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Brutalist Furniture

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
  • Prioritises functionalism, minimalism and utilisation 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 criticised 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, decor and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Brutalist
"Chartres " Wall Light designed for Raak By Wilhelm van Oyen, 1960s
By RAAK
Located in Antwerp, BE
Wall lamp "Chartres' designed by Willem van Oyen, 1960s, for RAAK. The glass sculpture is made in a 1960s experimental process of a glass fusing technique, on a base made of reinforc...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Metal

Belgian Brutalist Cabinet in Black Lacquered Ash
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cabinet, lacquered ash, glass, mirrored glass, Belgium, 1970s This cabinet features a clear rhythm and flow established by means of a well-thought-out lay out that is utterly well-...
Category

1970s Belgian Vintage Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Ash

Sunburst Brutalist Light Fixture with Nails Detail, Gilt Iron and Milk Glass
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mini sized sunburst light fixture / flush mount, gilt iron, milk glass, gold leaf. Spain, 1950s Brutalist spanish gilt iron sunburst ceiling light with nails ornamentation topped by a bronze foliage canopy. This small sunburst fixture...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf

Contemporary Pair of Labyrinth Ceramic Lamps by Roberto Renzi. Italy
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Contemporary Brutalist Monolithe Geometric Labyrinth stone style table lamps in natural white ceramic or terracotta, beautiful brut material by the italian designer artist Roberto Re...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Pair of Labyrinth Ceramic Lamps by Roberto Renzi. Italy
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Contemporary Brutalist Monolithe Geometric Labyrinth stone style table lamps in natural white ceramic or terracotta, beautiful brut material by the italian designer artist Roberto Re...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pet Proof Coffee Table Crafted In Brutalist Style
Located in New York, NY
This handcrafted coffee table is crafted from a composite blend of wood, resin, and fibreglass, it features a distinctive design inspired by the raw and unadorned aesthetics of the b...
Category

2010s Portuguese Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Composition

Brutalist chain giant floor lamp from France, 1940
Located in LYON, FR
Exceptionnel brutalist floor lamp, anonymous work from the 1940s, made in France. 185cm height floor lamp composed of welded chain, and featuring a mysterious "K" signature in the mi...
Category

1940s French Vintage Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Vintage Danish design brutalist table. OxArt 79. Vintage Ox Art 79 coffee table
Located in ROTTERDAM, ZH
Beautiful wooden table with art tiles. These hand made ceramic tiles form a beautiful piece of art. Made by Ox Art in 1979. Signed and dated. In absolute stunning condition for its 4...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Mid Century Brutalist Caste Bronze Bull's Head Sculpture signed Valdema Balutis
Located in New York, NY
This intrigueing and playful Brutalist Bull's Head Sculpture signed Vlademar Valutis originates from Sweden, created in 1974. Featuring a stylized and texturally intriguing bull's he...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Brutalist Bronze and Natural Amathyst, Quartz, and Citrine Crystal Bowl
Located in Southbury, CT
This 1970s-era Brutalist bronze bowl is both spectacular and unique. Measuring approximately 11" by 7", the bowl has a bronze wire basket with plenty of room for a mound of lemons, a...
Category

1970s Brazilian Vintage Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Quartz, Bronze

Brutalist atomic iron garden sculpture.. exterior or interior, Hand exicuted
Located in Buffalo, NY
Brutalist atomic iron garden sculpture.. exterior or interior, Hand exicuted.. Great colour and patina..
Category

1950s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Iron

'Bird In Flight' welded sculpture attributed to Curtis Jere
Located in Portlaoise, IE
Superb and rare vintage welded ‘Bird In Flight’ sculpture on onyx base by Curtis Jere. This striking piece of artwork done in the brutalist manner is certain to look amazing in any p...
Category

1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Onyx, Metal

Massive oak brutalist shelves from the Netherlands, 1950s
Located in LYON, FR
Stunning and high shelves cabinet, in massive oak wood, made in the 1950s in the Netherlands, where it used to be a cheese shelves « Stokkenkast ». Sturdy, rustic, practical, you can...
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Metal

Natural Parota Brutalist Sculptural Collage Artwork, Mural from Upcycled Wood
Located in San Antonio, TX
These NATURAL PAROTA collage tiles are composed randomly from recycled wood remnants and when installed bathe any space with a warm feeling and texture w...
Category

