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.
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
Mid Century Modern Brutalist Solid Bronze Crucifix Sculpture 1960s
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid Century Modern Brutalist Solid Bronze Crucifix wall hung sculpture. Beautifully crafted sculpture with a rich patina. Unsigned. 1960s
Bronze
Curtis Jere "Windswept" Brutalist Sculpture, Brass and Marble
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Miami, FL
Curtis Jere "Windswept" Brutalist Sculpture, Brass and Marble Offered for sale is a vintage Curtis Jere Brutalist "Windswept" sculpture on a black marble base. This brass sculptur...
Marble, Brass
Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron candle holder
Located in BELFORT, FR
Mid century and brutalist style wrought iron candle holder. Perfect condition.
Wrought Iron
Vintage Brutalist Candleholder, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist candelabra with three arms. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Gold Styles: Brutalist Period: 1970s Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned Dimensions: 5.12ʺ...
Metal
Copper Abstract Mid-Century Modern Table Sculpture on Live Edge Mount
Located in Fulton, CA
Free-form copper sculpture mounted to a live edge wood base. 15.25 inches high. 7.75 inches deep 9.25 inches wide.
Copper
Brutalist Floor Candle Holder by Michael Harjes, Germany, 1960
By Harjes Metallkunst 1, Michael Harjes
Located in Brussel, BE
Sculptural Brutalist floor candle holder crafted in solid cast bronze, featuring three elongated organic branches that evoke the raw forms of a tree or skeletal structure. This strik...
Bronze
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
Solid Oak Planter Stand Attributed to Henning Kjærnulf, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Solid oak planter stand attributed to Danish designer Henning Kjærnulf, produced in Denmark during the 1960s. The piece features finely carved decorative details and a strong sculptu...
Zinc
Monumental Brutalist Stacked Cube Steel Garden Sculptures, after David Smith
By Paul Evans, David Smith
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
Sergio Bustamante Metal Owl Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Showcasing expressive folk-modernist character, this vintage mixed metal owl sculpture features a rotund body constructed from hundreds of individually cut and layered sheet metal fe...
Metal, Brass
$14,320Sale Price / item|20% Off
Escalona's Black Solid Wood Sculpture of Abstract Elegance, Still Stand No85
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Escalona's Black Solid Wood Sculpture of Abstract Elegance, Still Stand No85 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw bea...
Hardwood
Isabelle Faure Signed Illuminated Gold Butterfly Sculpture Light Brass and Agate
Located in Hastings, GB
An incredibly rare sculpture by world renowned sculptor Isabelle Faure, in hand worked brass and agate. The enormous butterfly spans over 80cm in diameter and the stunning agate wing...
Agate, Brass
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
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
Vintage Brutalist Floral Metal Candleholder 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Floral Metal Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Brown Period: 1970s Item Type: Vintage,...
Metal
Vintage Faceted Wood Sphere
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Embrace the soulful intersection of geometry and nature with this striking vintage faceted wood sphere. A masterclass in Organic Modernism, this hand-carved object features a series ...
Wood
"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
Thick crystal vase Argos model by César Baldaccini signed Daum France circa 1970
By Daum
Located in LE CANNET, FR
Brutalist crystal vase, designed by Cesar Baldaccini in the 1970s. Engraved signature "Daum France" on the base. Present with the Cristal Daum label. Luminous turquoise-blue color. N...
Crystal
Flowers and Bee Sculpture in Mixed Metal on Quartz by Ken Rains
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical flowers with bee sculpture in mixed metal on quartz base by Ken Rains, circa 1970s. The sculpture is in very good vintage condition and measur...
Quartz, Metal
1960s Austin Production "Loving Touch" Brutalist Sculpture.
Located in Miami, FL
1960s Austin Production "Loving Touch" Brutalist Sculpture. Features two nude figures in a tender embrace, inspired by Auguste Rodin's "The Kiss." Molded in resin, patinated to recre...
Resin
Large Mid-Century Brutalist Metal Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Brutalist Candle Holder handmade from steel. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Gray Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century Modern Period: 1960s Item Type: Vintage, Antiq...
