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.
Paul Evans Brutalist Sculpted Bronze Wall-Mounted Dry Bar Cabinet, Model PE-122
By Paul Evans
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Evans Brutalist Sculpted Bronze Wall-Mounted Bar Cabinet, Model PE-122, Directional, 1969 Exceptional sculpted bronze wall-mounted bar cabinet, model PE-122, designed by Paul E...
Resin, Wood
$9,120Sale Price|24% Off
Brutalist Spanish Brazilian Tooled Leather Oak Full L Bar 6 Carved Stools Shelf
By Sergio Rodrigues, Jean Gillon, Percival Lafer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brutalist 1970s Spanish Revival or Brazilian Colonial Style Hand Tools carved studded Leather wrapped stained Oak Full Bar L shaped set with 6 leather Hand carved Bar Stools with wal...
Steel, Iron
Brutalist Italian Chestnut Wood and Brass Bar Cabinet, 1970s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Brutalist dry bar cabinet in chestnut wood. With geometric and harmonious lines, the piece of furniture is also embellished by the brass band below.
Brass
$9,800Sale Price|30% Off
Monumental Adrian Pearsall Brutalist Wall Mounted Disc Dry Bar, 1970's
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Culver City, CA
Available right now we have this increasingly rare, mid century modern, brutalist disc bar by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. This brutalist wall mounted disc cabinet is definitely a conversation piece-- stretching a whopping 48" in diameter, this disc dar opens to reveal a mirrored back as well as 2 shelf inserts. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and this entire brutalist line of furniture appears to have (pretty obviously) been inspired by American craft movement designer Paul Evans, who designed nearly identical pieces which were available through Directional Furniture to the trade in the 1960's and 1970's. While this piece doesn't have the pedigree of an original Paul Evans piece, what is does have is an abundance of over-the-top maximalist style with a much more palatable price tag. Without being mounted to the wall, this piece was a little tougher than an average piece to photograph, but for scale purposes we photographed it resting on the floor alongside a Fabricius and Kastholm grasshopper...
Resin, Wood
Black Brutalist Bar Cabinet, Two Doors, Three Drawers, Belgium, 1970s
Located in Hilversum, NL
This striking black Brutalist bar cabinet, crafted in Belgium in the 1970s, is a stunning example of minimalist design. Made from black lacquered oak, the sideboard features two door...
Oak
bar cabinet is handcrafted in solid walnut and oak
Located in Buzzò, Emilia-Romagna
bar cabinet is handcrafted in solid walnut and oak, celebrating the raw poetry of natural timber in its purest architectural form. Entirely composed of organically shaped trunks and...
Walnut
French Brutalist Carved Oak Bar, 1950s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
"Raw materials are both the medium and the message." — Paul Rudolph A bold expression of mid-century French Brutalism, this sculptural bar is a striking testament to raw materiality...
Iron
1950s French Bar Cabinet in Solid Elm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bar cabinet, elm, France, 1950s. This multifunctional cabinet is of French origin and embraces naturalistic forms combined with bold accents. The elmwood material has an incredibly ...
Velvet, Elm
Dry Bar, Elm, France, 1970
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Dry Bar in Elm, Burl Elm, and Brown Melamine, France, 1970 Like a sculpted monolith softened by time, this dry bar exudes a quiet strength through its deeply grained façade. The rhy...
Elm
Brutalist Style Italian Dry Bar made of Wood and Glass, Drinks Cabinet
Located in Madrid, ES
Italian Brutalist-style dry bar crafted in solid oak and defined by its architectural presence and hand-carved detailing. The cabinet features four folding doors that open to reveal ...
Art Glass, Oak
Belgian Brutalist Bar Cabinet in Black-Stained Oak, 1970s
Located in Wommelgem, BE
A Belgian brutalist bar cabinet produced in the 1970s, executed in black-stained oak with the open, expressive grain left visible beneath the dark finish. The piece is of notably sol...
Oak
Brutalist Bar Cabinet in the Style of Defour, 1970s
By Thomas Defour
Located in Hellouw, NL
A sculptural and expressive piece, this 1970s bar cabinet is crafted in the Brutalist style and evokes the spirit of the iconic ‘Torino’ series by B...
