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.
$6,672Sale Price / item|20% Off
Brutalist Ghost Mirror by Gregory Nangle, Hand-Poured Silver, Customizable
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Authentic Hand poured Silver, from the Studio that Invented the Ghost Mirror process. For over 20 years the Artist has been making custom Ghost mirrors to...
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Metal, Brass, Bronze, Steel, Chrome, Sheet Metal
French Brutalist Mid Century Mirror
Located in New York, NY
French Brutalist Mid Century Artisan Brass & Copper Mirror, handmade. Hand hammered shaped Brass with Raw weld detail. The brass & copper metal are hand shaped over a wood frame wi...
Brass, Copper
Sculptural Contemporary Brutalist Mirror
Located in New York, NY
A sculptural contemporary Brutalist mirror. Patinated metal frame.
Metal
Mid Century Brutalist Riveted Brass Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
Mid Century Brutalist Riveted Brass Mirror. Beautifully designed Brutalist riveted round brass mirror with a freeform design. Great designer mirror perfect for a powder room or bedroom.
Metal, Brass
Intricately Bronzed Iron Round Wall Mirror
Located in North Miami, FL
A wonderfully intricate design bronzed iron small round mirror. Heavy and important.
Bronze, Iron
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Oceanic Mad Men Style Wall Mirror by Pulaski
By Pulaski Furniture Corporation
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Beautifully refinished 1970s Pulaski Oceanic style wall mirror, often attributed to Witco. Matching mirror to the famed Don Draper office credenza from the ...
Gold
Torch Cut Mixed Metal Brutalist Mirror
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Torch cut mixed metal brutalist mirror in the style of C. Jere and Silas Seandel.
Metal
Mid Century Brutalist Square Mirror with Brass Frame
Located in Troy, MI
Found in Italy, this brutalist style mirror dates from the 1970s. Square brass frame has a heavily textured, dark bronze colored surface with contrasting brushed brass corners. Unkn...
Brass
Large Brutalist Iron Mirror 'Eyelash' Avant Garde 1980s, USA
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Large Brutalist Iron Mirror 'Eyelash' Avant Garde 1980s, USA Fantastic, heavy modern 1980's Miami studio mirror crafted of rusted/aged fused with protuberances or "eyelashes" of the...
Iron
Blackened Brutalist Starburst Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
American, mid-20th century. Blackened Brutalist style polychromed steel wall-hanging starburst mirror, with a central, round mirrored panel, bordered with shaped wire scrolls, surrou...
Metal
Mid-Century Riveted Gold Brass Brutalist Mirror
Located in Hastings, GB
A French Brutalist riveted brass mirror, dating to the 1950's, overlapping layers of textured brass and original foxed mirror plate. Height 70cm, Width 38cm, Depth 4.5cm Mirror Pla...
Brass
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Zodiac Mirror in Brutalist Style by Finesse Originals
Located in Saint Louis, MO
1970s Brutalist style resin zodiac mirror with bronze patina finish. Stylized zodiac figures on a starburst form with antiqued mirror center. Beautiful ...
Resin
$1,600 / set
Pair of Mid-Century Brutalist Mirrors
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-century brutalist style mirrors with textured, raised geometric design in oak with dark walnut finish. 22 1/2" wide x 49" high. Sold as a pair.
Oak
Large Oval Wall Mirror in Solid Pine by Glasmäster Markaryd, Sweden, 1960s
By Glasmäster
Located in Odense, DK
A beautiful large oval wall mirror in solid pine. Made by Glasmäster in Markaryd, Sweden in the 1960s. A decorative object that pairs well with...
Pine
Italian Modern Industrial Home Interior Design Criss Cross Fretwork Iron Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Very stylish contemporary brushed wrought iron lattice mirror, entirely handmade in Italy, the interlaced frame consisting of a well crafted trellis ope...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Contemporary Brutalist Style Full Length Mirror in Solid Oak
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Full length mirror of solid oak (+ linseed oil) Measures: 189 x 98 x 10 cm SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in an authe...
Oak
Midcentury Brutalist Torch Cut Mixed Metal Convex Mirror
By Curtis Jeré, Tony Melendy
Located in Houston, TX
Midcentury Brutalist torch cut mixed metal convex mirror. This stunning Brutalist convex mirror or sunburst mirror was executed in mixed metals in a very interesting design. Our mid ...
