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.
Sculptural Table Lamp by Laurel
Located in Highland, IN
This dramatic large-scale table lamp by Bijan of California for Laurel titled “Setarrah”. It has a base that is a powerful metal sculpture surrounding the central stem above the bla...
Brass
Tom Greene Style Brutalist Brass and Bronze Table Lamp
By Tom Greene
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an amazing piece of midcentury art in the style of Tom Greene. Includes custom-made shade.
Brass, Bronze, Metal
Svend Aage Holm-Sørensen Torch Cut Brutalist Brass Sconces in Brass, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Acid-treated and torch-cut Diamond-shaped Wall sconces in solid brass. Designed by danish Svend Aage Holm Sorensen in the early 1960s. Measurements: H: 21.5 cm, W: 18 cm, Dept: 10 cm...
Brass
Pair of Sculptural Brutalist Floor Lamps in Hand-Forged Steel, France, 1970s
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
This exceptional pair of unique sculptural floor lamps was handcrafted in France during the 1970s by an anonymous artist. More than functional lighting, these one-of-a-kind pieces ar...
Steel
Brutalistic Vintage Pottery Wall Lamp from Brakelmann & Becker, 1970s
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Brutalisic Wall Lamp from Brakelmann & Becker in Germany. 40 x 40 cm slate Plate with an brutalistic Pottery. The Wall lamp(s) will look perfect with an bulb with an mirrored head.
Slate
Set of Four Vintage Italian Brutalist Textured Gilded Bronze Wall Sconces
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 4 vintage Italian brutalist textured gilded bronze wall lights, in stock Ready to ship from our Miami gallery ; 4 vintage Italian Brutalist wall sconces in textured gilded bro...
Bronze
2 Rare Frederick Cooper Hand Blown Brutalist Glass Wine Bottle Lamps 42"
Located in Dayton, OH
Large vintage pair of Frederick Cooper hand-blown art glass wine bottle banquet table lamps with Brutalist copper geometric cut-out overlays. Dimensions: 8.5" x 34" / Total Height -...
Metal
Brutalist Steel Table Lamp + Pierced Steel Shade
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Brutalist Steel Table Lamp + Pierced Steel Shade
Steel
Pair of 1970s French Brutalist Oak Table Lamps, Sculptural Design
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Striking pair of French brutalist table lamps crafted from solid oak in the 1970s. Each lamp is sculpted from a monolithic section of oak, punctuated by a rhythmic series of diagona...
Oak
Vintage Boho Artisanal Scagliola Pigmented Plaster Gourd Lamps - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite pair of vintage double-gourd table lamps is a masterclass in Postmodern organic design, offering an authoritative sculptural presence. Expertly handcrafted from heavy ...
Brass
Modernist Table Lamp in Glass Paste and Wrought Iron, Circa 1950-1960
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
We offer this elegant table lamp, dated from the 1950s-1960s, a perfect example of the modernist design of the era. Ideal for adding a touch of sophistication to your interior, this...
Iron, Wrought Iron
"Mademoiselle" table lamp by l'artiste donna in patinated steel - DC008
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
"Mademoiselle" table lamp by l'artiste donna in patinated steel - DC008 Imposing "Mademoiselle" brutalist desk lamp by French artist Donna. Sculptural base in solid patinated steel, ...
Steel
Brutalist Iron and Glass Wall Lamp from Germany
Located in DOORWERTH, NL
Solid construction made of iron and Murano glass. In the manner of Tom Ahlström and Marcello Fantoni. The lamp will work with European E27 lightbulbs or the American E26 bulb. Works...
Iron
Large sculpture lamp by artist Donna in solid steel sculptural unique pieces
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Imposing Brutalist table lamp by French artist Donna. Its sculptural base in patinated metal was handcrafted in the artist's studio. A sober, elegant and highly decorative designer. ...
Steel
Pair of Large Brass Wall Lamps by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
A pair of substantial brass wall lamps designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. Finding a pair is not an everyday experience. * A pair (2) of sconces with six square slate...
Metal, Brass
Brutalist Hand-Crafted Iron and stained Glass Hanging Pendant Lamp, c. 1960's
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Brutalist hand-crafted Iron and stained glass hanging pendant lamp c. 1960's, hand forged cast iron, stained glass piece's, heavy, quality construction, thick chain, hand for...
