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.
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
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
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
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
Brutalist Bronze Wall Relief, 1960's, Textured Dutch Sculpture
Located in London, GB
Dutch Brutalist bronze relief, circa 1960s, composed of a striking arrangement of overlapping squares and rectangles, each with its own richly textured, almost abstract pictorial qua...
Bronze
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
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
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
Rare Large French Brass Wall Light, circa 1980
Located in Vienna, AT
Unique French oversize wall light from the 1970-1980s, quite possibly by Jacques Duval-Brasseur. Very sculptural piece in the shape of a stylized maple branch with leaves...
Brass
Peter Pepper Mid-Century Modern Abstract Brutalist Wall Sculpture "People"
By Peter Pepper Products, Curtis Jeré
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
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
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
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 a richly textured, one-of-a-...
Wood
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
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
Matte White Reclaimed Wood Collage, Set of 4 Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Matte White collage tiles part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled in...
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
Large Ceramic Wall Plaques Set, Modernist Brutalist Style, 1970s
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
Vincent Payez Signed 1967 Torch Copper Wall Art, Brutalist Floral Repoussé Panel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A striking hand-worked copper wall panel by French brutalist artist Vincent Payez, signed and dated 1967. The composition features a raised, repoussé floral and botanical motif — a s...
Copper
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
Artist Signed Brutalist Metal Wall Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
Torched steel Brutalist wall mirror, Israel 1970s.
Steel
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
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
Brutalist Brass Wall Sculpture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Brutalist patinated brass wall sculpture in the style of Jean Claude Dresse.
Brass
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
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
1970s Brutalist Welded Steel Wall Sculpture in the Manner of Paul Evans
Located in Round Top, TX
1970s Brutalist Welded Steel Wall Sculpture in the Manner of Silas Seandel and Paul Evans An exceptional vintage Brutalist welded steel wall sculpture dating from the 1970s. Execute...
Steel
Wooden Zodiac Sagittarius 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
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
$1,120Sale Price|30% Off
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
Brutalist Brass Tree Wall Sculpture, Signed, 1980s, Metal Art Curtis Jere
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
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
Dorothy Ruhne-Sempinski. Abstract brutalist wall relief in stoneware, 1960s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Dorothy Ruhne-Sempinski, wall relief. Abstract brutalist wall relief in stoneware with a pronounced, textured surface and sculptural relief decoration. Natural earthy tones in cream,...
Stoneware
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
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
Brutalist Bibliothèque, Book Shelves, Solid French Light 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
$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
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
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
$14,400Sale Price|20% Off
Sun Spots by Silas Seandel
Located in New York, NY
Large wall mount sun spots sculpture by Silas Seandel in excellent original condition. Impressive example of Brutalist metal work from recognized and noted ma...
Brass, Copper, Steel
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
A RUSTIC MODERN BRUTALIST PRIMITIVIST Animalist OWL Wall Sculpture France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
One (of a pair) sculpture or wall hanging representing a stylized owl, Handcrafted, Brutalist, Tribal, Modern Rustic, Hippie, Seventies, composed of braided rope(s) of varying thickn...
Wood, Rope
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
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
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
Vintage Brutalist Wall Mirror
Located in Denton, TX
This mirror features a dark gray metal frame with prominent geometric square textured pattern with pyramid details.
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
Unique Danish Brutalist Ceramic Wall Decor Abstract Art by Trans, Large, 1970s
By Noomi Backhausen, Axel Salto, Saxbo, 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
$310Sale Price|25% Off
KITA LIVING Shelf No: 1, Brutalist Design, Aluminum and Oak, New
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 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
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
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
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 Belgium Brutalist Metal Welded Wall Sculpture — Signed “J.N.”
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
A striking example of mid-century Belgian Brutalist wall art, this piece is expertly welded from metal and boldly abstract in form. Created circa 1960 and signed “J.N.” by the unknow...
Metal
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
Brutalist Brass Wall Sculpture
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this Brutalist brass wall sculpture.
Brass
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...
Wood
$555Sale Price|20% Off
1960's Brutalist Copper Wall Art
Located in Bern, BE
Stunning 1960's Brutalist copper wall art. Highly stylized depiction of a sail boat at sunset. Beautiful copper tones with black and orange. ...
Copper
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