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.
Solid Walnut Minimalist Hari Coffee Table
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Inspired by the simplicity of traditional Japanese architectural timber structures. The low coffee table balances three minimalist volumes composed of solid wooden parts. Designed b...
Oak, Walnut
Pair of Stained Glass Lamps in Quadrangular Prism Form, Midcentury Modern
Located in Bochum, NRW
Pair of Stained Glass Lamps in Regular Quadrangular Prism Form, Midcentury Modern Style A vibrant pair of stained glass accent lamps, each crafted in the form of a regular quadrangul...
Metal
Monumental Bijan of California for Laurel Lamp Co. Setterah Table Lamp
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Substantial Bijan of California for Laurel Lamp Company “Setarrah” H-927 Table Lamp. Featuring a tubular (.5D) Brass column, "original Brass sculpture" with four handcrafted torch c...
Metal, Brass
Tom Ahlström & Hans Ehrlich Brutalist Torch Amber Murano Glass Sconces 1950
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Pair of brutalist sconces with thick amber Murano glass covering bulbs. Will be rewired with certified UL US socket for the USA and an appropriate socket for all other countries and...
Wrought Iron
Oval Coffee Table Serie 5 by Joel Escalona – Designed for Modern Homes
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Oval Coffee Table Serie 5 by Joel Escalona – Designed for Modern Homes ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? These ar...
Hardwood
Large Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron floor candelabra candle holder, knot
Located in BELFORT, FR
Large mid century and brutalist style wrought iron floor candelabra.
Wrought Iron
Dutch Brutalist Stone + Metal Inlay Coffee Table in Manner of Paul Kingma, 1970s
Located in Chicago, IL
A Brutalist stone and metal inlay coffee table from the Netherlands, crafted in the 1970s in the manner of Paul Kingma. The rectangular top is formed from tessellated slabs of natura...
Stone, Metal
Light Blue Cereus Lamp (Medium) by Nani Goods Contemporary Ceramic Cactus Lamp
By Steven Lancaster, Nani Goods
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Inspired by the undulating forms of night‑blooming desert cacti, the Night Blooming Cereus Lamp balances minimalism with playful organic movement. Hand‑built from speckled stoneware ...
Brass
$3,222Sale Price|20% Off
1950s Jean Touret Wrought Iron Room Divider with Animal Motifs
By Atelier Marolles, Jean Touret
Located in Zevenaar, NL
This iconic room divider was created by the well-known french artist Jean Touret for Atelier des Marolles, who founded the workshop in france during the 1950s. The heavy hand-crafte...
Wrought Iron
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Wrought Iron Color: Black Styles: Brutalis...
Wrought Iron
Sculptural Pair of Dining Chairs in Oak with Iron Accents
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of dining chairs, oak, iron, Europe, 1970s These chairs exemplify a harmonious synthesis, seamlessly blending the robustness inherent in Brutalist style with the understated si...
Iron
Brutalist Patinated Patchwork Coffee Table with Slate Top, ATTR Paul Evans
By Paul Evans
Located in Queens, NY
Brutalist American Modern 1970s patinated patchwork metal coffee table with riveted copper, brass, and pewter sheeting with slate top (attr: P...
Slate, Copper, Pewter
MCM Brutalist Geometric Distressed Steel Wall Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Striking MCM Brutalist geometric distressed steel wall sculpture, circa 1970s. The piece is in distressed vintage condition and measures 32.5"W x 1.75"D and 32"H; The sculpture has...
Steel
Oval Coffee Table Serie 36 – Sereno by Joel Escalona for Refined Homes
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Oval Coffee Table Serie 36 – Sereno by Joel Escalona for Refined Homes ———— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? These a...
Hardwood
Solid Walnut Minimalist Hari Coffee Table
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Inspired by the simplicity of traditional Japanese architectural timber structures. The low coffee table balances three minimalist volumes composed of solid wooden parts. Designed b...
Oak, Walnut
Vintage Sculptural Brutalist Iron & Glass Wall Candleholders by Dantoft, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Large 1970s Brutalist Wall sculptures made by Danish design company Dantoft kunstartikler (trans.: art objects). Made from black lacquered and welded iron set in a graphic formation ...
