Brutalist Furniture
BRUTALIST STYLE
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
- Brutalism emerged during the mid-20th century
- Term coined by architecture critic Reyner Banham
- Originated in the United Kingdom
- Brutalist architecture gained popularity in the United States beginning in the early 1960s
- Inaugural brutalist projects include Unité d'habitation and the city of Chandigarh, India, both of which owe to influential architect Charles-Édouard “Le Corbusier” Jeanneret
- Le Corbusier’s cousin, Pierre Jeanneret, designed hundreds of chairs, tables, cabinets and lamps for Chandigarh
- Informed by the Bauhaus, constructivism, modernism and the International Style; part of mid-century modernism
- Contrasted starkly with Beaux Arts style
CHARACTERISTICS OF BRUTALIST FURNITURE DESIGN
- Use of industrial materials — tubular steel, concrete, glass, granite
- Prioritizes functionalism, minimalism and utilization of negative space
- Spare silhouettes, pronounced geometric shapes
- Stripped-down, natural look; rugged textures, modular construction
- Interiors featuring airy visual flow and reliance on neutral palettes
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.
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Item Ships From: New York
Style: Brutalist
James Bearden Module Trio
Located in New York, NY
Group of three small abstract sculptures, titled Module Trio, of blackened steel, fused and dyed bronze, and glass enamel. Made in 2019 by Am...
Category
2010s American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Enamel, Steel
$2,200 / set
Pair of Longobard Turquoise and Amber Hammered Murano Glass and Iron Sconces
By Longobard
Located in New York, NY
Known for his unique design vision and a distinctive style combining artistic expression with functionality, Longobard was in a class by himself. Greatly influenced by the culture o...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
William Bowie Brutalist Bronze Sculpture 1960s
Located in New York, NY
This abstract sculpture appears to be the figure of a man, but upon closer inspection, the figure gives way to a mass of swirling metal.
William Bowie was a prominent sculptor of t...
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Stone, Bronze
Contemporary Cerulean Blue Murano Glass Sconces with Brass Baguette Details
Located in New York, NY
With a nod to the Brutalist style lighting of Longobard of Verona, this pair of cerulean blue hammered Murano glass wall sconces are elegantl...
Category
2010s Italian Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Brass
Unique Lothar Klute Heavy Bronze & Molded Glass Round Cocktail Table
By Lothar Klute
Located in North Miami, FL
This rare Brutalist bronze round cocktail table was designed by German designer Lothar Klute. Features a wrought bronze frame with natural patina, tapered legs and square feet. A go...
Category
1970s German Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Oak & Yellow Wool Armchair with side Shelf, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Large Oak Gentleman with foldable drink tray, elegant construction and joinery.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Oak
Pair of monumental brutalist lamps by Richard Barr
By Richard Barr
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Pair of rare, monumental brutalist style table lamps by Richard Barr for Laurel. Patinated and torch-cut metal.
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Metal
Brutalist Bird in Flight Sculpture by Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional welded rod Brutalist bird sculpture by Jere. Dramatic and expressive form, chic and stylish tabletop sculpture. This example is i...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Stone, Iron
Gilded Abstract Brutalist Table Lamps, A Pair
Located in Garnerville, NY
An excellent pair of gilded and black abstract brutalist table lamps. Circa 1960. These period lamps have a tremendous presence anywhere whether in the home or office. Constructed fr...
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Metal
$1,568 Sale Price / set
51% Off
Minotaurs Carved Solid Stone Coffee Table, France 1940's
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional solid carved stone coffee table, the top is a single stone 35’’ in diameter by 5’’ thick with a deep recess carved motif of 5 min...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Stone
Brutalist Pendant Light by Nanny Still - McKinney for Raak Finland c 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Brutalist hanging pendant by noted artist Nanny Still - McKinney made in Finland for Raak. The cylindrical copper clad body features a serie...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Copper
Peter Ellery Green Brutalist Pottery Lamp, UK 1950's
By Peter Ellery
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful brutalist table lamp in green ceramic by Peter Ellery, the decor is a deep relief abstract motif that looks like a face.
Base size only 13x6x3.
