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.
Substantial Brass Pendant Light by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Substantial Brutalist brass pendant light designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. * Large pendant light with layered flame-cut brass slats * Designer: Svend Aage Holm Sør...
Brass
Brutalist Style Chandelier Lamp / Radius of 120 / Fom the 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Brutalist style chandelier lamp from the 1950s Discover the majesty and timeless charm of our brutalist style lamp from the 50s. With its circular design of 130 cm in diameter. Thi...
Copper, Iron
Pair of Soholm Ceramic Table Lamps, Noomi Backhausen, Denmark 1960
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table lamp by Noomi Backhausen for Soholm, model Erika. Denmark 1960s. Combined with a custom made embriodery lampshade by R. Houben, with bronze inner shade. The ...
Ceramic
Large Brass Wall Lamp by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Brutalist Sun-Shaped Brass Wall Lamp designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. * Large flame-cut sun-shaped brass sconce * Designer: Svend Aage Holm Sorensen * Model: 5207...
Brass
Linear Chandelier, Patinated Pewter, Ochre London Eucalyptus, England, 2011
By OCHRE
Located in Glasgow, GB
This linear chandelier, known as the Eucalyptus Chandelier by Ochre London and created in 2011, is a sculptural linear pendant that combines organic form with refined contemporary cr...
Brass, Pewter
Rare Brutalist Ruby Red Cut Glass Wall Light by Raak Amsterdam
By RAAK
Located in Antwerp, BE
A rare and highly sculptural Brutalist wall light by Raak Amsterdam, distinguished by its dramatic composition of deep ruby-red cut glass fragments. When illuminated, the fixture tr...
Metal
Brutalist stained glass pendant lamp by Felipe Delfinger, Mexico, 1960s
By Tiffany Studios, Felipe Delfinger, Longobard, Poliarte
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Brutalist pendant lamp by Felipe Delfinger for Feders, Mexico, 1960s. Custom stained glass diffuser in blue, orange, caramel and white tones, combined with a brass structure. Crafted...
Metal, Brass
Pair of Large Ceramic Table Lamps for Soholm by Haico Nietzsche, Denmark 1960
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table lamp by Haico Nietzsche for Soholm, Denmark 1960s. Combined with a custom lampshade. The beige ceramic base has a subtle concave shape, which is mirrored in ...
Ceramic
French 1950s Brutalist Olive Wood Table Lamp Sculptural Base
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Striking French table lamp from the 1950s, crafted in solid olive wood and embodying a sculptural Brutalist aesthetic. The base features an organic, tripod-like form with fluid, hand...
Olive
Brutalist, Handmade Ceramic Table Lamp, Double Decker Lamp by Streicher Goods
By Streicher Goods, Ethan Streicher
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Double Decker lamp is a tall, brutalist-inspired table lamp, perfect for lighting in larger living spaces, created by Streicher Goods in Brooklyn, NY. The lamp is composed of a...
Brass
$955Sale Price / set|21% Off
Mazzega murano glass Wall lighting Brutalist Pair , 1960s
By Mazzega
Located in La xara, VC
Original Period light Original lamp from the 50s/60s in the brutalist trend. a decorative piece that will give a unique atmosphere to your interior . There are several reasons to bu...
Metal, Iron
Set of Brass Wall Lamps by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Set of Brass Wall Lamps designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. An eye-catching set for an exquisite place. * Set (2) of sunflower-shaped brass wall sconces * Designer: S...
Metal, Brass
Spanish Revival Sunburst Light Fixture in Gilt Wrought Iron and Glass, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sunburst Ceiling Light with Scrollwork Design, Gilt Wrought Iron, Pressed Glass Spain, 1940-1950 Impressive wrought iron sunburst flush mount / wall light with scrolled frame and pre...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Series03 Wall Sconce, "Smoke" Patinated Sculpted Brass, Goatskin Parchment Shade
Located in Ozone Park, NY
Sculpted solid brass in a "smoke" acid patinated finish, machined and mechanically fastened. Goatskin parchment shade with accordion-folded face and hand stitched edges. Hand-dyed br...
Brass
Brutalist Brass Pendant Lights by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Set of Substantial Brutalist Brass Pendant Lights designed Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. * Set (2) of onion-shaped pendant light with layered flame-cut brass slates and s...
Brass
Natural Ceramic Lamp by Pelletier, Custom Made Emboidered Lampshade by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table/ floor lamp by Georges Pelletier. Custom made emboidered lampshade by René Houben. The brown ceramics with the little holes and beautiful lampshade match gre...