Iron
Gold Goop Brutalist Loveseat Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates, Paul Evans
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This Adrian Pearsall loveseat is a stunning fusion of mid-century modernism and sculptural bravado. Constructed in the 1970s for Craft Associates, its standout feature is a dramatic ...
Resin, Wood, Fabric, Upholstery
Set of Eight Maison Regain Elm & Leather Slings Chairs, France 1980's
Located in New York, NY
Set of 8 dining chairs by Regain with the less-seen ivory leather slings. All original finish and leather.
Leather, Elm
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Wall Sculpture Light Sconce Tom Greene Brass Feldman Mid-Century
By Tom Greene, Feldman Lighting Co.
Located in Wayne, NJ
Brutalist Mid-Century Modern Tom Greene brass huge wall sconce by Feldman. It doubles as a wall sculpture, when not not turned on. This plugs into an electrical outlet...
Brass
Paul Evans 1967 Brutalist Welded Metal Bowtie Pyramid Coffee Cocktail Table
By Paul Evans
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Amazing signed Paul Evans 1967 welded metal brutalist cocktail coffee table. As seen by the date, this is one of his older tables. Bowtie pyramid design. In excellent condition with ...
Metal
Naturalistic Set of Eight Dining Chairs in Solid Maple
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of eight dining chairs, maple, Europe, 1970s These maple chairs from the 1970s have an unmistakably raw and whimsical feel, as if they have wandered straight from the pages of a...
Maple
Swedish Bedside tables in solid pine, Scandinavian Brutalism 1970s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of solid pine bedside tables, Swedish brutalism / Midcentury 1970s. Nice patina, naturally darkened wood. Normal signs of age and use.
Pine
Set of Six Vintage Brutalist Pinewood Chairs, 1970s
Located in Hellouw, NL
This set of six was likely crafted in the 1970s or early 1980s, a period that saw a renewed appreciation for primitivist forms in postmodern interiors. Their architectural silhouette...
Pine
$6,723Sale Price|20% Off
Huge Sunburst Perforated Flush Mount Light Fixture in Gilt Iron, 1950s (36 in)
Located in Barcelona, ES
Monumental Brutalist Sunburst Ceiling Flush Mount Light Fixture, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf XXL Sunburst light fixture with perforated holes at the central spherical plate and nail deta...
Wrought Iron, Iron, Gold Leaf
$658 / item
Brutalist Italian Dining Chairs
Located in London, London
Dining chairs Brutalist style Walnut Made in Italy Seat height 44cm Price is per chair and can be ordered in any quantity. These contemporary Italian dining chairs...
Beech
Vintage Bronze Ashtray with Organic Sculptural Brutalist Design, 1960s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
This vintage bronze ashtray from the 1960s is a striking example of organic Brutalist design. Its sculptural, raw-edged form and heavy solid weight give it the presence of an art obj...
Bronze
Mid-Century Abstract Metal Brutalist Door Panel, Raw, Geometric, and Carved
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible Mid-Century abstract brutalist door panel. Jagged edges and decorative carvings highlight its raw and dynamic geometric presence. An a...
Metal
A Pair Of Brutalist Square Slate Stone Table by Paul Kingma
By Paul Kingma
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of slate cocktail or coffee table signed by Paul Kingma . The tabletop with red and grey colors create a beautiful composition within an asymmetric design with Inlayed brass c...
Stone
Pair of Vintage Brutalist Style Brass Owl Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool pair of vintage brutalist style owl bookends circa 1970s. The bookends are solid with with a great patina and measure 9"W x 4"D x 7.5"H. The are marked "Hampton, VA" on ...
Brass
$20,386 / item
Contemporary Brutalist Cabinet in Solid Oak, Brown
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Contemporary Brutalist cabinet made of solid oak Dimensions: 180 x 80 x 45 cm Unique piece made to order. Founded by artist Denis Mi...
Oak
$5,580 / item
James de Wulf Concrete Locking Bench 60
Located in Paia, HI
James de Wulf has worked for over fifteen years with gravity joints inspired by the work of Angelo Mangiarotti. With concrete as a medium, he has been able to expand on what Mangiaro...
