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.
Sculptural Side Table, Rustic, Burnt Black Wood, Carved, Handmade, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
This commanding functional sculpture is hand-carved from a single, massive hardwood log. It features a substantial, thick circular top supported by heavy legs that have been hand-hew...
Wood
$1,120Sale Price / item|10% Off
Abecedario Collection - letter "H" Side Table in Concrete Mou Cement Color
Located in Rome, Lazio
Coffee Table H is the latest addition to the Abecedario Collection presented on the occasion of the Milan Design Week 2023. A new grapheme that marks the evolution of this line and allows Forma&Cemento to continue with the drafting of a real concrete alphabet. Each coffee table is made through the extrusion of a two-dimensional shape into which the concrete is poured. Each unique and recognizable "sign" materializes in a piece of furniture full of meaning. Forma&Cemento products are handcrafted in high performance cement mortar! Our production process is completely artisanal and for this reason each piece is unique and no two are alike. To preserve the beauty of our concrete and highlight its peculiar characteristics, we use colored pigments that are poured directly into the cement mix. Any imperfections on the surface such as color variations, porosity, fine cracks and granulations of different colors are characteristics of the material and of the craftsmanship, for this reason they are not to be considered defects. Design: Studio Salaris...
Concrete
Sculptural Side Table, Rustic, Burnt Black Wood, Carved, Handmade, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
These two sculptural blocks are functional art, each carved from a single piece of wood to maintain the raw integrity of the timber. The design features a blocky, monolithic form tha...
Wood, Oak
Sculptural Side Table in Giacometti Style, Cast Metal & Glass, 1970s
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Bronze Finish End or Side Table After Giacometti, USA 1970s Sculptural end table in the manner of Diego Giacometti, crafted in the 1970s from cast aluminum with a rich patinated faux...
Iron
Nesting Tables in Oak, Made by a Danish Cabinetmaker, Mid Century Modern, 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
A refined and decorative set of three oak nesting tables, crafted in the 1960s in the style of Danish designer Henning (Henry) Kjærnulf. These tables display the hallmarks of Danish ...
Oak
Swedish Bedside tables in solid pine, Scandinavian Brutalism 1970s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of solid pine bedside tables, Swedish brutalism / Midcentury 1970s. Nice patina, naturally darkened wood. Normal signs of age and use.
Pine
$1,273 / item
Brutalist Iron and Wood Round Accent Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
The table captures the essence of sculptural rawness and refined materiality, embodying the expressive character of Brutalist design. Forged iron legs display a hand-hammered texture...
Iron
“Vestiges Side Table” Marble Stone Brutalist Minimalist Coffee Table
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
Vestiges side table is a pure brutalist table finished by hand and made entirely of exclusive marble from southern Spain. This four-legged side table, p...
Marble
NONO Elefante Side Table 15, Solid Walnut Wood, Bold Organic Forms
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Side Table 15, Solid Wood, Bold Organic Forms ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid walnut. Other wood options are also available, which may affect th...
Hardwood
$7,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
Elefante Side Table 1, Joel Escalona, Solid Walnut Wood Elegance
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's NONO Elefante Table 40, Wood Spheres, Elegant Lines ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid walnut wood. Other wood opt...
Hardwood
Spanish Drinks Table / Side Table / Martini Table with Handle, Gilt Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Brutalist Squared Drink Table in Wrought iron Gilt patinated brutalist Martini table with squared top and handle, Spain, 1950s Wrought iron table standing on four footed base...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
Sculptural Stool / Side Table in Warm Brown European Oak - Cadence by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Cadence stool is inspired by the simplicity and power of the rhythmic stepped brickwork visible in the architecture of Amsterdam's 'South Plan' area; the city development plan de...
Oak
Paul Evans Brutalist Coffee Table, Brass and Mirror, Vintage 1970s
By Paul Evans
Located in Montréal, CA
Vintage 1970s coffee table featuring a brass tile base paired with a mirrored top. The combination of reflective surfaces and geometric lines gives the table a strong period characte...
