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.
Paul Evans Brutalist Patchwork of Metals Slate Top Coffee Table c. 1970s
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Silver golden and copper hues glow throughout this Paul Evans coffee table in a patchwork of hammered metals. Artful celebration of metals represented in brass iron steel and bronze ...
Metal
Set of Six Brutalist Dining Chairs in Oak, Low Countries, 1960s
Located in London, London
Set of Six Brutalist Dining Chairs in Oak, Low Countries, 1960s A striking set of six Brutalist oak dining chairs, likely produced in Belgium or the Netherlands during the 1960s. W...
Oak
Danish Brutalist Oak Nesting Tables in Kjærnulf style, 1970s. Set of 3.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Brutalist Oak Nesting Tables in Kjærnulf style, 1970s. Set of 3. Set of three nesting or stacking tables in solid Nordic white oak. Made in Denmark in the 1970s in the style ...
Oak
French Art Deco Oak Sideboard or Buffet 1940s
By Gaston Poisson, Charles Dudouyt
Located in London, London
This stunning sideboard is a remarkable example of 1930s French oak craftsmanship, reflecting both Brutalist and Art Deco influences. Its solid oak construction features a rich, warm...
Oak
Mid-Century French Brutalist Wood Mirror
Located in Austin, TX
Mid-Century French Brutalist Wood Mirror. H / 24.8 inches.
Mirror, Wood
1970s Belgian Solid Oak Brutalist Sideboard
Located in Houston, TX
Striking Belgian solid oak sideboard dating to circa 1970, featuring bold geometric carved panel doors and contrasting blackened iron hardware. Executed in the Brutalist taste, the d...
Iron
Klaus Lehmann, Brutalist German Studio Pottery Cube Art Sculpture No. No. 337 81
Located in Hamburg, DE
Klaus Lehmann, Postmodern Brutalist German Studio Pottery Cube Art Sculpture No. 337 81, 1981
Pottery
Sculptural Side Table, Stool, Burnt Wood, Oak, Black, Carved, Rustic, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved side table. Carved from a single piece of burnt wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade design wil...
Wood, Oak
Rectangual Wabi Sabi Coffee Table, Brutalist, Rustic, 1940's
Located in Antwerp, BE
Coffee table in rectangle shape, with charismatic patina inspired by the great principles of wabi-sabi. A timeless design that fits in any interior that likes to play with the narrative of brutalist...
Wood
Brutalist Style Bench Carved From A Single Block of Scented Cedarwood
Located in New York, NY
The Spazzola Bench by Riva 1920 is an artistic and functional piece crafted from a single block of scented cedar, designed to provide both comfort and visual appeal. The bench featur...
Iron
1970 Salvino Marsura style Brutalist Sculpture Irone Bowl
Located in Brescia, IT
Sculpture Iron Bowl Salvino Marsura attr. Italy, 1970 Striking hand-forged metal bowl in the Brutalist style, dating from the mid-20th century. This sculptural piece is composed of...
Iron
Modernist wood and rope hanging wine rack, Netherlands 1970s
By Francis Jourdain, Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet, Hans J. Wegner
Located in ECHT, NL
Modernist hanging wine rack. Hand crafted in solid wood and rope. Made in the Netherlands in the 1970s this unique piece is made to be suspended on t...
Rope, Wood
Vintage set of 6 Brutalist Oak Dining Chairs, Style of Henning Kjærnulf, 1960s
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
A set of six oak dining chairs from the 1960s, with a strong Scandinavian brutalist character in the style of Henning Kjærnulf. The chairs have a warm and slightly rustic presence. ...
Oak
Oval Dining Table - Solid Dark Brown European Oak - Aperta Capsule DB by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Aperta is inspired by the mystery and attraction of light and space breaking through narrow voids in architectural structures. The objects feature a precise slit, creating a sense of...
Oak, Walnut
French Iron Wall Sconce, Brutalist Design, Circa 1930, Floral Motif
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French, early 20th century (circa 1930) black iron wall sconce of foliate theme with scrolling branches like a trained “espalier” tree, blooming small roses or gardenia. This unique ...
