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.
Brutalist Candelabra, Sculpture in Wrought Iron, 1970s, France
Located in Antwerp, BE
Handcrafted brutalist candelabra, sculpture with five bronze holders made in France, one piece unique five-arm candelabra a work of craftsmanship by an unknown artist. It's an except...
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Large Tree Shaped Candle Holder in Hand Forged Steel 1970s
Located in Meer, VAN
Large Tree Shaped Candle Holder in Hand Forged Steel 1970s This well sized hand forged candle holder is wonderfully shaped like a tree, it origins from Europe, 1970s. It is original...
Wrought Iron
Brutalist Tin Candelabra by Gene Byron
By Gene Byron
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Without a doubt the most iconic piece by Gene Byron, It shows some signs of age; the welding on one of the candlesticks has failed. The piece is signed on the underside. It has not b...
Tin, Brass
Pair of Wrought Iron Tall Floor Candle Holders in Brutalist Giacometti Style
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Carimate, Como
Pair of wrought iron tall floor candle holders in brutalist Giacometti style
Wrought Iron
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Candle Holder
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Candle Holder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 Additional information: Color: Black Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century Modern Item Type...
Iron
1980s Brutalist Iron and Brass Italian Three Arms Candelabra
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This striking 1980s Italian candelabra is a masterclass in Brutalist design, merging raw industrial strength with sophisticated Mid-Century flair. Hand-forged with a dramatic archite...
Brass, Iron
$1,311Sale Price / set|20% Off
Jens Harald Quistgaard. Danish cast iron candlesticks, 1960s
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Brutalist and Space Age style candlesticks designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard and manufactured by Dansk Design in Denmark, 1960s. Both pieces are made of solid cast iron with a centr...
Brass, Iron
$2,200 / set
Solid Aluminum Brutalist Candelabras
By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Brutalist candelabras, in the style of Paul Evans. Striated texture, black patinated impressions, six candle wells, beveled angle edges with archi...
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century, Scandinavian Brutalist Wrought Iron & Metal Candle Holder
Located in Odense, DK
A beautiful mid-century Brutalist candle holder crafted in wrought iron and mixed metals, embodying the sculptural aesthetics and tactile presence characteristic of post-war Northern...
Iron, Metal
Scandinavian Brutalist Candelabra in Patinated Bronze, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A small scaled ( H: 14.5, W/D: 19 cm) candelabrum for 4 regular sized candles. It is fashioned from patinated bronze and showcases distinct Neo-gothic/brutalist vibes. It was possibl...
Bronze
$950Sale Price / item|48% Off
SALE David Palumbo Huge Mid Century Modern Brutalist Hand Forged Iron Menorah
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
CYNER WEEK SALE David Palombo's Very Rare and Iconic, Hand-Forged Iron, Freeform, Spired Cylindrical, Brutalist Sculptural Hanukkah Menorah. This is one of 2 David Palumbo menorahs...
Iron
$551Sale Price|53% Off
Brutalist Style Pink and Brown Ceramic Drip Glaze Candelabra by Vallauris
By Vallauris
Located in Glasgow, GB
A vintage ceramic candelabra by the renowned French pottery makers Vallauris. Handcrafted in the 1960s, this rare and distinctive piece reinterprets the traditional French candelabr...
Ceramic
Large Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron floor candelabra candle holder
Located in BELFORT, FR
Large mid century and brutalist style wrought iron floor candelabra.
Wrought Iron
Vintage Brutalist Metal Candleholder, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist candelabra with 5 arms. The arms finely executed are finished in black. A tripod serves as a foot. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist ...
Metal
A BRUTALIST Golden SHABBY-CHIC Wrought Iron CANDELABRA CANDLESTICK, France 2001
Located in PARIS, FR
A spectacular candlestick or candelabra sculpture, Post-Modernist, Brutalist, Shabby-Chic, "organic" tree composition of golden wrought iron rods, folded and welded, mounted on a tri...
Wrought Iron
Sculptural Vintage 3-Arm Wrought Iron Candelabra, Handcrafted
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage hand-crafted wrought iron candle holder features sculptural shape with 3 branches with textured leaves flowing upwards from the base and terminating into round candle holder...
