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 Patchwork & Slate Console & Mirror Set, USA 1960's
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Matched Console & Mirror set by Paul Evans in patinated Copper, Brass, and steel riveted patchwork. Slate top on the console. The mirror is 31x31x5 Console 60x13x6.5
Slate, Brass, Copper, Steel
Swedish Brutalist Hall Shelf by Glas Mäster Markaryd. Solid Pine + Brass Hooks
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Swedish brutalist style coat rack and shelf Made in the 1970s of solid pine with heavy hooks of brass. Manufactured by Glas Mäster in Markaryd in Sweden. Nice vintage condition wi...
Brass
Brutalist Étagère by Adrian Pearsall c. 1960
Located in Dallas, TX
Designed by Adrian Pearsall, this “Brutalist” shelving unit is a strikingly sculptural piece! Produced by Craft Associated, circa 1960's. Payin...
Glass, Resin, Wood
Contemporary Sculpted Sideboard in Solid Oak and Linseed Oil
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Contemporary sculpted sideboard in solid oak and linseed oil. Dimensions: H. 85 x W. 160. x D. 45 cm Unique piece made to order. Founded ...
Oak
Contemporary Shelf 'Mogwai' in Burnt Wood by CarmWorks, Customizable
By Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez
Located in Paris, IDF
Customizable Shelf Mogwai by Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez (aka CarmWorks) Solid oak or cedar / Burnt wood or natural Standard size: H 87 x 220 x 40 cm (customizable) Each piec...
Wood, Cedar
Pair of brushed steel Ultra Minimalist Custom Modular Shelving Units
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of ultra-minimalist modular steel shelving units, (two pairs available) designed and handcrafted in Los Angeles by Dieppa Design for a contemporary art show. These architectur...
Steel
$4,578Sale Price|26% Off
Brutalist Etagere Smoked Glass Display by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates
By Paul Evans, Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Where did Ridley Scott display his glass unicorns? Perhaps on a piece like this. An extraordinary and hard-to-find Adrian Pearsall Brutalist etagere, ful...
Resin, Smoked Glass
Rare signed Paul Evans Cityscape large etagere freestanding shelves USA 1970s
By Paul Evans
Located in Hastings, GB
A rare signed iconic Paul Evans 'Cityscape' large freestanding etagere, USA 1970s. Chrome & brass (or gold plated metal) clad patchwork design- e...
Brass, Chrome
Etagère murale brutaliste en orme massif, années 1950
Located in Meyrin, Switzerland
Etagère design brutaliste en orme massif, années 1950, dans le goût d'Olavi Hanninen ou encore de Aranjou. Elégant assemblage par système de goupilles. Bon état vintage : quelques ma...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Artisan Crafted Iron & Glass Ètagerè or Bookshelf
Located in Philadelphia, PA
One of a kind vintage iron and glass, artisan crafted, ètagerè or bookcase in the Brutalist style. Item features a heavy solid iron scrolling frame with remarkable sculptural form. T...
Copper, Iron
$9,619Sale Price|20% Off
Sculptural Wall Unit in Travertine and Glass, Brutalist Style, 1970s
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
A striking architectural wall unit defined by contrast and balance. Solid travertine elements form the vertical supports, carrying floating glass shelves that appear to hover effortl...
Travertine, Iron
Belgium Oak Shelving / TV Unit
Located in Landgraaf, NL
Belgium oak shelving / TV unit. Made of a combination of solid and thick veneer oak. Free standing with large drawer. Request a quote for the latest shipping rates.
Oak
Brutalist folk art Chest from the 50's
Located in LYON, FR
This is not just a shelf; it's a piece of brutalist folk art from the 50's. Its structure is formed by two curved solid wood elements, likely repurposed agricultural tools (yokes?), ...
Pine
Concrete Bookcase, Flipper Collection Studio Irvine for Forma & Cemento
Located in Rome, Lazio
The Flipper Bookcase (configuration B) is part of the Flipper collection designed by Marialaura Irvine. Play, color and freedom are the keywords of this new collection based on the p...
Concrete, Cement
$3,160Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Enamelled Iron Étagère in the Style of Paul Evans
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Brutalist enameled iron étagère in the style of Paul Evans, sculptural, freestanding, fitted with two removable bronzed glass 19" x 7" shelves The bas...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Metallurgy Patchworked Bookshelf
Located in London, GB
The Metallurgy Patchworked Bookshelf is an exquisite blend of natural elm wood and hand-applied aluminium and silver leaf inlays. Crafted by artist and designer Lewis Kemmenoe, this ...
