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.
32-Inch Tall Bronze Brutalist Candle Holder, Mid-20th Century
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A sculptural and commanding Brutalist candle holder, standing at an impressive 32 inches in height. Crafted in solid bronze with a raw, hand-forged texture, this piece embodies the b...
Bronze
$580Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Brutalist Rare Hand Hammered Brass Candle Holders
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare pair of candleholders solid hand hammered brass, we got these pair in Norway beautiful and unique.
Brass
Paul Evans Rare and Early Candlesticks, Set of Three, 1953
By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Evans Rare and Early Candlesticks, Set of Three, 1953 Sandblasted pewter Each: 20½ h × 3¼ dia in (52 × 8 cm) Provenance: The Artist Collection of Dorsey Reading Exhibited: Paul...
Pewter
Mid Century Brutalist Pair of Candle Holders in Patinated Solid Brass 1970s
Located in Meer, VAN
Mid Century Brutalist Pair of Candle Holders in Patinated Solid Brass 1970s. Wonderful pair of mid century brutalist candle holders in solid brass. Great freeform design - very mid ...
Brass
mid century modern henrik horst wall CANDLE HOLDER iron brutalistic style
By Henrik Horst
Located in Mannheim, DE
Outstanding 1970s metal wall candle holder. Designed by Henrik Horst, Denmark. Eclectic brutalistic style. A unique piece and a perfect addition to any mid century interior. For cand...
Metal
Matthew Hilton. Brutalist candle holders, England, 1980s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Brutalist candlesticks by Matthew Hilton, England, 1980s, set of 2. Sculptural shapes made of aluminium. Totally timeless pieces for any current interior with a classic or contempora...
Aluminum
Brutalist Japanese Iron Interactive Candleholder, 1960s
Located in New Windsor, NY
An exceptionally fine and unusual iron Japanese candleholder. A candleholder and sculpture. The interior ring twirls making lighting a candle a periodic ritual. How do you not give t...
Iron
Sculptural Brutalist Gilt Bronze Candle Holder by Heinz Goll, Austria 1960s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find an extremely rare and absolutely extraordinary sculptural Brutalist candle holder done in gilt bronze. It was designed by Austrian designer Heinz Goll...
Bronze
Brutalist Candle Holder in Patinated Sand Cast Brass 1960s
Located in Meer, VAN
Brutalist Candle Holder in Patinated Sand Cast Brass, Europe, 1960s. A very distinct brutalist style candle holder in heavy sand cast brass with a lovely patina. Quintessentially mi...
Brass
Mid Century Brutalist Candle Holder in Wrought Iron 1960s
Located in Tilburg, NL
Mid Century Brutalist Candle Holder in Wrought Iron, Europe, 1960s. This is a wonderful and fairly large mid century candle holder in wrought iron with a very distinct chain like br...
Wrought Iron
Mid-Century brutalist hand-forged candlestick
Located in Herentals, BE
Hand-forged, twisted and hammered candlestick. The candlestick has 4 different, forged and hammered legs that are attached under a twisted center piece. Above this, the scalloped dri...
Wrought Iron
$1,550 / set
Vintage Brutalist Bronze Candlesticks - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bring a touch of raw architectural drama to your interior with this striking pair of vintage Brutalist candelabras. Crafted from heavy cast bronze with a warm gilded finish, these th...
Brass, Bronze
Quist Variomaster Brutalist Modular Candle Holders Set Chrome German 1970s
Located in Lisboa, PT
This set of four Variomaster modular candle holders was produced in the 1970s by Quist, a German manufacturer known for its bold interpretation o...
Metal, Chrome
XL Black Brutalist Style Candlestick Holder Of Wrought Iron, 1950s
Located in München, BY
Large brutalist style candlestick holder of Wrought iron, Germany, 1950s. Dimensions: Height 30.7" / 78cm, Width 15.0" / 38cm, Depth 15.4" / 39cm, Edge Length Candle Bases 4.7" / 1...
