art Menorah Israel
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Beautiful Artisan made, K. L. Hakuli for Weinberg, Israel Brutalist 9 candle Hanukkah Menorah Piece is off-centered and very abstract with incised v...
Brass
Brutalist Metal Candle Holder, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist Metal Candle Holder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Material: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist Item Type: Vintage, Antique or ...
Metal
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Copper Wading Bird Sculpture
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
An exceptional French mid-century modern sculpture depicting a stylized wading bird, handcrafted in hammered and welded copper. This rare and expressive piece showcases a beautifully...
Copper
$14,320Sale Price / item|20% Off
Sleek and Dark Design in Black Solid Wood Totem, Still Stand No87
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Sleek and Dark Design in Black Solid Wood Totem, Still Stand No87 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testament t...
Hardwood
Midcentury Brutalist Enameled Wall Clock by Kienzle, Germany, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful round Midcentury Brutalist wall clock, executed by Kienzle Germany in the 1970s. The clock has a housing made of ceramic with a colorful enamel glaze in brown, green, yel...
Enamel
Monumental Paolo Soleri Brutalist Bronze Bell with Cast Aluminum Spine, 1960
Located in Chicago, IL
Monumental Paolo Soleri Brutalist Bronze Bell with Cast Aluminum Spine, 1960 A striking and monumental work by Paolo Soleri, this sculptural bronze bell is suspended from a cast alum...
Aluminum, Bronze, Copper
Pair of Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron candle holder sticks
Located in BELFORT, FR
Pair of mid century and brutalist style wrought iron candle holders. Perfect condition.
Wrought Iron
Mid-Century Brutalist Metal Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Metal Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Material: Metal Color: Brown Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century Modern ...
Metal
Still Stand Abstract Wood Sculpture, Column, Totem, Chainsaw Carved, Handmade
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Still Stand Abstract Biomorphic Wood Sculpture, Chainsaw Carved From Single Piece of Oak Wood
Oak
Large Abstract Gilded Metal Sculpture by Philippe Cheverny, 1970s
Located in Chicago, IL
An abstract sculpture by French artist Philippe Cheverny, rendered in gilded metal. Its Brutalist form emerges from molten metal, poured and shaped into a freeform silhouette. Rests ...
Metal