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.
$1,500 / item
Stool 014 (st-ar-014)
Located in Ridgewood, NY
The ST-AR-014 is a small-batch, sculptural concrete stool designed and handmade in Brooklyn, NY. Raw yet refined, it balances functionality with an imagistic presence—serving equally...
Concrete, Cement
Danish Brutalist Historicism Stool and Side Table Handturned Solid Oak ca 1900
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Danish stool and side table with frame and legs of hand-turned solid oak. The stool seat s made with a circular shape slight concave form, good to sit on. Crafted by skilled Danis...
Oak
Brutalist tripod Spanish stool 1950s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice tripod brutalist Spanish Stool . 1950s hand carved . nice warm color
Wood
$580Sale Price|60% Off
Swedish folk blue stool Dated late 1800 Folk Art Peasant Seating
By José Zanine Caldas, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Forest, BE
Unique Swedish stool made of massive pine circa the late 1800. Lots of history, patina and traces of time. Very good condition. Remarkable as a side table in any room. A true eye c...
Pine
Side Table, Pedestal, Solid Burnt Wood, Rustic, Organic, Handmade, Carved, Black
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved side table. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade design...
Wood, Oak
Stool, Side Table, Solid Burnt Wood, Rustic, Handmade, Carved, Black, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved stool/side table. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade ...
Wood, Oak
$6,049 / item
Sculpted Brutalist End Table 'CT-8' 'Solid Oak'
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
End table CT-8 by Denis Milovanov x Soha Concept (Side table, end table, stool, pedestal...) Material: Solid oak Dimensions: H 40 x 45 x 45 cm SÓHA desi...
Oak
Set of 3 Brutalist Olavi Hänninen Elm Wood Bar Stools, Finland, 1960s
Located in Almelo, NL
Set of 3 Brutalist Olavi Hänninen Elm Wood Bar Stools, Finland, 1960s This rare set of three Brutalist bar stools by Finnish designer Olavi Hänninen dates to the 1960s and showcases...
Elm
Stool / Table by eliaselias, Made in Recycled Solid Pine, Danish Design 2022
Located in Odense, DK
This multifunctional stool is created by using recycled pine furniture. Use it as a decorative side table, a stool or a nightstand. The material is Scandinavian pine and the expressi...
Pine
$313Sale Price / item|70% Off
5 Verner Panton XDesign Bar Stools, Wire Body & Wool Seats in Various Colours
Located in London, GB
5 Verner Panton X-Design Bar Stools, Wire Cylindrical Body & Wool Seats in Various Colours. Model 250S. Literature: “Vitra Museum: Verner Panton The Collected works”, model ill....
Metal, Wire
Brutalist iron & hide leather bar stools by Ilana Goor, 1970s. Three available
By Ilana Goor
Located in Hastings, GB
Brutalist iron & hide leather bar stools by Ilana Goor, 1970s. Handmade Rebar iron and steel frame, with beautifully patinated thick whipstitched hide leather seats & backs. Normal a...
Steel, Iron
$1,814 / set
Set of 4 vintage brutalist bar stools, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century brutalist bar stools with backrests, thick and comfy olive green fabric seats and a very very sturdy frame. Cool chuncky design with a steel ring footrest. 1960s - Belg...
Fabric, Oak
$1,149 / set
Vnitage brutalist bar stools, 1960s - set of 4
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful hand made mid century tripod bar made in spain. Good original condition. 1960s - Spain Dimensions: Height: 85cm Width: 55cm Depth: 45cm Seat height: 82cm Ref.: 2508040...
Oak
Solid pine brutalist tripod stool, France 1950s
Located in STRASBOURG, FR
Solid pine tripod stool, France circa 1950, burnt & tinted pine with hand carved details. Has a great patina, leg ends are screw-ons, directly carved in the wood Great condition
Pine
Pair of Pine Stools, Brutalist Style, Sweden, 1970s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, Goran Malmvall
Located in Karis, Nyland
A pair of Swedish pine stools from the 1970s in a brutalist style. Each stool has a solid circular seat resting on sculptural cross-shaped legs. The design is raw and expressive, hig...
