Skip to main content

Brutalist Decorative Objects

BRUTALIST STYLE

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 

  • Use of industrial materials — tubular steel, concrete, glass, granite
  • Prioritizes functionalism, minimalism and utilization of negative space
  • Spare silhouettes, pronounced geometric shapes
  • Stripped-down, natural look; rugged textures, modular construction
  • Interiors featuring airy visual flow and reliance on neutral palettes

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.

to
170
1,044
225
37
3
8
1,033
262
7
394
418
2
2
6
49
153
245
37
11
26,371
14,164
9,325
5,496
3,913
3,106
2,307
1,719
1,424
1,406
1,197
1,160
1,040
901
896
675
658
591
804
255
239
188
174
673
495
679
446
316
138
127
Height
to
Width
to
1,306
1,191
1,209
73
71
20
19
16
Style: Brutalist
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.
Category

1950s French Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Wrought Iron

Vintage Brutalist Metal Candleholder, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Metal Candleholder, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Materials: Metal Style: Brutalist Color: Brown Item Type: Vintag...
Category

20th Century Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Bengt Berggren Brutalist Scandinavian Modern Pewter Vase w. Female Faces, 1990s
Located in Frederiksberg C, DK
Bengt Berggren Brutalist Scandinavian Modern Pewter Vase w. Female Faces, 1990s Handcrafted pewter vase by Swedish artist Bengt Berggren, created in the 1990s. The sculptural form f...
Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Pewter

Brutalist Patinated Solid Bronze Abstract Wall Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
A unique solid bronze wall sculpture according to the original owner was purchased in a gallery in Italy back in the 1960s it's signed but hard to read the name as shown in the pictu...
Category

20th Century Italian Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

1950s Japanese Iron Bird Sculpture Mid-Century Asian Cabinmodern Art
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Hard to find object, we have never seen another. It is cast metal with a faux verdigris/archaic finish, marked JAPAN on verso. Weighs 1.5 pounds, stand 5.25 inches tall.
Category

1950s Japanese Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Brutalist Enamelled Iron Étagère in the Style of Paul Evans
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Brutalist enameled iron étagère in the style of Paul Evans, sculptural, freestanding, fitted with two removable bronzed glass 19" x 7" shelves The bas...
Category

20th Century North American Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Pair of Signed Iron Brutalist Candle Holders
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice pair of signed iron brutalist candle holders, circa 1970s. The set is signed on the base "Perry", is in good vintage condition and measures 3"W x 3"D x 3"H. Cool well cr...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

Paul Evans styled Brutalist Metal Sculptural Vase by Jim Heneveld
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A welded steel box vase sculpture with flamed metal decoration to the body and applied designs to each side . Made in the manner of Paul Evans with highlighted edges to the design in...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

A Large Brutalist Iron and Desert Glass Sculpture Screen Paul Evans Style
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A striking brutalist hand forged and welded wrought iron and dessert glass sculpture screen in the manner of Paul Evans. Good original condition, from...
Category

1970s American Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Wrought Iron

1960s Owl Sculpture On A Painted Black Base
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1960s Owl Sculpture On A Painted Black Base Willem DeGroot Style Wood Base has some wear
Category

1960s Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Curb Chain Brutalist "Martelé" Patinated Steel Decorative Box - France 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Decorative box in hammered steel with a curb chain motif. Brutalist design. France 1970's. In good vintage condition. This box will ship from France and can be returned to either Fra...
Category

1970s Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

Set of Linear Brushed Metal Brutalist Objects, Germany, 1970’s
Located in New York, NY
Interesting set of objects.
Category

1970s German Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Aurelio Teno (1927/2013) Fish-shaped sculpture, natural stone and Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Aurelio Teno (1927/2013) Fish-shaped sculpture, natural stone and Bronze. Superb sculpture from the 70s by Aurelio Teno, of brutalist inspiration, made from a block of natural red qu...
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Quartz, Bronze

Set of 3 Brutalist Rare Hand Hammered Brass Austrian Candle Holders
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare set of 3 candle holders solid hand hammered brass, made in austria beautiful and unique retains label.
Category

20th Century Austrian Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Monumental Brutalist Floor Vase, Signed Inge
Located in New Windsor, NY
Monumental 1960s Brutalist slab built floor vase. This is another amazing piece of architectural pottery offered here signed by Inge. Incised decor. Good condition with no visible ha...
Category

1960s American Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Clay, Stoneware

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...
Category

Late 20th Century Spanish Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Iron

Vintage Boho Original Studio Pottery Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Discover the tactile allure and expressive form of this petite vintage studio pottery vessel. A unique example of Brutalist ceramic art, this piece features a reticulated body with o...
Category

Late 20th Century American Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Picture Frame by Mathias for Fondica, France, 1990s
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Rare picture photo frame in gilt metal, bronze style by Mathias for Fondica. Sign Mathias and stamp Fondica France. Interior measurements of the frame 18 x 13 centimeters. Famous art...
Category