Brass
$4,532Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Drink Tables / Side Tables / Martini Tables with Handles in Gilt Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair Spanish Brutalist Drink Tables, wrought iron Gilt patinated brutalist Martini tables with squared top and handle, Spain, 1950s Wrought iron ...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
French Solid Oak Brutalist End Table, C. 1960.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An expressive example of mid-century French Brutalist design in solid oak, this end table combines sculptural form with substantial presence. The richly grained oak exhibits a rich p...
Oak
Organic Wabi Sabi Rustic Side Table, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Side Table in Natural Wood Spanish Brutalist Wabi Sabi Rustic Tripod Side Table, 1950s Eye-catching wooden rustic tripod four footed side table with organic design and natural finish. This sculptural end or side table has a primitive construction and Wabi Sabi inspiration. Its patina and construction show natural imperfection showing pass of time. Minor repairs on the base but still strong and sound with highly decorative organic forms. Entirely made by hand. It comes from the Northern Spain. In good vintage condition with small signs from age and use. Measures: 48 cm W x 37 cm D x 52 cm H // 18,89 in W x 14,56 in D x 20,47 in H Wabi Sabi Wood Table // Rustic Wooden Table // Primitive Folk Art Table // Spanish Rustic Coffee Table
Wood
$876Sale Price|25% Off
Solid Black Oak Brutalist Cadence Side Table
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Form follows rhythm. The Cadence side tables are inspired by the simplicity and power of the rhythmic stepped brickwork visible in the architecture of Amsterdam's 'South Plan' area; ...
Oak, Walnut
$1,118Sale Price / item|10% Off
Abecedario Collection, Letter "L" Side Table in Concrete Popsicle Cement Color
Located in Rome, Lazio
Coffee Table L is the latest addition to the Abecedario Collection presented on the occasion of the Milan Design Week 2023. A new grapheme that marks the evolution of this line and allows Forma&Cemento to continue with the drafting of a real concrete alphabet. Each coffee table is made through the extrusion of a two-dimensional shape into which the concrete is poured. Each unique and recognizable "sign" materializes in a piece of furniture full of meaning. Forma&Cemento products are handcrafted in high performance cement mortar. Our production process is completely artisanal and for this reason each piece is unique and no two are alike. To preserve the beauty of our concrete and highlight its peculiar characteristics, we use colored pigments that are poured directly into the cement mix. Any imperfections on the surface such as color variations, porosity, fine cracks and granulations of different colors are characteristics of the material and of the craftsmanship, for this reason they are not to be considered defects. Design: Studio Salaris.
Concrete
Handmade Brass and Iron Brutalist Side Table
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this Rare Handmade Brutalist Side Table. made in brass and solid iron plates on the table cover. Beautiful table made a piece of art
Brass, Iron
Brutalist Two Door Cabinet End Side Table by Heritage
Located in New York, NY
Well crafted two door cabinet, having a sculpted wood front with decorative metal pulls. The cabinet is in very good original condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, normal and ...
Metal
Rustic Sculptural Side Table, Stool, Burnt Black Wood, Carved, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved side table/stool. Carved from a single piece of burnt wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade desi...
Wood
Solid Wood Sculptural Side Table, Stool, Organic, Rustic, Carved, Black, Charred
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Unique chainsaw carved wooden functional sculpture usable as a multifunctional piece such as, tabouret, side table, night stand or even pedestal for your art. Carved from a single pi...
Wood
Stool, Side Table, Solid Burnt Wood, Rustic, Handmade, Carved, Black, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved stool/side table. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade ...
Wood, Oak
Solid Wood Sculptural Side Table, Charred Black Wood, Handmade, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Unique chainsaw carved wooden functional sculpture usable as a multifunctional piece such as, tabouret, side table, night stand or even pedestal for your art. Carved from a single pi...
Wood
Brutalist Style Metal Tree with Birds Side Table with Glass Top
Located in Pasadena, TX
This table is crafted in the brutalist Style. It's made of patinated metal. The base is a tree with limbs and birds. The top is fitted glass.
Metal
Sculptural Brutalist Marble Side Table by Jonathan Christian, France.
Located in Lille, FR
Sculptural Brutalist marble side table by Jonathan Christian.