Pine
Set of 8 Brutalist Bar Stools, Europe, circa 1970s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
Set of 8 Brutalist-inspired bar stools in stained beech and steel, Europe, circa 1970s. The sculpted, saddle-shaped seats are carved with a gentle curvature that embraces the body, w...
Metal
Swedish folk small black fireplace stool 18th century Folk Art Peasant unique
By José Zanine Caldas, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Forest, BE
Unique Swedish small black stool made of massive pine and birch circa the mid 1700. Lots of history, patina and traces of time. Very good condition. ...
Pine, Birch
Antique Wooden Tripod Stool Milk Stool Early 20th Century Brutalism
Located in Poperinge, BE
A beautiful antique wooden tripod stool, a milk stool. This is a rustic and brutalist handmade antique from around the early 20th century. It als...
Wood
French wabi sabi low tripod stool in solid wood, 1850s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1850 / low stool / wood / Rustic / Antique / brutalist / primitive Brutalist low wooden stool or tabouret with 3 legs and a half oval-shaped seat. Hand crafted in the mid 1...
Wood
Brutalist bar stool, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful hand made mid century oak bar stool with a steel ring foot rest. Nicely finished seat with handy handle cut out. Good original condition. 1960s - Spain Dimensions: Heig...
Oak
$919Sale Price / item|20% Off
Set of Three Primitive Wooden Stools, Italy, 1950s
Located in Argelato, BO
Interesting set of three solid wood stools, made by an Italian craftsman for a Tuscan home in the 1950s.
Fruitwood
Hand-Carved, Wabi Sabi, Solid Wood, Sculptural, Log Stool, Side Table, Walnut
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Unique chainsaw carved wooden functional sculpture usable as a multifunctional piece such as a stool, side table, pedestal, night table or many more. Carved from a single piece of wa...
Wood, Walnut
Brutalist, Sculptural Stool, Side Table, Solid Burnt Oak Wood, Handmade, Craved
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved stool/side table. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade ...
Wood, Oak
$2,903Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 5 bar stools in the style of Charlotte Perriand, Mid-Century, France
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Set of 5 high bar stools. In the style of Charlotte Perriand, Pierre Faucheux. Brutalist / midcentury modern style, France, circa 1950. Straw seats Beech structure In used conditi...
Straw, Wood, Beech
Swedish folk small wooden stool 18th/19th century Folk Art Peasant unique
By Axel Einar Hjorth, José Zanine Caldas
Located in Forest, BE
Unique Swedish small wooden stool made of massive pine circa the early/mid 1800. Lots of history, patina and traces of time. Very good condition. It’s a small one but a true eye cat...
Pine
Brutalist hand carved oak Spanish tripod chair , 1970s
Located in Delft, NL
Dimensions: 52cm Width , 37cm Height seat, 77,5cm height total , 36cm Depth Condition: Good Material: Oak
Wood
$725 / item
Brutalist Tripod Stools, France, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Brutalist tripod stools from 1960s France, each one hand-carved with raw, sculptural presence. Each piece is hand-carved from solid wood, bearing unique tool marks and irregularities...
Wood
French Folk Art Brutalist Tripod Shepherd’s Stool, 1950s
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Probably a piece of French folk art, this solid wood tripod stool was likely crafted as a traditional shepherd’s seat. The thick, hand-carved seat rests on three tapered legs, combin...
Wood
Mid century brutalist bar stools - set of 2, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful hand made mid century tripod bar stools with backrests. Good original condition. 1960s - Spain Dimensions: Height: 90cm Seat height: 80cm Width: 60cm Depth: 40cm Ref.: ...
