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.
Sculptural Solid Oak Wooden Brut Bench
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Brut collection takes cues from Brutalism and Amsterdam School architecture. A balance of raw materiality and subdued forms with geometrically expressive detailing. The Brut benc...
Oak, Walnut
Large Sculptural Solid Oak Wooden Brut Bench - by Aad Bos for Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Brut collection takes cues from Brutalism and Amsterdam School architecture. A balance of raw materiality and subdued forms with geometrically expressive detailing. The Brut benc...
Oak, Walnut
$7,972 / item
Sculpted Bench or Side Table N13 in Solid Oakwood
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Bench or side table in solid oak (and linseed oil) (Outdoor use OK) Custom size SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative...
Oak
Sculptural Solid Oak Wooden Fenestra Bench in Warm Brown
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rhythmic interplay of volumes and voids. The Fenestra collection is inspired by Brick Expressionism, the architectural movement visible in Amsterdam’s ‘South Plan’ area - the city ...
Oak, Walnut
$6,833 / item
Sculpted Brutalist End Table 'CT-10' 'Solid Oak'
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
End table CT-10 by Denis Milovanov x Soha Concept (Side table, end table, stool, pedestal...) Material: Solid oak Dimensions: H 37 x 45 x 45 cm SÓHA des...
Oak
$3,265Sale Price|34% Off
Brutalist Dark Brown Trigon Chair
Located in Amsterdam, NL
This Trigon Chair is a showroom model in excellent condition. - Its designed by Aad Bos and crafted in the Netherlands. - Dimensions: L:105 x W:48 x H:105 cm. - Seat height: 45 cm...
Oak
Traditional Carved Norwegian Kubbestol, Norway 1800s
Located in Utrecht, NL
This “kubbstol” or “kubbestol” is a traditional Scandinavian chair made from a log. The kubbestol was quite common in some districts of Norway from about 1750 to 1960, where it was usually made from logs with significant girth and three to four feet in length. The tree trunk was hollowed out so that the base (from the seat down) would be cylindrical while the back of the chair continues upward from the seat in a curved shield that makes the chair both snug and comfortable. Most, but not all, kubbestols were decorated with carving, painting, or some combination of the two. This chair has beautiful folk patterns hand carved into it, with visible, raw craftsmanship. Carved and painted decorations would differ from district to district and styles changed over time. While the log is seemingly roughly shaped, this chair is surprisingly comfortable, as functionality has been historically important for Scandinavian furniture makers. The kubbestol was often placed next to the open-hearth fireplace or next to the bed, and it was reserved for the head of the household. Large, impressive farmhouses might have had several richly carved and painted kubbestols as a display of wealth and status. These days the log chair has become a symbol of Scandinavian roots for many families with ties to Norway, Sweden, or Denmark. The kubbestol is a reminder of our rural heritage and a time when most things in and around the home were made by hand from materials found in nature. Essentially a chair hewn from a tree trunk, this chair is as closely associated with Norway as Peer Gynt...
Wood
Modernist Solid Oak Wooden Fenestra Bench
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rhythmic interplay of volumes and voids. The Fenestra collection is inspired by Brick Expressionism, the architectural movement visible in Amsterdam’s ‘South Plan’ area - the city ...
Oak, Walnut
Architectural Solid Oak Wooden Brut Bench
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Brut collection takes cues from Brutalism and Amsterdam School architecture. A balance of raw materiality and subdued forms with geometrically expressive detailing. The Brut benc...
Oak, Walnut
Brutalist Solid Oak Wooden Cadence Bench
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Cadence bench is inspired by the simplicity and power of the rhythmic stepped brickwork visible in the architecture of Amsterdam's 'South Plan' area; the city development plan de...
Oak, Walnut
A French Heavy Oak Brutalist style Open Arm Sofa Frame, C. 1960.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A striking example of mid-century European craftsmanship, this French heavy oak sofa frame, circa 1960, embodies the bold, sculptural character of the Brutalist aesthetic. Constructe...
Oak
Sculptural Acer Sofa Pure Wool Upholstery in Dark Brown
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Combining sharp carve-outs of the monumental arched base with rounded shapes of the voluminous upholstery. The Acer Sofa is crafted for comfort and durability, using the best in cl...
Oak, Walnut
Ladder Back Chairs Crafted in Oak and Leather Seats, France, 1950s
Located in Almelo, NL
Ladder back chairs crafted in oak and leather seats, France 1950s These six brutalist chairs were crafted in France circa the 1950s. Each chair is made of solid oak and stands on ca...
