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.
Set of Three Brutalist Brass Decorative Serving Pieces - Ladle, Spoon, and Fork
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brutalist-style brass serving pieces including ladle, spoon, and fork (ca. 1970s, likely Austrian). Intriguing sinuous form handles with hand-forged and hammered details. Intended fo...
Brass
Set of 3 Blanc de Chine Awa Odori Figurines
Located in Hanover, MA
Set of three white porcelain Awa Odori festival dancers wearing kimono and amigasa bamboo hat. Often mistaken for geishas. Dancing figures created by Keiten Takahashi (Japanese, 192...
Porcelain
Italian Mid-Century Hand-Carved Alabaster Ashtray, 1950s Brutalist
Located in Barntrup, DE
An adorable Italian genuine alabaster hand-carved ashtray with irregular shapes and beautiful colors from light beige to gray. Italy, circa the 1950s...
Alabaster
Vintage Brueghel Ceramic Plate
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional vintage ceramic plate, sourced from the renowned Pieter Breughel gallery in Amsterdam, is a quintessential example of mid-century European studio pottery. The piece ...
Ceramic
"NEMO" Majolica Set Designed by Aude Clément for 12 People '38 Pcs'
By Aude Clément
Located in Paris, FR
"NEMO" Service set for 12 persons in hand-painted majolica. Original NEMO set, designed by the french artist Aude Clément and produced by Au Bain Marie,...
Majolica
$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
Two Sunburst Centerpieces / Fruit Bowls, Wrought Iron, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair if Sculptural Spanish Brutalist Centerpiece Bowls Spain, 1950s. These spanish revival centerpieces or fruit bowls were entirely made by hand in wrought iron. They have brutalist...
Iron
$180Sale Price|30% Off
1970s Italian Chunky Brown Ceramic Ashtray with Iridescent Glaze
Located in Toronto, CA
This sculptural ceramic ashtray was produced in Italy in the 1970s by Porcellane Laveno, a renowned maker known for its refined glazes and experimental forms. The piece features a so...
Ceramic
Set of Three Awa Odori Ceramic Dancing Figures
Located in Hanover, MA
Three glazed ceramic figures of stylized folk dancers in the Awa Odori festival. One marked "E. Lyles" on the underside. I believe these figures are based on a design by Japanese met...
Ceramic
Medieval Drink Mat Coaster Posavaso Medieval Cast Aluminium Brass Handmade Spain
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Coaster was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast aluminum and sand cast brass. We can engrave this piece with your Initials or Logo, makes a beautiful We...
Aluminum, Brass
Pair of Brutalist Mexican Glasses by Feders
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare Pair of Brutalist Mexican Glasses designed by Felipe Delfinger, circa 1970. About Felipe Delfinger: In the year 1860, the German Derflinger family arrived at Mexi...
Art Glass
1970s French Hand-Carved Wooden Basket – Decorative Patinated Centerpiece
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
1970s French Hand-Carved Wooden Basket – Decorative Patinated Centerpiece Description: This beautiful hand-carved wooden basket was made in France in the 1970s. Its sculpted form an...
Wood
1970s French Wooden Pear-Shaped Fruit Basket – Dark Patina Decorative Bowl
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
1970s French Wooden Pear-Shaped Fruit Basket – Dark Patina Decorative Bowl Description: This charming wooden fruit basket, crafted in France during the 1970s, features an elegant pe...
Wood
Large Brutalist Aluminum + Brass Serving Tray or Bowl by Leopold of Spain
Located in Troy, MI
Found in Spain, this brutalist style aluminum and brass tray is marked by Leopold of Seville, Spain and dates from the 1970s. Tray is 19.5” long and is 10.38” at widest point and fea...
Aluminum, Brass
set of 6 round drink mats C030 handmade in cast brass & aluminium
Located in Benahavis, AN
The round coasters were created by David Marshall, from sand cast aluminium. We use recycled materials all our pieces are handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop...
