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.
Contemporary Antic Style Bench in Solid Oak, Dark, 'Custom Size'
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Bench Sculpted wood (solid oak) Finish: hammered, dark [Suitable for outdoor use] SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in ...
Oak
Spanish Starburst Sunburst Foliage Flush Mount Light Fixture in Gilt Iron, 1950s
By Ferro Art
Located in Barcelona, ES
Outstanding spanish foliage sunburst flush mount ceiling light in gilt iron, Ferro Art, 1950s Five Lights This stunning five-light ceiling lamp features an intrincate of branches in ...
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf, Wrought Iron
Dazor, Edge mounted model 2134 Floating Desk Lamp. 1960s
By Dazor
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
This is a famous floating arm lamp by Dazor. Company was founded in 1938 and made itself the name on this design for it's durability, ease of adjustment and most importantly, for str...
Steel
Tom Greene for Feldman Pair of Brutalist Torch Cut Brass Sconces with Downlights
By Feldman Lighting Co., Tom Greene
Located in Hanover, MA
Large scale wall sconces by Tom Greene for Feldman Lighting, circa 1965. Brutalist design fabricated in Los Angeles by cutting brass and applying patination with an oxyacetylene torch. Three long candelabra each takes up to 60 watt bulbs, so 180 watts per sconce. In addition, these sconces each have a downward directed patinated cone light concealed behind the sconce between the 6" round backplate which each take a single standard Edison screw bulb. Feldman label inside backplate as well as UL label. Thomas A. Greene started his career making dental prosthetics and jewelry and then moved onto larger sculptural pieces...
Brass
$20,066 / 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. Customizable. Founded by D...
Oak
Large Brutalist Sideboard with Decor à la Gouge in the Style of Jean Touret
By Jean Touret
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large brutalist sideboard with decor à la gouge in the style of Jean Touret from 1950's, France. Solid walnut wood with à la gouge decoration and very detailed joints, wrought iron f...
Iron
Italian Oak Wood Sideboard with Hand Carved Patterns and Travertine Marble Top
Located in Ibiza, Spain
This hand-carved oak wood sideboard features five folding doors and an interior central shelf, crafted to blend elegance with functionality. The top is made of robust 3 cm thick trav...
Travertine, Marble
Brutalist Verdigris Copper & Teal Ceramic Sculptural Side Table, Egg Designs
By Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
Egg Designs’ Boogie Nights side table is a sculptural Brutalist statement piece that merges collectible contemporary design with rich handcrafted detail. Individually glazed teal-gre...
Steel, Copper
32-Inch Tall Bronze Brutalist Candle Holder, Mid-20th Century
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A sculptural and commanding Brutalist candle holder, standing at an impressive 32 inches in height. Crafted in solid bronze with a raw, hand-forged texture, this piece embodies the b...
Bronze
Midcentury Brutalist Brass Sculpture, circa 1960s
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful hand-made brass sculpture, Midcentury Modern/Brutalist period, circa mid-20th century, 1960s. Piece is unsigned; In the style of designers Paul Evans, Curtis Jere. Piece is all brass with a square black composite base. Very good condition as shown in images. Dimensions: 22.75" Height. Other items shown available separately, search 1stDibs ref. #: Mackenzie-Childs vase, search ref. #: LU1314226933622 (SOLD.) Agate dish...
Composition, Brass
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
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Cubic Chandelier by Sciolari
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A sculptural Brutalist pendant light by Gaetano Sciolari, made in 1960-1970, Italy. Ice cubic shaped Murano glass shade. The geometric design is a variation of Sciolari's classic "Cu...
Chrome, Iron
Brutalist Brass Necklace
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Signed Brutalist brass necklace.
Brass
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
1950s Three-Light Foliage Branch Wall Sconce in Gilt Iron, Organic Design
Located in Barcelona, ES
One of a Kind Naturalistic Gilt Iron Wall Sconce, Spain 1950s Large size. Eye-catching three-arm branch wall light / foliage wall sconce with ambe...
Metal, Gold Leaf, Iron
Aluminum and Brass Firewood Holder by David Marshall, Spain, 1980s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
A sculptural vintage firewood holder designed by David Marshall, manufactured in Spain during the 1980s. The piece is constructed from cast aluminum forming a robust, gracefully curv...