Oak
$7,200 / set
Baltic Pine Brutalist Scandinavian Armchairs
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Pair of brutalist style armchairs in Baltic pine with expressed joining details, in the manner of Yngve Ekstrom, Denmark circa 1970's.
Pine, Linen
Pair of 19th century brutalist carved wooden chairs with fabulous creatures
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Pair of 19th century brutalist carved wooden chairs with fabulous creatures with very elegant legs allover refinished with shellack.
Wood
Contemporary Massive Counter Stool in Solid Oak Wood by Denis Milovanov
By Denis Milovanov, Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Contemporary Massive Counter Stool in Solid Oak Wood by Denis Milovanov Dimensions : H. 100 x W. 35 x D.40 / SH. 70 cm Customizable SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furnit...
Oak
Sculptural Acer Sofa Pure Wool Upholstery in Burgundy
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Combining sharp carve-outs of the monumental arched base with rounded shapes of the voluminous upholstery. The Acer Sofa is crafted for comfort and durability, using the best in cl...
Oak, Walnut
Ilana Goor Wrought Iron and Leather Armchair
By Ilana Goor
Located in San Francisco, CA
Wonderful iron and leather armchair by the talented Israeli designer Ilana Goor. This chair features distressed leather with a wrought iron rebar stru...
Iron
$6,833 / item
Sculpted Brutalist End Table 'CT-7' 'Solid Oak'
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
End table CT-7 by Denis Milovanov x Soha concept (Side table, end table, stool, pedestal...) Material: Solid oak Dimensions: H 62 x 43 x 43 cm SÓHA design studio conceives and prod...
Oak
Brutalist & Sculptural Solid Oak Wooden Brut Slim Bench by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Brut collection takes cues from Brutalism and Amsterdam School architecture. A balance of raw materiality and subdued forms with geometrically expressive detailing. The Brut Slim...
Oak, Walnut
Set of 8 French Modernist Dining Chairs in Stained Oak and Brass, 1960s
Located in Almelo, NL
Set of 8 French Modernist Dining Chairs in Stained Oak and Brass, 1960s This exceptional set of eight French dining chairs from the 1960s captures the essence of mid-century moderni...
Metal, Brass
Pair of Elm Wood Benches, Europe Mid-20th Century
Located in Utrecht, NL
European furniture makers in the mid-20th century increasingly embraced simplified forms that highlighted the natural character of wood rather than concealing it beneath ornament or ...
Wood, Elm
Mid century leather and wood folding armchair, 1950s
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Mid century leather and wood folding armchair, 1950s Wear consistent with age and use Scandinavian Mid-Century - lounge chair Børge Mogensen Model 2225 style Measures : 62cmx59cm ...
Leather, Hardwood
$4,783Sale Price / set|31% Off
Two vintage oak armchairs by Abraham 'Bram' Sprij, 1960's
By Bram Sprij
Located in CASTENRAY, NL
Pair of low-back 'Siegfried' Lounge Chairs in Solid Oak and freshly reupholstered with quality bouclé fabric by Abraham 'Bram' Sprij for 'Sprij Meubelen' Vlaardingen, The Netherlands...
Bouclé, Oak
Pair of low brutalist chairs in the style of Charles Dudouyt - 1960s
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Brutalist - Chalet - Wabi Sabi Decoration Measures : 40x30cm H:60cm SH:29cm These low, Brutalist chairs are in the style of the French designer Charles Dudouyt. Materials: They are ...
Straw, Wood
Sculptural high chair in brutalist style in solid oak inspired by wabi-sabi
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Sculptural high chair in brutalist style in solid oak inspired by wabi-sabi Wabi Sabi - brutalist - contemporary Measures : 30x30cm H: 81cm HS:57cm Material : Wood - Resin inlay
Resin, Wood, Oak
Brutalist, Primitive Tripod Milking Stool
Located in LYON, FR
Rather primitive little milking stool. Hand carved and scalloped. The legs unscrew on wooden threads so you can throw it in your bag to follow your mountain goats up the pass. Looks ...
Wood
A white maple brutalist chaises longue custom made
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
a sculpture chaises longue in elm one of the kind custom made
Elm
$5,125 / item
Sculpted Chair N3 in Solid Oak Wood
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Chair made of solid oak (+ linseed oil) (Outdoor use OK) Dimensions: H. 82 x 48 x 48 cm (SH 45 cm) Warm furniture’s made by Russian designer Denis Milovanov from "Soha" studio. Sim...
