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.
By Joel Escalona, Burned Oak Abstract Beauty, Still Stand No79
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
By Joel Escalona, Burned Oak Abstract Beauty, Still Stand No79 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Eac...
Hardwood
Brutalist Wrought Iron Knotted Wall Candle Sconces
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1970s, Sweden. A pair of wall candle sconces crafted in Sweden with a tapered edge design. Designer is unknown and pieces are unmarked. Priced & sold as a pair.
Wrought Iron
$320Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Iron Fruit Basket with Grape Leaves Decor, Italy 1950s-1960s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage wrought iron fruit basket features grapes and grape leaves decorations; the basket is formed by spreading grape wide branches with le...
Wrought Iron, Metal
Vintage Boho Artisanal Pigmented Plaster Scagliola Turtle Shell
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking artisanal sculpture is a masterclass in organic Postmodern design, utilizing the sophisticated scagliola technique to mimic the intricate patterns of a turtle shell. Ha...
Plaster, Paint
Vintage Wooden Mortar Handcarved Brutalist Form, 1970s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
This vintage wooden mortar from the 1970s is a striking handcarved piece in a bold Brutalist form, attributed to Piero de Buren. Its rough, sculptural shape emphasizes the natural gr...
Wood
Stonhenge 2 By Kalou Dubus, Black Stoneware Ceramic, Unique Light Sculptural
By Kalou Dubus
Located in PANTIN, -
This one-of-a-kind sculptural lamp by French artist Kalou Dubus is titled Stonehenge. Handcrafted in raw black grogged stoneware, the piece evokes a miniature interpretation of the f...
Quartz
Stonhenge 1 By Kalou Dubus, Black Stoneware Ceramic, Unique Light Sculptural
By Kalou Dubus
Located in PANTIN, -
This one-of-a-kind sculptural lamp by French artist Kalou Dubus is titled Stonehenge. Handcrafted in raw black grogged stoneware, the piece is composed of two parts and evokes a mini...
Malachite
Handcrafted Wooden Bowl by Logniture, Carved Brutalist Design
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Elevate your home decor with our stunning carved wooden bowl, a true testament to artisanal craftsmanship. This bowl features a gracefully curved shape, making it not only a practica...
Wood
Large Flowers Wall Decoration Brutalism Ars Munda
Located in Poperinge, BE
Vintage Brutalist-style wall art, sculpture mounted on a narrow white shelf, made entirely of resin, by Ars Munda, Germany, 1960s-70s. Ars Munda was an artist collective that primar...
Resin
Vintage Handcarved Dark Wooden Candleholder with Brutalist Italian Design, 1960s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
This vintage wooden candleholder from 1960s Italy is a striking example of handcarved Brutalist design. Crafted from dark wood with strong sculptural lines, it combines raw texture w...
Wood
Still Stand No90, The Sleek Burned Oak Totem, a Synthesis of Dark Elegance
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Still Stand No90, The Sleek Burned Oak Totem, a Synthesis of Dark Elegance —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a t...
Hardwood
Elefante Tapered Leg Console 16 by NONO, Oak Craft, Stout Silhouette
Brutalist Abstract Wall Sculpture in the Style of Curtis Jere
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this large diameter wall sculpture in the style of C. Jere, circa 1960.
Metal
Brutalist Pottery Vase by California Artist Barry Parr Signed & Dated
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful ceramic pottery Vase by Californian ceramist Barry Parr, circa 2005 signed and dated 2K5 , San Diego artist , California Design.
Pottery
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
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
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
Fruit Bowl A019 Solid cast brass (gold coloured) and aluminium (silver coloured)
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Coaster was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast aluminum and sand cast brass. We can engrave this piece with your Initials or Logo, makes a beautiful We...
Aluminum, Brass
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
Paire de bougeoirs en fer forgé attribués à l'Atelier Marolles, années 1950
Located in Meyrin, Switzerland
Paire de bougeoirs à trois branches en fer forgé attribués à l'Atelier Marolles, Travail manuel, France, années 1950. Les bougeoirs reposent sur quatre pieds en forme de volutes se ...
