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.
"Greedy pig" life sized fully functioning heavy metal freestanding safe/vault
By Jan Paul
Located in Maastricht, NL
"Greedy pig" Life sized fully functioning heavy metal freestanding safe/ freestanding statement. Meta-commenting capitalism. The pigs snout is formed by a original 3-numbers lef-rig...
Metal
Scandinavian Brutalist Candelabra in Patinated Bronze, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A small scaled ( H: 14.5, W/D: 19 cm) candelabrum for 4 regular sized candles. It is fashioned from patinated bronze and showcases distinct Neo-gothic/brutalist vibes. It was possibl...
Bronze
Vintage Brutalist Torch-Cut Steel Vessel / Bowl by Brother Mel Meyer, 1970s
Located in San Diego, CA
A powerful and sculptural Brutalist bowl or ashtray by Brother Mel Meyer, executed in heavily worked welded steel with a warm bronze-toned patinated finish. The piece features an arc...
Cut Steel, Iron
1970s Austin Production "Uttermost Welcome Home" Patinated Resin Sculpture.
By Austin Productions, Edgar Degas
Located in Miami, FL
1970s Austin Production "Uttermost Welcome Home" Patinated Resin Brutalist Sculpture. Features a molded sculpture of a father hugging a girl, inspired by Degas' "Little Ballerina" s...
Resin
$3,919Sale Price / set|20% Off
David Marshall. Brutalist aluminum and bronze wall sculptures, Spain, 1970s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Set of two brutalist wall sculptures by David Marshall, Spain, 1970s. Made of aluminum and bronze. These wall sculptures can be placed on the wall as decorative elements, or installe...
Aluminum, Bronze
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
$1,006Sale Price|20% Off
Harry Bertoria 1960 square sculpture in gilt bronze and black base
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Bronze sculpture Harry Bertoia 1960.
Bronze
Brutalist Wrought Iron Candle Holder, Seven Arms, Vintage 1970s, Black
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large brutalist Candle Holder. Handmade from wrought Iron. 7 arms and tripod foot.. Additional information: Material: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist Period: 1970s Item Type: V...
Metal
Brutalist Fiberglass Relief Wall Plaque, 1960s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Brutalist relief plaque made of fiberglass in the 1960s, featuring an abstract surface of geometric shapes and incised textures. The patinated finish in bronze-effect tones evokes th...
Fiberglass
$1,166Sale Price|20% Off
Marcello Fantoni style. Stunning brutalist sculpture, Italy, 1950s
By Marcello Fantoni, Paul Evans, Silas Seandel
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Brutalist sculpture in Marcello Fantoni's style, 50s. Made of copper metal cut with a torch and welded together the pieces that form it, creating a body of purely brutalist phantasma...
Copper, Iron
Sculptural Brutalist Tree of Life Hand-Forged Candelabra Candle Holder, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Brutalist tree candle holder / candlestick from the 1970s. Hand-forged from blackened wrought iron and wonderfully shaped like a tree, featuring a base designed as roots,...
Iron, Wrought Iron
$2,328 / item
Abstract Sculpture in Cast Stone by Alentes Atelier
Located in PALEA FOKEA, ATTIKI
This limited-edition work balances monolithic weight with fluid, architectural movement. The piece exists somewhere between sculpture and spatial artifact — at once primitive and dis...
Cast Stone
ScandinavianBrutalist Object in Polished Bronze - Gear Fragment Penholder, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
An artist made pen holder in heavy stock solid bronze. This is number 1 of 33 made. This very interesting and brutalist' perceived piece is made from a fragment of an industrial worm...
Bronze
Brutalist table clock by David Marshall, aluminum & brass, Spain, 1970s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Sculptural Brutalist style clock by David Marshall, Spain, 1970s. Handmade in aluminum and golden brass. It retains all its original parts. Like all of his brutalist works, David Ma...
Aluminum, Brass
Mid-Century Italian Paolo Soleri Brutalist Wind Chime Sculpture
By Paolo Soleri
Located in Forney, TX
A large and heavy patinated bronze Brutalism style windbell sculpture by Paolo Soleri (Italy, later America; 1919-2014). Beautiful, substantial Mid-century Post Modernist Brutali...