Oak
Patinaed Iron and Leather Lounge Chair Attributed to Ilana Goor, Israel, c. 1960
By Ilana Goor
Located in Deland, FL
This early design attributed to Ilana Goor showcases a beautifully aged frame constructed from wrought iron, featuring the original leather sling design of the back and seat. Both th...
Iron
$11,901 / set
Rare Set of 4 Stools, circa 1890
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare Set of 4 Stools, circa 1890 Additional Information: Style: Scandinavian Produced in Sweden Dimensions (W x D x H): 41 x 41 x 49 cm
Wood
Charles Dudouyt (attr) brutalist children chairs, set of 2, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Sturdy brutalist side chairs or children chairs attributed to Charles Dudouyt. Made from stained oak and wicker seats. Good condition. 1960s - France Dimensions: Height: 70cm/2...
Wicker, Wood
$6,833 / item
Sculpted Brutalist End Table 'CT-4' 'Solid Oak'
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
End table CT-4 by Denis Milovanov x Soha concept (Side table, end table, stool, pedestal...) Material: Solid oak Dimensions: H 52 x 39 x 39 cm SÓHA design studio conceives and prod...
Oak
Set of Four Dining Chairs by Knud Friis & Elmar Moltke Nielsen, Denmark, 1970's
By Knud Friis & Elmar Moltke Nielsen
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of four dining chairs designed by Danish architects Knud Friis and Elmar Moltke Nielsen for Getama, Denmark, 1970's. Pine wood with with plywood seat and metal.
Metal
Iron and Bronze Brutalist Tribal Style Bench
Located in North Miami, FL
Very unique tribal style bronze bench with two sides depicting a warrior. It is heavy and solid with a perfectly finished soft pink boucle fabric. Pretty from ALL sides.
Bronze, Iron
$5,580 / item
Sculpted Armchair in Solid Oak Wood '4 Legs'
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Armchair made of solid oak (+ linseed oil) (Outdoor use OK) Dimensions : H. 82 x 48 x 48 cm (SH. 45 cm) Customizable Founded by artist Denis Milovanov, SÓHA design studio conceiv...
Oak
Henning Kjærnulf, Armchair Reupholstered in Longhaired Icelandic Sheepskin, 1950
Located in Odense, DK
Rare sculptural Danish modern lounge chair in solid oak, back and seat reupholstered in longhaired icelandic sheepskin. Attributed to Henning (Henry) Kjærnulf for Nyrup Møbelfabrik. ...
Lambskin, Sheepskin, Oak
$7,972 / item
Sculpted Bench or Side Table N10 in Solid Oakwood
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Bench or side table of solid oak (+ linseed oil) (Outdoor use OK) SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in an authentic sty...
Oak
Stump Chair in Solid Birch by a Swedish Cabinetmaker, Wabi Sabi, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
Charming primitive stump chair made in solid birch. Hand carved by a Swedish cabinetmaker. A nice wabi sabi piece, perfectly sutied for the modern interior. This modern armchair w...
Birch
Butralist Dining Chairs in Oak and Rush, France, 1960s
Located in Almelo, NL
Butralist Dining Chairs in Oak and Rush, France 1960s. This set of six dining chairs from France, crafted from oakwood and rush in the 1960s, boasts a warm, rich color that has developed a lovely patina over time. The chairs are not only comfortable and functional but also showcase typical brutalist design elements of that era, featuring sharp horizontal and vertical lines and a sturdy, geometric backrest. They're in excellent original condition and would be the perfect addition to any elegant dining...
Rush, Oak
1970s Eight Henning Kjærnulf Viking Chairs in Oak Customized Upholstery Included
Located in Knebel, DK
Set of 8 original Danish 1970s Brutalist Viking chairs by Henning Kjærnulf for EG Møbler. The chairs are in solid patinated oak. The chairs by some named the "Odin chairs" after th...
Oak
Regain Square Pine Stools or End Tables, France 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Pair of square pine stools in original patina.
Pine
Folk Art Bicycle Stool, 1980s France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique bicycle style stool made in France, circa 1980s. Unique design with great contrasting colors from the brown seat to the electric blue body and the black rubber base. Perfect p...