Metal
Parcel Gilt Sunburst Mirror in the Style of Gilbert Poillerat
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sunburst mirror in the manner of Gilbert Poillerat, Parcel-Gilt Wrought Iron, France 1940s. This sunburst wall mirror has an eye-catching sunburst design with iron rays surrounding a central glass. Entirely made by hand in wrought iron. The frame is heavily adorned by the hammer marks thorough. Terrific aged patina retaining some rests of its original gold leaf gilding. It will add a luxury but strong accent wherever you place it. Place it alone or as a part of a sunburst mirrors wall composition. Overall Measures: 76 cm // 29,92 in diameter Glass : 45cm // 17,71 in diameter We are specialists in mirrors and sunburst mirorrs: A curated selection is avaliable at our 1stDibs marketplace. French Sunburst Mirror // Gilbert Poillerat Sunburst Mirror...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Narcissi Wall Mirror in Dark Coral, handcrafted in Sweden by VAVA Objects
By VAVA Objects
Located in Saltsjöbaden, SE
The artisanal process of creating our Narcissi Wall Mirror gives each piece an individual soul and patina, as the temperature, humidity and hands at work all contribute to its distin...
Fiberglass
$2,260Sale Price|20% Off
Convex Sunburst Mirror in the Style of Gilbert Poillerat, Parcel Gilt Iron, 40s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sunburst mirror in the manner of Gilbert Poillerat, Parcel-Gilt Wrought Iron. France, 1940s. This sunburst wall mirror has an eye-catching sunburst design with curly rays surrounding a central convex glass. Entirely made by hand in wrought iron. Terrific aged patina retaining some rests of its original gold leaf gilding. It will add a luxury but strong accent wherever you place it. Place it alone or as a part of a sunburst mirrors wall composition. Measures: 50 cm diameter // 19,68 in diameter Glass : 13 cm diameter // 5,11 in diameter We are specialists in mirrors and sunburst mirorrs: A curated selection is avaliable at our 1stDibs marketplace. French Sunburst Convex Mirror // Gilbert Poillerat Sunburst Mirror...
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf, Wrought Iron
Brutalist Style Silver with Brass & Stones Inlay Console or Wall Mirror, a Pair
Located in Plainview, NY
A stunning pair of Brutalist style silver wall or console mirrors. The pair of handmade brutalist mirrors features a refined filigree design ornate with blue and red natural stones. ...
Silver, Brass
Exceptional American Brutalist Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptional American brutalist mirror. Signed and dated 1978.
Steel, Chrome
Vintage Brutalist Lane "Pueblo" Polychromed Wall Mirror in Oak
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Lane Furniture wall mirror from their "Pueblo" collection in stained oak with molded and polychromed resin panels (ca. 1970s, USA). Unique, Brutalist piece evoking the designs of Pau...
Mirror, Resin, Oak
Patchwork of Brass & Copper Saavedra Mirror, Spain 1980's
Located in New York, NY
Patchwork mirror by Saavedra of Spain, brass and copper with copper nails and patinated.
Brass, Copper
Brutalist Oak Mirror, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Solid carved mirror with a stylized handle.
Oak
$2,400Sale Price|25% Off
Julian Schnabel Brutalist Style Silver Studded Console or Wall Mirror , a Pair
Located in Plainview, NY
A very stylish pair of brutalist style studded silver mirrors designed by Julian Schnabel ( American, 1951). The mirrors are a limited edition designed by the artist for the historical Gramercy...
Metal
Brutalist Style Round bronze Studded Mirror, Compatible pair
Located in Plainview, NY
Brutalist Style Round bronze Mirror, Compatible pair : This elegant pair of round mirrors exudes a refined Brutalist sensibility, masterfully handcrafted in bronze. Each mirror is...
Bronze
Brutalist HexagonL Ghost Mirror by Gregory Nangle, Silvered Glass, USA
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Authentic Hand poured Silver, from the Studio that Invented the Ghost Mirror process. For over 20 years the Artist has been making custom Ghost mirrors to...
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Metal, Silver, Brass, Bronze
$3,030Sale Price|20% Off
Sculptural Hammered Copper Mirror Attributed to Angelo Bragalini"
Located in Oirlo, LI
Step into the world of mid-century Italian artistry with this extraordinary hammered copper mirror, attributed to the renowned designer Angelo Bragalini. Crafted in the 1950s or 60...