2010s Mexican Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Wood

Wrought Iron Chandelier, France
Located in Antwerp, BE
French wrought iron chandelier has six candelabra arms. This chandeliers would work beautiful over a pool table, kitchen island, dining table, bar, or entrance hall. Diameter 33.4...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper, Wrought Iron

Concrete Circular Dining Table Atlante Ultra High Perfomance Cement Mortar
Located in Rome, Lazio
Atlante is a round dining table with essential lines and a strong inspiration. Completely fashioned in UHPC concrete mortar by a team of expert artisans, this table perfeclty emodi...
Category

2010s Italian Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Solid Brass Door Knobs Mineral Inspiration 7 x 5 cm
Located in Marrakech, MA
A tribute to nature, infinite source of patterns with mineral elements. Brass foundry pull handle made in our workshops.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Moroccan Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Brass

Solid Brass Door Knobs Mineral Inspiration 7 x 5 cm
Located in Marrakech, MA
A tribute to nature, infinite source of patterns with mineral elements. Brass foundry pull handle made in our workshops.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Moroccan Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Brass

Concrete Bookcase, Flipper Collection Studio Irvine for Forma & Cemento
Located in Rome, Lazio
The Flipper Bookcase (configuration A) is part of the Flipper collection designed by Marialaura Irvine. Play, colour and freedom are the keywords of this new collection based on the ...
Category

2010s Italian Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Concrete, Cement

Concrete Bookcase, Flipper Collection Studio Irvine for Forma & Cemento
Located in Rome, Lazio
The Flipper Bookcase (configuration B) is part of the Flipper collection designed by Marialaura Irvine. Play, colour and freedom are the keywords of this new collection based on the ...
Category

2010s Italian Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Concrete, Cement

Solid Brass Door Handle Organic Type 36 cm
Located in Marrakech, MA
A tribute to nature, infinite source of patterns. Solid brass foundry door handle made in our workshops. Hand made organic patterns 36 cm.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Moroccan Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Brass

Silas Seandel Sculptural Coffee Table with Glass Top 1970s (Signed)
Located in New York, NY
Coffee table with organic shape base in cast solid resin to resemble concrete with thick glass top by Silas Seandel, American 1970's ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Resin, Glass

Tribal Decor Face Mask Statue, 21st Century Polyresin Natural Finished Bust
Located in Paris, FR
This art piece is a decor face, made of poly-resin. Wearing earrings, this tribal inspired artwork piece and mix and match with other pieces in small groups for a nice and personal l...
Category

2010s European Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Resin

Charles Dudouyt Style Coffee or Side Table in Oak, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Solid oak side table with ringed pin legs; the levels are encased in the legs. Reminiscent of the "Quilles" table by Jean Royere.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Oak

Brutalist Mosaic Coffee Tables by Paul Kingma, Kneip 1989
By Kneip, Paul Kingma
Located in London, GB
Set of three nesting natural stone mosaic side tables on alternating heights. The tables are inlaid with unpolished textural stone in earth colours and pieces of brass and copper. ...
Category

1980s German Vintage Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Slate, Concrete, Limestone, Brass, Copper

4 Brutalist Wabi Sabi Dutch Hamerhead Barstools Solid Oak
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Crafted from solid oak in the 1970s, these four barstools are a testament to the enduring quality of vintage furniture. Featuring a distinctive hammerhead back design, these barstools exude a sense of sophistication and charm. The gently curved top rail, reminiscent of a hammerhead shark's distinctive shape, adds a unique touch to their overall aesthetic. Each barstool has been meticulously crafted by skilled artisans, ensuring durability and longevity. The solid oak construction provides exceptional strength, making these barstools both reliable and robust for daily use. The rich, warm tones of the oak wood add a touch of natural beauty to any space, enhancing the overall ambiance of your home, bar, or kitchen. The ergonomic design of the barstools offers optimal comfort, allowing you and your guests to sit back and relax for extended periods. Whether you are creating a cosy corner in your home or setting up a stylish bar area, these vintage oak barstools...
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Oak

Olavi Hänninen Brutalist Elm Wood Bar Stools, Finland 1960s
Located in Almelo, NL
Olavi Hänninen Brutalist Elm Wood Bar Stools, Finland 1960s These set of 6 bar stools, crafted by Finnish designer Olavi Hänninen in the 1960s, boas...
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Elm

