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.
$3,390Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
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
$321Sale Price|25% 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
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
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 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
$853Sale Price|30% Off
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
Peter Pepper Mid-Century Modern Abstract Brutalist Wall Sculpture "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
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
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
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 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 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 (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
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 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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Welded Steel Abstract Wall Sculpture
Located in Stafford, TX
1960s Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Welded Steel Abstract Wall Sculpture An exceptional handcrafted Mid-Century Modern abstract wall sculpture executed in welded steel during the 196...
Steel
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
Brutalist Brass Wall Sculpture
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this Brutalist brass wall sculpture.
Brass
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
$3,325Sale Price|30% Off
Brutalist Cast Aluminum Wall Sculpture, Belgium, 1970s, 70" Tall
By Paul Evans
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Belgian brutalist cast aluminum wall sculpture / decor.
Aluminum
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
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
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
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
$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 Finesse Originals, Paul Evans
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
$2,236 / 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
Giovanni 'John’ Bucci Metal Art Sculpture, 1960s
Located in Savannah, GA
Giovanni 'John' Bucci (Italian-American, 1935-2019) A welded metal sculpture composed of various found metal pieces, 1960s. 29 ½ inches wide by 15 inches tall by 2 ¼ inches deep
Metal
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 Wall Sculpture, Danish Art, 1970s
By Henrik Horst
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Brutalist wall sculpture designed and manufactured by the Danish artist Henrik Horst, circa 1970s. Patinated metal construction mounted on a frame of wood.
Metal
$321Sale Price|25% Off
KITA LIVING Shelf No: 2 - Oak Mist
By Gökhan Eryaman, İsmail Dağlı
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 solid oak brackets, its form references early 20th ce...
Aluminum
Brutalist Oak Wooden Shelving Unit Brut Bibliothèque by Mokko Amsterdam
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Brut collection takes cues from Brutalism and Amsterdam School architecture. A balance of raw materiality and subdued forms with geometrically expressive detailing. Designed b...
Oak, Walnut
Set Of Ten Forms & Surfaces Abstract Cast Aluminium Brutalist Plaques 1970's
Located in Norwich, England
A fabulous set of ten abstract cast aluminium square plaques. Forms & Surfaces - United States - Circa 1970. By repute, these were a feature of the foyer of a building in East A...
Aluminum
Brutalist Mixed Metal Wall Hanging Sculpture by Thom Tex Wheeler c. 1978
By Thom Wheeler, Paul Evans
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
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
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
$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
Mid-Century Brutalist Wood Wall Art
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French wall hanging, mid-century, Brutalist. Constructed of wood.
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
$809Sale 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
Sculptural Solid Oak Wooden Brut Bibliothèque Wall Cabinet
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Brut Bibliothèque takes cues from Brutalism and Amsterdam School architecture. Designed by Aad Bos and crafted in the Netherlands. Mokko is an Amsterdam based design studio with...
Oak, Walnut
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
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
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
Brutalist Ceramic Wall Sculpture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Brutalist ceramic wall sculpture framed in wood and signed THK
Ceramic