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.
to
43
441
2,837
1,665
379
45
17
20,151
18,982
7,327
3,169
2,026
1,850
1,296
1,174
927
896
701
626
624
613
611
605
456
427
1
2
376
62
1
227
133
2
16
71
96
6
6
327
95
93
88
84
234
222
151
67
43
441
415
417
21
15
11
9
9
Item Ships From: New York
Style: Brutalist
Geometric Wood Credenza with Brass Base, Italy 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This contemporary credenza features a bold geometric facade crafted from solid wood slats, each arranged in an angled, rhythmic pattern that creates a rich sense of movement and scul...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Brass
$16,800 / item
Large Brutalist Studio Lamp, UK 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Rough earthenware decorated with a geometric line pattern.
Base size only 18x9
Category
Mid-20th Century British Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Odd Resin Wall Mount Bull
Located in New York, NY
Hand Made Wall Mount Resin Bull. One of a kind, unique item. Expressionist Brutalist School Sculpture. One horn has been repaired.
Category
20th Century Unknown Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Resin
One Of A Kind Gilded Steel And Glass Sculptural Hand Crafted Coffee Table
By James DeMartis, Joshua David Home
Located in East Hampton, NY
Hand wrought and sculpted iron table
Gold leaf finish
Smoke grey glass.
Category
2010s American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron
Pair of Modern Iron Sculptures in Male and Female Form
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Pair of modern iron sculptures in male and female form.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron
Abbott Pattison Running Figure Bronze Sculpture
Located in Astoria, NY
Abbott Pattison (American, 1916-1999), Running Figure Bronze Sculpture, on black slate base, apparently unsigned. Overall: 25" H x 17.5" W x 11.5" D. Pr...
Category
20th Century American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Slate, Bronze
Iron and Glass Brutalist Coffee Table Style of Ilana Goor
By Ilana Goor
Located in New York, NY
Iron and glass Brutalist coffee table style of Ilana Goor. The base is iron with a white lacquered finish with four painted gold birds. The table top has a thick beveled edge glass.
Category
1970s Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron
Arrow Form Mid Century Modern Arts and Crafts Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of solid iron andirons of arrow form, with original rust surface. Both are structurally sound and sturdy, free of damage or repairs. Executed in the Brutalist, Arts and Crafts s...
Category
1950s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron
2006 Xavier Mascaro Glass Leg Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Xavier Mascaro Glass Leg Sculpture by the spanish artist Xavier Mascaro. Made in 2006 by combining glass, iron and pewter materials, this sculpture is a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron, Pewter
Set of Three Brutalist Blackened Copper Candle Holders by Thomas Roy Markusen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trio of Brutalist-style graduated candleholders by famed metalsmith, Thomas Roy Markusen, who was previously commissioned to create a pair of candle-holders for the White House colle...
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Copper, Nickel
Large Slab Built Volcanic Glaze Architectural Pottery Vase, 1959
Located in Garnerville, NY
Large slab built architectural pottery vase. Purchased from a White Plains, NY estate that had multiple pieces by this particular artist. Little biographica...
Category
1950s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Earthenware, Pottery
$1,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Liza Monk (1906-?) Brutalist nail sculpture of Hercules WPA artist based in CA
By Monk Designs
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Brutalist sculpture of Hercules by Liza Monk - Los Angeles based WPA artist.
Heavy and welded pieces of metal/ nails.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Metal
Abstract Cubist Bronze Sculpture Signed DN, XX Century
Located in New York, NY
Vintage
Abstract Cubist Sculpture
Bronze Granite
XX Century
DIMENSIONS
Height: 7 inches Width: 3-3/8 inches Depth: 3-3/8 inches
ABOUT
This is a brillia...
Category
20th Century American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Artisan Large Brutalist Multi Color Glass Bowl, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Unique large artisan Brutalist glass bowl, green, orange and brown coloration with volcanic finish on interior, American 1970's. This bowl makes a fantastic accent piece.
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Glass
Pair of Brutalist Tripod Table Lamps by Marcelo Bessa
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Pair of Brutalist style tripod table lamps in the style of Giacometti.
