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 Floor Lamp by Temde, Switzerland, 1970's
Located in Bern, BE
1970's Brutalist Floor lamp. Solid wood construction with five smoked glass ball lamps twisting around the central stand. Swiss Brutalist style. Mid cable on-off switch. Produced by ...
Smoked Glass, Wood
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
French Sunburst Light Fixture with Nail Design in Gilt Iron and Milk Glass
Located in Barcelona, ES
Nail Design small sunburst flush mount light fixture, gilt wrought iron, milk glass, France, 1940s-1950s. Hand-hammered iron and opaline glass sunburst flush mount with nails decorat...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Large Chris Haslev Green Ceramic Lamp, Silk Lampshade by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table/floor lamp. Custom made silk lampshade by René Houben. The green glazed and brown ceramics with beautiful details fit perfectly with the custom made lampsha...
Ceramic
$3,849Sale Price|30% Off
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
$8,005Sale Price|20% Off
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, Iron, Wrought Iron
Brutalist stained glass pendant lamp by Felipe Delfinger, Mexico, 1960s
By Longobard, Tiffany Studios, Felipe Delfinger, 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, 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
Flower-Shaped Pendant Light by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage 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
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 Grey and Brown Ceramic Table Lamp for Soholm, Denmark 1960s
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 2 beautiful ceramic table lamps by Haico from Soholm, Denmark 1960s. Combined with a custom lampshade. The brown and dark grey ceramic base has a beautiful shape with geom...
Ceramic
Brutalist, Handmade Ceramic Table Lamp, Double Decker Lamp by Streicher Goods
By Ethan Streicher, Streicher Goods
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
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
$11,458Sale Price / set|30% Off
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
$905Sale Price / set|26% 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
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
Brutalist Style Chandelier Lamp / Radius of 80 / 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 it...
Copper, Iron
Brutalist Handmade Ceramic Wall Sconce, U-Sconce by Streicher Goods
By Ethan Streicher, Streicher Goods
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The U-Sconce is a small, brutalist-inspired wall sconce, perfect for bedrooms, bathrooms, or accent lighting in larger living spaces, created by Streicher Goods in Brooklyn, NY. Th...
Ceramic, Acrylic
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
$3,366Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Large Sculptural Iron and Glass Wall Flush Mounts Sconces, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful and large pair of sculptural iron and textured Murano glass wall lights/sconces, 1960s Lamp sockets: 1x E27 (US E26).
Iron
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
Set of 4 Ceramic Pendant lights, Vintage and Contemporary Curated
Located in Rijssen, NL
Stunning set of four vintage and contemporary combined ceramic hanging lamps with a beautiful glaze, made with rich colors. Some lights are made in the 1970s, some pendants are new ...
Ceramic
1970s Brutalist Metal Copper & Brass Sconce
By Feldman Lighting Co., Tom Greene
Located in Stamford, CT
1970s brutalist two tone metal sconce. Burnished copper/brass metal finish. Newly rewired with new sockets and new brass backplate. Takes two chandelier bulbs (not included).
Metal
1940s French Iron 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 tapered square paper shade and newly re-wired. Unique and striki...
Iron
Substantial Brass Pendant Light by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Substantial Brutalist brass pendant light designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. * Large onion-shaped pendant light with layered flame-cut brass slats * Designer: Svend ...
Brass
Set of Brass Wall Lamps by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, 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
$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
$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
Set of 9 Ceramic Pendant lights, Vintage and Contemporary Curated
Located in Rijssen, NL
Stunning set of nine vintage and contemporary combined ceramic hanging lamps with a beautiful glaze, made with rich colors. Some lights are made in the 1970s, some pendants are new ...
Ceramic
$2,542Sale 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
$33,570 / item
AVRA Chandelier
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
$6,536Sale 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
Pair of Vintage Bronze Floor Lamps After Diego Giacometti's Tête de Femme, 1960
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Sleepy Hollow, NY
Pair of Vintage Bronze Floor Lamps After Diego Giacometti's Tête de Femme, Circa 1960 A striking pair of vintage bronze floor lamps inspired by Diego Giacometti's celebrated Tête de...
Bronze
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
Scandinavian mid century brutalist table lamp, melted copper, Sweden, 1960s
Located in Forserum, SE
A sculptural, handcrafted Scandinavian brutalist table lamp, constructed from partially melted copper. The lamp holder is mounted on a copper pipe marked Svenska Metallverken, a comp...