Copper
Contemporary Brutalist Style Wall Mirror in Solid Oak
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Wall mirror of solid oak (+ linseed oil) Measures: 74 x 53 x 10 cm SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in an authentic sty...
Oak
Hillebrand Mid-Century Brutalist Wall Mirror, Germany 1960's
By Hillebrand
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
A Mid-Century wall mirror with a frame constructed of cast metal sculptural elements in the “Brutalist” aesthetic. The frame surrounds a polished and lacquered brass inner frame. Thi...
Brass, Iron
David Marshall Brutal Style Brass and Aluminum Vanity Mirror
Located in North Miami, FL
This mixed metal style framed vanity mirror in a brutal design by David Marshall.
Aluminum, Brass
$668Sale Price|20% Off
Very Heavy METAL Brutalist Wall Mirror with Glaze on Metal, 1960s
Located in Oirlo, LI
Brutalist Wall Mirror with Glaze on Metal, 1960s Additional information: Dimensions: 61 W x 4 D x 61 H cm Period of Time: 1960 Condition: In v...
Metal
Brutalist wrought iron folk art mirror
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Round French wall mirror from the 1950s in brutalist style. Patinated wrought iron frame embellished with rope around the mirror. Folk art piece. Good vintage condition, slight signs...
Iron
Miroir mural brutaliste en bois massif, France, circa 1960
Located in Meyrin, Switzerland
Petit Miroir mural brutaliste en bois massif, France, circa 1960. Bon état, traces minimes d’usage du temps. Dimensions : hauteur 42 cm, largeur 34 cm, profondeur 2.5 cm
Oak
1960s Belgian Oak Brutalist Mirror
Located in London, London
1960s Belgian Oak Brutalist Mirror A solid and sculptural wall mirror in oak, Belgium, circa 1960s. Executed in a confidently minimal Brutalist idiom, t...
Oak
Narcissi Wall Mirror in Eclipse, handcrafted in Sweden by VAVA Objects
By VAVA Objects
Located in Saltsjöbaden, SE
The artisanal process of creating our Narcissi Wall Mirror gives each piece an individual soul and patina, as the temperature, humidity and hands at work all contribute to its distin...
Fiberglass
Large Mid-Century Modernist Brutalist Double Mirror by Lane Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Make a statement with this fantastic double mirror by Lane, circa 1970. This vintage Mid-Century Modern style mirror has a striking dim...
Mirror, Wood
Vintage Monumental Wave Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This monumental wave mirror is a breathtaking intersection of architecture and art, perfect for the collector seeking a bold visual anchor. The piece features a dramatic, scalloped f...
Metal
Narcissi Wall Mirror in Raw Green, handcrafted in Sweden by VAVA Objects
By VAVA Objects
Located in Saltsjöbaden, SE
The artisanal process of creating our Narcissi Wall Mirror gives each piece an individual soul and patina, as the temperature, humidity and hands at work all contribute to its distin...
Fiberglass
French Plaster Heavy Textured Round Mirror
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful heavy textured French plaster over wood mirror in a deep round design. Natural wax finish over plaster. Very organic and modern - tres chic!
Plaster, Wood
Octagonal Brass Framed Mirror
By Mastercraft
Located in New York, NY
Gutsy Brutalist style octagonal brass framed wall mirror, in excellent, original, clean and ready to install condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, normal and consistent with ...
Brass
"Rino" Contemporary Silver Face Mirror with Cast Brass Hanger
By Estúdio Orth
Located in Sao Paulo, BR
This contemporary mirror was meticulously handmade by master artisans one piece at a time. It is therefore quite difficult, if not impossible to make identical items. The projects ar...
Brass
Industrial Modern, Steel, Brass, Brutalist Rectangular Wall Mirrors, 21st c.
Located in Stamford, CT
Industrial Modern, Steel, Brass, Brutalist Rectangular Wall Mirrors, 21st c. Pair of rectangular wall mirrors having a steel and brass frame with clean lines and rectangular propor...
