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.
Lampe de table brutaliste en bois tourné, Charles Dudouyt style, France, 1950
Located in Meyrin, Switzerland
Lampe de table brutaliste en bois tourné, Dudouyt style, France, années 1950. Bon état, quelques traces minimes d’usage du temps. Le câble de la lampe a été remplacer par un nouveau...
Wood
Architectural Geometric Brutalist Table Lamp in Gun Metal Bronze, Visual Comfort
By Alexa Hampton, Visual Comfort, Paul Evans
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A striking architectural table lamp executed in a dark gun metal bronze-toned finish, featuring a sculptural open-frame construction rising from a substantial stepped base. Strong ge...
Metal
$1,800Sale Price|25% Off
Fantastic Brutalist Fantoni Table Lamp For Raymor
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A really great Brutalist table lamp by Marcello Fantoni for Raymor. This lamp is very well done and has an incredibly sculptural look and presence. Hand brazed metal with applied met...
Teak
Set of 2 Brutalist Sconces, France, 1960s
Located in Firenze, IT
A set of 2 Brutalist sconces France 1960s Gilded and corroded metal, curved opaline satin glass Measures: diameter. 25 cm, depth 8 cm Conditions: good consistent with age...
Metal
Brutalist Inspired Wall Sconce Pyppe Salmon Pink, Polished Brass by UTU Lamps
Located in Lisbon, PT
Pairing smooth and rough surfaces that contrast with one another, Art Deco inspired Pyppe lamp collection gives way to a new approach in shape and balance. Emphasizing the tension be...
Travertine, Metal, Brass
Vintage Regency Punch Cut Palm Tree Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Infuse your interior with the eternal summer and high-glamour aesthetic of the Hollywood Regency era with this striking vintage palm tree table lamp. Expertly constructed from punch-...
Stone
Brass wall light by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Leaf-shaped brass sconce by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen from the 60ties. Brutalist wall art in a good vintage condition.
Brass
Stunning MidCentury Brutalist lamp
Located in Evanston, IL
Bold, sculptural and unapologetically modern, this Italian Brutalist lamp is a striking fusion of raw industrial aesthetics and refined craftsmanship. Whether as a dramatic accent i...
Ceramic
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Craftsman / Brutalist Candelabra in Bronze
Located in New York, NY
Sophisticated pair of Mid-Century Modern, handmade Brutalist candelabra / candlesticks in solid bronze. Soft, natural golden brown patina. Each piece complimenting the other with t...
$4,595Sale Price|20% Off
Lampadaire "Coquilles Saint-Jacques" de Willy Daro, 1970
By Willy Daro
Located in PARIS, FR
Le lampadaire "Coquilles Saint-Jacques" de Willy Daro est une pièce exceptionnelle qui incarne le luxe et la sophistication des années 1970, période durant laquelle le designer belge...
Brass
Vintage MCM Lava Glaze Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking mid-century modern table lamp is a masterclass in textural design, featuring a substantial ceramic body adorned with a heavily encrusted "lava" glaze. The cream-toned s...
Ceramic, Wood
Brutalist Brass Table Lamp with Abstract Nail Applique Relief by Laurel
Located in Chicago, IL
Brutalist brass table lamp with abstract nail applique relief by Laurel Some loss to brass finish towards bottom as shown. some minor pitting and...
Brass
Vintage Cubist Figural Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking mid-century table lamp is a quintessential example of Brutalist artistry, featuring a Cubist-inspired figural sculpture of a musician. Hand-crafted from textured, torch...
Steel
Vintage Original Studio Pottery Figural Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This captivating vintage table lamp is a masterwork of surrealist studio pottery, featuring hand-sculpted faces that serenely emerge from a globular stoneware base. The artist utiliz...
Brass
Signed Brutalist Paul Evans Style Chandelier
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Awesome handcrafted lamp made of extremely heavy torch cut metal. Reminiscent of a stalactite formation, single medium socket, intentional rough cut industrial look. One of a kind st...
Metal
French Brutalist Chain-Link Floor Lamp in Manner of Jean-Pierre Ryckaert, 1950s
Located in Chicago, IL
A mid-century French floor lamp, circa 1950s, in the manner of Jean-Pierre Ryckaert. Forged in darkened metal, the brutalist silhouette stacks oversized chain links on a horseshoe ba...
Metal
Contemporary Pair of Labyrinth Ceramic Lamps by Roberto Renzi. Italy
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Contemporary Brutalist Monolithe Geometric Labyrinth stone style table lamps in natural white ceramic or terracotta, beautiful brut material by the italian designer artist Roberto Re...
Brass
A 1960S/70S Brutalist Studio Pottery Table Lamp By Colin Kellam
Located in London, GB
A smart British studio pottery table lamp by Colin Kellam, dating from the 1960s/70s. The cylindrical stoneware body has a wonderfully textured Brutalist design, with an oatmeal-tone...
Clay
Brutalist Candle Holder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Unique torch cut metal candle holder on stone base. Gives great light and has a super look, with patina and color. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).
Metal
Krisker, lampe sculpture brutaliste en métal blanc, vers 1970, signée.
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Krisker, lampe sculpture brutaliste en métal blanc, vers 1970, signée.
Metal
$2,850 / set
Vintage Boho Brutalist Floor Lamps - Set of 2
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Make a powerful statement with this dramatic pair of vintage Brutalist floor lamps. Expertly hand-forged from textured iron, each lamp features a striking openwork tower design. The ...