Category
2010s American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Brass
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.
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Cut Steel
Poliarte Exceptional Hammered Murano Glass & Wrought Iron Sconce, 1960s
By Poliarte
Located in New York, NY
Lighting manufacturer Poliarte is best known for its innovative and artistic designs that seamlessly combine functionality with flair. The brand's commitment to the idea that lightin...
Category
1960s European Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Industrial Chain Link Floor Lamp, France 1950s
By Franz West
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An industrial chain link floor lamp, France circa 1950s. Hand crafted in the manner of Franz West. Extra large chain links, tripod base and turret like upper with a wood “candle” ele...
Category
1950s French Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
1960s Owl Sculpture On A Painted Black Base
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1960s Owl Sculpture On A Painted Black Base
Willem DeGroot Style
Wood Base has some wear
Category
1960s Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Metal
Macabre Surreal Brutalist Steel Step Sculpture
Located in Garnerville, NY
Torch cut steel and mixed metals Surrealist sculpture of a headless seated figure. Haunting and thought provoking piece dating from the late 1960s-the early 1970s. Unsigned.
The ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Steel, Cut Steel, Wire
$750 Sale Price
50% Off
Pair of Brutalist Tripod Lamps by Marcelo Bessa
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Pair of antiqued brass, brutalist style tripod lamps by Marcelo Bessa for Spark Interior in the style of Giacometti.
Category
2010s American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Brass
$6,500 / set
1970 Brutalist Studio Pottery Floor Vase by Inge
Located in Garnerville, NY
Handmade slab built monumental Brutalist pottery vase. Meticulously decorated and glazed with organic and geometric patterns and shapes. Applied neck. Signed and dated, Inge, 70 a th...
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
$2,620 Sale Price
20% Off
Italian Modern Industrial Design Criss Cross Fretwork Iron Console / Entry Table
Located in New York, NY
Very stylish contemporary brushed wrought iron lattice sofa /hall table, entirely custom made in Italy with Industrial Home Interior Design, the interlace...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Large Modernist Abstract Sculpture "INNERWOVEN STRUCTURE" by Duayne Hatchett
By Duanye Hatchett
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large modernist abstract sculpture "INNERWOVEN STRUCTURE" by Duayne Hatchett. Amazing graceful bent layers of metal, can be mounted, hung as a mobile or on a stationary surface, i.e....
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Metal
1980 Italian Brutalist Pair of Cream Beige Murano Glass Round Brass Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Late 1970s-early 1980s one of a kind Italian pair of modernist table lamps with an Art Deco flair. The handmade brass structure, raised on a round base with small feet, is composed of a half round shield decorated with a sculptural brass lace...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid-20th Century Israeli Brutalist Iron Hanukkah Lamp by David Palombo
Located in New York, NY
A uniquely shaped Hanukkah lamp crafted in a brutalist style by David Palombo. Impressively massive, this Hanukkah lamp intimates playful motives, both animalistic and anatomical in ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Israeli Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron
$10,650 Sale Price
25% Off
Vintage Abstract Brutalist Mixed Metal Signed Marcello Fantoni Table Lamp
Located in Buffalo, NY
Available for purchase is a rare #347 lamp from Marcello Fantoni, which is signed and originally from Firenze, Italy. This lamp is an early example of Fantoni's work, characterized b...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Metal, Iron
Brutalist Period Mixed Metals and Wood Couple Sculpture JN
Located in Garnerville, NY
Amazing mixed metals and wood Brutalist Period couple sculpture. A wonderful mix of copper, brass, nails and wood that have been manipulated, cut, carved, heated, tacked, and welded ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Metal, Copper
$5,260 Sale Price
20% Off
Brutalist Abstract Cast Aluminum& Marble Sculpture by D. Calvi, ca. 1970’s
Located in New York, NY
Abstract Brutalism
D. Calvi
Cast & Partially Polished Aluminum, Marble
ca. 1970’s
DIMENSIONS
Height: 22 inches (w/ base)
Width: 9.5 inches
Depth: 4 inches
Base: 11 x 6 x 3 inches
A...
