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Brutalist Urns

BRUTALIST STYLE

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 

  • Use of industrial materials — tubular steel, concrete, glass, granite
  • Prioritizes functionalism, minimalism and utilization of negative space
  • Spare silhouettes, pronounced geometric shapes
  • Stripped-down, natural look; rugged textures, modular construction
  • Interiors featuring airy visual flow and reliance on neutral palettes

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.

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Style: Brutalist
Wooden urn or vide poche France circa 1935
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Unusual and decorative urn or vide poche Conic shaped, 2 handles with rope rings. Gouge hand-carved walnut, rich patina. " Africanist" inspiration, France circa 1935 Dimensions :...
Category

1930s French Vintage Brutalist Urns

Materials

Rope, Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Umanoff Grenada Style Brutalist Black Iron Bowl
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage iron bowl in the style of Umanoff. The piece is designed in the Salterini Grenada pattern, making it unique. The bowl projects a st...
Category

1960s American Vintage Brutalist Urns

Materials

Iron

Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Ceramic Vase by Bernard Rooke
Located in London, GB
An organic and Brutalist style vase with Medallion motif on front and verso. Bernard Rooke (born 1938) is a British artist and studio potter. Rooke has exhibited his "Brutalist" ceramics and painting both in the UK and abroad with work in many collections both public and private including the Victoria and Albert Museum, Cleveland Museum of Art, Nuffield Foundation, Röhsska Museum in Sweden and the Trondheim Kunstmuseum in Norway. Bernard Rooke attended Ipswich School of Art studying painting and lithography before going on to study at Goldsmiths College of Art. It was while studying here that he decided to take up pottery. Although unfamiliar with this craft and tradition, he found that working with clay provided new opportunities for freedom of interpretation and creativity. In 1960 Rooke set up his first pottery in Forest Hill in South London along with Alan Wallwork. It was a very small room with enough space for a small electric kiln. He was initially using mainly hand building, coiling, blocking and slabbing techniques. While researching ideas, he was supporting himself by part-time lecturing at London University, Goldsmiths College and St Mary's College. In addition, Rooke's membership of 'The Craftsman Potters' Association' enabled him to show his work in a shop in Carnaby Street in London. In 1967, both the need for a larger working space and becoming disillusioned with living in London spurred Rooke into moving out of the city and to an old mill building in Swilland in Suffolk. Rooke wanted to widen the range of work so as to become more commercial. With the birth of his son, Aaron, and much needed work to be done on the mill, it was important to be able to make a living. In 1968, the Grand Metropolitan Hotel commissioned Rooke to make 120 standard lamps, 120 table lamps as well as a 24 foot long ceramic mural and another 9 foot high, which incorporated interior lighting. The money from the commission helped to pay for much needed restoration work on the mill. By the 1970s, a gallery space was opened in the windmill and run by Susan Rooke, Bernard's wife, selling work to locals and tourists as well as to American airmen based nearby. The vision for Mill Gallery was beginning to develop and alongside this a reputation was building bringing in a good source of income. Sons Aaron and Felix were becoming more involved with the running of the pottery, giving Bernard more time to develop new ideas and designs and more time to continue with his painting. In 2004, the Rooke family decided not to sell to the public through the gallery anymore and close the pottery to concentrate more on painting and printmaking. In 2017 Bernard's lighting was featured in the Exhibition: “Glass, Light, Paint & Clay” at the Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery. The exhibition featured four artists: Bernard Rooke, John Maltby...
Category

1960s English Vintage Brutalist Urns

Materials

Clay

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1960s Brutalist British Bernard Rooke Cylindrical Abstract Glazed Pottery Vase
Located in London, GB
A large 1960s vintage Studio Pottery early brutalist cylindrical ceramic vase by British ceramicist Bernard Rooke. The upper two-thirds features an incised abstract design which is ...
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Art Deco Style Vide Poche by Puiforcat
Located in Miami, FL
Art Deco tazza/compote Jean E. Puiforcat silver-plated small silver-plated tazza with a blue column stem, on stepped base. Stamped "Puiforcat/France" with EP maker's.
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Vintage Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Signed Studio Pottery Vase 1970s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Signed Studio Pottery vase 1970s. Very unique brutalist stoneware vase, textured, rectangular form with relief carved design detailed with raise...
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Late 20th Century American Brutalist Urns

