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.
Midcentury brutalist oak floor lamp with 4 spheres, 1970s by Temde Leuchten
Located in Zaandam, NL
Incredibly rare floor lamp by Swiss-German manufacturer Temde from the 1970s. We've only ever come across 1 other example of this wonderful model so rare is not an understatement. We...
Oak
Pair Vintage Italian Brutalist Style Lamps with White Shades
Located in Troy, MI
Found in Italy, this pair of brutalist-style table lamps date from the 1970s. Base is black marble or granite with metal center shafts that support abstract, sculptural metal element...
Granite, Metal, Brass
A BRUTALIST Iron Belt TABLE LAMP in the style of Jacques ADNET France 1950
Located in PARIS, FR
An astonishing and elegant table lamp in metal belt, Modernist, Shabby-Chic, Popular Art, in folded wrought iron decorated with a belt buckle, the whole supporting a socket, to be at...
Wrought Iron
Rustic Ceramic Pendant Light, Handcrafted Studio Design, France, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rustic Ceramic Pendant Light, Handcrafted Studio Design, France, 1970s A unique handcrafted ceramic pendant light with a raw, artisanal aesthetic. Made from stoneware in a natural b...
Brass
$2,009Sale Price / item|20% Off
Kazuo Motozawa for Staff Leuchten. Space Age pendant lamp, Germany, 1970s
By Kazuo Motozawa, Staff Leuchten
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
"Saturn" lamp designed by Kazuo Motozawa for Staff Leuchten, Germany, 1970s. Golden chromed steel body formed by 10 discs joined together, through which the light is projected and di...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Pair of Large Grey Ceramic Table Lamps for Soholm with Silk Shade, Denmark 1960
Located in Rijssen, NL
Pair of beautiful ceramic table lamps from Soholm, Denmark 1960s. Combined with a silk custom lampshade with creme silk innerschade designed door R. Houben. The off-white and dark g...
Ceramic
Brutalist Ceramic Wall Sconce, Netherlands, 1960s
Located in Rīga, LV
Mid-century Brutalist ceramic wall sconce made in the Netherlands. The sculptural form features deeply carved, organic curves with two recessed bulb holders that create dramatic ligh...
Ceramic
Pair of Grey and Brown Ceramic Table Lamps, 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
A Free-Form NEOCLASSICAL MARINE TABLE LAMP by OLIVIER VILLATTE, France 1990
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant Free-Form table lamp, sensual massive wood body with a unique graphic white and green stripes decor, by Olivier Villatte, France 1990-2000. Dimensions with shade : H 61.5...
Wood
1 of the 3 Ceramic Floor Lamps, Custom Silk Lamp Shades by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
Set of three industrial ceramic floor table lamps, 1970s. This set brings an industrial and rich visual appeal to any interior. With its beautiful shapes, it offers a unique presenc...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Brutalist Metal Pendant Lamp, Steel, Vintage Design, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Heavy steel chandelier in brutalist design. The chandelier consists of steel tubes of different heights, arranged radially around a central core. The tubes are provided with large o...
Metal
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
$3,349Sale Price|20% Off
1970s Brutalist Floor Lamp by Salvino Marsura, Wrought Iron Design
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful Brutalist lamp designed by Salvino Marsura in the 1970s, of fine Italian manufacture. The floor lamp is made entirely of burnished wrought iron, simply charming. The base...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Leaf-Shaped Brass Wall Lamps by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Pair of flame-cut brass sconces designed by renowned Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. Captivating interplay of light and shadow for any beautiful space. * A pair (2) of leaf-s...
Metal, Brass
1 of the 2 Holmegaard Lilac Ceramic Lamps, Custom White Lampshades by R. Houben
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 of the 2 Gray Ceramic Wood Lamps Style Bitossi, Silk Lampshades by R. Houben
By Bitossi
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic and wooden table/ floor lamp by Bitossi. Custom made blue silk lampshade by René Houben. The gray ceramics and the wooden base fit perfectly with the custom made b...
Ceramic
1 of the 8 Ceramic Multicolor Pendants, Axella Denmark 1960
Located in Rijssen, NL
One of the eight stunning round ceramic hanging lamps with a beautiful pattern, made with rich colored ceramics, manufactured by Jette Hellerøe for Axella in the 1960s in Denmark. A...
Ceramic
Sculptural Table Lamp Carved on in Olive Wood France 1950
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This table lamp, is carved in the wood. The wood has this light brown color of this wood, with the old patina. This lamp was made in Spain, circa 1950, The wood is olive wood. Signed Falcon Spain...
Wood
1 of the 2 Holmegaard Indigo Ceramic Lamps, Custom Tall Blue Shades by R. Houben
By Holmegaard
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table/ floor lamps. Custom made silk lampshades by René Houben. The indigo glazed ceramics with a beautiful shape fit perfectly with the custom made lampshade, ill...
