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.
Gold Goop Brutalist Loveseat Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates
By Paul Evans, Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
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
$17,752 / item
James de Wulf Concrete Split Locking Dining Table, 72"
Located in Paia, HI
The James de Wulf Classic split locking dining table features a split radius in the tabletop. The table consists of two pieces: table top and base, which...
Concrete
Brutalist Sculptural Stool, Carved, Solid Wood, Oak, Black, Rustic, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved stool. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade design will...
Wood, Oak
Black brutalist tree candle holder “tree of life” 1970s.
Located in Landgraaf, NL
Black brutalist tree candle holder “tree of life” 1970s. This striking brutalist candle holder, dating from the 1970s, is crafted from wrought iron and finished in black. Its sculptural form resembles a tree, with organically shaped branches rising from a sturdy central trunk. Often referred to as a “Tree of Life” candle holder...
Wrought Iron
Concrete Circular Dining Table Atlante Ultra High Perfomance Cement Mortar
Located in Rome, Lazio
Atlante is a round dining table with essential lines and a strong inspiration. Completely fashioned in UHPC concrete mortar by a team of expert artisans, this table perfeclty emodie...
Concrete
Center Table Serie 42 – Sereno by Joel Escalona with Organic Pebble Legs
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Center Table Serie 42 – Sereno by Joel Escalona with Organic Pebble Legs ———— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens whe...
Hardwood
Belgian Brutalist Solid Oak High-Back Dining Chairs, Rush Seats, Set of 8, 1950s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Belgian brutalist workshop, set of eight high-back dining chairs, solid oak and rush, Belgium, 1950s-1960s. What sets these eight chairs apart is a single constructive decision: the...
Brass
Set of Leaf-Shaped Brass Wall Lamps by Svend Aage Holm Sorensen, 1960s, Denmark
By Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, Holm Sørensen
Located in Værløse, DK
Set of Leaf-Shaped Brass Sconces designed by the Svend Aage Holm Sørensen in the 1960s. Eyecatching Brutalist Wall Art for beautiful place. * Set (2) of flame-cut brass sconces with...
Metal, Brass
G. Pelletier Brown Gold Copper Ceramic Lamp, Silk Custom Lampshade by Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table/ floor lamp by Georges Pelletier, 2022. Custom made lampshade by René Houben. The brown ceramics and the shimmering gold/coppered colored details complement ...
Ceramic
Italian Brutalist Ceramic Planter, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Italian studio planter. Decorated with a mustard colored main glazes and set with splashes of thick blue lava glaze to the circular perforations and dots. Marked: Italy 77 to its bas...
Ceramic
Armoire vitrine brutaliste en chêne Charles Dudouyt 1940's
Located in TOURCOING, FR
Armoire vitrine brutaliste en chêne Charles Dudouyt 1940's
Oak
Set of 4 Vintage Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder from Hysteria, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder from Hysteria, Set of 4, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark, I am sure that it is completel...
Wrought Iron
French Brutalist Style Elm Commode Chest of Drawers, circa 1970
Located in Labrit, Landes
Commode brutalist style, French chest of drawers, circa 1970 Elm and wrought iron made by the designer Aranjou renomed for its Brutalist-style furniture. Aranjou furniture is known f...
Iron
Brutalist Metal Table Lamp by Laurel Lamp Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sculptural metal table lamp by Laurel Lamp Company, executed in a bold Brutalist style. The design features textured metalwork with strong, architectural detailing, reflecting the ...
Metal
Large handmade wrought - iron chandelier in the Brutalist style Germany 1960s
Located in Nienstädt, DE
Brutalist chandelier Large Brutalist chandelier Wrought iron – handcrafted Intricate and detailed craftsmanship 6 -light – E12 / E14 with adapter Diameter 72 cm / Height 82 cm An exc...
Iron, Wrought Iron
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´...
Agate, Brass
Concrete Side Table "F" Abecedario Collection Ardesia Color by Forma&Cemento
Located in Rome, Lazio
Coffee table F is part of the Abecedario Collection; it marks the beginning of a language in cement that will create a concrete alphabet made up ...
Concrete
Primitive Stump Chair in Pine, Hand Carved, Swedish Modern, Wabi Sabi, 1900s
Located in Odense, DK
A cute primitive stump chair made in solid pine with an iron ring attached. Hand carved by an unknown Swedish cabinetmaker in the early 1900s. A lovely wabi sabi piece for the modern...
Pine
Ceramic Table Lamp for Soholm with Unique New Handmade Felt Shade, Denmark 1960
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table lamp by Haico Nietzsche for Soholm, Denmark 1960s. Combined with a custom handmade felt lampshade. The beige ceramic base has a subtle concave shape. The sha...
Ceramic
A BRUTALIST Iron Belt TABLE LAMP in the style of Jacques ADNET France 1950
Located in PARIS, FR
An astonishing and elegant table lamp in metal belt, Modernist, Shabby-Chic, Popular Art, in folded wrought iron decorated with a belt buckle, the whole supporting a socket, to be at...