Oak
$6,049 / item
Sculpted Brutalist End Table 'CT-5' 'Solid Oak'
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
End table CT-5 by Denis Milovanov x Soha Concept (Side table, end table, stool, pedestal...) Material: Solid oak Dimensions: H 50 x 39 x 39 cm SÓHA desi...
Oak
Set of 4 Brutalist Welded Black Marine Chain and Wood Bar Stools - France 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Set of four brutalist bar stools made of welded marine chain and solid varnished wood. Oxydation on metal as shown on pictures. Price includes possible repainting of the metal struc...
Steel
Sculptural Side Table, Solid Wood, Black, Rustic, Oak, Pedestal, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved side table/pedestal. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handma...
Wood, Oak
Brutalist wood turned bobbin rush stool in the style of Charles Dudouyt, France
Located in Zaandam, NL
Absolutely gorgeous bobbin wood turned low stool, France 1950s. As can be seen theses stools have gotten some lovely wear and patina over the years. The rush seats are all still inta...
Rush, Oak
Wood Tripod Heart Stool, 1950s France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique heart tripod stool made in France, circa 1950s. Substantial and chunky heart shaped seat with three sturdy club legs with faceted sides. Perfe...
Wood
Midcentury brutalist artisanal rustic handcrafted pine stool, France 1960s
Located in Zaandam, NL
Gorgeous and rare artisanal stool, France 1960s. This beautiful stool could also be used as a plant stand or small side table. It's in a lovely vintage worn and patinated condition a...
Pine
Olavi Hänninen Brutalist Elm Wood Stools, Finland 1960s
Located in Almelo, NL
Olavi Hänninen Brutalist Elm Wood Stools, Finland 1960s This wonderful pair of stools, crafted by Finnish designer Olavi Hänninen in the 1960s, features unique warm tones due to th...
Elm
Sculptural Side Table, Solid Wood, Black, Rustic, Oak, Pedestal, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved side table/pedestal. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handma...
Wood, Oak
Solid Burnt Wood, Side Table, Coffee Table, Wabi Sabi, Chainsaw Carved, Handmade
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved coffee table in organic shape. Carved from a single piece of burnt wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique ...
Wood
Sculptural Charred Wood Stool, Geometric Base, Solid Hardwood, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
This bold charred wood stool blends elemental strength with modern geometric refinement. Hand-carved from solid reclaimed hardwood, it features a weighty, monolithic top resting on t...
Wood, Oak
Brutalist Pyrenean Monoxyle Stool, France, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rustic and charming, this monoxyle wooden seat hails from the Pyrénées region, circa 1950. A fine example of traditional craftsmanship, it features a solid wood construction with a s...
Wood
Brutalist Low Pine Stools or Side Tables, 1970s, Set of 2
Located in Karis, Nyland
A pair of low, octagonal stools crafted from solid pine, produced in the 1970s. Each piece features a thick, faceted top resting on four chunky, vertical legs — a construction that g...
Pine
Contemporary Counter Stool 'THARO' by Eichkorn, Burnt Wood, Customizable
By Eichkorn
Located in Paris, IDF
THARO Counter Stool by German contemporary design studio Eichkorn. Material: Burnt Ash Wood Standard size: H.65 x 35 cm - Customizations are possible Crafted from burnt ash wood - ...
Stone, Marble
21st Century Varco Concrete Stool Designed by Ernesto Messineo for Forma&Cemento
Located in Rome, Lazio
Two identical hollow pieces joined together through a slight contact. The "cut" is brought to the limit of the visible giving the perception of instability. The light that enters ins...
Concrete, Cement
Contemporary Stoneware Wave Chair by Olivia Cognet
Located in London, GB
Organic Wave Chair by Olivia Cognet. Dimensions: 40 x 40 x 42 cm Materials: Stoneware and sand Hand-made in Vallauris, South of France. This one-of-th...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Rustic Wood Stool, Reclaimed Wood, Oak, Black, Charred, Handmade, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
This sculptural charred wood stool captures the essence of primitive elegance, fusing raw texture with a bold, minimalist form. Hand-carved from solid reclaimed hardwood, the stool f...