Wrought Iron
Large pair of Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron floor candelabra candle holder
Located in BELFORT, FR
Large pair of mid century and brutalist style wrought iron floor candelabras. Measurements of the bigger one : height 119 cm, width 28 cm, depth 24 cm Measurements of the smaller on...
Wrought Iron
Large Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron floor candelabra candle holder
Located in BELFORT, FR
Large mid century and brutalist style wrought iron floor candelabra.
Wrought Iron
Brutalist bronze harjes Menorah candle holder , 1960s
Located in Delft, NL
Brutalist bronze harjes Menorah candle holder , 1960s
Bronze
Tom Dixon Gold “Gem” Series Candelabra, Rough & Smooth Collection, 2013
By Tom Dixon
Located in London, GB
For sale is a gold Tom Dixon “Gem” series cast-aluminium three-candle candelabra, for the "Rough & Smooth" Collection, dating from 2013. Tom Dixon’s “GEM” series was part of Dix...
Aluminum
James Bearden Gilded Steel Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
Candelabra of blackened and 24-karat gold gilded steel, with the aspect of an extra-terrestrial or futuristic cityscape. By American artist James Bearden. Bearden's work was featured in a 2020 solo exhibition at the NY Design Center titled "James Bearden: Technical and Aesthetic Revelations," in an article in the January 2017 Interior Design Magazine...
Steel
$2,109Sale Price / set|30% Off
Luxury square candlesticks Italian design 1960s Solid brass Brutalist
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Pair of Solid Brass Candelabra with Stones Itaia 1960s
Brass
Jens Quistgaard, Brutalist wrought iron candle holder, Dansk Denmark
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in BELFORT, FR
Brutalist style wrought iron candelabra, in the style of Jens Quistgaard for Dansk.
Wrought Iron
Pair of Wrought Iron Large Brutalist Candelabras, Circa 1970s, France
Located in Girona, Spain
DESCRIPTION: Pair of Wrought Iron Large Brutalist Candelabras, Circa 1970s, France. Handcrafted brutalist floor candelabra, with hammered wrought iron sculptural structures. Excepti...
Wrought Iron
Pair Hand Crafted Brutalist Iron Candelabra With 5 Candle Holders
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully designed, and very large, Pair of Brutalist Wrought Iron Candelabras The unique and architectural pieces have platforms for 5 - 3" candles, with arms that are twisted...
Iron
$1,500Sale Price|33% Off
SALE Rare Huge Monumental David Palumbo Forged Iron Mid Century Modern Menorah
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
CYBER WEEK SALE Very Rare, Vintage David Palumbo designed, enormous, wrought iron, 9-arm brutalist, industrial Mid Century Modern Hanukkah Menorah. One of 2 Rare David Palumbo Menorahs...
Iron
Sculptural Brutalist Tree of Life Hand-Forged Candelabra Candle Holder, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Brutalist tree candle holder / candlestick from the 1970s. Hand-forged from blackened wrought iron and wonderfully shaped like a tree, featuring a base designed as roots,...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Sermon Verdigris LE Candlelabra, by Aristotelis Barakos, Patinated
Located in Athens, GR
Sermon Verdigris is a limited-edition brass candleholder by Studio Aristotelis Barakos. It is a meticulously finished object that exudes an antique allure, its surface transitioning from deep black to timeless verdigris green, echoing ancient sculptures discovered in the bottom of the sea. Sermon Verdigris is the latest edition of the Sermon candleholder — already available in brushed brass and black patinated brass. Inspired by the austere lines of Brutalist architecture, Sermon's three symmetrical tubes manifest a solemn, ritualistic aura. The term 'verdigris' finds its origins in historical art, known since ancient times as a pigment that has been used by famous painters like Giotto and Raphael. Technically speaking, verdigris is a patina that develops naturally on copper and bronze surfaces when they are exposed to the elements. It has a characteristic green colour and functions as a protective layer that develops gradually over the years. Each Sermon Verdigris candleholder is unique thanks to its handmade patina. To achieve this, Studio Aristotelis Barakos worked closely with artisans in a long process of experimentation and testing. It was essential, out of the countless possibilities, to find the type of patina that would suit the object and accentuate its character. The patina chosen for Sermon Verdigris gives the impression that the candleholder is an ancient artefact, forgotten perhaps for centuries inside the hull of a sunken ship. The candleholder's robust form matches the rough verdigris patina, which includes patches of rust and other imperfections that only add to the object's brutalist aesthetics. Sermon Verdigris is handmade in Greece...