1990s French Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Monumental Brutalist Stacked Cube Steel Garden Sculptures, after David Smith
By Paul Evans, David Smith
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental Brutalist Stacked Cube Steel Garden Sculpture, after David Smith / Paul Evans.. Signed and dated bUT unfortunately illegible. Amazing use of color, texture and space, Eigh...
Category

Late 20th Century American Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

Mother and Child Bronze by José Mariano Pagés Sculpture
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Exceptional bronze sculpture signed "Page´s '69". Sculpture has a very rich patina to the heavily articulated bronze surface and is seated on a marble base. Excellent modernist examp...
Category

Mid-20th Century Argentine Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Heavy Cast Bronze Candleholders
Located in London, GB
A pair of cast bronze candlesticks, with dark brown patina. European, second half 20th century. Heavy sculptural works with the feel of hand-crafted items, each piece slightly diff...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Brass

German Studio Pottery Jug Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1993
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist German Studio Pottery Jug Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1993, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999 This piece has an attribution mark, Additional informat...
Category

20th Century German Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

1970s Jaime Artigas Brutalist Iron Console Table Base
By Jaime Artigas
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a 1970s Mexican Brutalism rare custom console table desk. Work of art. Base features solid Iron metal sculpture by Jaime Arti...
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Steel, Iron

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...
Category

1980s French Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

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. 17 inches wide by 18 ¼ inches tall by 8 inches deep
Category

1960s American Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Brutalist Candlestick Holder done in solid brass Austria 1970s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a gorgeous Brutalist candlestick holder done in solid brass. It features striking design typical for the era. Made in Austria in 1970s. Very good vinta...
Category

1970s Austrian Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Rick Owens Cast Bronze Coupe Vase Black Patina
Located in Chicago, IL
The now iconic bronze coupe vase from the Rick Owens bronze relic collection. This is shown in the black patina. Designed in 2012. Each bronze is signed. Can be used as vase or sculp...
Category

2010s French Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Karen Karnes Salt Glazed Jar, Signed
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Karen Karnes salt glazed jar w/ lid. A standard format for the artist, this particular piece is a great example, solid and well executed some great details in the glazing, fading an...
Category

1970s American Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Blow Glass Milk Jar by Odilon Avalos
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Descendant of a family of glass workers, Odilón Ávalos Razo, was born in Puebla in 1881. He came to Guadalajara attracted by the economic and Industrial development that characterize...
Category

1940s Mexican Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass

Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Steel Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century Modern Brutalist sculpture of tortured and burnt welded steel.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

Brutalist Period Mixed Metals and Wood Couple Sculpture JN
Located in New Windsor, NY
Amazing mixed metals and wood Brutalist Period couple sculpture. A wonderful mix of copper, brass, nails and wood that have been manipulated, cut, carved, heated, tacked, and welded ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Copper

Brutalist Candlestick Holder Done in Brass and Nickel, Italy, 1970s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a rare Brutalist three-arm candlestick holder done in bronze and chrome. It features sculptural form, with thick bronze sticks curved in symmetrical dir...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Monumental Brutalist Owl, Mid-Century Modern, Italy
Located in Buffalo, NY
Wonderful Brutalist owl sculpture, handmade, copper and brass, modernist, signed Italy.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Copper

Travertine candle holder by Fratelli Mannelli, Italy 1970s
Located in ECHT, NL
Solid travertine candle holder. Designed by Enzo Mari for Fratelli Mannelli in the 1970s. Its can hold three standard diameter candles. The piece is still in very good condition. N...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Travertine

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Michael Harjes Large Brutalist Hanging Ceiling Candelabra Candle Holder, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
A decorative and substantial sculptural Brutalist Mid-Century Modern hanging pendant candle holder / candelabra / candlestick / chandelier from the 1970s. Designed and handcrafted by...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Midcentury Bronze Avian Sculpture 'Japan'
Located in San Diego, CA
Serene, elegant, and handsome bronze sculpture. Simple lines that are undeniably midcentury. Finely hand casted (evokes Brutalist), it boasts a handsome verdigris patina. This avian ...
Category

1950s Japanese Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Mid-Century Space Age Brutalist Block Bubble Glass Vase by Horst Tüselmann 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Space Age Brutalist Block Bubble Glass Vase by Horst Tüselmann for Ichendorf Glashütte, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official proof of authentici...
Category

20th Century German Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Circa 1970s Brutalist Torch Cut Flower Display on Quartz Rock
Located in Charleston, SC
This excellent brutalist sculpture has 4 verdigris color flowers and torch cut bronze leaves that all sit on a solid piece of quartz. Circa 1970’s. Styled after John Steck, not sig...
Category

1970s American Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Rock Crystal, Bronze

Gustave Tiffoche Hand Built Ceramic Box, La Bourne, France, 1960, signed
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wonderful example of Brutalist Organic Modern Sculpture
Category

1960s French Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

1960s Brutalist Steel Abstract Sculpture
Located in Raleigh, NC
Heavily textured and expressive vintage sculpture. Has tons of movement and a wonderful patina.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Cut Steel