Ceramic
Harry Balmer Harold Weiss Laurel Ribbon Brutalist Table Lamp c. 1960/70's
By Laurel Lamp Company, Harry Balmer
Located in New York, NY
Classic Brutalist school table lamp designed by Harry Balmer and Harold Weiss, for the Laurel Lamp Co. circa 1960/70's. Known as the Ribbon Lamp, this piece features an exaggerated ...
Metal, Copper
Tom Ahlström & Hans Ehrlich Brutalist Torch Amber Murano Glass Sconces 1950
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Pair of brutalist sconces with thick amber Murano glass covering bulbs. Will be rewired with certified UL US socket for the USA and an appropriate socket for all other countries and...
Wrought Iron
Brutalist, Handmade Ceramic Table Lamp, Paddle Lamp by Streicher Goods
By Ethan Streicher, Streicher Goods
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Paddle lamp is a small, brutalist-inspired table lamp, perfect for bedside or accent lighting in larger living spaces, created by Streicher Goods in Brooklyn, NY. The lamp feat...
Brass
1 of the 4 Ceramic Green Blue Brown Pendants, Denmark 1970
Located in Rijssen, NL
Stunning set of four round ceramic hanging lamps with a beautiful pattern, made with rich colored green, blue and brown ceramics, manufactured by Jette Hellerøe for Axella in the 196...
Ceramic
$3,930 / item
AVRA Wall Sconce - Piccolo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Buds of warm natural alabaster – glowing harbingers of Spring after a long Winter - nestle in textured, Brutalist – inspired cast bronze frames. Custom Sizes Available. Models in t...
Alabaster, Bronze
Brutalist Sunburst Crown Ceiling Flush Mount Light Fixture in Gilt Iron, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sunburst Crown Flush Mount with Foliage Details, Gilt Iron, Frosted Glass Hand-hammered iron sunburst crown ceiling light fixture with frosted glass panel difusser. Spain, 1950s. Th...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
Pair of Large Ceramic Table Lamps for Soholm, Denmark 1960s
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table lamp by Haico Nietzsche for Soholm, Denmark 1960s. Combined with a custom lampshade. The beige ceramic base has a subtle concave shape, which is mirrored in ...
Ceramic
$6,519Sale Price|20% Off
Huge Sunburst Perforated Flush Mount Light Fixture in Gilt Iron, 1950s (36 in)
Located in Barcelona, ES
Monumental Brutalist Sunburst Ceiling Flush Mount Light Fixture, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf XXL Sunburst light fixture with perforated holes at the central spherical plate and nail deta...
Wrought Iron, Iron, Gold Leaf
Alice Flushmount or Sconce in Brass with Hand Blown Sandblasted Glass Cube
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Alice collection is inspired by brutalist modular architecture. The textured hand blown glass cubes are sandblasted to create a soft glow. Available in satin brass or matte black...
Brass
Flower-Shaped Pendant Light by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Flower-Shaped Brutalist Brass Pendant Light designed Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. * Substantial pendant light with layered flame-cut brass slates * Designer: Svend Aage ...
Brass
Pair of Brutalist Bronze Wall and Murano glass Sconces by Felix Agostini, 1990s
By Felix Agostini, Arlus
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Pair of Brutalist Cast Bronze Wall Lamps, Maison Arlus Style, in the style of Felix Agostini. This pair of wall lamps is in gilded bronze. It is inspired by the bark of trees and the...
Bronze
$2,564Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Sconce by Marc Weinstein, USA 1960’s
Located in Lisboa, PT
This brutalist sconce was designed and produced by Marc Weinstein in the USA during the 1960s. Crafted from iron, this striking sconce features hourglass-shaped metal pieces that hav...
Iron
$2,308Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Sunburst Ceiling Light Fixture in Gilt Iron with Flower Motif, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Brutalist Sunburst Light Fixture, Gilt Iron Gold leaf gilt hand-hammered iron sunburst light fixture from the Brutalist period. Spain, 1950s. Richly decorated with the hammer marks a...
Wrought Iron, Iron, Gold Leaf
Series03 Wall Sconce, Dark Patinated Brass, Goatskin Parchment Shade
Located in Ozone Park, NY
Sculpted solid brass in a dark patinated finish, machined and mechanically fastened. Goatskin parchment shade with accordion-folded face and h...