Audoux Minet French armchairs for Vibo
Located in LYON, FR
Armchairs by Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet Vibo edition in the 50s. Made of beech and braided rope, typical of the couple's designs. Attractive turned legs adorned with grooves. C...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Beech, Rope

Set of Six Victor Courtray Attributed Dining Chairs in Oak and Rush, 1950s
Located in The Hague, NL
This striking set of six dining chairs was produced in the Northern Basque region around the city of Biarritz in the 1950s. The design is attributed to Victor Courtray. The chairs a...
Category

1950s French Vintage Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Rush, Oak

Artisan Made Floor Standing Full Body Mirror in Pewter 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Studio made sculptural floor standing full body mirror in welded steel with a textured pewter finish, American 1970's. This mirror is very c...
Category

1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Steel, Pewter

Solid Brass Pull Handle mineral inspirations 12 cm
Located in Marrakech, MA
A tribute to nature, infinite source of patterns. Solid brass pull handle made in our workshops.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Moroccan Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Brass

Brutalist Elm Wood Bar Stools by Olavi Hänninen, Finland 1960s
Located in Almelo, NL
Olavi Hänninen Brutalist Elm Wood Bar Stools, Finland 1960s These set of 3 bar stools, crafted by Finnish designer Olavi Hänninen in the 1960s, boast unique warm tones due to thei...
Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Elm

In Stock - Bastogne Walnut Single Slab FIJN Dining Table
Located in Calgary, CA
A single slab of California exhibition-grade Bastogne walnut set atop oversized legs set in a brutalist stance. Handcrafted from one of our "unicorn" slabs - large enough to achiev...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Steel

French Brutalist Oak Coffee Table, free form, 1950s Handmade
Located in Forest, BE
Very unique oak handmade massive slay of tree. It is a free form shape. The top is patinated and shows various shades of brown/brownish colours and honey tones. Elegant and brutalist describe that table properly. The height is 31.5 cm and is 86 cm x 66 cm. Very strong table. Lovely as a side table, a coffee table or a stand for a sculpture. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brutalist architecture is an architectural style that emerged during the 1950s in the United Kingdom, among the reconstruction projects of the post-war era. Brutalist buildings are characterised by minimalist constructions that showcase the bare building materials and structural elements over decorative design. The style commonly makes use of exposed, unpainted concrete or brick, angular geometric shapes and a predominantly monochrome colour palette; other materials, such as steel, timber, and glass, are also featured. Descending from the modernist movement, brutalism is said to be a reaction against the nostalgia of architecture in the 1940s. Derived from the Swedish phrase nybrutalism, the term "new brutalism...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Pair of Wooden Brutalist Chairs
Located in BREDA, NL
Solid wooden three-legged brutalist chairs. These chairs date from the mid 60's and were produced in Spain. Price is for the pair.
Category

1960s Spanish Vintage Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Wood

Biosca Spanish Mid Century Brutaist Dining Table
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mid Century Brutalist Dining Table by Biosca. Made in Spain, 1960s. Pine and Iron. Original condition
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Iron

Monumental Brutalist Owl, Mid-Century Modern, Italy
Located in Buffalo, NY
Wonderful Brutalist owl sculpture, handmade, copper and brass, modernist, signed Italy.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper

Brutalist oak lounge chair and ottoman with upholstery in goat hide
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
Robust and heavy massive oak lounge chair with ottoman, both upholstered in goathide. Brutalism is a movement within architecture that originated from modernism. It is characterised ...
Category

Late 20th Century European Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Oak, Goatskin

Large French Oak Art Deco Sideboard Att. to Charles Dudouyt, France, C1940s
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
A large sideboard/credenza attributed to Charles Dudouyt. France, c1940s. Consists of 1 central drawer and three storage compartments. The middle compartment has a flap door. Inlaid...
Category

1940s French Vintage Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Brass

Gold Brutalist Sculptural Collage Artwork, Mural from Upcycled Wood
Located in San Antonio, TX
These ANTIQUE GOLD collage tiles are composed randomly from recycled wood remnants and when installed bathe any space with a warm feeling and texture whi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Wood