Bronze
Brutalist Metal Candelabra, Black Finish, Vintage Design, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist candelabra with 5 arms. The arms finely executed are finished in black. A tripod serves as a foot. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist ...
Metal
Mid Century Welded Dark Iron Rod Table Sculpture on Walnut Block Base
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Handmade patinated Iron Rod, Abstract Tree Form, Table Sculpture on Block Walnut base, Circa 1960. Featuring handcrafted vertical form composed of welded patinated 3/4"D cut, varied ...
Iron
Forged Wrought Iron Brutalist Candle Holder Wall Sconce, Spain 1940s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Spanish hand forged iron wall sconce features a brutalist, graphic form, combining Medieval and Spanish Hacienda Revival influences with Arts and Crafts attitude. The prominent silho...
Wrought Iron
Brutalist Abstract Wall Sculpture in the Style of Curtis Jere
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this large diameter wall sculpture in the style of C. Jere, circa 1960.
Metal
Cubist School Jazz Band Sculpture signed and dated Austin Productions 1964
Located in New York, NY
Stylized cast sculpture of a Jazz Band, marked Austin Productions 1964. Executed in the Brutalist style, with obvious Cubism School influence. Construct...
Plaster
Icelandic Brutalist Vase with Volcanic Blood Glaze, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Icelandic studio piece executed in free-form red-clay. Vibrant red blood glaze with purple and brown accents infused with volcanic minerals and ashes. Unknown Reykjavik ceramist circ...
Ceramic
$9,200Sale Price|20% Off
Paul Evans Sculpture 1950s 1960s Mid Century Brutalist Abstract Metal Modern Art
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Peoria, AZ
AFTER PAUL EVANS MID CENTURY MODERN MONUMENTAL BRUTALIST FINE ART DIRECT METAL SCULPTURE! MAGNIFICENT TOWER STRUCTURE! IRON, BRASS, BRONZE & WOOD BASE CIRCA 1956 Similar to Diego Giacometi Approximate Dimensions: Large 34" Tower/ 13" Wide & Deep This is the Holy Grail for Mid Century abstract...
Bronze, Iron
$530Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist sculpture in welded and patinated copper and brass - Jarc - 1970
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Brutalist sculpture in welded and patinated copper and brass, depicting a stylized animal. Created by the artist Jarc in the 1970s, it is in excellent condition with a beautiful patina.
Brass
Still Stand Abstract Wood Sculpture, Chainsaw Carved, Walnut, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
This captivating sculpture is a one of a kind piece, hand carved from a single block of solid hardwood. Its form is a continuous, biomorphic loop, an abstract ribbon of wood that twi...
Walnut, Wood
Henri Fernandez Gold and Blue Longhorn Beetle Lamp
Located in Hastings, GB
Extremely rare sculpture in brass and agate, by Henri Fernandez for atelier Duval Brasseur, modelled as a Longhorn Beetle and dating to the 1970’s. The beautiful blue agate wings ar...
Agate, Brass
Paul Evans Rare and Early Candlesticks, Set of Three, 1953
By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Evans Rare and Early Candlesticks, Set of Three, 1953 Sandblasted pewter Each: 20½ h × 3¼ dia in (52 × 8 cm) Provenance: The Artist Collection of Dorsey Reading Exhibited: Paul...
Pewter
$2,900 / item
Rick Owens Cast Bronze Coupe Nitrate Patina Vase
By Rick Owens
Located in Chicago, IL
The now iconic bronze coupe vase from the Rick Owens bronze relic collection. This is shown in the nitrate patina. Each piece is handmade and hand patinated so there is always a slig...
Bronze
Abstract Modernist Bronze Sculpture Figural with Brutalist Relief Texture 1970s
By Lynn Chadwick
Located in Troy, MI
Unique post-war abstract sculpture in solid bronze Anonymous artist circa 1970's Slab like torso cast in deep relief texture and nuanced patinas Three elongated legs and subtly offs...
Bronze
Isabelle Faure Signed Illuminated Gold Butterfly Sculpture Light Brass and Agate
Located in Hastings, GB
An incredibly rare sculpture by world renowned sculptor Isabelle Faure, in hand worked brass and agate. The enormous butterfly spans over 80cm in diameter and the stunning agate wing...
