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.
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
DAVID MARSHALL Brutalist candlestick brass aluminium 70s Spain
Located in Paris, IDF
David Marshall Brutalist candlestick in aluminium and brass. Monogram logo on the base, leather protector and manufacturer's mark on the under...
Aluminum, Brass
$1,410 / set
Pair of sculptural brutalist candle holders
Located in Diest, BE
Pair of sculptural brutalist candle holders Spain 1960s
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
A French workshop cast iron candlestick, 1950s
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
French cast iron workshop candlestick, made in France in the 1950s. This sculptural piece in raw cast iron features a handcrafted design with an authentic, industrial character. Its...
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
$382Sale 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
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
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
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 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 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
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
$1,506Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
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 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
White brutalist tree candle holder “tree of life” 1970s.
Located in Landgraaf, NL
White brutalist tree candle holder “tree of life” 1970s. White brutalist tree candle holder “tree of life” 1970s. This striking brutalist candle holder, dating from the 1970s, is cra...
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 sculptu...
Wrought 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
Menorah G046 two Coloured Gold Silver Handmade in Spain Tabletop Candlestick
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Menorah was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast aluminum and sand cast brass. We can engrave this piece with your Initials or Logo, makes a beautiful W...
Aluminum, Brass
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Wrought Iron Candle Stand with Beads, Brutalist Style, Denmark, 1970s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Hand forged Wrought Iron Candle Stand With Beads . Good condition .
Wrought Iron
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
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
Vintage Castor Cooper Signed Pewter Brutalist Three Light Candelabra
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A sculptural mid century modern three-light candelabra designed and signed by Castor Cooper. Cast in pewter with an organic Brutalist aesthetic, the design features three textured ca...
Pewter
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
Pair of two large Vintage Brutalist Mid-Century Candlesticks
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
Set of two brutalist candlesticks from the 1970s, crafted from twisted iron in a style typical of the period. Beautiful as a pair, with a refined finish that enhances their bold, scu...
Metal
Mid-Century Brutalist Wooden Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Wooden Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Wood Color: Brown Styles: Brutalist Period: 1960s Item ...
Wood
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
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
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
Vintage Candle Holder Hand-Forged Iron Brutalist Design Italy, 1970s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
Vintage candle holder hand-forged iron brutalist design Italy, 1970s This vintage candle holder made of hand-forged iron in a brutalist design dates back to the 1970s in Italy. The ...
Iron
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 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
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 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
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
Brutalist Candelabra Candlestick 1960s after Felix Agostini In Solid Bronze
Located in Benington, Herts
A Fine 1960s Bronze Candelabrum/Candlestick in the Manner of Felix Agostini French circa 1960’s Conceived in the Brutalist style, this fine candelabrum for four candles of stagger...
Bronze
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
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
Vintage 1970s Brutalist Metal Candleholder in Black Finish, Excellent
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Metal Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist Item Type: Vintage, Ant...
Metal
Mid-Century Brutalist Candleholder, Metal, Gold Finish, 1960s Design
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
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