Marble, Metal
$7,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
Joel Escalona's Elefante Side Table 12, Rounded Silhouette, Walnut Wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Elefante Side Table 12, Rounded Silhouette, Decorative Craft ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid walnut wood. Other wood...
Hardwood
Unique Side Table, Late 20th-Century, Spain
Located in Hønefoss, 30
Unique spanish side table by anonymous designer. Beautiful details on the table top and legs. From c. late 20th Century. Wear consistnet with age and use.
Wood
"Rino" High Side Table in Cast Brass and Botanic Bordô Stone by Estudio Orth
By Estúdio Orth
Located in Sao Paulo, BR
Produced in São Paulo, Brazil. This side table in cast brass and Botanic Bordô stone was meticulously handmade by master artisans one piece at a time. It is therefore quite difficul...
Brass
Contemporary Brutalist Style Small Table #2 in Solid Oak and Linseed Oil
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Small table made of solid oak (+ linseed oil) Measures: 60 x 122 x 45 cm. SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in an authen...
Oak
Egg Designs Brutalist Teal Ceramic & Verdigris Copper Side Table
By Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
Egg Designs’ Boogie Nights side table (2021) is a sculptural, Brutalist-inspired accent piece handcrafted with artistic precision. The top is composed of individually glazed teal-gre...
Steel, Copper
Wood and wrought iron tripod Side table - 1960s
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Wood and wrought iron tripod Side table - 1960s Rustic - Wabi Sabi - Brutalist Measures : 41,5x30cm H:45cm Materials : Wood - Iron
Iron
Stool, Side Table, Solid Burnt Wood, Rustic, Organic, Handmade, Carved, Black
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved bench/side table. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade ...
Wood, Oak
Chain Link Drinks Table / End or Side Table / Floor Ashtray, Gilt Iron and Wood
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish gilt wrought iron chain link drink side table with wooden top and ashtray, Spain, 1950s. Beautiful hand forged iron occasional table with chain link stem standing on a four f...
Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf, Iron
$300Sale Price|62% Off
Mid Century Modern Brutalist Torch-Cut Iron Side Table
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Handmade low table with torch-cut Iron base in the Brutalist style of Paul Evans. Great texture and negative space in the metal of the base; design gives the ...
Iron
Sculptural Side Table, Stool, Burnt Wood, Oak, Black, Carved, Rustic, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved side table. Carved from a single piece of burnt wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade design wil...
Wood, Oak
Paul Kingma Style Coffee Table of Dark Stained Oak with Slate Top Denmark 1980s
By Paul Kingma
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Brutalist Paul Kingma style slate-topped coffee table from the 1980s. The frame is made of dark stained oak with a table top of inlaid large pieces...
Slate
Sculpted Authentic Brutalist Side Table by Sergio Vulpe
Located in Burlăceni, Cahul District
This remarkable vintage pedestal is crafted from stacked end-grain wood blocks, creating a bold architectural silhouette with sculptural depth. Each segment reveals natural cracks, t...
Oak
Stool, Side Table, Solid Burnt Wood, Rustic, Organic, Handmade, Carved, Black
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved stool/side table. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade ...
Wood, Oak
"Rino" Side Table in Cast Brass and Patagônia Stone by Estudio Orth
By Estúdio Orth
Located in Sao Paulo, BR
Produced in São Paulo, Brazil. This side table in cast brass and Patagônia Stone was meticulously handmade by master artisans one piece at a time. It is therefore quite difficult, i...
Brass
Unique Lothar Klute Heavy Bronze & Molded Glass Round Cocktail Table
By Lothar Klute
Located in North Miami, FL
This rare Brutalist bronze round cocktail table was designed by German designer Lothar Klute. Features a wrought bronze frame with natural patina, tapered legs and square feet. A go...
Bronze
Adrian Pearsall Brutalist Drum Table
Located in Greensboro, NC
Large side table in brutalist bronzed resin relief by Adrian Pearsall. Could be used as a small coffee table. One minor chip to finish as shown.
Resin
$7,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
Joel Escalona Elefante Side Table 14, Hefty and Artistic, Solid Walnut Wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona Elefante Side Table 14, Hefty and Artistic ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid walnut wood. Other wood options are also available, which may affect ...