Copper
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
Brutalist bronze large cocoon table lamp, Dutch 1990s
Located in Zaandam, NL
Lovely bronze brutalist large ( 80 cm ) table lamp by late Dutch designer Jan des Bouvrie for Qasar, 1990s. We currently have two of these in stock both fitted with brand new French ...
Bronze
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
$3,531Sale Price|20% Off
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
Brutalist Brass Wall Lamps by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
*Matched Trio of Brutalist Wall Lamps designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. * Trio of three (3) flame-cut brass sconces * Designer: Svend Aage Holm Sørensen * Manufactu...
Metal, Brass
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
Set of 6 Ceramic Pendant lights, Vintage and Contemporary Curated
Located in Rijssen, NL
Stunning set of six vintage and contemporary combined ceramic hanging lamps with a beautiful glaze, made with rich colors. Some lights are made in the 1970s, some pendants are new a...
Ceramic
Vintage French mid century turned wood table lamp, Charles Dudouyt style
Located in Bristol, GB
Small French midcentury table lamp In the style of Charles Dudouyt, c.1930-50 Made of turned wood in a late deco style. Sturdy with no wobbles, fully functioning. Supplied with a ...
Oak
Swedish Mid-Century Modern Organic Floor Lamp in Burned Wood, Wabi Sabi, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
A beautiful organic shaped table lamp in burned pine wood. Handcrafted by a Swedish Carpenter in the 1950s. The overall impression of this mid century table lamp is really good. It ...
Textile, Pine
Green Ceramic Floor Table Lamp, Custom Green Lampshade by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table/floor lamp. Custom made green lampshade by René Houben. The green and gray glazed ceramics with beautiful details fit perfectly with the custom made green la...
Ceramic
Maurice Chalvignac Ceramic Pendant, circa 1960s–1970s
Located in Montréal, CA
Striking 1960’s vintage ceramic pendant attributed to Maurice Chalvignac, featuring an organic, sculptural form with a richly textured brown glaze and numerous perforations throughou...
Ceramic
$1,507 / 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
French Twisted Iron Floor Lamp c. 1950s
Located in Warminster, GB
A twisted iron floor lamp. French, c. 1950s. Stock ref. #3259 Professionally rewired to UK standards. New tapered calico shade included. Height with shade: 166 cm (65.4 ") Shade...
Iron, Wrought Iron
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
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
Series03 Wall Sconce, Polished Unlacquered Brass, Goatskin Parchment Shade
Located in Ozone Park, NY
Sculpted solid brass in a polished unlacquered finish, machined and mechanically fastened. Goatskin parchment shade with accordion-folded face...
Brass
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
Unique James Bearden 'Illuminated Dwelling' Floor Lamp Brutalist Welded Steel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed and studio-made by American designer and craftsman James Bearden, this awesome floor lamp looks like it entered this world from a different dimension. Devoid of any curves w...
Steel
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 Verdi Gris Copper Pendant Chandelier by Ron Rezek c. 1980's
By Ron Rezek
Located in New York, NY
Brutalist Conwe form pendant fixture, designed by Ron Rezek, circa 1980's. The chandelier features a rich Verdi Gris finish on the exterior copper metal surface, with an interior whi...
Metal, Copper
$2,053Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Murano glass ice tube chandelier by Doria Leuchten Germany 1960s
Located in Hannover, DE
Arguably one of the most exciting and beautiful ice glass tube chandeliers from the Dutch manufacturer Doria Leuchten. 69 Murano glass tubes with a matte finish make this chandelier ...
Brass
Brutalist Handmade Ceramic Wall Sconce, Envelope Sconce by Streicher Goods
By Streicher Goods, Ethan Streicher
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
Pair of Wrapped Iron Table Lights from 1960s Italy
Located in London, GB
Pair of artist-made table lights in wrapped iron. Each unique in it's fabrication and form.
Wrought Iron
Sculptural Brutalist Bronze Table Lamp by Richard Barr for Laurel
By Harry Balmer, Laurel Lamp Company, Richard Barr
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Large scale Sculptural Brutalist Bronze Table Lamp by Richard Barr for Laurel Lamp Company. Comprised of torch cut bronze on a square base. Lamp is a very unique statement piece. Bru...
Bronze
$2,850 / item
OMERO Oval Wall Sconce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An architecturally-inspired duet of dramatic veined alabaster with a textured cast bronze – a trio of simply striking silhouettes. Models in the collection are individually hand-cra...
Alabaster, Bronze