Aluminum, Brass
Brutalist Spanish Midcentury Sculptural Tripod Chair
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Introducing the Exquisite Brutalist Spanish Sculptural midcentury Tripod Chair from 1950 Looking to add a touch of unique sophistication to yo...
Wood
Large Lateral Brutalist Push & Pull Copper Door Handle, 1960s
Located in Steinheim am Albuch, BW
Large lateral mid century copper push & pull door handle with strong brutalist relief which creates a stunning detail to any door. There is a key hole for the installation of a lock cylinder. Originally mounted on a front door sometimes in the 1960s as an decorative oversized door handle...
Copper
Hand Blown Glass Solarized Ghost Vase by Gregory Nangle, Brutalist Design
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Solarized Cleaving Ghost Vase. Hand Blown Crystal Glass and also available in Ruby transparent color, faded silvering at base. The artist blows these into M...
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Silver
Brutalist Style Bench with Solid Oak Pyramid Bases and Ivory Bouclé Upholstery
Located in Madrid, ES
Contemporary Italian bench in a striking Brutalist style, featuring sculptural, architectural lines. The piece consists of two truncated pyramid-shaped bases in solid oak supporting ...
Bouclé, Wood, Oak
Georges Pelletier Baluster Dark Ceramic Lamp, Custom Silk Lampshade by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table/ floor lamp by Georges Pelletier, 2022. Custom made silk lampshade by René Houben. The dark ceramics and the warm colored geometric details fit perfectly wit...
Ceramic
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...
Monumental Laurel Lamp Co. Brutalist Two Tier Torch Cut Brass Table Lamp
Located in Bainbridge, NY
American Mid Century Laurel Lamp Company Flora Inspired Stacked Torch Cut Brass Table Lamp. Featuring a tubular Brass column supporting, handcrafted, two tier, stacked, botanical ins...
Metal, Brass
$4,910Sale Price|20% Off
Spanish Foliage Sunburst Light Fixture / Chandelier in Gilt Iron, 5 Lights
By Ferro Art
Located in Barcelona, ES
Outstanding spanish foliage sunburst flush mount ceiling light in gilt iron, Ferro Art, 1950s Large size (70 cm / 27,55 inches diameter). Five Lights. ...
Metal, Gold Leaf, Iron
1 of the 2 Ceramic Table Lamps by Noomi Backhausen for Soholm With Custom Shade
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table lamp by Noomi Backhausen for Soholm Pottery, Denmark 1960s. Combined with a custom lampshade made by Rene Houben. The warm colors of the ceramic with the cus...
Ceramic
$1,451
hand chair
Located in Paris, FR
Wooden stool-chair in the shape of a hand. Surrealist style inspired by the Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg. An iconic piece for design enthusiast. Dimensions : h68 x l40 x p...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Stained Glass Wall Sconce by Jean-Simon Labret, 20th Century
By J. S. Labret
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Mid-Century Modern Stained Glass Wall Sconce by Jean-Simon Labret, 20th Century This stunning wall sconce by French designer Jean-Simon Labret features a vibrant composition of stai...
Metal
$5,311 / item
France Brown Beige Ceramic XL Floor Table Lamp
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic floor lamp in the style of Georges Pelletier, 2022. The beige ceramics and gold colored details complement each other very well and illuminates beautifully. Ready...
Ceramic
Contemporary Brutalist Style Wardrobe in Solid Oak and Linseed Oil
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Wardrobe made of solid oak (+ linseed oil) Measures:175 x 80 x 40 cm SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative obje...
Oak
Brutalist Trestle Table by De Puydt, Solid Oak, Belgium, 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
De Puydt's trestle table is built from solid oak with a thick, heavy plank top and an ornately carved trestle base. Each side support is shaped into scrolled, curvilinear silhouettes...
Oak
Surreal Brutalist Sun and Moon Sculpture in Brass and Bronze by Emaus
By Emaus
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this surreal brutalist sun sculpture in brass and bronze by Emaus Benedictine Monks, circa 1970. Emaus the name of the workshop of the Benedicti...
Brass
Brutalist sidetable in steel - by CONCREET.
