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.
Walnut Dining Table, Solid American Walnut Wood, Aperta 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 Provincial oak chair, 1960s Mid-Century Modern
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Solid oak chairs. Slight traces of use.
Oak
Set of six 1960's brutalist Danish oak dining chairs - Henning Kjaernulf
Located in Liberty, NY
Beautiful set of six 1960's Danish brutalist oak dining chairs in the style of Henning Kjaernulf. The chairs have solid oak frames with sculptural turned legs, upholstered in a red...
Wool, Oak
Huge Gilt Wrought Iron Sunburst Starburst Mirror, Style of Poillerat (49 in)
Located in Barcelona, ES
Huge Sunburst mirror in the manner of Gilbert Poillerat, Gilt Wrought Iron. France, 1940s. Rare find due to its size ( 49 in diameter) This oversized wall mirror has an eye-catching sunburst design with alternating rays in two sizes surrounding a central rectangular smoked golden glass. Entirely made by hand in iron in the manner of Gilbert Poillerat. Terrific aged patina and original gold leaf gilding. This monumental sunburst mirror will add a luxury but strong accent wherever you place it. To be used as wall mirror or console mirror Place it alone or as a part of a large sunburst mirror wall composition. Overall Measures: 125 cm diameter x 9 cm H // 49,21 in diameter x 3,54 in H Glass measures: 36,5 cm H x 25,5 cm W // 14,37 in H x 10,03 in W We are specialists in mirrors and sunburst mirorrs: A curated selection is avaliable at our 1stDibs marketplace. We invite you to check "more from this seller and all from this seller" to enjoy the whole collection listed. French XL Sunburst Mirror // Gilbert Poillerat Sunburst Mirror...
Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf, Iron
Wooden Zodiac Aries Ram 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
Hand-Crafted Brutalist Tripod Spanish Birthing Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
A Handcrafted Brutalist Tripod Spanish / Birthing Chair. Measures: 20" in width, 16" in depth and 29" H . Seat height is 14.5"
Fruitwood
Pair of Grey and Brown Ceramic Table Lamp for 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...
Ceramic
Brutalist Verdi Gris Copper Pendant Chandelier by Ron Rezek c. 1980's
By Ron Rezek
Located in New York, NY
Brutalist Conwe form pendant fixture, designed by Ron Rezek, circa 1980's. The chandelier features a rich Verdi Gris finish on the exterior copper metal surface, with an interior whi...
Metal, Copper
Pair of Post Modern Brutalist Iron Base Glass Top Coffee Tables c. 1980/90's
By Mastercraft
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Brutalist style verdigris finish metal based, tempered glass top coffee tables, in excellent, original, clean and ready to use condition. Circa 1970's reminiscent of the work...
Iron
$6,320Sale Price / item|20% Off
Sculptural Outdoor Coffee Table in Cast Volcanic Lava Stone
Located in New York, NY
This contemporary sculptural coffee table is crafted from resin-reinforced fiberglass, a highly durable composite material valued for its strength, lightness, and resistance to outdo...
Resin, Fiberglass, Coating
Brutalist Brass Pendant Lights by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Set of Substantial Brutalist Brass Pendant Lights designed Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. * Set (2) of onion-shaped pendant light with layered flame-cut brass slates and s...
Brass
De Puydt Heavy Brutalist Oak Trestle Table or Desk in Dark Stained Oak
By De Puydt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century, Belgian manufacturer De Puydt attributed, stunning Brutalist dining table or desk with trestle base. Beautiful, solid dark oak with striking, carved, grooved, textural t...
Oak
Door Handle with Amphora Ceramic Tile, Belgian Modernist Design, 1960s
Located in Herentals, BE
An elegant and collectible door handle by Sobinco, featuring a ceramic tile attributed to Amphora, Belgium, circa 1960. The design combines a geometric brass frame with a vibrant tur...
Aluminum
Set of 4 Ceramic Pendant lights, Vintage and Contemporary Curated
Located in Rijssen, NL
Stunning set of four vintage and contemporary combined ceramic hanging lamps with a beautiful glaze, made with rich colors. Some lights are made in the 1970s, some pendants are new ...
Ceramic
$33,570 / item
AVRA Chandelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Glowing buds of natural alabaster nestle in a Brutalist-inspired solid cast bronze frame. Models in the collection are individually hand-crafted by the skilled artisans in our studi...