Metal
Primitive hand-carved sculptural wood chairs with live edges
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Primitive hand-carved sculptural wood chairs with live edges. Sold as a set. Please inquire if interested in purchasing individual chairs. Larger than dinner chairs. One (leftmost)...
Wood
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
$6,833 / item
Sculpted Brutalist End Table 'CT-12' 'Solid Oak'
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
End table CT-12 by Denis Milovanov x Soha Concept (Side table, end table, stool, pedestal...) Material: Solid oak Dimensions: H 45 x 33 x 33 cm SÓHA des...
Oak
French Brutalist Stool, Solid Hardwood, Faceted Top, 1960s
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, HR
French Brutalist Stool, Solid Hardwood, Faceted Top, 1960s. This stool is built from thick solid hardwood with a faceted, chamfered top and hand-shaped tapered legs joined by a circ...
Hardwood
Vintage Belgian sofa / daybed in light cognac aniline leather (1970s)
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1970s Belgian sofa / daybed in light cognac aniline leather. Great patina, extremely comfortable. W88" D40" H26" SH15" "Bed" is W70" D22" >> You can view this in our Los Angeles sh...
Leather
Pair of Industrial Steel & Ply Swedish Stools, Sweden 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Pair of fully adjustable Iron and Plywood stools by Odeberg.
Cut Steel
$9,882 / item
Muted by NONO No48 Accent Chair Contemporary Comfort
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Muted by NONO No48 Accent Chair Contemporary Comfort — Dive into the world of understated elegance and architectural prowess with the Muted Lounge Chairs Collection by NONO. This s...
Hardwood
Muted by NONO No46 Comfort Lounge Chair Sleek Modernism
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Muted by NONO No46 Comfort Lounge Chair Sleek Modernism — Dive into the world of understated elegance and architectural prowess with the Muted Lounge Chairs Collection by NONO. Th...
Hardwood
Bespoke Lobby Chair Custom Finish Muted by Joel Escalona No39
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Bespoke Lobby Chair Custom Finish Muted by Joel Escalona No39 — Dive into the world of understated elegance and architectural prowess with the Muted Lounge Chairs Collection by NO...
Hardwood
Luxury Office Chair Ergonomic Design Muted by Joel Escalona No35
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Luxury Office Chair Ergonomic Design Muted by Joel Escalona No35 — Dive into the world of understated elegance and architectural prowess with the Muted Lounge Chairs Collection by...
Hardwood
$7,905Sale Price / item|20% Off
Contemporary Lobby Chair Sleek Design Muted by Joel Escalona No33
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Contemporary Lobby Chair Sleek Design Muted by Joel Escalona No33 — Dive into the world of understated elegance and architectural prowess with the Muted Lounge Chairs Collection b...
Hardwood
Muted by NONO No28 Executive Chair Sleek Sophistication
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Muted by NONO No28 Executive Chair Sleek Sophistication — Dive into the world of understated elegance and architectural prowess with the Muted Lounge Chairs Collection by NONO. Thi...
Hardwood
$9,882 / item
Muted by NONO No24 Bench Solid Wood Minimalist
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Muted by NONO No24 Bench Solid Wood Minimalist — Dive into the world of understated elegance and architectural prowess with the Muted Lounge Chairs Collection by NONO. This series,...
Hardwood
Contemporary Brutalist Style Armchair in Solid Oak and Linseed Oil
By Denis Milovanov, Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Seat or armchair made of solid oak (and linseed oil) Measures: 75 x 60 x 45 cm Warm furniture’s made by Russian designer Denis Milovanov from "Soha" studio. Simplicity of shapes....
Oak
Dutch design stained solid oak chairs by Dittmann & Co for AWA 1960s
Located in Oirlo, LI
In the 1960s, Dutch furniture makers were known for their honest craftsmanship and bold design language. This set of six fireplace chairs, designed by Dittmann & Co for the respe...
Oak
Sculptural Brutalist Oak Armchair – French Artisan Mastery, 1960s
Located in Almelo, NL
Sculptural Brutalist Oak Armchair – French Artisan Mastery, 1960s This powerful Brutalist oak armchair, handcrafted in France during the 1960s, is a commanding example of post-war d...
Oak
$6,889 / item
Sculpted Brutalist End Table 'CT-6' 'Solid Oak'
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
End table CT-6 by Denis Milovanov x Soha Concept (Side table, end table, stool, pedestal...) Material: Solid oak Dimensions: H 50 x 40 x 40 cm Warm furniture's made by Russia...
Oak