Iron
$381Sale Price|20% Off
Terracotta pilaster lamp, brutalist style, France, Mid-Century
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Terracotta pilaster lamp, brutalist style France, Mid-Century Terracotta base, wooden top ball Artisanal production. Good condition. Dimensions: height 34 cm width 18 cm depth 18 cm
Terracotta, Wood
Large Pair of Hammered Glass Wrought Iron Sconces by Longobard, Italy. 1970s
By Longobard
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Extra large Pair of Mid-Century Modern wall lamps light lighting sconces multicolor and clear hammered glass and wrought iron, by the manufacture Longobard in Verona in a Brutalist s...
Wrought Iron
$1,520Sale Price|20% Off
Attractive Chandelier with Three Pumpkin-Shaped Shades in Green Glass by Feders
Located in Mexico, DF
Beautiful chandelier assembled with three original Feders pumpkin-shaped shades of blown green glass trapped in wrought iron painted black. Each sphere hangs from a black chain and w...
Wrought Iron
Henri Fernandez Brutalist Grande Palma Brass Palm Tree Sculpture Lamp
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Henri Fernandez Brutalist Grande Palma Brass Palm Tree Sculpture Lamp The approximate measurements of this floor lamp are: 107 wide x 107 deep x 99 inches high Great Vintage Condit...
Brass
Vintage Boho Stewart Ross James Verdigris Bronze Lamps - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
These striking vintage table lamps, designed by the esteemed Stewart Ross James, represent a masterful fusion of mid-century modernism and Brutalist industrial texture. James, highly...
Bronze
Fratelli Mannelli. Large brutalist travertine table lamps, Italy, 1970s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Large travertine table lamps by Fratelli Mannelli, Italy, 1970s. Made entirely and from a single piece of travertine marble from Rapolano in the shape of rhinos. Top structure of gol...
Travertine, Metal, Chrome
$267 / item
Brutalist copper pendant light, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage brutalist hammered copper sheet pendant light. The lamp emits a nice diffuse light thanks to the perforated shade. 1970s - Netherlands Tested and ready to use with an E27 ...
Copper
Lamp sculpture "Magma" by artist Donna in solid steel unique model signed
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Imposing Brutalist "Magma" table lamp by French artist Donna. Its sculptural base in patinated solid steel was handcrafted in the artist's studio. A sober, elegant and highly decorat...
Iron
Signed Accolay Studio Ceramic Table Lamp with Original Torch-Cut Copper Shade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A superb example of French mid-century studio pottery, this table lamp is signed Accolay on the base — the mark of one of post-war France's most celebrated ceramic communities. Found...
Metal
$320 / item
Painted Flower Lights
Located in London, England
Pastel wall or ceiling lights featuring three rings of petals. Hardwired. Designer: Unknown, Italian Materials: Lacquered Metal. Price is per item.
Metal
$266Sale Price|44% Off
Brutalist Candle Sconce by Syroco, Mid-century Modern Wall Sculpture
By Syroco
Located in Warrenton, OR
Brutalist Candle Sconce by Syroco, Mid-century Modern Wall Sculpture. ***NOTE: Our 1stDibs store is closing soon and items will not be avail...
Other
Large Textured Glass Table Lamp by Le Dauphine, France, 1970s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find an impressive sculptural table lamp produced by Le Dauphin, France, during the 1970s. The design combines a substantial textured glass body with hand-wo...
Iron
Brutalist Polished Chrome Table Lamp by Curtis Jere / tower / large chrome shade
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Buffalo, NY
A Brutalist table lamp by Curtis Jere with interlocking polished chrome construction and large chromed steel drum shade. Nice original condition,,needs polishing,, Base and top light...
Chrome
Midcentury brutalist Dutch ceramic mushroom floor lamp, 1960s
Located in Zaandam, NL
Brutalist ceramic low floor lamp attributed to the Netherlands 1960s. This floor lamp is in great vintage condition, the globe sphere and the ceramic are without any real flaws to me...
Ceramic, Opaline Glass
Svend Aage Holm Sørensen Pendant Light, Brass, Brutalist Design, 1960s
Located in London, England
Svend Aage Holm Sørensen (1913-2004) was a Danish architect and industrial designer trained at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. He ...
Brass
Brutalist Steel Floor Lamp, French c. 1970s
Located in Warminster, GB
A brutalist steel floor lamp. French, c. 1970s. Stock ref. #3218 Professionally rewired to UK standards. New tapered calico shade included. Height with shade: 159 cm (62.6 ") S...