Alabaster, Bronze
AVMazzega style. Brutalist hand-blown Murano glass glassware, Italy, 1970s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Set of 6 hand-blown Italian Murano glass set. Manufactured in the 70s, these cups are considerable in size and have a slightly brutalist style. Orange, caramel, white and transparent...
Murano Glass
$1,622Sale Price / set|20% Off
French Pair of Nightstands Side Cabinets Bedside Depth 18 in
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of oak nightstands "Pyrénées" signed by Sébastien Lamarre. This french side cabinets were made by Sébastien Lamarre for Maison Marie Anne. To stay in a brutalist style he has m...
Oak
Oak Buffet Hand-carved, France, 1940s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
J.A.D.A Galerie presents: Oak Buffet with Concentric Roundel Doors and Iron Ring Pulls, France, 1940s This buffet was made in France in the 1940s, in the vernacular tradition of th...
Oak
Vintage French Brutalist Oak And Rush Seat Chair By Charles Dudouyt, 1940s
Located in Bristol, GB
VINTAGE CHAIR BY CHARLES DUDOUYT (1885-1946) A striking and tactile chair that manages to combine rustic design with brutalist modernism to great effect and made using traditional h...
Rush, Oak
Pair of Large Grey Ceramic Table Lamps for Soholm with Silk Shade, Denmark 1960
Located in Rijssen, NL
Pair of beautiful ceramic table lamps from Soholm, Denmark 1960s. Combined with a silk custom lampshade with creme silk innerschade designed door R. Houben. The off-white and dark g...
Ceramic
Pair of 1970's Brutalist oak and leather lounge chairs / loveseat - Carl Straub
By Carl Straub
Located in Liberty, NY
Beautiful pair of 1970's Brutalist lounge chairs with sturdy oak frames with sling seats upholstered in a tan leather. Attributed to Carl Straub. Can be used as lounge chairs or plac...
Leather, Oak
1970s Brutalist Metal Copper & Brass Sconce
By Tom Greene, Feldman Lighting Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
1970s brutalist two tone metal sconce. Burnished copper/brass metal finish. Newly rewired with new sockets and new brass backplate. Takes two chandelier bulbs (not included).
Metal
French Pair of Nightstands Side Cabinets Bedside Tables Brutalist Style, 2022
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of oak nightstands "Pyrénées" signed by Sébastien Lamarre. This french side cabinets were made by Sébastien Lamarre for Maison Marie Anne. The creator chose for the Pyrénées mo...
Oak
Brutalist Italian Chestnut Wood and Brass Bar Cabinet, 1970s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Brutalist dry bar cabinet in chestnut wood. With geometric and harmonious lines, the piece of furniture is also embellished by the brass band below.
Brass
Harry Balmer Harold Weiss Laurel Ribbon Brutalist Table Lamp c. 1960/70's
By Laurel Lamp Company, Harry Balmer
Located in New York, NY
Classic Brutalist school table lamp designed by Harry Balmer and Harold Weiss, for the Laurel Lamp Co. circa 1960/70's. Known as the Ribbon Lamp, this piece features an exaggerated ...
Metal, Copper
French brutalist wooden chessboard in the style of Jean Touret, Atelier Marolles
By Atelier Marolles, Jean Touret
Located in BELFORT, FR
Rare one of a kind chessboard game, entirely made of handcarved wood, circa 1950. The singular brutalist design of this piece reminds us of the work of Jean Touret for Atelier Maroll...
Wood
Brutalist Rustic Small Bench, 1960s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Brutalist Rustic small bench. Striking Dutch design from the 1960s. Solid oak frames which can be dismantled for safe transport. This wonderful Brutalist Rustic ...
Oak
Stunning Wooden Zodiac Wall Plaque Relief Brutalist Midcentury, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautifully crafted wooden wall plaque relief depicting all zodiac signs, designed in a bold Brutalist style and produced in Germany in the 1970s. The expressive carved forms and s...
Plywood
Freestanding Desk in Oak by Henning Kjærnulf, Danish Mid Century Modern, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
An elegant freestanding writing desk designed by Danish designer Henning Kjærnulf in the 1950s. Crafted in rich oak, the piece showcases a tactile warmth through its finely grained s...
