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.
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
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
$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
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
Artist Signed Brutalist Metal Wall Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
Torched steel Brutalist wall mirror, Israel 1970s.
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 ...
Wood
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
Artist J.B. Thompson MCM Brutalist 1969 Bronze Art Wall Sculpture Tablet # 5/15
By Arnaldo Pomodoro, J. B. Thompson
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
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
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
$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
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
$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
$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
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 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
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
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
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
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
$852Sale 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
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
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
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
$941Sale 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
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
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
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 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
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 Brass Wall Sculpture
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this Brutalist brass wall sculpture.
Brass
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
$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
$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
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 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
Brutalist Wall Sculpture of Patinated Metal
By Curtis Jeré, Silas Seandel, Tony Melendy
Located in Houston, TX
Brutalist wall sculpture of patinated metal. Monumental Brutalist wall sculpture of patinated metal inspired by Silas Seandel. Fabulous large Brutalist abstract wall sculpture of patinated metal in the manner of Silas Seandel/Curtis Jere/Tony Melendy...
Iron
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
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
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 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
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Marc Creates "Solara" Metal Hand Burnished Gold/Silver Sun Sculpture
Located in Oceanside, US
Crafted by Marc Weinstein in 1974, this piece features intricate layers of brass and steel, arranged in a radiant, sunburst composition that evokes energy and movement. Hand-forged ...
Metal
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
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
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
$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
Mid-century Brutalist Free-Form Aluminum & Steel Geometric Art Wall Sculpture
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Brutalist free-form aluminum & steel art wall sculpture featuring brushed and polished piece cutting into corners, vents, and round shapes brought together by a centralized "T" cente...
Aluminum, Steel
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
Extra-Large Brutal Style Agate Stone Butterfly Wall Sculpture & Light
Located in North Miami, FL
This 6 foot wide brass illuminating wall sculpture in a copper finish and adorned with multiple natural agate stones in blues, purple, ochre and grey. This provides an outstanding l...
Agate, Iron
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 Wall Warrior w. Nose & Earrings in Re-purposed Brass
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A one of a kind chain-suspended warrior wall head in brass. It made entirely from re-purposed/recycled parts. It features spiraling 'spring-hair', acid-cut e...
Brass
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
$3,562Sale Price|25% Off
Brutalist Cast Aluminum Wall Sculpture / Decor
By Paul Evans
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Belgian brutalist cast aluminum wall sculpture / decor.
Aluminum
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
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
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. 30 inches wide by 11 ½ inches tall by 3 ¼ inches deep
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
Rare Madeline Cros Metivet Marquetry Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Madeleine Cros-Metivet (born in 1930) a French artist known for her work in marquetry, which is the art of applying pieces of veneer to a structure to form decorative patterns, desig...
Metal, Aluminum, Brass
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