Wrought Iron
$141Sale Price|40% Off
Ruscha Keramik Brutalist Advents Candle Holder - West Germany, 1960's
By Ruscha
Located in Bern, CH
West German ceramic Brutalist Advents candle holder produced by Ruscha Keramik (W.Germany) in the late 1960's to mid-1970s. With four candle holde...
Ceramic
Zoltán Pap Anthropomorphic Brutalist Candle Holder in Bronze and Enamel 1970s
Located in Tilburg, NL
Zoltán Pap Anthropomorphic Brutalist Candle Holder in Bronze and Enamel, Hungary, 1970s. A whimsical and very well made candlestick in solid cast bronze and enamel made by Hungarian...
Brass, Enamel
Brutalist Aluminum Candlestick Holder designed by Gunther Lambert, Germany 1970s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a large Brutalist candlestick holder designed by Gunther Lambert. The candlestick holder is done in hammered aluminum, featuring beautiful and sleek des...
Aluminum
Michael Harjes Brutalist 5-Lamp Candlestick, 1970's
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
Five-armed sculptural candlestick in bronze by Michael Hael Harjes, made in the 1960s–70s. The piece shows a Brutalist approach with rough, textured surfaces and irregular forms that...
Bronze
Pair of Brutalist Candle Holders in Patinated Bronze 1960s
Located in Meer, VAN
Pair of Brutalist Candle Holders in Patinated Bronze 1960s. Beautiful pair of brutalist style candle holders in patinated bronze. Heavy quality and execution, very nice brutalist de...
Bronze
Pair of Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron candle holder sticks
Located in BELFORT, FR
Pair of mid century and brutalist style wrought iron candle holders. Perfect condition.
Wrought Iron
Michael Harjes Brutalist Candlestick in Bronze 1970s Germany
Located in Balen, BE
This Brutalist candlesticks was designed and made in solid bronze by Michael Harjes in the 1970s. The design is wonderfully crafted, one can sense that the cast for the piece was for...
Bronze
1960's Swiss Brutalist wrought iron floor standing Candle Holder
Located in Bern, CH
Large Brutalist floor standing wrought iron candle holder dating from the late 1950's - early 1960's. With single candle holder on a decorated tripod base. Believed to be of Swiss or...
Wrought Iron
Brutalist Collection of Welded Iron Chain Candeholders 1970s, The Netherlands
By Franz West
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
A collection of 6 impressive sized brutalist 1970s candleholders Iron chains and wrought iron has been welded and forged by hand to make these brutalist forms The origin is fr...
Wrought Iron, Iron
Pair of Signed Iron Brutalist Candle Holders
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice pair of signed iron brutalist candle holders, circa 1970s. The set is signed on the base "Perry", is in good vintage condition and measures 3"W x 3"D x 3"H. Cool well cr...
Iron
Pair of Brutalist Nickel Candle Holders by Thomas Roy Markusen
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of sculpted pounded nickel plated Candle holder/ vases by Thomas Roy Markusen Brutalist. Large-15" high 6" diameter Small-10" high 6" diameter
Metal, Nickel
$495Sale Price|38% Off
Brutalist Style Brass Candleholder, Hand-Crafted in Sweden, 1970s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A monumental candleholder in cast brass, created in the spirit of brutalism. Its form unfolds like a branching structure, at once reminiscent of a tree and of modernist architecture....
Brass
$580Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 3 Brutalist Rare Hand Hammered Brass Austrian Candle Holders
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare set of 3 candle holders solid hand hammered brass, made in austria beautiful and unique retains label.
Brass
Studio Pottery Candle Holder
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage studio pottery candle holder. Two toned speckled brown and gray glazes with an applied design on the front and back. Signed on the base.
Pottery
Scott Nelles Floral Bronze Candleholder, 1986
Located in Charleston, SC
The Scott Nelles Floral Brass Candleholders were crafted in 1986, showcasing an elegant design Inspired by Nature. Each candleholder is individually marked and dated by the skilled c...
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Brutalist wrought iron candelabra folk art 50's in style of atelier de marolles
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Large French Brutalist candlestick from the 1950s, handcrafted in the style of the De Marolles workshops. Wrought-iron candleholder structure with seven candle bases and a quadripod ...