By CONCREET
Located in Boechout, BE
Steel side table - a minimalist design created by Belgian designer/craftsman Oscar Santens. The three legs give the piece an intriguing appearance from every angle, bringing the desi...
Steel
19th Century Antique Baroque Dining / Desk Table in Oak, Danish Cabinetmaker
Located in Odense, DK
This impressive 19th-century baroque dining/desk table, made from solid oak by a skilled Danish cabinetmaker, is a timeless piece of furniture exuding elegance and functionality. The...
Oak
Large Contemporary Brutalist Sideboard, Italy
Located in Brussels, BE
Large Contemporary Brutalist Sideboard, Italy
Wood
Vintage tree root table, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Fantastic looking tree root table with a sculpted table top. This table is really designed by nature. Striking piece for your dining room as a small ...
Oak
Brutalist Bench, Black Burnt Wood, Outdoor & Indoor, Handmade, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
This exquisite handmade charred oak bench exemplifies the perfect blend of craftsmanship and elegance. Constructed from high-quality charred oak. The...
Wood, Oak
$13,220 / set
forged bronze coffee tables by Lothar Klute
By Lothar Klute
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
set of 3 signed Lothar Klute tables from 1992 - Germany very good condition with beautiful patina. signed LK 2001 corner tables: 69 cm x 56 cm cm x 50 cm height 59.5 cm x 59.5 ...
Bronze
Mid-Century Brutalist Metal Pendant Lamp, Steel, Vintage Design, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Heavy steel chandelier in brutalist design. The chandelier consists of steel tubes of different heights, arranged radially around a central core. The tubes are provided with large o...
Metal
$2,644Sale Price|20% Off
Spanish Revival Sunburst Ceiling Light Fixture in Wrought Iron and Glass, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Sunburst Ceiling Fixture in Wrought Iron and Pressed Glass Spain, 1940-1950 Beautiful wrought iron sunburst flush mount with hand forged frame and pressed glass shade This st...
Iron, Wrought Iron
1 of the 3 Stunning Ceramic Brown Beige Pendants, Denmark 1960s
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 3 round ceramic hanging lamps with a beautiful pattern, made with rich colored ceramics, manufactured around the 1960s in Denmark. All pendants have holes in the ceramic, c...
Ceramic
Mobichalet Brutalist Table in Oak
By Mobichalet
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mobichalet, dining table, oak, Belgium, 1950s This rustic table will come forward nicely in a relaxing atmosphere, like a patio or a studio space. The brutalist appearance is expre...
Oak
"Sino Meio" Max Version Contemporary Outdoor Wall Light in Cast Brass
By Estúdio Orth
Located in Sao Paulo, BR
Produced in São Paulo, Brazil. This outdoor wall light was meticulously handmade by master artisans one piece at a time. It is therefore quite difficult, if not impossible to make identical items. The brass casting is produced by formation of a mold from a mixture of sand and the liquid alloy of copper and zinc. The projects are based on a contemporary appropriation of traditional methods from Brazilian artisans and reinterpreted through the integration of new forms and noble materials. An aesthetic infused with “beauty of imperfection" is obtained by the expressive potential of each material, generating works that recall nature and rationality. Estúdio Orth...
Brass
Brutalist design tray by David Marshall, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Rare brutalist design tray by David Marshall made from brass and aluminum. Very decorative piece. Good condition with the right patina. 1970s - Spain Dimensions: Height: 10cm Wid...
Metal, Aluminum, Brass
Solid teak coffee table from the 1950
Located in LYON, FR
Maison Lecan presents this solid teak coffee table from the 1950s, cut directly from a trunk slab. The top, between 8 and 12 cm thick, has irregular organic contours that make the pi...
Teak
$7,905Sale Price / item|20% Off
Muted by NONO No26 Footstool Elegant Companion Piece
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Muted by NONO No26 Footstool Elegant Companion Piece — Dive into the world of understated elegance and architectural prowess with the Muted Lounge Chairs Collection by NONO. This ...
Hardwood
Brutalist Sunburst Light Fixture with Nails Details, Gilt Iron and Milk Glass
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mini sized sunburst light fixture / flush mount, gilt iron, milk glass, gold leaf. Spain, 1950s Brutalist spanish gilt iron sunburst ceiling light with nails ornamentation topped by ...
