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.
Kasper Mobach studio pottery Crown Sculptural Ceramic Vessel, Netherlands, 1990s
By Mobach
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Unique Kasper Mobach Crown Sculptural Ceramic Vessel, Netherlands, 1990s A striking studio ceramic by Kasper Mobach, eighth-generation heir to the celebrated Utrecht-based Mobach pot...
Ceramic
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 Earthenware Vase in Yellow, and Orange by Hans Hedberg, Biot France
By Hans Hedberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
Brutalist Vase in Yellow, and Orange by Hans Hedberg, Biot France. Asymmetric form in high-fired earthenware with mottled glaze in red, orange, and brown-black tones. Monogram signe...
Earthenware
Unique large brass vase in a Brutalist design, handcrafted in December 1975
Located in München, DE
Unique, large, handcrafted brass vase featuring a Brutalist design. Stamped on the underside with the date Dec 1975. No manufacturer's mark or signature. Striking, heavy Brutalist de...
Brass
Vintage Brutalist Hand Forged Double Vase
Located in Charleston, SC
Excellent vintage 20th Century hand forged metal vase. It has a very thin profile and two necks, one being much taller than the other. The vase is signed but after extensive research...
Metal
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
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...
Blown Glass
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
Small Mid-Century Brutalist Bronze Jug
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A small decorative German brutalist jug made of bronze. 1960´s. Dimensions Height: 13 cm / 5.11 inch. Diameter: 12 cm / 4.72 inch. Weight: 3,68 kg
Bronze
Vintage Lava Glaze Ceramic Small Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite miniature ceramic vase is a masterful expression of Mid-Century Modern West German pottery. Its petite amphora silhouette is dramatically elevated by a high-contrast "...
Ceramic
Signed Mid-Century Brutalist Studio Stoneware Vase, c. 1960s
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This striking signed mid-century studio stoneware vase exemplifies the bold, expressive aesthetic of Brutalist ceramic design popular in the mid-20th century. Hand-thrown and artist-...
Ceramic
Bod ceramic VASE with mint green textured glaze "Classic shaped Bod ceramic vase
Located in Alap, HU
Hungarian Studio Ceramic Vase by Éva Bod A classic-shaped ceramic vase by Hungarian ceramic artist Éva Bod, finished with a distinctive mint green textured glaze. The compact propor...
Ceramic
Eastern European Ceramic Vase, Textured Glaze with Acid Green Motif, 1970s
Located in Alap, HU
Vintage Short Ceramic Vase with Abstract Motif A vintage ceramic vase featuring a classic rounded silhouette and a textured beige-brown glaze accented with an acid green abstract mo...
Ceramic
Brutalist Vase · Hand-Hammered Silver-Plated Steel Circa 1970
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Some objects don't ask permission to exist in a space. This vase is one of them. Organic in form and sculptural in presence, this piece defies the boundary between functional object ...
Metal
Vintage Original Studio Pottery Lunar Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional vintage studio pottery vase is a masterclass in Brutalist form and Wabi-Sabi philosophy. Crafted with a sculptural, spherical "lunar" silhouette, the piece features ...
Pottery
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
Ceramic sculpture in bronze glazing, Dutch, 1970s
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
A striking example of 1970s ceramic artistry, this sculptural piece embodies the raw elegance of the Brutalist movement, paired with the sensual, organic lines reminiscent of mid-cen...
Ceramic
Vintage Original Studio Pottery Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking original studio pottery vase is a masterclass in Brutalist ceramic art, celebrating the raw materiality of hand-built clay. Constructed using a labor-intensive coil met...
Clay, Pottery
Vintage Ceramic Bottle Vase, PV Stamp, Wabi Sabi Brutalist Style
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Vintage Ceramic Bottle vase "PV" stamp Wabi Sabi Style - Decoration - Brutalist Measures : Ø 10,5cm H:21cm Material : Ceramic
Ceramic
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 German Brutalist Schamotte Series Vase from Spara Keramik, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Brutalist Schamotte Series Vase from Spara Keramik, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional informati...
Ceramic
Richard Bitterman Brutalist Bud Vase or Sculpture
Located in Buffalo, NY
Handcrafted Brutalist bud vase or sculpture, 1960s, brass, stee. Plastic test tube, signed R. Bitterman.
Brass, Steel
Vintage Crackle Glazed Ceramic Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage ceramic vase is a striking example of Organic Modern craft, blending a refined silhouette with rugged, tactile textures. The ovoid body is cloaked in a luminous off-whit...
Ceramic
Early Peter Voulkus Ceramic Vase
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Peter Voulkus ceramic vase early 1960'd [unsigned].
Ceramic
$464Sale Price / set|40% Off
1970s Brutalist Art Glass Vases by Kurt Wokan, Handmade in Germany
Located in Valencia, VC
Pair of Brutalist 1970s Art Glass Vases by Kurt Wokan for Ingrid Glashütten A unique pair of moulded art glass vases designed by Kurt Wokan, then Creative Director at Ingrid Glashüt...
Glass, Art Glass
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...
Ceramic
Vintage Boho Studio Pottery Weed Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Capture the essence of handcrafted artistry with this striking vintage studio pottery weed vase. Its elegant, teardrop silhouette and richly textured, almost primal surface, bearing ...
