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.
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
1970's Chamotte Earthenware Wall Mount Clock with Light
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Heavy Brutalist 1970's wall mount chamotte earthenware clock with European (E14) candelabra socket. No mounting plate on back, however clock can be affixed to wall using a sturdy hoo...
Earthenware
$283Sale Price|20% Off
20th Century German Walther Glas "Solifleur" Single Stem Round Vase in Crystal
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage 1960s "Solifleur" single stem vase by german manufacturing company "Walther Glas". It's a quite big version of one of Walther's most famous design...
Glass, Art Glass
Massive Matte Black Brutalist Hammered Metal Noir Lily Pad Centerpiece Bowl 18"
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning modernist centerpiece bowl in matte black. Made of metal with a hammered surface and pleated details along the edge. Measures 18" diameter and is in excellent condition.
Metal
Vintage Perletinn Brutalist Box in Pewter, Norway 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A Norwegian brutalist box for cigarettes, cigar, playing cards, jewelry or other personal smalls. Distinct crater paneling micmicing the surface of the moon. Made and designed by Per...
Pewter
Jens Quistgaard, Brutalist wrought iron candle holder, Dansk Denmark
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in BELFORT, FR
Brutalist style wrought iron candelabra, in the style of Jens Quistgaard for Dansk.
Wrought Iron
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
Solid Bronze Abstract Sculpture, USA 1960's
Located in New York, NY
This work was made by bending a very long 3/4 inch solid bronze rod into a rectangular brick, it weighs a surprising 75 lbs for its size
Bronze
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
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 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
Mid-Century Brutalist German Studio Pottery Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist German Studio Pottery Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional informa...
Ceramic
French Hand-Forged Iron Three-Arm Candelabra, Mid-20th Century
Located in Rümmingen, BW
"shipping note: If your region or country is not listed under the shipping options please contact us directly" This elegant three-arm iron candelabra was handcrafted in France, like...
Iron
Organic Sculptural Stoneware Vessel with Volcanic Texture, Handmade Ceramic
Located in Istanbul, TR
This piece is entirely handmade in my Istanbul studio using high-temperature stoneware. The surface is created through an experimental firing and glaze interaction that produces an o...
Stoneware
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
$1,013Sale Price|35% Off
Antique Brutalist Chain Sculpture, Abstract Design, 10x8x38 Inches
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
Brutalist Brass Candle Sconces by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1970s, Denmark
By Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Set of Brutalist Flame-Cut Brass Candle Sconces designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1970s. * Set of two (2) flame-cut brass wall-mounted candle holders * Designer: Svend Aag...
Brass
Mid-Century Brutalist Fat Lava Ceramic Bowl, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Fat Lava Ceramic Bowl, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Color: Black Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Ce...
Ceramic
$165Sale Price|20% Off
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
$120Sale Price|48% 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
Decorative Box or Vase in Terracotta Africa 20th Century Brown Color
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Decorative Box or Vase in Terracotta Africa 20th Century Brown Color.
Terracotta, Rattan
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
Modernist Candle Holder - Stainless Steel Brutalist Candlestick - Italy 1980s
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
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
Ceramic Wall Sculpture Plaque Ruscha West Germany
By Ruscha
Located in Poperinge, BE
Abstract vintage wall sculpture, plaque made of partially glazed terracotta, depicting leaves and a flower with twigs, fat lava accents in the background, West German pottery, possib...
Terracotta
A Sculpture of Dark Elegance, Biomorphic Black Solid Wood, Still Stand No97
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A Sculpture of Dark Elegance, Biomorphic Black Solid Wood, Still Stand No97 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a ...
Hardwood
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
Rare Gold BMF Nagel Quist Variomaster Brutalist Stockable Modular Candleholder
Located in Vienna, AT
Stackable modular candleholder by BMF Quist Nagel, rare gold edition. The candleholders were designed by Ceasar Stoffi and Fritz Nagel and manufactured by BMF (Bayerische Metallwaren...
Brass, Chrome
Sculptural Danish Candle Sconce from Dantoft Kunstartikler, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
1970s Brutalist Wall sculpture made by Danish design company Dantoft kunstartikler (trans.: art objects). It is made from black lacquered and welded iron set in a graphic formation h...
Iron
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
Mid-Century Brutalist German Carafe Vases from Hartwig Heyne Pottery, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist German Carafe Vases from Hartwig Heyne Pottery, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional informatio...
Ceramic
$14,320Sale Price / item|20% Off
Modern Sculpture in Dark Art, Black Solid Wood by Escalona, Still Stand No94
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Modern Sculpture in Dark Art, Black Solid Wood by Escalona, Still Stand No94 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a...
Hardwood
Decorative Diagonal Picture Frame N019 Solid Cast Brass Aluminum Handmade Spain
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative diagonal picture frame 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...
