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.
1970's Ikebana Japanese Brutalist Ceramic Dish in Glossy Finish
Located in San Diego, CA
Very cool unique Japanese ceramic dish , circa1970's great condition glossy finish in brown.
Ceramic
Vintage Brutalist Sculptural Metal Candleholder, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Brutalist Metal Candle Holder with 2 Arms. Additional information: Materials: Metal Style: Brutalist Period: 1970s Color: Black Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned Dimens...
Metal
Contemporary Bronze Totem Sculpture by Bertrand Créac'h, France
Located in London, GB
Totem "Faille" by Bertrand Créac'h Material: bronze, blak patina Dimensions: H 200 x 25 x 25 cm Year: 2024 Bertrand Créac’h met on his journey the artists Étienne Martin, François S...
Bronze
Vintage Bronze Abstract Brutalist Bull Fighter Sculpture by Prince Monyo, 1970s
By Prince Monyo
Located in Troy, MI
Vintage Prince Monyo Bronze Abstract Brutalist Sculpture 1970s Rare Bull Fighter sculpture by Prince Monyo Mihailescu-Nasturel (b. Bucharest, 1...
Bronze
Brutalist Terracotta Vase, Tenmoku Glaze, 1970s UK
Located in Glasgow, GB
A Brutalist studio pottery vase, hand-built in terracotta, dating to circa 1970s, United Kingdom. Rectangular in form, the vase is decorated with applied circular rings layered alon...
Terracotta
Vintage German Brutalist Bronze Ornamental Carafe from Gilde, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Heavy bronze carafe with ornamental forms and reliefs. This piece has an attribution markIt is completely authentic Additional information: Materials: Bronze Styles: Brutalist Peri...
Bronze
$1,281Sale Price / set|20% Off
Jens Harald Quistgaard. Danish cast iron candlesticks, 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Brutalist and Space Age style candlesticks designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard and manufactured by Dansk Design in Denmark, 1960s. Both pieces are made of solid cast iron with a centr...
Brass, Iron
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
Original Pal Kepenyes Articulate Sculpture Signed
By Pal Kepenyes
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970. We offer this Rare and Original Pal Kepenyes Articulate Sculpture Signed made in brass. Pal Kepenyes was a Hungarian artist and jewelry designer known for his unique and...
Brass
Wrought iron sculpture lying woman France 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Wrought iron sculpture lying woman France 1970
Wrought Iron
Brutalist Wall Sculpture, Danish Art, 1970s
By Henrik Horst
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Brutalist wall sculpture designed and manufactured by the Danish artist Henrik Horst, circa 1970s. Patinated metal construction mounted on a frame of wood.
Metal
Mid Century Brutalist Candle Holder in Wrought Iron 1960s
Located in Tilburg, NL
Mid Century Brutalist Candle Holder in Wrought Iron, Europe, 1960s. This is a wonderful and fairly large mid century candle holder in wrought iron with a very distinct chain like br...
Wrought Iron
Basket Fruit Tray Cast Brass Gold A008 Handmade in Spain
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Fruit Bowl was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast brass. We can engrave this piece with your Initials or Logo, makes a beautiful Wedding or Company Gif...
Brass
Lover by Kalou Dubus, Black Stoneware Ceramic, Unique Light Sculptural
By Kalou Dubus
Located in PANTIN, FR
This unique sculptural lamp by French artist Kalou Dubus is titled Lovers. Handcrafted in black stoneware, the piece features a raw, textured surface that emphasizes the material’s n...
Quartz
Hand Crafted Brutalist Art Pottery Owl c 1970/1980’s
Located in New York, NY
Intriguing studio made ceramic pottery owl in the Brutalist style. The tonal polychrome mat finish glaze perfectly complements the textural surface. Suitable for use as a flower vase...
Pottery
Joel Escalona's Modern Totem, Dark Burned Oak Creation, Still Stand No84
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Modern Totem, Dark Burned Oak Creation, Still Stand No84 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a tes...
Hardwood
Midcentury Picture Frame Travertine Marble by Fratelli Mannelli, Italy 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful picture frame in Travertine Marble is a wonderful example of Italian decorative objects production during the 1970s. Made by Fratelli Mannelli, the color and the textu...