Concrete
$5,399 / item
Contemporary Italian Brutalist Sideboard
Located in London, London
Sideboard Brutalist style Five doors Cupboards with shelves Made in Italy Contemporary This contemporary Brutalist sideboard, expertly crafted in Italy, exemplifies a bold and...
Ash
$580Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Brutalist Rare Hand Hammered Brass Candle Holders
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare pair of candleholders solid hand hammered brass, we got these pair in Norway beautiful and unique.
Brass
Brutalist Swag Pendant Light Lamp Tom Greene Brass Feldman Co Mid-Century Modern
By Tom Greene, Feldman Lighting Co.
Located in Wayne, NJ
Brutalist Swag Pendant Light Lamp Tom Greene Brass Feldman Co. This plugs into a wall outlet. It has approx 13' Cord/chain.
Brass
$718 / item
1 of the 5 Ceramic Lanterns, Denmark 1970
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful set of five ceramic hanging lamps with a beautiful pattern, made with rich colored ceramics, manufactured by Axella in the 1960s in Denmark. Exquisite lanterns designed to ...
Ceramic
Vintage Brutalist Floral Metal Candleholder 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Floral Metal Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Brown Period: 1970s Item Type: Vintage,...
Metal
Brutalist Style Armchairs, Contemporary, Coffee Colour, Fiber Concrete.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of Brutalist style armchairs, contemporary - coffee colour - fiber concrete, mid 20th century design. Pair of Brutus armchairs, sculptural designs for modern interiors. Made f...
Concrete
Contemporary Sculpted Bench with Backrest N1 by Soha Concept, Solid Oak
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Contemporary Sculpted Big Bench with Backrest by Soha, Solid Oak (+ linseed oil) Dimensions: H. 85 x 300 x 45 cm / SH. 45 cm Unique piece made to order ------ SÓHA design studio ...
Oak
Monumental Charles Dudouty Brutalist Six Arm Chandelier C1940s France
Located in Trensacq, FR
A rare and spectacular six-light Charles Dudouyt chandelier, circa 1940. Masterfully crafted in warm, dark wood, the six horizontal arms and the substantial central stem are adorned...
Wood
$400Sale Price|20% Off
French Brutalist Birth Chair, Dark Stained Pine, Hand-Carved, 1970s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
French Brutalist Birth Chair in Dark Brown, ca. 1970s. The Chair is made of dark stained pine and with beautiful carvings and cut outs. Originally the chair was used as a birthing chair...
Oak
Goodesign Beam Stool – Sculptural Aluminum Minimalist Modular Seat / Side Table
Located in Hackensack, NJ
The Goodesign Beam Stool is a modular aluminum seating object designed to balance structure, versatility, and refined minimalism. Precision-cut and bent from high-quality aluminum, i...
Aluminum
Round Brutalist Coffee Table in Stone & Steel, French Mid-Century Modern, 1970s
Located in Odense, DK
A round coffee table from the 1970s, crafted in France, featuring a large stone tabletop supported by a sturdy steel base. Its circular form and robust design embody the Mid-Century ...
Stone, Steel
Vintage Monumental Mixed Media Disc Wall Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This monumental wall sculpture is a captivating exploration of form and texture, perfect for the collector seeking a bold architectural statement. Hand-crafted with an experimental m...
Resin, Wood
Matthew Hilton. Brutalist candle holders, England, 1980s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Brutalist candlesticks by Matthew Hilton, England, 1980s, set of 2. Sculptural shapes made of aluminium. Totally timeless pieces for any current interior with a classic or contempora...
Aluminum
Angel Pazmino for Muebles De Estilo Sofa Table, 1960s, Ecuador
By Angel Pazmino, Muebles De Estilo
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Beautiful sculptural couch table designed in 1960s by Angel Pazmino and manufactured by Muebles De Estilo in Ecuador. Constructed of solid rosewood using...
