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 2 Brutalist Soft Gray Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Soft Gray collage tiles by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one-of-a-kind composition. Each tile measures...
Wood
Set of 2 Brutalist Antique Gold Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Antique Gold collage tiles by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one-of-a-kind ...
Wood
Set of 2 Brutalist Matte Black Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Matte Black collage tiles by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one-of-a-kind c...
Wood
Peter Glassford Natural Parota Reclaimed Wood Collage, Set of 2 Brutalist tiles
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Natural Parota collage tiles by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one-of-a-kind composition. Each tile mea...
Wood
Set of 2 Brutalist Whitewashed Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural White wash collage tiles by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one-of-a-kind co...
Wood
Peter Glassford Charcoal Reclaimed Wood Collage, Set of 2 Brutalist tiles
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural charcoal collage tiles by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one-of-a-kind comp...
Wood
Set of 2 Brutalist Satin Black Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Satin Black collage tiles by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one-of-a-kind c...
Wood
Set of 2 Samples of Brutalist Sculptural Collage Wall Art in Upcycled Wood
Located in San Antonio, TX
Each sample measures 10" x 4.5" and is offered as a set of two. Designed by Peter Glassford, each piece is a unique Brutalist-inspired collage. No two samples are alike; every compo...
Wood
Big Size Surreal Brutalist Sun Sculpture in Brass and Bronze by Emaus
By Emaus
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this surreal brutalist sun sculpture in brass and bronze by Emaus Benedictine Monks, circa 1970. Emaus the name of the workshop of the Benedicti...
Brass
Surreal Brutalist Sun and Moon Sculpture in Brass and Bronze by Emaus
By Emaus
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this surreal brutalist sun sculpture in brass and bronze by Emaus Benedictine Monks, circa 1970. Emaus the name of the workshop of the Benedicti...
Brass
Natural Sculptural Collage Wall Tile Set in Upcycled Leather by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
These Natural Leather Collage Tiles are produced in modular formats and combine two sizes: 6.5" x 6.5" and 13" x 6.5", and are sold as a set covering approximately 8 sq ft. The tile...
Plywood, Leather
Brutalist Ceramic Wall Sculpture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Brutalist ceramic wall sculpture framed in wood and signed THK
Ceramic
Mid-Century Abstract Metal Brutalist Door Panel, Raw, Geometric, and Carved
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible Mid-Century abstract brutalist door panel. Jagged edges and decorative carvings highlight its raw and dynamic geometric presence. An a...
Metal
1970s Brutalist Metal Wall Art Abstract Sculpture
By Stephen Chun
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a 1970s Wall Art Abstract Sculpture Metal in the style of Stephen Chun Hong Kong. Unmarked. Dimensions: 34.25 W x 34.25H x 1D...
Metal
Obsidian Core Ceramic Wall Sculpture, Dark Lava Stone Texture Wall Art
Located in Istanbul, TR
Lunar Surface – Ceramic Wall Sculpture Inspired by the quiet, cratered landscapes of the moon, Lunar Surface captures the raw beauty of natural erosion and time-worn textures. Each ...
Stoneware
Brutalist Wall Art Sunburst Attributed Billy Joe McCarroll David Gillespe MCM
By Paul Evans, David Cressey, Forms and Surfaces, Billy Joe Mccarroll and David Gillespe
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a brutalist wall art: "SUNBURST" attributed in style to Billy Joe McCarroll + David Gillespe. Stoneware pottery on masonite board with walnut frame. Unsigned. ...
Stoneware, Walnut, Masonite
$2,550Sale Price|45% Off
Brutalist Bronzed Resin Wall Relief Sculpture, Style of Paul Evans, c 1970s
By Paul Evans
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This unique brutalist wall relief was sculpted with bronzed resin over wood, in the style of Paul Evans, circa 1970s. Incredible textures and col...
Resin, Wood
Brutalist Brass Wall Sculpture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Brutalist patinated brass wall sculpture in the style of Jean Claude Dresse.
Brass
Vintage metal Brutalist wall decor by Salvino Marsura, Italy 1960s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Rare mid-century modern metal Brutalist wall decor by Salvino Marsura, made in Italy in the 1960s. Salvino Marsura is an Italian artist born in Treviso in 1938. His career began in ...
Iron
Surreal Brutalist Sun Sculpture in Brass and Bronze by Emaus Benedictine Monks
By Emaus
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this surreal brutalist sun sculpture in brass and bronze by Emaus Benedictine Monks, circa 1970. Emaus the name of the workshop of the Benedicti...
Brass
Brutalist Brass Wall Sculpture
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this Brutalist brass wall sculpture.
