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
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
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
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
1970s Brutalist Brass Sun Face Wall Sculpture by Emaus, Mexico
By Emaus
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A monumental 1970s Brutalist sun face wall sculpture by Emaus, crafted in Mexico by the Benedictine Monks of Cuernavaca under Talleres Monásticos. The work features an expressive cen...
Brass, Bronze
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
$342Sale Price|20% Off
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
$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
Mármol y Plomo Prints by Eduardo Chillida, Framed, Post-Modern, 1990s
Located in Valencia, VC
Two Prints of Eduardo Chillida’s "Mármol y Plomo" We are offering two prints of Eduardo Chillida’s art works "Mármol y Plomo," created during the 1980s as part of a special edition ...
Paper
Brutalist Bibliothèque - Book Shelves - Solid French Oak - Galea by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Galea Bibliothèque is influenced by modernist and brutalist architecture. Combining raw materiality with subdued forms. A mysterious geometric rhythm is created by the shadows ca...
Oak, Walnut
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
Artist Signed Brutalist Metal Wall Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
Torched steel Brutalist wall mirror, Israel 1970s.
Steel
French Brutalist Mirror, circa 1970, Forged Iron
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare French Brutalist mirror from the 1960-1970s. Very unusual sculptural design combining classical elements with expressive 'rawness'. Mirror area is 31 x 17cm or 12 x 7inches.
Wrought Iron, Iron
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
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 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
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 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
Eye Catching Brutalist Style Ron Schmidt Nail Art Wall Sculpture
By Ron Schmidt
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Stunning Brutalist style original wall sculpture signed by artist Ron Schmidt created with nails and hand forged metals to create an earthy color palette and having a midcentury mode...
Metal, Iron
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
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
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
$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
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
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
Italian Brutalist Geometric Metal Wall Sculpture, 1970s
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Valencia, VC
Italian Brutalist Geometric Metal Wall Sculpture, 1970s A striking Italian Brutalist geometric wall sculpture executed in welded metal, circa 1970s. The composition is formed by an ...
Metal
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
Brutalist Brass Wall Sculpture
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this Brutalist brass wall sculpture.
Brass
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 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
Large Brutalist William Friedle Wall Hanging Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Torch cut brass elements constitute the mass of this great Brutalist wall hanging sculpture, marked "Friedle" Very good orig...
Brass
Spanish Brutalist Wall Sculptures in Painted Metal, circa 1970
Located in Valencia, VC
Pair of Monumental Spanish Brutalist Wall Sculptures in Painted Iron, circa 1970 A monumental pair of Spanish Brutalist wall sculptures dating from the late 1960s to early 1970s. Ex...
Metal, Iron, Sheet Metal
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
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
Brutalist Wall Art Sunburst Attributed Billy Joe McCarroll David Gillespe MCM
By Forms and Surfaces, Paul Evans, Billy Joe Mccarroll and David Gillespe, David Cressey
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
$2,231 / 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
French Neo-Primitive Abstract Portrait Painting, Mixed Media on Panel, 1999
Located in Valencia, VC
An original French abstract figurative portrait executed in mixed media on wood panel in 1999. Signed by the artist and accompanied by the original handwritten certificate of authent...
Wood
Totem sculpture in fractal resin signed by Matius, France, 1970s
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Brutalist sculpture from the 70s, in fractal resin. This material is made by passing an electric current through the resin, which gives it the appearance of amber-colored crystals o...
Resin
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
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
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
$939Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Wall Sculpture/Light, 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare brutalist wall sculpture/light from the 1960s. Made of lacquered multi-layer torch-cut sheet metal this has a wonderful abstract organic structure...
Sheet Metal
Wooden Zodiac Scorpio 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
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
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
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
Wooden Zodiac Libra 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
Brutalist Mixed Metal Wall Hanging Sculpture by Thom Tex Wheeler c. 1978
By Paul Evans, Thom Wheeler
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Brutalist wall hanging plaque, by noted American sculptor Thom Tex Wheeler. Constructed of aluminum, brass, copper, and hard stone, mounted on a black painted plywood ...
Stone, Aluminum, Brass, Copper
Curtis Jere or C jere 2 Piece Wall Sculpture Of Mixed Metals Signed cjere 2006
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Monrovia, CA
Curtis Jere or C jere 2 Piece Wall Sculpture Of Mixed Metals Signed cjere 2006. This Curtis Jere 2 Piece Wall Sculpture, Mixed Metals Of Copper, Brass And Steel Are Ready To Hang. Ei...
Brass, Copper, Steel
Silas Seandel "Sunspots" Wall Sculpture, 1982, Signed
Located in Hamburg, PA
Vibrant mixed-metal wall sculpture titled "Sunspots" by renowned New York artist Silas Seandel, dated 1982. This dynamic, large-scale piece is composed of numerous hand-formed and p...
Brass, Bronze, Copper, Steel
$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
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
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
Vintage Brutalist Wall Sculpture by Peter Pepper Products
Located in Oakland, CA
Patinated bronze metal brutalist wall sculpture made by Peter Pepper Products of California and designed by artist Gay Ortma circa 1970s. The imagery is similar to the rays of the s...
Metal
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
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
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