Hardwood
Contemporary Brutalist Style Small Table #3 in Solid Oak and Linseed Oil
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Small table made of solid oak (+ linseed oil). Measures: 50 x 107 x 45 cm. SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in an authe...
Oak
Striata Side Table by Ricardo Rodriguez Elias in Volcanic Stone
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Introducing our striking side table that beautifully combines the strength of volcanic stone with its light and airy design. This captivating stone monolith...
Lava
Contemporary Brutalist Style Small Table #9 in Solid Oak and Linseed Oil
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Small table made of solid oak (+ linseed oil) Measures: 45 x 73 x 40 cm SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in an authenti...
Oak
Rectangual Wabi Sabi Coffee Table, Brutalist, Rustic, 1940's
Located in Antwerp, BE
Coffee table in rectangle shape, with charismatic patina inspired by the great principles of wabi-sabi. A timeless design that fits in any interior that likes to play with the narrative of brutalist...
Wood
Vintage Boho Carved Coquina Stone Side Tables - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Ground your outdoor sanctuary or interior living space with the raw, organic beauty of this pair of vintage coquina stone garden stools. Hand-carved from natural sedimentary rock, th...
Stone
Hammered Brutalist Side Table After Giacometti
Located in Sarasota, FL
A heavy and sculptural iron side table in the manner of Diego Giacometti’s iconic “Arbred Au Hibou” design. Highly textured iron finished with bronze patina is meticulously cast to r...
Iron
Sculptural Side Table, Stool, Rustic, Burnt Wood, Black, Carved, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved side table/stool. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade ...
Wood, Oak
Pair of Hand Forged Brutalist Side or Drink Tables in Iron, Spain 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of Two Spanish Brutalist Drink Tables in wrought iron Rare find. These eye-catching tables were handcrafted in wrought iron and show a gorgeous blacksmith's design combininig ind...
Iron, Wrought Iron
$709Sale Price|20% Off
Wabi Sabi Brutalist Design Low Display Side Table
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Wabi Sabi Brutalist Design Handcrafted Low Display Table. Made in Belgium by Atelier Andre Smalle, 1960's period. Stamped on the bottom. Solid oak slab on 4 square cone carved shaped...
Oak
Sculptural Side Table, Stool, Rustic, Burnt Wood, Black, Carved, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved side table. Carved from a single piece of burnt wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade design wil...
Wood
Hand-Carved, Wabi Sabi, Solid Wood, Sculptural, Log Stool, Side Table, Walnut
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Unique chainsaw carved wooden functional sculpture usable as a multifunctional piece such as a stool, side table, pedestal, night table or many more. Carved from a single piece of wa...
Wood, Walnut
Solid Wood, Sculptural Side Table, Contemporary Design, Handmade, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Unique functional sculpture carved from a single piece of wood in the shape of a side table, stool, night table or even pedestal. Each piece in our production is carved by artists wi...
Wood
Side Table, Pedestal, Solid Burnt Wood, Rustic, Organic, Handmade, Carved, Black
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved side table. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade design...
Wood, Oak
Brutalist Rustic Wabi Sabi Side Table, 1970s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Brutalist Rustic Wabi Sabi side table. Striking Dutch design from the 1970s. Original solid oak top on four original solid legs. This wonderful Brutalist Rustic Wab...
Oak
$1,069Sale Price|40% Off
Brutalist Side Table in Solid Walnut - Cadence by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
This solid walnut Cadence side table is a showroom model in excellent condition. - Dimensions: L:34 x W:22 x H:30 cm. - The price includes a custom wooden shipping crate. - The th...
Walnut
Sculptural Side Table, Solid Wood, Black, Rustic, Oak, Pedestal, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved side table/pedestal. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handma...
Wood, Oak
Paul Evans Studio Argente PE-37 Cube Tables – Exceptionally Clean Pair - 1970s
By Paul Evans
Located in Dallas, TX
Paul Evans Studio Argente PE-37 Cube Tables – Pair Commanding in form and masterful in execution, this rare pair of Paul Evans Studio Argente series cube tables (Model PE-37) exempli...
Slate, Aluminum