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.
Brutalist, Handmade Ceramic Table Lamp, Double Decker Lamp by Streicher Goods
By Streicher Goods, Ethan Streicher
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
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
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
$4,402Sale 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
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
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
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
Brutalist, Handmade Ceramic Table Lamp, Paddle Lamp by Streicher Goods
By Ethan Streicher, Streicher Goods
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
Cereus Lamp Raffia Shade (Small) 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 night blooming cacti, the Cereus Lamp balances minimalist design with playful natural form. Hand‑built from a dark, rusty‑brown c...
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
Pair of Lamps Gilt Metal by Pierre Casenove for Fondica, France, 1990s
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Rare pair of table or bedside lamps in gilt gilding metal, bronze style by Pierre Casenove for Fondica. Famous artist who have worked for the manufacture like Mathias, Stéphane Galer...
Metal
Pair of Wrapped Iron Table Lights from 1960s Italy
Located in London, GB
Pair of artist-made table lights in wrapped iron. Each unique in it's fabrication and form.
Wrought Iron
Scandinavian mid century brutalist table lamp, melted copper, Sweden, 1960s
Located in Forserum, SE
A sculptural, handcrafted Scandinavian brutalist table lamp, constructed from partially melted copper. The lamp holder is mounted on a copper pipe marked Svenska Metallverken, a comp...
Copper
Dazor UL-P 2324-26 Industrial Floating Desk Lamp. 1950s.
By Dazor
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
This is a famous floating arm lamp by Dazor. Company was founded in 1938 and made itself the name on this design for it's durability, ease of adjustment and most importantly, for str...
Steel, Metal
Dazor, Edge mounted model 2134 Floating Desk Lamp. 1960s
By Dazor
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
This is a famous floating arm lamp by Dazor. Company was founded in 1938 and made itself the name on this design for it's durability, ease of adjustment and most importantly, for str...
Steel
Pair Mid-Century Stiffel Solid Brass Brutalist Table Lamps with Original Shades
By Dorothy Draper, Frederick Cooper, Ralph Lauren, Stiffel
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking and highly sophisticated pair of Mid-Century Modern Stiffel table lamps, masterfully crafted in solid brass with a bold sculptural silhouette that bridges classic refineme...
Brass
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
Bespoke Danish Brutalist Glazed Stoneware Table Lamp by Henning Rasmussen, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A one of a kind - piece unique table lamp studio-made af Ting Keramik in Denmark during the 1970s. Specifically made for an Art Project in Aarhus. It was made and designed by Henning...
Stoneware
Brutalist "Fer Battu" Iron Double Arm "Ferronnerie" Table Lamp - France 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Brutalist wrought-iron lamp with two light arms. Originally a 1970s candlestick converted into a lamp. The sockets are mounted on swivel joints. US wiring. Fine ironwork craftsmanshi...
Wrought Iron
Claude Victor Boeltz 24-Karat Gold Plated 'Exploded' Table Lamp
Located in Hastings, GB
Claude Victor Boeltz sculptural 24-karat gold plated 'exploded' table lamp with eagle and rock crystal inclusions An incredible statement piece The natural rock quartz crystal wands...
Bronze
Sculptural Table Lamp Carved in an Olive Wood Block France 1950
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This table lamp, is carved in the Olive wood. The wood has this light brown color of this wood, with the old patina. This lamp was made in France, circa 1950, US PLUG ADAPTATOR W...
Wood
Sculptural Brutalist Bronze Table Lamp by Richard Barr for Laurel
By Richard Barr, Laurel Lamp Company, Harry Balmer
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Large scale Sculptural Brutalist Bronze Table Lamp by Richard Barr for Laurel Lamp Company. Comprised of torch cut bronze on a square base. Lamp is a very unique statement piece. Bru...
Bronze
Exceptional Italian Brutalist Green Dalle de Verre Table Lamp in Brass, 1970s
Located in The Hague, NL
This exceptional table lamp was produced in Italy in the 1970s. A refined example of Italian Brutalist lighting, the design combines strong architectural lines with a more decorative...
Brass
Pair of XL Ceramic Table Lamp by Noomi Backhausen for Soholm Silk Shade, 1960
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table lamp by Noomi Backhausen for Soholm Pottery, Denmark 1960s. Combined with a custom silk lampshade made by Rene Houben. The warm colors of the ceramic with th...