Aluminum, Silver Leaf
Brutal Hand Sculpted Copper Shelf By Lou Ramirez
By Lou Ramirez
Located in Monrovia, CA
2 Piece Brutal Hand Sculpted Individual Copper Tiled And Hand Hammered Shelving Unit With Glass Shelves. This Beautiful 2 Piece Brutalist Hand Sculpted Copper Shelving Unit Has 3 Top Direct Lighting Units That Shine Down Onto The Glass Shelves To Show Case Your Gorgeous Collectible Artifacts...
Copper
Etagère murale avec miroir orientable par Guillerme et Chambron Votre Maison
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in TOURCOING, FR
Etagère murale avec miroir orientable par Guillerme et Chambron pour Votre Maison 1960's Robert Guillerme (1913–1990) et Jacques Chambron (1914–2001) sont deux designers français em...
Oak, Glass
$16,353Sale Price|20% Off
Wall Unit by Dom Hans van der Laan in It's Typical Minimal Brutalist Style
By Jan de Jong, Dom Hans van der Laan
Located in Antwerp, BE
Wall Unit; Bossche School; Minimal Brutalist Style; Shelves; Plastic Number; Architect; Dom Hans van der Laan; Jan de Jong, original condition; The Netherlands, 1970s This wall un...
Pine
Stack Shelving Unit
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stack Shelving Unit is a grouping of architectural and abstract sculptures by Noah Spencer that together make a shelving unit. When these sculptures are ...
Maple
$20,441
H 36.62 in W 108.27 in D 18.31 in
Brutalist Sideboard by Defour in Solid Dark Stained Oak, Belgium 1970s
By Thomas Defour
Located in Hellouw, NL
A bold silhouette with sculptural appeal, this Brutalist sideboard in solid oak anchors a room with confidence and quiet rhythm. Designed with an eye for architectural composition, i...
Oak
$2,572
H 31.89 in W 35.44 in D 13.78 in
Romeo Rega Gold Plated Brass Etagere Shelving Console, Italy, C.1960
By Romeo Rega
Located in London, GB
Romeo Rega Gold Plated Brass Etagere Shelving Console, Italy, C.1960 In excellent condition commensurate of age.
Brass
$12,509
H 84.26 in W 48.04 in D 16.93 in
Rare signed Paul Evans Cityscape large etagere freestanding shelves USA 1970s
By Paul Evans
Located in Hastings, GB
A rare signed iconic Paul Evans 'Cityscape' large freestanding etagere, USA 1970s. Chrome & brass (or gold plated metal) clad patchwork design- e...
Brass, Chrome
$4,600
H 72.75 in W 11.75 in D 17.5 in
Umbo Modular Shelving Unit by Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional
By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. USA. Modular shelving unit with gorgeous sun fading.
Plastic
$3,900 / set
H 40 in W 48 in D 12 in
Mid Century Paul Evans Wall Mirror & Console Table Shelf in Brass & Chrome
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredible design combination, a cityscape wall shelf and mirror designed by Paul Evans in the 1970's. The set features fine heavy construction with brass & chrome clad patchwork ...
Brass, Chrome
Swedish Designer, Wall Shelf, Pine, Sweden, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine wall shelf or cabinet designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1960s. Currently missing wall mounting brackets. Will require professional installation.
Pine
$3,200 / set
H 60.75 in W 20 in D 8.5 in
Pair of BoConcept Como System Matte White Lacquered Contemporary Shelving Units
By BoConcept
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A pair of BoConcept Como System shelving units. The Como shelving system is designed by Morton Georgsen for BoConcept, and is designed to be a mix and match modular system. A variety...
Lacquer
1950s Sideboard in Solid Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sideboard, solid oak, lacquered oak, the Netherlands, 1950s This 1950s Dutch sideboard is a beautiful example of post-war modernism, combining functional clarity with subtle decorat...
Oak
19th Century Swedish Faux Paint Pine Country Shelf
Located in Kramfors, SE
Northern Swedish country shelf from the village Fåker in Jämtland, which is a province in Sweden. The shelf is solid pine with untouched original faux paint. Made around 1820 to 1840. The paint has some distress, especially on the sides. It's unusual to find a free standing book shelf...
Pine
$6,750 / set
H 8 in W 3 in D 12 in
Set Paul Evans for Directional Chrome Brass Cityscape Shelf Brackets Console
By Paul Evans
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stunning set signed Paul Evans for Directional shelf brackets or console tables. The glass is not pictured but is included and is 12" w x 48" l and is brand new. This set is truly fa...
