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 Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, 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
$980Sale 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
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
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 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
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
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
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 Wall Sconce, Envelope Sconce by Streicher Goods
By Streicher Goods, Ethan Streicher
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Envelope Sconce is a brutalist-inspired wall sconce, perfect for down-lighting a bedside, accent lighting in larger living spaces, or lighting a ha...
Ceramic, Acrylic
Brutalist Handmade Ceramic Wall Sconce, U-Sconce by Streicher Goods
By Streicher Goods, Ethan Streicher
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
French Sunburst Light Fixture with Nail Design in Gilt Iron and Milk Glass
Located in Barcelona, ES
Brutalist Ceiling Sunburst Light Fixture in Gilt Iron and Milk Glass __________________________________________________________________________ Nail Design sunburst flush mount, gilt...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Pair of Multicolored Hammered Glass and Wrought Iron Sconces by Longobard, Italy
By Longobard
Located in Benalmadena, ES
An extraordinary pair of wall sconces from the renowned Italian manufacturer Longobard, iconic of the Brutalist style of the 1970s. Each sconce features a crescent shape made of wrou...
Wrought Iron
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
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
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
$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
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
Spanish Revival Sunburst Light Fixture in Gilt Wrought Iron and Glass, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sunburst Ceiling Light with Scrollwork Design, Gilt Wrought Iron, Pressed Glass Spain, 1940-1950 Impressive wrought iron sunburst flush mount / wall light with scrolled frame and pre...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
$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
Tom Ahlström & Hans Ehrlich Brutalist Torch Amber Murano Glass Sconces 1950
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Pair of brutalist sconces with thick amber Murano glass covering bulbs. Will be rewired with certified UL US socket for the USA and an appropriate socket for all other countries and...
Wrought Iron
$1,450 / item
Mid-Century Modern Sconces, Italy, circa 1960
Located in Merida, Yucatan
Brutalist style sconces in clear and orange Murano glass There are one in "clear" glass and one in orange-clear galss combination available at ...
Murano Glass
Pair of Hammered Glass Gilt Iron Sconces by Biancardi, Italy, 1970s
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Pair of Mid-Century Modern wall lamps lights lighting sconces hammered glass, yellow glass and iron, gilding gold copper patina, by the italian design manufacture Biancardi Jordan Ar...
Iron
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
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
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
Pair of Hammered Glass Silver Iron Sconces by Biancardi, Italy, 1970s
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Pair of Mid-Century Modern wall lamps lights lighting sconces hammered glass, amber, blue, clear hammered glass and iron, silver silvered patina, by the italian design manufacture Bi...
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
$4,465 / set
Pair Of Italian Brutalist Bronze Sconces
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Italian Brutalist Bronze Sconces. Our featured pair of Italian modern sconces were designed in Italy in the 1980's of perforated bronze in the Brutalist style to give off a ...
Bronze
Pair of Brutalist Sconces in the Manner of Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of interesting brutalist sconces in the manner of Paul Evans, 20th Century. Created from metal and resin, the sconces are perfect in many interiors, including arts & crafts, mi...
Metal
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
Brutalist Sconce designed by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Large Brutalist Brass Sconce designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. * Wall lamp with six square slates in flame-cut brass * Designer: Svend Aage Holm Sorensen * Model: ...
Metal, 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
Series03 Wall Sconce, Polished Unlacquered Brass, Goatskin Parchment Shade
Located in Ozone Park, NY
Sculpted solid brass in a polished unlacquered finish, machined and mechanically fastened. Goatskin parchment shade with accordion-folded face...
Brass
"Giaco" Contemporary Golden Sconce in Cast Brass by Estudio Orth
By Estúdio Orth
Located in Sao Paulo, BR
The "Giaco" sconce is meticulously handmade by master artisans one piece at a time. It is therefore quite difficult, if not impossible to make identical items. The brass casting is p...
Brass
1960 Brutalist Art Design Iron Sculpture Wall Lamp Applique
Located in Brescia, IT
Brutalist wall lamp 1960s Wrought iron Three lights Excellent condition. Perfect working order
Iron
Set of Leaf-Shaped Brass Wall Lamps by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Set of Leaf-Shaped Brass Sconces designed by the Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. Eyecatching Brutalist Wall Art for beautiful place. * Set (2) of flame-cut brass sconces with...
Metal, Brass
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Wall Sculpture Light Sconce Tom Greene Brass Feldman Mid-Century
By Feldman Lighting Co., Tom Greene
Located in Wayne, NJ
Brutalist Mid-Century Modern Tom Greene brass huge wall sconce by Feldman. It doubles as a wall sculpture, when not not turned on. This plugs into an electrical outlet...
Brass
"Sino Meio" Max Version Contemporary Outdoor Wall Light in Cast Brass
By Estúdio Orth
Located in Sao Paulo, BR
Produced in São Paulo, Brazil. This outdoor wall light was meticulously handmade by master artisans one piece at a time. It is therefore quite difficult, if not impossible to make identical items. The brass casting is produced by formation of a mold from a mixture of sand and the liquid alloy of copper and zinc. The projects are based on a contemporary appropriation of traditional methods from Brazilian artisans and reinterpreted through the integration of new forms and noble materials. An aesthetic infused with “beauty of imperfection" is obtained by the expressive potential of each material, generating works that recall nature and rationality. Estúdio Orth...
Brass
$2,105Sale Price|20% Off
Willem van Oyen Brutalist wall light for RAAK the Netherlands, 1960's.
