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.
1950s Sunburst Flush Mount Ceiling Light Fixture in Gilt Iron, Perforated Design
Located in Barcelona, ES
Monumental Brutalist Sunburst Flush Mount Ceiling Light Fixture in Gilt Iron, Moon and Star perforated motifs, Spain 1950s Sunburst light fixture with perforated star and moon shaped...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Pair of Brutalist Bronze Wall and Murano glass Sconces by Felix Agostini, 1990s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Pair of Brutalist Cast Bronze Wall Lamps, Maison Arlus Style, in the style of Felix Agostini. This wall lamp is made of gilded bronze. It is inspired by the bark of trees and their b...
Bronze
Unique Brutalist Leaf Wall Light Gemstone Cabochons & Hand-Hammered Brass 1960s
By Wiener Werkstätte, F. W. Quist, Münchner Werkstätten
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
A unique wall sconce in the Brutalist style featuring a handcrafted, hand-hammered brass leaf-shaped form, set with several gemstone cabochons made of amethyst, rose quartz, turquois...
Multi-gemstone, Brass
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
$7,787Sale 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 Poliarte, Felipe Delfinger, Longobard, Tiffany Studios
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 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
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
$3,784Sale 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
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 Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, 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
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 Streicher Goods, Ethan Streicher
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
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
$11,397Sale 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
Brutalist Handmade Ceramic Sconce, Pita Sconce by Streicher Goods
By Ethan Streicher, Streicher Goods
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
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
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
$888Sale 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
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 Brass Wall Lamps by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, 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
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
$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
XXL Blue Ceramic Floor Table Lamp, Custom Beige Lampshade by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful XL ceramic table/floor lamp. Custom made matching lampshade by René Houben. The blue ceramics with beautiful details fit perfectly with the custom made beige melange lamps...
Ceramic
$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
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
1970s Brutalist Metal Copper & Brass Sconce
By Tom Greene, Feldman Lighting Co.
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
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
$5,157 / item
France Brown Beige Ceramic XL Floor Table Lamp
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic floor lamp in the style of Georges Pelletier, 2022. The beige ceramics and gold colored details complement each other very well and illuminates beautifully. Ready...
Ceramic
$6,404Sale 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
1960s, Brass Brutalist Wall Light by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful brutalist wall light designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen for Holm Sørensen & Co., Denmark. This lamp is flame cut of brass with a ...
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
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
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
Mid-Century Danish Brutalist Ceramic Pendant from Judi Kunst
By Judi Kunst
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist studio ceramic pendant lamp by Judi Kunst from Denmark. A functional lamp and at the same time an imposing object. The design language seems organic. The shade shows a sim...
Ceramic
Brutalist Copper Pendant Lamp by Peill & Putzler, Germany, 1960s
Located in Balen, BE
Brutalist Copper Pendant Lamp by Peill & Putzler, Germany, 1960s This striking Brutalist copper pendant lamp, designed by Peill & Putzler/Philips in Germany during the 1960s. This l...
Copper
1 of the 2 Holmegaard Lilac Ceramic Lamps, Custom Lampshades by R. Houben
By Holmegaard
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table/ floor lamps. Custom made neutral silk lampshades by René Houben. The lilac glazed ceramics with wooden base fit perfectly with the white custom made lampsha...
Ceramic
$1,539Sale Price|20% Off
Large brutalist Murano glass wall lamp by Toni Zuccheri, Italy, 60s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Large piece of multicolored Murano glass with an organic shape in brutalist style, attached to a silver chrome metal base. The diffuser is rough inside, creating an unique lighting e...
Metal, Chrome
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
$2,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
1970s Felipe Delfinger for Feders Brutalist Metal & Stained-Glass Pendants
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a 1970s Felipe Delfinger for Feders Brutalist Metal & Stained-Glass Pendants. (pair) Large 15.5 x 10.5 chain 33.5 Small 10.5. ...
Metal
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
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
Brutalist, Handmade Ceramic Table Lamp, Paddle Lamp by Streicher Goods
By Streicher Goods, Ethan Streicher
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 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
Neo-pop light sculpture or Floor Lamp Egg, French artist Michel Froment c.1990's
Located in leucate, FR
Huge floor lamp or light sculpture by the French artist Michel Froment ( 1951 ) Reproducing a fried egg on both sides. The material used is metal and polyurethane. The artist's wo...
Metal
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
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
Hand-Forged 1950s Mid-Century Brutalist Sunburst Ceiling Light
Located in Hastings, GB
This magnificent, hand-forged 1950's Mid-Century Modern sunburst ceiling fixture exemplifies the masterful metalwork produced in Spain during the mid-20th century. Brilliantly stradd...
Iron
$4,397Sale Price|20% Off
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 French Brutalist Table Lamps in Wrought Iron, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair of Iron Brutalist Table Lamps, France, 1950s. Hand forged Iron table lamps with cross details on the top and squared bases. Sculptural design, solid structure and beautiful cons...
Iron, Wrought Iron
1 of the 2 Metal Brutalist Pendant Lamps by Sven Aage for Holm Sorensen, 1960
Located in Rijssen, NL
Original 1960's modernist suspension made in Denmark by Holm Sørensen and designed by Sven Aage Holm Sorensen. High quality Danish craftsmanship from the 1960s. Fantastic design in b...
Brass
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
Tenfold Chandelier 32inch Brushed Bronze Perforated Metal Pendant Light
By Luft Tanaka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
TENFOLD CHANDELIER 5 TIER 24inch in Brushed Bronze by Luft Tanaka Studio Brutalism meets glam. Inspired by Brutalist architecture and Op Art, the Tenfold Series features interlockin...
Aluminum, Steel, Brass
$1,977Sale Price|25% Off
Brutalist Table Lamp, Finland, Early 20th Century
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Brutalist table lamp, manufactured in Finland, Early 20th Century. Forged iron frame with yarn lampshade. Good vintage condition, minor patina consistent with age and use.
Iron
Cereus Lamp Raffia Shade (Small) by Nani Goods Contemporary Ceramic Cactus Lamp
By Steven Lancaster, Nani Goods
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
French Sunburst Light Fixture in Gilt Iron and Milk Glass, Nail Design, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Double Layered Nail Design sunburst light fixture, milk glass, gilt iron, France, 1940s-1950s. This sunburst light fixture features a gilt iron ring with two layers of iron nails su...
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf
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
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
$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 Floor Lamp in Iron and Art Glass by Biancardi & Jordan Italy 1970s
By Longobard, Biancardi & Jordan
Located in Rome, IT
Brutalist amazing floor lamp in green wrought iron, art glass and yellow lucite by Biancardi & Jordan the concurrent of Poliarte and Longobard at the 1960s / 1970s. Made in Italy in...
Metal, Iron