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.
Pair of Torch Cut Brass Brutalist Chandeliers by Tom Greene for Feldman
By Feldman Lighting Co., Tom Greene
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of torch cut brutalist chandeliers was designed by Tom Greene and made by Feldman Lighting of Los Angeles. The long narrow torch cut brass pendants are enhanced with layere...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Stained Glass Wall Sconce by Jean-Simon Labret, 20th Century
By J. S. Labret
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Mid-Century Modern Stained Glass Wall Sconce by Jean-Simon Labret, 20th Century This stunning wall sconce by French designer Jean-Simon Labret features a vibrant composition of stai...
Metal
A Sculptural MODERNIST CHAIN Wrought Iron BRUTALIST FLOOR LAMP, France 1960
Located in PARIS, FR
An impressive and powerful Modernist, Rustic-Modern, Art-Popular, Brutalist, Shabby-Chic, hammered wrought iron LOW Floor Lamp, enhanced by its beautiful details and true vintage pat...
Wrought Iron
A stoneware desk lamp by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1950s, Denmark
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
A curry-colored glazed stoneware desk lamp designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen and made in Italy in the 1950s. * A stoneware desk lamp with curry-colored glaze and a beige fabric ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
1 of the 2 Ceramic Table Lamps by Soholm, Silk Lampshade, Denmark 1960s
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 2 beautiful ceramic table lamps by Soholm, Denmark 1960s. Combined with a custom made silk lampshade by R. Houben. The beautiful brown and seagreen lila ceramics make a stu...
Ceramic
Pair of Blue Green Ceramic Cone Table Lamps by Soholm, Denmark 1960
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table lamp by Soholm, Denmark 1960s. Combined with a custom made lampshade by R. Houben. The beautiful blue and green ceramics make a stunning combination with the...
Ceramic
A Pair of Mid-Century Giant Sculptural Wood Table Lamps
Located in PARIS, FR
A rare pair of large brutalist table lamps sculpted in wood, probably ebony, a beautiful work of cabinet-making mounted on a light wooden s...
Wood, Ebony
$1,589Sale Price / set|32% Off
Set of 4 Fat Lava Brutalist Swirl Wall Lights by PAN Germany 1960s
By PAN Keramik
Located in Hannover, DE
Exceptional wall light set by Pan in a particularly beautiful brutalist fat lava glaze. These exceptional wall lights can be freely combined in the room and there are no limits to yo...
Ceramic
Sunburst Starburst Light Fixure in Bronze Gilt Wrought Iron, 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
French Brutalist Sunburst Ceiling Light in Bronze Gilt Patina Sunburst Light Fixture with Jagged Leaves and Spikes Detail, France, 1950s This stunning hand-hammered gilt iron sunbur...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Brutalist Ceiling Lamp by Svend Aage Holm-Sørensen, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Danish Brutalist chain-suspended hanging lamp composed of acid-treated and torch-cut brass. This model, 'P605', was designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the early 1960s. The shade...
Brass
$2,431Sale Price|20% Off
Zero Quattro, Milano. Huge brutalist Murano bubble glass sconce, Italy, 1970s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Huge brutalist and Space Age style Italian wall light by Zero Quattro 04, Milano, 1970s. Formed by 7 pieces of Murano glass in the shape of curved diamonds. All the pieces are made o...
Metal, Steel
Vintage Brutalist Wall Lamp, Murano Glass & Iron, Italy, 1970s Design
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Mid-century wall lamp Brutalis made in Italy in the 1970s. The front panel is made of Murano glass, adding a touch of elegance to the lamp. The lamp is in very good vintage conditio...
Iron
Table Lamp, Brutalist wood, Brown color France 20th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
We can notice the curves. The wood is a solid Wood. We have a socket in plastic, with a plastic switch You can use any kind of bulb up to 100 watt. Art deco or tribal and Brutalist s...
