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 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
Walnut Brutalist-Style Sunburst Mirror
Located in Norwalk, CT
Wonderful size on this piece. Brutalist-style layers of solid walnut surround a center bulls-eye mirror. Quality construction. Warm natural oiled finish. Solid back. Measure: 48" dia...
Walnut
Sunburst Mirror in Gilt Wrought Iron, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sunburst mirror in hand forged iron and gilt patina. Spain, 1940s-1950s. This sunburst mirror features a frame made of hand forged spikes and ...
Metal, Wrought Iron, Iron
Midcentury Brutalist Torch Cut Mixed Metal Convex Mirror
By Tony Melendy, Curtis Jeré
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
Pair of raw wood mirrors with a beautiful patina - circa 1950
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Pair of raw wood mirrors with a beautiful patina Pair of rectangular wall mirrors with a rustic wooden frame - 1950' Natural Materials - Wabi Sabi spirit - Decoration Measures : 47x8...
Wood
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
$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
$11,000 / set
Paul Evans Brutalist Mirror and Shelf
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Wall-mount shelf with slate top, and matching Brutalist metal clad mirror. Iconic design from the master of Brutalism, Paul Evans. Great original condition, ready to install. The mir...
Slate, Metal
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
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
Brutalist Sunburst Wall Sculpture Mirror by William Friedle, 1970s
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A Brutalist sculpture/wall mirror, three layers of bronze spoked incorporating a brass, radiating sun dial, ca' 1970's.
Brass, Bronze
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
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
Narcissi Wall Mirror in White Moon, 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 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
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
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
$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
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
$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
20th Century Brutalist Sunburst Mirror
Located in Hastings, GB
A 20th century hand crafted French metal sunburst mirror, in the brutalist fashion, of incredible large proportions with welded decorative flourishes, finished in an off white / gilt...
Steel, Iron
Mix Metal Brutalist Mirror in the Manner of Silas Seandel
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful round mix metal Brutalist wall mirror in the manner of Silas Seandel. The Mirror frame is constructed of tour cut steel, brass and copper. The Mirror shows some age consi...
Brass, Copper, Cut Steel
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
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
Exceptional American Brutalist Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptional American brutalist mirror. Signed and dated 1978.
Steel, Chrome
$2,997Sale 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
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 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
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
1970s Large Brutalist Wall-Mounted Mirror, Textured Design, Lane
Located in Chattanooga, TN
1970s large Mid-Century Modern Brutalist mirror by Lane. Intricately laid, highly textured pattern adorns the centre panel, left, right and bottom. Rough hewn forms exemplify the Bru...
Oak, Mirror
Brutalist Ceramic Sandstone & Pyrite Mirror, France, 1960
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Great size and materials
Ceramic
Brutalist Oak Mirror, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Solid carved mirror with a stylized handle.
Oak
$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
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
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
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
$661Sale 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
"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
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
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
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
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
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
20thc Bronze Mirror with Figures in Relief by by Angelo Bragalini, C.1970
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Striking mid 20th Century large circular brutalist mirror from the 1970's with a wide bronzed copper frame depicting Etruscan figures in relief. A real conversation piece. Conditi...
Bronze
“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
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
$17,072 / item
James de Wulf Concrete Standing Mirror
By James Dewulf
Located in Paia, HI
The James de Wulf Concrete Round Standing Mirror is a sight to behold. Decorative and functional, the mirror enhances the beauty of a room by cr...
Concrete
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
French Artisanal Illuminated Golden Sunburst Wall Mirror, 1960s, France
By C. Jeré Artisan House, Paul Evans
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Sculptural handcrafted round illuminated mirror with gold-lacquered metal frame made in the 1960s, France. Massive frame with decorative scalloped edges. The mirror is in good condit...
Metal
Artisan Martelé Wrought Iron Wall Mirror - France 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Hammered wrought iron knot shaped wall mirror made by a French artisan in the 1970s. Brutalist style. Signature stamp on the back. In good vintage condition. This mirror will ship ...
Wrought Iron
Sunburst Flower Mirror in Wrought Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish sunburst flower wall mirror with hearts design, wrought iron, Spain, 1950s. Black wrought iron frame featuring hearts with scrolled details and gilt accents. Beautiful to b...
Wrought Iron, Iron