Brass, Steel
Brutalist Oval Sunburst Mirror in Gilt Patinated Wrought Iron, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Gilt Patinated Sunburst Mirror with Scroll Details and Brutalist Design, Wrought Iron, Spain, 1950-1960. Eye-catching gilt iron wall mirror with scroll decorations, fleur-de-lis acce...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Narcissi Wall Mirror in Raw Moon, handcrafted in fiberglass by VAVA Objects
By VAVA Objects
Located in Saltsjöbaden, SE
The artisanal process of creating our Narcissi Wall Mirror gives each piece an individual soul and patina, as the temperature, humidity and hands at work all contribute to its distin...
Fiberglass
Italian Brutalist Floor Mirror with Embossed Metal + Wood Base, 1970s
Located in Chicago, IL
This 1970s Italian floor mirror is distinguished by its monolithic form and assertive geometry. The elongated, arched mirror, elegantly austere in its proportions, rises from a sturd...
Mirror, Wood
Lane Vintage Brutalist Mid Century walnut Staccato Double Mirror
Located in Las Vegas, NV
LANE VINTAGE BRUTALIST MID CENTURY WALNUT STACCATO DOUBLE MIRROR Make a statement with this fantastic double mirror by Lane from the “Staccato” line, c. 1970. This is a wonderful, ...
Walnut
“They're Hanging Me Tonight” Mirror, Iron, JAMES VINCENT MILANO, 2022
Located in Milano, IT
“They're Hanging Me Tonight” Mirror, Iron, JAMES VINCENT MILANO, Italy, 2022 Full-length/floor mirror. Polished and brushed iron. Engraved logo plaque in satinated brass. Handcrafte...
Iron
One Pair of Gilt Metal Brutalist Mirrors, Great Usable Scale, Priced Per Mirror
Located in Buchanan, MI
One pair of gilt metal Brutalist mirrors. Great usable scale. Priced per mirror. Great condition.
Metal
Brutalist Forged Iron Mirror, French c. 1970s
Located in Warminster, GB
A brutalist forged iron mirror. French, c. 1970s. Stock ref. #3089 In very good order. Suitable for display portrait or landscape. 59 x 52 x 6 cm 23.2 x 20.5 x 2.4 "
Iron
$2,741Sale Price|20% Off
French Sunburst Starburst Mirror in Gilt Iron in the Style of Gilbert Poillerat
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sunburst starburst mirror in Gilt Wrought Iron. France, 1940s. In the manner of Gilbert Poillerat. This stunning wall mirror has an eye-catching starburst design. Entirely made by h...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Mirror in the Style of Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An intriguing vintage mirror featuring a Brutalist-style arrangement of sculpted geometric shapes in its frame, in the style of Lane Furniture. Please confirm item location with sell...
Mirror, Wood
Vintage Patinated Wrought Iron Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your interior with the bold, architectural presence of this vintage wrought iron wall mirror. Defined by its rhythmic structural design, the frame features linear bars punctu...
Metal, Wrought Iron
Vintage Punch Cut Brass Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking vintage wall mirror is a masterclass in Brutalist artistry, featuring an expressive, torch-cut brass frame that exudes raw, industrial elegance. The organic, jagged sil...
Brass
A Small BRUTALIST Iron WALL MIRROR, JEAN TOURET & MAROLLES style, France 1960
Located in PARIS, FR
A small circular wall mirror, Modernist, Brutalist, Folk Art, Rustic-Modern, thick frame and 3-link oval chain in thick wrought iron, in the spirit of Jean Touret and Les artisans de...
Wrought Iron
Brutalist mid-century round wall mirror. France c.1950
Located in Bristol, GB
Brutalist round wall mirror from the mid 20th century, sourced from France. Hand made hammered metal frame with original mirrored glass. Great original condition with patina. Dime...
Metal
Contemporary Brutalist Style Wall Mirror in Solid Oak v2
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Wall mirror in solid oak (+ linseed oil) Measures: 74 x 53 x 10 cm SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in an authentic sty...
Oak
Vintage Brutalist American brass and copper Curtis Jere style wall mirror 1970s
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Hastings, GB
Brutalist American brass and copper torch-cut wall mirror, 1970s. In the style of Curtis Jere. Dimensions: diameter 63cm, depth 8cm
Brass, Copper
Mid-Century French Brutalist Wood Mirror
Located in Austin, TX
Mid-Century French Brutalist Wood Mirror. H / 24.8 inches.
Mirror, Wood