Brass
Pair of 1970's German Brutalist oak and leather lounge chairs - Carl Straub
By Carl Straub
Located in Liberty, NY
Fantastic pair of mid century 1970's German Brutalist oak and leather lounge chairs. The large tan - cognac leather upholstered cushions are supported by sling straps attached to the...
Leather, Oak
Costa Antique Reclaimed Fir Dining Table with Trestle Style Base Solid Wood 86"
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
The Costa Dining Table is crafted from solid reclaimed fir & pine and finished in a weathered walunut finish, this oval dining table draws inspiration from traditional European w...
Fir, Reclaimed Wood
Brutalist Wrought Iron Candle Holder, Seven Arms, Vintage 1970s, Black
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large brutalist Candle Holder. Handmade from wrought Iron. 7 arms and tripod foot.. Additional information: Material: Metal Color: Black Styles: Brutalist Period: 1970s Item Type: V...
Metal
$2,178Sale Price|20% Off
French Sunburst Starburst Mirror in Gilt Iron, Gilbert Poillerat Style
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sunburst starburst mirror in the manner of Gilbert Poillerat, Gilt Wrought Iron. France, 1940s. This stunning wall mirror has an eye-catching starburst design. Entirely made by hand ...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Paul Evans Brutalist Sculpted Bronze Wall-Mounted Dry Bar Cabinet, Model PE-122
By Paul Evans
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Evans Brutalist Sculpted Bronze Wall-Mounted Disc Bar Cabinet, Model PE-122, Directional, 1969 Exceptional sculpted bronze wall-mounted disc bar cabinet, model PE-122, designed...
Resin, Wood
$27,750 / item
James de Wulf Special Edition Solid Base Pool Table
Located in Paia, HI
A special re-edition of the Classic James de Wulf pool table, this one features a pair of solid concrete legs with a raw edge detail. The cast-concrete tabletop...
Concrete
$625Sale Price|40% Off
1960s, Brass Brutalist Wall Light by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful brutalist wall light designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen for Holm Sørensen & Co., Denmark. This lamp is flame cut of brass with a ...
Brass
Tobago Canada Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Armoire, c. 1970s
Located in Montréal, CA
Tobago Canada Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Armoire, c. 1970s Striking vintage armoire by Tobago, Canada, showcasing the bold architectural aesthetic and substantial construction cha...
Walnut
Vintage Rustic Brutalist Mid-Century Dining Table from Oak
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
A characterful vintage dining table in the Brutalist style, crafted from solid light oak. Expertly made using traditional mortise-and-tenon joints, giving it a solid and authentic ap...
Oak
$12,300 / item
James de Wulf Concrete Backgammon Coffee Table
Located in Paia, HI
Concrete Backgammon Game Table by James de Wulf. Each table is made custom for indoor and outdoor living areas. The table is sealed and waxed for a unique luster. Table will devel...
Concrete
Swedish Stump Chair / “Kubstol” in Pine & Floral Upholstery, Mid 20th Century
Located in Odense, DK
A rare Scandinavian stump chair, known as a "Kubstol", crafted from a solid section of pine trunk and produced in Sweden during the 1970s. The chair combines rustic craftsmanship wit...
Fabric, Textile, Pine
$1,776Sale Price / set|20% Off
Brutalist Chalet Dining Chairs, Set of 4, Hand-Crafted, Hand-Made, Patinated Oak
By Pierre Chapo, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Round Top, TX
A set of (4) heavy oak Brutalist “chalet” dining chairs. We love a set like this in smaller apartments or townhomes where they can become chameleon-like and be brought into different...
Oak
$6,480Sale 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
Vintage Brutalist Torch-Cut Steel Vessel / Bowl by Brother Mel Meyer, 1970s
Located in San Diego, CA
A powerful and sculptural Brutalist bowl or ashtray by Brother Mel Meyer, executed in heavily worked welded steel with a warm bronze-toned patinated finish. The piece features an arc...
Cut Steel, Iron
Alice Flushmount or Sconce in Brass with Hand Blown Sandblasted Glass Cube
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Alice collection is inspired by brutalist modular architecture. The textured hand blown glass cubes are sandblasted to create a soft glow. Available in satin brass or matte black...
