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.
Sculptural Brutalist Bronze Candelabra from Ystad/Scandia, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A sculptural candleholder/candelabra cast in washed bronze. It is to be installed with 5 regular sized candles. This design comes from Scandia/Ystad-Metall in Sweden and It was likel...
Bronze
Mid Century Modern Brutalist Solid Bronze Crucifix Sculpture 1960s
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid Century Modern Brutalist Solid Bronze Crucifix wall hung sculpture. Beautifully crafted sculpture with a rich patina. Unsigned. 1960s
Bronze
Vintage Terracotta Pottery Jugs With Twisted Handles- Set of 2
Located in Duxbury, MA
Pair of vintage unglazed terracotta jugs. Dimensions: Smaller: 7.75" H x 4.25" W Larger: 8.25" tall x 4.63" W
Pottery, Terracotta
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
Enzo Mari, Travertine desk organizer, Fratelli Mannelli Italy 1970s
By Fratelli Mannelli, Enzo Mari
Located in Firenze, IT
Travertine desk organizer Enzo Mari, Fratelli Mannelli, Italy, 1970s. H 10 cm - 13 × 14.5 cm. Conditions: good condition consistent with age and use. Defects.
Travertine
Patinated Iron Tree Form Sculpture
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
This tree can of course be used as a decorative piece. Also used as a clothing/hat rack, etc.
Iron
Pair of Brutalist Nickel Candle Holders by Thomas Roy Markusen
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of sculpted pounded nickel plated Candle holder/ vases by Thomas Roy Markusen Brutalist. Large-15" high 6" diameter Small-10" high 6" diameter
Metal, Nickel
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
21st Century Abstract Bronze Floral Sculpture
Located in Augusta, GA
Bronze abstract floral sculpture Hand made in the Brutalist-style by local Atlanta artist Made with a beautiful verdigris patina Made in the ...
Brass, Bronze
Mathias For Fondica France Gilt Bronze Candlestick Candle Holder
Located in Toledo, OH
Brutalist style gilt bronze candlestick by Mathias for Fondica France. Very good condition. Dimensions: 7" diameter x 18" H.
Bronze
Mid-Century Brutalist West German Pottery WGP Fat Lava Carafe Vase, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist West German Pottery WGP Fat Lava Carafe Vase from Jopeko, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 Official proof of authenticity such as vintage c...
Ceramic
DO16 Square Clock, Gold and aluminium coloured, Solid cast Brass & Aluminium
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Clock 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. Cert...
Aluminum, Brass
Mid-Century German Brutalist Porcelain Vase from Wunsiedel Bavaria, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Brutalist Porcelain Vase from Wunsiedel Bavaria Porzellan, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark, It is complete...
Porcelain
Wooden Zodiac Taurus Bull 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...
Plywood
Hand-carved Brutalist Black Horse Sculpture done in ebonized wood, Italy 1970s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a hand-carved Brutalist Horse Sculpture done in wood. Body of the horse is carved out of a single piece of wood...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Studio Pottery Bull Sculpture in Green Glaze Signed
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This unusual mid-century modern studio pottery sculpture depicts a stylised bull rendered in a bold, abstract form. Handcrafted in ceramic, the piece features a beautifully mottled g...
Ceramic, Pottery
Brutalist Glazed Stoneware Vase by Eric Astoul La Borne, Signed, circa 2000
By Eric Astoul
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Stoneware Vase by Eric Astoul - La Borne - Circa 2000 - Era Debril Joulia Astoul Sculptural stoneware vase by Eric Astoul, one of the leading ceramists working in La Borne, France. ...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Stoneware
Scrap Metal Art of a Tank c1970
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
Metal Art of a Tank c1970 Introducing a stunning piece of artisan craftsmanship that transcends mere decoration: a handmade scrap metal tank from the 1970s, skill-fully assembled fro...
Steel
Brutalist wrought iron candelabra folk art 50's in style of atelier de marolles
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Large French Brutalist candlestick from the 1950s, handcrafted in the style of the De Marolles workshops. Wrought-iron candleholder structure with seven candle bases and a quadripod ...
Wrought Iron
Sun Clock D003 handmade in cast brass & aluminium
Located in Benahavis, AN
The Sun Clock was created by David Marshall, from sand cast aluminium and brass. We use recycled materials all our pieces are handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and works...