Aluminum, Brass
Modern multiple Wine Bottle Rack Gold, Silver coloured, Handmade in Spain
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Wine Bottle Rack 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 Spa...
Aluminum, Brass
Large Mid-Century Italian Owl Ice Bucket – Brutalist Design
Located in Hamburg, DE
This striking mid-century Italian ice bucket is designed in the shape of an owl and makes a truly impressive statement piece for any bar or interior. Crafted in Italy during the 1960...
Aluminum
Brutalist Celtic Tray A097 Solid Sand Cast Aluminum and Brass Handmade in Spain
Located in Benahavis, AN
The small tray was created by David Marshall, from sand cast aluminium . We use recycled materials all our pieces are handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in ...
Aluminum, Brass
$445Sale Price|20% Off
Eisberg-Glasschale Design Pertti Santalahti für HUMPPILA, Finnland, 1970er Jahre
By Pertti Santalahti, Humppila
Located in Aachen, DE
Seltene finnische Eisglas-Schale der späten 60er / frühen 70er Jahre von Pertti Santalahti für HUMPPILA, unbeschädigt, original gelabelt. Signiert sowohl mit dem Künstler als auch mi...
Art Glass
Mid Century Wine Rack in Wrought Iron Brass 1960s
Located in Meer, VAN
Mid Century Wine Rack in Wrought Iron Brass, Europe, 1960s. This is a great mid century wine rack in wrought iron with nice brass details. Hand wrought iron with a very nice artisan...
Brass, Wrought Iron
$240Sale Price|63% Off
Monumental Brutalist Ashtray by Marcello Fantoni for Raymor, 1950s
Located in View Park, CA
A green glow: monumental vintage Italian brutalist hand-worked metal ashtray by Marcello Fantoni for Raymor, made in Italy circa 1950. Patinated copper in tones of chartreuse, teal, and pewter. Born in Florence in 1915, Marcello Fantoni wed ancient Italian pottery technique with decidedly Modernist elements, garnering tremendous acclaim both at home and abroad - his work has been collected by important museums worldwide. When Fantoni died in Florence in 2011 at the age of 95, his obituary in the Italian newspaper La Nazione hailed him “the master of beauty.” This stunning piece certainly justifies the moniker. With the signature etched on verso, it is without doubt an heirloom rarity for the savvy collector...
Copper
Asian Stoneware Dish or Vide Poche, Brown Color, Korean, circa 1950
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This is a Stoneware dish or Vide poche, brown and Black Color color, made circa 1950 in Korea.
Pottery, Stoneware
$1,088 / set
Set of 8 round drink mats
Located in Benahavis, AN
The " Coaster " was created by DM, from sand cast aluminium and brass. All our pieces are handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in Spain. It is certified authen...
Brass
Brutalist Bell in the Manner of Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
This sculptural unique bell is a great art object, hand-hammered metal with welded aluminum handle, this is a unique piece.
Aluminum, Metal
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...
Brass
$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
Unique Hand Forged Cheese Spread Knife Brutalist Style
By Arthur Court
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare hand forged unique cheese spreader knife great brutalist design.
Metal
Hand Shaped Bottle Opener in Patinated Sand Cast Iron 1960s
Located in Meer, VAN
Hand Shaped Bottle Opener in Patinated Sand Cast Iron, Asia - most probably Japan, 1960s. Cast in the shape of an open hand, this mid-century bottle opener features two circular sea...
Iron
Brutalist Mexican Modern Tequila Caballitos by Feders
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare Brutalist Mexican modern art glasses designed by Felipe Derflingher, circa 1970.
Art Glass
Large Mid-Century Danish Studio Pottery in Bright Orange Glaze Brutalist 1960s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large Mid-Century Danish Studio Pottery Ashtray in Bright Orange Glaze – Brutalist Fat Lava Bowl, 1950s–60s This striking Mid-Century Modern Danish studio pottery ashtray is a rare a...