Brass
Spanish Revival Sunburst Light Fixture in Gilt Wrought Iron and Glass, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sunburst Ceiling Light with Scrollwork Design, Gilt Wrought Iron, Pressed Glass Spain, 1940-1950 Impressive wrought iron sunburst flush mount / wall light with scrolled frame and pre...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Lothar Klute Bronze Brutalist and Molded Glass Oversized Coffee Table
By Lothar Klute
Located in North Miami, FL
This RARE and outstanding large coffee table measuring 43 inches in diameter and weighing over 200 lbs from the thick molded glass plateau. This is a SIGNED piece from 1983. VERY b...
Bronze
8 BRUTALIST RUSTIC MODERN Modernist CHAIRS by CHARLES DUDOUYDT, France 1950
Located in PARIS, FR
A set of 8 powerfull chairs in massive dark wood and bright straw seatings, by Charles Dudouyt, France 1950. The thick wood structures are giving the chairs a strong and solid feel, ...
Straw, Bentwood
French Pair of Nightstands Side Cabinets Bedside Tables Brutalist Style, 2022
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of oak nightstands "Pyrénées" signed by Sébastien Lamarre. This french side cabinets were made by Sébastien Lamarre for Maison Marie Anne....
Oak
1970s Brutalist Hand-Carved Dining Chairs, Aquarius Enterprises, Set of 6
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of six hand-carved Brutalist dining chairs manufactured by Aquarius Enterprises in 1970s South Africa. Each chair features solid wood construction with thick slab-like elements f...
Wood
Mid-century Modern, Brutalist Oak Dining Chairs, Belgium, 1960s
Located in Rødding, DK
Dining chairs constructed in solid oak, produced in Belgium during the 1960s. Each chair has a tall, split backrest carved from two curved uprights, joined by two through-tenon cross...
Oak
$29,500 / item
James de Wulf Outdoor Concrete Pool Table
Located in Paia, HI
The classic James de Wulf Concrete Billiards Table is a staple to any game room. The regulation sized table is constructed of concrete reinforced with carbon fiber. It features a smo...
Concrete
Danish Brutalist 3-Seater Sofa in Solid Oak attributed to Henry Kjærnulf, 1960s
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Rare and sought after sofa attributed to Danish Designer, Henning Kjaernulf made from quarter-sawn white oak, Hand carved in brutalist style seeking inspiration from art & crafts and...
Brass
Vintage brutalist bar cabinet, 1970
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Two tone oak graphical door brutalist (bar) cabinet. Stately piece of furniture which offers plenty of storage space and made out of high quality oak panels. Good condition. 1970s...
Oak
Swedish Stump Chair 1850's
Located in Farsta, SE
Heavily patinated Swedish Stump Chair, made in ca 1850's. That has withstand the test of time. It’s repaired with iron studs and plates. Height: 69,5 cm Seat Height: 48 cm Width: 41...
Pine
Brutalist, Handmade Ceramic Table Lamp, Paddle Lamp by Streicher Goods
By Streicher Goods, Ethan Streicher
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Paddle lamp is a small, brutalist-inspired table lamp, perfect for bedside or accent lighting in larger living spaces, created by Streicher Goods in Brooklyn, NY. The lamp feat...
Brass
Rare Brutalist Italian Glass Paste and Wrought Iron Table Lamp by Longobard, 70s
By Longobard
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Rare Murano glass table lamp designed and made by Longobard in 1970. The structure is in hand-crafted gilded wrought iron with the insertion of colored glass paste. Original logo, fi...
Wrought Iron
Vintage Brutalist Lauterbach Ashtray & Table Lighter in Bronze, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
This Vintage Brutalist bronze desk set is a powerful tactile sculptural ensemble, comprising an ashtray with matching table lighter. Both pieces crafted with expressive, raw-edged fo...
Bronze
Danish Brutalist Oak Dining Chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, 1970s. Set of 6.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Brutalist Oak Dining Chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, 1970s. Set of 6. Set of six Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern dining room chairs attributed to Henning Kjærnulf and made in Den...
Oak
Sculptural Сontemporary Solid Oak Commode by Sergio Vulpe
Located in Burlăceni, Cahul District
This solid oak commode is a sculptural embodiment of brutalist design by Sergio Vulpe. Its bold, geometric form and rich wood texture make it a unique storage statement for modern or...
Oak
Substantial Brass Pendant Light by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Substantial Brutalist brass pendant light designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. * Large onion-shaped pendant light with layered flame-cut brass slats * Designer: Svend ...
Brass