Aluminum, Brass
James Bearden Trio of Brutalist Metal Giraffe Sculptures, Signed
Located in Dallas, TX
Brutalist style giraffe sculptures by James Bearden. Signed JB on the underside of one giraffe. Measurements of each as follows: Measures: 17.75"H x 3"W x 3.25"D 15.5"H x 2.75"W x 3...
Metal
Stoneware Bottle by Alain Gaudebert, Puisaye - Era Joulia Debril Deblander Lerat
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Stoneware Bottle by Alain Gaudebert, Puisaye - Era Joulia Debril Deblander Lerat A superb ceramic bottle designed by Alain Gaudebert. The layers of glaze melt into each other, overl...
Enamel
An Important Mid 20th Century Brutalist Bronze Bust By Pedro Pruna O'Cerans
By Pedro Pruna
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very fine limited edition modernist bronze bust by noted Spanish artist Pedro Pruna O'Cerans, impressed with limited edition number 3 of 8, together with the artists signature, and...
Marble, Bronze
Brutalist Wall Clock by Syroco - vintage, mid-century modern
By Syroco
Located in Warrenton, OR
Brutalist Wall Clock by Syroco - vintage, mid-century modern. This sculptural mid-century modern Syroco wall clock still keeps time; it appears to have had its mechanism replaced at ...
Other
Candelabra Cobra G022 Cast Brass Gold coloured made in Spain by David Marshall
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Candelabre 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. ...
Brass
Large Brutalist Abstract Sculpture by Charles Bound, c.1980
Located in Surbiton, GB
Wood fired stoneware vessel by Charles Bound (b. 1939). Dimensions (cm, approx): Height: 24.
Stoneware
$2,320Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of 21st Century Abstract Bronze Floral Sculpture
Located in Augusta, GA
Pair of bronze abstract floral sculpture Hand made in the Brutalist-style by local Atlanta artist Made with a beautiful verdigris patina Made...
Brass, Bronze
John Steck Brutalist Copper And Stone Desert Rose Table Sculpture
By John Steck
Located in Mexico City, MX
A 1960's Brutalist copper, steel and stone sculpture by John Steck. The steel stems hold 4 dandelion-shaped flowers in copper wire and the leaves surrounding them. The sculpture is f...
Stone, Copper
1950s French Wooden Female Sculpture – Expressive Carved Figure with Draped Skir
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
1950s French Wooden Female Sculpture – Expressive Carved Figure with Draped Skirt Description: This beautiful sculpture of a woman is carved fro...
Wood
Vintage Boho Abstract Brutalist Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This abstract sculptural piece stands upright like a totemic figure, composed of stacked and intersecting geometric forms—cylinders, blocks, and rounded slices—that interlock in a ve...
Metal
$264Sale Price|46% Off
Ombre Crimson and Clear Bubble Brutalist Vase Unsigned, 1970s
By Erik Höglund
Located in Melbourne, AU
A very attractive 1970s glass vase, hand blown. It sits in the style of Scandinavian glass of the 1970s period, especially with reference to the work of Erik Hoglund, though it could...
Art Glass
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
Brutalist Patinated Metal Abstract Sculpture by Frans de Boer Lichtveld, 1964
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Brutalist sculpture. Design by Frans de Boer Lichtveld. Striking Dutch design from the 1960s. Patinated metal with various decorative elements. This wonderful Br...
Metal
Rare 1970s MCM János Lehoczky Artisan Brutalist Hand Wrought Steel Candle Holder
By Károly Bieber, János Lehoczky, Paul Evans
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rare 1970s Mid-Century Modern Brutalist, 3 candle candelabra, hand forged by the hands of Hungarian blacksmith János Lehoczky. Height includes can...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Ethnic Tray A074 Decorative Center Piece solid Brass and aluminium
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative tray 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 rec...
Aluminum, Brass
Vintage German Brutalist Studio Pottery Vase, 1979
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Brutalist Studio Pottery Vase, 1979, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Style: Brutalist Period: 1970s Country...