Wood, Oak
$1,814 / set
Vintage brutalist bar stools, set of 4 - 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Attractive hand crafted brutalist bar stools. Beautifully shaped stools with backrests and very elegant curves. Made from oak. Good condition. 1960s - Germany Dimensions: Heigh...
Oak
$1,450
STOOL 003 - White
Located in Ridgewood, NY
Hand-cast stool that can be used for seating, as a side table or as a sculptural object. The surface area is approx. 11 sq. It's suitable for indoor and outdoor use. At the inters...
Concrete
$1,566Sale Price / set|48% Off
Brutalist Hand-Carved Wood and Fiber Stools, Belgium, Circa 1960s
Located in Valencia, VC
A stunning hand-carved turned wood and natural fiber pair of stools, made in Belgium circa the 1960s. Rare unseen beautiful pieces. Sturdy and heavy. Very comfortable too. In bea...
Natural Fiber, Wood
Pair Swedish Brutalist pine stools, 1950s, Handmade fine quality refinished
By José Zanine Caldas, Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Forest, BE
Handmade Swedish stools with massive slays of pine. It is a rectangular shaped with rounded edges. The joinery is really elegant. They were refinished and shows various shades of ho...
Hardwood, Pine
Stool, Side Table, Solid Burnt Wood, Rustic, Organic, Handmade, Carved, Black
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved stool/side table. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade ...
Wood, Oak
Swedish Tripod Stool in Pine & Cowhide, Wabi Sabi, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
Decorative tripod stool in solid pine and cowhide. Hand carved by a Scandinavian cabinetmaker in 1950s. This wabi sabi stool will fit in many types of home decors. Modern, Scandinav...
Cowhide, Pine
Brutalist wooden tripod stool with flared legs, France 1960
Located in Herentals, BE
Wooden stool with sturdy legs and a round thick wooden seat. The wood has a very nice grain. Height: 31 cm, seat diameter 26.5 cm.
Wood
Stool, Side Table, Solid Burnt Wood, Rustic, Organic, Handmade, Carved, Black
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Unique and decorative side table. It is build in combination of high quality burnt oak & steel, and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. ...
Steel
4 Handcrafted Brutalist tripod vine wood and oak barstools, France, 1950s
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Vintage 1950s Handmade Vine wood & oak Bar Stool. Probably made in France, 1950's / 60's period. Vine / Wine wood constructed legs with a solid oak round slab as seat. They come in...
Fruitwood, Oak
Chunky Wood Tripod Stool, 1960s France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tripod stool made in France, circa 1970s with a light wood with a raw finish. Great minimalist design. Functional stool. Perfect for books or objects as well. Seat diameter 13".
Wood
Midcentury brutalist French chunky tripod rustic farmhouse stool, 1950s
Located in Zaandam, NL
Midcentury brutalist French chunky tripod rustic farmhouse stool, 1950s
Wood
Oak Primitive stool french 1970
Located in Waasmunster, BE
Primitive French bar stool 1970s
Wood
Mid Century Brutalist "Marbella" Bar Stools by Sergio Rodrigues Circa 1970s
Located in Gloucester, GB
Mid Century Brutalist "Marbella" Bar Stools by Sergio Rodrigues Circa 1970s - Price is for set of 2 - Solid beech - Steel footrests - Designed by Sergio Rodrigues - Produced by Con...
Steel
Varco Concrete Stool by Ernesto Messineo in White Shade for Forma&Cemento
Located in Rome, Lazio
Two identical hollow pieces joined together through a slight contact. The "cut" is brought to the limit of the visible giving the perception of instability. The light that enters ins...
Concrete, Cement
1970s French Brutalist Wooden Stool
Located in High Point, NC
This 1970s French Brutalist wooden stool exemplifies the movement’s emphasis on raw materials and honest construction. Built from a thick, hand-hewn slab seat, the piece highlights t...
Wood