Brass
Lunar Surface Ceramic Wall Art, Textured Moon Inspired Wall Sculpture
Located in Istanbul, TR
Lunar Surface – Ceramic Wall Sculpture Inspired by the quiet, cratered landscapes of the moon, Lunar Surface captures the raw beauty of natural erosion and time-worn textures. Each ...
Stoneware
Earth Bloom Ceramic Wall Art, Organic Pattern Wall Sculpture
Located in Istanbul, TR
Lunar Surface – Ceramic Wall Sculpture Inspired by the quiet, cratered landscapes of the moon, Lunar Surface captures the raw beauty of natural erosion and time-worn textures. Each ...
Stoneware
Large ceramic wall plaques from the 1970s (set)
Located in Hannover, DE
3 large ceramic wall plaques. Made in Germany in the 1970s. These pieces were handmade and only produced in very limited numbers. The plaques showcase a modernist brutalist style. Th...
Ceramic
Brutalist Brass Wall Sculpture in Seagull Forms
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this Brutalist brass wall sculpture in seagull forms.
Iron
$1,349Sale Price|20% Off
Large Brutalist Wall Sculpture, 2000s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Architectural brutalist wall mounted 2 piece panel/sculpture made from cement and paint on a wooden panel. Very much fitting in the brutalist style which is so popular at the mome...
Wood
Large Abstract Wall Sculpture/Art Installation in Copper
Located in Atlanta, GA
This whimsical piece is an abstract wall sculpture of copper, by American artist James Welty of Charlottesville, Virginia, circa 1987. This vintage sculpture, with it's Brutalist inf...
Copper
Curtis Jere Brutalist Brass Tree Wall Sculpture
By Curtis Jeré
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
C. Jere tree wall sculpture with Brutalist details to branches, signed and dated. Sculpture is made in two sections where one of the branches ...
Metal
Curtis Jere Raindrops Wall Sculpture 1965c.
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Chicago, IL
Curtis Jere Raindrops Wall Sculpture 1965c. An iconic mid-century wall sculpture by Curtis Jere, composed of patinated brass and copper discs arranged in an expressive, rhythmic comp...
Metal, Copper
Abstract Man Brutalist Iron Sculpture
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this Brutalist brass wall sculpture in abstract man form, the sculpture has a perfect manufacturing a true work of art.
Iron
$2,270 / set
Fat Lava Wall Plaques by Ruscha Keramik, 1970s
By Ruscha
Located in Rijssen, NL
A set of three wall plaques by Ruscha Keramik, manufatured in the 1970s. They are manufactured in brown/white clay, red and brown fat lava ornaments. Dimensions 1: 13.78" (35 cm) ...
Ceramic
Monumental Surreal Brutalist Sun Sculpture in Brass and Bronze by Emaus
By Emaus
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this monumental surreal brutalist sun sculpture in brass and bronze by Emaus Benedictine Monks, circa 1970. Emaus the name of the workshop of the Benedictine Monks of Cuerna...
Brass
1960's Brutalist Copper Wall Art
Located in Bern, CH
Stunning 1960's Brutalist copper wall art. Highly stylized depiction of a sail boat at sunset. Beautiful copper tones with black and orange. ...
Copper
$824Sale Price|64% Off
Brutalist midcentury modern Metal copper Artwork by Sammy Tsui, 1970s
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Brutalist Mixed Metal Artwork by Sammy Tsui, 1960s 71 x 71 x 4 cm
Copper, Zinc
Attributed to Sadanand K. Bakre, Indian Artist, Venetian Cityscape, 1950s
By Sadanand K. Bakre 1
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Abstract oil painting on canvas of a Venetian cityscape. Unframed. No signature. It is attributed to Sadanand k. Bakre. In muted colors consistent with his early work in Europe. ...
Canvas
Surreal Brutalist Sun Sculpture in Brass and Bronze by Emaus
By Emaus
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this surreal brutalist sun sculpture in brass and bronze by Emaus Benedictine Monks, circa 1970. Emaus the name of the workshop of the Benedictine Monks of Cuernavaca in the...
Brass
Vintage German Brutalist Bronze Wall Plate with Owl Design from Dalbeck, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Brutalist Bronze Wall Plate with Owl Design from Dalbeck, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional informa...
Bronze
Mid-Century Brutalist Cast Aluminum Wall Relief from Stadler Design, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Cast Aluminum Wall Relief from Stadler Design, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attri...
Aluminum
Unique Danish Brutalist Ceramic Wall Decor Abstract Art by Trans, Large, 1970s
By Saxbo, Axel Salto, Sejer Denmark, Noomi Backhausen
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Unique large ceramic wall decor in brutalist style. Made ca. 1970s. The wall platter is made from stoneware and has en abstract and very structured decor with petrol blue, beige, br...