Ceramic
Bunker Ceramic Lamp by Kalou Dubus, Black Stoneware, Sculptural Design
By Kalou Dubus
Located in PANTIN, -
This sculptural lamp by French artist Kalou Dubus is part of the Bunkers series, a body of work inspired by the powerful geometry and raw presence of brutalist architecture. Handcra...
Ceramic
Brutalist Ceramic Baluster Table Lamp, Red & Black 1940s-1950s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Striking vintage ceramic table lamp features the baluster shaped base, decorated with semi-matte complex red glaze with black accents, imitating the wood texture. The color of the re...
Ceramic, Pottery
Pair of Brutalist Tripod Table Lamps by Marcelo Bessa
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Pair of Brutalist style tripod table lamps in the style of Giacometti.
Brass
Mid-Century Studio Pottery Brutalist Table Lamp, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid Century Studio Pottery Table Lamp. A brutalist design of imposing size. The lamp body is made of heavy ceramic and has a rou...
Metal
Brutalist Table Lamp by Harry Balmer for the Laurel Lamp Company, ca. 1970's
By Harry Balmer, Laurel Lamp Company
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Brutalist table lamp, by Harry Blamer, for the Laurel Lamp Company circa 1970's. The lamp features a torch cut body of welded iron segme...
Iron
Bernard Rooke Stoneware Lamp Base with New Natural Organic Root Lampshade
Located in Hampton, GB
Bernard Rooke Stoneware & Root, Lamp II Natural root fibre lampshade: Grown from wheatgrass root and woven via beeswax templates using the natural growth process of plants. Stonewa...
Other
French midcentury brutalist wood turned hand crafted table lamp, 1950s
Located in Zaandam, NL
A gorgeous French modernist hand crafted table lamp with new lampshade, ca 1950s. These lamps are often named in the style of Charles Dudouyt . The wood is in a lovely condition as c...
Wood, Oak
$3,897 / 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
Green Cereus Lamp (Medium) by Nani Goods Contemporary Ceramic Cactus Lamp
By Nani Goods, Steven Lancaster
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Inspired by the undulating forms of night‑blooming desert cacti, the Night Blooming Cereus Lamp balances minimalism with playful organic movement. Hand‑built from speckled stoneware ...
Brass
Mid-Century Brutalist Welded Steel Table Lamp in the Manner of Paul Evans 1970s
By Paul Evans
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Striking American Brutalist table lamp executed in welded and torch-cut steel, circa 1970s. The sculptural base is composed of four vertically oriented steel panels arranged in a cru...
Steel
Large French Organic Table Lamp, 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
Very large French organic table lamp from the 1970s. The base is made of a single piece of olive tree root with a large shade covered in strands of earthen-tone wool. Very nice origi...
Wool, Wood
Pr. Brutalist Table Lamps with Original Silver Finish Shades after James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Incredible pair of Brutalist, mid century, Hollywood Regency, table lamps, with original silver and blue decorated shades. The lamps depict a stylized city scene with columns, towers...
Ceramic, Paper
Pink Cereus Lamp (Medium) by Nani Goods Contemporary Ceramic Cactus Lamp
By Nani Goods, Steven Lancaster
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Inspired by the undulating forms of night‑blooming desert cacti, the Cereus Lamp balances minimalism with playful organic movement. Hand‑built from speckled stoneware using slab‑cons...
Brass
Large B. Rooke Ceramic Lamp, 1960s with Custom Made Silk Lampshade by René Hoube
Located in Rijssen, NL
A rare large ceramic table lamp by Bernard Rooke, England, 1960s. Sculptural piece, made of handmade ceramic elements in natural tones of terracotta and stone. With a special custom ...
Brass
Mid-Century French Brutalist Iron Chain-Link Table Lamp
Located in Sleepy Hollow, NY
A striking Mid-Century French table lamp dating to circa 1950s–1960s, featuring a sculptural body formed from a substantial series of interlocking iron chain links, rising from a sim...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Paul Evans Cityscape Table Lamp PE-4006
By Paul Evans
Located in Hanover, MA
The most rare model of Paul Evans Cityscape lamp produced by Directional circa 1972 in polished stainless steel and brass mosaic tiles. See...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Pair of Sculptural Plaster Table Lamps by Casual Lamps of California
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A monumental pair of sculptural plaster table lamps by Casual Lamps of California. These vintage brutalist style lamps are bold and unique, ye...
Brass
Pair of Ceramic Table Lamps 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 ceramic base fits perfectly with the custom made silk shade by Re...
Ceramic
Donna Modern Steel Table Lamp by Danke Galerie - DC15
By Pierre Donna
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Brutalist-style table lamp created by French artist Donna. Patinated steel base, designed and handcrafted in the artist’s studio. Simple and timeless design. Each lamp is signed and ...
