Pair of Lamps Gilt Metal by Nicolas De Waël for Fondica, France, 2000s
Brutalist Furniture
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.
French Provincial oak chair, 1960s Mid-Century Modern
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Solid oak chairs. Slight traces of use.
1960s French Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Oak
Sculptural Bar Chair, Solid Wood, Handmade, Rustic, Brushed Wood, By Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Unique chainsaw carved wooden functional sculpture usable as a bar chair. Carved from a single piece of wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for gene...
21st Century and Contemporary Croatian Brutalist Furniture
Wood
Mid 20th Century, Pair of Spanish Brutalist Armchairs, Wood & Leather, 1960s
By Børge Mogensen, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Odense, DK
A beautiful pair of Brutalist armchairs / huntingchairs crafted in Spain during the 1960s, combining architectural form with raw, organic materials. These chairs exemplify early Brut...
Early 20th Century Spanish Brutalist Furniture
Leather, Pine
Set of six 1970's Brutalist Holger Danske Danish pine dining chairs
Located in Liberty, NY
Fantastic and rare set of 1970's brutalist solid pine dining chairs made in Denmark by Holger Danske. Within the style and mode of fabrication as Rainer Daumiller or Niels Koefoed bu...
1970s Danish Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Velvet, Pine
Jonas Bohlin Concrete and Steel Table
By Källemo, Jonas Bohlin
Located in Long Island City, NY
A striking desk or console table in the same vein as the design for which Bohlin is perhaps best known, his controversial Concrete Chair which took functionalism to an aesthetic extr...
1980s Swedish Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Concrete, Metal
Hammered Glass Wrought Iron Murano Glass Sconce by Longobard, Italy, 1970s
By Longobard
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Mid-Century Modern wall lamp light sconce hammered glass and wrought iron, murano glass cup, gilding gold copper patina, by the manufacture Longobard in Verona in a Brutalist style, ...
1970s Italian Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Wrought 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
1980s German Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Pottery
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...
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Brutalist Furniture
Ceramic
Gino Russo Carved Wood & Slate Floating Credenza
By Gino Russo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This floating credenza by Gino Russo is characterized by a long, horizontal wall-mounted form with a slate top and a wooden case below. The slate surface is flat and trapezoidal, pro...
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Stone, Slate
Brutalist Slate Tile Side or Cocktail Table, Belgium, 1970's
Located in Austin, TX
Brutalist side or cocktail table with slate style top and brass and copper inlay in asymmetric pattern. Belgium, 1970's
1970s Belgian Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Slate
Round Fundamenta Coffee 51 Geometric Wood, Modern Appeal by NONO
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Round Fundamenta Coffee 51 Geometric Wood, Modern Appeal by NONO Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or black tinted finish. Due to the nature of...
2010s Mexican Brutalist Furniture
Hardwood
Brutalist Oak Dining Chairs with Rush Seating, Set of Six, Circa 1870s
Located in Hilversum, NL
This set of six Brutalist oak dining chairs, featuring rush seating, dates back to the 1870s and showcases remarkable craftsmanship and design. Their tall, striking profile makes the...
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Brutalist Furniture
Rush, Oak
James De Wulf Cue Rack, Floor Standing Concrete Billiards Cue Rack
Located in Paia, HI
Floor standing billiards concrete cue rack to accompany the James De Wulf pool table. Please select a color option when placing an order: Natural Tone, Ligh...
2010s American Brutalist Furniture
Concrete
Brutalist Free Standing Abstract Steel Sculpture
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Elevate your space with this striking 1980’s freestanding metal sculpture, beautifully channeling the architectural geometry of Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic Midway Gardens designs. Co...
1980s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Steel
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...
Mid-20th Century European Brutalist Furniture
Brass
French Sunburst Light Fixture in Gilt Iron and Milk Glass, Nail Design, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Double Layered Nail Design sunburst light fixture, milk glass, gilt iron, France, 1940s-1950s. This sunburst light fixture features a gilt iron ring with two layers of iron nails su...
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Furniture
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf
Abstract, Brutalist Sculpture in Copper, Denmark, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Object resembling a group of flowers. Executed in patinated copper. Raw and brutal in expression. It was executed during the 1970s within the perimeters of Middelfart Psychiatric Hos...
1970s Danish Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Copper
Italian Mid-Century Hand-Carved Alabaster Ashtray, 1950s Brutalist
Located in Barntrup, DE
An adorable Italian genuine alabaster hand-carved ashtray with irregular shapes and beautiful colors from light beige to gray. Italy, circa the 1950s...
1950s Italian Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Alabaster
Contemporary Lobby Chair Sleek Design Muted by Joel Escalona No03
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Contemporary Lobby Chair Sleek Design Muted by Joel Escalona No03——— Dive into the world of understated elegance and architectural prowess with the Muted Lounge Chairs Collection by...
