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.
Large Brass Wall Lamp by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Brutalist Sun-Shaped Brass Wall Lamp designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. * Large flame-cut sun-shaped brass sconce * Designer: Svend Aage Holm Sorensen * Model: 5207...
Brass
Midcentury Italian Brutalist Spider Detailed Rare Green Glass Body Sconce
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing one light. Will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the USA and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang. Wrought iron body with detailed rare gr...
Wrought Iron
Cereus Lamp Raffia Shade (Small) by Nani Goods Contemporary Ceramic Cactus Lamp
By Nani Goods, Steven Lancaster
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Inspired by the organic, undulating shapes of desert cacti, the Cereus Lamp balances minimalist design with playful natural form. Hand‑built from a dark, rusty‑brown clay using tradi...
Brass
French 1950s Brutalist Olive Wood Table Lamp Sculptural Base
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Striking French table lamp from the 1950s, crafted in solid olive wood and embodying a sculptural Brutalist aesthetic. The base features an organic, tripod-like form with fluid, hand...
Olive
Pair of Tassel 3 Pendant Lights by Apparatus Studio, Oil-Rubbed Bronze
By APPARATUS
Located in Glasgow, GB
A pair of Tassel 3 pendant lights by the New York lighting studio Apparatus Studio, designed with the studio’s distinctive blend of modern minimalism and decorative influence. Inspi...
Bronze
1 of the 4 Ceramic Green Blue Brown Pendants, Denmark 1970
Located in Rijssen, NL
Stunning set of four round ceramic hanging lamps with a beautiful pattern, made with rich colored green, blue and brown ceramics, manufactured by Jette Hellerøe for Axella in the 196...
Ceramic
Brutalist stained glass pendant lamp by Felipe Delfinger, Mexico, 1960s
By Poliarte, Longobard, Felipe Delfinger, Tiffany Studios
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Brutalist pendant lamp by Felipe Delfinger for Feders, Mexico, 1960s. Custom stained glass diffuser in blue, orange, caramel and white tones, combined with a brass structure. Crafted...
Metal, Brass
Green Cereus Lamp (Medium) by Nani Goods Contemporary Ceramic Cactus Lamp
By Steven Lancaster, Nani Goods
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Inspired by the undulating forms of night‑blooming desert cacti, the Night Blooming Cereus Lamp balances minimalism with playful organic movement. Hand‑built from speckled stoneware ...
Brass
Squared Amber Glass Table Lamp, Custom Beige Lampshade by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful table lamp. Custom made matching lampshade by René Houben. The squared amber glass and wooden base fit perfectly with the custom made beige lampshade and matching trimming...
Ceramic
Large Spanish Sunburst Light Fixture in Wrought Gilt Iron, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Gilt Iron Foliage Sunburst Ceiling Light Fixture, Spain 1950s. Large size. This piece was entirely made by hand in hammered iron. Richly decorated with leaves in two siz...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Brutalist, Handmade Ceramic Table Lamp, Double Decker Lamp by Streicher Goods
By Ethan Streicher, Streicher Goods
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Double Decker lamp is a tall, brutalist-inspired table lamp, perfect for lighting in larger living spaces, created by Streicher Goods in Brooklyn, NY. The lamp is composed of a...
Brass
Set of Flower-Shaped Pendant Lights by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Set of Large Flower-Shaped Brutalist Brass Pendant Lights designed Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. * Set (2) of pendant lights with layered flame-cut brass slates * Designe...
Brass
$978Sale Price / set|21% Off
Mazzega murano glass Wall lighting Brutalist Pair , 1960s
By Mazzega
Located in La xara, VC
Original Period light Original lamp from the 50s/60s in the brutalist trend. a decorative piece that will give a unique atmosphere to your interior . There are several reasons to bu...
Metal, Iron
Flower-Shaped Pendant Light by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Flower-Shaped Brutalist Brass Pendant Light designed Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. * Substantial pendant light with layered flame-cut brass slates * Designer: Svend Aage ...
Brass
$2,077Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Murano glass ice tube chandelier by Doria Leuchten Germany 1960s
Located in Hannover, DE
Arguably one of the most exciting and beautiful ice glass tube chandeliers from the Dutch manufacturer Doria Leuchten. 69 Murano glass tubes with a matte finish make this chandelier ...
Brass
Set of Brass Wall Lamps by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Set of Brass Wall Lamps designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. An eye-catching set for an exquisite place. * Set (2) of sunflower-shaped brass wall sconces * Designer: S...