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Marble, Aluminum
Italian Brutalist Perforated Black Lacquer & Gold Brass Modern Round Mirror
Located in New York, NY
This custom round mirror is an Italian contemporary work, entirely handmade. The design in perforated lace brass is unique. The stepped round frame is edged...
Category
2010s Italian Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Brass, Metal
Italian Modern Industrial Home Interior Design Criss Cross Fretwork Iron Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Very stylish contemporary brushed wrought iron lattice mirror, entirely handmade in Italy, the interlaced frame consisting of a well crafted trellis ope...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Struttura Mini Case Table in Black Maykume & Smoky Brass Drawer IN STOCK ON SALE
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brutalist and modern architecturally inspired side table or nightstand is available with a floor base or wall mountable without base. Each table is fabricated by hand and available t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Brass
$2,080 Sale Price
60% Off
Monumental Brutalist Owl, Mid-Century Modern, Italy
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Buffalo, NY
Wonderful Brutalist owl sculpture, handmade, copper and brass, modernist, signed Italy.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Brass, Copper
Mid-20th Century Brutalist Iron Hanukkah Lamp by David Palombo
Located in New York, NY
An impressive hand forged Hanukkah lamp inspired by Brutalist aesthetic. Hand crafted in Jerusalem, Israel circa 1960, the iron lamp stands with nine drip-shaped rustic candleholders...
Category
Mid-20th Century Israeli Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron
$2,300 Sale Price
20% Off
In the Taste of Alexandre Noll Live Edge Blackened Side Tables/ Benches
Located in North Miami, FL
In the Taste of Alexandre Noll. This pair of live edge, brutal style tables or benches, stained in a dark black matte finish. Perfect as side tables or additional bench seating.
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Wood
1950s Brutalist Bronze Tabletop Sculpture by Costikyan 'Signed'
Located in New York, NY
A bronze tabletop sculpture on rectangular base. Signed Costikyan on underside.
Category
1950s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Brutalist Style Trench Art Vase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brutalist style trench art vase made from a retired shell casing. Hand hammered abstract pattern. Pair available. Sold separately. Sourced in Rome, Italy.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Metal
$350 Sale Price
36% Off
American Post-War Brutalist Abstract Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
American Post-War Design Brutalist abstract sculpture composed of welded iron shapes with a rust patina.
Category
20th Century American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron
Wrought and Welded Iron Sculpture by Frans De Boer Lichtveld
Located in Montreal, QC
Frans de Boer Lichtveld studied sculpture at the Institute of Applied Arts Education (now Rietveld Academy) and at the Quellinus Kunstnijverheidsschool, both i...
Category
1960s Dutch Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron
Exquisite Brutal Hammered Bronze Wall Mirror
Located in North Miami, FL
This brutal heavy bronze frame from France shows a wonderful patina, as well as an aged mirror. THIS ITEM IS LOCATED AND WILL SHIP FROM OUR EAST HAMPTON, NY SHOWROOM.
Category
1970s French Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Bronze Brutalist Square Sculptures In The Style of Harry Bertoia & Paul Evans
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Beautifully Mid Century textured bronze plate sculptures mounted on custom iron stands. Finely crafted and ready to place. Perfect for a mantel, in front of a fireplace, or tabletop....
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Steel
After H. Moore Carved Stone Table Lamp
Located in North Miami, FL
A gorgeous vintage sculptural carved stone lamp on a wooden base in the style of Henry Moore. Depicting multiple dancing abstract figures. Beautiful patina. Shade not included, for d...
Category
1950s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Stone
Pair of Figurative Sculptures by MarCo Celotti
Located in New York, NY
A strong pair of sculptures by Italian American artist Marco Celotti.
Created circa 1970. This highly animated pair of characters can only bring to mind thoughts of storytelling. Pe...
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Important Oversized Silas Seandel Iron Wall Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
Torch cut brass, this organic form sculpture has deep patination and 3-D proportions.
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
Mixed Metal Curtis Jere Elongated 'Urchin' Wall Sculpture
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This uncommon Jere sculpture is comprised of chromed steel 'spores' that together form an urchin or pom-pom figure at the top. A combination of brass and chromed steel rods with stee...
