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 Wrought Iron Candle Holder, Seven Arms, Vintage 1970s, Black
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large brutalist Candle Holder. Handmade from wrought Iron. 7 arms and tripod foot.. Additional information: Material: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist Period: 1970s Item Type: V...
Metal
Mid-Century Italian Brutalist Bronze Amadeus Series Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Italian Brutalist Bronze Amadeus Series Candleholder by Kurt Jesch for Fratelli Tonini, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additio...
Metal
Large Mid-Century Brutalist Metal Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Brutalist Candle Holder handmade from steel. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Gray Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century Modern Period: 1960s Item Type: Vintage, Antiq...
Metal
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Extendable Floor Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Extendable Floor Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Color: Black Styles: Brutalist, Mid-...
Iron
Vintage Brutalist Bronze Candleholder from Gallo, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Bronze Candleholder from Gallo, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Bronze...
Bronze
Rare Gold BMF Nagel Quist Variomaster Brutalist Stockable Modular Candleholder
Located in Vienna, AT
Stackable modular candleholder by BMF Quist Nagel, rare gold edition. The candleholders were designed by Ceasar Stoffi and Fritz Nagel and manufactured by BMF (Bayerische Metallwaren...
Brass, Chrome
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Wrought Iron Color: Black Styles: Brutalis...
Wrought Iron
Vintage Brutalist Floral Metal Candleholder 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Floral Metal Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Brown Period: 1970s Item Type: Vintage,...
Metal
Set of 2 Mid-Century Brutalist Danish Studio Pottery Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Danish Studio Pottery Candleholder by Inge Hjorth, 1960s, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Addition...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Brutalist Metal Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Metal Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Material: Metal Color: Brown Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century Modern ...
Metal
Brutalist Metal Candle Holder, Black Finish, Vintage Design, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist Candle Holder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-o...
Metal
Vintage Brutalist Bronze Candleholder, Three Arms, Gold Finish, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Heavy bronze candelabra with three arms. Additional information: Materials: Bronze Color: Gold Styles: Brutalist Period: 1970s Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned Dimensions: 9...
Bronze
Mid-Century Brutalist Candleholder in Wrought Iron, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Candleholder in Wrought Iron, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Wrought Iron Color: Gray Styles: Brutal...
Wrought Iron
Mid-Century Brutalist Candleholder from Harjes, Germany, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Candleholder from Harjes, Germany, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Material: ...
Metal
Mid-Century Brutalist Cast Iron Candleholder by Jens H. Quistgaard, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Danish Brutalist Cast Iron Candleholder by Jens H. Quistgaard for Paro, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additio...
Metal
Mid-Century Brutalist Metal Candleholder with Gold Finish, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Metal Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Metal Style: Brutalist Color: Gold Item Type: Vin...
Metal
Vintage German Brutalist Metal Candleholder from Harjes
Located in Hamburg, DE
This flat candleholder follows organic forms. Official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs, designer records. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Gold Styles:...
Metal
Brutalist Metal Candle Holder, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist Metal Candle Holder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Material: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist Item Type: Vintage, Antique or ...
Metal
Mid-Century Brutalist German Bronze Candleholder from Harjes, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist German Bronze Candleholder from Harjes, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mar...
Metal
Mid-Century Brutalist Bronze Candleholder from Harjes, Germany, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Bronze Candleholder from Harjes, Germany, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs, designe...
Metal, Bronze
Brutalist Bronze Candleholder 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist Bronze Candleholder, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Materials: Bronze Color: Gold Styles: Brutalist Item Type: Vintage, Ant...
Bronze
Set of 3 Vintage Postmodern Brutalist Candle Holders in Stone, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Postmodern Brutalist Candle Holders in Stone, 1980s, Set of 3, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Stone Color: Beige Styles: ...
Stone
Mid-Century Brutalist Danish Pottery and Iron Wall Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Danish Pottery and Iron Wall Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Gray Styles: ...
Metal
Mid-Century Danish Brutalist Pottery Candleholder from Judi Kunst, 1960s
By Judi Kunst
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Danish Brutalist Pottery Candleholder from Judi Kunst, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: ...
Ceramic
Vintage Brutalist Candleholder, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist candelabra with three arms. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Gold Styles: Brutalist Period: 1970s Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned Dimensions: 5.12ʺ...
Metal
Mid-Century Italian Brutalist Travertine Candleholder by Fratelli Mannelli
Located in Hamburg, DE
Schlichter candlesticks made of travertine, designed by Fratelli Mannelli from the 60s. A no-nonsense design that draws its elegance from the minimalist design and the particular mat...
Travertine
Mid-Century Brutalist Heavy Wrought Iron Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Heavy Wrought Iron Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Color: Black Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century Mod...
Wrought Iron
Vintage Brutalist German Metal Candleholder, Ebersberg, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist German Metal Candleholder from Kunstschamiede Bergmeister, Ebersberg, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This pi...
Metal
Set of 2 Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholders, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholders, 1960s, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Material: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Ce...
Metal
Set of 2 Vintage German Brutalist Metal Candle Holders from Harjes, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Two large Brutalist Candle Holder from German Manufacturer Harjes. Three arms in organic forms. Official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs, designer records. Additional...
