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 4 Brutalist Natural Parota Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassfor
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Natural Parota Wood collage tile set, part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly text...
Wood
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
Set of 2 Brutalist Soft Gray Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Soft Gray collage tiles part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one-of-a...
Wood
Peter Glassford Natural Parota Reclaimed Wood Collage, Set of 2 Brutalist tiles
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Natural Parota collage tiles part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one...
Wood
Set of 2 Brutalist Whitewashed Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural White wash collage tiles part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled int...
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 part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled i...
Wood
Peter Glassford Charcoal Reclaimed Wood Collage, Set of 2 Brutalist tiles
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural charcoal collage tiles part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into ...
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 part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled in...
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
Set of 2 Brutalist Satin Black Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Satin Black collage tiles part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled in...
Wood
Set of 2 (large) Brutalist Natural Parota Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Natural Parota Wood collage tile set, part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly text...
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
Brutalist Brass Wall Sculpture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Brutalist patinated brass wall sculpture in the style of Jean Claude Dresse.
Brass
$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 Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this Brutalist brass wall sculpture.
Brass
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
Mid-Century Abstract Metal Brutalist Door Panel, Raw, Geometric, and Carved
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large-scale vertical panel composed of stacked, interlocking rectangular and square forms with open geometric cutouts throughout. The surface carries dense hand-carved or cast reli...
Metal
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
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
Set of 8 Brutalist Natural Parota Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassfor
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Natural Parota Wood collage tile set, part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly text...
Wood
Brutalist Wall Art Sunburst Attributed Billy Joe McCarroll David Gillespe MCM
By Billy Joe Mccarroll and David Gillespe, Forms and Surfaces, David Cressey, Paul Evans
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
$2,230 / 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
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
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
$807Sale 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
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
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
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
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
Brutalist Ceramic Wall Sculpture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Brutalist ceramic wall sculpture framed in wood and signed THK
Ceramic
Set of 2 (large) Brutalist Charcoal Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Charcoal collage tile set, part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one-o...
Wood
"Vintage X-Large Metal Wall Sculpture of Railroad Train Station 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
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
Set of 2 (large) Brutalist Matte Black Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Matte Black collage tile set, part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, on...
Wood
James McNabb-Style Brutalist Wood Assemblage Sunburst Wall Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brutalist wood assemblage wall sculpture in the style of James McNabb, constructed from reclaimed architectural wood fragments and interspe...
Metal
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
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
Set of 2 (large) Brutalist Antique Gold Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Antique Gold collage tile set, part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, o...
Wood
Set of 2 (large) Brutalist White Wash Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural White Wash collage tile set, part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one...
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
Set of 4 Brutalist Matte Black Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Matte Black collage tile set, part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, on...
Wood
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
Set of 8 Brutalist Charcoal Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Charcoal collage tile set, part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one-o...
Wood
Set of 4 Brutalist White Wash Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural White Wash collage tile set, part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one...
Wood
Set of 2 (large) Brutalist Satin Black Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Satin Black collage tile set, part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, on...
Wood
Set of 8 Brutalist Satin Black Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Satin Black collage tile set, part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, on...
Wood
Set of 8 Brutalist Matte Black Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Matte Black collage tile set, part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, on...
Wood
Set of 8 Brutalist Antique Gold Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Antique Gold collage tile set, part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, o...
Wood
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
Unique Danish Brutalist Ceramic Wall Decor Abstract Art by Trans, Large, 1970s
By Saxbo, Axel Salto, Noomi Backhausen, Sejer Denmark
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
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
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
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
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
$555Sale Price|20% Off
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
Set of 4 Brutalist Charcoal Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Charcoal collage tile set, part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one-o...
Wood
Set of 4 Brutalist Satin Black Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Satin Black collage tile set, part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, on...
Wood
Set of 4 Brutalist Antique Gold Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Antique Gold collage tile set, part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, o...
Wood
Set of 8 Brutalist White Wash Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural White Wash collage tile set, part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one...
Wood