Pottery, Stoneware
Four Brutalist Ceramic Vases by Nereo Boaretto, Italy 1950s
Located in Greding, DE
Four unique ceramic vases with rough surfaces in dark dramatic colours by Nereo Boaretto (1914-1977). Signed Nereo Boaretto on the bottom and partially dated.
Ceramic
Vintage Boho Metallic Studio Pottery Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Presenting a truly unique Vintage Boho Metallic Studio Pottery Vase, an arresting piece that embodies the raw beauty and expressive freedom of mid-century artisan ceramics. This vase...
Pottery
Vintage Scored Floral Studio Pottery Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This sculptural vintage studio pottery vase is a masterclass in contrasting textures and minimalist form. The elongated, hand-thrown body is crafted from a gritty, sand-tempered terr...
Pottery
Pair of Red & Green Enameled Copper Mugs by Kwangho Lee, c. 2012
By Kwangho Lee
Located in New York City, NY
Highly collectible pair of enameled copper mugs by South Korean artist Kwangho Lee. With their stunning and explosive design, these copper mugs are a ne...
Copper
Brutalist Art Studio Pottery Lidded Jar Pot by Jaan Mobach, Netherlands 1960's
By Mobach
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Rare Brutalist Dutch Art Studio Pottery Lidded Jar Pot by Jaan Mobach. Made in the Netherlands, 1960's period. Marked on the bottom. Brown bronze glazes on this pot with lid....
Ceramic
Danish Brutalist Stoneware Vase by Conny Walther, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A unique chanterelle shaped pottery vase/bowl in earthy polychrome glazes by the danish female ceramist Conny Walther. Organic brutalism' in style. Nice intact vintage condition. Sig...
Stoneware
Scandinavian Brutalist Glazed 3-neck Stoneware Vase, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Unusual stoneware vase executed in white, brown and maroon drip glazes . It features 3 necks and can be viewed as The Scandinavian Equivalent of Japanese Ikebana. It was made anonymo...
Stoneware
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
Vintage Caged Brutalist Vase or Urn in Brass
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Raw industrial looking and brutally styled urn or lidded vase for flower arrangement or incense. Both the wire lid and container are made from solid brass. Un-known origin circa 1960...
Brass
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
$196Sale 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
Vintage Brutalist German Studio Pottery Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist German Studio Pottery Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional info...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Brutalist Bronze Vase, Vintage Design, 1960s, Brown Patina
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Bronze Vase, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Bronze Color: Brown Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century Modern Item ...
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, 1967
Pottery
Mid-Century Brutalist West German Pottery WGP Fat Lava Vase from Jopeko, 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
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
Mid-Century German Studio Pottery Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1964
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist German Studio Pottery Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1964, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional i...
Ceramic
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
Mid-Century German Space Age Bubble Glass Vase by from Gral, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Space Age Bubble Glass Vase by from Gral, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs, designer r...
Glass
Small Brutalist Studio Pottery Vessel with Turquoise Drip Glaze
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Hand-thrown studio ceramic vessel featuring a richly textured surface with layered turquoise and lavender-toned drip glazes over earthy brown clay. Its sculptural form and tactile fi...
Ceramic
Brutalist Studio Pottery Stoneware Vase - Signed
Located in San Diego, CA
An interesting brutalist style studio pottery stoneware vase, circa 1970s. Cool and different piece that is signed on the underside. The vase is in very good condition with no chips...
Stoneware
Large Brutalist Black Ceramic Vase Signed Studio Piece, 1970s
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This large sculptural ceramic vase is a powerful testament to the brutalist aesthetic that swept through decorative arts and studio pottery in the 1960s and 1970s. Deliberately movin...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Studio Pottery Brutalist Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1976s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Studio Pottery Brutalist Carafe Vase by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1976s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional ...
Ceramic
Vintage Boho Original Studio Pottery Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Embrace the elemental beauty of the studio pottery movement with this evocative vintage stoneware vase. Sculpted in a distinctive low-profile "volcano" form, the vessel features a ri...
Pottery
Rolf Palm Höganäs Stoneware Vase, Sweden 1970s Brutalist
Located in Stockholm, SE
A striking rectangular stoneware vase designed by Swedish ceramicist Rolf Palm for Höganäs Keramik, circa 1970. This sculptural piece exemplifies Scandinavian studio pottery at its f...
Stoneware
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
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
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, Stoneware, Earthenware
Mid-Century Brutalist German Floor Vase from Krösselbach Keramik, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist German Floor Vase from Krösselbach Keramik, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark, I am sure that it is compl...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Swedish Brutalist Glass Vase by Göte Augustsson for Ruda, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Swedish Brutalist Glass Vase by Göte Augustsson for Ruda, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 have official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalo...
Glass
Large Sculptural Vase #4 by Dena Zemsky
By Dena Zemsky
Located in New York, NY
Large sculptural vase #4 by Dena Zemsky. Hand-built, glazed stoneware vase form. Signed and dated on underside.
Ceramic, Stoneware
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
Mid-Century French Brutalist Studio Pottery Floor Vase, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century French Brutalist Studio Pottery Floor Vase from La Poterie De La Colombe, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark, I am s...
Earthenware