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-20th Century Brutalist Metal Sculpture Mask by Soud’art, 78cm
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Sculpture metal "Soud’art" Mask Wear consistent with age and use Art - Graphic sculpture - Brutalist Measures : 15cmx18cm H:78cm
Metal
$1,066Sale Price|50% Off
Antique Glazed Terracotta Flower Column
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Beautiful artistic plant stand in glazed and painted terracotta, great skill and full craftsmanship. Unique grotesques theme with enclosed in frames moved volutes and foliage, Italy,...
Terracotta
Brutalist Abstract Bowl Cast Alumium Reference A061
Located in Benahavis, AN
The abstract bowl was created by David Marshall, from sand cast aluminium. We use recycled materials all our pieces are handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in Spain. It is certified authentic by the Artist David Marshall. He is insipired by nature and the landscaps making useful art with cast brass and alumium materials. We also make bespoke designs for clients, like signage for condominums, private homes, Hotels & Restaurants, awards for Charity...
Aluminum
Vintage Boho Torch Cut Metal Bands Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Presenting a captivating vintage Brutalist metal sculpture, an intriguing abstract piece that evokes the raw beauty of a blooming flower or an exploding star. Crafted from forged iro...
Metal
Vintage Boho Original Studio Pottery Flower Frog Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Embrace the raw power of Brutalist design with this extraordinary vintage studio pottery sculpture. A true one-of-a-kind piece signed by the artist, its monumental, shield-like form ...
Pottery, Stoneware
Vintage Boho Studio Pottery Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A bold and sculptural studio pottery vessel, this bottle-form vase features a raw, sand-textured stoneware body with a striking contrast of glossy black glaze at the neck and handle....
Pottery
Vintage Boho Original Studio Pottery Blocks Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A commanding work of Brutalist-inspired studio pottery, this original hand-built vase is a powerful sculptural statement. Its most striking feature is the architectural base, adorned...
Clay, Pottery
Vintage Boho Original Studio Pottery Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Discover the unique charm of this striking vintage studio pottery vase, a testament to handcrafted artistry. Its distinctive form features a faceted, geometric base grounding a slend...
Clay, Pottery
Vintage Boho Zig Zag Candlesticks - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add sculptural interest and earthy texture to your space with this striking pair of Vintage Boho Zig Zag Candlesticks. Crafted from plaster or stone composite, their architectural, s...
Concrete
Brutalist Wooden Sculpture, Hand-Carved, France, Mid-20th Century
Located in TOURS, FR
This exceptional mid-century sculpture showcases the raw, expressive qualities of Brutalist design through an organic lens. Hand-carved from rich American walnut and accented with a ...
Lead
William Bowie Brutalist Birds Sculpture
Located in New Windsor, NY
Signed William Bowie brutalist flying bird sculpture. Circa 1970. Signed, Bowie, on the lowest portion of the sculpture. Mounted on a wood block base. Each wing is gilt. Good overa...
Metal, Aluminum
Jean Pierre Helle, Driftwood Sculpture, circa 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Jean Pierre Helle, (1944-2015), driftwood sculpture, circa 1970. Coming from the artist studio.
Driftwood
Jean Pierre Helle, Driftwood Sculpture
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Jean Pierre Helle, (1944-2015), driftwood sculpture representing a horse.
Driftwood
Cast Bronze 'Sand Flea' Sculpture by J. Dale M'Hall
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast bronze 'Sand Flea' sculpture by American sculptor J. Dale M'Hall. James began sculpting in the 1960's and has worked with a variety of different media throughout his career but bronze sculpting...
Bronze
"Horselaugh" by Debbie Korbel
By Debbie Korbel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Horselaugh" by Debbie Korbel Hand-Made Stainless Steel Sculpture Mounted on A Black Steel Post The Horse Is Welded To The Steel Stand, And Free-Standing Wire Tail One of A Kind...
Metal, Steel, Cut Steel
1973 "Romolo Gling" Abstract Sculpture in Metal
Located in Milano, IT
1973 "Romolo Gling" abstract sculpture in metal.
Metal
Brutalist Zen Bowl A071 in Cast Brass and Aluminium Designed by David Marshall
Located in Benahavis, AN
The Bowl was created by David Marshall, from sand cast aluminium and brass. We use recycled materials all our pieces are handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop ...
Aluminum, Brass
Natural Stucco-Marble by Amandine Antunez
Located in PAU, FR
Stucco-Marble vase by the french artist Amandine Antunez. The Stucco-marble is an old skill of 300 years old. Made With plaster, natural glue and natural pigment.
Stucco
Price Upon Request
Harry Bouras Sculpture
By Harry Bouras
Located in Chicago, IL
Chicago art critic, Harry Bouras was the host of "Arts and Artists" for 25 years. Harry's pieces are in permanent collections in Chicago, New York, and Tokyo. Resin coated iron sculpture. Pictured with three other matching sculptures...
Iron