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 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
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 pendant lamp by Felipe Delfinger for Feders, Mexico, 1960s
By Longobard, Tiffany Studios, Felipe Delfinger, Poliarte
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
Albano Poli for Poliarte Murano Glass Cube Lamp Amber & Ice 1960s
By Poliarte, Albano Poli
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Table lamp designed by Albano Poli for Poliarte, Italy, produced in the 1960s. The geometric structure is composed of fused Murano glass blocks, alternating between a rough, textured...
Murano Glass
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
Pair of Soholm Ceramic Table Lamps, Noomi Backhausen, Denmark 1960
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table lamp by Noomi Backhausen for Soholm, model Erika. Denmark 1960s. Combined with a custom made embriodery lampshade by R. Houben, with bronze inner shade. The ...
Ceramic
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...
Metal, Brass
Pair of Stained Glass Lamps in Quadrangular Prism Form, Midcentury Modern
Located in Bochum, NRW
Pair of Stained Glass Lamps in Regular Quadrangular Prism Form, Midcentury Modern Style A vibrant pair of stained glass accent lamps, each crafted in the form of a regular quadrangul...
Metal
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
Brutalist Brass Pendant Lights by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Set of Substantial Brutalist Brass Pendant Lights designed Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. * Set (2) of large pendant lights with layered flame-cut brass slates * Designer: S...
Brass
$1,077Sale Price / set|40% 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
$1,200 / set
Pair of Wall lights by Bruno Herbst Sweden 1970s
By Bruno Herbst
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of large, heavy 1970s Bruno Herbst metal and glass wall lamps. A rare model clean and simple design executed in its original lacquer metal. Heavy duty style, almost Brutalist ...
Metal
Midcentury Italian Brutalist Dragonfly Detailed Green Glass Body Sconce, c 1950
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Extremely rare Dragonfly sconce. Housing one light. Will be rewired with certified UL US socket for the USA and an appropriate socket for all other countries and ready to hang. Wrou...
Wrought Iron
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
1 of the 10 Ceramic Green Blue Brown Pendants, Denmark 1970
By OTHR
Located in Rijssen, NL
Several 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 1960s in Denmark...
Ceramic
Westal Pair of Swedish Brutalist Flush Mount Ceiling Lamps in Copper, 1970s
By Westal
Located in Prague, New Town
Pair of Brutalist flush mount ceiling lamps, produced by Westal in Sweden, 1970s. Made from copper and glass. Each lamp is designed for a single light bulb. In good original conditio...
Copper
$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
Albano Poli. Brutalist style Murano glass sconce by Poliarte, Italy, 1970s
By Venini, AVMazzega, Poliarte, Albano Poli, La Murrina
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Large Brutalist style Murano glass sconce designed by Albano Poli for Poliarte, Italy, 1970s. Composed of several rectangular and elongated pieces of whitish translucent Murano glass...
Metal, Steel
Substantial Brass Pendant Light by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, 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
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
Big murano table lamps in the style of F. Fabbian, Italy, 1970s, set of 2
By F. Fabbian
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Pair of big table lamps from the 70s, in the style, design and manufacture of the Italian glass brand F. Fabbian. The shade is conical in two-tone Murano glass and the structure is p...
Brass
Albano Poli. Brutalist pendant lamp by Longobard, Italy, 1970s
By Poliarte, Longobard, Albano Poli
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Brutalist pendant lamp by Albano Poli for Longobard, Italy, 1970s. Wrought iron and welded structure, in a worn gold finish, and multicolored crystals hammered in the shape of a hone...
Wrought Iron, Iron
mid century brutalist style wrought iron and glass WALL LAMP sconce 1960s 1970s
Located in Mannheim, DE
Outstanding vintage brutalist style wall lamp made of black shiny lacquered wrought iron and thick clear and amber color ice glass. Around 1960s to 1970s. The lamp is in very good a...
Metal
$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
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
$4,500 / set
Pair Bronze Brutalist Sconces
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of bronze double-tube Brutalist sconces featuring pebbled texturing.
Bronze
Sunburst Nail Design Light Fixture in Gilt Iron and Milk Glass, France 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching hand-hammered iron and opaline glass sunburst flush mount / wall light. France, 1940s-1950s. This sunburst light fixture features two layers of alternating short and lon...
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf
Brutalist Sunburst flush mount by Ferro Art, Spain, 1960s
By Ferro Art
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Large brutalist sun-style ceiling lamp from Ferro Art (also known as Ferroarte), Spain, 60s. Metal structure finished in gold leaf and formed by a circular iron base where different ...
