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 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 designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1970s. * Set of two (2) flame-cut brass wall-mounted candle holders * Designer: Svend Aag...
Brass
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
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
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
Vintage Brutalist Large Candle Holder, Hand Forged Wrought Iron
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage large wrought iron candle holder features a streamlined columnar body on footed base with wide bobeche equipped with a spike, designed to hold larger candles. The textured ab...
Wrought Iron
Black brutalist tree candle holder “tree of life” 1970s.
Located in Landgraaf, NL
Black brutalist tree candle holder “tree of life” 1970s. This striking brutalist candle holder, dating from the 1970s, is crafted from wrought iron and finished in black. Its sculptural form resembles a tree, with organically shaped branches rising from a sturdy central trunk. Often referred to as a “Tree of Life” candle holder...
Wrought Iron
KiBiSi for Menu Danish Modern "Weight Here" 3-Arm Polystone Candelabra
By KiBiSi
Located in St. Louis, MO
A striking piece of modern Scandinavian design, this "Weight Here" three-arm candelabra was created by the acclaimed Danish design collective KiBiSi (Bjarke Ingels, Lars Larsen, and ...
Steel
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
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
$379Sale 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 Candleholder by David Marshall, bronze and aluminum, Spain, 1970's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful brutalist candle holder designed and crafted by david marshall in the 70's. Bronze and aluminum Sculpture. Rare object that will elevate your interior. We specialize in vi...
Aluminum, Bronze
Pair of Brutalist candlesticks in brass, Denmark, 1970's
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful pair of brutalist candlesticks designed and made in Denmark during the early 70s . Built-in Scandinavian candleholders made out of brass. Beautiful items that will elevate ...
Brass
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
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
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
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
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 Danish Ceramic Minimalist Candle Holder From Lehmann Pottery, 1960s
By Lehmann
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Danish Ceramic Minimalist Candle Holder From Lehmann Pottery, Langeland, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece...
Ceramic
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
1950s by Gallinaro Brutalist Italian Design Metal Candleholder
Located in Brescia, IT
Metal candleholder "Gallinaro" signed Excellent condition.
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
Large Italian Aluminum brutalist 1970s candlestick
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Large candle holder made of cast aluminum and handcrafted. Made in Italy in the 1960s and 1970s. Very good vintage condition: normal oxidation patina.
Aluminum
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
Swiss Brutalist Candle Holder
Located in Bern, BE
Striking Swiss made Brutalist candle holder crafted from blackened metal, featuring three interconnected candle platforms with sculptural, geometric lines. The elevated square drip t...
Steel
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
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
Vintage Brutalist Iron & Green Glass Wall Candleholders by Dantoft, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
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 highli...
Iron
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
1970s Vintage Metal Brutalist Candleholder in Excellent Condition
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Metal Brutalist Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Materials: Metal Style: Brutalist Color:...
Metal
Vintage 1960s 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
Tripod Candelabra G023 handmade cast in brass by David Marshall
Located in Benahavis, AN
The Tripod Candelabra was created by David Marshall, from sand cast brass. We use recycled materials all our pieces are handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in...
Brass
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
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
Early 20th c. Brass Candle Holders c.1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A pair of vintage column candlestick holders. Each piece features a solid brass cylindrical column stem set upon a multi-tiered stepped wooden base. CREATOR Unknown. D...
Bronze
Brutalist Mid Century bronze candle holder
Located in BELFORT, FR
Mid century and brutalist style bronze candle holder. Diameter of the candle cup : 10 cm.
Bronze
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
Mid-Century Brutalist Metal Tripod Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Metal Tripod Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 Additional information: Materials: Metal Style: Brutalist Period: 1960s Color: Black ...
Metal
Pair of Sculptural Vintage Brutalist Bronze Candlesticks, signed Wainberg 1960s
Located in Salzburg, AT
Pair of Sculptural Vintage Shabatt Bronze Candlesticks, signed Wainberg 1960s These striking metal objects from the Wainberg Metal Manufactory, known for its mid-century metal desig...
Brass, Bronze
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
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 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
$395Sale Price|28% Off
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Tripod Candle Holders c.1950-1960
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A pair of solid bronze brutalist tripod candlesticks holders with bronze plated perforated shades and removable bronze plated spring loaded candle...
Bronze
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
Rare Brutalist Iron Candleholder, Hand-Forged European Design, 1960s
Located in Herentals, BE
A rare and beautifully executed Brutalist iron candleholder, handcrafted in Europe during the 1960s. The columnar form, pierced with organic voids, and the thick, hammered surface cr...
Iron
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
Set of Two Beautiful 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
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
Mid-Century Brutalist Danish Ceramic Candleholder from Lehmann Pottery, 1960s
By Lehmann
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Danish Ceramic Candleholder from Lehmann Pottery, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional informat...
Ceramic
Small Trapeze Candelabra reference G039 in cast brass and aluminium
Located in Benahavis, AN
The candelabra was created by David Marshall, from sand cast aluminium and brass. We use recycled materials all our pieces are handmade, mounted and finished in our foundry and wor...
Brass, Aluminum
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 French Brutalist Candle Holders, Hand Forged Iron, Circa 1950s
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
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
Extra Large Brutalist Iron Chain Candlestick Holder in black iron, Germany 1960s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a Sculptural three-light floor candelabrum executed in hand-forged iron and copper, dating from circa the 1960s–1970s. Standing an impressive 66 cm tal...
Iron
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
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 Hand-Forged Metal Candleholder, Venetian Style, Europe 1960s
By Tommaso Barbi, Maison Jansen, 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
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 String Style Metal Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist candelabra with nine arms. The arms finely executed are executed black and mounted on a spiral walk. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalis...
Metal
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
Mid-Century Swedish Brutalist Metal Candleholder by Harry N Boström, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Brutalist Candle Holder by Harry N Boström. This rare object is a limited edition. This one is 11/1000. Labeled Boström on bottom. This piece has an attribution mark, I am sure...
Metal