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 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
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
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
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
Handmade Brutalist artist bronze candlestick signed Beergmeister Germany
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Bronze candlestick object Art Deco Kunstschmiede Bergmeister Ebersberg. With beautiful patina
Bronze
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
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
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
Set of 4 Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Cascade Candleholder Pendant, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Cascade Candleholder Pendant, 1960s, Set of 4, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Material: Metal Color: Blac...
Metal
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
Patinated Candelabra by Sandra Kravitz for Rosenthal, "Tree of Light " Menorah
Located in San Diego, CA
Mixed patinated metal Jewish themed candelabra, designed by Sandra Kravitz presented by the Jacob Rosenthal Collection. The bottom is stamped Rosenthal and Sandra Kravitz. This 1980...
Metal
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...
Metal, Wrought Iron, Iron
Sculptural Brutalist Iron & Green Glass Wall Candle Lamp by Dantoft, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
1970s Brutalist Wall candle sculpture made by Danish design company Dantoft kunstartikler (trans.: art objects). Made from black lacquered and welded iron set in a graphic formation ...
Iron
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
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
Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron candle holder
Located in BELFORT, FR
Mid century and brutalist style wrought iron candle holder. Perfect condition. Handmade in Switzerland.
Wrought Iron
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
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
Scandinavian Brutalist Candleholder in Glazed Stoneware
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Exceptionally decorative tri-fitted candle in vibrantly glazed brown ceramic. It's signed indistinguishable by an unknown Scandinavian artist/ceramist. It's in fine and intact condit...
Ceramic
$120Sale Price|35% Off
Swiss Brutalist Candle Holder, 1960's
Located in Bern, BE
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
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
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
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
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
1960s mid century brutalist brass CANDLEHOLDER for one big candle
Located in Mannheim, DE
Fantastic 1960s candleholder for one big candle with a max. diameter of 4.33" (11 cm). Made of brass. A perfect addition to any mid century interior. Dimensions in cm: Height 23.3 ...
Brass
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
Corry Ammeriaan Brutalist Candlestick for Artihove
Located in San Diego, CA
Corry Ammeriaan Brutalist Candlestick for Artihove, brutalist metal candle stick holder . rare piece by Dutch artist .
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
Travertine candle holder by Fratelli Mannelli, Italy 1970s
By Fratelli Mannelli, Enzo Mari
Located in ECHT, NL
Solid travertine candle holder. Designed by Enzo Mari for Fratelli Mannelli in the 1970s. Its can hold three standard diameter candles. The piece is still in very good condition. N...
Travertine
Bronze Candle Holder by Alexander Lamont
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the Bronze Candle Holder by Alexander Lamont, a luxurious and exquisite piece of furniture that will add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any space. Standing tal...
Bronze
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
Ilana Goor Bronze Sculptural Bird Candleholder
By Ilana Goor
Located in Round Top, TX
Ilana Goor Bronze Sculptural Bird Candleholder A whimsical cast bronze sculptural candleholder by renowned Israeli designer and artist Ilana Goor. Executed in Goor’s unmistakable pri...
Bronze
Brutalist Concrete Candle Lanterns, Set of 3, White
Located in Camp Meeker, CA
Cast concrete with semigloss finish. Large: 8" dia x 8" tall, fits a 3" diameter candle up to 6" tall. Medium: 5" dia x 5" tall, fits a 2" diameter candle up to 4" tall, votive, t...
Concrete
Mid-Century French Brutalist Hand-Forged Iron Seven-Light Candelabrum
Located in Dallas, TX
Sculptural in form and expressive in its craftsmanship, this mid-century French candelabrum was individually hand-forged from iron in the bold Brutalist tradition. Seven gracefully r...
Wrought Iron
Fratelli Mannelli A pair of travertine four arm Candleholders
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Fratelli Manelli candleholders… Travertine from the 1960s a rare find.. these elegant candleholders made of beautiful beige travertine, With such a striking look they have ...
Travertine
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
Paul Evans Style Brutalist Hand Wrought Copper Candlesticks, Circa 1970s
By Paul Evans
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful pair of mid-century modern Brutalist hand wrought copper large candlestick holders In the manner of Paul Evans USA, Circa 1970s Measures: 4.5"W x 4.5"D x 13"H. Very g...
Copper
Sculptural Acer Candle Holder R:2 - Solid Walnut - 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
$365Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Candle Holder R:2 - Solid Black Oak - 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
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 Metal Candleholder, Black Finish, 1960s Design
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Metal Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century Mode...
Metal
Mid-Century Large Brutalist Wrought Iron Tripod Floor Candleholder, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Large Brutalist Wrought Iron Tripod Floor Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Material: Metal Color: Black Style...
Metal
Mid-Century Brutalist Danish Candleholder in Wrought Iron and Glass, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Danish Candleholder in Wrought Iron and Glass, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Glass, Metal Color: Bl...
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
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
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
Mid-Century French Handcrafted Brutalist Iron Chain Candleholder
Located in COLMAR, FR
An authentic Brutalist iron chain candleholder, sourced in France and dating to the 1950s or 1960s — a sculptural column of heavy welded chain links...
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
Brutalist Candle Holder by Horst Dalbeck, 1970s, Germany
Located in Delft, NL
Dimensions: 26cm W, 16,5cm H, 8,5cm D Material: Bronze Designer: Horst Dalbeck Period: 1970’s Origin: Germany.
Bronze
$253Sale Price|20% Off
Sculptural Solid Oak Wooden Candle Holder R:2
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The surrealism inspired Acer candle holder R:2 features architectural cubic volumes and semi arched voids. Designed by Aad Bos and hand crafted in Amsterdam from solid oak wood and s...
Steel