Category
Mid-20th Century British Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
James Bearden "Segment Jewelry Box on Pedestal"
Located in New York, NY
"Segment jewelry box on pedestal," a new work in patinated steel with 24-karat gold leaf and fused bronze, copper, and glass enamel. By Des Moines, Iowa, ar...
Category
2010s American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Steel, Copper, Bronze
Silas Seandel Sculptural Coffee Table with Glass Top 1970s 'Signed'
Located in New York, NY
Coffee table with organic shape base in cast solid resin to resemble concrete with thick glass top by Silas Seandel, American 1970's ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Glass, Resin
Concrete & Steel Coffee Table, France 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Steel and cast concrete coffee table, the concrete is dyed and patinated. Can be used outdoors. The legs can be removed for shipping.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Concrete, Wrought Iron
P. Watson Brutal Torch Cut Iron & Concrete Garden Console Table
Located in North Miami, FL
Expertly torch cut from a round solid piece of steel in to 4 legs which comprise this console. Inset of gray slate tone concrete slab. Very brutal and unique with natural oxidizati...
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Concrete, Iron
Albert Tormos Pierre du Gard Table Lamp, France 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Carved solid sand stone lamp by A Tormos. Base only 9x6
Category
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Sandstone
Diminutive Brutalist Pendant Chandelier by Nanny Still - Mc Kinney for Raak
Located in New York, NY
Diminutive Brutalist pendant chandelier, by Nanny Still - McKinney for Raak, made in Finland circa 1960's. The cylindrical fixture features a copper exterior with an amber glass int...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Copper
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Welded Rigid Iron Rope Brutalist Floor Lamps
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of iron rope form floor lamps created in the Brutalist style. Rust coated, heavy iron chain in a spiral pattern. Heavy solid base of iron in a circular pattern. Hand cr...
Category
1970s French Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron
Norman Conn, 1961 Construction #2
Located in Garnerville, NY
Wonderful mixed media entitled, Construction #2 by Norman Conn (1932-2003), circa 1961. Signed verso with D'Arcy Gallery, NYC label. Very good condition. Perfectly weathered and mast...
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Metal
$1,516 Sale Price
20% Off
Bijan, Laurel Brutalist Brass Lamps
By Bijan
Located in New York, NY
American Mid Century pair of Brutalist pinwheel torch cut brass lamps on matte black cube bases. Rewired for use in the USA with black silk cord. 100W max bulbs. Bijan of California ...
Category
20th Century American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Brass
$4,800 / set
Set of four 1960's Edvin Helseth Trybo series pine dining chairs - Norway
Located in Liberty, NY
Fantastic and rare set of four brutalist pine chairs designed by Norwegian designer Edvin Helseth - these are model 313 chairs for his Tyrbo series, made by Stange Bruk in Norway in...
Category
1960s Norwegian Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Pine
Set of Four Italian Travertine Animal Sculptures
Located in New York, NY
Set of four Italian travertine animal sculptures. Set of four soft line travertine animals in brutalist style consisting of a giraffe, a rhino and two camels, handmade by Fratelli Ma...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Travertine
Brutalist Steel Sculpture in Oil and Waxed Finish by Jan Van Deckter
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Brutalist Steel Sculpture in Oil and Waxed Finish is by the artist Jan Van Deckter and originates from the United States, Circa 1970. Features a towering composition in...
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Steel
Mid-Century Iron Tray Table
Located in palm beach, FL
Iron table composed of a circular iron top with the edge curved inwards and a ring that gives all the style of this table. Tray placed on iron tripod foot.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron
$2,750 Sale Price
34% Off
Brutalist Welded Nails Sculpture by Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Abstract Brutalist Nails Sculpture by Harry Bertoia, circa 1950s.