Ceramic, Pottery
Crystal Cup by Arch. Taddei Sestini for Kristall Krisla - Italy 1970s
Located in Milano, IT
Italian 1970s design; Architect Taddei Sestini; Kristall Krisla vintage glass; Italian modernism; Space Age crystal cup; Sculptural glass; Architectura...
Crystal
Brutalist Mexican Modern Art Caballitos and Glasses by Feders
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare Brutalist Mexican modern set of 8 art glasses and caballitos designed by Felipe Derflingher, circa 1970.
Art Glass
Brass Wine Pourer Solid Sand Cast Handmade Decorative Object for Bar or Table
Located in Benahavis, AN
The bottle rack was created by David Marshall, from sand cast aluminium . We use recycled materials all our pieces are handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in...
Brass
$947 / item
Decorative Cutting Board #3, Sculpted Oak
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Decorative cutting board #3 Sculpted solid oak Approximative size: from 20cm to 30cm (form 8'' to 12'') Custom size available SÓHA design studio conceive...
Oak
Vintage Rustic Handcrafted Wooden Pedestal Bowl in Mountain Folk Art Style
Located in Roma, IT
I am offering for sale a Pedestal Bowl handcrafted in Italy probably during the mid-20th century. The style of this footed fruit bowl is typical of the Folk Art of the mountainous ar...
Fir
$284Sale 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
Burnished Metal Brutalist Inspired Tray, Late 20th Century
Located in South Salem, NY
Embrace the bold spirit of the 1970s with this small brutalist-style tray, an American-made piece that marries form and function. Crafted from burnished metal, its curved sides are a...
Metal
Two Brutalist Dümler & Breiden German Ceramic Pottery Vase, 1960s
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Two beautiful Brutalist ceramic vases made by Dümler & Breiden in Germany in the 1960s. Stamped underneath with the Dümler & Breiden mark, production series and “GERMANY”. ?Dümle...
Ceramic, Stoneware
8 Vintage Rocks Glasses in the Silver Version of the Artica Pattern by Libbey
Located in Nantucket, MA
Eight Libbey rocks glasses in the Brutalist "Artica" pattern. Clear glass with a raised abstracted geometric pattern, silvered on the raised surfaces, the footed glass with waisted s...
Glass
Vintage Hungarian Mid-Century Ceramic Vase, Textured Form
Located in Alap, HU
Ceramic Cylinder Vase with Dark Grey-Black Volcanic Glaze and Yellow Abstract Motif, Hungary, circa 1960s-1970s A vintage Hungarian ceramic cylinder vase featuring a heavily texture...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern Fat Lava Ashtray or Vide-Poche by Jan Van Erp
By Copper Shop & Van Erp Studio
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Mid-Century Modern Fat Lava Asbak by Jan Van Erp This vintage ashtray is a strong example of the iconic Fat Lava aesthetic by Dutch ceramicist Jan van Erp. Produced in the mid-20th ...
Ceramic
Brutalist Metal Patchwork Box with Insert Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Atlanta, GA
A cube form desktop box covered with patchwork copper by American artist and designer Paul Evans (1931-1987). The lidded box has a plastic insert box and was made as an ice box or a ...
Metal
Long Mid-Century Modern Fat Lava Ashtray or Vide-Poche by Jan Van Erp
By Copper Shop & Van Erp Studio
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Mid-Century Modern Fat Lava Asbak by Jan Van Erp This vintage ashtray is a strong example of the iconic Fat Lava aesthetic by Dutch ceramicist Jan van Erp. Produced in the mid-20th ...
Ceramic
Silver and Bronze Brutalist Signed Tray by David Marshall, Spain 1970s
Located in Chicago, IL
One of kind Brutalist mixed metals silver and bronze tray by David Marshall, signed, Spain 1970s. Features a David Marshall seal on one of the corners. Beautiful riveted bronze handl...
Silver, Bronze
Brutalist Bronze Pitcher by Max Bré, France, circa 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
This expressive bronze pitcher was created by French sculptor Max Bré around 1970. Its organic silhouette is enhanced by a raw, textured surface and a bold, sculptural handle that co...