Metal, Brass
Substantial Brass Pendant Light by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Substantial Brutalist Brass Pendant Light designed Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. * Large pendant light with layered flame-cut brass slates * Designer: Svend Aage Holm Sør...
Brass
Harry Balmer Harold Weiss Laurel Ribbon Brutalist Table Lamp c. 1960/70's
By Laurel Lamp Company, Harry Balmer
Located in New York, NY
Classic Brutalist school table lamp designed by Harry Balmer and Harold Weiss, for the Laurel Lamp Co. circa 1960/70's. Known as the Ribbon Lamp, this piece features an exaggerated ...
Metal, Copper
Brutalist, Handmade Ceramic Table Lamp, Hi-Hat Lamp by Streicher Goods
By Streicher Goods, Ethan Streicher
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Hi-Hat lamp is a tall and broad brutalist-inspired table lamp, perfect for bedside or accent lighting in larger living spaces, created by Streicher Goods in Brooklyn, NY. The l...
Brass
Series03 Wall Sconce, "Smoke" Patinated Sculpted Brass, Goatskin Parchment Shade
Located in Ozone Park, NY
Sculpted solid brass in a "smoke" acid patinated finish, machined and mechanically fastened. Goatskin parchment shade with accordion-folded face and hand stitched edges. Hand-dyed br...
Brass
Tenfold Chandelier 32inch Brushed Bronze Perforated Metal Pendant Light
By Luft Tanaka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
TENFOLD CHANDELIER 5 TIER 24inch in Brushed Bronze by Luft Tanaka Studio Brutalism meets glam. Inspired by Brutalist architecture and Op Art, the Tenfold Series features interlockin...
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
Original metal Brutalist wall lamp Octopus by Salvino Marsura, Italy 1980s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Rare mid-century modern metal Brutalist wall lamp Octopus by Salvino Marsura, made in Italy in the 1980s. Salvino Marsura is an Italian artist born in Treviso in 1938. His career be...
Metal
Brutalist, Handmade Ceramic Table Lamp, Disc Lamp by Streicher Goods
By Ethan Streicher, Streicher Goods
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Disc lamp is a small, brutalist-inspired table lamp, perfect for lighting living spaces, created by Streicher Goods in Brooklyn, NY. The lamp features a cylindrical base that p...
Brass
Large Brass Sconces by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Set of Substantial Brass Wall Lamps designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. * Set (2) of flame-cut sun-shaped brass sconces * Designer: Svend Aage Holm Sorensen * Model:...
Metal, Brass
French Brutalist Brazed-Copper Table Lamp, Signed and Dated 1975
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
French brazed-copper table lamp with a strong sculptural presence, dated 1975 and bearing an indecipherable signature. The hand-worked copper reveals a deeply textured patina, typica...
Copper
Brutalist Handmade Ceramic Sconce, Pita Sconce by Streicher Goods
By Ethan Streicher, Streicher Goods
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Pita Sconce is a medium-sized brutalist-inspired table wall down-lit sconce, perfect for bedside, hallways, or accent lighting in larger living spaces, created by Streicher Goods...
Ceramic, Acrylic
Alice Flushmount or Sconce in Brass with Hand Blown Sandblasted Glass Cube
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Alice collection is inspired by brutalist modular architecture. The textured hand blown glass cubes are sandblasted to create a soft glow. Available in satin brass or matte black...
Brass
Pair of Ceramic Table Lamps by Noomi Backhausen for Soholm, Denmark 1960
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 2 ceramic table lamps by, Noomi Backhausen for Soholm, Denmark 1960s. The warm beige tones of the base and the beige lampshade (with lovely trimming) complement each other...
Ceramic
$2,620Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Sconce by Marc Weinstein, USA 1960’s
Located in Lisboa, PT
This brutalist sconce was designed and produced by Marc Weinstein in the USA during the 1960s. Crafted from iron, this striking sconce features hourglass-shaped metal pieces that hav...
Iron
Brutalist, Handmade Ceramic Table Lamp, Paddle Lamp by Streicher Goods
By Ethan Streicher, Streicher Goods
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Paddle lamp is a small, brutalist-inspired table lamp, perfect for bedside or accent lighting in larger living spaces, created by Streicher Goods in Brooklyn, NY. The lamp feat...