Iron
XXL Ceramic Table Lamp by Mette Stiil with Custom Lampshade, Denmark 1960
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table lamp by Mette Stiil, combined with a custom lampshade. This table or floor lamp by Stiil Keramik Denmark is a stunning example of Danish Modern design. Handc...
Ceramic
$950Sale Price / item|48% Off
SALE David Palumbo Huge Mid Century Modern Brutalist Hand Forged Iron Menorah
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
CYNER WEEK SALE David Palombo's Very Rare and Iconic, Hand-Forged Iron, Freeform, Spired Cylindrical, Brutalist Sculptural Hanukkah Menorah. This is one of 2 David Palumbo menorahs...
Iron
Mid-Century Brutalist Purple Ceramic Pyramid Table Lamp, Original Shade
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Striking Brutalist ceramic table lamp features a sculptural triangular pyramid base in deep purple with heavily textured volcanic glazing. The geometric form showcases the raw, expre...
Ceramic
1 of the 3 Green Brown Ceramic Table Lamps, Custom Silk Lamp Shades by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
One of the three ceramic table lamps, 1970s. This set brings a rich visual appeal to any interior. With its beautiful shapes, it offers a unique presence. The bases with brown and ...
Ceramic
$14,995Sale Price|40% Off
1970s, Henri Fernandez Brass Fountain Style Fish Sculpture, France
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Fish sculpture, made of torch cutted, hand hammered and welded brass structure sitting on a oriental style brass base filled with ciment. All his fountains sculpture are unique but ...
Agate, Brass
Brutalist Design Dining Chairs by Dittmann for Awa Radbound, Netherlands 1970's
By AWA Holland
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Brutalist Design Dining Chair set of 6 by Dittmann & Co for AWA Radbound. Made in the Netherlands, 1960's / 70's period. Black stained oak wood construction. All chairs come ...
Oak
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Welded Steel Abstract Wall Sculpture
Located in Stafford, TX
1960s Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Welded Steel Abstract Wall Sculpture An exceptional handcrafted Mid-Century Modern abstract wall sculpture executed in welded steel during the 196...
Steel
Brutalist Set of 6 French Solid Wood Chalet Dining Chairs
Located in Steinheim am Albuch, BW
Beautiful set of six solid wood dinning chairs made in France in the late 1960s. The striking appearance of these French chairs is characterized by the high backrest with its distin...
Wood
Set of Primitive Brutalist Chairs in Solid Wood, T chairs, Olavi Hänninen
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
This striking set of early 20th-century Brutalist chairs is attributed to Finnish designer Olavi Hanninen, known for his raw, sculptural approach to furniture. Crafted from solid har...
Elm
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
Danish Brutalist Oak Bedside Table, 1970s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Brutalist Oak Bedside Table, 1970s. Small two drawer commode in Henning Kjærnulf style on a base with bobbin legs. Suitable as a bedside table, side table, small chest of d...
Oak
Silas Seandel Woodland Brutalist Cocktail Table
Located in Houston, TX
A rare brutalist coffee table by Silas Seandel, signed, circa early 1970s. From his "Woodland Series" of tables and furniture that portrayed natural forms. Featuring intricate torch-...
Metal, Bronze
Pair of Brutalist Armchairs Woven Strap Leatherette Wood Frames, Circa 1960s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A handsome pair of 1960s chairs in the American Brutalist style. Each chair features heavy woven leatherette straps, mounted to a geometric form stained wood frame, supporting origin...
Faux Leather, Wood
$4,347Sale Price|20% Off
French Brutalist Cast Iron "Chain" Sofa Table Smoked Glass Top, France 1960s
Located in Salzburg, AT
French Brutalist Iron "Chain" Coffee Table Smoked Glass Top, France 1960s Brutalist sofa table with a heavy iron frame made of large interlocking chain links. The horizontal and upr...