Iron
$5,500 / set
Paul Evans Style Brutalist Table Lamps
By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Tall 1960’s Paul Evans style Brutalist table lamps newly rewired with cloth cord.
Metal
Large and Unusual Brutalist Copper Floor Lamp
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
A fun and lovely floor lamp representing a large flower crafted out of copper and brass. The flower head is made out of a large red copper disc and a number of brass and copper petal...
Glashütte Limburg Deckenleuchte Brutalistisch Lampe Glas Strahler
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschöne Decken Pendellampe mit drei Strahlern des deutschen Traditionsherstellers Glashütte Limburg aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Die Wandleuchten verfü...
Metal
$700Sale Price|41% Off
Square Table Lamp, 1970s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Lamp in aluminium with copper and silver finish Located in Brooklyn
Metal
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
Brutalist travertine table lamp, Italy 1970s
Located in Firenze, IT
Hollywood regency travertine table lamp Italy 1970s Travertine base, chromed metal H: 48 cm - 14 x 18 cm Conditions: excellent, no defects
Travertine, Metal
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
$2,067 / set
Wrought Iron Sconces, 1930s, Set of 2
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Pair of wrought iron wall sconces, on a walnut wood base, the lamp holder in plastic.
Wrought Iron
Bunker Ceramic Lamp by Kalou Dubus, Sand Stoneware, Sculptural Design
By Kalou Dubus
Located in PANTIN, -
This sculptural lamp by French artist Kalou Dubus belongs to the Bunkers series, a body of work inspired by brutalist architecture and its powerful, protective presence. Handcrafted...
Ceramic
Chandelier d eglise brutaliste
Located in PARIS, FR
Chandelier brutaliste d eglise en chêne a 5 bougeoirs. Dans l esprit brutaliste avec une belle patine ciré
Oak
Thoscene Tetrahedron Star Chandelier
By John Brevard
Located in Coral Gables, FL
This sacred geometry inspired hex fractal chandelier creates an elegant but sophisticated addition to any space. There is a meaning for this design using the pattern of 6; (as a num...
Cut Steel
Vintage Lamp in Metal, 1980s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Large Brutalist console lamp. Spiral body, metal core coated with resin then lacquered. Beautiful and exemplary finish: the bronze-coloured lacquer of the body fades to dark grey tow...
Metal
Vintage Abstract Brutalist Mixed Metal Signed Marcello Fantoni Table Lamp
Located in Buffalo, NY
Available for purchase is a rare #347 lamp from Marcello Fantoni, which is signed and originally from Firenze, Italy. This lamp is an early example of Fantoni's work, characterized b...
Metal, Iron
Pair of 1960s Wrought Iron and Glass Brutalist Wall Lamps
Located in Izegem, VWV
A pair of patinated wrought iron sconces with honey amber colored glass diffusers. Each sconce had two E27 sockets.
Wrought Iron
$6,589 / item
Pineapple Table Lights
Located in London, England
A sophisticated table lamp featuring a sleek, black lacquered solid metal stem and base, exuding a sense of modern elegance and durability. The lamp is crowned with exquisitely pierc...
Metal, Copper
$1,995Sale Price|38% Off
Brutalist French Bronze, Iron and Stone Floor Lamp, 1970s France
Located in Miami, FL
Heavy stone based Brutalist Lamp in Bronze and Iron. Produced in France early 1970s.
Stone, Bronze, Iron
Brutalist Brass Lamp by Laurel, 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful brass Brutalist lamp by Laurel from mid 60's
Brass
Vintage Boho Cast Leaves Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This highly textural vintage table lamp is a striking example of Brutalist or Abstract Modern sculpture, utilizing rough surfaces and organic motifs. The lamp body is composed of thr...
Metal, Silver Leaf
$1,650
Dome Lamp by Mike Serra
Located in Stamford, US
This lamp base form was hand sculpted by Mike Ruiz Serra in his NYC studio and then sand cast in iron. This piece is finished with a black oxide solution and wax. Serra Hardware pro...
Iron
Unique Brutalist Copper "Teardrop" Floor Lamp, 1980s
Located in Renens, CH
A truly unique piece, this copper brutalist floor lamp was custom-made for a well-known actress during the 1980s and placed in her home in Geneva. The round circles have been refe...
Metal, Copper
Beautiful Murano Glass and Brass Table Lamp, Italy, 1950s
Located in Echt, NL
Beautiful 1950s table lamp in very good original condition. A stunning example of mid-century Italian craftsmanship, this table lamp features 10 arched slabs of thick Murano Glass c...
Brass
Marcello Fantoni Torch Cut Steel Table Lamps, Brutalist Design, 1950s
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Tall pair of Marcello Fantoni handcrafted Torch Cut Steel Table Lamps, 1950's. Featuring open pierced, welded and sealed cylindrical pipe type forms with Nickel, Silver coloration an...
Cut Steel, Steel
Price Upon Request
Bespoke Rectangular Sculptural Ceramic White Glazed Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Bespoke Rectangular Sculptural Ceramic White Glazed Table Lamp by Shizue Imai. The overall Height to tip of final is 33.6". Height of the ceramic itself is 20". Lampshade is not incl...
Brass
Price Upon Request
Bespoke Rectangular Sculptural Ceramic Dark Glazed Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Bespoke Rectangular Sculptural Ceramic Dark Glazed Table Lamp by Shizue Imai. The overall Height to tip of final is 33.6". Height of the ceramic itself is 19.5". Lampshade is not inc...
Brass