Brass
Brutalist Handmade Ceramic Sconce, Pita Sconce by Streicher Goods
By Streicher Goods, Ethan Streicher
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Pita Sconce is a medium-sized brutalist-inspired table wall down-lit sconce, perfect for bedside, hallways, or accent lighting in larger living spaces, created by Streicher Goods...
Ceramic, Acrylic
Spanish Sunburst Foliage Chandelier / Light Fixture in Black Iron, 10 Lights
By Ferro Art
Located in Barcelona, ES
Outstanding XL spanish foliage sunburst flush mount ceiling light in black iron by Ferro Art, 1950s Extra large size ( 35,83 inches diameter). 10 Lights. This stunning 10-light ceili...
Metal, Wrought Iron, Iron
Pair of Hammered Glass Wrought Iron Sconces by Longobard, Italy, 1970s
By Longobard
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Pair of Mid-Century Modern wall lamps light sconces in red, yellow and amber hammered glass and wrought iron, gilding gold copper patina, by the manufacture Longobard in Verona in a ...
Wrought Iron
Brutalist, Handmade Ceramic Table Lamp, T-Top Lamp by Streicher Goods
By Ethan Streicher, Streicher Goods
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The T-Top lamp is a small, brutalist-inspired table lamp, perfect for bedside or accent lighting in larger living spaces, created by Streicher Goods in Brooklyn, NY. The T-top lamp...
Brass
$5,715 / item
ALMA Ceiling Surface Flush Mount
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A slab of hand cut Natural Alabaster glows in the grasp of a Brutalist-inspired cast Bronze frame. Custom Sizes Available. Models in the collection are individually hand-crafted by...
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze
$2,524Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist wrought iron and glass pendant lamp by Longobard, Italy, 1970s
By Longobard
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Brutalist pendant lamp by Longobard, Italy, 1970s. Wrought iron and welded structure, in a worn gold finish, and multicolored crystals hammered in the shape of a honeycomb. Clearly B...
Wrought Iron, Iron
Brutalist, Handmade Ceramic Table Lamp, Disc Lamp by Streicher Goods
By Ethan Streicher, Streicher Goods
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Disc lamp is a small, brutalist-inspired table lamp, perfect for lighting living spaces, created by Streicher Goods in Brooklyn, NY. The lamp features a cylindrical base that p...
Brass
$1,503 / item
1 of the 3 Brass Wall Sconces by Holm Sorensen, 1960
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 3 beautiful brass wall sconces by Holm Sorensen, manufactured in Denmark during the 1960s. Please note that the price is for one piece, three pieces available. Cleaned and...
Brass
Ceramic Brown Beige Pendant in style of Axella, Denmark 1960
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful round ceramic hanging lamp with a beautiful pattern in the style of Axella, manufactured in the 1960s in Denmark. This gorgeous lamp brings refined elegance and rich visua...
Ceramic
Pair of Tassel 3 Pendant Lights by Apparatus Studio, Oil-Rubbed Bronze
By APPARATUS
Located in Glasgow, GB
A pair of Tassel 3 pendant lights by the New York lighting studio Apparatus Studio, designed with the studio’s distinctive blend of modern minimalism and decorative influence. Inspi...
Bronze
Brutalist Brass Pendant Lamp by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, Denmark, 1960s
By Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, Holm Sørensen
Located in Karis, Nyland
Striking Danish brutalist pendant lamp designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen and produced by Holm Sørensen & Co in the 1960s. The lamp is crafted from brass with a sculptural, layered...
Brass
Brutalist Iron Murano Glass Pendant by Tom Ahlström & Hans Ehrlich Sweden, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
This Mid-Century Modern indoor and outdoor vintage pendant by Tom Ahlström and Hans Ehrlich, circa 1970 was manufactured by A & E Lights ...
Metal, Iron
Italian Brutalist Iron And Glass Lamp By Longobard
Italian Brutalist Iron And Glass Lamp By Longobard. We present a rare and unusual Italian Brutalist table lamp with a hammered iron base and a multicolored chiseled glass shade. This...
Iron
Albano Poli style. Brutalist Murano Glass Sconce, Italy, 1970s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Large Brutalist and Mid-Century Modern Murano glass sconce in the style of Albano Poli's creations for Poliarte, Italy, 1970s. Composed of several rectangular and elongated pieces of...
Metal, Steel
Brutalist Handmade Ceramic Wall Sconce, Envelope Sconce by Streicher Goods
By Ethan Streicher, Streicher Goods
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Envelope Sconce is a brutalist-inspired wall sconce, perfect for down-lighting a bedside, accent lighting in larger living spaces, or lighting a ha...