Steel
Pair of Vintage Brutalist Steel "Ribbon" Table Lamps by Richard Barr For Laurel
By Richard Barr, Laurel Lamp Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of large, elegant table lamps designed by Richard Barr for Laurel (ca. late 1960s, USA). Composed of sculptural torch cut 'ribbons' in patinated bronze-finish steel supported by...
Cut Steel
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Cork Panel Hanging Light
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Capture the quintessential spirit of 1970s design with this striking vintage hanging light. A masterpiece of organic modernism, this pendant features rich, textured cork panels set w...
Brass
Pair of Large Brass Wall Lamps by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Rare pair of Large Leaf-Shaped Brass Sconces designed by the Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. Eyecatching Brutalist Wall Art for beautiful place. * Set (2) of flame-cut brass sconce with five leafs * Designer: Svend Aage Holm Sorensen * Model: 5195 * Manufacturer: Holm Sørensen & Co. * Year: 1960s * Condition: Very good vintage condition. Labels intact. Very small marks on wall pieces. They are not an original set, so the wall pieces come with black and golden sockets. * Brass (acid treated and flame cut) * Mid century...
Metal, Brass
Tenfold Chandelier 5T 32inch, Polished Nickel, Geometric Pendant, Customizable
By Luft Tanaka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
TENFOLD 5 TIER in Polished Nickel by Luft Tanaka Studio Composed of interlocking mirror polished perforated sheetmetal panels, the Tenfold Series is inspired by the architectural st...
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
Mario J Pires Serip Bouquet Table Lamp
By Mário J. Pires
Located in Purkersdorf, AT
Sculptural Bouquet table lamp. Each lamp made by Serip is unique. High-quality craftsmanship: solid gold-plated bronze; all glass elements are custom-made in Murano specifically ju...
Bronze
Brutalist wrought iron floor lamp in the style of Atelier Marolles circa 1950
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Brutalist wrought iron floor lamp in the style of Atelier Marolles circa 1950
Wrought Iron
Marcello Fantoni Brutalist Metal Sculptured Wall Lamp, Italy
Located in Voorburg, NL
Rare and expressive Brutalist wall lamp made in Italy and designed by Marcello Fantoni. Beautiful sculptured torch cut steel with Murano glass. Completely fine original version. Exce...
Cut Steel
Vintage Gold Spanish Brutalist Nail Sunburst Light
Located in Hastings, GB
Stunning Gold 1950's Vintage Spanish Sunburst Light, brutalist design, hand hammered gilt iron with nail decoration Frosted convex glass Width 20 cm, Height 20 cm, Depth 8 cm
Iron
Set of 2 Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Danish Studio Pottery Pendant Lamps, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Two pottery pendant lamps from Denmark. This design features an organic form language. The lamp body has a bulbous bell shape. The exterior reveals the rough, brown structure of the...
Ceramic
Hand crafted Brutalist Floor lamp Dutch Design 1980 brass metal dimmable
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Handcrafted Dutch Brutalist Floor Lamp, 1980s A striking one-of-a-kind Brutalist floor lamp, handcrafted in the Netherlands during the 1980s by an unknown artisan. This sculptural pi...
Metal, Brass
Giant Italian Hanging Lantern from the 1960s Exquisite Hand-Forged Craftsmanship
By Longobard
Located in Hannover, DE
Italian Hanging Lantern from the 1960s – Exquisite Hand-Forged Craftsmanship This exceptional hanging lantern is a remarkable example of fine Italian craftsmanship from the 1960s....
Brass, Wrought Iron, Lead
Dazor 1000 Industrial Desk Lamp 1950-1960s
By Dazor
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Classic Industrial Dazor 1000 design. Highly adjustable shell. Double flourecent 15watt bulbs (available from many hardware stores or online) Paint has a few scuffs but not terribl...
Steel
Superb! Brutalist Electric Wall Sconce Pair After Tom Greene Torch Cut MCM 1960s
By Tom Greene
Located in Peoria, AZ
SUPERB! PAIR! TORCH CUT BRUTALIST METAL WALL SCONCES AFTER TOME GREENE A gorgeous pair of brutalist, torch cut electric sconces after Tom Greene. Very rare, these were made in th...