Category
1950s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Metal
Large Sculptural Vase #4 by Dena Zemsky
By Dena Zemsky
Located in New York, NY
Large sculptural vase #4 by Dena Zemsky. Hand-built, glazed stoneware vase form. Signed and dated on underside.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
Brutalist Sculpture Abstracted Plant Forms on Terracotta Base
Located in New York, NY
Brutalist stylized plant form growing out of the terracotta earth base. Well done metal work reminiscent of Paul Evans, or Jere.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Metal
Brutalist Paul Evans Patinated Patchwork Coffee Table with Slate Top
By Paul Evans
Located in Queens, NY
Brutalist American Modern 1970s Paul Evans for Directional patinated patchwork metal coffee table with riveted copper, brass, and pewter sheet...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Slate, Copper, Pewter
Exceptionally Large Albert Tormos Stone “Sphere” lamp, France 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Solid carved Pierre du Gard table lamp in a spherical shape with holes letting the light through. Amazing scale
Category
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Stone
Brutalist-Style Hammered and Painted Iron Fire Tools with Wall-mounted Holder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Circa 1970s / 1980s fire tool set including poker, log holder, brush, and shovel with wall-mounted holder. Nice texture with hammered detail to the forged iron with gilt finish. Pain...
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron
Large Brutalist Torch Cut Table Lamp Att. to Harry Balmer C 1970's
By Harry Balmer
Located in New York, NY
Brutalist torch cut steel table lamp, attributed to Harry Balmer. This unusually large scale example is in its original faux bronze finish. The center abstract sculpture is 8 in. dia...
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Cut Steel
Seldom seen Parsons, Brutalist Walnut coffee / cocktail table by Lane
Located in Buffalo, NY
Seldom seen Parsons Brutalist Walnut coffee / cocktail table by Lane , Richly grained walnut,Brutalist design strips to top continuing down the base,Classic 60's, 70's modernist . Ha...
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Petter Ellery Earth Tone Ceramic Table Lamps, UK 1960's
By Peter Ellery
Located in New York, NY
Brown glazed “Scraffito” Table lamps. Base size only
16x10x4.
Category
Mid-20th Century British Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Parchment and Glass Coffee Table in the style of Aldo Tura c 1970's
By Aldo Tura
Located in New York, NY
Voguish, chic and sophisticated coffee table having a faux metal finish pedestal base composed of parchment paper over wood, which supports the original thick ( .75 in. ) round glass...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Parchment Paper
Robert Sonneman "Cityscape" Brutalist Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
Modernist sheet steel and brass fixture, by Robert Sonneman. Large and impressive.
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Ron Schmidt Large Brutalist Sculpture, 1960's
By Ron Schmidt
Located in North Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist wall sculpture by Ron Schmidt circa 1960's. Made of cut nail, assembled and detailed with brass welding. Pinwheel pattern. Ver...
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Large Curved Ceramic Lamp in Metallic Glaze, France 1950’s
Located in New York, NY
Dynamic ceramic lamp with concentric rings emanating from an ex-centered hole acting as the focal point. Salt metallic glaze. Base only 12x7x3. Illegible signature to base.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Whimsical Metal Tree Sculpture in the Brutalist School
By Curtis Jeré
Located in New York, NY
Interesting wire and brass sculpture on a slate base. Done in the Brutalist style, and of the period.
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paul Evans Polychromed Steel Sculpture
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Astonishing brutalist sculpture by Paul Evans, circa 1960's. Welded and polychromed steel, painted wood.
67 x 38 x 26 in. (170.2 x 96.5 x 66 cm) excluding base.
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Steel
Monumental Brutalist Stacked Cube Steel Garden Sculptures, after David Smith
By Paul Evans, David Smith
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental Brutalist Stacked Cube Steel Garden Sculpture, after David Smith / Paul Evans.. Signed and dated bUT unfortunately illegible. Amazing use of color, texture and space, Eigh...
Category
Late 20th Century American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Steel
Sculptural Contemporary Brutalist Mirror
Located in New York, NY
A sculptural contemporary Brutalist mirror.
Patinated metal frame.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Metal
Brutalist Oak Credenza, USA 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Stunning oak credenza on a black plinth with vertical slotted decor, it has five doors and multiple drawers and shelves. Very versatile design that can be used as storage or a multim...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Oak
Solid Travertine End Table
Located in New York, NY
Solid Travertine table, a rectangular top with a chamfered lower edge supported by large round travertine legs.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Travertine
Large Illuminating Brutalist Sculpture Coffee Table, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Large and exceptional Brutalist sculpture coffee table, studio made illuminating bronze base with thick glass top, American, 1970s. Signed by a...