2010s Mexican Brutalist Furniture
Hardwood
Mid-Century French Brutalist Wood Mirror
Located in Austin, TX
Mid-Century French Brutalist Wood Mirror. H / 24.8 inches.
1950s French Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Six solid walnut stools, France, mountain style, circa 1960
$2,164Sale Price / set|20% Off
Six solid walnut stools, France, mountain style, circa 1960
By Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand
Located in LYON, FR
Maison Lecan presents this set of six solid walnut stools, mountain style, circa 1960 Rare set of six stools crafted in solid walnut, featuring a clean and balanced silhouette. The ...
1960s French Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Walnut
A French Brutalist style tiled oak coffee table, C. 1960.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A striking large coffee table featuring a solid oak trestle base, signed de Tonge, with bold, geometric lines and a lower shelf / stretcher all surmounted by a richly textured cerami...
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Furniture
Ceramic, Oak
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 ...
2010s Mexican Brutalist Furniture
Hardwood
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 ...
1970s Danish Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Ceramic
Contemporary Sculpted Cabinet / Wardrobe in Solid Light Oak
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Contemporary Sculpted High Cabinet / Wardrobe in Solid Light Oak (+ linseed oil) Dimensions: 180 x 80 x 40 cm Unique piece made to order. -------- SÓHA design studio conceives an...
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Brutalist Furniture
Oak
Brutalist Oak Fireside Chairs by Dittmann & Co for AWA, Set of 2
By AWA Holland
Located in Izegem, VWV
Two robust lounge chairs with rounded back and seat and braced legs, made of solid oak reminiscent of designs by Pierre Chapo or Charlotte Perriand.
Mid-20th Century Dutch Brutalist Furniture
Oak
Side Table, Solid Burnt Wood, Oak, Chainsaw Carved, Rustic, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved coffee table/side table. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique ha...
21st Century and Contemporary Croatian Brutalist Furniture
Wood, Oak
Paul Evans Coffee Table Brutalist Zig Zag ca' 1960's
By Paul Evans
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic brutalist coffee table by Paul Evans for Directional, ca' 1960's. Great example of brutalist style-torch welded steel with patinated finish. Zig zag jazzy form.
1960s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Steel
Set of 4 Vintage Brutalist Marbella Stools by Sergio Rodrigues
By Confonorm, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Radomsko, Województwo łódzkie
A sculptural pair of Marbella stools attributed to the renowned brazilian designer Sergio Rodrigues, reflecting the bold materiality and organic modernism associated with his work. T...
1970s Spanish Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Leather, Wood
Beautiful necklace in hammered brass and polished agates by Pal Kepenyes
By Pal Kepenyes
Located in Mexico, DF
Beautiful necklace in hammered brass in the form of drops with five polished agates, a highly original brutalist wearable piece by well-known artist Pal Kepenyes, Mexico, 1970s. Pal´...
1970s Mexican Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Agate, Brass
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...
1960s Danish Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Ceramic
French Oak Coffee Table Brutalist Style Original Creation by S Lamarre, 2023
$1,880Sale Price / item|20% Off
French Oak Coffee Table Brutalist Style Original Creation by S Lamarre, 2023
Located in Labrit, Landes
Oak coffee table "Pyrénées" signed by Sébastien Lamarre. This table were made by Sébastien Lamarre for Maison Marie Anne. To stay in a brutalist sty...
21st Century and Contemporary French Brutalist Furniture
Oak
Elefante Console Table 21, Design by Joel Escalona, Organic Elegance
$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...
2010s Mexican Brutalist Furniture
Hardwood
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Brutalist Furniture
Iron
1960s by Lorenzo Burchiellaro Metal Figure Table Clock
Located in Brescia, IT
Lorenzo Burchiellaro 1960s. Metal table clock Perfect working order.
1960s Italian Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Metal
Danish Brutalist Oak Side / Bedside Table in the Style of Henning Kjærnulf, 1960
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Striking Danish brutalist oak side table from the 1960s, featuring a sculptural design in the style of Henning Kjærnulf. The table includes a practical drawer, making it particularly...
1960s European Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Oak
Willy Guhl Style Concrete Tulip Chair, for Cristina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique concrete aggregate chairs with a Tulip style base. Very unusual chairs with light patina and nice coloring. Good condition. Extremely heavy and well made. Priced as one chair ...
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Concrete
Guillerme & Chambron “Repos” Oak Chairs, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Original patina and upholstery Repos chairs by Guillerme & Chambron, COM available.