Iron
Elmwood Brutalist cabinet, France circa 1960
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
One of a kind wood " Brutalist "cabinet . Elmwood. Organic built, 4 feet, each in a different shape. Opening by one door with wooden key, the inside part divided in two by a shelf...
Elm
Set of 8 Brutalist Bar Stools, Europe, circa 1970s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
Set of 8 Brutalist-inspired bar stools in stained beech and steel, Europe, circa 1970s. The sculpted, saddle-shaped seats are carved with a gentle curvature that embraces the body, w...
Metal
Totem sculpture in fractal resin signed by Matius, France, 1970s
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Brutalist sculpture from the 70s, in fractal resin. This material is made by passing an electric current through the resin, which gives it the appearance of amber-colored crystals o...
Resin
Lothar Klute round brutalist coffee table - 1980s
By Lothar Klute
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
Monumental large round coffee table by Lothar Klute from his early creative period. This thoroughly brutalist coffee table captivates with its silhouette and five framed glass panels...
Iron
$15,999Sale Price / item|20% Off
Elefante Console Table 21, Design by Joel Escalona, Organic Elegance
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Console Table 21, Design by Joel Escalona, Organic Elegance————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Mode...
Hardwood
Stool, Side Table, Solid Burnt Wood, Rustic, Organic, Handmade, Carved, Black
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved stool/side table. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade ...
Wood, Oak
Contemporary Cerulean Blue Murano Glass Sconces with Brass Baguette Details
With a nod to the Brutalist style lighting of Longobard of Verona, this pair of cerulean blue hammered Murano glass wall sconces are elegantl...
Brass
1 of 5 Brutalist Yellow Iron Glass Flush Mounts by Holm Sorensen
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of 5 beautiful gray and yellow iron flush mounts. Manufactured in Denmark during the 1960s. Original and well kept. Each flush mount composed of large acid treated plates welded to...
Iron
Extraordinary Sculptural Handmade Reinforcing Steel Cantilever Armchair, 1990s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Precisely crafted and has, we find, very coherent proportions. We have the chair covered with soft sheepskin. The chair looks brutal and cozy at the same time.
Steel
Brutalist Copper Pendant Lamp by Peill & Putzler, Germany, 1960s
Located in Balen, BE
Brutalist Copper Pendant Lamp by Peill & Putzler, Germany, 1960s This striking Brutalist copper pendant lamp, designed by Peill & Putzler/Philips in Germany during the 1960s. This l...
Copper
Elefante by NONO Console 20, Slender Oak Elegance, Substantial Presence
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante by NONO Console 20, Slender Oak Elegance, Substantial Presence ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a ...
Hardwood
Pair of Spanish 1950s Solid Beechwood Armchairs with Patinated Cognac Leather
Located in Almelo, NL
Striking pair of Spanish armchairs crafted in solid beechwood with original patinated cognac leather seat and back panels, Spain, circa 1950s. These armchairs are defined by their r...
Leather, Beech
$2,774 / set
Vintage brutalist dining set, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Sturdy and handcrafted dining set with a bench and three high back dining chairs. This striking design and 'rough' hand made brutalist style is really standing out. The entire set...
Oak
MCM Floating Panel "Cityscape" Brutalist Copper Chandelier By Robert Sonneman
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Impeccably refurbished floating panel "Cityscape" Brutalist Chandelier by designer Robert Sonneman. An architectural rectangular chandelier consisting of a three-dimensional composit...
Copper
Brutalist Sconce by Felipe Delfinger (Derflingher) for Feders, Mexico, 1960s
Located in San Antonio, TX
Brutalist hand-blown thick glass sconce, México, c. 1960s, by Felipe Delfinger (Derflingher) for Feders. This Mexican mid-century modernist sconce is high-quality in construction wit...
Metal
Set of Six Victor Courtray Dining Chairs in Oak and Rush, France, 1940s
Located in The Hague, NL
This striking set of six dining chairs was designed by Victor Courtray and produced in the Northern Basque region around the city of Biarritz in the 1940s. The chairs are in solid,...
Straw, Rush, Oak
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...
