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.
Stunning Wooden Zodiac Wall Plaque Relief Brutalist Midcentury, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautifully crafted wooden wall plaque relief depicting all zodiac signs, designed in a bold Brutalist style and produced in Germany in the 1970s. The expressive carved forms and s...
Plywood
HERMAN TALVIK - Surrealist Engraving - Signed - Estonia/Sweden - Circa 1950's
Located in Chatham, ON
HERMAN TALVIK (1906-1984) - Vintage Surrealist engraving - signed lower right - untitled - finished with a single bevel edged matte board under glass - vintage painted wood frame wit...
Glass, Wood, Paint, Paper
KITA LIVING Shelf No: 1 - Oak Mist
By İsmail Dağlı, Gökhan Eryaman
Located in Bomonti, TR
An open, wall-mounted shelf designed for the storage and display of everyday objects. Crafted from raw aluminum plate and solid oak brackets, its simplistic design and utilitarian lo...
Aluminum
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
Mid Century Modern Abstract Brutalist Wall Art Sculpture in Brass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Stunning heavy wall sculpture from the 1960's. It features torch cut tubular steel thats been blackened & brass plated.
Steel
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
Vintage Brutalist Abstract Metal Nail Wall Art Sculpture, circa 1970
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Brutalist Abstract Metal Nail Wall Art Sculpture In the Style of William Bowie, circa 1970's Artist Unknown " in very good vintage condit...
Metal
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
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
Peter Glassford Matte White Reclaimed Wood Collage, Set of 2 Brutalist Tiles
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Matte White collage tiles by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one-of-a-kind c...
Wood
MCM Brutalist Geometric Distressed Steel Wall Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Striking MCM Brutalist geometric distressed steel wall sculpture, circa 1970s. The piece is in distressed vintage condition and measures 32.5"W x 1.75"D and 32"H; The sculpture has...
Steel
$956Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Italian Gilt Concave Metal Brutalist Wall Medallion Sculptures, C. 1970s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Italian Gilt Concave Metal Brutalist Wall Medallion Sculptures, C. 1970s Italy, Circa 1970s A captivating Pair of Italian Gilt Concave Metal Brutalist Wall Medallion Sculptur...
Metal
Oversized Vintage Brutalist Cut Nail Wall Sculpture, C. Jere Style
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Miami, FL
Oversized Vintage Brutalist Cut Nail Wall Sculpture, C. Jere Style Offered for sale is a large Brutalist oversized vintage cut steel nail wall sculpture in the style of Curtis Jere...
Brass, Steel
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
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
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
$2,960Sale Price|20% Off
Wow! 50" MCM Cubist Brutalist Painted Wall Sculpture Orange Art Mid Century
Located in Peoria, AZ
GORGEOUS! MID CENTURY MODERN CUBIST/BRUTALIST PAINTED MULTI-MEDIA WALL SCULPTURE In the manner of Picasso's Synthetic Cubist Period 50" wide by 17" high by 3" deep Magnifi...
Enamel
Wooden Zodiac Aries Ram Wall Plaque Relief Brutalist Midcentury, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful wooden wall plaque relief sign, made in the Brutalist style in Germany in the 1970s. This is a wonderful Zodiac sign. This can be used as a Wall decoration or as a decorati...
Wood
$8,635Sale Price|35% Off
Brutalist Bookshelf in Solid Black Oak - Galea Bibliothèque by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
This is a showroom model of the Galea Bibliothèque in solid European oak, stained in black. The price includes a custom wooden crate for international shipping. The Galea Bibliothè...
Oak, Walnut
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
Vintage Boho Original Abstract Oil on Canvas
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This captivating original abstract oil painting is a masterful display of late mid-century expressionism, bringing a visceral and organic energy to any interior space. The compositio...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Artist J.B. Thompson MCM Brutalist 1969 Bronze Art Wall Sculpture Tablet # 5/15
By J. B. Thompson, Arnaldo Pomodoro
Located in St. Louis, MO
Artist J.B. Thompson (1932–1984) Texas, California. Brutalist Mid-Century Modern bronze art wall sculpture or tablet. This reminds me of a ancient tablet with a futuristic Alien like...