Steel
Brutalist Style Italian Dry Bar made of Oak Wood, Hand-carved Drinks Cabinet
Located in Madrid, ES
Italian hand-carved oak wood bar cabinet with four folding doors and central interior shelf. Discover the essence of Italian style with our stunning contemporary oak wood bar cabin...
Wood
Brutalist Style Hand-carved Solid Oak Wood and Glass Mirror Italian Bar Cabinet
Located in Madrid, ES
Exquisite Hand-Carved Oak Bar Cabinet with Glass Shelves Enhance your home with the sophisticated charm of this hand-carved oak bar cabinet. Designed with two hinged doors, this piec...
Oak, Glass
Black Brutalist Cabinet, Three Graphic Patterned Doors, Belgium, 1970s
Located in Hilversum, NL
Black Brutalist bar cabinet in black lacquered oak, Belgium 1970s. Sideboard features three graphic patterned doors. It provides plenty of storage which makes it both very functio...
Oak
Modernist wood and rope hanging wine rack, Netherlands 1970s
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet, Francis Jourdain, Hans J. Wegner
Located in ECHT, NL
Modernist hanging wine rack. Hand crafted in solid wood and rope. Made in the Netherlands in the 1970s this unique piece is made to be suspended on t...
Rope, Wood
Rare Sculptural Brutalist Rootwood Bar Ensemble France 1950s 5-Piece Dry Bar Set
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rare sculptural brutalist rootwood bar ensemble, France, 1950s. Likely produced in France during the 1950s, reflecting the early brutalist design movement in post-war Europe. A rare...
Wood, Fabric
$4,185Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Design Black Ebonized Dry Bar Cabinet, Belgium 1970's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Brutalist Belgian Design Black Ebonized Dry Bar Cabinet. Made in Belgium, 1970's period. No maker markings. In the manner of De Coene Frères Mfg. Black ebonized stained oak with alum...
Metal
Custom Sideboard from Italy
Located in Miami, FL
Solid oak custom cabinet from Parma, Italy. Featuring a raised display platform against the wall. Five drawers on the left and open space behind the second and third drawer. Center s...
Marble, Metal
Vintage Brutalist Bar Cabinet by Jean Batenburg, Ebonized Oak, 1970
Located in CASTENRAY, NL
Vintage brutalist Bar cabinet in ebonized oak. Beautiful contrast between the dark exterior and the colorful interior with ingenious fluorescent lighting behind acrylic glass. Thi...
Aluminum
$7,557Sale Price|20% Off
De Coene Brutalist Inspired Credenza, Art Deco, 1970s, Belgium, Oak and Stone
Located in Antwerp, BE
Art Deco; Brutalist; Bar; Brutalism; De Coene; Credenza; Sideboard; Storage unit; Storage piece; Floating effect; Graphical; Belgian Design; Belgian furniture history; 1970's; Ebonized Oak; Black...
Stone
Interesting large cylindrical oak cabinet that could be used as bar, circa 1930
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Interesting large cylindrical oak cabinet that could be used as a bar, Open width: (163 cm) 64,1732" circa 1930/1950
Oak
Monoxylite Wabi Sabi Bar Set, Cedar Wood, Brutalist Style, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Monxylite bar set, crafted from genuine cedar tree trunks. Each piece celebrates the inherent charm found in organic irregularities. The bar's graceful curves and fluid lines evoke a...
Wood, Cedar
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Style Fireplace Bar Cabinet
By Paul Evans, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent Mid-Century Modern Brutalist style sculptural faux fireplace bar cabinet. Sure to become the focal point of any room, most impressive size standing nearly eight feet t...
Mirror, Resin, Wood
$697Sale Price / set|20% Off
Brutalist Mid-Century Wooden Bar Set with 3 Stools, Netherlands, 1970s
Located in Oirlo, LI
Brutalist Mid-Century Wooden Bar with 3 Bar Chairs, 1970s Beautiful wooden set, a bar with three bar stools made of light wood. Always nice for a shop or man cave. Beautiful shelv...