Travertine
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
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
$12,000Sale Price|52% Off
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! App...
Bronze, Iron
Mid-Century East German Brutalist Studio Pottery Floor Vase, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century East German Brutalist Studio Pottery Floor Vase by Kerstin & Ralf Unterstab for Kunsttöpferei Unterstab KTU, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This pi...
Ceramic
Set of 2 Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholders, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholders, 1960s, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Material: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Ce...
Metal
Vintage Boho Original Studio Pottery Small Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Discover the rugged beauty of organic design with this captivating vintage studio pottery vase. A striking example of the Brutalist aesthetic, this small vessel features a heavily te...
Pottery
Handmade Sculptural Iron, Copper, Bronze 4 Piece Railings, by Larry Griffis Sr.
Located in Buffalo, NY
Handmade sculptural iron, copper, bronze 4 piece railings, by Larry Griffis Jr. Stunning artistic railings originally commissioned for downtown Buffalo N...
Bronze, Copper, Iron
Pair of Swedish Brutalist stoneware vases with glazed collar Curt Magnus Addin
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Pair of Scandinavian Vases with Brown Decor. Curt Magnus Addin (1931–2007) was a Swedish ceramicist known for his modernist stoneware works, created in his studio in Glumslöv between...
Stoneware
Set of 2 Vintage German Brutalist Metal Candle Holders from Harjes, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Two large Brutalist Candle Holder from German Manufacturer Harjes. Three arms in organic forms. Official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs, designer records. Additional...
Metal
Mid-Century Danish Brutalist Pottery Candleholder from Judi Kunst, 1960s
By Judi Kunst
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Danish Brutalist Pottery Candleholder from Judi Kunst, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: ...
Ceramic
Large Brutalist "Pom Pom" Brass Wall Sculture by Curtis Jere Signed and Dated
By Curtis Jeré, Curtis Freiler, Jerry Fels, Artisan House
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Impressive Modernist brass 'Pom Pom' / 'Sea Urchin' wall sculpture by Curtis Jere (Curtis Freiler and Jerry Fels) for Artisan House (1979, USA). Striking, extra large wall art compos...
Brass
Aurelio Teno (1927/2013) Owl-shaped sculpture, natural stone and Bronze
By Aurelio Teno
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Aurelio Teno (1927/2013) Owl-shaped sculpture, natural stone and Bronze. Superb sculpture from the 70s by Aurelio Teno, of brutalist inspiration, made from a block of natural quartz,...
Quartz, Bronze
Set of 2 Mid-Century Brutalist Danish Studio Pottery Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Danish Studio Pottery Candleholder by Inge Hjorth, 1960s, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Addition...
Ceramic
Table Top Torch Cut and Welded Brutalist Skeleton Sphere Sculpture
Located in Ferndale, MI
Skeleton steel sphere. Comprised of varying sizes of round stock steel and sheet brass welded together. Presents a Primitive folk Brutalist quality.
Steel, Sheet Metal
$15,215Sale Price / item|15% Off
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 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
1950s Wooden Sculptures Industrial Foundry for Molded Car Parts, Set of Four
Located in Antwerp, BE
Set of four brutalist foundry molds from the Machine Age are a reminder of the nation’s Industrial past, a large factor in shaping the culture of the Modern era. While these pieces w...
Wood
$3,500Sale Price|22% Off
Torch Cut and Welded Steel Brutalist Bull Sculpture
Located in Ferndale, MI
Well executed minimal and brutalist torch cut sheetmetal on round stock welded steel frame.
Steel, Sheet Metal
Ceramic Table Tiger Statue Alcobaca Portugal Hollywood Regency Vintage 1970s
Located in London, GB
This 30cm tall ceramic tiger imported in the 1970s from Alcobaca, Portugal, a city famous for its ceramics. This little tiger has a fearful pose bigger than its height! Expertly mo...
Ceramic
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
Table Lamp, Brutalist wood, Brown color France 20th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
We can notice the curves. The wood is a solid Wood. We have a socket in plastic, with a plastic switch You can use any kind of bulb up to 100 watt. Art deco or tribal and Brutalist s...
Wood
Modern Brutalist Metal Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
A hand-crafted geometric metal sculpture piece in a marque shape(s), in the Modern Brutalist style, circa late-20th century. Sculpture is re...