Bronze
Carlos Marinas Rubio XL Hammered Copper Brutalist Sculpture, 1975
By Carlos Marinas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A monumental work of art, this extra-large Brutalist wall sculpture by Carlos Marinas Rubio hails from Spain, crafted in 1975. Executed in hammered copper, brass, and steel, this pow...
Brass, Copper, Steel
Brutalist MCM Metal Birds in Flight Sunburst Wall Art Style of C Jere
Located in Topeka, KS
Fantastic Mid-20th Century Brutalist Mid-Century Modern metal birds in flight sunburst wall art sculpture in the style of C. Jere. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is ...
Metal
XX Century Italian Brutalist Illuminating Wall Art By Angelo Brotto
Located in Westport, CT
Modern and sculptural large blown icy clear & amber colored glass panel attached to a rectangular shaped matte nickel on brass frame. Originally the chrome back was electrified with...
Blown Glass
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
Brutalist Ceramic Wall Sculpture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Brutalist ceramic wall sculpture framed in wood and signed THK
Ceramic
1960s Mid-Century Modern William Bowie Brutalist Nail Geometric Wall Sculpture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Sculptor William Bowie (1926-1994, Large 1960s Mid-Century Modern brutalist or geometric nail wall sculpture. Can hung any way you want, there is no designated top or bottom. Unsigne...
Steel
Brutalist Brass Wall Sculpture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Brutalist patinated brass wall sculpture in the style of Jean Claude Dresse.
Brass
$1,650Sale Price|40% Off
Hendrik Horst Brutalist Welded Iron Wall Sculpture Art, 1970
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage brutalist wall sculpture by renowned Danish sculptor Henrik Horst. Known for his impressive, Brutalist welded iron wall sculptures Henrik Horst began his career in Denmark in...
Metal, Iron
Large Brutalist Patinated Bronze Wall Sculpture by Enrico Donati
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Brutalist bronze wall sculpture by Enrico Donati. Stunning patina. From a very small edition of 6. Signed. Strong back brackets f...
Bronze
Peter Pepper Abstract Brutalist Wall Sculpture Titled "People"
By Curtis Jeré, Peter Pepper Products
Located in Fulton, CA
Abstract torch cut Brutilist wall sculpture by Peter Pepper Products. Titled "People". Cut steel with brazed brass finish. Circa. 1970. Designed in the manner of Curtis Jere.
Brass, Steel
Polychrome Brutalist Wall Mount Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Interesting polychrome iron Brutalist wall mount sculpture. Of diamond form, welded metal abstract forms constitute a large diamond shaped sculpt...
Iron
Brutalist Wall Art Sunburst Attributed Billy Joe McCarroll David Gillespe MCM
By David Cressey, Paul Evans, Billy Joe Mccarroll and David Gillespe, Forms and Surfaces
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
Large Scale Brutalist Collage Wall Sculpture
Located in La Mesa, CA
This striking wooden wall sculpture is a one-of-a-kind statement piece that embodies the bold aesthetics of brutalist design. Meticulously constructed from reclaimed wood, the comp...
Wood
KITA LIVING Shelf No: 2 - Charcoal Black
By İsmail Dağlı, Gökhan Eryaman
Located in Bomonti, TR
An open, wall-mounted shelf designed for the storage and display of everyday objects. Crafted from thick raw aluminium plate and breech wood brackets with water-based charcoal black ...
Aluminum
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
$1,020Sale Price / item|20% Off
Curtis Jere 1967 Enamel Mixed Metal Floral Brutalist Wall Sculpture
By Curtis Jeré, Jerry Fels, Curtis Freiler
Located in New Windsor, NY
A beautiful brightly enameled metal wall sculpture by Curtis Jere, circa 1967. Torch cut leaves and flower petals with some verdi gris patina. Brightly colored enamels of red, orange...
