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 Candle Holder R:2 - Solid Dark Brown 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
Brutalist Candle Holder R:4 - Solid Black Oak - by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Acer candle holder R:4 features a rhythmic sequence of architectural cubic volumes and semi arched voids. Made out of solid wood and steel, showing signs of handcraft. Designed...
Steel
Paul Evans Style Brutalist Candleholder, 1970s
Located in London, GB
Paul Evans style Brutalist candleholder, 1970s.
Bronze
$1,322Sale Price / set|20% Off
Brutalist style. Sculptural candle holders by Ferro Art, Spain, 1950s
By Ferro Art
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Sculptural candle holders by Ferro Art (also Ferroart), Spain, 1950s, set of 2. Made of wrought iron worked, welded and hammered entirely by hand, with a subtle gold patinated finish...
Iron
$580Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 3 Brutalist Rare Hand Hammered Brass Austrian Candle Holders
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare set of 3 candle holders solid hand hammered brass, made in austria beautiful and unique retains label.
Brass
$200Sale Price|20% Off
Tall Torch Cut Brutalist Copper Candleholder by E.Schran
By E. Schran
Located in San Diego, CA
Tall torch cut brutalist copper candleholder by E.Schran, circa 1989. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 5.25"D x 7.5"H. #2451.
Copper
Vintage Iron Candleholder Hand with Copper Texture, 1960s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
This vintage iron candleholder from the 1960s is a powerful example of hand-forged Brutalist design. Crafted with a sculptural form and enriched by a subtle copper-toned texture, it ...
Iron
Mid Century Candelabra by Don Drumm
Located in Redding, CT
Mid Century Candelabra by Don Drumm. Classic Sculptural Brutalist style.. Holds four candles. Perfect for that collector. Don Drumm was bo...
Aluminum
$1,664 / set
Pair of candleholders by Matthew Hilton.
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Pair of candleholders in chrome plated aluminium by Matthew Hilton. A refined sculptural design defined by balance, negative space, and polished chrome surfaces. Both functional and ...
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome
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
X-Large, Vintage Rami Zamir Torch Cut Hand Forged Brutalist Copper Menorah Israe
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
X-Large Vintage Rami Zamir Torch Cut Hand Forged Brutalist Copper Menorah Israel The menorah is raised upon curled tubular copper posts, affixed to an ...
Copper
Midcentury Heavy Copper Candle Stick in Brutalist Style
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Very tactile and heavy candle stick probably of Scandinavian origin. It is made of cast copper and has a star shaped foot that fluently turns into a round organically shaped top. Bot...
Copper
Rare Mid-Century Brutalist Bronze Candelabra
Located in APELDOORN, NL
This exceptionally rare and attractive bronze candelabra is a striking example of Mid-Century Modern design. It features a highly unusual organic shape with textured branches that ri...
Bronze
Vintage Brutalist Brass Candle Holders - Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Defined by raw geometric texture and sculptural impact, this pair of vintage Brutalist candle holders features heavy cast solid brass construction. Each piece showcases an openwork h...
Brass
$120Sale Price|35% Off
Swiss Brutalist Candle Holder, 1960's
Located in Bern, CH
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
Extra Large Brutalist Iron Chain Candlestick Holder in black iron, France 1960s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find an extra large Brutalist candlestick holder made of iron chain. It features a large holder of 20cm or 8 inches in diameter that can hold a very large ca...
Iron
Torres de Satélite Copper Candleholder - Goeritz and Barragán inspiration
Located in Guadalajara, MX
Inspired by the iconic Torres de Satélite—Mathias Goeritz and Luis Barragán’s monumental modernist sculptures of 1950s Mexico City—this handcrafted candleholder translates architectu...
Copper
Set of Three Brutalist Blackened Copper Candle Holders by Thomas Roy Markusen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trio of Brutalist-style graduated candleholders by famed metalsmith, Thomas Roy Markusen, who was previously commissioned to create a pair of candle-holders for the White House colle...