Wrought Iron
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
Contemporary Sculpted Chest of Drawers by Soha Concept, Solid Oak
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Contemporary sculpted Cabinet / Chest of Drawers in Solid Oak Dimensions: H. 100 x W. 70 x D. 40 cm Unique piece made to order. ------ SÓHA design studio conceives and produces ...
Oak
Wooden Zodiac Libra 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...
Plywood
Brutalist Sculptural Chair, Carved, Solid Wood, Oak, Black, Rustic, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
This striking chair is a one-of-a-kind functional sculpture, carved from a single piece of wood to ensure absolute structural integrity and a monolithic presence. Its design features...
Wood, Oak
Set of 3 Blanc de Chine Awa Odori Figurines
Located in Hanover, MA
Set of three white porcelain Awa Odori festival dancers wearing kimono and amigasa bamboo hat. Often mistaken for geishas. Dancing figures created by Keiten Takahashi (Japanese, 192...
Porcelain
1 of the 2 XXL Brass Wall Sconces by Holm Sorensen, 1960
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 2 Beautiful Brass Wall Sconces by Holm Sorensen, manufactured in Denmark during the 1960s. Please note that the price is for one piece, two pieces available. Dimensions: H...
Brass
1950s Brutalist Welded Metal Wall Sculpture
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1950s Brutalist Welded Metal Wall Sculpture It features an abstract, vertical composition of interconnected geometric steel plates and discs with a rusted patina In the style of arti...
Iron
1 of the 4 Ceramic Green Brown Blue Pendants, Denmark 1970
Located in Rijssen, NL
Stunning set of four round ceramic hanging lamps with a beautiful pattern, made with rich colored green, blue and brown ceramics, manufactured in the 1960s in Denmark. Size is based...
Ceramic
$12,992 / item
James de Wulf Concrete Split Locking Dining Table, 60"
Located in Paia, HI
The James de Wulf classic Split Locking dining table features a split radius in the tabletop. The table consists of two pieces: table top and base, which...
Concrete
Sculptural wood and Brutalist Brass Credenza by Luciano Frigerio, Italy 1970s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Experience the peak of 1970s Italian luxury with this magnificent credenza designed by the celebrated architect and artist Luciano Frigerio. This piece is far more than just furnitur...
Brass
Brutalist Patinated Leather and Wood Easy Chairs, Spain, 1950s
Located in Almelo, NL
Brutalist Patinated Leather and Wood Easy Chairs, Spain, 1950s A striking pair of mid-20th century easy chairs, crafted in Spain during the 1950s. These Brutalist lounge chairs feat...
Leather, Beech
Brutalist Sculptural Armchair, Solid Burnt Oak Wood, Organic, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Step into the realm of bold, uncompromising design with the Logniture Brutalist Sculptural Armchair—a true masterpiece in solid burnt oak wood. This one-of-a-kind armchair is not jus...
Wood, Oak
Rare Gold BMF Nagel Quist Variomaster Brutalist Stockable Modular Candleholder
Located in Vienna, AT
Stackable modular candleholder by BMF Quist Nagel, rare gold edition. The candleholders were designed by Ceasar Stoffi and Fritz Nagel and manufactured by BMF (Bayerische Metallwaren...
Brass, Chrome
Solid Wooden Dining Table - American Walnut - 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
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...
Ceramic
Mid-century Abstract Brutalist Bronze
By A. Robillard
Located in San Francisco, CA
Fabulous bronze of what looks to be a sphere. To me it seems brutalist in style, but also abstract. It has a big R on the bottom and it is dated 1967. Definitely a mystery piece. It ...
Bronze
Pair of Ceramic Table Lamp by Noomi Backhausen for Soholm Silk Shade, 1960
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table lamp by Noomi Backhausen for Soholm Pottery, Denmark 1960s. Combined with a custom silk lampshade made by Rene Houben. The warm colors of the ceramic with th...
Ceramic
$1,637Sale 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
Ceramic Table Lamp by Noomi Backhausen for Soholm, 1960
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table lamp by Noomi Backhausen for Soholm Pottery, Denmark 1960s. The warm colors of the ceramic with the shade complement each other very well and illuminate beau...
Ceramic
Joel Escalona's Masterpiece in Elegant Dark Black Solid Wood, Still Stand No100
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Masterpiece in Elegant Dark Black Solid Wood, Still Stand No100 —— Joel Escalona's wooden standing sculptures are objects of raw beauty and serene grace. Each one i...
Hardwood
Large Minimalist Solid Oak Dark Brown Dining Table - Fenestra by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rhythmic interplay of volumes and voids. The Fenestra table is inspired by Brick Expressionism, the architectural movement visible in Amsterdam’s ‘South Plan’ area - the city devel...