Leather, Rosewood
Brutalist Wall Sconce in Gilt Iron with Nails Design, France 1940
Located in Barcelona, ES
Brutalist Wall Sconce in Wrought Gilt Iron with Nails Design, France, 1950s. Unusual wrought iron sunburst wall sconce with gold leaf finish and pointed spikes. It has a design with ...
Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf, Iron, Metal
Rare Brutalist Oak Bar, De Coene
By Aurora
Located in Waasmunster, BE
Rare Brutalist Oak Bar, Original Edition "Niagara" from "Aurora", style De Coene
Oak
Early 20th C. African Copper and Brass Chess Table + Bronze Game Pieces
Located in North Miami, FL
This Early 20th Century African low chess table/ game table is made of brass, copper and painted metal with a wonderful wood base. Great details by ha...
Metal, Brass, Bronze, Copper
Paul Evans Deep Relief Cabinet
By Paul Evans
Located in Highland, IN
A sublime piece of functional sculpture by Paul Evans, this 1968 Deep Relief cabinet features a wall-mounted case with torch-cut, welded, polychromed and patinated steel doors concea...
Slate, Steel
A Structural Gesture in Breton Vernacular: Solid Oak Buffet
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
A composition of quiet solidity, this Breton sideboard unearthed in Normandy articulates a language of architectural rhythm tempered by rural traditio...
Oak
Albano Poli style. Brutalist Murano Glass Sconce, Italy, 1970s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Large Brutalist and Mid-Century Modern Murano glass sconce in the style of Albano Poli's creations for Poliarte, Italy, 1970s. Composed of several rectangular and elongated pieces of...
Metal, Steel
Vintage Low Sideboard Cabinet, Denmark 1960s Mid-century Modern, Kjærnulf Style
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
This Danish Brutalist sideboard in solid Nordic oak is often attributed to Henning Kjærnulf and made in Denmark during the 1960s. A piece built around balance between sculpture and f...
Oak
Bronce Footed Bowl
Located in Rümmingen, BW
Note: Only for decorative use. Not suitable for food This bronze footed bowl has a simple yet striking presence. Its shallow form rests on a small pedestal, giving it a balanced, e...
Metal, Iron
Paul Evans Stalagmite Coffee Table, Signed PE 72
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Paul Evans Stalagmite Coffee Table, Signed PE 72. Bronzed Resin Over Steel. This piece is located at our Pasadena, California location. Dimensions: Including The Glass: 41.75" Dia...
Bronze
Brutalist Candelabra, Sculpture in Wrought Iron, 1970s, France
Located in Antwerp, BE
Handcrafted brutalist candelabra, sculpture with five bronze holders made in France, one piece unique five-arm candelabra a work of craftsmanship by an unknown artist. It's an except...
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Contemporary Brutalist Style Small Table #3 in Solid Oak and Linseed Oil
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Small table made of solid oak (+ linseed oil). Measures: 50 x 107 x 45 cm. SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in an authe...
Oak
Brutalist Coffee Table in Solid Black European Oak - Hari by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Inspired by the simplicity of traditional Japanese architectural timber structures. The low coffee table balances three minimalist volumes composed of solid wooden parts. Designed b...
Oak, Walnut
Brutalist Slate Stone Blue Agate Round Coffee Table by Paul Kingma, Netherlands
By Paul Kingma
Located in DE MEERN, NL
Brutalist Round Coffee Table by Paul Kingma, Netherlands, 1990 A striking and collectible work by Dutch sculptor and designer Paul Kingma (†2013), crafted in the Netherlands in 1990...
Agate, Multi-gemstone, Concrete, Slate, Metal, Aluminum
Hearts Framed Sunburst Mirror in Red Wrought Iron, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Colorful Hearts Framed Sunburst Mirror Patinated in Red, Wrought Iron, Spain, 1950-1960. This Sunburst Mirror features a hand forged iron frame with alternating hearts and sun beams....
Metal, Wrought Iron, Iron
Large brustalist oak sideboard, Belgium.
Located in Landgraaf, NL
This Belgian sideboard is crafted mostly from solid oak and reflects the Brutalist style with its strong lines and architectural details. The piece offers plenty of storage with four...
Oak