Wood
$12,420Sale Price|40% Off
Billy Joe McCarroll & David Gillespe Brutalist Bar
By Forms and Surfaces, Billy Joe Mccarroll and David Gillespe
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Bar designed by Billy Joe McCarroll and David Gillespe and produced by Forms and Surfaces, Inc., Santa Barbara, California. The bar features a B...
Brass
$4,301Sale Price|20% Off
1970s Brutalist Bar Trolley by De Coene, Wood & Aluminum, Europe
Located in Antwerp, BE
De Coene Style; Brutalist; bar trolley; bar tray; wooden cabinet; rolling bar; Art Deco; 1970s; shelves; drawers; storage; storing space; geometric; Wooden two-door cabinet with t...
Aluminum
$12,995
H 48 in W 48 in D 14 in
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Brutalist Disc Cabinet Bar
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Brutalist Disc Cabinet Bar This cabinet bar measures: 48 wide x 14 deep x 48 inches high Great Vintage Condition. We take our phot...
Resin, Wood
Brutalist Bar Cabinet in the Style of Defour, 1970s
By Thomas Defour
Located in Hellouw, NL
A sculptural and expressive piece, this 1970s bar cabinet is crafted in the Brutalist style and evokes the spirit of the iconic ‘Torino’ series by B...
Steel
Paul Evans Cityscape Bar Cabinet, Burlwood & Chrome, 1970s Modern
By Paul Evans
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Step back in time with this authentic, vintage Paul Evans Cityscape bar cabinet from the 1970s. This striking piece combines the distinct aesthetic of Paul Evans with the practicalit...
Burl
$49,975
H 17 in W 48.5 in D 16.5 in
Mid-Century Brutalist Wall Mounted Patchwork Cabinet Signed Paul Evans 68
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
An iconic design by legendary American studio craftsman Paul Evans, this mid-century Brutalist wall-mounted cabinet exemplifies his innovative artistry and bold industrial aesthetics...
Slate, Metal
Giuseppe Scapinelli Brazilian Modern Bar Cabinet
Located in Oakland, CA
Brazilian Modern bar cabinet with an angular design attributed to Giuseppe Scapinelli, 1955, São Paulo, Brazil. This eye-catching and unique mid-century cabinet is crafted of Brazili...
Rosewood
Brutalist Oak Bar Cabinet, Belgium, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
A brutalist bar cabinet produced in Belgium in the 1970s. The piece is constructed in oak with a warm brown tone, emphasizing the natural grain and material presence. The façade is d...
Oak
$5,700
H 27.96 in W 39.38 in D 20.87 in
De Coene Brutalist Cabinet in Black Stained Oak, Belgium, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
De Coene; cabinet; Credenza; sideboard; black stained oak; Belgium; Belgian design; 1970s; Art Deco; Brutalist; Drawers; Shelves; Geometric; Diamond Pattern; A brutalist De Coene ...
Oak
$1,918
H 27.96 in W 28.75 in D 14.57 in
1950s Midcentury Regency Italian Wood, Brass and Mirror Dry Bar Cabinet Cart
By Ico & Luisa Parisi, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Vittorio Dassi, Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern dry bar cabinet cart characterized by its original Asian themed painted front wood pull-out tilt door with interior part in mirror glass, standing on its antique brass wheels...
Brass
Sleek Belgium Modernist Two-Door Sideboard or Cabinet
Located in Westport, CT
A super Art Deco two-door cabinet finishing on a pedestal base shown with nickel plated hardware in beautiful rich stained rosewood veneer. Sleek two door cabinet/sideboard/bar on a ...
Rosewood
$697Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 41.74 in W 55.12 in D 39.38 in
Brutalist Mid-Century Wooden Bar Set with 3 Stools, Netherlands, 1970s
Located in Oirlo, LI
Brutalist Mid-Century Wooden Bar with 3 Bar Chairs, 1970s Beautiful wooden set, a bar with three bar stools made of light wood. Always nice for a shop or man cave. Beautiful shelv...
