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.
One of a Kind Cast Iron Brutalist Psyché Table Mirror, France, 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Heavy, graphic table mirror slight angle to the base unique piece this mirror will ship from France and can be returned to either France or upstate NY location price does not include...
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
Spanish Brutalist Sunburst Oval Mirror in Silvered Wrought Iron, 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Wrought Iron Oval Sunburst Mirror with Scroll Details and Brutalist Design, Spain, 1950-1960. Eye-catching hand forged iron mirror with scroll decorations, fleur-de-lis accents and o...
Wrought Iron, Iron
Contemporary Brutalist Style Full Length Mirror in Solid Oak v2
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 decorativ...
Oak
Brutalist Gold Spanish Sunburst Nail Head Mirror
Located in Hastings, GB
1950's Spanish sunburst brutalist mirror, hammered gilt iron with nail decoration. Width 36 cm x Height 36 cm x Depth 17.5 cm
Iron
Brutalist Wall Mirror by Jean Goardère, Brass & Pewter, 1970s France
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This brass and pewter mirror was crafted by Jean Goardère, a luxury artisan who received the prestigious titles of "Meilleur Ouvrier de France" (Best Craftsman of France) and "La Cou...
Brass, Pewter
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
Ceramic mirror in "cubist" style by Nathalie Soufflet
By Vallauris
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Trapezoidal ceramic mirror by the French artist Nathalie Soufflet, workshop "Curiosa". Decoration composed of a set of geometric shapes in black slip...
Ceramic, Mirror
Brutalist Geometric Wall Mirror, Distressed Beveled Glass, Wood, 21st C.
Located in Stamford, CT
Venetian Geometric Wall Mirror, Distressed Beveled Glass, 21st C. This unique brutalist distressed wall mirror can be hung vertically or horizontally above a console table, bedside ...
Mirror, Wood
Mirror in Limestone and Glass Contemporary Sculptural Design
By Kristian Sofus Hansen, Tommy Hyldahl
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Mirror in limestone and glass, contemporary sculptural design. A slender rectangular mirror rises through a precise cut in a solid limestone base, creating a dialogue between reflect...
Limestone
"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
$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
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
Brutalist, Circular Wall Mirrors, Hammered Metal, Distressed Glass, 21st c.
Located in Stamford, CT
Brutalist, Circular Modern Wall Mirrors, Hammered Metal, Distressed Glass, 21st c. Pair of modernist wall mirrors having a silver hammered metal frame and a lightly distressed bevel...
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
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
Italian Brutalist Metal Mirror with Cobalt Blue Glass Accents
Located in Miami, FL
Unique Large Italian Mid-Century Brutalist Mirror with Murano Cobalt Blue Blown Glass Accents.
Metal
Oak Brutalist Mirror, 1970s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Brutalist mirror from the 1970s with a solid oak frame. The robust design with characteristic relief details gives this mirror a powerful, timeless look. A real eye-catcher that fits...
Glass, Oak
Vintage Lane “Staccato” Geometric Wood Frame Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional wall mirror is a standout piece from Lane Furniture’s iconic “Staccato” collection, a series celebrated for its architectural depth and Brutalist-inspired geometry. ...
Mirror, Wood
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
Brutalist Ceramic Sandstone & Pyrite Mirror, France, 1960
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Great size and materials
Ceramic
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
$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
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
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
Paul Evans Style Lane Pueblo Brutalist Oak Framed Double Mirror, 1970s
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Paul Evans style Mid-Century Modern Brutalist oak framed double mirror By Lane Furniture "Pueblo" Collection USA, 1970s Measures: 55" W x 2" D x 40.5" H. E...
Mirror, Oak
Large Brutalist french mirror circa 1960
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Jolie et large miroir en chêne, jolie travail français vers 1960.
Mirror, Oak
$6,800Sale Price / item|20% Off
Ghost Mirror by Gregory Nangle: Smoked Glass & Steel, Brutalist USA
Located in Philadelphia, PA
I began using Églomisé in 2001 to make a series of sculptures relating to literary works I was studying at the time. Eugene O’Neill in his famous “Long Days Journey Into Night” empl...
Silver, Bronze, Steel
$2,933Sale 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
Vintage Lane Altavista Burl Wood Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite wall mirror from Lane Furniture’s iconic Altavista collection is a masterclass in Mid-Century Modern organic luxury. The frame is showcased in a stunning book-matched ...
Brass
$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
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
Exquisite Brutal Hammered Bronze Wall Mirror
Located in North Miami, FL
This brutal heavy bronze frame from France shows a wonderful patina, as well as an aged mirror. THIS ITEM IS LOCATED AND WILL SHIP FROM OUR EAST HAMPTON, NY SHOWROOM.
Bronze
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
Large Oval Wall Mirror in Solid Pine by Glasmäster Markaryd, Sweden, 1960s
By AB Markaryd, Glasmäster, Roland Wilhelmsson
Located in Odense, DK
This sculptural wall mirror was crafted in Sweden during the 1960s by Glasmäster Markaryd and features a broad, rounded frame in solid pine. The wood has aged beautifully, with a war...
Mirror, Pine
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
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 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 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
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
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
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
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
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
$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
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
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
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
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
$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
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
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
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
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
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
“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 Metal Wall Mirror by Jean Goardère - Zinc & Tin-Welded - France 1970s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Brutalist Metal Wall Mirror by Jean Goardère - Zinc & Tin-Welded - France 1970s Rare handcrafted French Brutalist mirror by Jean Goardère, executed in folded and welded zinc wit...
Metal, Pewter, Zinc
Brutalist Sunburst Mirror in Silver Patinated Wrought Iron, Eyelash Design, 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eyelash Scrollwork Sunburst Mirror / Wall Mirror in Wrought Iron, Spain, 1950s ___________________________________________________________ Eye-catching double layered round sunburst ...
Metal, Wrought Iron, Iron
$2,560Sale Price|31% Off
Lorenzo Burchiellaro 1970's Round Mirror
By Lorenzo Burchiellaro, Atelier Burchiellaro
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Rare round sculptural mirror with modernist style brutalist designed in the 1970s by 'artist sculptor Lorenzo Burchiellaro. the mirror features a textured aluminum casting with a s...
Aluminum