Brass
Travertine candle holder by Fratelli Mannelli, Italy 1970s
By Fratelli Mannelli, Enzo Mari
Located in ECHT, NL
Solid travertine candle holder. Designed by Enzo Mari for Fratelli Mannelli in the 1970s. Its can hold three standard diameter candles. The piece is still in very good condition. N...
Travertine
Michael Harjes Large Brutalist Hanging Ceiling Candelabra Candle Holder, 1970s
By Harjes Metallkunst 1, Michael Harjes
Located in Vienna, AT
A decorative and substantial sculptural Brutalist Mid-Century Modern hanging pendant candle holder / candelabra / candlestick / chandelier from the 1970s. Designed and handcrafted by...
Bronze
Brutalist Hand-Crafted Brass and Iron Candle Holders, 1960s Pair
Located in Round Top, TX
Twisted iron candle sticks in two different heights. Hand-made pieces with the most incredible bases that have a trio of circular "feet". Shorter: 6" Diameter x 15.13"H Taller: 6" ...
Brass, Iron
Paire de bougeoirs en fer forgé attribués à l'Atelier Marolles, années 1950
Located in Meyrin, Switzerland
Paire de bougeoirs à trois branches en fer forgé attribués à l'Atelier Marolles, Travail manuel, France, années 1950. Les bougeoirs reposent sur quatre pieds en forme de volutes se ...
Steel
Sculptural Brutalist Bronze Candelabra from Ystad/Scandia, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A sculptural candleholder/candelabra cast in washed bronze. It is to be installed with 5 regular sized candles. This design comes from Scandia/Ystad-Metall in Sweden and It was likel...
Bronze
Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron candelabra candle holder
Located in BELFORT, FR
Mid century and brutalist style wrought iron candelabra. Perfect condition.
Wrought Iron
Menorah G048 Abstract Candelabra Cast Brass Gold Coloured Made in Spain
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Menorah was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast brass. Handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in Spain from recycled materials. Ce...
Brass
Mid-20th Century Brutalist Iron Shabbat Candlesticks by David Palombo
Located in New York, NY
Small iron Shabbat candle holder crafted in brutalist style by David Palombo. Made for three candles, the holders come together in their middle, ...
Iron
Rare 1970s MCM János Lehoczky Artisan Brutalist Hand Wrought Steel Candle Holder
By János Lehoczky, Károly Bieber, Paul Evans
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rare 1970s Mid-Century Modern Brutalist, 3 candle candelabra, hand forged by the hands of Hungarian blacksmith János Lehoczky. Height includes can...
Iron, Wrought Iron
A Golden SHABBY-CHIC Wrought Iron CANDELABRA CANDLESTICK, France 1990-2000
Located in PARIS, FR
A spectacular candlestick or candelabra sculpture, Post-Modernist, Brutalist, Shabby-Chic, "organic" tree composition of golden wrought iron rods and leaves, mounted on a quadripod b...
Wrought Iron
$414Sale Price|20% Off
Sculptural Solid Walnut Candle Holder - Acer R:2 by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Acer candle holder R:2 features architectural cubic volumes and semi arched voids. Made out of solid wood and steel, showing signs of handcraft. Designed by Aad Bos and crafted...
Steel
$260Sale Price|20% Off
Sculptural Solid Oak Wooden Candle Holder R:2
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The surrealism inspired Acer candle holder R:2 features architectural cubic volumes and semi arched voids. Designed by Aad Bos and hand crafted in Amsterdam from solid oak wood and s...
Steel
Large Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron floor candelabra candle holder, knot
Located in BELFORT, FR
Large mid century and brutalist style wrought iron floor candelabra.
Wrought Iron
Brutalist Hand-Crafted Brass and Iron Candle Holders, Mexico, 1970s
Located in Round Top, TX
Twisted iron candle sticks in two different heights. Hand-made pieces with the most incredible bases that have a trio of circular "feet". Shorter: 6" Diameter x 15.13"H Taller: 6" ...