Metal
Mid-Century Brutalist Cast Iron Candleholder by Jens H. Quistgaard, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Danish Brutalist Cast Iron Candleholder by Jens H. Quistgaard for Paro, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additio...
Metal
Mid-Century Brutalist Bronze Candleholder from Harjes, Germany, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Bronze Candleholder from Harjes, Germany, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs, designe...
Metal, Bronze
A BRUTALIST Golden SHABBY-CHIC Wrought Iron CANDELABRA CANDLESTICK, France 2001
Located in PARIS, FR
A spectacular candlestick or candelabra sculpture, Post-Modernist, Brutalist, Shabby-Chic, "organic" tree composition of golden wrought iron rods, folded and welded, mounted on a tri...
Wrought Iron
Vintage German Brutalist Metal Candleholder from Dalbeck, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist Candle Holder from German Manufacturer Dalbeck. This heavy Candle Holder has 5 arms and follows an organic form language. have official proof of authenticity such as vintag...
Metal
Mid-Century Brutalist Metal Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Metal Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Metal Style: Brutalist Color: Gold Item Type: Vin...
Metal
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
Vintage Danish Brutalist Iron & Blue Glass Wall Candleholders by Dantoft, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Large 1970s Brutalist Wall sculptures made by Danish design company Dantoft kunstartikler (trans.: art objects). Made from black lacquered and welded iron set in a graphic formation ...
Iron
Large Brutalist Wood Bowl Large Vide Poche in a Brown Patina, France, circa 1960
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This vide poche has been made in France circa 1960. It is a Brutalist Style bowl, with a free form. In a Brown color.
Wood
Midcentury Brutalist Travertine Marble Italian Bookends Fratelli Mannelli, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful set of bookends in Travertine Marble is a wonderful example of Italian decorative objects produced during the 1970s. Made by Fratelli Mannelli, the color and the texture of the marble, together with the pure and geometrical design, make it a wonderful example of midcentury elegance. This item is perfect for a desk in an office room or for being the focal center of a living room or a hallway entry...
Travertine
1950s by Gallinaro Brutalist Italian Design Metal Candleholder
Located in Brescia, IT
Metal candleholder "Gallinaro" signed Excellent condition.
Metal
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
$207Sale Price|20% Off
Quist Variomaster Brutalist Modular Candle Holders Set Chrome German 1970s
Located in Lisboa, PT
This set of four Variomaster modular candle holders was produced in the 1970s by Quist, a German manufacturer known for its bold interpretation o...
Metal, Chrome
Vintage Boho Brutalist Sculpture of Don Quixote De La Mancha
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking vintage Brutalist sculpture portrays the legendary literary figure Don Quixote de la Mancha in a masterclass of mid-century metalwork. Hand-crafted using intricate wire...
Copper, Iron
Sculptural Modern Brutalist Terracotta Tribal-Inspired Decorative Totem 1
By Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
This modern sculptural Brutalist decorative totem by Egg Designs merges sculptural form with primitive inspiration. Handcrafted in unglazed terracotta, the design draws on tribal mot...
Terracotta
1970s Mdina Glass by Michael Harris Tall Vase, Signed Brutalist
By Mdina, Michael Harris
Located in Torquay, GB
1970s Mdina glass tall vase. Design by Michael Harris for Mdina glass, circa 1970s. Fire orange color with greenish appliqué stripes around the stem. Substantially sized at over 30cm...
Glass
$1,247Sale Price|33% Off
In
Located in Malibu, CA
Antique chain sculpture that defies gravity. The term brutalism — which derives from the French word brut, meaning “raw” — was coined to describe this style trend that emerged in the...
Iron
Vintage Boho Brutalist Chain Link Snake Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Inject a dose of raw, industrial edge into your decor with this striking vintage Brutalist snake sculpture. Hand-crafted from salvaged heavy-gauge chain links expertly welded into a ...
Steel, Iron
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
$11,706 / item
NONO Elefante Stand 05, Oak Beauty, Versatile Elegance
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Stand 05, Oak Beauty, Versatile Elegance————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Touch N...
Hardwood
$141Sale Price|40% Off
1960's Ruscha Keramik Brutalist Advents Candle Holder - West Germany
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. Brutalist style with f...
Ceramic
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