Oak, Walnut
Heavy Brutalist Style Pedestal, Slate, Wood and Concrete, 1960s Dutch
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Offered is this beautiful rare Brutalist octagonal shaped pedestal, made in the 1960s. A "mosaic" of different sizes slate stone in beautiful autumn colors embedded in concrete. Bold...
Concrete, Slate
Elefante Console Table 25, Design by Joel Escalona, Artistic Wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Console Table 25, Design by Joel Escalona, Artistic Wood ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modern...
Hardwood
Pair of Hammered Glass Wrought Iron Sconces by Longobard, Italy, 1970s
By Longobard
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Pair of Mid-Century Modern wall lamps light lighting sconces amber and clear hammered glass and wrought iron, by the manufacture Longobard in Verona in a Brutalist style, the concurr...
Wrought Iron
Pair of large 1960s Brutalist bronze wall sconces
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Pair of Italian wall sconces from the 1960s, in the Brutalist Gothic style. Solid brass frame with a patina finish; custom-made shades. Highly original and sculptural design. Very ni...
Brass
$120Sale Price / set|20% Off
Vintage Solid Steel Candlestick Holders c.1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A pair of vintage solid steel candlestick holders with hexagonal bases. Blue with gold trim. CREATOR Unknown. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1940-1960. MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Solid...
Bronze
Low Sideboard in Solid Oak by Henning Kjærnulf, 1960s
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Low sideboard in solid oak, designed by Henning Kjærnulf in the 1960s. The piece features a refined Brutalist expression with four doors and round metal handles. Inside, the cabinet ...
Oak
Black brutalist credenza, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Ebonized black brutalist credenza with 4 doors which offer plenty of storage space. Additional is a never seen before white marble inlay on the bottom creating a nice contrast. Be...
Marble
Large Pair of Faux Rock Crystal Candlesticks, after Van Day Truex
Located in Spencertown, NY
A Large version of Van Day Truex's renowned "rock crystal" candlesticks. Height 13", Unmarked
Glass
$1,450Sale Price|23% Off
Adrian Pearsall "Goop" Brutalist Bronzed Sculptural Circular Side Table
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Astoria, NY
Adrian Pearsall "Goop" Circular Bronzed and Ebonized Wood Side Table. 16" H x 17.75" Diameter. Provenance: An Upper West Side, Manhattan Collection.
Resin, Wood
1970s Tom Greene for Feldman Metal Brutalist Pendant Light
By Tom Greene, Feldman Lighting Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
1970s Brutalist style pendant light by Tom Greene for Feldman. Burnished brass with cut-out detailing. Newly rewired with new double socket fittings. Fixture takes two standard bulbs...
Brass
Ceramic Table Lamp with Custom Silk Lampshade by Rene Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table lamp, combined with a custom silk lampshade made by Rene Houben. The warm colors of the ceramic with the custom made shade complement each other very well an...
Ceramic
Portuguese Center Table Poppy in Beige Natural Travertino Stone by Mambo
Located in Lisbon, PT
Poppy table is an emblem of nature and organic growth, behind this design lies an essence of naivety effortlessly found within natural forms. Poppy tables are a finely tuned example ...
Marble
$5,313 / 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
Brutalist totem sculpture - 1970s France
Located in Haaltert, BE
Brutalist wooden 'totem' sculpture. Carved with a lot of elements in the shape of an eye. At each part of the sculpture you see several elements such as strong lines, holes, eyes and...
Wood
$7,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Paul Evans Rare and Early Candlesticks, Set of Three, 1953
By Paul Evans
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Evans Rare and Early Candlesticks, Set of Three, 1953 Sandblasted pewter Each: 20½ h × 3¼ dia in (52 × 8 cm) Provenance: The Artist Collection of Dorsey Reading Exhibited: Paul...
Pewter
Joel Escalona's Elefante Side Table 12, Rounded Silhouette, Walnut Wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Elefante Side Table 12, Rounded Silhouette, Decorative Craft ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid walnut wood. Other wood...
Hardwood
$1,760Sale Price / set|20% Off
1970s Brutalist Floorlamp + Pendant by Temde Leuchten Germany / Switzerland
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Hard to find set of 1970s Brutalist burnished Pinewood & bubble glass sphere lamps Produced by Temde Leuchten AG (Switzerland) This floor lamp...
Iron
Unique Giandomenico Belotti Architectural Table in Chrome and Stone, Italy 1960
Located in Milan, IT
Unique, Sculptural, Piece of Art, Giandomenico Belotti Monumental table made for his wife in the 1960s The pure essence of Italian architectural modernism. Structure, lightness, ...
Stone, Steel, Chrome
Brutalist Provocative Towel Hanger by Swedish Artist Erik Höglund (Hoglund)
By Erik Höglund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Te iron clothes hook was forged by Erik Höglund, (1932-1998), in his Studio during 1960s. The hanger was intended as a studio piece. Erik Höglund's work has been exhibited around th...
Iron