French Pair of Nightstands Side Cabinets Bedside Tables Brutalist Style, 2022
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of oak nightstands "Pyrénées" signed by Sébastien Lamarre. This french side cabinets were made by Sébastien Lamarre for Maison Marie Anne. The creator chose for the Pyrénées mo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Oak

Banham Black Brutalist Oak Dining Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oak Brutalist dining table.
Category

2010s Mexican Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Oak

Francois Melin Brutalist Grasshopper Table, 1970
Located in Hastings, GB
An exceptional brass and steel Grasshopper table created by the renowned French Sculptor and Artist, Francois Melin in the 1970s'. The table has been...
Category

1970s French Vintage Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Brass

Brutal Black Oak Sideboard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brutal solid oak handcrafted 4-door sideboard, each piece retains it´s natural character.
Category

2010s Mexican Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Oak

Brutal Black Oak Dining Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This solid oak brutal dining table with a triangular base and a dramatic black aesthetic finish, gives every space you place it a modern and unique look. Hand-crafted by Mexican Arte...
Category

2010s Mexican Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Oak

Brass Celing Pendants in Brutalist Style by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
Stunning design by Danish designer Svend Aage Holm Sørensen from the 1960s. The pendants are made from solid acid cut brass cylinders and was produced by Holm Sorensen & co.´s own wo...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Brass

Modern Brutal Black Oak Piramid Pedestal Coffee Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This modern solid oak coffee table with a triangular base and a dramatic black aesthetic finish, gives every space you place it a modern and unique look. Inspired in 1970´s Brutali...
Category

2010s Mexican Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Oak

Brutalist Wrought Iron Travertine Oval Top Coffee Table
Located in Antwerp, BE
Brutalist decorative wrought iron base with a beautiful travertine top in the natural tone of white and brown. The turned metal is a warm brown tone. Original condition. Measures: Wi...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Travertine, Wrought Iron

Handcrafted Blue White and Brown Brutalist Era Style Stoneware Vase
Located in Paris, FR
Blue, brown and white mat glazed Brutalist era style stoneware vase. Due to the nature of the glaze and item being handcrafted, colour variations may occur.
Category

2010s Danish Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

James de Wulf Concrete Colour Samples
Located in Los Angeles, CA
James de Wulf Concrete colour samples in light grey, natural, dark grey, black, and creamy white.
Category

2010s American Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Concrete

Brutalist Oak Dining Chairs, France, 1960s
Located in Almelo, NL
Brutalist Oak dining chairs, France, 1960s An extensive set of twelve Oak dining chairs curved in the back, France 1960s. These brutalist chairs ar...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Oak

Natural White Marble Stone, Rose top, Black detail handmade Jean Tall Side Table
Located in Lisbon, PT
Jean side tables are unique in their conception. The combination of three different marbles make them a sign of unconformity and originality. The combination in the picture is in Es...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Marble

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...
Category

2010s American Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Pair of Holey Cast Silver Metal Lamps, Italy
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Sculptural pair of table or bedside holey lamps in cast aluminium or silver brass. In the mood of Hervé Van Der Straeten, Garouste & Bonetti, En attendant les Barbares, Franck Evenou...
Category

2010s Italian Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Metal

Matte White Brutalist Sculptural Collage Artwork, Mural from Upcycled Wood
Located in San Antonio, TX
These MATTE WHITE collage tiles are composed randomly from recycled wood remnants and when installed bathe any space with a warm feeling and texture whic...
Category

2010s Mexican Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Wood

Tea Rosa Morada Brutalist Sculptural Collage Artwork, Mural from Upcycled Wood
Located in San Antonio, TX
These TEA ROSA MORADA collage tiles are composed randomly from recycled wood remnants and when installed bathe any space with a warm feeling and texture ...
Category

2010s Mexican Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Wood

White Wash Brutalist Sculptural Collage Artwork, Mural from Upcycled Wood
Located in San Antonio, TX
These WHITE WASH collage tiles are composed randomly from recycled wood remnants and when installed bathe any space with a warm feeling and texture which...
Category

2010s Mexican Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Wood

Satin Black Brutalist Sculptural Collage Artwork, Mural from Upcycled Wood
Located in San Antonio, TX
These SATIN BLACK collage tiles are composed randomly from recycled wood remnants and when installed bathe any space with a warm feeling and texture whic...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Brutalist Furniture

Materials

Wood

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