Agate, Brass
$540Sale Price / set|20% Off
Matthew Hilton. Brutalist candle holders, England, 1980s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Brutalist candlesticks by Matthew Hilton, England, 1980s, set of 2. Sculptural shapes made of aluminium. Totally timeless pieces for any current interior with a classic or contempora...
Aluminum
Brutalist Vase from BKW Böttger Keramik Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist Vase from BKW Böttger Keramik Wandsbek, Hamburg, Germany, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information:...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Brutalist Carafe Vases from Hartwig Heyne Pottery, Germany, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Carafe Vases from Hartwig Heyne Pottery, Germany, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional informat...
Ceramic
$12,000Sale Price|52% Off
1960s Mid Century Modern Abstract Metal "Wall Jewelry" Sculpture Harry Bertoia
Located in Peoria, AZ
MAGNIFICENT! BRUTALIST HANDWORKED SCULPTED METAL WALL ART Attributed to Harry Bertoia. INCREDIBLE WELDS, WORKMANSHIP & DESIGN! HUGE! App...
Bronze, Iron
1980s Vintage Forged Brutalist Abstract Stainless Sculpture, Style of Leo Amino
By Leo Amino
Located in Miami, FL
1980s Vintage Forged Brutalist Abstract Stainless Sculpture, Style of Leo Amino Offered for sale is a 1980s vintage Brutalist abstract sculpture created with substantial stainless-...
Marble, Stainless Steel
$950Sale Price / item|48% Off
SALE David Palumbo Huge Mid Century Modern Brutalist Hand Forged Iron Menorah
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
CYNER WEEK SALE David Palombo's Very Rare and Iconic, Hand-Forged Iron, Freeform, Spired Cylindrical, Brutalist Sculptural Hanukkah Menorah. This is one of 2 David Palumbo menorahs...
Iron
Mid Century Brutalist Modern Abstract Wall Sculpture by Finesse Originals
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fun to look at piece of 3D wall created by Finesse Originals in the 1960's. It consists of a wood frame and the sculpture part is molded resin.
Resin, Wood
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Patinated Brutalist Unicorn Tragedy Bronze Sculpture on Marble Base
Located in San Diego, CA
Patinateed Brutalist "Unicorn Tragedy" bronze sculpture on marble base, circa 1970s. The piece depicts the tragedy of a young unicorn realizing his mother has been speared and is on ...
Marble, Bronze
Spanish Brutalist Aluminum + Brass Jug Handled Vase Attrib to Alfonso Marquez
Located in Troy, MI
Found in Spain, this brutalist style aluminum and brass jug style vase is attributed to Alfonso Marquez and dates from the 1970s. Vase is 10-1/2” tall and has a diameter just shy of ...
Aluminum, Brass
Paolo Soleri Special Order Large 55 inch Brutalist Windbell 1975
By Paolo Soleri
Located in Chicago, IL
Paolo Soleri Special Order Large 55 inch Brutalist Windbell 1975 Cast aluminum, patinated bronze, and copper 55 h × 13 w × 7½ d in Cast artist's cipher to body. Condition: Natural pa...
Bronze, Copper
Set of 3 Brutalist Modern Copper and Brass Patchwork Decorative Egg Sculptures
Located in Troy, MI
Grouping of three stylized copper egg sculptures circa 1990s Patchwork copper clad eggs of graduated sizes fastened with brass rivets Unmarked 3 - 5 inch diameter 4 - 6.25 inch hei...
Brass, Copper
Pair of Wrought Iron Tall Floor Candle Holders in Brutalist Giacometti Style
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Carimate, Como
Pair of wrought iron tall floor candle holders in brutalist Giacometti style
Wrought Iron
Curtis Jere "Windswept" Brutalist Sculpture, Brass and Marble
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Miami, FL
Curtis Jere "Windswept" Brutalist Sculpture, Brass and Marble Offered for sale is a vintage Curtis Jere Brutalist "Windswept" sculpture on a black marble base. This brass sculptur...
Marble, Brass
Paul Evans Studio Patchwork Hinged Box 1965
By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Evans Studio Patchwork Hinged Box 1965 Patinated copper with applied bronze and pewter throughout, Interior with original "Blue Antique" finish Dimensions: 7 h × 16 w × 8 d in P...