Metal, Gold Leaf, Iron
Sunburst Brutalist Light Fixture in Gilt Iron with Nail Design
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Gilt Iron Sunburst Nail Design Ceiling Light Fixture France, 1940s. Wrought sunburst flush mount with spikes design in gilt iron. This stunning sunburst ceiling light sh...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
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
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, Gold Leaf, Iron
Pair of Large Sculptural Iron and Glass Wall Flush Mounts Sconces, 1960s
By Poliarte
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
French Sunburst Eyelash and Nail Flush Mount Light Fixture in Gilt Wrought Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
A gorgeous double layered eyelash sunburst ceiling flush mount or pendant with nail accents, France, 1950s. The frame is made by a double layer of wrought iron curved beams with scrolled ending accented by pointed iron spikes. It has gold leaf finish and frosted glass and a nice aged patina. It hangs from 4 small chains. The wrought iron structure with Brutalist design is highlighted by a terrific aged patina with gold leaf finish. This ceiling light can be used flush mounted...
Metal, Gold Leaf, Iron
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
Sculptural Table Lamp Carved in an Olive Wood Block France 1950
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This table lamp, is carved in the Olive wood. The wood has this light brown color of this wood, with the old patina. This lamp was made in France, circa 1950, US PLUG ADAPTATOR W...
Wood
Brutalist Longboard Hanging Lantern Hammered Glass by Poliarte, Italy 1960s
By Poliarte, Albano Poli
Located in Hannover, DE
This brutalist pendant lamp made of hammered glass is something truly special. The glass was lovingly crafted by hand, and its beauty is reminiscent of a raw gemstone — it's a true w...
Metal, Copper
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 ...
Enamel, Iron
$2,663Sale 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
$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
Elegant small pair of 1970's butterfly brass sconces, ( brutalist style )
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A cute small pair of 1970's butterfly brass sconces, in the brutalist style, they are thin and delicate
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, Steel, Brass
Large Sunburst Light Fixture with Leaves Design in Gilt Iron, 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Sunburst Flush Mount, Gilt Iron, Spain, 1950s. _________________________________________________________________________ Stunning Brutalist Foliage Sunburst Light Fixture / C...
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf
Pair of Grey and Brown Ceramic Table Lamp for Soholm, Denmark 1960s
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 2 beautiful ceramic table lamps by Haico from Soholm, Denmark 1960s. Combined with a custom lampshade. The brown and dark grey ceramic base has a beautiful shape with geom...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Studio Pottery Brutalist Table Lamp, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid Century Studio Pottery Table Lamp. A brutalist design of imposing size. The lamp body is made of heavy ceramic and has a rou...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Sconces by Poliarte, Italy, circa 1960
By Poliarte
Located in Merida, Yucatan
Brutalist style sconces in clear and orange Murano glass by Albano Poli for Poliarte, Italy, circa 1960. There are one in "clear" glass and one...
Murano Glass
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
Brutalist Handmade Ceramic Sconce, Pita Sconce by Streicher Goods
By Streicher Goods, Ethan Streicher
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
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
Brutalist table lamp , France 1960s
Located in Athens, Attiki
A Unique brutalist table lamp, France, 1960s-1970s. When lit, the lamp produces a warm, diffuse light. The stem of the lamp looks like a real abstract sculpture.
Iron, Wrought Iron
$2,450 / set
Vintage Polished Chrome Lamps After Curtis Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking pair of vintage table lamps represents the height of 1970s Brutalist design, masterfully crafted in the spirit of the iconic Curtis Jeré studio. The lamps feature a mon...
Chrome
Brutalist organic mushroom table lamp, Dutch 1960s
Located in Zaandam, NL
Gorgeous brutalist table lamp from The Netherlands with mushroom shade 1960s. The lamp has been completely rewired and refitted with brass fitting. the lamp is fitted for a general E...
Oak
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
$5,800 / set
1930's Forge Iron Tripod Italian Floor Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Amazing pair of large forge iron tripod Italian floor lamps, newly rewired and ready to use with some wear and patina due to age and use. One of the lamps is 1' shorter.
Iron
$3,874 / item
Wrought iron lamp by artist Donna handcrafted
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Table lamp by French artist Pierre Donna. Patinated and oxidized steel base designed and handmade in the artist's studio. Understated, timeless design with a unique patina for each p...
Iron
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
1 of the 2 Ceramic Table Lamps by Noomi Backhausen for Soholm With Custom Shade
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table lamp by Noomi Backhausen for Soholm Pottery, Denmark 1960s. Combined with a custom lampshade made by Rene Houben. The warm colors of the ceramic with the cus...
Ceramic
Brutalist Sconce by Felipe Delfinger (Derflingher) for Feders, Mexico, 1960s
Located in San Antonio, TX
Brutalist hand-blown thick glass sconce, México, c. 1960s, by Felipe Delfinger (Derflingher) for Feders. This Mexican mid-century modernist sconce is high-quality in construction wit...
Metal
Pair of Hammered Glass Wrought Iron Sconces by Biancardi, Italy, 1970s
By Poliarte
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Rare Pair of Mid-Century Modern wall lamps lights lighting sconces hammered glass, yellow amber, clear glass and wrought iron, silver gold silvered gilded patina, by the italian desi...
Iron
Mexican brutalist Feders Pendant Light
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer these original pendant light designed by Felipe Delfinger. Made of brass and multi colored art glass. About Felipe Delfinger: In the year 1860, the German Derf...
Brass