Ceramic, Acrylic
Cereus Lamp by Nani Goods Contemporary Ceramic Cactus Lamp
By Steven Lancaster, Nani Goods
Located in South Pasadena, CA
The Cereus Table Lamp is inspired by the organic, undulating forms of desert cacti, striking a balance between minimalist design and playful natural shapes. Each lamp is hand-built u...
Brass
Cereus Lamp (Medium) by Nani Goods Contemporary Ceramic Cactus Lamp
By Nani Goods, Steven Lancaster
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Inspired by the organic, undulating shapes of desert cacti, this lamp strikes a balance between minimalism and playfulness. Each lamp is hand built with a speckled clay body using...
Brass
$4,645 / item
AVRA Wall Sconce - Alto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Glowing buds of natural alabaster nestle in a Brutalist-inspired solid cast bronze frame. Models in the collection are individually hand-crafted by the skilled artisans in our studi...
Alabaster, Bronze
Brutalist Brass Pendant Lights by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Set of Substantial Brutalist Brass Pendant Lights designed Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. * Set (2) of large pendant lights with layered flame-cut brass slates * Designer: S...
Brass
$1,450 / item
Mid-Century Modern Sconces, Italy, circa 1960
Located in Merida, Yucatan
Brutalist style sconces in clear and orange Murano glass There are one in "clear" glass and one in orange-clear galss combination available at ...
Murano Glass
Rare Brutalist Italian Glass Paste and Wrought Iron Table Lamp by Longobard, 70s
By Longobard
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Rare Murano glass table lamp designed and made by Longobard in 1970. The structure is in hand-crafted gilded wrought iron with the insertion of colored glass paste. Original logo, fi...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Stained Glass Lamps in Quadrangular Prism Form, Midcentury Modern
Located in Bochum, NRW
Pair of Stained Glass Lamps in Regular Quadrangular Prism Form, Midcentury Modern Style A vibrant pair of stained glass accent lamps, each crafted in the form of a regular quadrangul...
Metal
Brutalist organic mushroom table lamp, Dutch 1960s
Located in Zaandam, NL
Gorgeous brutalist table lamp from The Netherlands with mushroom shade 1960s. The lamp has been completely rewired and refitted with brass fitting. the lamp is fitted for a general E...
Oak
Brutalist Metal Table Lamp by Laurel Lamp Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sculptural metal table lamp by Laurel Lamp Company, executed in a bold Brutalist style. The design features textured metalwork with strong, architectural detailing, reflecting the ...
Metal
French Iron Brutalist Floor Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lovely vintage wrought iron brutalist floor lamp from France, 1940s. Heavy iron stem with three curved iron legs. New linen tapered shade and newly re-wired. Unique and striking piec...
Iron
Spanish Starburst Sunburst Foliage Flush Mount Light Fixture in Gilt Iron, 1950s
By Ferro Art
Located in Barcelona, ES
Outstanding spanish foliage sunburst flush mount ceiling light in gilt iron, Ferro Art, 1950s Five Lights This stunning five-light ceiling lamp features an intrincate of branches in ...
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf, Wrought Iron
$2,042Sale Price|20% Off
French Sunburst Light Fixture with Nail Design in Gilt Iron and Milk Glass
Located in Barcelona, ES
Brutalist Ceiling Sunburst Light Fixture in Gilt Iron and Milk Glass __________________________________________________________________________ Nail Design sunburst flush mount, gilt...
Gold Leaf, Wrought Iron, Iron
Midcentury Italian Brutalist Spider Detailed Rare Green Glass Body Sconce
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing one light. Will be rewired with certified UL US sockets for the USA and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang. Wrought iron body with detailed rare gr...
Wrought Iron
$1,259Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Longobard Hanging Lantern Hammered Glass, Italy 1960s
By Longobard
Located in Hannover, DE
This brutalist pendant lamp made of hammered glass is something truly special. The glass was lovingly crafted by hand, and its beauty is reminiscent of a raw gemstone — it's a true w...
Copper, Metal
Cereus Lamp Raffia Shade (Small) by Nani Goods Contemporary Ceramic Cactus Lamp
By Nani Goods, Steven Lancaster
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Inspired by the organic, undulating shapes of desert night blooming cacti, the Cereus Lamp balances minimalist design with playful natural form. Hand‑built from a dark, rusty‑brown c...
Brass