Copper, Nickel
$2,139Sale Price / set|20% Off
A Rare Pair of Candelabras in "Fat Lava", by Marius Giuge Vallauris - 1960s
By Marius Giuge
Located in MOUGINS, FR
This pair of 37 cm high three-light candelabras features scrolls at the top and base of the shaft, constructed directly as a base in a "water foam" design. The white color of these models is dotted with black alveoli that contrast with the clear enamel. The technique used to achieve this effect was to add chemical compounds to the enamel. Depending on the chosen dosage, this created variations in the size and depth of the craters. This decoration, invented by Marius Giuge, inspired the "Fat Lava" ceramics, very popular in Germany in the late 1960s and 1970s. An iconic example of Marius Giuge's production in the 1960s and 1970s, the pair is signed 3 times under each piece: MARIUS GIUGE – VALLAURIS...
Enamel
Brutalist Bronze Candelabra or Menorah by Daniel Gluck, California, 1970's
By Daniel Gluck
Located in Austin, TX
Solid bronze menorah candelabra for nine candles. Extraordinary piece of Brutalist design by California artist, Daniel Gluck. 1970's.
Bronze
Vintage Pair of Brutalist Hammered Copper Candle Holders – Handcrafted Sculptura
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Add a striking mid-century accent to your home with this beautiful pair of Brutalist hammered copper candle holders. Featuring an organic, flower-inspired design, these sculptural pi...
Copper
Brutalist Candlestick Holder done in solid brass Austria 1970s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a gorgeous Brutalist candlestick holder done in solid brass. It features striking design typical for the era. Made in Austria in 1970s. Very good vinta...
Brass
Por Amor – Contemporary steel sculpture and candleholder
Located in Guadalajara, MX
Inspired by the 1995 videoclip for "Por Amor", a hit from Mexican pop-star Thalía, which was shot at Luis Barragán's Casa Gilardi in Mexico City. In one of the video's most memorab...
Steel
Unique Hand Forged in Fire Artistic Design Candlestick with Three Frog like Legs
Located in Lisse, NL
This is the kind of unique artwork that brings a smile to your face. We bet you have never seen such a candlestick. This artistically designed and very well made candlestick dates f...
Wrought Iron
Brutalist Candle Holder R:2 - Solid Dark Brown Oak - 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
1970s Brutalist Bronze Candle Holders with Geometric Design
Located in London, GB
A sculptural pair of cast bronze candle holders featuring a low, rounded form raised on square feet. The surface is decorated with a finely detailed geometric pattern, creating a ric...
Bronze
Mid-Century Design Brutalist Candle Holder, 1970’s
Located in Delft, NL
Nice heavy brutalist candle holder.
Metal
Brutalist Postmodern Candlestick by Jonathan Christian, France, 2024.
Located in Lille, FR
Sculptural Brutalist candlestick by Jonathan Christian.
Carrara Marble
Brutalist Postmodern Candlestick by Jonathan Christian, France, 2024.
Located in Lille, FR
Sculptural Brutalist candlestick by Jonathan Christian.
Carrara Marble
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 candle stick cast iron vintage 1970’s
Located in Delft, NL
Brutalist candle stick cast iron vintage 1970’s
Iron
Sculptural Brutalist Bronze Candle Holder designed by Heinz Goll, Austria 1960s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find an extremely rare and absolutely extraordinary sculptural Brutalist candle holder done in gilt bronze, shaped as a coral. It was designed by Austrian designer Heinz Goll...
Bronze
$408Sale 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
$2,250 / set
Vintage Boho Forged Iron Candelabras - Set of 2
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking pair of vintage forged iron candelabras is a masterful example of mid-century artisanal metalwork. Each piece features a charming, hand-sculpted figure of a boy holding...
Iron
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
Brutalist Bronze Candlestick for 3 Large Candles
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Stylish bronze candlestick of the rough Brutalist kind. It almost seems as if the molten bronze did not go into a mold but found its own way to shape up into an object. Four eleg...
Bronze
Brutalist Solid Walnut Acer Candle Holder 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
$370Sale 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
Tall Brutalist Black / Gold Ceramic Candle Light Candelabra, Norway, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Painted black and gold ceramic candle light candelabra, made in Norway, 1960s.
Ceramic
Vintage Boho Distressed Wrought Iron Candle Sconces- A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking pair of vintage wrought iron wall sconces is a masterclass in Spanish Colonial and Mediterranean design. Expertly hand-forged, each fixture features intricate scrolled ...