Wood
$3,895
H 43 in W 43.5 in D 20 in
Mid Century Scandinavian Rosewood Bar Cabinet with Sliding Glass Doors
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1970 Scandinavian bar cabinet in dramatically figured rosewood veneer features two sliding glass doors on the top section over three felt lined drawers on one side and a storage compartment with internal shelf on the other. Tapered legs. Unknown maker. Very good overall vintage condition. Open Shelf Sections...
Glass, Rosewood
French Brutalist Carved Oak Bar, 1950s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
"Raw materials are both the medium and the message." — Paul Rudolph A bold expression of mid-century French Brutalism, this sculptural bar is a striking testament to raw materiality...
Iron
Brutalist Highboard in Mahogany
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Brutalist credenza, in mahogany and aluminum, European, 1970s. Sturdy illuminated bar cabinet in mahogany with graphical designed door panels. Two-door panels, each with a three-d...
Mahogany
Vintage French Heavy Vine Dry Bar
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This extraordinary vintage dry bar is a masterful celebration of Organic Modernism and French artisanal craft. Characterized by its dramatic use of heavy, gnarled grapevines, the pie...
Wood
Dry Bar in Slavonian Oak by Giuseppe Rivadossi, Italy 1980s
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Hellouw, NL
Designed with sculptural rigour and a craftsman's sensitivity, this bar by Giuseppe Rivadossi reflects a profound respect for material and form. Signed by the artist, it encapsulates...
Oak
Sold
H 41.34 in W 77.96 in D 49.22 in
Unique Nerone e Patuzzi Bar for Gruppo NP2 with Three Wooden Panels, Italy 1976
By Nerone and Patuzzi, Gruppo NP2
Located in Hellouw, NL
A commanding presence within the visual language of 1970s Italian design; this bar by Nerone and Patuzzi reflects the bold sculptural energy of Gruppo NP2. Designed in 1976 and signe...
Wood
French Elm Bar with Brutalist Detailing
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
With a sharply faceted top and geometrically braced facade, this L-shaped bar in solid elm reads like an architectural fragment reimagined for intimate domestic rituals. The patinate...
Walnut
Black brutalist bar cabinet by Frans Defour, Belgium 1970's
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
A rare and striking example of Belgian brutalist design, this "Torino" bar cabinet was created by Frans Defour in the early 1970s. The dramatic facade features a rhythmic grid of dee...
Wood, Oak
Dry Bar, Elm, France, 1970
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Dry Bar in Elm, Burl Elm, and Brown Melamine, France, 1970 Like a sculpted monolith softened by time, this dry bar exudes a quiet strength through its deeply grained façade. The rhy...
Elm
Bar Cabinet by Frans Defour for Defour, Belgium 1970s
By Thomas Defour
Located in Beerse, VAN
Brutalist Belgian bar cabinet designed in the 1970s by Frans Defour for Defour. The cabinet is made of a solid oak frame with oak veneer door panels that show a graphic design. Each...
Oak
1970s Mid-Century Brutalist Expanding Bar Cart Server on Casters
By Century Furniture, Paul Evans, Henredon
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Vintage 1970s Brutalist serving cart on wheels. The late Mid-Century era server has an expanding top. Flip the left and right sides to extend the 38″ table top to 57.375″ wide. You c...
Laminate, Walnut, Oak
Sold
H 55.12 in W 44.89 in D 16.93 in
Brutalist Style Italian Dry Bar made of Oak Wood, Drinks Cabinet
Located in Madrid, ES
Italian hand-carved oak wood bar cabinet with four folding doors and central interior shelf. Discover the essence of Italian style with our stunning contemporary oak wood bar cabin...
Wood
Sold
H 55.12 in W 44.89 in D 16.93 in
Brutalist Style Italian Dry Bar made of Oak Wood, Drinks Cabinet
Located in Madrid, ES
Italian hand-carved oak wood bar cabinet with four folding doors and central interior shelf. Discover the essence of Italian style with our stunning contemporary oak wood bar cabin...
Wood
Vintage Spanish Dry Bar with Decorative Paneling, Brutalist 1960s
Located in Round Rock, TX
Beautiful vintage Spanish dry bar with decorative paneling and rear storage, c 1950s. This design is unique and equally functional. The front decorative paneling is hand carved sta...
Wood, Mahogany