Copper
Surreal Brutalist Sun Sculpture in Brass and Bronze by Emaus Benedictine Monks
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
$3,080Sale Price|30% Off
Adrian Pearsall Cast Resin Brutalist Dining Table, 1960's
Located in Culver City, CA
Designed by the legendary Adrian Pearsall, this brutalist dining table base was his answer to Evans’ high-end, sculptural designs—because n...
Steel
Modern Sculpture in Dark Art, Black Solid Wood by Escalona, Still Stand No94
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Modern Sculpture in Dark Art, Black Solid Wood by Escalona, Still Stand No94 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one is a...
Hardwood
Mid Century Iron and Glass Console Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
Brutalist Style Black Iron and Glass Console or Sofa Table, circa 1970s, in the style reminiscent of Giacometti. Brutalist furniture, popularized from the 1950s through the 1970s, em...
Iron
Wooden Zodiac Scorpio Wall Plaque Relief Brutalist Midcentury, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful wooden wall plaque relief sign, made in the Brutalist style in Germany in the 1970s. This is a wonderful Zodiac sign. This can be used as a Wall decoration or as a decorati...
Wood
$15,588 / item
Socle No26 Entryway Table, Design by Joel Escalona
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Socle No26 Entryway Table, Design by Joel Escalona ————————————————————— The Socle Console Series by NONO reinterprets the plinth as a family of sculptural consoles in solid wood. U...
Hardwood
1930s Italian Art Deco Brutalist Rational Bookmatched Burl Walnut Table, Pagano
By Gino Maggioni, Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig, Osvaldo Borsani, Gio Ponti, Paolo Buffa
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
A refined Italian Art Deco occasional table, side table or end table. Circa 1930s, it is veneered in richly figured book matched burl walnut. The piece reflects the transition betw...
Hardwood, Walnut, Burl
Dutch Brutalist Solid Oak Armchair with Reupholstered Leather Seat, 1970s
Located in Debrecen, HU
A strong yet calm character piece, combining sculptural wooden construction with understated natural elegance. The solid frame gives the chair a grounded, architectural presence, whi...
Leather, Oak
Monumental Bijan of California for Laurel Brazed Brass "Setterah" Table Lamp
By Curtis Jeré, Bijan, Laurel Lamp Company
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Substantial Bijan of California for Laurel Lamp Company “Setarrah” H-927 Table Lamp. Featuring a tubular (3/8D) Brass column, "original Brass sculpture" with four handcrafted torch ...
Metal, Brass
Brutalist Candle Holder in Patinated Sand Cast Brass 1960s
Located in Meer, VAN
Brutalist Candle Holder in Patinated Sand Cast Brass, Europe, 1960s. A very distinct brutalist style candle holder in heavy sand cast brass with a lovely patina. Quintessentially mi...
Brass
De Puydt Dining Chairs. Belgium circa 1970
By De Puydt
Located in Culver City, CA
Belgium, 1970 Brutalist dining chairs constructed in Oak. 3 with arms, 3 without. 16 - 21.5”w x 21”d x 44.5”h x 18” seat Ref. MOD1167 ( set of 6 )
Oak
$1,658Sale Price|57% Off
CLAUDE VICTOR BOELTZ 70's French 'exploded bronze' lamp
Located in Sherborne, GB
CLAUDE VICTOR BOELTZ Sculptural golden gilt-plated exploded bronze lamp with rock crystal inclusions. The natural rock quartz crystal wands are set into t...
Agate, Rock Crystal, Brass, Bronze
Brutalist Geometric Wall Mirror, Distressed Beveled Glass, Wood, 21st C.
Located in Stamford, CT
Venetian Geometric Wall Mirror, Distressed Beveled Glass, 21st C. This unique brutalist distressed wall mirror can be hung vertically or horizontally above a console table, bedside ...
Mirror, Wood
Side Table, Pedestal, Solid Burnt Wood, Rustic, Organic, Handmade, Carved, Black
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved side table. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade design...
Wood, Oak