Wood
Elegant brutalist chandelier by Tom Green for Feldman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very nice Hands craft brutalist chandelier, design by the iconic Tom Green, the patina is so much nicer in person
Brass
$5,760Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Eight Candles Chandelier by Tom Corbin, Bronze, USA, 1990
By Tom Corbin
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Fabulous eight candles chandelier made of bronze and it is designed by Tom Corbin. It has the sign in one of the girls. This chandelier has no light but it is ready to rewire it, you...
Bronze
1960 Brutalist Art Design Iron Sculpture Wall Lamp Applique
Located in Brescia, IT
Brutalist wall lamp 1960s Wrought iron Three lights Excellent condition. Perfect working order
Iron
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
Monumental Oval Brutalist Sculptural Chandelier in Oxidized Steel and Glass
Located in Antwerp, BE
Monumental Oval Brutalist Sculptural Chandelier in Oxidized Steel, Copper and Glass This exceptional monumental chandelier exists at the intersection of lighting and sculpture. Conc...
Copper, Steel
Mid-20th Century Ceramic Sunburst Wall Lamp or Decorative Wall Sculpture, 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
A beautiful mid-20th century ceramic lamp in the form of a stylized sunburst. The hand-crafted design features layered, radiating elements with textured, organic edges and a green-gl...
Ceramic
$4,123Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of hand-blown murano table and wall lamps by Aldo Nason, Italy, 1970s
By AVMazzega, Aldo Nason
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Set of two table and two matching sconces from the 70s, in the style of Aldo Nason creations for AV Mazzega. The structure, both of the lamps and the wall lights, is made of chrome m...
Metal, Chrome
Bronze Corinthian Column Postmodern Wall Lights Sconce Vintage 1980s Gothic
Located in London, GB
An amazing pair of wall sconces in a fusion of eras and styles. Bronze cast finished in aged verdigris patina. These sconces incorporate neoclassicism elements, which draw inspirati...
Bronze, Steel
Brutalist Italian Wrought Iron and Color Raw Glass Floor Lamp, 1960s
By Longobard
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Splendid Mid-Century Italian floor lamp, original, brutalist in wrought iron with verdigris oxidized patina and bronze finish. In the stem, thick sheets of blanking glass in bright c...
Wrought 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
Brutalist Chain Link Floor Lamp, French c. 1960s
Located in Warminster, GB
A half-height brutalist iron chain link floor lamp. French, c. 1960s. Stock ref. #3126 Professionally rewired to UK standards. New tapered calico shade included. Height with sha...
Wrought Iron
Brutalist Black Iron Floor Lamp with Fabric Shade, 20th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A black iron floor lamp from 20th century France. The iron base is paired with a fabric shade, casting a warm, ambient glow well suited to a living room or reading corner.
Iron
Pair of Travertine Table Lamps by Giuliano Cesari for Nucleo Sormani
Located in Milano, IT
A rare pair of sculptural travertine table lamps designed by Giuliano Cesari for Nucleo, a division of Sormani S.p.A., Italy, circa 1971. A rare pair of travertine table lamps attri...
Travertine, Steel
Murano Tronchi chandelier by Toni Zuccheri for Venini
By Venini, Toni Zuccheri
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
An iconic design by Toni Zuccheri for Venini, crafted from hand-blown Murano glass. The characteristic "Tronchi" chalices are blown individually into a wooden mold, giving the glass ...
Glass
Brutalist Gold Lotus Torchiere Wall Light Tom Greene for Feldman 1970s
By Tom Greene
Located in Hastings, GB
An outstanding Brutalist movement handcrafted torch cut brass torchiere wall light by Tom Greene, circa 1970. This architectural and sculptural w...
Brass
Copper and Glas Brutalist Wall Lamp, Germany, 1970s
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This striking Brutalist wall lamp from the 1970s is a bold example of the raw, industrial aesthetic that defines the Brutalist movement. Crafted from copper, the lamp features a rugg...
Metal, Copper
A Large BRUTALIST "Torchere" WALL APPLIQUE SCONCE, France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
A large, spectacular and sculptural "Torchère" wall light, Brutalist, Shabby-Chic, Neo-Classical, circular base, large inclined lantern-style arm, cylindrical lampshade with melted p...