Steel
Sculptural Brutalist Metal Lamps By Julian Chichester
Located in Chamblee, GA
Abstract figural lamp pair by Julian Chichester. Torch cut steel with patinated gold finish. From the Mr. Brown London collection. Like new, very nice condition.
Steel
Vintage mid century Brutalist pottery lamps by Vanguard USA, 1970s TWO AVAILABLE
Located in Hastings, GB
Brutalist pottery lamps by Vanguard, USA, 1970s. They have a very Bernard Rooke look. Pair available, but selling separately. Original textured wide conical shades. Newly rewired wit...
Pottery
$2,109Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist table or floor lamp "Drop" by Giotto Stoppino for Tronconi, Italy 1976
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Post-modern style Italian table or floor lamp "Drop", designed by Giotto Stoppino in 1976 and produced by Tronconi (Enrico Tronconi, editor). Frosted or sanded glass body in the shap...
Metal, Chrome
1 of the 3 Green Brown Ceramic Table Lamps, Custom Silk Lamp Shades by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
One of the three ceramic table lamps, 1970s. This set brings a rich visual appeal to any interior. With its beautiful shapes, it offers a unique presence. The bases with brown and ...
Ceramic
Pair of Large Ceramic Table Lamps for Soholm by Haico Nietzsche, Denmark 1960
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
Pair of Brutalist Style Table Lamps by Visual Comfort from the Anneu Collection
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elevate your home decor with this stunning Pair of Brutalist Style Table Lamps designed and manufactured by Visual Comfort and part of the "Anneu" Collection. The pieces are made in ...
Iron
World War Two Trench Art, Brass Shell Case Table Lamp, USA, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Brass table lamp made of a naval artillery shell dated production year 1943. The shell is meticulously incised with lines to create a brick pattern. Marked at the bottom 3" MK7 MOD 1...
Brass
Pair of Bedside Lamps by Luciano Frigerio, Italy, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Pair of table lamps raised on cubic bases with irregular Brutalist surface texture and cylindrical fabric shades. Please note: We assume no liability or warranty for the electrical c...
Brass
Pair of mid century black oak and steel Laurel lamps
Located in Liberty, NY
Great pair of steel and black oak Laurel lamps. The measurement of 40" height is to top of harps, they measure 27.5" to top of sockets. Nice vintage condition, the harps show some o...
Steel
Brutalist bronze large cocoon table lamp, Dutch 1990s
Located in Zaandam, NL
Lovely bronze brutalist large ( 80 cm ) table lamp by late Dutch designer Jan des Bouvrie for Qasar, 1990s. We currently have two of these in stock both fitted with brand new French ...
Bronze
Maison Jansen Handcrafted Gilt Metal Floral Table Lamp France 1970's
Located in Hastings, GB
A beautiful 1970's Maison Jansen Paris, burnished gilt metal table lamp, modelled as flowers and petals, on black square bases. The lamp take a single e14 small screw in bulb. Heigh...
Brass
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
1980s Cast Plaster Table Lamp on a Lucite Base by Casual Lamps of California
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1980s Cast Plaster Table Lamp on a Lucite Base by Casual Lamps of California Brutalist architectural relief deign Needs Rewiring
Lucite, Plaster
Brutalist Table Lamp with Iron Base, Antique French Design, 1950s
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Brutalist anchor table lamp - Circa 1950s Brutalist - Antique - Table lamp Measures : 32x32cm H:56cm Material: Iron base Origin: France Period: Circa ...
Iron
Carlo Nason for A.V. Mazzega Table lamp Italy, 1975
By AVMazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in Chicago, IL
Carlo Nason for A.V. Mazzega Table Lamp, Model LT 372, Italy, 1975 Table lamp with blown and cut glass elements, copper hardware, and plated steel components. Dimensions: 23 in high ...
Copper
Mid-Century Brutalist Purple Ceramic Pyramid Table Lamp, Original Shade
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Striking Brutalist ceramic table lamp features a sculptural triangular pyramid base in deep purple with heavily textured volcanic glazing. The geometric form showcases the raw, expre...
Ceramic
Brutalist Sculptural Table Lamp, Attributed to Paul Evans
Located in San Francisco, CA
On offer is a lamp made in a bold, abstract design expressive of the Mid-Century Modern Brutalist movement popular in the 1960s and 1970s. The lamp’s connection to this style is char...
Metal