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Furniture
Oak
Sculptural Solid Oak Wooden Acer Round Dining Table
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Bringing lightness and elegance to its heavy materials and shapes. The Acer Table is a balancing act between its heavy solid volumes and light pointing legs featuring semi arched voi...
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Furniture
Oak, Walnut
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Brutalist Furniture
Oak, Walnut
Pair of Grey and Brown Ceramic Table Lamps, Soholm Denmark 1960s
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 2 beautiful ceramic table lamps by Haico from Soholm, Denmark 1960s. Combined with a custom lampshade. The brown and dark grey ceramic base has a beautiful shape with geom...
1960s Danish Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Ceramic
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Brutalist Furniture
Oak
Brutalist Coffee Table Handmade and signed by Pia Manu, 1960s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Belgium / 1960s / Coffee Table / Pia Manu / metal, stone, chrome / Mid-century / Vintage / Brutalist Brutalist post-modern coffee table by the Belgian artist Pia Manu, handcrafted i...
1960s Belgian Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Stone, Metal, Chrome
Solace No25 Art-Inspired Console Table – Organic Wood Form, by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No25 Art-Inspired Console Table – Organic Wood Form, by NONO ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, desig...
2010s Mexican Brutalist Furniture
Hardwood
Sculpted Dining Table 'Hammered' in Solid Oakwood 'Custom Size L'
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Dining dining table made of solid oak (+ linseed oil) (Outdoor use OK) Made to order - Custom size SÓHA design studio conceives and produces fur...
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Brutalist Furniture
Oak
Office Desk Chair Ergonomic Solid Wood Muted by Joel Escalona No17
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Office Desk Chair Ergonomic Solid Wood Muted by Joel Escalona No17 — Dive into the world of understated elegance and architectural prowess with...
2010s Mexican Brutalist Furniture
Hardwood
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...
1960s German Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Copper
NONO Elefante Console Table 37, Dramatic Wood
$15,920Sale Price / item|20% Off
NONO Elefante Console Table 37, Dramatic Wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Console Table 37, Dramatic Wood ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Touch NONO, re...
2010s Mexican Brutalist Furniture
Hardwood
Rare De Coene 1950's brutalist minimalistic credenza in cherrywood
Located in Zemst, BE
Rare Credenza by De Coene frères from Kortrijk Belgium. Period: 1950's Credenza made in different veneer wood types: birch, beech but most of all: wild cherry wood. Minimalistic d...
Mid-20th Century Belgian Brutalist Furniture
Beech, Birch, Cherry
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...
21st Century and Contemporary Croatian Brutalist Furniture
Wood, Oak
Pair of Mid Century Modern Sculptural Brutalist Torch Cut Steel Table Lamps
By Paul Evans, Laurel Lamp Company
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and large, 45 inches to the top of the shade. Torch cut and welded steel panels in a random rectilinear form. Sprayed black and in excellent vintage condition with minimal w...
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Steel
Brutalist Artisan Accent Chair Mid Century Tall Back Statement Pine Iron Rustic
Located in London, GB
A strikingly impressive Mid Century Brutalist artisan accent chair in lovely vintage condition. Hand crafted in England in the 1970s, this remarkable piece will add richly aged rusti...
Mid-20th Century British Brutalist Furniture
Iron
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...
1970s Dutch Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Leather, Oak
Oceanic Mad Men Style Wall Mirror by Pulaski
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Oceanic Mad Men Style Wall Mirror by Pulaski
By Pulaski Furniture Corporation
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Beautifully refinished 1970s Pulaski Oceanic style wall mirror, often attributed to Witco. Matching mirror to the famed Don Draper office credenza from the ...
1970s American Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Gold
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 ...
1970s Dutch Vintage Brutalist Furniture
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-...
Late 20th Century American Brutalist Furniture
Metal, Bronze
Vintage Brutalist Standing Clock, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage sculpted brutalist design grandfather clock made from resin and wood. The clock is illuminated on the inside and has a fully working mechanism. The piece was made in be...
1970s Belgian Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Resin, Wood
Pair of Brutalist Brass and Chrome Sconces with Murano Glass Drops by BD Lumica
$4,200Sale Price / set|34% Off
Pair of Brutalist Brass and Chrome Sconces with Murano Glass Drops by BD Lumica
By BD Lumica
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Brutalist sconces with Murano clear glass drops adorning a mixed meetak brass anad chrome frame by BD Lumica , Spain 1970's. This exceptional pair of sconces combines styles...
1970s Spanish Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Chrome
Vintage Maison Regain Solid Elm Sideboard, 1970s, France
Located in San Antonio, TX
Vintage brutalist Maison Regain sideboard made of solid elm, circa 1970s, France. This vintage credenza features three drawers at the top and two divided compartments on each lower h...
1970s French Vintage Brutalist Furniture
Elm