Wrought Iron
$420Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Sculptural and Brutalist Candlesticks Made in Brass and Copper, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
A pair of sculptural candlesticks probably made in Italy between the 60s and 70s. The irregular texture created like a bas-relief by small and irregular signs engraved in the surfac...
Brass, Copper, Aluminum
Mid-Century Brutalist Solid Brass Candle Holder with Tripod Base, 1960s–70s
Located in Herentals, BE
Mid-century sculptural candle holder in solid brass, dating from the 1960s–70s. The circular top is defined by a radial organic relief, centered with a conical candle spike. Resting ...
Brass
Candelabra Cobra G022 Cast Brass Gold coloured made in Spain by David Marshall
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Candelabre 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. ...
Brass
Pair of Brutalist Cast Stainless Steel Candleholders by Olav Joa, Norway 1970s
A striking pair of Norwegian Brutalist candleholders designed by Olav Joa, circa 1970s. Executed in cast stainless steel (18-8), these sculptural candlesticks embody the bold archit...
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Pair of Brutalist Candleholders/Sculptures by David Palombo
Located in New York, NY
These two pieces by Israeli artist David Palombo are in his signature Brutalist style and use the two materials he is best known for iron and natural stone. Fully functional as candl...
Stone, Iron
Brutalist Candleholder - Gilt & Patinated Bronze - 1950s
Located in MOUGINS, FR
A candle-holder in wrought iron. It is plated with gold leaf and patinated, resting on three curved feet. This piece is in Brutalist style and was manufactured in the 1950s. It comp...
Bronze
1970s Brutalist Iron Candleholder Sculpture, Vertical Architectural Form
Located in Stockholm, SE
A sculptural Brutalist iron candleholder composed as a vertical architectural structure. The composition consists of stacked, heavy iron elements placed on top of one another in a ca...
Iron, Metal, Wrought Iron
Mathias For Fondica France Gilt Bronze Candlestick Candle Holder
Located in Toledo, OH
Brutalist style gilt bronze candlestick by Mathias for Fondica France. Very good condition. Dimensions: 7" diameter x 18" H.
Bronze
$560Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Candlestick Holder done in solid brass Austria 1970s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a gorgeous Brutalist candlestick holder done in solid brass. It features striking design typical for the era. Made in Austria in 1970s. Very good vinta...
Brass
Wrought Iron Candlestick with Dragon, Brutalist Style, 20th Century
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Wrought Iron Candlestick With Dragon decoration Chandelier - Vintage - Dragon Measures : Ø Base 34cm H:123cm Material : Wrought Iron
Iron
Brutalist Candlestick Holder Done in Brass and Nickel, Italy, 1970s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a rare Brutalist three-arm candlestick holder done in bronze and chrome. It features sculptural form, with thick bronze sticks curved in symmetrical dir...
Brass, Nickel
Wrought Iron Candle Holder in Brutalist Giacometti Style
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Cirac 1970. We offer this Wrought Iron Candle Holder in Brutalist Giacometti Style. Fantastic Patina.
Iron
Mid-Century French Handcrafted Brutalist Iron Chain Link Candleholder
Located in COLMAR, FR
An authentic, brutalist, mid-century modern chain candleholder sourced in France. This is a spiked candleholder made for pillar candles (up to a max...
Iron
Pair of Brutalist Cast Stainless Steel Candleholders by Olav Joa, Norway 1970s
A striking pair of Norwegian Brutalist candleholders designed by Olav Joa, circa 1970s. Executed in cast stainless steel (18-8), these sculptural candlesticks embody the bold archit...
Stainless Steel
Brutalist Hand-Forged Metal Candleholder, Venetian Style, Europe 1960s
By Maison Jansen, Tommaso Barbi, Luciano Frigerio di Desio
Located in Herentals, BE
A powerful and sculptural brutalist candleholder, crafted in Europe circa 1960s–1970s, distinguished by its commanding presence and subtle Venetian stylistic influence. The piece fea...
