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 Bronze Candleholder, Three Arms, Gold Finish, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Heavy bronze candelabra with three arms. Additional information: Materials: Bronze Color: Gold Styles: Brutalist Period: 1970s Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned Dimensions: 9...
Bronze
Vintage Paolo Soleri Ceramic Mobile Sounding Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Paolo Soleri Ceramic & Copper Solar Bell — 6'3" Tall Mobile Sculpture with "Witch Hat" Top and Tribal Motifs A dramatic and rare example of Paolo Soleri’s iconic Solar Bells,...
Copper
Contemporary Oval Metal Sculpture in a Modern Brutalist Style
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Contemporary sculpture in black/brown metal, featuring an irregular metal ring set on a light-colored base. The contemporary sculpture reflects a brutalist style. Dimensions: H 51 ×...
Stone, Metal
Klaus Lehmann, Brutalist German Studio Pottery Cube Art Sculpture No. No. 337 81
Located in Hamburg, DE
Klaus Lehmann, Postmodern Brutalist German Studio Pottery Cube Art Sculpture No. 337 81, 1981
Pottery
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
Brutalist Free-Form Glass Trinket - Solid Cast Glass Catchall - France 1970s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Brutalist Free-Form Glass Trinket - Solid Cast Glass Catchall - France 1970s Free-form large and heavy decorative catchall. Entirely made of solid glass and beautifully crafted ! ...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Wooden Zodiac Aries Ram 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
1980s Brutalist Iron and Brass Italian Three Arms Candelabra
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This striking 1980s Italian candelabra is a masterclass in Brutalist design, merging raw industrial strength with sophisticated Mid-Century flair. Hand-forged with a dramatic archite...
Brass, 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
William Friedle Vintage Brutalist Metal Sculpture
Located in San Antonio, TX
Signed vintage mid-century brutalist metal art sculpture by William Friedle, circa 1960s. William worked with his brother, Bruce Friedle creating u...
Metal
Sculptural Brutalist Gilt Bronze Candle Holder by Heinz Goll, Austria 1960s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find an extremely rare and absolutely extraordinary sculptural Brutalist candle holder done in gilt bronze. It was designed by Austrian designer Heinz Goll...
Bronze
Modernist Candle Holder - Stainless Steel Brutalist Candlestick - Italy 1980s
By Memphis Group, Ettore Sottsass
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
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
1970s Vintage Geometric Wood Wall Sculpture, Brutalist Relief Panel
Located in La Mesa, CA
Handcrafted in the 1970s and sourced from a Southern California estate, this sculptural wood wall panel showcases a bold geometric relief design, meticulously assembled from richly g...
Wood
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
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
Original Pal Kepenyes Lion Sculpture Signed
By Pal Kepenyes
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970. We offer this Pal Kepenyes Lion Sculpture made in steel and black marble signed. Pal Kepenyes was a Hungarian artist and jewelry designer known for his unique and innova...
Marble, Steel
Wrought Iron Candle Holder in Brutalist Giacometti Style
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Cirac 1970. We offer this Wrought Iron Candle Holder in Brutalist Giacometti Style. Fantastic Patina.
Iron
Hand Carved Soapstone Owls Sculpture / Paperweight in the Style of Glenn Heath
Located in San Diego, CA
Hand carved soapstone owls sculpture / paperweight in the style of Glenn Heath, circa 1980s. The owl is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 3"W x 1"D ...
Soapstone
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
Giovanni 'John’ Bucci Metal Art Sculpture, 1960s
Located in Savannah, GA
Giovanni 'John' Bucci (Italian-American, 1935-2019) A welded metal sculpture composed of various found metal pieces, 1960s. 20 inches wide by 24 inches tall by 8 ½ inches deep
Metal
$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
Brutalist Metal Candelabra, Black Finish, Vintage Design, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist candelabra with 5 arms. The arms finely executed are finished in black. A tripod serves as a foot. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist ...
Metal
1970s Set of 3 large Original Travertine Animal Sculptures by Fratelli Mannelli
Located in Nuernberg, DE
1970s Set of 3 original travertine animal sculptures designed by Fratelli Mannelli. These items are in original as found conditions. Not easy to find this set. Two of them (Elephant ...
Travertine
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
Modern Burned Oak Totem, a Design of Sleek Darkness, Still Stand No101
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Modern Burned Oak Totem, a Design of Sleek Darkness, Still Stand No101 _ Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a testamen...
Hardwood
Vintage Brutalist Torch Cut Copper Horse Head
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Unleash the spirit of raw artistry into your space with this captivating vintage Brutalist Torch Cut Copper Horse Head sculpture. A truly dynamic and expressive piece, this artwork m...
Copper
Mid-Century Brutalist Candleholder in Wrought Iron, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Candleholder in Wrought Iron, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Wrought Iron Color: Gray Styles: Brutal...
Wrought Iron
Set of Linear Brushed Metal Brutalist Objects, Germany, 1970’s
Located in New York, NY
Interesting set of objects.
Metal
Glazed Stoneware Honey Jar With Bee by Danish Getter Hundstrup
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Unsual hard-fired stoneware jar or urn featuring a playfull bee to its lid. Designed and made by the Danish Female Ceramist Getter Hundstrup in Denmark during the 1980s. It has this ...
Stoneware
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 Steel Sculpture, USA, 20th Century
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century Modern Brutalist sculpture of tortured and burnt welded steel.
Steel
Brutalist Bronze and Glass Sculpture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Brutalist bronze and textured stained glass sculpture by SF Bay Area artist Ralph Halloway.