Metal
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
Set of 3 Brutalist Modern Copper and Brass Patchwork Decorative Egg Sculptures
Located in Troy, MI
Grouping of three stylized copper egg sculptures circa 1990s Patchwork copper clad eggs of graduated sizes fastened with brass rivets Unmarked 3 - 5 inch diameter 4 - 6.25 inch hei...
Brass, Copper
$5,440Sale Price|20% Off
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
Brutalist Vase · Hand-Hammered Silver-Plated Steel Circa 1970
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Some objects don't ask permission to exist in a space. This vase is one of them. Organic in form and sculptural in presence, this piece defies the boundary between functional object ...
Metal
Massive Outdoor Abstract Steel Floor Sculpture in Geometric Stacked Cube Form
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A massive brutalist sculpture outdoor sculpture circa 1980's. It consists of welded steel construction with patinated cubes on a black enameled base. Just shy of 8 feet tall. Unmarked.
Steel
Sculptural Table Lamp Carved in an Olive Wood Block France 1950
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This table lamp, is carved in the Olive wood. The wood has this light brown color of this wood, with the old patina. This lamp was made in France, circa 1950, US PLUG ADAPTATOR W...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Metal Sculpture, Hand-Crafted in Italy
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An abstract, vintage Mid-Century modern sculpture made of hand crafted cut steel, in good condition. The detailed Brutalist décor piece is enhanced by many different metal pieces, su...
Metal, Cut Steel
Vintage Patinated Lava Glaze Planter
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking vintage planter is a masterclass in Brutalist expression, featuring a heavily textured "fat lava" glaze that exudes raw, elemental power. The vessel's surface is a rugg...
Ceramic
Vintage Brutalist Abstract Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This commanding vintage Brutalist sculpture is a striking example of the mid-century industrial art movement. Evoking the spirit of iconic designers like Curtis Jere, the piece featu...
Brass, Steel
MCM Ceramic and Marble Owls Sculpture by Jose Torres Guardia
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool MCM ceramic and marble owls sculpture by Jose Torres Guardia, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 6.5"W x 3.25"D...
Marble
Two Beautiful Fish Sculpture in Travertine Marble Fratelli Mannelli Italy, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Set of two Fratelli Mannelli brutalist fish sculptures made of travertine, vintage 1970s. The figurines of the Italian modern design were sign...
Travertine
Rare 1970s MCM János Lehoczky Artisan Brutalist Hand Wrought Steel Candle Holder
By Károly Bieber, János Lehoczky, 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
Vintage Brutalist Candelabra by Menachem Berman, Israel, Bronze and Walnut
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Vintage mid century brutalist candelabra by Menachem Berman, designed and produced in Israel, circa 1960s. Three hand worked bronze candle arms rise organically from a solid walnut t...
Bronze
$164Sale Price|30% Off
Swiss Brutalist wrought iron Candle Holder
Located in Bern, BE
Swiss Brutalist wrought iron candle holder dating from the 1960's. Made by W. Müller Metalfabrik, Ersigen, Switzerland. With placement for two candle holders. Original makers label ...
Metal
Brutalist Brass Tree Sculpture by Friedle, Circa 1970s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Brutalist brass sculpture of a Tree Cluster grouping by Friedle.
Brass
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
Brutalist 1970s Signed Iron Sculpture
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Unique Brutalist iron / mixed metals sculpture by American artist, circa 1970s. Free-form piece with various geometric pieces signed on the base. Beautiful Versatile piece that ...
Metal, Brass, Chrome, Iron
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
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
Liza Monk (1906-?) Brutalist nail sculpture of Hercules WPA artist based in CA
By Monk Designs
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Brutalist sculpture of Hercules by Liza Monk - Los Angeles based WPA artist. Heavy and welded pieces of metal/ nails.
Metal
Brutalist Free Standing Abstract Steel Sculpture
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Elevate your space with this striking 1980’s freestanding metal sculpture, beautifully channeling the architectural geometry of Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic Midway Gardens designs. Co...