Metal, Brass, Copper, Enamel
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
1970s Large Brutalist Wall-Mounted Mirror, Textured Design, Lane
Located in Chattanooga, TN
1970s large Mid-Century Modern Brutalist mirror by Lane. Intricately laid, highly textured pattern adorns the centre panel, left, right and bottom. Rough hewn forms exemplify the Bru...
Oak, Mirror
$1,000Sale Price|44% Off
Brutalist Wall Sculpture
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A vintage 1970s Brutalist metal wall sculpture. Patinated metal, likely iron by the weight, It is not signed that we can see. It has been re-sprayed with finish and polished and clea...
Metal
1970s Brutalist Metal Wall Plaque in Silver Copper and Brass by Stephen Chun
By Stephen Chun
Located in San Diego, CA
A very interesting wall hanging, brutal style patinated brass foil wrapped around plywood with brass and copper patinated shapes, circa 1970s all original condition by American artis...
Brass, Copper
Rare Metal and Glass Illuminated Wall Sculpture
By Poliarte
Located in New York, NY
Rare aluminum and glass illuminated wall sculpture "Rottura Spazilae" designed by Akikaze for Poliarte.
Aluminum
Vintage Monumental Mixed Media Disc Wall Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This monumental wall sculpture is a captivating exploration of form and texture, perfect for the collector seeking a bold architectural statement. Hand-crafted with an experimental m...
Resin, Wood
Shuko Kobayashi Brutalist Wall Art
By Shuko Kobayashi
Located in Fulton, CA
A Mid-Century Modern Brutalist wall sculpture by San Francisco based artist Shuko Kobayashi. Appears to be a resin casting mounted to a wood frame and backing. Signed lower left corn...
Resin, Wood
Wooden Zodiac Gemini Wall Plaque Relief Brutalist Midcentury, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful wooden wall plaque relief sign, made in the Brutalist style in Germany in the 1970s. This is a wonderful Zodiac sign. This can be used as a Wall decoration or as a decorati...
Plywood
Richard Faralla Constructionist Assembled Wood Wall Sculpture
Located in Fulton, CA
A wood wall sculpture by documented California artist Richard Faralla. Exhibited and works held San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Acquired from a personal friend and student of Far...
Wood
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Iron and Brass Pinwheel Sunburst Nail Wall Sculpture by Ron Schmidt
By Ron Schmidt
Located in San Francisco, CA
This explosive Brutalist iron nail wall sculpture contrasting the cold black steel iron nails and the warm buffed-brass brazing combing artistic design, geometric form and the high q...
Metal
Mid Century Brutalist Floating Wall Shelf Rare
By William Westenhaver / Witco
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Very RARE brutalist floating wall shelf by famed architect Peter Asher out of the East Village circa 1960's. Quality design and craftsmanship. Ashe...
Iron
Mid-Century Brutalist Wood Wall Art
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French wall hanging, mid-century, Brutalist. Constructed of wood.
Wood
Pair of Large Sculptural Iron and Glass Wall Flush Mounts Sconces, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful and large pair of sculptural iron and textured Murano glass wall lights/sconces, 1960s Lamp sockets: 1x E27 (US E26).
Iron
Vintage Boho 1980 Silas Seandel Brutalist Wall Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Make a bold artistic statement with this Vintage Boho Silas Seandel Brutalist Wall Sculpture. Crafted by renowned artist Silas Seandel, this striking piece showcases the rugged, abst...
Metal
Set of Five Ray Berger Brutalist Wall Sculptures D. 1979-1981
By Ray Berger
Located in Peabody, MA
An assemblage of five architectural metalwork wall sculptures by the noted Baltimore, MD artist Raymond Herbert Berger (1929-2017). They can be arranged vertically (as shown) or hori...
Metal
Brutalist Wrought Iron Wall Sculpture, Handmade in Spain, 1970s
Located in Valencia, VC
Brutalist Wrought Iron Wall Sculpture, Spain, c. 1970s Brutalist wall sculpture in wrought iron featuring five domed circular forms mounted on an iron structure. Handmade in Spain c...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron