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 Matte Black Ceramic Vase, Contemporary Organic Modern Design
Located in Istanbul, TR
This contemporary ceramic vase is handcrafted in stoneware and finished in a deep matte black surface that highlights its sculptural silhouette. The form features a fluid, organic pr...
Stoneware
1980s Brutalist Clear Glass Cylinder Vase by Jan Gabrhel
Located in Aci Castello, IT
The item is a clear glass cylinder vase, characterized by a heavily textured "brutalist" surface. This textured effect resembles ice or rough-hewn stone, giving the vase a robust and...
Glass
Stoneware vase, Brutalist style, 1960
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is a vase-shaped stoneware lamp in the Brutalist style. It's heavy and can be used as a decorative piece or as a regular lamp, provided it's rewired. Created in France in the 19...
Sandstone
Spanish Brutalist Aluminum + Brass Jug Handled Vase Attrib to Alfonso Marquez
Located in Troy, MI
Found in Spain, this brutalist style aluminum and brass jug style vase is attributed to Alfonso Marquez and dates from the 1970s. Vase is 10-1/2” tall and has a diameter just shy of ...
Aluminum, Brass
$2,900 / item
Rick Owens Cast Bronze Coupe Nitrate Patina Vase
By Rick Owens
Located in Chicago, IL
The now iconic bronze coupe vase from the Rick Owens bronze relic collection. This is shown in the nitrate patina. Each piece is handmade and hand patinated so there is always a slig...
Bronze
Mid-Century Brutalist Carafe Vases from Hartwig Heyne Pottery, Germany, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Carafe Vases from Hartwig Heyne Pottery, Germany, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional informat...
Ceramic
1970 Salvino Marsura style Brutalist Sculpture Irone Bowl
Located in Brescia, IT
Sculpture Iron Bowl Salvino Marsura attr. Italy, 1970 Striking hand-forged metal bowl in the Brutalist style, dating from the mid-20th century. This sculptural piece is composed of...
Iron
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
Hand Blown Glass Solarized Ghost Vase by Gregory Nangle, Brutalist Design
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Solarized Cleaving Ghost Vase. Hand Blown Crystal Glass and also available in Ruby transparent color, faded silvering at base. The artist blows these into M...
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Silver
Asymmetrical Brutalist Bronze a single flower vase by Heinz Goll, Italy 1960s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a very rare and absolutely extraordinary sculptural asymmetrical Brutalist vase done in bronze, for a single flower. It was designed by Austrian designer Heinz Goll...
Bronze
Mid-Century German Brutalist Studio Pottery Floor Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern German Brutalist Studio Pottery Floor Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1969
Pottery
Vintage German Studio Pottery Brutalist Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1980
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Studio Pottery Brutalist Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1980, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional infor...
Ceramic
Rare Brutalist Studio Pottery Stoneware Vase by Sally Hare Leibold
By Sally Hare Leibold 1
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare Brutalist studio pottery stoneware vase by Sally Hare Leibold, circa 1970s. An interesting, cool and different piece that is made of stoneware pottery, characterized by its eart...
Stoneware, Ceramic
Mid-Century Minimalist Dutch Studio Pottery Vase from Mobach, 1960s
By Mobach
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Minimalist Dutch Studio Pottery Vase from Mobach, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs, designer ...
Ceramic
$193Sale Price|42% Off
Danish Brutalist Copper Vase in Copper, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A sculptural cylindrical vase in hand embossed patinated copper. It displays all the right elements of Scandinavian Brutalism. The floral relief pattern resembles some of Axel Salto'...
Copper
Mid-Century Swedish Brutalist Bubble Glass Block Vase by Josef Schott, 1960s
By Josef Schott
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Swedish Brutalist Bubble Glass Block Vase by Josef Schott for Smalandshyttan, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 I have official proof of authenticity ...
Glass
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
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
Vintage Original Studio Pottery Fold Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage studio art pottery vase is a compelling example of 1970s biomorphic design, perfect for the collector seeking organic, sculptural form. Hand-crafted from heavy stoneware...
Pottery, Stoneware
Mid-Century Brutalist West German Pottery WGP Fat Lava Vase, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist West German Pottery WGP Fat Lava Vase from Jopeko, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs...
Ceramic
$2,620Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Stoneware
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
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
Vintage Turned Wood Urn
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage hand-turned wood urn is a striking example of sculptural Modernist decor, perfect for adding warmth and architectural interest to a curated interior. Hand-crafted from s...
Wood
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
$270Sale Price|40% Off
1970 Brutalist Postmodern Glass Block Table Vase w/ Acid Etched Hibiscus
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Original 1970s Brutalist glass block table vase with an acid-etched hibiscus along the front. The vase features a 6" opening along the top for receiving a floral arrangement of choic...
Glass
$193Sale Price / set|49% Off
Danish Brutalist Glazed Ceramic Planters, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Curated set of 2 ceramic pieces. A pot shaped bowl/planter from Dot keramik in Denmark circa 1970 and an unknown square fat-lava vase or small planter from the the early 1970s. The s...
Ceramic
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
Mid Century Modern Winged Vase by H.R., Ceramic, Brutalist, 1980
Located in San Francisco, US
This dramatic signed vintage Mid Century Modern vessel features triangular wings, iconic of the Brutalist style. The Brutalist wings flare out around the vintage vessel and taper up to a rounded point. Hand-thrown and coated in glossy glaze with hues of emerald, turquoise, and teal, this Mid Century Modern vessel feels distinctly sensual and serpentine. Glazed inside and out, this eye-catching vintage MCM vessel can hold water and will make any floral a focal point. A unique piece signed by the artist H.R., this vintage winged vase...