Ceramic
1 of the 3 Ceramic Green Pendants, Axella Denmark 1960
Located in Rijssen, NL
One of the three stunning round ceramic hanging lamp with a beautiful pattern, made with rich colored green and brown ceramics, manufactured by Jette Hellerøe for Axella in the 1960s...
Ceramic
1 of the 2 Gray Ceramic Lamps, Custom Neutral Lampshades by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic and wooden table/ floor lamp by Bitossi. Custom made neutral silk lampshade by René Houben. The gray ceramics and the wooden base fit perfectly with the custom mad...
Ceramic
1 of the 2 Brown Leafs Ceramic Table Lamps by Soholm, Custom Shades by R. Houben
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 ceramics with a pattern of leafs make...
Ceramic
Blue Ceramic and Wood Table Lamp, Custom Rattan Double Lampshade by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table lamp. Custom made lampshade by René Houben. The blue ceramics with beautiful details and wooden base fit perfectly with the custom made rattan lampshade with...
Ceramic
Natural Ceramic Lamp in the style of Pelletier, Custom Made Emboidered Lampshade
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table/ floor lamp in the style of Georges Pelletier, 2022. Custom made emboidered lampshade by René Houben. The brown ceramics with the little holes and beautiful ...
Ceramic
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
Pair of Soholm Ceramic Table Lamps, Noomi Backhausen, Denmark 1960
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table lamp by Noomi Backhausen for Soholm, model Erika. Denmark 1960s. Combined with a custom made embriodery lampshade by R. Houben, with bronze inner shade. The ...
Ceramic
1 of the 2 XXL Brass Wall Sconces by Holm Sorensen, 1960
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 2 Beautiful Brass Wall Sconces by Holm Sorensen, manufactured in Denmark during the 1960s. Please note that the price is for one piece, two pieces available. Dimensions: H...
Brass
B. M. Nielsen Brutalist Organic Ceramic Art Table Lamp, 1960s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Unique Danish Expressionist stoneware table lamp handmade by experimental ceramic artist Bodil Marie Nielsen in the 1960s. Latte colored glaze mix...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
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
1 of 3 Ceramic Brown Beige Pendants, Denmark 1960s
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 3 round ceramic hanging lamps with a beautiful pattern, made with rich colored ceramics, manufactured around the 1960s in Denmark. Two pendants have holes in the ceramic, c...
Ceramic
Vintage wall lamp Brutalist, Italy 1970s
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
Pair of Svend Aage for Holm Sorensen Brutalist Acid Treated Brass Pendant Lamps
Located in Rijssen, NL
Pair of Svend Aage for Holm Sorensen Brutalist acid treated brass pendant lamps. Manufactured in Denmark during the 1960s. Original and well kept. Each Brutalist pendant ceiling ligh...
Brass
$360Sale Price / item|20% Off
Brutalist Pendant Lights, Circa 1960
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
I have 5 lamps available, the price is for each one, these lamps need to be rewired and the concept is like this, rust and wear. All five have their original chain to hang with a mea...
Sheet Metal
Wrought Iron Chandelier, France
Located in Antwerp, BE
French wrought iron chandelier has six candelabra arms. This chandeliers would work beautiful over a pool table, kitchen island, dining table, bar, or entrance hall. Diameter 33.4...
Brass, Copper, Wrought Iron
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
Zero Quattro, Milano. Huge brutalist Murano 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
$720 / item
1 of the 5 Ceramic Lanterns, Denmark 1970
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful set of five ceramic hanging lamps with a beautiful pattern, made with rich colored ceramics, manufactured by Axella in the 1960s in Denmark. Exquisite lanterns designed to ...
Ceramic
1 of the 6 Bitossi Lamps, Custom Silk Lamp Shades by R. Houben
By Bitossi
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 6 ceramic table lamps, most lamps are made by Bitossi, other ones are in the style of Bitossi. This set brings a rich visual appeal to any interior. With its beautiful shap...
Ceramic
Pair of Amber Glass Hammered Wrought Iron Sconces by Longobard, Italy, 1970s
By Longobard
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Pair of Mid-Century Modern wall lamps light sconces in amber and clear glass and hammered wrought iron, gilding gold copper patina, by the manufacture Longobard in Verona in a Bruta...
Wrought Iron
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
G. Pelletier Brown Gold Copper Ceramic Lamp, Silk Custom Lampshade by Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table/ floor lamp by Georges Pelletier, 2022. Custom made lampshade by René Houben. The brown ceramics and the shimmering gold/coppered colored details complement ...