Brass, Bronze, Copper, Pewter
Sculptural Matte Black Ceramic Vase, Contemporary Organic Modern Design
Located in Istanbul, TR
This contemporary ceramic vase is handcrafted in stoneware and finished in a deep matte black surface that highlights its sculptural silhouette. The form features a fluid, organic pr...
Stoneware
Scandinavian Modern Chamotte Stoneware Vase by Inger Persson for Rörstrand, 1960
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Elevate your decor with this exquisite Scandinavian modern chamotte stoneware vase crafted by the renowned ceramic artist Inger Persson for Rörstrand in the 1960s. Featuring Inger P...
Stoneware
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Wrought Iron Color: Black Styles: Brutalis...
Wrought Iron
Vintage Carved Solid Mahogany Decorative Post, Brutalist Style, 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsomely carved solid mahogany decorative post. Vintage, and originally intended as a banister stop. This is a strikingly beautiful piece that can serve as an eye catching art obje...
Mahogany
1960s Austin Production "Loving Touch" Brutalist Sculpture.
Located in Miami, FL
1960s Austin Production "Loving Touch" Brutalist Sculpture. Features two nude figures in a tender embrace, inspired by Auguste Rodin's "The Kiss." Molded in resin, patinated to recre...
Resin
Monumental Patinated Fiberglass Figure Sculpture Style of Alberto Giacometti
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Long Island City, NY
Monumental Patinated Fiberglass Figure in the Style of Alberto Giacometti A monumental fiberglass sculpture with a bronze tone patinated finish, executed in the style of Alberto Gia...
Fiberglass
Vintage Brutalist Mid Century Steel Metal Family Table Sculpture Signed Hardy
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Brutalist Mid Century Steel Metal Family Table Sculpture Signed Hardy. Item features a sculpture of a man, woman, and child (in the man's arms) unique brutalist design. Signe...
Metal
MCM Ceramic and Marble Owls Sculpture by Jose Torres Guardia
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool MCM ceramic and marble owls sculpture by Jose Torres Guardia, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 6.5"W x 3.25"D...
Marble
MARYLYN HYDE Post-War British Ceramic Sculptural Stoneware Pottery Vessel
Located in Torquay, GB
Striking British studio stoneware pottery sculptural vessel by Marylyn Hyde, dating from the late 1970s to early 1980s. This monumental stoneware jardiniere is formed as a fragmented...
Ceramic, Stoneware
'La Mia Casa' Wooden Sculpture by Giuseppe Rivadossi, Italy 1975
Located in Hellouw, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi’s work stands apart through its quiet sense of monumentality. Working almost exclusively in wood, the Italian sculptor and cabinetmaker developed a language rooted...
Wood
1980s Brutalist Iron and Brass Italian Three Arms Candelabra
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This striking 1980s Italian candelabra is a masterclass in Brutalist design, merging raw industrial strength with sophisticated Mid-Century flair. Hand-forged with a dramatic archite...
Brass, Iron
Pair of Sculptural Vintage Brutalist Candle Holders in Polished Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brutalist-style vintage candleholders (ca. 1970s, USA). Sculptural forms each composed of two flat solid brass pieces which connect to form a standing figure with a cradle at the top...
Brass
1960's Brutalist Art Studio Ceramics Large Square Dish by Amphora Perignem
By Perignem
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Brutalist Art Studio Ceramics Large Square Dish by Amphora Perignem. Made in Belgium 1960's. Rogier Vandeweghe / Elisabeth Vandeweghe. XL Square dish / bowl with abstract fig...
Ceramic, Pottery
Vintage Brutalist Floral Metal Candleholder 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Floral Metal Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Brown Period: 1970s Item Type: Vintage,...
Metal
Vintage Brutalist Wrought Iron Candle Sconce, Italy, Circa 1970
By Paul Evans
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage wrought iron candle sconces in the Brutalist style will certainly light up a room and create interesting shadows. Sculptured and patinated, each iron piece holds a single tap...
Wrought Iron
Small Scandinavian Brutalist Stoneware Vase w. Orange High Fire Glaze
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A small high fired stoneware vase executed with reddish orange glazes with earthy/black accents. Unknown Scandinavian ceramist in the style of Jaap Ravelli circa 1970. Measurements...
Stoneware
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. 20 inches wide by 24 inches tall by 8 ½ inches deep
Metal