Ceramic
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
1970s Welded Steel and Bronze Brutalist Mask by Suzanne Benton
Located in Sacramento, CA
1970s welded steel and bronze Brutalist mask by New York artist Suzanne Benton. Benton is a sculptor, mask performance artist, printmaker, and painter, and this piece is an excellent...
Bronze, Steel
Brutalist German Vase from Bareuther Waldsassen, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist German Vase from Bareuther Waldsassen, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additiona...
Ceramic
Set of 4 Vintage Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder from Hysteria, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder from Hysteria, Set of 4, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark, I am sure that it is completel...
Wrought Iron
Brutalist Style Wall-Mounted Candleholders
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Striking Mid-Century iron candleholders in a handsome Brutalist style. Great for indoor and outdoor use. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).
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 2 arms and follows an organic form language. Official proof of authenticity such as vintage cat...
Metal
Brutalist Danish Weight Here Series Candleholder by Kibisi for Menu
By KiBiSi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist Danish Weight Here Series Candleholder by Kibisi for Menu, in Very Good conditions. Designed from 2000 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Material...
Steel
Large Brutalist Candle Holder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Brutalist Candle Holder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 Additional information: Style: Brutalist Color: Black Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned Dimensio...
Glass
Abstract Charred Wood Sculpture, Totemic Form, By Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
This expressive abstract sculpture is a one of a kind piece, hand carved from a single block of solid hardwood. Its dynamic silhouette, defined by reaching limbs and an open stance, ...
Wood
Two Massive Brutalist Candlesticks by David Marshall
Located in Stockholm, SE
Two massive, brutalist candlesticks designed and manufactured by the Scottish artist David Marshall made with an ancient sand pressing technique. They come with patina. A great gift ...
Brass, Steel
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
"Rino"Contemporary Silver Hanger in Aluminium Cast by Estudio Orth
By Estúdio Orth
Located in Sao Paulo, BR
Produced in São Paulo, Brazil. This contemporary Hanger was meticulously handmade by master artisans one piece at a time. It is therefore quite difficult, if not impossible to mak...
Aluminum
Brutalist Metal Candle Holder
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
20th Century Sculptural Ribbed Stone Object with Matching Plate
Located in Middleburg, VA
A distinctive and weighty sculptural object from the 20th century, crafted from solid stone with a unique ribbed texture that encircles its rounded midsection. Tapering elegantly int...
Stone, Alabaster
$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
"Femur" Contemporary Decorative Golden Object in Cast Brass by Estudio Orth
By Estúdio Orth
Located in Sao Paulo, BR
Contemporary decorative object, in cast brass. Produced in São Paulo, Brazil. This golden decorative object was meticulously handmade by master artisans one delicate piece at a time...
Brass
Mid-Century German Studio Pottery Vase by Melitta Teubner, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Studio Pottery Vase by Melitta Teubner, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Material...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Danish Brutalist Cast Iron Candleholder by Jens H. Quistgaard
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Danish Brutalist Cast Iron Candleholder by Jens H. Quistgaard, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalo...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist German Studio Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1974
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist German Studio Pottery Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1974, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. This piece has an attribution mark. Addi...
Ceramic
Rare Brutalist Style Welded Steel Freeform Sculpture by Marcello Fantoni
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare Brutalist style welded steel freeform sculpture by Marcello Fantoni for Raymor marked and numbered under the base Fantoni, Italy, 705.
Steel
Mid-Century German Brutalist Handmade Pottery Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Brutalist Handmade Pottery Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Material: Ceramic Color: Brown Styles: Bru...
Ceramic
Brutalist totem sculpture - 1970s France
Located in Haaltert, BE
Brutalist wooden 'totem' sculpture. Carved with a lot of elements in the shape of an eye. At each part of the sculpture you see several elements such as strong lines, holes, eyes and...
Wood
Robert Arneson Monumental Brutalist Stoneware Vessel, 1963
Located in Chicago, IL
Robert Arneson Monumental Brutalist Stoneware Vessel, 1963 A commanding example of Robert Arneson’s early studio pottery, this monumental vessel embodies the raw power of Brutalist c...
Stoneware
Vintage Original Studio Pottery Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Exude an air of organic sophistication with this striking vintage studio pottery vase. A masterful example of mid-century craft, this tall vessel features a compelling Brutalist infl...
Clay, 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