Ceramic
Unique Danish Brutalist Large Ceramic Wall Art with Mirror by Mette Høm ca 1970s
By Saxbo, Jean-Pierre Capron, Sejer Denmark, Noomi Backhausen
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Unique Danish ceramic wall art in brutalist style by Danish ceramist Mette Høm (1938-1989). Made ca, 1960s in Mette Høm’s own studio. The wall art is made from tiles and vase shaped...
Iron
Vintage Finesse Originals Brutalist Fisherman Nautical Coastal Wall Sculpture
By Paul Evans, Finesse Originals
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A commanding vintage wall relief by Finesse Originals, this sculptural work bridges abstraction and elemental narrative, evoking the tension between sea, stone, and structure. Often ...
Fiberglass, Resin
21st Century Studio Irvine Concrete Moodboard 100% Handmade Cement in Italy
Located in Rome, Lazio
A metaphysical view to show colors, texture and a preview of Fusto collection by Studio Irvine for Forma & Cemento. A framework made in concrete with For...
Concrete
$1,332Sale Price|20% Off
A glazed lava tile from 1970s - France
By Roger Capron
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A glazed lava tile, an emblematic piece of French craftsmanship from the 1970s, renowned for its quality and distinctive aesthetics. This robust material, combined with sophisticate...
Lava, Enamel
Vintage 1960s Metal Brutalist Wall Sculpture Art Copper Brass Style Curtis Jere
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Brutalist 1960s mixed metals, Copper & Brass patchwork wall art sculpture. Comes ready to hang. Dimensions: 28 H x 62 L x 5 D. In the style of Curtis Jere.
Brass, Copper
Brutalist Starburst Metal Sculpture Att. to Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular Brutalist starburst wall hanging sculpture attributed to Curtis Jere, unsigned. This example is unusual in that it has a dimensional...
Steel
Vintage German Brass Wall Plate with Tree Design from Harjes, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Brass Wall Plate with Tree Design from Harjes, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 197 official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs, designer r...
Metal
Cathy Astolfi Contemporary Ceramic Wall Sculpture, Corsica, 2025
Located in BORGO, FR
Contemporary ceramic wall sculpture by Corsican artist Cathy Astolfi, created in 2025. This unique vertical composition reflects the artist’s deeply organic and material-driven appro...
Metal
Abstract Mixed Metal Wall Sculpture by Curtis Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Farmingdale, NJ
Beautiful blend of subtle color and texture in a masculine brutalist form with presence. Signed. Likely 1970s. This particular example is two panels professionally joined for a great...
Brass, Bronze
Vintage Rare X-Large Railroad Train Station Metal Wall Sculpture by Curtis Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Rare X-Large Railroad Train Station Metal Wall Sculpture Signed by Curtis Jere
Metal, Brass
Brutalist Iron Wall Mask, Handcrafted, Mid-20th Century, France
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Striking Brutalist wall mask from the 1950s, handcrafted in hammered forged iron with a powerful sculptural presence. The piece features a stylized human face crowned with a decora...
Wrought Iron
Vintage Occult Wall Plaque in Etched Glass by Austrian Artist H. Hiebl, 1970s
By Helmut Hiebl 1
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Unusual window/light plaque by Austrian born glass artist Helmut Heibl. Mounted in pewter frame and hung by supporting chain. Signed by hand by the artist. Measurements: Approximate ...
Art Glass
Volcanic Rift Ceramic Wall Art, Black Crackle Texture Wall Sculpture
Located in Istanbul, TR
Volcanic Rift – Ceramic Wall Sculpture Inspired by the raw energy of cooling lava, Volcanic Rift captures the moment when the earth fractures and reveals its inner texture. The deep...
Stoneware
Vintage Carved Wood Panel Wall Sculpture - Set of 4
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your interior with this striking set of four vintage hand-carved wood panels, a masterful fusion of Brutalist texture and Boho Chic elegance. Each panel features a high-relie...
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
$900Sale Price|25% Off
Brutalist Brass Wall Sculpture in Leaves Form
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this Brutalist brass wall sculpture in leaves form, signed by EBANO.
Brass
Brutalist Big Seahorse ceramic wall decoration- Piet Lemahieu, Belgium - 1960
By Perignem
Located in The Hague, NL
Stunning, large and heavy weighted ceramic seahorse designed by Belgian ceramist Lemahieu. The ceramic features a layer of brown/black and warm orange glaze with slight blue speckles...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Picasso's Guitarist Rendering in 3D Embossed Tinted Aluminum Metal Art Signed
Located in Monrovia, CA
Picasso's Guitarist Is Rendered In A 3D Embossed Tinted Aluminum Metal Sculpted Art Piece, Signed by Artist. Picasso's "The Guitarist" Embossed Tinted...
Metal, Aluminum