Category
1980s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Brass, Chrome, Metal, Steel
Pair of Unusual Resin Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of unusual resin table lamps with integrated brass fragments and colored "gems".
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Brass
$6,800 / set
Richard Bitterman Brutalist Bud Vase or Sculpture
Located in Buffalo, NY
Handcrafted Brutalist bud vase or sculpture, 1960s, brass, stee. Plastic test tube, signed R. Bitterman.
Category
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century Israeli Brutalist Iron Candlesticks by David Palombo
Located in New York, NY
Hand forged, iron Shabbat candlesticks in the style known as "Brutalism," David Palombo, Jerusalem, Israel, circa 1955.
David Palombo (1920-1966) was a sculptor and painter born ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Israeli Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron
$1,400 Sale Price
20% Off
Brutalist Folk Art Sculpture "The Conference" by Abbott Pattison // Abstract Fig
Located in Buffalo, NY
Brutalist Folk Art sculpture "The Conference" by Abbott Pattison, great sculpture made up of welded metal, screws, nuts etc, depicting abstract figures. Mounted on metal base with ba...
Category
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Metal
Large Brutalist Mirror
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Striking brutalist mirror with unique mid-century modern design and sculptural wood design. Can be used as a dressing mirror or adapted to hang on a w...
Category
1960s Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Brutalist atomic iron garden sculpture.. exterior or interior, Hand exicuted
Located in Buffalo, NY
Brutalist atomic iron garden sculpture.. exterior or interior, Hand exicuted.. Great color and patina..
Category
1950s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Craftsman / Brutalist Candelabra in Bronze
Located in New York, NY
Sophisticated pair of Mid-Century Modern, handmade Brutalist candelabra / candlesticks in solid bronze. Soft, natural golden brown patina.
Each piece complimenting the other with t...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Brutalist Furniture
Brutalist Welded Steel & Stone Abstract Sculpture by Sue Taves, Indoor/Outdoor
By Sue Taves
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning brutalist welded steel & stone abstract sculpture by Sue Taves . great indoor or outdoor,,garden.. Powerful composition,, signed and dated,, Modernist abstract,,
Category
1990s American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Stone, Cut Steel
Sculptural City Skyscraper Base Dining Table
Located in New York, NY
Sculptural city skyscraper base dining table with glass top. The base is made of a painted gold wood and compost material which depicts "Skyscrapers." Very nice and unique with a Bru...
Category
1960s Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Brutalist Sculpture "Family" Signed Italy, circa 1961 Manner of Marcello Fantoni
Located in Buffalo, NY
Brutalist sculpture "Family" signed Italy, circa 1961, manner of Fanoni. Amazing form surface Classic modernist well executed.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Metal
Mid-20th Century Israeli Iron Shabbat Candle Holder by David Palombo
Located in New York, NY
Iron Shabbat candle holder crafted in brutalist style by David Palombo. Made for two candles, each of the holders is decorated with petals-like s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Israeli Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron
$1,400 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-20th Century Israeli Brass and Iron Memorial Candle by David Palombo
Located in New York, NY
Pierced brass cylinder and iron base form this beautiful Memorial candle, crafted in brutalist style by David Palombo. Reminiscent of the Pillar of Fire, which provides a scared elem...
Category
Mid-20th Century Israeli Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
$1,560 Sale Price
20% Off
Collection of 16 Framed Alternative Life Style Art Photographs
Located in Hudson, NY
This collection of 16 Art photos concentrates on the alternative life style of piercings, body modification, latex and rubber. The series is produced in an artistic fashion...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Metal
Unusual Brutalist Bronze Figure Mounted Sculpture
By Paul Evans
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Brutalist bronze figure mounted sculpture, emotionally charged, raw imagery, beautifully hand executed, depicting cloaked person amazin...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Sculpture "Man with Arrow" Fantoni
Located in Buffalo, NY
Wonderful Hand made,welded brutalist sculpture depicting man removing arrow,, Artist unknown but very well exicuted,,detailed hands ,,feet and rib-cage,, Done in the manner of Fantoni
Category
20th Century American Brutalist Furniture
Materials
Iron
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.