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.
$538Sale Price|53% Off
Vintage Vallauris Ceramic Candelabra, Mid-Century Brutalist, 1960
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
Vintage Danish Brutalist Iron & Blue Glass Wall Candleholders by Dantoft, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Large 1970s Brutalist Wall sculptures made by Danish design company Dantoft kunstartikler (trans.: art objects). Made from black lacquered and welded iron set in a graphic formation ...
Iron
$120Sale Price|48% 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
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
Brutalist Wall Candle Holder by Erkki Hovi for Finn Atelier Oy, Finland, 1970s
Located in Göteborg, SE
Bring sculptural drama and Nordic craftsmanship to your interior with this striking Brutalist wall-mounted candle holder, designed by Finnish artist Erkki Hovi and crafted by Finn At...
Pine
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
$1,161Sale Price|20% Off
Hanging cast bronze candelabra by Michael Harjes, Germany 1960s
By Michael Harjes, Harjes Metallkunst 1
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
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
Pair of Bronze Faux Bois Candlesticks, France, circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice and interesting pair of candlesticks sculpted as tree branches in an elegant faux bois trompe-l’œil is made of patinated bronze. The textured surface is remarkably detailed...
Bronze
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
$2,323Sale Price / set|20% 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
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 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
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
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
Sculptural Danish Candle Sconce from Dantoft Kunstartikler, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
1970s Brutalist Wall sculpture made by Danish design company Dantoft kunstartikler (trans.: art objects). It is made from black lacquered and welded iron set in a graphic formation h...
Iron
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
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
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
XL Brutalist Black Enameled Metal Floor Candle Holder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rising from a flat hexagonal base, this floor-standing candle holder takes a cylindrical column form that narrows into a pointed, bullet-shaped top. A narrow vertical slot cut into t...
Metal, Enamel
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
Sculptural Brutalist Wrought Iron Floor Candlestick, Folk Art Chain & Horseshoe
Located in LYON, FR
A striking piece of mid-century folk art / brutalist design. This sculptural floor-standing candle holder is entirely hand-crafted from repurposed heavy iron elements, featuring a sh...
Steel
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
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
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
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
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
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
$120Sale Price|48% 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
$399Sale 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
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
$1,022Sale Price|41% Off
Pair of French Brustalist Candle Holder, 1950
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A unique set of two brutalist candle holders from the fifties. each one is made and welded from a fork. Great design and great patina.
Steel
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
$195Sale Price / set|40% Off
Set of 3 Brutalist style Candlestick Holders Cage Design
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Introducing our set of 3 rugged Brutalist-style cast bronze cages—a perfect fusion of industrial charm and ambient lighting. Meticulously crafted in the shape of riveted strap iron c...
Bronze
Wrought iron candle holder in the "Atelier De Marolles" style - France 20th
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Wrought iron candle holder in the "Atelier De Marolles" style - France 20th Jean Touret Style - Henri Vion Style - Decorative objects Measures : 59x53cm H:90cm
Wrought Iron
Vintage Handcarved Dark Wooden Candleholder with Brutalist Italian Design, 1960s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
This vintage wooden candleholder from 1960s Italy is a striking example of handcarved Brutalist design. Crafted from dark wood with strong sculptural lines, it combines raw texture w...
Wood
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
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
Giuseppe Gallo Vintage Brass Pillar Candleholder for Everhan, 1960s
By Gallo Original Iron Works 1
Located in COLMAR, FR
A sculptural solid brass pillar candleholder by Giuseppe Gallo for Everhan & Sohn, Cologne, bearing the original maker's sticker on its base — a black rooster within an octagonal...
Brass
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
1960's Swiss Brutalist Metal Candle Holder
Located in Bern, CH
1960's Swiss made Sculptural brutalist candle holder crafted from blackened metal, featuring an architectural fortress-inspired design with raw textures and bold geometric forms. A ...
Metal
$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
$418Sale 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
Brutalist Brass Candle Sconces by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1970s, Denmark
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Set of Brutalist Flame-Cut Brass Candle Sconces made by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen in the 1970s. * Set (2) of different style flame-cut brass wall candlesticks * Designer: Svend Aage...
Brass
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
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
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
Scott Nelles Floral Bronze Candleholder, Brutalist Design, USA, 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 Floor Candleholder with Ring Detail, France, 1960s
Located in PARIS, FR
A tall and sculptural floor candleholder in hand-forged iron, France, circa 1960. Characteristic of the Brutalist aesthetic, this piece features a slender, tapered central shaft ador...
Wrought Iron
Cast iron tripod candleholder, France, 1960
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Tripod candlestick in cast iron with a brutalist design, made in France in the 1960s. This sculptural piece in black cast iron captivates with its robust lines and handcrafted aesth...
Iron
Brutalist Wrought Iron Knotted Wall Candle Sconces
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1970s, Sweden. A pair of wall candle sconces crafted in Sweden with a tapered edge design. Designer is unknown and pieces are unmarked. Priced & sold as a pair.
Wrought Iron
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
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
Pieter Spruyt handmade Brass 3 Brutalist Torchères
Located in Den Haag, NL
Hand made Brass Torchères. Made and signed by Pieter Spruyt 1980s . fit for tea lights . or other Candles . set of Three .
Brass
Brutalist Aluminum & Brass Desenos Candlestick by David Marshall
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice Brutalist aluminum and brass "Desenos" candlestick by David Marshall, circa 1970s. The piece is the creation of the internationally renowned artist David Marshall, based ...
Aluminum, Brass
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
$374Sale Price|24% Off
Brutalist Style Midcentury Chain Candlestick
Located in London, GB
A large metal candlestick, blacksmith made in the form of a chain. Well-formed and stylish. Brutalist, Belgium, circa 1970s. Dimensions: 51 height x 21 diameter in cm.
Metal
Brutalist Candle Holder, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage brutalist torch cut metal candle holder with 6 arms. Beautiful and timeless piece which is very decorative. The Brut design is very attractive. Very good condition ...
Metal
Matthew Hilton Postmodern Aluminum Swan Candlesticks, Pair
By Matthew Hilton, SCP
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Postmodern or Brutalist aluminum "swan" candlesticks By Matthew Hilton for SCP England (signed to base) England, Circa 1980s Measures: A - 6"W x 2.75"D x 14.75...
Aluminum