Brass, Chrome
$3,480Sale Price|55% Off
H 82.32 in W 39.37 in D 12.99 in
Library Shelf System Hook System by Pagani and Angelo Perversi, Italy, 1987
Located in Vienna, AT
Graphical shelf system called 'Hook System' by Pagani & Perversi, Italy 1987 Dimensions are 82.32" x 39.37" x 12.99". Very rare Library shelf system by Luciano Pagani and Angelo Perversi...
Steel
Beautiful Oak Wood Giuseppe Rivadossi Shelves, Italy 1970s
By Officina Rivadossi, Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Echt, NL
Beautiful Giuseppe Rivadossi Shelves in good condition. Design by Giuseppe Rivadossi Manufactured by Officina Rivadossi, Italy, circa 1970s–1980s. Constructed in oak, this piece...
Wood, Oak
Sold
H 4.73 in W 29.93 in D 11.82 in
Swedish Modern, Set of 6 Multifunctional Shelves in Pine, Late 19th Century
Located in Odense, DK
Sold as a set 6. In the year 1877, the Swedish Royal library moved into a newly constructed building in Humlegården, Stockholm. The Architect was Gustaf Dahl. On the top 3 floors o...
Pine
Danish Modern Oak Shelving
Located in San Antonio, TX
Beautifully detailed Danish modern brutalist solid oak shelving in the manner of Henning Kjærnulf features hand-crafted details and plenty of storage. On the left side there is a top compartment has two shelves and one open compartment and the bottom doors open up to a larger compartment. The right hand side has six drawers. This oak credenza shelving...
Oak
Massive oak brutalist shelves from the Netherlands, 1950s
Located in Lyon, FR
Stunning and high shelves cabinet, in massive oak wood, made in the 1950s in the Netherlands, where it used to be a cheese shelves « Stokkenkast ». Sturdy, rustic, practical, you can...
Metal
Adrian Pearsall Brutalist Etagere
Located in Southampton, NJ
Gorgeous Etagere by Designer, Adrian Pearsall. This particular Etagere is in wonderful condition with no broken pieces. The resin is intact and is stunning. The glass is original an...
Resin
Sold
H 70.87 in W 38.59 in D 18.9 in
Freestanding Mid-Century Modern Shelf Unit in Solid Wood, Made in the 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
A charming freestanding shelf unit with adjustable shelves, made by a Scandinavian carpenter in the 1960s. The shelf unit is constructed from s...
Beech
Sold
H 4.73 in W 31.5 in D 11.82 in
Swedish Modern, Multifunctional Shelves in Solid Pine, Late 19th Century
Located in Odense, DK
In the year 1877, the Swedish Royal library moved into a newly constructed building in Humlegården, Stockholm. The Architect was Gustaf Dahl. On the top 3 floors of the original building, in the book storage areas, these wooden shelves were placed on iron holders built into the house walls. During the 1990s the building was renovated and they were supposed to be thrown away, and if it hadn´t been for a carpenter working with the renovations, they would surely be gone for now. Instead they are now a preserved piece of history. These Swedish Modern wall shelves...
Pine
Sold
H 15.36 in W 16.93 in D 6.7 in
Decorative Brutalist Wall Shelf in Oak, Danish Cabinetmaker, 1940s
Located in Odense, DK
A fine carved brutalist wall shelf, crafted in solid oak. Made by a Danish cabinetmaker in the 1940s. This fine piece embodies the distinctive aesthetics of the brutalist movemen...
Oak
Lothar Klute Wall Console Bronze Glas
By Lothar Klute
Located in Munster, NRW
Beautiful glass shelve with thrown glass from Lothar Klute.
Bronze
Brutalist Wine Rack in Wrought Iron and Wood, 1960s
Located in Tilburg, NL
Brutalist wine rack in wrought iron and wood 1960s. This is a wine rack in wrought iron and wood with a very distinct Brutalist design. The the warm wood and the wrought iron do compliment each other in a very midcentury fashion...
Wrought Iron
Brutalist Lane Staccato Bookshelf / Desk
Located in Fulton, CA
Scarce Lane Furniture "Staccato" line bookshelf with drop-front desk. In very good original condition with original finish.
Wood, Walnut
Bed Side Table Wood Artisan Style Gio Ponti, France, 1950
By Gio Ponti
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-century table shelf France, circa 1940. Rustic handmade side table that can either be a bed side table or a small shelf. Unique piece that is showing typical elements from the...
Oak, Wood