Brass
$5,715 / item
ALMA Ceiling Surface Flush Mount
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A slab of hand cut Natural Alabaster glows in the grasp of a Brutalist-inspired cast Bronze frame. Custom Sizes Available. Models in the collection are individually hand-crafted by...
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze
$3,930 / item
AVRA Wall Sconce - Piccolo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Buds of warm natural alabaster – glowing harbingers of Spring after a long Winter - nestle in textured, Brutalist – inspired cast bronze frames. Custom Sizes Available. Models in t...
Alabaster, Bronze
Pair of Brutalist Bronze Wall and Murano glass Sconces by Felix Agostini, 1990s
By Felix Agostini, Arlus
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Pair of Brutalist Cast Bronze Wall Lamps, Maison Arlus Style, in the style of Felix Agostini. This pair of wall lamps is in gilded bronze. It is inspired by the bark of trees and the...
Bronze
Pair of Ceramic Table Lamps, Soholm, Denmark 1960s
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table lamp, 2022. By Soholm, Denmark 1960s. Combined with a custom lampshade from R houben. The green and brown ceramics and green and brown colored lampshade with...
Ceramic
Dazor UL-P 2324-26 Industrial Floating Desk Lamp. 1950s.
By Dazor
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
This is a famous floating arm lamp by Dazor. Company was founded in 1938 and made itself the name on this design for it's durability, ease of adjustment and most importantly, for str...
Steel, Metal
Georges Pelletier Brown Ceramic Lamp, Custom Double Silk Rattan Lampshade
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table/ floor lamp by Georges Pelletier, 2022. Custom made double rattan lampshade by René Houben. The brown ceramics and the warm colored details fit perfectly wit...
Ceramic
Richard Barr for Laurel Monumental Wrought Iron Assemblage Table Lamp H-734
By Richard Barr, Laurel
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage torch-cut iron table lamp features abstract patinated metal sculptural body mounted on a cube base of enameled cast aluminum. The lamp was created by Richard Barr as a part ...
Iron, Enamel
Brutalist Handmade Ceramic Wall Sconce, U-Sconce by Streicher Goods
By Ethan Streicher, Streicher Goods
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The U-Sconce is a small, brutalist-inspired wall sconce, perfect for bedrooms, bathrooms, or accent lighting in larger living spaces, created by Streicher Goods in Brooklyn, NY. Th...
Ceramic, Acrylic
Brutalist style. Turned veined alabaster table lamp, Spain, 1950s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Turned alabaster table lamp, Spain, 1950s. Made entirely of turned alabaster, which has been sculpted and worked by hand in relief, with a natural finish. It consists of 3 overlappin...
Alabaster
Rare Brutalist Italian Glass Paste and Wrought Iron Table Lamp by Longobard, 70s
By Longobard
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Rare Murano glass table lamp designed and made by Longobard in 1970. The structure is in hand-crafted gilded wrought iron with the insertion of colored glass paste. Original logo, fi...
Wrought Iron
Spanish Foliage Sunburst Light Fixture / Chandelier in Gilt Iron, 5 Lights
By Ferro Art
Located in Barcelona, ES
Outstanding spanish foliage sunburst flush mount ceiling light in gilt iron, Ferro Art, 1950s Large size (70 cm / 27,55 inches diameter). Five Lights. ...
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf
Brown Ceramic Lamp Bitossi, Custom Double Silk Rattan Lampshade by R. Houben
By Bitossi
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table/ floor. Custom made double rattan lampshade by René Houben. The brown ceramics and the warm colored details fit perfectly with the custom made double shade w...
Ceramic
Jean-Jacques Argueyrolles Gilt Metal Sconces, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Jean-Jacques Argueyrolles (French, b. 1954) Pair of Gilt Metal Brutalist Wall Sconces. 78" H x 3.25" W x 7.25" D. Provenance: From a New York City Collection.
Metal
Pair of Large Ceramic Table Lamps for Soholm, Denmark 1960s
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table lamp by Haico Nietzsche for Soholm, Denmark 1960s. Combined with a custom lampshade. The beige ceramic base has a subtle concave shape, which is mirrored in ...
Ceramic
1 of the 7 Georges Pelletier Ceramic Lamps, Custom Silk Shades by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 7 beautiful ceramic table/ floor lamps by Georges Pelletier, 2022. Custom made silk and rattan lampshades by René Houben. The brown and honey colored ceramics and the geome...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Cubic Chandelier by Sciolari
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A sculptural Brutalist pendant light by Gaetano Sciolari, made in 1960-1970, Italy. Ice cubic shaped Murano glass shade. The geometric design is a variation of Sciolari's classic "Cu...