Metal
Vintage German Brutalist Metal Candleholder from Dalbeck, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist Candle Holder from German Manufacturer Dalbeck. This heavy Candle Holder has 5 arms and follows an organic form language. have official proof of authenticity such as vintag...
Metal
BMF Nagel Quist Variomaster Brutalist Stockable Modular Candleholder
Located in Vienna, AT
Stackable modular candleholder by BMF Quist Nagel, the candleholders were designed by Ceasar Stoffi and Fritz Nagel and manufactured by BMF (Bayerische Metal...
Brass, Chrome
Mid-Century German Brutalist Handmade Pottery Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Brutalist Handmade Pottery Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Material: Ceramic Color: Brown Styles: Bru...
Ceramic
3 Brutalist Brass Candle Holders from Staffan Englesson Ab Sweden, 1970s
Located in Rīga, LV
Set of 3 vintage brutalist brass candle holders or vases from Staffan Englesson AB Stockholm. Heavy. Additional information: Country of ...
Brass
Mid-Century Danish Brutalist Cast Iron Candleholder by Jens H. Quistgaard
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Danish Brutalist Cast Iron Candleholder by Jens H. Quistgaard, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalo...
Metal
Vintage Brutalist Sculptural Metal Candleholder, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Brutalist Metal Candle Holder with 2 Arms. Additional information: Materials: Metal Style: Brutalist Period: 1970s Color: Black Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned Dimens...
Metal
Danish Brutalist Sculptural Cast Aluminum Candleholder
Located in Hamburg, DE
Danish Brutalist Sculptural Cast Aluminum Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Aluminium Color: Silver Styles: Brutalist ...
Aluminum
Vintage Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Brutalist Candle Holder handmade from Wrought Iron. Additional information: Style: Brutalist Color: Black Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned Dimensions: 9.06ʺW × 32.68ʺH...
Glass
Set of 4 Vintage Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder from Hysteria, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder from Hysteria, Set of 4, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark, I am sure that it is completel...
Wrought Iron
Mid-Century Danish Brutalist Studio Pottery Wall Candle Holder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Danish Brutalist Studio Pottery Wall Candle Holder From Lovemose Denmark, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Addit...
Ceramic
Candle holder made of candle and brass, France, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Wax and brass candlestick, France, 1970s, a unique decorative piece blending raw materials and metallic elements. This candlestick consists of a deliberately irregular and textured c...
Brass
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist tripod candle holder handmade from wrought iron. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century Modern Period: 1960s Item Type: Vinta...
Wrought Iron
Mid-Century Danish Brutalist Cast Iron Candleholder by Jens H. Quistgaard, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Danish Brutalist Cast Iron Candleholder by Jens H. Quistgaard for Paro, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additio...
Metal
1950s by Gallinaro Brutalist Italian Design Metal Candleholder
Located in Brescia, IT
Metal candleholder "Gallinaro" signed Excellent condition.
Metal
Mid-Century Brutalist Metal Candleholder 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant Slim Brutalist Candle Holder handmade from Metal. Marked with WN. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Silver Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century Modern Period: 1960s ...
Metal
Mid-Century Brutalist Minimalist Candle Holder
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Minimalist Candle Holder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Gray...
Metal
Brutalist Danish Weight Here Series Candleholder by Kibisi for Menu
By KiBiSi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist Danish Weight Here Series Candleholder by Kibisi for Menu, in Very Good conditions. Designed from 2000 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Material...
Steel
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder, 1960s Black Metal
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century...
Metal
Vintage Brutalist Metal Candleholder, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Metal Candleholder, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Materials: Metal Style: Brutalist Color: Brown Item Type: Vintag...
Metal
Vintage Brutalist Danish Wooden Candleholder, 1970s Design, Brown Wood
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Danish Wooden Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Materials: Wood Color: Brown Styles: Brutalist Item Type: Vinta...
Wood
Vintage German Brutalist Metal Candleholder from Dalbeck 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist Candle Holder from German Manufacturer Dalbeck. This heavy Candle Holder has 2 arms and follows an organic form language. Official proof of authenticity such as vintage cat...
Metal
Large Mid-Century Brutalist Floor Candleholder in Wrought Iron, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Mid-Century Brutalist Floor Candleholder in Wrought Iron, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Material: Metal Color: Black Period: 1...
Metal
Mid-Century Brutalist Bronze Candleholder, Metal, Gold Finish, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Bronze Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Gold Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century...
Metal
Mid-Century Brutalist Candleholder, Steel, Vintage 1960s Design
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Steel Style: Brutalist Color: Brown Item Type: Vintage, Antiqu...
Steel
Mid-Century Brutalist Candleholder, 20th Century
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century Modern Item ...
Metal
Vintage Brutalist Metal Candleholder, 20th Century
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Metal Brutalist Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Material: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist Item Type: Vintage, Anti...
Metal
1960s Vintage Brutalist Metal Candle Holder in Good Condition
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Candle Holder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Gray ...
Metal
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Candle Holder by David Palombo, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Candle Holder by David Palombo, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs, desi...
Wrought Iron
Set of 2 Vintage Brutalist Metal Candleholders, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Metal Candleholders, 1970s, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Material: Metal Color: Gold Styles: Brutalist Item Ty...
Metal
Large Brutalist Candle Holder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Brutalist Candle Holder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 Additional information: Style: Brutalist Color: Black Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned Dimensio...
Glass