By RAAK
Located in CASTENRAY, NL
The 'Chartres' lamp is a design from the 1960's by Stained glass artist Willem van Oyen (1921-2004). It is made of different shards of glass in multiple colours. This rare and uni...
Cut Glass
Hammered Glass Wrought Iron Murano Glass Sconce by Longobard, Italy, 1970s
By Longobard
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Mid-Century Modern wall lamp light sconce hammered glass and wrought iron, murano glass cup, gilding gold copper patina, by the manufacture Longobard in Verona in a Brutalist style, ...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Leaf-Shaped Brass Wall Lamps by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Pair of flame-cut brass sconces designed by renowned Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. Captivating interplay of light and shadow for any beautiful space. * A pair (2) of leaf-s...
Metal, Brass
Pair of Hammered Glass Wrought Iron Sconces by Longobard, Italy, 1970s
By Longobard
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Mid-Century Modern pair of wall lamps lights sconces hammered glass and wrought iron, gilding gold copper patina, by the manufacture Longobard in Verona in a Brutalist style, the con...
Wrought Iron
Hammered Glass Wrought Iron Murano Glass Sconce by Longobard, Italy, 1970s
By Longobard
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Mid-Century Modern wall lamp light sconce hammered glass and wrought iron, murano glass cup, gilding gold copper patina, by the manufacture Longobard in Verona in a Brutalist style, ...
Wrought Iron
Hammered Glass Wrought Iron Sconce by Longobard, Italy, 1970s
By Longobard
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Mid-Century Modern wall lamp light sconce amber and clear hammered glass and wrought iron, gilding gold copper patina, by the manufacture Longobard in Verona in a Brutalist style, th...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Amber Glass Hammered Wrought Iron Sconces by Longobard, Italy, 1970s
By Longobard
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Pair of Mid-Century Modern wall lamps light sconces in amber and clear glass and hammered wrought iron, gilding gold copper patina, by the manufacture Longobard in Verona in a Bruta...
Wrought Iron
Mid-Century Modern Stained Glass Wall Sconce by Jean-Simon Labret, 20th Century
By J. S. Labret
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Mid-Century Modern Stained Glass Wall Sconce by Jean-Simon Labret, 20th Century This stunning wall sconce by French designer Jean-Simon Labret features a vibrant composition of stai...
Metal
A Square Brass Wall Lamp by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
A classic wall lamp by the Svend Aage Holm Sørensen adding an elegant touch to any modern interior. * A square, multilayered flame-cut brass wall lamp * Designer: Svend Aage Holm Sø...
Metal, Brass
$861Sale Price|51% Off
1960s, Brass Brutalist Wall Light by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful brutalist wall light designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen for Holm Sørensen & Co., Denmark. This lamp is flame cut of brass with a very...
Brass
$2,400 / set
Pair of Vintage Brutalist Sconces
Located in Pasadena, CA
Striking pair of vintage brutalist three-lite sconces embodies the raw, architectural aesthetic of the brutalist movement. Crafted from robust, weathered metal, the wall sconces fea...
Metal
Brutalist Ceramic Wall Sconce, Netherlands, 1960s
Located in Rīga, LV
Mid-century Brutalist ceramic wall sconce made in the Netherlands. The sculptural form features deeply carved, organic curves with two recessed bulb holders that create dramatic ligh...
Ceramic
Pair of Large Brass Wall Lamps by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
A pair of substantial brass wall lamps designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. Finding a pair is not an everyday experience. * A pair (2) of sconces with six square slate...
Metal, Brass
$4,500 / set
Pair Bronze Brutalist Sconces
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of bronze double-tube Brutalist sconces featuring pebbled texturing.
Bronze
Pair of Copper Wall Lamps by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
A pair of eye-catching Copper wall lamps with diamond-shaped leafs designed by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen in the 1960s. A true masterpiece from the design lightning designer. * A pair...
Metal, Copper
$1,626Sale Price / set|32% Off
Set of 4 Fat Lava Brutalist Swirl Wall Lights by PAN Germany 1960s
By PAN Keramik
Located in Hannover, DE
Exceptional wall light set by Pan in a particularly beautiful brutalist fat lava glaze. These exceptional wall lights can be freely combined in the room and there are no limits to yo...
Ceramic
Large brutalist Murano glass wall lamp by Toni Zuccheri, Italy, 60s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Large piece of multicolored Murano glass with an organic shape in brutalist style, attached to a silver chrome metal base. The diffuser is rough inside, creating an unique lighting e...
Metal, Chrome
1 of the 2 XXL Brass Wall Sconces by Holm Sorensen, 1960
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 2 Beautiful Brass Wall Sconces by Holm Sorensen, manufactured in Denmark during the 1960s. Please note that the price is for one piece, two pieces available. Cleaned and w...
Brass
Set of Copper Wall Lamps by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Pair of impressive of Copper wall lamps with Diamond-shaped leafs by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen. An eye-catching set for a beautiful place. * A pair (2) sconces with five flame-cut c...
Metal, Copper
Original metal Brutalist wall lamp by Salvino Marsura, Italy 1970s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Rare mid-century modern metal Brutalist wall lamp by Salvino Marsura, made in Italy in the 1970s. Salvino Marsura is an Italian artist born in Treviso in 1938. His career began in t...
Iron
1970s Brutalist Metal Copper & Brass Sconce
By Tom Greene, Feldman Lighting Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
1970s brutalist two tone metal sconce. Burnished copper/brass metal finish. Newly rewired with new sockets and new brass backplate. Takes two chandelier bulbs (not included).
Metal