Metal
$953Sale Price|20% Off
Single Brutalist Wall Scone by Marcello Fantoni, 1960s
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A Brutalist wall lamp designed by renowned designer and artist Marcello Fantoni and produced in Italy. Beautiful sculptured torch cut steel with orange tinted glass which gives a nic...
Iron
Quartet of Brass Wall Lamps by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Quartet of flame-cut brass sconces designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. * Set of four (4) leaf-shaped wall sconces in flame-cut brass * Designer: Svend Aage Holm Søre...
Metal, Brass
Brutalist Ceramic Pendant Lights, Gray-Brown & Copper Glaze, Circle Cut-Outs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brutalist ceramic sculptural pendant lights. Each bell-shaped shade features a heavily textured exterior in a dark gray-brown glaze, revealing warm copper-toned clay beneath a ring o...
Ceramic
Large Hammered Glass Wrought Iron Lantern Lamp by Longobard, Italy, 1970s
By Longobard
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Large Mid-Century Modern table or floor lantern lamp hammered glass and wrought iron, gilding gold copper patina, by the italian design manufacture Longobard in a Brutalist style, th...
Wrought Iron
Vintage Handcrafted Hammered Copper Wine Cellar Torchere Sconces, Italy 1950s
Located in Trieste, IT
A striking pair of monumental, handcrafted torchere wall sconces that effortlessly bridge industrial design and classical grandeur. Executed in heavy gauge hammered copper, these ove...
Copper
Sculptural Brutalist Steel Table Lamp in the style of Harry Balmer, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A large sculptural art table light fashioned from reclaimed torch cut welded steel. Entirely black lacquered besides the white acrylic inner shade. Signed: H. H 71, unknown/un-identi...
Steel
Photophore porte bougie brutaliste en bronze brasé et doré style Monique Gerber
Located in Meyrin, Switzerland
Petit photophore porte bougie sculpturale brutaliste en bronze doré et brasé, designer anonyme, 1970. Travail français dans le goût de Monique Gerber. Bon état. Dimensions : hauteur ...
Bronze
Vintage Brutalist Richard Barr For Laurel Lamps - Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Captured in raw, architectural forms, this pair of mid-century Brutalist table lamps designed by Richard Barr for Laurel Lamp Company features tall, totem-like metallic bodies. Each ...
Brass, Metal
Large Peill & Putzler 1970s Murano Lava Glass Table Lamp
Located in BUSSUM, NH
Large Peill & Putzler 1970s Murano Lava glass table lamp. The item is in excellent condition. The small air bubbles in the glass create a warm glow of light in your room. The fact...
Blown Glass
Oversize Brutalist Ceramic Table Lamp with Original Shade c. 1960/70's
By Aldo Londi, Raymor
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Brutalist pottery base table lamp circa 1970's. The lamp features a candlestick form gazed lattice work base, a dramatic faux candle vertical standard, and original overs...
Metal
Chandellier - lámpara Brutalista con influencias Art Déco de los años 50
Located in Barcelona, ES
Lámpara de inspiración brutalista con sutiles influencias Art Déco, una pieza de fuerte carácter escultórico que combina solidez formal con una elegancia atemporal. Su presencia equi...
Iron
Pair of Brutalist Wall Lamp Sun Attributed to T.Ahlström & Hans Ehrlich, Sweden
Located in Rijssen, NL
Large wall or ceiling light in wrought iron and curved granite Murano glass. Attributed to Tom Ahlström &; Hans Ehrlich, Circa: 1970, Sweden Size: Depth: 3.9 inches (10 cm), diamete...
Iron
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Brass w Red Glass Brutalist Pendant Chandelier C1970
By Moe Lighting
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Spectacular pendant lamp with cast brass in a Brutalist style with fiery orange red stained glass panels. Wiring is sound and everything else is in excellent vintage condition with m...
Brass
$1,760Sale Price / set|20% Off
1970s Brutalist Floorlamp + Pendant by Temde Leuchten Germany / Switzerland
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Hard to find set of 1970s Brutalist burnished Pinewood & bubble glass sphere lamps Produced by Temde Leuchten AG (Switzerland) This floor lamp...
Iron
Handcrafted art glass wall lamp attributed to Angelo Brotto, Italy 1960s
By Angelo Brotto, Esperia
Located in ECHT, NL
Brutalist glass wall lamp attributed to Angelo Broth for Esperia. Steel frame with three light points. The handcrafted glass plate fits inside the frame. The plate has many different...
Metal