Steel
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
$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
$987Sale Price|20% Off
Still Stand Abstract Sculpture, Wood, Chainsaw Carved, Walnut, contemporary
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Still Stand Abstract Wood Sculpture, Chainsaw Carved, Walnut
Walnut
Brutalist Sculpture by Dimitri Hadzi
By Dimitri Hadzi
Located in New York, NY
Bronze, brass and wood cabinet scale Brutalist sculpture by noted sculptor Dimitri Hadzi. Intriguing abstract mixed metal example signed on the base, as shown.
Brass, Bronze, Iron
Monumental & Unique James Bearden 'Venus' Voids Series Sculpture Blackened Steel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed and studio-made in the US by American craftsman James Bearden, this incredible sculpture features a super strong and distinct design. Set on a thick square column base, the ...
Stainless Steel
BMF Nagel Quist Variomaster Brutalist Stockable Modular Candleholder
Located in Vienna, AT
Stackable modular candleholder by BMF Quist Nagel, the candleholders were designed by Ceasar Stoffi and Fritz Nagel and manufactured by BMF (Bayerische Metal...
Brass, Chrome
Brutalist Floor Candelabra - Tall Wrought Iron Candlestick 48" - France 1940s
By Jean Touret
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Brutalist Floor Candelabra - Tall Wrought Iron Candlestick 48" - France 1940s Floor candelabra made of wrought iron with 3 candle holders (3cm diameter for the candles). French art...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
$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
Slim Elefante Console 08, NONO Craft, Chic Brutalist Style
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Slim Elefante Console 08, NONO Craft, Chic Brutalist Style ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist To...
Hardwood
$195Sale Price / set|40% Off
Set of 3 Brutalist style Candlestick Holders Cage Design
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Introducing our set of 3 rugged Brutalist-style cast bronze cages—a perfect fusion of industrial charm and ambient lighting. Meticulously crafted in the shape of riveted strap iron c...
Bronze
Large Brutalist "Pom Pom" Brass Wall Sculture by Curtis Jere Signed and Dated
By Curtis Jeré, Jerry Fels, Curtis Freiler, 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
$9,364Sale Price / item|20% Off
Elefante Oak Sideboard 01, NONO Charm, Sleek Utility
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Oak Sideboard 01, NONO Charm, Sleek Utility ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Touch N...
Hardwood
Torch Cut Brass Birds on Starburst Nail Wall Art Style Seandale, Bowie or Jere
By William Bowie, Curtis Jeré, Silas Seandel
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous torch cut brass birds on a horseshoe nail starburst wall art sculpture in the style of Silas Seandel or William Bowie. Comprised of horsesh...
Metal, Brass
20th Century School Brutalist Bronze Figurative Sculpture Of A Woman
Located in Germantown, MD
20th Century School Brutalist Bronze Figurative Sculpture Of A Woman standind on one leg. Measures 9" in width, 8" in depth and stand 19" tall. We...
Bronze
$11,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Paul Evans Studio Collection of Three Freeform Bowls, 1965
By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Evans Studio Collection of Three Freeform Bowls, 1965 Unique and rare set of cast and patinated bronze, bronze composite, and aluminum examples. Two examples: 3½ h × 11 dia in (...
Aluminum, Bronze, Pewter
Brutalist Sculpture Figure Religious Theme After Adam Stempka
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, this brutalist sculpture is a one-of-one. The figure is hand-welded from hundreds of individual steel rods, which are woven, twisted, and tensioned to create ...
Wire
20th Century Post Modern Wooden Totem Sculpture by Bertrand Creach
Located in London, GB
Impressive iroko wooden totem sculpture by Bertrand Creach, hand-carved and burnished finition made in the late 20th Century. "Kloc'hdi" is a master pi...
Wood
Brutalist Metal Cylinder Vase
By Bmf Nagel
Located in New York, NY
Produced by BMF (Bayerische Metallwarenfabrik) in Germany in the 1970s. Great contrasting finishes and patina.
Metal
Brutalist abstract coated bronze seated woman and man bookends
Located in Asheville, NC
Vintage abstract bronze bookend sculptures of a faceless man and woman. About 7”H Price is for the set. Sold as a set only
Bronze
Signed Curtis Jere Brutalist Starburst
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Redding, CT
Signed Curtis Jere Brutalist Starburst sculpture. Such a statement piece. Perfect for a focal point in any room. Rare ,authentic signed ...