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf
Set of Four Henning Kjærnulf Brutalist Oak Dining Chairs, Late 1960s
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Set of four Brutalist oak dining chairs designed by Henning Kjærnulf in the late 1960s. The chairs are structurally in excellent condition with no damage, and the original upholstery...
Oak
Brutalist Owl Sculpture in Raw Metal with Glass Eyes in the Style of Curtis Jere
By Curtis Jeré
Located in San Diego, CA
A really cool brutalist owl sculpture in raw metal with glass eyes in the style of Curtis Jere, circa 1960s. The sculpture is in very good vintage condition and measures 7"W x 3.5"D...
Metal
Brutalist Square Coffee Table in Warm Wood Veneer, Podio by NONO
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Brutalist square coffee table in red oak wood Veneer, Podio by NONO The NONO design team presents a coffee table that exudes elegance an...
Plywood
Contemporary Armchair 'Maco' in Burnt Wood by CarmWorks, Customizable
By Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez
Located in Paris, IDF
Customizable Armchair Maco by Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez (aka CarmWorks) Solid oak or cedar / Burnt wood or natural Standard size: H 56 x 80 x 50 cm (customizable) Each piec...
Wood, Cedar
Contemporary Sculpted High Cabinet / Cupboard in Solid Black Oak
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Contemporary Sculpted High Cabinet / Cupboard in Solid Black Oak (+ linseed oil) Dimensions: 180 x 140 x 40 cm Customizable Unique piece made to order. -------- SÓHA design studi...
Oak
French 1940s Brutalist Oak Sideboard
Located in London, London
Sideboard Oak Brutalist Sliding doors France 1940s
Oak
Set of 4 Brutalist Chairs by Silvio Coppola for Roche Bobois France Massive Wood
Located in BELFORT, FR
Set of four brutalist chairs designed by Silvio Coppola for Roche Bobois, France, in the 1970's. They're in massive pine wood. They're in nice condition, wear consistent with age a...
Wood, Pine
$7,905Sale Price|20% Off
Modern Chair Solid Oak Sculptural Form Muted by Joel Escalona N01
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Modern Chair Solid Oak Sculptural Form Muted by Joel Escalona No01 ——— Dive into the world of understated elegance and architectural prowess with the Muted Lounge Chairs Collection ...
Hardwood
3-Seater Sofa with Great Patina in Brown Leather Upholstery
Located in Beerse, VAN
This 3-seater sofa from the 1970s is a beautiful example of brutalist design, blending raw minimalism with rich character. Upholstered in brown leather, it features a beautifully ag...
Leather
Pair of Brutalist Mexican Glasses by Feders
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare Pair of Brutalist Mexican Glasses designed by Felipe Delfinger, circa 1970. About Felipe Delfinger: In the year 1860, the German Derflinger family arrived at Mexi...
Art Glass
Vintage Modernist Bronze & Turquoise Necklace by Pal Kepenyes
By Pal Kepenyes
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning vintage modernist bronze and turquoise necklace by Pal Kepenyes, circa 1970s. The necklace is in very good vintage condition with a great patina and a six fabulous turquoi...
Bronze
Customizable Cabinet, Sculpted Oak Wood, Brown, Diamond Pattern
By Sóha, Denis Milovanov
Located in Paris, IDF
Contemporary Brutalist Sculpted Cabinet in Solid Dark Oak, Diamond Pattern Materials: solid oak (+ linseed oil) Hand sculpted by the artist Dimensions: H. 71 x 120 x 52 cm SÓHA de...
Oak
Large Brutalist Torch-Cut Chandelier by Tom Greene, 1960s
By Tom Greene
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive, monumental brutalist chandelier designed by Tom Greene for Feldman Co., circa 1960s. Made from seven tiers of hand-torched patinated brass, this is a striking statemen...
Brass
French Provincial oak chair, 1960s Mid-Century Modern
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Solid oak chairs. Slight traces of use.
Oak
Paul Evans Cityscape Dining Table Base, Burl & Brass, 1975
Located in Hanover, MA
Paul Evans Cityscape dining table base with burl veneer and brass plated stainless steel tiles. Base alone dimensions 28.5 x 49 x 19 Glass shown in photos for scale 72" x 40" Beautif...
Brass