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 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
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
$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
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
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
Brutalist Ceramic Wall Sculpture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Brutalist ceramic wall sculpture framed in wood and signed THK
Ceramic
1970s Brutalist Metal Wall Art Sculpture, Abstract Design, Stephen Chun
By Stephen Chun
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an original 1970s Brutalist mixed-metal wall sculpture attributed to Hong Kong artist Stephen Chun. Brutalism / Mid-Century Modern Mixed metals including bras...
Metal
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
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
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
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
Rare 1950s Wire Shadow Box Figure Ship Scene Mid Century Wall Art Sculpture
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Extremely rare shadow box wall art from the 1950's. Reminiscent of the work of Laurids Lonborg and Richard Galef, but probably Austrian. We had a t...
Metal, Wire
$3,250 / item
Curtis Jere Sea Urchin or Dandelions Wall Sculpture
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Chicago, IL
A lovely sea urchin wall sculpture by C. Jeré (Curtis Jere Artisan House) . Signed and dated 1979. Although this piece is most often referred to as the sea urchin sculpture, it was ...
Metal
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
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
$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
$341Sale Price|20% Off
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
$936Sale 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
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
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Oceanic Mad Men Style Wall Mirror by Pulaski
By Pulaski Furniture Corporation
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Beautifully refinished 1970s Pulaski Oceanic style wall mirror, often attributed to Witco. Matching mirror to the famed Don Draper office credenza from the ...
Gold
Brutalist Wall Art Sunburst Attributed Billy Joe McCarroll David Gillespe MCM
By Forms and Surfaces, David Cressey, Billy Joe Mccarroll and David Gillespe, 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
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
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
Silas Seandel Signed 1974 Mixed Metal Welded Wall Sculpture.
Located in Chicago, IL
Extremely rare, important and large mixed metal wall hanging by metal artist and furniture designer, Silas Seandel. Torched Copper and Brass Curved Elements. Brutalist Modern Design....
Brass, Copper, Iron
Brutalist Solid Oak Wooden Shelving - Brut Bibliothèque by Mokko
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
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
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
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
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 & Copper Sculptural Wall Fountain, 1970s After Silas Seandel
Located in Plainview, NY
Brutalist Brass & Copper Tubular Sculptural Wall Fountain, 1970s Attributed to Silas Seandel A dramatic and highly sculptural Brutalist wall-mounted fountain executed in brass and ...
Brass, Copper
Gold Gilt Sun Burst Sconce Made in Italy c. 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Italian sun burst candle sconce in original gold gilt finish. The sconce features repeating wrought iron rays, which radiate from the domed metal center. A single candle...
Wrought Iron
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
Mid Century Brutalist Wall Sculpture by Curtis Jere. metal & resin inserts.
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Buffalo, NY
Seldom seen Modernist / Brutalist Wall hanging Sculpture by Curtis Jere. Mixed metals with multi-color resin inserts.. Amazing design , form.. signed c.jere 67,
Metal
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
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
Wall Sculpture Torch Cut Brass Birds on Starburst Nail Style Silas Seandel
By Silas Seandel, William Bowie, Curtis Jeré
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous torch cut brass birds on a horseshoe nail starburst wall art sculpture in the style of Silas Seandel or William Bowie. Comprised of horsesh...
Metal, Brass
Chrome and Lucite Wall Mount Sculpture attributed to Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in New York, NY
Stunning folded chrome triangle forms with Lucite balls as decorative elements, wall hanging sculpture, attributed to Curtis Jere. The sculpture can be hung vertically or horizontall...
Chrome
Brutalist Sculptural Collage Artwork Solid Walnut, Abstract Geometric Wall Art
Located in Burlăceni, Cahul District
Brutalist Sculptural Collage Artwork Solid Walnut, Abstract Geometric Wall Art This sculptural wall panel is crafted entirely from solid walnut, composed of individually shaped wood...
Walnut
Shuko Kobayashi Brutalist Mid-Century Modern 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
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
Abstract work Fred van de Walle Oil on Canvas 1965 Holland
By Karel Appel
Located in Den Haag, NL
Beautiful Abstract work .Painted by the Dutch artist Fred van de Walle in 1965. Unique Original work . Signed and dated . small crack .see photos. Fred van de Walle born 1940 is a ...
Paint
$889Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Wall Hanger, Handmade Sheet Metal, 1970s, Colorful Design
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice round sheet metal wall hanger. lots off movement and color in this work. 1970s handmade.
Sheet Metal
$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
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
Black & Gold Modern Brutalist Abstract in Vintage 60s Frame by Machado Arte
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A really beautiful brutalist inspired gold leaf, acrylics and oils painting on board by designer/artist George Machado. Titled “Faith & Hope”. This painting has a great linen and han...
Wood
Josef Twirbutt Wall Sculpture
By Josef Twirbutt
Located in New York, NY
Highly textured, abstract wall relief of sawn, stained, and collaged wood and found wood objects by Lithuanian-born American artist Josef Twirbutt. T...
Wood
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
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
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
$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
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
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
Brutalist Provocative Towel Hanger by Swedish Artist Erik Höglund (Hoglund)
By Erik Höglund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Te iron clothes hook was forged by Erik Höglund, (1932-1998), in his Studio during 1960s. The hanger was intended as a studio piece. Erik Höglund's work has been exhibited around th...
Iron
Vintage Torch Cut Brass and Copper Tree Wall Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking vintage wall sculpture captures the raw, industrial energy of the mid-century Brutalist movement. Hand-crafted using torch-cut techniques, the piece features a "Tree of...
Brass, Copper
Organic sculptural Wall Tapestry by the Polish artist Maziarska
Located in L’ISLE-SUR-LA-SORGUE, FR
Very interesting wall tapestry by the Polish artist Maziarska. Hand-woven in natural fiber, sisal, linen, rope etc… Unique piece, signed. In a perfect state. The traditional rectan...
Natural Fiber
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
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
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
Brutalist Wall-Mounted Sculpture From Susanne Wibroe Brass and Fiberglass
Located in Oirlo, LI
I am an exile; I miss my California, and yet I feel good here.” This short sentence, spoken by Susanne Wibroe, a renowned sculptor, still reveals a deep nostalgia for the life she on...
Brass
Ron Schmidt Large Brutalist Sculpture, 1960's
By Ron Schmidt
Located in North Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist wall sculpture by Ron Schmidt circa 1960's. Made of cut nail, assembled and detailed with brass welding. Pinwheel pattern. Ver...
Brass, Iron
The Day After - Contemporary stone mosaic - Luis Barragán scene
Located in Guadalajara, MX
Part of the "On Monumentality" series, this wall-mounted mosaic evokes architectural vignettes from Mexico’s layered history through a refined assemblage of quarried and volcanic sto...
Stone