Metal
$188Sale Price / item|20% Off
Swiss Brutalist wrought iron Candle Holder
Located in Bern, CH
Swiss Brutalist wrought iron candle holder dating from the 1960's. Made by W. Müller Metalfabrik, Ersigen, Switzerland. With placement for two candle holders. Original makers label ...
Metal
Brutalist style. Sculptural candle holders by Ferro Art, Spain, 1950s
By Ferro Art
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Sculptural candle holders by Ferro Art (also Ferroart), Spain, 1950s, set of 2. Made of wrought iron worked, welded and hammered entirely by hand, with a subtle gold patinated finish...
Iron
Brutalist Mid-Century Brass Candelabra by Heinz Goll, Austria, 1960s
By Heinz Goll
Located in Vienna, AT
Brutalist candelabra in hand-cast brass by Austrian artist Heinz Goll, created in the 1960s. This rare, sculptural piece features 1 candle holder rising from a textured base, evoking...
Brass
$141Sale Price|40% Off
1960's Ruscha Keramik Brutalist Advents Candle Holder - West Germany
By Ruscha
Located in Bern, CH
West German ceramic Brutalist Advents candle holder produced by Ruscha Keramik (W.Germany) in the late 1960's to mid-1970s. Brutalist style with f...
Ceramic
Brutalist style. Huge handmade candle holders by Ferro Art, Spain, 1960s
By Ferro Art, Ferrocolor
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Huge and sculptural Brutalist set of 2 candelabras by Ferro Art, Spain, 1960s. Pair of candlesticks made entirely of sheet metal or tin. Worked, hammered and welded entirely by hand,...
Iron, Sheet Metal, Tin
$1,635 / set
Pair of candleholders by Matthew Hilton.
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Pair of candleholders in chrome plated aluminium by Matthew Hilton. A refined sculptural design defined by balance, negative space, and polished chrome surfaces. Both functional and ...
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome
Vintage Boho Zig Zag Candlesticks - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add sculptural interest and earthy texture to your space with this striking pair of Vintage Boho Zig Zag Candlesticks. Crafted from plaster or stone composite, their architectural, s...
Concrete
David Marshall Sculptural Bronze Candlesticks Mid Century Modern
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Brutalist cast brass "G023" tripod candelabras by David Marshall, Spain, circa 2000s. Signed.
Brass, Bronze
Set of Three Travertine Candle Holder by Fratelli Mannelli, Italy 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful set of Candlesticks in Travertine Marble is a wonderful example of Italian decorative objects production during the 1970s. Made by Fratelli Mannelli, the color and the...
Travertine
Pair of Two Beautiful Travertine Candle Holder by Fratelli Mannelli, italy 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful pair of Candlesticks in Travertine Marble is a wonderful example of Italian decorative objects production during the 1970s. Made by Fratelli Mannelli, the color and th...
Travertine
Large wrought iron candelabra with an abstract design and three candle holders
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Vintage decoration - candle holders Brutalist decoration - Candle not included - This piece is probably unique. Measures : 43X36cm H:107cm This wrought iron chandelier features a t...
Iron
Beautiful cast iron Candlestick Holder Brutalist Era, Germany, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A large candlestick holder for four candles. Made of cast iron with a nice patina. Typically made in Germany in the 1960s, as a statement piece on a cupboard or credenza. Found at an...
Metal, Iron
20th Century French Pair of Brutalist Candle Holders, Wrought Iron Sticks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage French pair of handsome brutalist iron candleholders hand forged and hammered with their original painted finish. These elegant and simple pair of candle sticks have perfec...
Metal, Wrought Iron
French Hand-Forged Iron Three-Arm Candelabra, Mid-20th Century
Located in Rümmingen, BW
"shipping note: If your region or country is not listed under the shipping options please contact us directly" This elegant three-arm iron candelabra was handcrafted in France, like...
Iron
$120Sale Price|35% Off
Swiss Brutalist Candle Holder, 1960's
Located in Bern, CH
Brutalist floor standing welded metal candle holder dating from the 1960's. Believed to be of Swiss origin. In the style of Jean Tinguely With single candle holder on a tripod base. ...
Metal