Bronze
Brutalist Mid Century Giraffe Statue
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Redding, CT
Brutalist Mid Century Giraffe Statue. Whimsical piece . Fun for that animal lover . Place outdoors in a garden or indoors .
Metal
Teak Bowl by DMK Daniela Mola & Ingo Knuth, 1980s Brutalist Design
By Ingo Knuth
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A teak bowl made by the DMK - Daniela Mola & Ingo Knuth manufacture from the 1980s. The large bowl serves as a fruit bowl or for a centerpiece. Their workmanship under all handma...
Wood, Teak
Brutalist Ethnic Sweet Bowl Handmade in Spain Aluminium Brass
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Sweet Bowl was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast aluminum and sand cast brass. Handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in Spain from recycled materials. Certified authentic by the Artist David Marshall with his signature. The Artist is inspired by nature and land scape...
Aluminum, Brass
$120Sale Price|48% Off
Ruscha Keramik Brutalist Advents Candle Holder - West Germany, 1960's
By Ruscha
Located in Bern, CH
West German ceramic Brutalist Advents candle holder produced by Ruscha Keramik (W.Germany) in the late 1960's to mid-1970s. With four candle holde...
Ceramic
Torn Human Head Sculpture in Brutalist Style Signed E.D. 71
Located in Rome, IT
This sculpture is made of pottery and represents a human head torn by an ax stroke, which makes the wound bleed. The blood flows into the right side of the face and reaches the eye.
Pottery
Vintage German Studio Pottery Brutalist Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1980
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Studio Pottery Brutalist Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1980, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional infor...
Ceramic
Pair of Bronze Faux Bois Candlesticks, France, circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice and interesting pair of candlesticks sculpted as tree branches in an elegant faux bois trompe-l’œil is made of patinated bronze. The textured surface is remarkably detailed...
Bronze
Organic Sculptural Metal Vase – Nature-Formed Abstract Vessel, Brutalist Style
Located in Hannover, DE
This exceptional sculptural vase is a true masterpiece shaped not by human hands, but by the raw forces of nature itself. Formed over time through natural processes, this organic met...
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
1960s Brass Flower Sculpture on Composition Base
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1960s Brass Flower Sculpture on Composition Base Mid Century Modern Flowers and Leaves in distressed patinated brass and metal Composition Base
Brass
Mid-Century Brutalist Torch-Cut Metal Wall Sculpture signed Silas Seandel
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the renowned American artist Silas Seandel, this mid-century Brutalist wall sculpture from 1976 is a masterful fusion of industrial design and artistic craftsmanship. Craft...
Cut Steel
Brutalist Ceramic Vase by Bernard Rooke, England, 1970s, Signed
Located in Stockholm, SE
Brutalist ceramic vase by Bernard Rooke, England, 1970s. In 1960 he set up his own workshop in Forest Hill, London. Progressive designs were readily accepted in London at that time, ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
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
Vintage German Brutalist Studio Pottery Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1980
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Brutalist Studio Pottery Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1980, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution markIt is completely au...
Ceramic
$5,600Sale Price|22% Off
Paul Evans Brutalist Cocktail Table in Patinated Steel and Bronze, c. 1970
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exceptional Brutalist coffee table by Paul Evans, created as part of his celebrated Sculptured Metal Collection for Directional, exemplifies the raw artistry and architectural p...
Bronze, Steel
Mid-Century Brutalist West German Pottery WGP Fat Lava Vase, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist West German Pottery WGP Fat Lava Vase from Jopeko, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs...
Ceramic
David Marshall Bronze and Wood Fruit Bowl Sculpture, Organic Brutalist, 1980s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
This piece combines a deep, textured wooden bowl with an organic, sculpted bronze element, created by the renowned designer David Marshall in Spain during the 1980s. The design refle...
Bronze
Mid-Century German Brutalist Studio Pottery Floor Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern German Brutalist Studio Pottery Floor Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1969
Pottery
Mid-Century Scandianvian Heavy Bubble Glass Block Vase, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Scandianvian Heavy Bubble Glass Block Vase, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Material: Glass Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century...
Glass
Menorah G048 Abstract Candelabra Cast Brass Gold Coloured Made in Spain
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Menorah was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast brass. Handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in Spain from recycled materials. Ce...
Brass
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
Candelabra Piramide III G016 handmade in cast brass & aluminium
Located in Benahavis, AN
The Candelabra Piramide III was created by David Marshall, from sand cast brass & aluminium. We use recycled materials all our pieces are handmade, mounted and finished in our found...
Aluminum, Brass
$1,801Sale Price|20% Off
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
$195Sale Price|42% Off
Danish Brutalist Copper Vase in Copper, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A sculptural cylindrical vase in hand embossed patinated copper. It displays all the right elements of Scandinavian Brutalism. The floral relief pattern resembles some of Axel Salto'...
Copper
$310Sale Price / set|25% Off
Brutalist Mid Century Small Bronze Panther Sculptures, France, 1950s
Located in Valencia, VC
Pair of small Brutalist patinated cast bronze sculptures, representing two panthers on movement. Produced in France circa the mid 20th century. They are small but very beautiful in...
Bronze
Vintage Stainless Steel "Blow Up" Citrus Basket by Fratelli Campana for Alessi
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage stainless steel "Blow Up" citrus basket by Fratelli Campana for Alessi, circa 1990s. This super cool brutalist style basket / bowl is made of we...
Stainless Steel
Brutalist Metal Candle Holder, Black Finish, Vintage Design, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist Candle Holder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-o...
Metal