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Pair Mid Century Modern Sculptural Chrome w Black Plinth Bases Laurel Lamp Co.
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple and elegant pair of tall slender and sleek with a lot of sexy style. Chromed abstract figural central figures sitting on black plinths. 5 x 5 x 39h to the top of the finial. I...
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Pair of Maison Regain Pine Desks, France 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Pair of pine desks with a single drawer. Ideal as nightstands or end tables next to a substantial sofa.
Category
Late 20th Century French Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Pine
$18,500 / set
James Bearden Capsule Cabinet, Cathedral Series, 2013
Located in New York, NY
The "Capsule Cabinet" by James Bearden is a captivating piece from his Cathedral Series. Crafted with blackened textured steel and fused bronze element...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Pair Longobard Blue and Clear Hammered Murano Glass and Wrought Iron Sconces
By Longobard
Located in New York, NY
Known for his unique design vision and a distinctive style combining artistic expression with functionality, Longobard was in a class by himself. Greatly influenced by the culture o...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Pair of Sculptural Concrete Zig Zag Chairs, 1960s Switzerland
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Substantial set of concrete zig zag chairs. Exceptional presence. Stunning presence and design. Industrial steel rebar runs inside the concrete reinforcing the chair and table giving...
Category
1960s French Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Italian Design Contemporary Pair of Brutalist Cast Bronze Sculpture Wall Lights
Located in New York, NY
Three pairs available, Italian pair of custom design sconces, lighted abstract sculptures entirely cast in bronze, presenting a very interesting Brutalist shield-shape front plaque e...
Category
2010s Italian Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Belgian Midcentury Expandable Dining Table + 4 Chairs M. L. Baugniet
Located in New York City, NY
An original Belgian Art Deco dining table featuring a parquetry inlaid table top defined by expert woodworking and a curved double pedestal base with polished aluminum decorative acc...
Category
20th Century Belgian Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Rare "Sculpted -Bronze" 'Disc Bar' by Paul Evans for Directional
By Paul Evans
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare "sculpted -bronze" 'Disc Bar,' Model PE-122, by Paul Evans for Directional. Signed on top right corner of back, "PE 71," as shown. This piece is an original iconic Paul Evans cr...
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Composition
Oak Brutalist Five-Drawer Dresser Designed by Lane Furniture
Located in Bronx, NY
An oak Brutalist five-drawer dresser designed by Lane Furniture. The dresser features an oak case with mitered corner construction, housing five drawers with asymmetrically pieced wo...
Category
1980s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
1970's French Brutalist Palm Tree Lamp with Natural Stone Base
By Venfield
Located in New York, NY
1970's French brass palm tree lamp with natural stone base. There are 3 light sockets on this lamp.
Category
1970s French Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Stone, Brass
$1,550 Sale Price
59% Off
Large Lane Mosaic Pattern Brutalist Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Wood frame with dimensional block decorative motif. Manufactured by Lane Furniture Company, can be hung vertically or horizontally.
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
James Bearden Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
"Multi-Level Dwelling," a sculpture of blackened, textured steel, by Des Moines artist James Anthony Bearden (1964). Part of his cathedral series. With a certificate of authenticity ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Steel
$8,000
Mid Century Brutalist Wall Sculpture by Curtis Jere. metal & resin inserts.
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Buffalo, NY
Seldom seen Modernist / Brutalist Wall hanging Sculpture by Curtis Jere. Mixed metals with multi-color resin inserts.. Amazing design , form.. signed c.jere 67,
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Metal
1960s Brass Flower Sculpture on Composition Base
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1960s Brass Flower Sculpture on Composition Base
Mid Century Modern
Flowers and Leaves in distressed patinated brass and metal
Composition Base
Category
1960s Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Brass
Fiberglass Cantilevered Stand in the Brutalist Manner
Located in New York, NY
Interesting fiberglass cantilevered "waterfall" stand, in dark grey, silvery clear, with very slight pale yellow tint tones. We executed and detailed, unknown artist maker.
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Fiberglass
Brutalist furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Brutalist furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, decorative objects, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Brutalist furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Sóha, Paul Evans, Joel Escalona, and David Marshall. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $29 and tops out at $450,000 while the average work can sell for $2,520.