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Israeli Brass and Iron Memorial Candle by David Palombo
Located in New York, NY
Pierced brass cylinder and iron base form this beautiful Memorial candle, crafted in brutalist style by David Palombo. Reminiscent of the Pillar of Fire, which provides a scared elem...
Brass, Iron
Set of Four Brutalist 1970s Oak & Brass Candlesticks
Located in Norwich, England
A set of four Brutalist brass and solid oak candlesticks. Circa 1970. There are a few signs of use to the finish as expected with age and use, the brass having the original patina. ...
Brass
Sculptural Solid Oak 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
$2,377Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Brutalist Bronze Candlesticks
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of Brutalist bronze candlesticks with wooden base, circa 1970 Good vintage condition.
Bronze
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Craftsman / Brutalist Candelabra in Bronze
Located in New York, NY
Sophisticated pair of Mid-Century Modern, handmade Brutalist candelabra / candlesticks in solid bronze. Soft, natural golden brown patina. Each piece complimenting the other with t...
Brass brutalist candle stick, 1960’s
Located in Delft, NL
Brutalist candle holder
Brass
$256Sale 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
Brutalist Mid-Century Brass Candelabra by Heinz Goll, Austria, 1960s
By Heinz Goll
Located in Vienna, AT
Brutalist candelabra in hand-cast brass by Austrian artist Heinz Goll, created in the 1960s. This rare, sculptural piece features 1 candle holder rising from a textured base, evoking...
Brass
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
Large Brutalist Hammered Wrought Iron Candlestick, Tripod Design, 1970s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Striking Brutalist candlestick from France, dating to the 1970s, handcrafted in hammered wrought iron. The piece features a dramatic sculptural design composed of curved, organically...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Brutalist candlesticks in hammered aluminium, Germany 1970s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a striking pair of large-scale Brutalist candlesticks, executed in hammered aluminum, dating to the 1960s–1970s. These sculptural pieces are defined by...
Aluminum, Brass
Paar brutalistische Messing-Kerzenleuchter
Located in Aachen, DE
Ein seltenes Paar brutalistischer 4-flammiger Kerzenleuchter, floral gestaltet. Das Design imitiert stilistisch Iris-Blumen oder Blätter. Hier wurden typische Elemente des Jugendst...
Brass
$561Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Candleholder - Gilt & Patinated Bronze - 1950s
Located in MOUGINS, FR
A candle-holder in wrought iron. It is plated with gold leaf and patinated, resting on three curved feet. This piece is in Brutalist style and was manufactured in the 1950s. It comp...
Bronze
Puzzle 3 Pieces Candelabra Solid Cast Aluminium and Brass Handmade
Located in Benahavis, AN
The decorative Candelabra was created by David Marshall, it is made of sand cast aluminum and sand cast brass. Beautiful piece to Decorated your Home, makes a beautiful Wedding Gift...
Aluminum, Brass
Hammered Bronze Candlesticks in Brutalist Style, France, Circa 1970s
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant and timeless, this pair of hammered bronze candlesticks perfectly embodies the refined aesthetic of the 1970s. The metalwork, hand-hammered, creates subtle plays of texture t...
Bronze
Brutalist Style Wall-Mounted Candleholders
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Striking Mid-Century iron candleholders in a handsome Brutalist style. Great for indoor and outdoor use. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).
Iron
Vintage Brutalist Style Gilt Wall Sconce Candle Holder
Located in Seattle, WA
Three Pronged Wall Sconce . Possibly Spanish Based on Research. Spiked Poles That’s are pointed at the bottom. Back Plate has Holes to Place Screws Through. Dimensions. 14 W ; 4 D ;...
Metal
Brutalist metal candle holder , 1970s
Located in Delft, NL
Brutalist metal candle holder , 1970s
Metal
Mid-20th Century Israeli Shabbat Candlesticks by David Palombo
Located in New York, NY
Shabbat candle holder crafted in brutalist style by David Palombo. David Palombo (1920-1966) was a sculptor and painter born in Turkey and im...
Iron
brutalistic candleholder by an unknown artist
Located in Kiel, SH
decorative candleholder by an unknown artist in steel, cast iron and ceramic
Cast Stone, Steel