Aluminum, Brass
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
$880Sale Price|20% Off
Huge Brutalist rugoso and somerso Murano glass by Salviati, Italy, 1960s
By Salviati
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Large brutalist hand-blown murano glass vase from the 60s. Stylized and organic body, manufactured by the process in which the piece is bathed in small fragments of glass that end up...
Murano Glass
Still Stand Abstract Wood Sculpture, Chainsaw Carved, Walnut, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
This captivating biomorphic sculpture is a one of a kind piece, hand carved from a single, highly figured block of solid walnut. Its form rises from a clean cut base and branches int...
Wood, Walnut
Abstract Brutalist Sculpture in Bronze & Black Horn, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Unusual paper weight or desk sculpture fashioned from a heavy bronze disc from which a decorative piece of old black/dark brown horn from a Yak is towering (removable). Anonymously m...
Bronze
'Argos' Model Sculptural Blue Glass Vase by César Baldaccini, Daum, France
By Daum, César Baldaccini
Located in London, GB
This fabulous deep blue coloured glass vase was made by Daum in Nancy, France in the 1970s. It looks very much like a piece of sculpture - no surprise given it's designer was César ...
Glass
Organic Sculptural Stoneware Vessel with Volcanic Texture, Handmade Ceramic
Located in Istanbul, TR
This piece is entirely handmade in my Istanbul studio using high-temperature stoneware. The surface is created through an experimental firing and glaze interaction that produces an o...
Stoneware
Brutalist Cast Aluminum Sculpture by DCalvi, Mexico, 1960
By DCalvi
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Striking Brutalist cast aluminum sculpture by Diana Calvillo, featuring a bold abstract composition with a strong architectural and organic presence. The work is executed in cast al...
Aluminum
Vintage Candle Holder For 3 Candles Stainless Steel Brutalist Design Italy, 70s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
Vintage candle holder for 3 candles stainless steel brutalist design Italy,70s This vintage candle holder for three candles in a brutalist design from the 1970s brings timeless eleg...
Stainless Steel
mid century modern henrik horst wall CANDLE HOLDER iron brutalistic style
By Henrik Horst
Located in Mannheim, DE
Outstanding 1970s metal wall candle holder. Designed by Henrik Horst, Denmark. Eclectic brutalistic style. A unique piece and a perfect addition to any mid century interior. For cand...
Metal
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
$2,315Sale Price|20% Off
A Very Large "Kantharos" Vase in "Fat Lava", by Marius Giuge Vallauris, 1960s
By Marius Giuge
Located in MOUGINS, FR
A very large "kantharos" vase featuring scroll hands, constructed in a "water foam" design, by Marius Giuge. The piece is extremely decorative and the enamel has kept all of its sh...
Enamel
Mid-Century Studio Pottery Bowl from Lehmann Pottery, 1960s
By Lehmann
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Danish Studio Pottery Bowl from Lehmann Pottery, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs, designer r...
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 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
Brutalist Metal Rooster Sculpture by Michel Anasse, France, c. 1960
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
An elegant and highly decorative metal rooster sculpture by Michel Anasse (1930–2020), one of the key figures of French modernist metalwork. This exceptional piece showcases Anasse’...
Metal
Rare 1950s Wire Shadow Box Figure Ship Scene Mid Century Wall Art Sculpture
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Extremely rare shadow box wall art from the 1950's. Reminiscent of the work of Laurids Lonborg and Richard Galef, but probably Austrian. We had a t...
Metal, Wire
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
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
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
$217Sale 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
Brutalist Bronze Candleholder 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist Bronze Candleholder, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Materials: Bronze Color: Gold Styles: Brutalist Item Type: Vintage, Ant...
Bronze
Large Brutalist Japanese Ceramic Vase by Takao Tomono
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ceramic glazed vase by Japanese American artist, Takao Tomono. The vase features a wheel thrown form with a hand built mouth and 'wing' detailing around t...
Ceramic
$560Sale Price|20% Off
Small Bronze Figurative Abstract Sculpture
Located in Norwalk, CT
This small charming abstract bronze figure stands on its own with a curious look on its face. This piece would make a great desk accessory or a ...
Bronze
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
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
Vintage Brutalist German Metal Candleholder, Ebersberg, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist German Metal Candleholder from Kunstschamiede Bergmeister, Ebersberg, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This pi...
Metal
Brutalist Cast Iron Fish Sculpture - Mid-Century Aquarium-Inspired Design 1977
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This striking Brutalist cast iron fish sculpture captures the essence of mid-century design with its raw, textured finish and bold aesthetic. Fea...
Iron
Mid-Century Brutalist Danish Pottery and Iron Wall Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Danish Pottery and Iron Wall Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Gray Styles: ...
Metal