Ceramic
Set of 5 planters, decorative vases by Dutch Mobach in clay. Midcentury modern.
By Mobach
Located in Forest, BE
Set of large planters / decorative vases by dutch company Mobach. Strong and heavy in light various tones of beige and brown. __________________...
Clay
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
Brutalist Hand-Built Glazed Coil Teracotta Studio Pottery Vase
Located in Miami, FL
Brutalist Hand-Built Glazed Coil Terracotta Studio Pottery Vase Offered for sale is a handsome brutalist vase made of ceramic coils adhered to an underlying terracotta form. At 13”...
Ceramic, Pottery, 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
$6,500
Mnm-Vess-48-01
Located in Ridgewood, NY
Hand-cast vessel with a conical opening. It can be used for plants, ikebana style floral arrangement or as a sculptural object. It's suitable for indoor and outdoor use. At the in...
Concrete, Cement
Brutalist Mid-Century Yellow & Green Streak Glazed Studio Pottery Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish mid-century studio pottery vase in the brutalist style decorated with yellow and green streaked glazes. The heavily made stoneware vase stands on a narrow flat round b...
Stoneware
$163Sale 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
'Argos' Model Sculptural Blue Glass Vase by César Baldaccini, Daum, France
By César Baldaccini, Daum
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
Monumental Textured Studio Pottery Amphora Vase with Sculptural Ring Handles
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This striking, monumental studio pottery amphora vase is a sculptural statement piece that bridges ancient form and modern craftsmanship. Its commanding presence is enhanced by a rob...
Clay, Stoneware
$628Sale Price|20% Off
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 ...
Bronze
Sculptural Soft Green Glazed “Pallini” Vase by Matteo Giampaglia, Italy 2023
Located in New York, NY
Hand-sculpted in Florence by renowned Italian artist Matteo Giampaglia, this extraordinary piece blurs the line between functional vessel and fine art sculpture. Every detail is form...
Ceramic
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
Brutalist Sculptural Ceramic Vase, American Studio Pottery
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage Americal art studio pottery vase features bold, sculptural form with dynamic geometric contour, decorated with textural, Brutalist sgraffito relief pattern and complex glaze ...
Ceramic, Pottery
$1,701
Vase by David Marshall
Located in London, GB
A large Brutalist brass and aluminium vase with twin handles by David Marshall Spain, 1970s
Aluminum, Brass
Rick Owens Cast Bronze Coupe Vase Black Patina
By Rick Owens
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...
Bronze
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
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
$1,643Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist XL Ceramic Vase by Carstens Tönnieshof, West Germany Art Pottery
By West German Pottery, Heinz Siery, Carstens Tönnieshof
Located in Valencia, VC
A highly collectible Brutalist Mid-Century ceramic vase by Carstens Tönnieshof, featuring the rare “Brasilia” décor, one of the manufacturer’s most distinctive and sought-after surfa...
Ceramic, Clay, Earthenware
Hand Built Brutalist Japanese Ceramic Vase by Takao Tomono
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Horizontal ceramic vase by Japanese American artist, Takao Tomono, c.1973, USA. The vase features a long body with circular center opening at the top and ...
Ceramic
Brutalist Vintage Steel Fish Sculpture 1960's in the Manner of Fantoni
Located in Wilton, CT
Large vintage Brutalist steel sculpture of fishes fashioned from old pliers and a sheet metal snip. In the manner of Marcello Fantoni. The steel has been drizzled with solder to give...
Steel
$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
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...
Pewter
$1,479Sale Price / set|30% Off
Brutalist Pair of Murano Art Glass Vases by Costantini, 1970s
By Constantini
Located in Valencia, VC
A Pair of Brutalist Murano Art Glass Vases Attributed to Costantini A striking pair of Brutalist Murano art glass vases distinguished by their sculptural organicist form and sophist...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$281Sale Price|20% Off
1960s 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
$520Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Copper Vase with Enamel Overlay by Rita Brierton
Located in San Diego, CA
Brutalist copper vase with enamel overlay by Rita Brierton, circa 1993. The vase is very heavy and finely crafted in brown, tan and gold overlays; the piece measures: 4.5" W x 3.625"...
Enamel, Copper
$1,230Sale Price / set|20% Off
Brutalist David Marshall's style vases by Alfonso Márquez, Spain, 1970s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Pair of big vases in the brutalist style by the Spanish designer Alfonso Márquez, 1970s. Both pieces are entirely made of metal, combining polished aluminum and brass. The labels are...
Aluminum, Brass
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
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...
Pottery
$744Sale Price|51% Off
Karen Karnes Salt Glazed Jar, Signed
By Karen Karnes
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...
Ceramic
Contemporary Sculptural Stoneware Vase with Volcanic Surface Texture
Located in Istanbul, TR
This contemporary ceramic vase is handcrafted in stoneware and finished in a deep matte black surface that highlights its sculptural silhouette. The form features a fluid, organic pr...
Stoneware
Brutalist Textured Column Planter, ATLAS III by SIRAK
By SIRAK
Located in Los Angeles, CA
ATLAS III by Sirak Brutalist Column Planter The ATLAS planter, with its monolithic form, channels the spirit of ancient building techniques, evoking the solidity of interlocking fou...
Concrete