Brass
$2,805Sale Price|64% Off
Imposing Brutalist Bronze Horizontale Wall Sconce
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Unique brutalist wall sconce made of bronze. Meant to be hung horizontally, this beautiful piece gives a subtle indirect light.
Bronze
Brutalist Sculptural elm Wood Table Lamp, France, 1970s
Located in ROUEN, FR
French Brutalist table lamp carved from a solid block of natural elmwood. Its organic openwork form and off-center brass socket emphasize the raw materiality and sculptural characte...
Wood, Elm
Set Of 2 Mid-Century Brutalist Style Table Lamps Italian Design 1960s
Located in Palermo, IT
Set of 2 Mid-Century Italian brutalist style table lamps, 1960s. Made using mainly iron and copper, they best represent the typical object...
Copper, Iron
$2,240Sale Price|41% Off
Custom Architect Executed Brutalist Welded Steel Chandelier
By Bruelher
Located in New York, NY
Brutalist school chandelier, signed and dated, by the maker, architect "Bruelher 1976" Impressive presence, scale and quality. Unique item, not "produced" or ma...
Steel
$3,300 / set
Pair of "Rombo" Brutalist Murano Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian brutalist wall light with geometric Murano glass shade secured on gold finish structure / made in Italy circa 1970s Measures: height 14 inches, width 12 inches, depth...
Murano Glass
Mid-Century Brutalist Iron And Glass Chandelier 1960s
Located in Palermo, IT
Mid-Century Brutalist iron and glass chandelier, 1960s 3 lights, e14 lamps. Intact and working, good condition.Height 50 cm, 95 cm including ...
Iron
1 of the 2 Brass Wall Sconce by Holm Sorensen, Denmark 1960
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 2 beautiful brass wall sconce by Holm Sorensen, manufactured in Denmark during the 1960s. Please note that the price is for one piece. Cleaned and well-wired, in full work...
Brass
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
Danish Brutalist Glazed Stoneware Table Lamp by Knabstrup, 1970s
By Knabstrup
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Gourd shaped stoneware Table light designed and manufcatured by Knabstrup in Denmark during the 1960s-70s. Hand decorated abstract center motif with distinct brutalist styling upon a...
Stoneware
Brutalist Bronzed Steel Sconce in Marcello Fantoni Manner
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Unique Brutalist sconce designed anonymously in Denmark during the 1960s. Heavy stock architecturally shaped bronzed metal panels torch cut to get the right details in design and cre...
Bronze, Steel
$5,750 / set
Pair of 1970s Italian Chiseled Glass Sconces
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 1970s Italian chiseled glass sconces. This stunning pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern, Hollywood Regency or Brutalist geometric wall sc...
Glass
$1,163Sale Price|50% Off
1960s Large Stoneware Table Lamp By Tilgmans Keramic , Sweden
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful large stoneware table lamp in semi Brutalist style by Tilgmans Keramic from Sweden. The given dimensions are the total dimensions including the shade. The original shade sh...
Ceramic
French Chain Link Floor Lamp, 1960s France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brutalist iron chain link floor lamp, made in 1960s France. Just under 6 feet tall. Extremely heavy and substantial lamp with a thick chain link. Unique trident style base with rustic iron boat...
Iron
$3,800 / set
1980s Signed Brutalist Bronze Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Stunning pair of 1980s solid bronze Brutalist style table lamps with chrome shades. The lamps are well made and very heavy "signed and dated 1987".
Brass, Bronze, Chrome
Large Hammered Glass Wrought Iron Lamp by Longobard, Italy, 1970s
By Longobard
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Large Mid-Century Modern lamp hammered glass and wrought iron, by the manufacture Longobard in Verona in a Brutalist style, the concurrent of Biancardi Jordan Arte and Poliarte durin...
