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
Brutalist Carved Walnut Rocking Chair after Jean Touret, France 1950's
By Jean Touret
Located in New York, NY
Low rocking chair attributed to Jean Touret. The solid oak base is carved and hand gouged in a brutalist fashion; butterflies and dowels hold its var...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Oak
Assembled Pair of Brutalist Table Lamp by Damon Giffard for Hansen Lighting Co.
By Damon Giffard, Hansen Lighting Co.
Located in New York, NY
Two Brutalist, Oriental school table lamps, designed by Damon Giffard for the Hansen Lighting Company c. 1970's. The lamps feature Chinese style brass,...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Brass
Creaciones Gobesso Murano Glass Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Fine glass from Murano has been cherished by collectors since 1291, when Venice banished its glassmakers to this neighboring island to prevent fires. By the 1960s and 1970s, the excl...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Murano Glass, Resin
Single Patinated Steel Side Table, France, 2017
Located in New York, NY
Single side table composed entirely of patinated bronze. This table can also function as a stool as it is very sturdy. Could be accompanied by a custom cushion upholstered with selec...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Brutalist Style Black Lacquer and Gold Leaf Nightstands
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Brutualist influenced sidecabinets with a high gloss black lacquer case and 22-carat gold leaf front panels. The gold panels resemble some wor...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
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
Category
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Slate, Brass, Copper, Steel
Large Abstract Brutalist Wall Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large, impressive, abstract, dimensional, wall sculpture in distressed, neutral tan and taupe hues features a rough-hewn, brutalist texture. The painting is uniquely constructed of u...
Category
Late 20th Century American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Resin, Paint
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
Abstract Brutalist Cast Bronze Table Top Sculpture signed EJD c 1960/70's
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional solid cast bronze Brutalist School table top sculpture signed EJD, circa 1970's. The sculpture features a textured surface on an abstract vertical structure. Reminiscent...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Maison Regain Elm Coffee Table, France 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Solid Elm Stacked Slats Geometric coffee table with great patina.
Category
Mid-20th Century European Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Elm
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
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
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
Emerald Green Faceted Murano Glass Vase
Located in North Miami, FL
This is a super-cool deep green faceted Murano glass oversized vase with lovely details throughout. The intentional rough finish to exterior adds ...
Category
2010s Italian Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Murano Glass
Gold Gilt Sun Burst Sconce Made in Italy c. 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Italian sun burst candle sconce in original gold gilt finish. The sconce features repeating wrought iron rays, which radiate from the domed metal center. A single candle...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Jules Dewaele for Pia Manu Red Ceramic Mosaic Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
This piece presents a striking statement that fuses Brutalism and Modernism. Belgian designer, Jules Dewaele, created this vibrant ceramic table at his workshop Pia Manu (“a creative...
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Metal
Important Welded Polychrome and Gilt Steel Cabinet by Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Montreal, QC
Important welded polychrome and gilt steel cabinet by Paul Evans, inset with slate top. Welded signature.
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Steel
Creaciones Gobesso Blue Murano Glass Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Fine glass from Murano has been cherished by collectors since 1291, when Venice banished its glassmakers to this neighboring island to prevent fires. By the 1960s and 1970s, the excl...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Murano Glass, Resin
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Credenza Dresser by Bert England for John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous brutalist credenza or long dresser by Bert England for John Stuart. Bi fold doors open to reveal 8 total drawers and a shelf. Walnut mosaic panels which are framed. Marble top on 90 % front edge is walnut. Brass tubular base with walnut sabots. A true quality piece. Signed John Stuart. Has been refinished. All doors...
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
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
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
Brutalist Brass and Ceramic Table Lamp c. 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Brutalist style table lamp, in good, original, clean and working condition. This unusual lamp features a wood plinth base, the lamp body has brass lotus leaves on the bot...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large Elm and Iron Coffee Table, France 1960's
By Pierre Lebe
Located in New York, NY
Solid Elm trapeze top set on steel canted legs, the table has design elements found in Chapo and Lebbe production
Category
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron
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
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage coffee table combines a large solid top with a unique geometric base. Made with Mid-Century craftsmanship by Nordic Furniture. Please ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Guillerme & Chambron Cabinet, France 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Guillerme & Chambon two door cabinet Solid oak construction on a plinth with two doors, interesting wood lock sliding mechanism and heavy bronze hinges.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Brutalist Two Door Cabinet End Side Table by Heritage
Located in New York, NY
Well crafted two door cabinet, having a sculpted wood front with decorative metal pulls. The cabinet is in very good original condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, normal and ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Metal
Corkscrew Olive Wood Table Lamp, France 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Olive Burlwood carved table lamp.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Olive
Brutalist Neo-Gothic Rustic Two-Door Pine Sideboard Credenza, France 1920's
Located in New York, NY
Fantastic two-door pine sideboard made with rough-hewn planks. Of note, the very minimal hinges. This piece is most likely from the French Alps given its style and construction. Orig...