Brass, Iron
Mid-Century Brutalist Scandinavian Wooden Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Scandinavian Wooden Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 Additional information: Materials: Wood Color: Brown Styles: Brutalist,...
Wood
$414Sale Price|20% Off
Sculptural Solid Walnut Candle Holder - Acer R:2 by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Acer candle holder R:2 features architectural cubic volumes and semi arched voids. Made out of solid wood and steel, showing signs of handcraft. Designed by Aad Bos and crafted...
Steel
Floor Candle Holder with 9 Candles Votive, Wrought Iron, Spain
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
Late 19th Century or Early 20th Century Votive candlestick, for 9 candles, made in wrought iron Golden candlestick candleholder or centerpiece to...
Iron
Sculptural Solid Walnut Wooden Candle Holder R:4
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Acer candle holder R:4 features a rhythmic architectural interplay of cubic volumes and semi arched voids. Designed by Aad Bos and hand crafted by our carpenters from solid oak o...
Steel
Candle Holder, Handcrafted in Amsterdam from Solid Walnut - Acer R:2 by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Acer candle holder R:2 features architectural cubic volumes and semi arched voids. Made out of solid wood and steel, showing signs of handcraft. Designed by Aad Bos and crafted...
Steel
Brutalist Solid Walnut Acer Candle Holder R:2 - by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Acer candle holder R:2 features architectural cubic volumes and semi arched voids. Made out of solid wood and steel, showing signs of handcraft. Designed by Aad Bos and crafted...
Steel
Handmade Brutalist artist bronze candlestick signed Beergmeister Germany
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Bronze candlestick object Art Deco Kunstschmiede Bergmeister Ebersberg. With beautiful patina
Bronze
Brutalist Candle Holder R:4 - Solid Black Oak - by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Acer candle holder R:4 features a rhythmic sequence of architectural cubic volumes and semi arched voids. Made out of solid wood and steel, showing signs of handcraft. Designed...
Steel
$376Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Candle Holder R:2 - Solid Black Oak - by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Acer candle holder R:2 features architectural cubic volumes and semi arched voids. Made out of solid wood and steel, showing signs of handcraft. Designed by Aad Bos and crafted...
Steel
60s Mid Century Modern Brutalist K L Hakuli Brass Abstract Art Menorah Israel
By Wainberg Israel, Yaacov Agam
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Beautiful Artisan made, K. L. Hakuli for Weinberg, Israel Brutalist 9 candle Hanukkah Menorah Piece is off-centered and very abstract with incised v...
Brass
Brutalist Candle Holder R:2 - Solid Dark Brown Oak - Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Acer candle holder R:2 features architectural cubic volumes and semi arched voids. Made out of solid wood and steel, showing signs of handcraft. Designed by Aad Bos and crafted...
Steel
$1,205Sale Price|20% Off
Hanging cast bronze candelabra by Michael Harjes, Germany 1960s
By Harjes Metallkunst 1, Michael Harjes
Located in ECHT, NL
Cast bronze candelabra. It has 4 arms that are set on a central rod. The arms can rotate around the rod. At the bottom it is capped with a cast bronze cap and at the top it has a cas...
Bronze
$173Sale Price|28% Off
Brutalist candelabra in wrought iron by RK design, Switzerland 1970s
Located in STRASBOURG, FR
Beautiful Brutalist 4-light wrought-iron candelabra circa 1970, Swiss production by RK. In very good condition.
Wrought Iron
Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron candle holder
Located in BELFORT, FR
Mid century and brutalist style wrought iron candle holder. Perfect condition. Handmade in Switzerland.
Wrought Iron
Vintage Brutalist Metal Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Metal Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century Mode...
Metal
Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron candelabra candle holder
Located in BELFORT, FR
Mid century and brutalist style wrought iron candelabra.
Wrought Iron
Tall Brutalist Black / Gold Ceramic Candle Light Candelabra, Norway, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Painted black and gold ceramic candle light candelabra, made in Norway, 1960s.
Ceramic
Mid Century Candelabra by Don Drumm
Located in Redding, CT
Mid Century Candelabra by Don Drumm. Classic Sculptural Brutalist style.. Holds four candles. Perfect for that collector. Don Drumm was bo...
Aluminum