Wrought Iron
James de Wulf Supernova Chandelier Lighting, Available Now
Located in Paia, HI
The latest piece in James de Wulf's lighting series. The last stages of a star finds itself exploding into a supernova; boundless energy erupted into a moment of beauty. In this inte...
Steel
Danish Modern Brutalist Ceramic Table Lamp by Judi Kunst, Brown and Blue, 1970s
By Judi Kunst, Bodil Marie Nielsen
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Danish Modern brutalist ceramic table lamp by Judi Kunst. Made ca. 1970s. Judi Kunst was run by Judith and Iver Christensen and located at Kelstrup Strand close to Haderslev in Jutl...
Ceramic, Fabric
Christopher Thomson Style Wrought Iron Floor Lamp on Tripod Base
Located in Astoria, NY
Christopher Thomson Style Wrought Iron Floor Lamp, on tripod base. 63.5" H x 15" W x 15" D. Provenance: From a Roxbury, Connecticut Collection.
Wrought Iron
Very Large Stunning Brutalist Postmodern MCM Ceramic Handmade Lamp 70s, 3 lights
Located in Basel, BS
Very stunning 1970s large French, brutalist handmade lamp featuring a 3 light switch, you can have one light, two lights, or all three on with the pull of the chain. **We have a video of the lighting functions available to send to you upon request. We can message it to you here on the 1st Dibs system. Beautifully handmade with attention to beautiful craft and drip detailing. This is a wonderful presence and statement piece in any designer space. Fast shipping in 5-14 days, via insured airmail with our top rated...
Brass
1960 Tom Ahlström Hans Ehrlich Brutalist Iron Glass Wall Lamps Sconces set 6
Located in Brescia, IT
Set of six wall lamps Tom Ahlström e Hans Ehrlich 1960s Iron frame and glass shade Perfect working order Perfect condition.
Iron
Marcello Fantoni Mid Century Modern Table Lamp, Brass & Mixed Metal
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Substantial Marcello Fantoni Brazed Mixed Metal Brutalist Table Lamp. Featuring a slender, handcrafted and welded rectangular form with subt...
Metal, Brass
Hammered Glass Silver Iron Star Sconce by Biancardi, Italy, 1970s
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Mid-Century Modern wall lamp light lighting sconce hammered glass, amber, blue, clear hammered glass and iron, gilt copper patina, by the italian design manufacture Biancardi Jordan ...
Iron
Brutalist Sunburst Foliage Light Fixture, Gilt Metal & Flower Motif, Spain, 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Gold leaf gilt hand-hammered iron sunburst light fixture from the Brutalist period. Spain, 1950s. Richly decorated with the hammer marks at the central sphere. Two layers of alterna...
Iron, Gold Leaf
Brutalist Organic Large Vine Branch Lamp, France, 1950s
Located in Zaandam, NL
Gorgeous Brutalist organic vine branch lamp, France 1950s. This lamp is in great condition considering its age. The shade is new and has a diameter of 50 cm. The lamp has been rewire...
Wood
Midcentury Brutalist Wrought Iron Five Mouth Blown Glass Art Globe Shape Pendant
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and wonderful, hand-crafted chandelier from the midcentury era. If you are looking for a rare and beautiful fixture to grace your home then this handcrafted chandelier could b...
Wrought Iron
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
Midcentury Italian Brutalist Spider Amber Glass Body Sconce
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Housing one light. Will be rewired with certified US UL sockets for the USA and appropriate sockets for all other countries and ready to hang! Wrought iron body with an amber Murano ...
Wrought Iron
Pair Harry Balmer & Harold Weiss for Laurel Ribbon Brutalist Table Lamps
By Harry Balmer
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage pair of Harry Blamer & Harold Weiss brutalist metal ribbon sculptural table lamps for Laurel, 1960s. These have been newly wired with new brass, 3 way sockets, clear cords. O...
Metal
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
Petter Ellery Earth Tone Ceramic Table Lamps, UK 1960's
By Peter Ellery
Located in New York, NY
Brown glazed “Scraffito” Table lamps. Base size only 16x10x4.
Ceramic