Steel
Midcentury Modern 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
$209Sale Price|29% Off
Brutalist Danish Mid Century Ceramic Candle Holder by Judi Kunst, Denmark 1970
By Judi Kunst
Located in Hannover, DE
This lantern by Judi Kunst is custom-made in size and design and was a personal gift of honor. This candle holder is exceptionally masterfully shaped in its organic shape and is remi...
Pottery
$950Sale Price / item|48% Off
SALE David Palumbo Huge Mid Century Modern Brutalist Hand Forged Iron Menorah
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
CYNER WEEK SALE David Palombo's Very Rare and Iconic, Hand-Forged Iron, Freeform, Spired Cylindrical, Brutalist Sculptural Hanukkah Menorah. This is one of 2 David Palumbo menorahs...
Iron
Mid-Century Minimalist Dutch Studio Pottery Vase from Mobach, 1960s
By Mobach
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Minimalist Dutch Studio Pottery Vase from Mobach, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs, designer ...
Ceramic
Danish Artist Peder E. Madsen Brutalist Primeval Sword-Fish Skeleton in Bronze
Located in Esbjerg, DK
The Danish artist and Sculptor Peder Evald Madsen was born in 1951 and died last year in his home. These pieces came from his own collection and were sold at auction in 2024. A parti...
Bronze
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
ScandinavianBrutalist Object in Polished Bronze - Gear Fragment Penholder, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
An artist made pen holder in heavy stock solid bronze. This is number 1 of 33 made. This very interesting and brutalist' perceived piece is made from a fragment of an industrial worm...
Bronze
1970s Brutalist Iron Candleholder Sculpture, Vertical Architectural Form
Located in Stockholm, SE
A sculptural Brutalist iron candleholder composed as a vertical architectural structure. The composition consists of stacked, heavy iron elements placed on top of one another in a ca...
Iron, Metal, Wrought Iron
1960s Mid Century Modern Abstract Metal "Wall Jewelry" Sculpture Harry Bertoia
Located in Peoria, AZ
MAGNIFICENT! BRUTALIST HANDWORKED SCULPTED METAL WALL ART Attributed to Harry Bertoia. INCREDIBLE WELDS, WORKMANSHIP & DESIGN! HUGE! ...
Bronze, Iron
Rare & Early James Bearden "Pod Box on Stand" Steel & Blackened Bronze Brutalist
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed and studio-made by American designer and craftsman James Bearden, this pedestal style box offers a unique blend of extraordinary hand-made quality and striking brutalist vis...
Bronze, Steel
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
Reclining Woman Sculpture in Chamotte Clay, France, 1970s
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Modernist sculpture of a reclining woman in black chamotte clay, made in France in the 1970s. This figurative sculpture depicts a reclining woman in a contemplative and minimalist p...
Clay
Vintage metal Brutalist sculpture Bird by Salvino Marsura, Italy 1950s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Amazing mid-century modern metal Brutalist sculpture "Bird" by Salvino Marsura, made in Italy in the 1950s. Salvino Marsura is an Italian artist born in Treviso in 1938. His career ...
Iron
Wooden Zodiac Scorpio 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 Wabi Sabi Modernist Large Ceramic Vase 1970s
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Large Brutalist Ceramic Vessel with Volcanic / Crater Glaze. Large 15 inch Vessel with incredible texture and Scale, purchased in Sardegna Italy, artist unknown but Mid Century wit...
Ceramic
Brutalist Floor Candle Holder by Michael Harjes, Germany, 1960
By Harjes Metallkunst 1, Michael Harjes
Located in Brussel, BE
Sculptural Brutalist floor candle holder crafted in solid cast bronze, featuring three elongated organic branches that evoke the raw forms of a tree or skeletal structure. This strik...
Bronze
Brancusi Inspired Abstract Male Torso Bronze Sculpture on Marble Base
By Rene Brancusi, Brancusi
Located in Houston, TX
Large Brutalist male torso abstract bronze sculpture on a marble base in the manner of Brancusi. This midcentury figural male torso sculpture is finely detailed and dates to the mid-...
Marble, Bronze