Metal, Chrome
$1,500Sale Price|33% Off
SALE Rare Huge Monumental David Palumbo Forged Iron Mid Century Modern Menorah
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
CYBER WEEK SALE Very Rare, Vintage David Palumbo designed, enormous, wrought iron, 9-arm brutalist, industrial Mid Century Modern Hanukkah Menorah. One of 2 Rare David Palumbo Menorahs...
Iron
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
Large Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron floor candelabra candle holder
Located in BELFORT, FR
Large mid century and brutalist style wrought iron floor candelabra.
Wrought Iron
Pair of Sculptural Brutalist Wooden Wall Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of sculptural wooden wall sconces defined by their bold, faceted forms and substantial, block-like construction. The angular backplates and projecting candle platforms create ...
Wood
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Hand Made Metal Brutalist Bonsai Tree in Rust Finish
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Brutalist hand made iron Bonsai tree sculpture. The sculpture has wonderful all over rust finish, gained from years of outdoor life, this piece was origina...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Mid-Century Modern Large Brass Brutalist Tall Ship Style of Curtis Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Large tall schooner ship with six masts torch cut in brass in the style of Curtis Jere. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. This item can be parcel posted.
Brass
$212Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Umanoff Grenada Style Brutalist Black Iron Bowl
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage iron bowl in the style of Umanoff. The piece is designed in the Salterini Grenada pattern, making it unique. The bowl projects a st...
Iron
Oval Bowl Decorative Center Countertop Piece Silver and Gold Coloured Cast Metal
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Oval 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...
Aluminum, Brass
$1,045Sale Price|41% Off
Pair of French Brustalist Candle Holder, 1950
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A unique set of two brutalist candle holders from the fifties. each one is made and welded from a fork. Great design and great patina.
Steel
Israeli Brutalist Iron and Jerusalem Stone Octopus Menorah by David Palombo
Located in New York, NY
This striking Brutalist menorah by David Palombo masterfully fuses raw iron with natural Jerusalem stone, embodying both strength and heritage. Hand-forged with nine rugged, textured...
Stone, Iron
$780Sale Price|20% Off
Large Brutalist Bronze Ballerina Sculpture on Marble Base
Located in San Diego, CA
A very large Brutalist midcentury bronze ballerina sculpture on an black marble base (6.75" x 8.5"), circa 1970s. The piece is 44.5" high and has a wo...
Marble, Bronze
Mid-Century German Studio Pottery Brutalist Floor Vase, 1977
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Studio Pottery Brutalist Floor Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1977, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark, I am sure that...
Ceramic
Richard Faure 'Chestnut' Gold Wine Bottle Cradle
Located in Hastings, GB
An exceptional signed sculptured wine bottle cradle by the renowned French Artist and Sculptor Richard Faure. Hand crafted in brass, and intricately detailed in the form of a ches...
Brass
John De La Rosa California Brutalist Fish Sculpture, ca 2000s
By John De La Rosa
Located in Cathedral City, CA
John De La Rosa California Brutalist Fish Sculpture, ca 2000s Sculpture measures 30" wide, 7-1/4" deep, 17-1/4' high overall, Base plate measures 7-1/4" square, 1" high. Signature e...
Metal
Brutalist Design Art Ceramic Bowl by Jan Nolf, Perignem Belgium 1950's
Sculpture by Richard Walsh
Located in Chicago, IL
Richard Walsh freeform sculpture. Tubular metal bent and welded to torch-cut circular base, Brutalist in form and patina. Sturdy stabile sculpture, circa 1975.
Metal
Modern Totem in Dark Elegance, Carved Burned Oak, Presented in Still Stand No95
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Modern Totem in Dark Elegance, Carved Burned Oak, Presented in Still Stand No95 _ Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a...
Hardwood
$11,706 / item
Table Elefante by NONO 02, Oak Pure, Distinctive Style
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Table Elefante by NONO 02, Oak Pure, Distinctive Style ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Touch...
Hardwood
NONO Elefante Buffet 15, Solid Oak, Understated Design Detail
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Buffet 15, Solid Oak, Understated Design Detail ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO ...
Hardwood
Sculptural Brutalist Wrought Iron Floor Candlestick, Folk Art Chain & Horseshoe
Located in LYON, FR
A striking piece of mid-century folk art / brutalist design. This sculptural floor-standing candle holder is entirely hand-crafted from repurposed heavy iron elements, featuring a sh...
Steel