Chrome, Iron
Pair of Brutalist Stained Oak Wing Lamps - France 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Brutalist lamps in stained oak. Structure not entirely identical, one being taller than the other. France 1970s. These lamps have been rewired for use in the US. Shades for s...
Oak
$4,645 / item
AVRA Wall Sconce - Alto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Glowing buds of natural alabaster nestle in a Brutalist-inspired solid cast bronze frame. Models in the collection are individually hand-crafted by the skilled artisans in our studi...
Alabaster, Bronze
$33,570 / item
AVRA Chandelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Glowing buds of natural alabaster nestle in a Brutalist-inspired solid cast bronze frame. Models in the collection are individually hand-crafted by the skilled artisans in our studi...
Alabaster, Bronze
Green Cereus Lamp (Medium) by Nani Goods Contemporary Ceramic Cactus Lamp
By Steven Lancaster, Nani Goods
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Inspired by the undulating forms of night‑blooming desert cacti, the Night Blooming Cereus Lamp balances minimalism with playful organic movement. Hand‑built from speckled stoneware ...
Brass
Brutalist Wall Sconce in Gilt Iron with Nails Design, France 1940
Located in Barcelona, ES
Brutalist Wall Sconce in Wrought Gilt Iron with Nails Design, France, 1950s. Unusual wrought iron sunburst wall sconce with gold leaf finish and pointed spikes. It has a design with ...
Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf, Iron, Metal
$6,660Sale Price|20% Off
Huge Sunburst Perforated Flush Mount Light Fixture in Gilt Iron, 1950s (36 in)
Located in Barcelona, ES
Monumental Brutalist Sunburst Ceiling Flush Mount Light Fixture, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf XXL Sunburst light fixture with perforated holes at the central spherical plate and nail deta...
Wrought Iron, Iron, Gold Leaf
Large Sunburst Light Fixture in Gilt Metal with Milk Glass Globe, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Brutalist gilt metal sunburst ceiling flush mount with milk glass globe shade. Spain, 1960s. This gilt iron sunburst light fixture with opaline globe shade was manufactured in Spain...
Metal, Iron
Pair of Blue Ceramic Table Lamps by Soholm, Silk Lampshade, Denmark 1960s
Located in Rijssen, NL
Pair of beautiful ceramic table lamp by Soholm, Denmark 1960s. Combined with a custom made silk lampshade by R. Houben. With off white silk inner-shade. The beautiful blue ceramics ...
Ceramic
Spanish Foliage Sunburst Light Fixture / Chandelier in Gilt Iron, 10 Lights
By Ferro Art
Located in Barcelona, ES
Outstanding spanish foliage sunburst flush mount ceiling light in gilt iron, Ferro Art, 1950s Extra large size ( 91cm / 35,8 inches diameter). Ten Ligh...
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf
French Sunburst Light Fixture in Gilt Iron and Milk Glass, Nail Design, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Double Layered Nail Design sunburst light fixture, milk glass, gilt iron, France, 1940s-1950s. This sunburst light fixture features a gilt iron ring with two layers of iron nails su...
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf
Marz Designs "Polaris Wall Light", Small, Tumbled Brass
By Marz Designs
Located in BYRON BAY, NSW
Drawing from Brutalist architecture and the symbolism of the North Star, Polaris is a collection that embodies both origins, by fusing geometric form and celestial illumination to cr...
Aluminum, Brass
Green Ceramic Floor Table Lamp, Custom Matching Lampshade by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table/floor lamp. Custom made beige and green lampshade by René Houben. The green and beige ceramics with beautiful details fit perfectly with the custom made beig...
Ceramic
Pair of Hammered Glass Wrought Iron Sconces by Longobard, Italy, 1970s
By Longobard
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Pair of Mid-Century Modern wall lamps light sconces in red, yellow and amber hammered glass and wrought iron, gilding gold copper patina, by the manufacture Longobard in Verona in a ...
Wrought Iron
Albano Poli style. Brutalist Murano Glass Sconce, Italy, 1970s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Large Brutalist and Mid-Century Modern Murano glass sconce in the style of Albano Poli's creations for Poliarte, Italy, 1970s. Composed of several rectangular and elongated pieces of...
Metal, Steel