Abstract surrealist wooden sculpture by Fredrik Weerkamp, Netherlands 1980s
Located in ECHT, NL
Surrealist abstract sculpture made from different kinds of wood. Created by Dutch visual artist Frederik Weerkamp. This sculpture was part of his personal collection. It depicts a p...
Category

Late 20th Century Dutch Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Pair of Sculptural and Brutalist Candlesticks Made in Brass and Copper, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
A pair of sculptural candlesticks probably made in Italy between the 60s and 70s. The irregular texture created like a bas-relief by small and irregular signs engraved in the surfac...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Copper, Aluminum

Brutalist Wall Candle Holder by Erkki Hovi for Finn Atelier Oy, Finland, 1970s
Located in Göteborg, SE
Bring sculptural drama and Nordic craftsmanship to your interior with this striking Brutalist wall-mounted candle holder, designed by Finnish artist Erkki Hovi and crafted by Finn At...
Category

1970s Finnish Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Mid-Century Brutalist Danish Studio Pottery Bowl Sculpture from Bjørn, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Danish Studio Pottery Bowl Sculpture from Bjørn, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional informati...
Category

20th Century Danish Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

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
Category

1980s Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Boho Patinated Bronze Abstract Figurative Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Unearth a compelling work of art with this striking Vintage Patinated Bronze Abstract Figurative Sculpture, a piece that powerfully merges raw expression with refined form. Crafted f...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Brutalist Tripod Floor Sculpture, c.1955 – Blackened Steel & Orange Crystal
Located in Chicago, IL
Brutalist Tripod Floor Sculpture, c.1955 – Blackened Steel & Orange Crystal A striking mid-century floor sculpture styled after the Brutalist works of Falkenstein and Chadwick, this...
Category

1950s American Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Late 20th Century Vintage Boho Original Torch Cut Steel Figurative Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Make a bold statement with this striking vintage torch-cut steel figurative sculpture, a one-of-a-kind expression of raw artistry and industrial elegance. Standing an impressive 71 i...
Category

Late 20th Century American Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

Emerald Green Faceted Murano Glass Vase
Located in North Miami, FL
This is a super-cool deep green faceted Murano glass oversized vase with lovely details throughout. The intentional rough finish to exterior adds ...
Category

2010s Italian Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

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.
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Brutalist Sculptural Lamp
Located in Redding, CT
Brutalist sculptural lamp with gilt surface. Angelic in shape and elegant in movement this sculpture is united with illumination. Heavy gilded sculptur...
Category

1960s Unknown Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Plaster

Brutalist Sculptural Lamp
Brutalist Sculptural Lamp
$1,080 Sale Price
28% Off
Brutalist Candleholder - Gilt & Patinated Bronze - 1950s
Located in MOUGINS, FR
A candle-holder in wrought iron. It is plated with gold leaf and patinated, resting on three curved feet. This piece is in Brutalist style and was manufactured in the 1950s. It comp...
Category

1950s French Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Ceramic Vase 2 by Richard Uhlemeyer (1900 - 1954), c.1950
Located in Surbiton, GB
Richard Uhlemeyer was born in Göttingen, Germany, and attended the Hanover arts and crafts school in the 1920s. In the 1930s he founded his pottery studio the 'Kunsthandwerk Richard...
Category

1950s German Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

1970 Brutalist Studio Pottery Floor Vase by Inge
Located in New Windsor, NY
Handmade slab built monumental Brutalist pottery vase. Meticulously decorated and glazed with organic and geometric patterns and shapes. Applied neck. Signed and dated, Inge, 70 a th...
Category

1970s American Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Vintage Boho Hand Carved Eagle Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Make a bold statement with this monumental vintage hand-carved eagle sculpture. Hewn from a single solid log, this imposing figure stands with a stoic, totem-like presence, showcasin...
Category

Late 20th Century American Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Large Slab Built Volcanic Glaze Architectural Pottery Vase, 1959
Located in New Windsor, NY
Large slab built architectural pottery vase. Purchased from a White Plains, NY estate that had multiple pieces by this particular artist. Little biographica...
Category

1950s American Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Pottery

John Steck Desert Rose Metal and Stone Vintage Brutalist Sculpture
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Vintage 1960s metal and stone table top sculpture. “Desert Rose” by John Steck is a timeless floral arrangement of bristly pom-pom blooms emanating from a stone base. The botanical a...
Category

1960s American Vintage Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone, Metal

Mid Century Modern Brutalists Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Emma De Sigaldi
Located in San Francisco, CA
Bronze abstract Brutalist style sculpture on travertine marble base. Signed Emma De Sigaldi. Emma De Sigaldi (b.1910 - d.2010) was active/lived in Monaco and is known for sculpture. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Mid-Century Brutalist Bronze Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Bronze Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Gold Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century...
Category

20th Century Brutalist Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Brutalist decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Brutalist decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Brutalist decorative objects made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include David Marshall, James Bearden, David Palombo, and Taylor Ruby Bell. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $42 and tops out at $450,000 while the average work can sell for $1,290.