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Large Stoneware Vase or Urn by Moira Pottery Hillstonia Hand Potted, circa 1935
By Moira Pottery
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a large stoneware vase or urn, hand potted by the Moira Pottery Company, near Burton on Trent, Leicestershire in England. The Moira Pottery works w...
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Japanese Meiji Era Bronze Lotus Leaf Bowl, Vide Poche, ca. 1900
Located in New York, NY
DIMENSIONS: Height: 4 inches Width: 6 inches Depth: 6 inches ABOUT THE OBJECT With the laconic Japanese-style Art Nouveau design, filled with symbolism and metaphorism, this multi-use bowl...
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Antique Brutalist Urns

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Brutalist Abstract Bowl Cast Alumium Reference A061
Located in Benahavis, AN
The abstract bowl was created by David Marshall, from sand cast aluminium. We use recycled materials all our pieces are handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in Spain. It is certified authentic by the Artist David Marshall. He is insipired by nature and the landscaps making useful art with cast brass and alumium materials. We also make bespoke designs for clients, like signage for condominums, private homes, Hotels & Restaurants, awards for Charity...
Category

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Alfredo Barbini Red, Green, Clear Murano Glass Vide Poche
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury hand blown Murano glass vessel featuring green and red stripes encased in clear glass with 22kt gold inclusions.
Category

20th Century Italian Brutalist Urns

Materials

Murano Glass

Mid-Century Modern Large Gino Cenedese Murano Blue Art Glass Stripped Vase
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful large and complex signed GINO CENEDESE, Limited 66/200 12.5" H x 7.5 W The sides of the large vase with thick vertical stripes, through which run numerous thin horizontal stripes, circa 1970s The underside etched: Gino Cenedese Murano...
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Bernard Rooke Studio Pottery / Vase Circa 1960s
Located in Hoddesdon, GB
Bernard Rooke Studio Pottery vase . A rare vintage 1960s example. Made by the renowned British artist, potter, Bernard Rooke, this piece is a wonderful example of his work . Be...
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French Brass Petal Vide Poche
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lovely brass vide poche from France. Handmade with petal design detail. Original brass finish shows great age and patina. Perfect as a decorative object or catchall. Two available, s...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Urns

Materials

Brass

Signed Mid-Century Brutalist Stoneware Vase
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Signed mid-century brutalist stoneware. Each piece is a unique blend of form and raw beauty, bearing the signature of a skilled artist. Measuremen...
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Ceramic

Large Centerpiece Bowl By Noritake
Located in Norwood, NJ
Colorful and large two piece footed pedestal centerpiece bowl from Noritake. Fiery oranges of sunset on a lakeside cottage scene with swans and trees. Luster gold interior. Cobalt bl...
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Large Centerpiece Bowl By Noritake
Large Centerpiece Bowl By Noritake
H 12.5 in W 13 in D 10.5 in
Previously Available Items
Large Sculptural Bowl #2 by Dena Zemsky
Located in New York, NY
Large sculptural bowl #2 by Dena Zemsky. Hand-built, glazed stoneware vase form. Signed and dated on underside.
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21st Century and Contemporary American Brutalist Urns

Materials

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Ceramic Blue Urn
Located in New York, NY
A Brutalist urn with removable lid.  
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1970s French Vintage Brutalist Urns

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Ceramic Blue Urn
Ceramic Blue Urn
H 5.75 in W 5 in D 5 in
Italian Brutalist Urn in Hammered Copper
Located in New York, NY
A handmade baluster form urn with handles, produced in Italy, circa 1960s, entirely in hammered copper, the rough design following the Brutalist style. This piece is in very good con...
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Materials

Copper

1970's Brutalist Bronze Lidded Vessel
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A Brutalist bronze lidded urn vessel circa 1970's. Piece measures 11" by 3.5" and is unsigned. In excellent vintage condition.
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1960s American Vintage Brutalist Urns

Brutalist urns for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Brutalist urns for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage urns created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Brutalist urns made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original urns, popular names associated with this style include Bernard Rooke, and James Bearden. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for urns differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $265 and tops out at $2,400 while the average work can sell for $411.

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