Ceramic
Hammered Glass Wrought Iron Murano Glass Sconce by Longobard, Italy, 1970s
By Longobard
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Mid-Century Modern wall lamp light sconce hammered glass and wrought iron, murano glass cup, gilding gold copper patina, by the manufacture Longobard in Verona in a Brutalist style, ...
Wrought Iron
1 of the 7 Georges Pelletier Ceramic Lamps, Custom Silk Shades by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 7 beautiful ceramic table/ floor lamps by Georges Pelletier, 2022. Custom made silk and rattan lampshades by René Houben. The brown and honey colored ceramics and the geome...
Ceramic
Georges Pelletier Baluster Dark Ceramic Lamp, Custom Silk Lampshade by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table/ floor lamp by Georges Pelletier, 2022. Custom made silk lampshade by René Houben. The dark ceramics and the warm colored geometric details fit perfectly wit...
Ceramic
XL Pelletier Brown Warm Tones Ceramic Lamp, Custom Silk Lampshade by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table/ floor lamp by Georges Pelletier, 2022. Custom made lampshade by René Houben. The brown ceramics and the warm colored details fit perfectly with the custom m...
Ceramic
Georges Pelletier Brown Ceramic Lamp, Custom Double Silk Rattan Lampshade
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table/ floor lamp by Georges Pelletier, 2022. Custom made double rattan lampshade by René Houben. The brown ceramics and the warm colored details fit perfectly wit...
Ceramic
Georges Pelletier Brown Gold Ceramic Lamp, Custom Silk Lampshade by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table/ floor lamp by Georges Pelletier, 2022. Custom made double rattan lampshade by René Houben. The bronzed brown ceramics and the warm colored details fit perfe...
Ceramic
Hammered Glass Wrought Iron Murano Glass Sconce by Longobard, Italy, 1970s
By Longobard
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Mid-Century Modern wall lamp light sconce hammered glass and wrought iron, murano glass cup, gilding gold copper patina, by the manufacture Longobard in Verona in a Brutalist style, ...
Wrought Iron
$3,849 / item
Wrought iron lamp by artist Donna handcrafted
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Table lamp by French artist Pierre Donna. Patinated and oxidized steel base designed and handmade in the artist's studio. Understated, timeless design with a unique patina for each p...
Iron
Brutalist Hexagonal Pendant Light by Svend Aage Holm-Sørensen, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Cork, IE
Made from torch-cut and acid treated brass, this pendant light clearly showcases the influence the brutalist movement had on Sorensen's work, with a strong emphasis on materials, tex...
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
$2,400 / set
Pair of Vintage Brutalist Sconces
Located in Pasadena, CA
Striking pair of vintage brutalist three-lite sconces embodies the raw, architectural aesthetic of the brutalist movement. Crafted from robust, weathered metal, the wall sconces fea...
Metal
Italian Brutalist Ceramic Table Lamp with Running Glaze, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Raw looking italian table light executed in a chamotte clay type with running drip glazes in light green, white and brown. Studio-made in Italy circa 1970-75. It comes mounted with a...
Ceramic
Robert Sonneman "Cityscape" Brutalist Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Modernist sheet steel and brass fixture, by Robert Sonneman. Large and impressive.
Brutalist Iron and Art Glass Floor Lamp, Longobard, Italy 1970s
By Longobard
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing Floor lamp in gold Iron and colorful art glass, from the Serie Daly by Longobard Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Metal, Iron
$1,305Sale Price|20% Off
1950s Zoomorph Wrought Iron Table Lamp in a Style of Jean Royère
Located in London, GB
Minimalist wrought iron table lamp from the 1950s
Wrought Iron
$940Sale Price / set|43% Off
English Large Ceramic Table Lamps with Art Glaze and Hand Turned Wood Bases
Located in London, GB
This is a stunning huge pair of Brutalist English Ceramic table lamps with super thick hand applied Art Glaze reminiscent of volcanic lava erupting from a mountain top and running do...
Ceramic, Giltwood
MCM Floating Panel "Cityscape" Brutalist Copper Chandelier By Robert Sonneman
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Impeccably refurbished floating panel "Cityscape" Brutalist Chandelier by designer Robert Sonneman. An architectural rectangular chandelier consisting of a three-dimensional composit...
Copper
Red Clay Cereus Lamp (Medium) by Nani Goods Contemporary Ceramic Cactus Lamp
By Steven Lancaster, Nani Goods
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Inspired by the organic, undulating forms of night‑blooming desert cacti, the Night Blooming Cereus Lamp brings a quiet sculptural presence to any interior. Hand‑built from red stone...
Brass
Pair of Stewart Ross James Verdigris Bronze Table Lamps for Hansen
By Hansen Lighting Co., Stewart Ross James
Located in North Miami, FL
These lovely verdigris bronze patinated lamps are designed by Stewart Ross James for Hansen. In working condition with original wiring and single standard bulb. The elegant double p...
Bronze