Category
Early 20th Century French Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Paul Evans Unique Bronze Resin Wall Mounted Console Table 1975 'Signed'
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Unique wall mounted console table in bronze resin by Paul Evans, American 1975 (signed "PE75" on side). This console was purchased by the original owner together with an Evans’ bronze resin...
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Patchwork of Brass & Copper Saavedra Mirror, Spain 1980's
Located in New York, NY
Patchwork mirror by Saavedra of Spain, brass and copper with copper nails and patinated.
Category
Late 20th Century Spanish Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Copper, Brass
Blown Glass and Wrought Iron Chandelier Made in Italy
Located in New York, NY
Probably the best blown glass and metal pendant light we have had the pleasure of offering, this fixture features a baby blue upper section, with a mosaic like lower section, which h...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Metal, Wrought Iron
Bernard Rooke Brutalist Pottery Table Lamp, UK 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Brutalist table lamp by Bernard Rooke in a Mayan pattern with a textured finish and a nuanced green and ochre glaze. Size of the base only. No shade included.
Category
Mid-20th Century British Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Cloutier Freres End Table, France 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Striking Nesting tables in red enameled lava stone, blackened steel bases with canted legs.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Lava, Cut Steel
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
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
Brutalist Owl Sculpture Attributed to French Sculptor Claude Barbat
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
A brass, crystal, and geode Brutalist style sculpture of an owl on a wood base. Most likely done by Artist Claude Barbat. Highly detailed and intricate. The body is formed from hand ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Brass
Felipe Derflingher Brutalist Imprisoned Glass Tankards
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this fine set of imprisoned glass tankards by Felipe Derflingher for Feders, Mexico. The glass is mouth blown from recycled ...
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Metal
James Bearden Gilded Steel Candelabra
Located in New York, NY
Candelabra of blackened and 24-karat gold gilded steel, with the aspect of an extra-terrestrial or futuristic cityscape. By American artist James Bearden. Bearden's work was featured in a 2020 solo exhibition at the NY Design Center titled "James Bearden: Technical and Aesthetic Revelations," in an article in the January 2017 Interior Design Magazine...
Category
2010s American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Steel
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
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
Patinated Iron Tree Form Sculpture
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
This tree can of course be used as a decorative piece.
Also used as a clothing/hat rack, etc.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron
Mammouth Brutalist Wall Garden Sculpture
By Curtis Jeré
Located in New York, NY
Phenomenal Brutalist sculpture in the form of a wind blown tree. The sculpture has a wrought iron tree trunk and branches with copper leaves, it is designed to be installed on a wall...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Copper, Wrought Iron
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
Solid Bronze Abstract Sculpture, USA 1960's
Located in New York, NY
This work was made by bending a very long 3/4 inch solid bronze rod into a rectangular brick, it weighs a surprising 75 lbs for its size
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Julian Schnabel Brutalist Style Silver Studded Console or Wall Mirror , a Pair
By Julian Schnabel
Located in Plainview, NY
A very stylish pair of brutalist style studded silver mirrors designed by Julian Schnabel ( American, 1951). The mirrors are a limited edition designed by the artist for the historical Gramercy...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Metal
Freestanding Brutalist Metal Sculpture after Jere
Located in New York, NY
Impressive freestanding Brutalist sculpture in the manner of Jere, Evans, unsigned. The piece has an organic form top (10 inch in diameter,) which stands on metal rods, which are att...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Steel, Wrought Iron
Granite Hourglass Lamp, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Carved granite lamp with a grey/blue tint.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Granite
Brutalist Starburst Metal Sculpture Att. to Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular Brutalist starburst wall hanging sculpture attributed to Curtis Jere, unsigned. This example is unusual in that it has a dimensional...
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Steel
Brutalist Coffee Table by Silas Seandel
Located in New York, NY
Torch cut iron base, with original plate glass top (.5"). Unusual to find signed and dated examples ( Seandel '75). Coffee, Cocktail table, iron with original faux bronze finish. Cl...
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron
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
Brutalist Torch Cut Iron Garden Sculpture Ca. 1970’s
Located in New York, NY
Impressive torch cut iron sculpture of abstract geometric form executed in the Brutalist style. The sculpture is in original rust surface, and...
Category
1970s North American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Abstract "Goop" Lounge Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Clean, curving creations such as glass-topped walnut tables made Adrian Pearsall and his firms (Craft Associates and later Comfort Designs) leaders in popular American furniture desi...
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Resin, Wood
Brutalist Oak Mirror, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Solid carved mirror with a stylized handle.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Oak
Creaciones Gobesso Green Murano Glass Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Fine glass from Murano has been cherished by collectors since 1291, when Venice banished its glassmakers to this neighboring island to prevent fires. By the 1960s and 1970s, the excl...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Murano Glass, Resin
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
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.
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