Metal, Bronze
Design Drink Mat, Posavaso Diseño, Cast Aluminium and Brass Handmade in Spain
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Coaster was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast aluminum and sand cast brass. We can engrave this piece with your Initials or Logo, makes a beautiful ...
Aluminum, Brass
Wrought Iron Chain Link Standing Ashthay with Horseshoe Detail, France 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Horseshoes standing ashtray with chain link iron base. France, 1950s. Rare find. Unique ashtray made of horseshoes and an iron chain. It features an iron horseshoe with metal stud rivet detail on the top. It stands on an iron chain link...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Vintage MCM West German Monumental Matte Ceramic Ashtray
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bold and beautifully utilitarian, this vintage West German ceramic ashtray embodies classic mid-century modern design with a monumental twist. Crafted in a striking mix of matte and ...
Stoneware
C026 Medieval bottle mat by David Marshall in brass & aluminium
Located in Benahavis, AN
David Marshall - Handmade Medieval Bottle Mat in Brass and Aluminium- Models C026 This striking bottle coaster is a fine example of the work of renowned designer and artist **David ...
Aluminum, Brass
$2,974Sale Price / set|44% Off
AVMazzega style. Brutalist hand-blown Murano glass glassware, Italy, 1970s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Set of 6 hand-blown Italian Murano glass set. Manufactured in the 70s, these cups are considerable in size and have a slightly brutalist style. Orange, caramel, white and transparent...
Murano Glass
CO52 C011 C009 drinkmats designed by David Marshall in cast brass and aluminium
Located in Benahavis, AN
David Marshall – Set of 3 Handmade Coasters in Brass and Aluminium – Models C052, C011, C009 Discover a unique trio of sculptural coasters designed and handmade by renowned artist D...
Aluminum, Brass
Drink Mat Track, Coaster, Solid Cast Brass and Aluminium C048 Posavaso Huella
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Coaster was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast aluminum and sand cast brass. We can engrave this piece with your Initials or Logo, makes a beautiful We...
Aluminum, Brass
Gold Celtic Drink Mat Brass Coaster C059 Handmade in Spain
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Celtic Coaster was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast brass. We can engrave this piece with your Initials or Logo, makes a beautiful Wedding or Compan...
Brass
Bottle Mat Ring C052 Made from Sand Cast Aluminum, Brass Handcrafted Lacquered
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Coaster was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast aluminum and sand cast brass. We can engrave this piece with your Initials or Logo, makes a beautiful ...
Aluminum, Brass
Mid-Century Brutalist Studio Pottery Cake Plate, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Studio Pottery Cake Plate, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Color: Blue Styles: Brutalist, Mid-...
Ceramic
Brutalist Style French Porcelain Stoneware Centerpiece
Located in Prato, Tuscany
A French centerpiece of distinctive character and artistic interest, crafted in the Brutalist style between 1950 and 1955 in porcelain stoneware by an artisan workshop near Saint-Val...
Stoneware
Coasters C009 Design, C011 Medival , C048 Track, C052 Ring & A097 Tray x 1 each
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Coasters and Tray were created by David Marshall , the items are made in Sand Cast solid brass and aluminium . Handmade mounted and finished in our foundry and worksh...
Aluminum, Brass
Mid-Century Brutalist Pottery Ashtray or Bowl by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1968
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist German Studio Pottery Ashtray or Bowl by Gerhard Liebenthron, 1960s, 1968, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. A...
Ceramic
Arnold Wiigs Fabriker 'AWF' Finnish Brutalist Textured Stoneware Pedestal Bowl
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish large mid-century Finnish Brutalist art pottery bowl with a key pattern design and with a textured brown finish by Arnold Wiigs Fabriker (1943-1977). The bowl stands o...
Stoneware
$340Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Konge-Tinn Pewter Flatware from Norway
By Fjord Fiesta
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful set of 4, original-boxed, serving and entertaining flatware from Konge-Tinn. This “Royal Pewter” set includes the well cataloged pattern on utensi...
Pewter