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.
V-Vessel, White gloss Ceramic Vase by Alexey Krupinin
Located in Topanga, CA
V-Vessel is a handcrafted ceramic sculpture defined by sharp angular geometry, folded planes, and a luminous white gloss finish. Subtle surface variations reveal the handmade process...
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
Set of Linear Brushed Metal Brutalist Objects, Germany, 1970’s
Located in New York, NY
Interesting set of objects.
Metal
$548Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Italian Steel Vase in the Style of Luciano Frigerio, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Sculptural vase from the 70s in a brutalist style. The structure of the vase develops on two levels. The first level is a parallelepiped with a quadrangular section; It has a smoo...
Steel
Vintage Original Studio Pottery Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking vintage studio pottery vase perfectly captures the earthy, modernist aesthetic of the 1970s craft movement. Hand-thrown with exceptional precision, the vessel features ...
Pottery
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
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
$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
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
Vintage Glazed Ceramic Scored Vases - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional pair of vintage studio pottery vases captures the raw, expressive spirit of the Brutalist and Mid-Century Modern movements through their striking textural contrast. ...
Ceramic
Large Brutalist Stoneware Sculptural Vase in Brown and Green, France, 1980s
By Claude Champy
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
This large brutalist stoneware sculptural vase was made in France circa 1980. It is a piece of French studio pottery with a long, low and asymmetrical form that looks almost geologic...
Stoneware
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 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
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
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Clay, Stoneware
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
Vintage Boho Monumenral Patinated Ceramic Urn
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Commanding attention with its sheer scale and elemental beauty, this monumental vintage ceramic urn is a masterpiece of rustic design. Standing over four feet tall, the vessel featur...
Earthenware, Terracotta
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
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
$315Sale Price|30% 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
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
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
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
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 ...
Murano Glass
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
Pascal Mourgue. Brutalist aluminium vase with asymmetrical form, 1980s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Pascal Mourgue Brutalist aluminium vase, 1980s. Sculptural, asymmetrical form in cast aluminium with pronounced ribbed lines and a raw, industrial surface. Elegant, minimal and chara...
Aluminum
Vintage Original Studio Pottery Skull Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking original studio pottery vase is a masterclass in organic form and Brutalist texture. Hand-crafted with a sophisticated, irregular silhouette, the vessel features a seri...
Pottery
Mid-Century Brutalist WGP West German Pottery Vase, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist WGP West German Pottery Vase, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Color: Brown Styles: Brutalist,...
Ceramic
$191Sale 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
Beautiful Set of three Copper Handmade Brutalist Flower Vase, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful set of three flower vase made in Germany, circa 1970s. Made of copper, has some nice patina, but this is old-age. The size given in the dimensions section refers to the lar...
Copper
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
Large Presentation Jug / Vase in "Fat Lava", by Marius Giuge Vallauris, 1960s
By Marius Giuge
Located in MOUGINS, FR
A large presentation jug / vase with handle , constructed in a "water foam" design, by Marius Giuge. The piece is extremely decorative and the enamel has kept all of its shine. Th...
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
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
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
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
Mid-Century Pottery Ikebana Vase from BKW Böttger Keramik Wandsbek, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Pottery Ikebana Vase from BKW Böttger Keramik Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution ma...
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
Vintage Original Monumental Studio Pottery Lidded Moonchild Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This monumental studio pottery vessel by artist Becky Van is a captivating blend of Brutalist form and Surrealist detail. The exterior features a robust, barrel-shaped silhouette wit...
Pottery
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 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
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
Signed Jean Austruy Brutalist Lava Glaze Covered Jar, Vallauris, c. 1960
Located in London, GB
At Maisons Rares, every piece is personally curated: beautiful historical objects from famous French designers and manufacturers, and art from the world over. This large covered jar...
Ceramic
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
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
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
$170Sale Price|41% Off
Brutalist Icelandic Lava Vase by Glit HF, 1970s
By Glit
Located in Esbjerg, DK
HF Gilt is a renowned Icelandic ceramic pottery studio. The clay used in this piece is made from pumice stone collected from Icelandic volcanos. The ...
Lava
Tall Ceramic Bottle Vase by Ceramica Rosa Maria
Located in Troy, MI
This hand-thrown ceramic bottle vase features a tall cylindrical body with rounded shoulders and elongated neck. The heavily textured surface mimics raw stone with visible horizontal...
Ceramic
Pair of Artist‑Signed Pierced Studio‑Ceramic Vessels, Nordic Organic Brutalist
Located in Skien, NO
Nordic Organic Brutalist studio pottery – expressive hand‑worked texture, raw tactile clay surfaces, sculptural functional form with perforated detailing, typical Norwegian studio‑ce...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
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
Solid burled wood jar with lid, Indonesia 1970s
Located in ECHT, NL
Turned wood jar with lid. Made from solid burled teak wood. It has a very smooth finish on the outside with amazing colors and patterns. Sourced from the original owner who purchas...
Hardwood, Teak
Vintage Original Studio Pottery Ribbed Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional vintage studio pottery vase is a masterclass in tactile design and organic modernism. Dating to 1981, as indicated by the artist's incised mark on the base, the vess...
Pottery
Scandinavian Brutalist Vase in Hand-Embossed Copper, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A sculptural handled vase in hand embossed copper. It displays all the right elements of Scandinavian Brutalism. Anonymous Scandinavian metal worker/artist circa 1970. It has no mark...
Copper
Large 19th Century Stoneware Ceramic from La Borne Pottery French Handmade
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
La Borne - 19th century Large stoneware pottery from center of France Realised circa 1880 Original good condition its peculiarity is to have a piece of another pot fixed...
Ceramic
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
Mid-Century Brutalist WGP Pottery Model 25 Vase from Pan Keramik, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist WGP Pottery Model 25 Vase from Pan Keramik (P-Keramik), West Germany, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official proof of authenticity such ...
Ceramic
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
Mid-Century Modern German Studio Pottery Brutalist Floor Vase Elly Wilhelm Kuch
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Large German Studio Pottery Brutalist Floor Vase by Elly & Wilhelm Kuch, 1960s
Pottery
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
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