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.
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
$4,122Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Design Black Ebonized Dry Bar Cabinet, Belgium 1970's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Brutalist Belgian Design Black Ebonized Dry Bar Cabinet. Made in Belgium, 1970's period. No maker markings. In the manner of De Coene Frères Mfg. Black ebonized stained oak with alum...
Metal
Brutalist De Coene Sideboard in Stained Oak, Belgium, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
A brutalist sideboard by De Coene, made in Belgium in the 1970s. Crafted from black-stained oak, the piece showcases four geometric diamond-pattern doors opening to reveal generous s...
Oak
Large Oval Wall Mirror in Solid Pine by Glasmäster Markaryd, Sweden, 1960s
By Glasmäster
Located in Odense, DK
A beautiful large oval wall mirror in solid pine. Made by Glasmäster in Markaryd, Sweden in the 1960s. A decorative object that pairs well with...
Pine
French Brutalist Bar and Two Stools Set, Oak and Cowhide, 1960s
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, HR
French Brutalist Bar and Two Stools Set, Oak and Cowhide, 1960s. This dry bar and pair of stools are built from solid oak with a heavily grained surface and a warm stained finish. T...
Leather, Oak
A Pair of NEOCLASSICAL BRUTALIST SHABBY-CHIC Wrought Iron ANDIRONS, France 1960
Located in PARIS, FR
A pair of beautiful NEOCLASSICAL BRUTALIST SHABBY-CHIC andirons, with a kind of gothic influence : tripod wrought iron base with rolled wrought iron hooves, each topped with a tapere...
Wrought Iron
Brutalist Carved Pine Table/Bench by Glas Master Markaryd
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Sweden. Carved bench with full line construction.
Pine
$8,015 / item
Sculpted Bench or Coffee Table N12 in Solid Oakwood
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Bench or side table in solid oak (+ linseed oil) (Outdoor use OK) SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in an authentic sty...
Oak
Sculpted Dining Table 'Hammered' in Solid Oakwood 'Custom Size S'
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...
Oak
Swedish Brutalist Aluminum and Glass Sconce by Hans Ehrlich
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Swedish Brutalist cast aluminum and cast glass wall sconces by Tom Ahlstrom and Hans Ehrlich. Total five available and priced individually. Thes...
Aluminum
Giovanni 'John’ Bucci Metal Art Sculpture, 1960s
Located in Savannah, GA
Giovanni 'John' Bucci (Italian-American, 1935-2019) A welded metal sculpture composed of various found metal pieces, 1960s. 29 ½ inches wide by 15 inches tall by 2 ¼ inches deep
Metal
$212Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Umanoff Grenada Style Brutalist Black Iron Bowl
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage iron bowl in the style of Umanoff. The piece is designed in the Salterini Grenada pattern, making it unique. The bowl projects a st...
Iron
Mid Century Brutalist Lamp by Bijan of California for Laurel Lamp “Setterah”
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Redding, CT
Torch cut Brutalist Lamp by Bijan of California for Laurel Lamp called “Settarah”. In the Style of Curtis Jere where Industrial meets atomic. This sculptural beauty is timeless and c...
Metal
Side Table, Solid Burnt Wood, Oak, Wine Table, Chainsaw Carved, Rustic
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved side table/wine table/pedestal. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such un...
Wood, Oak
Fluted Tobacco Sculptural Concrete Coffee Table by Dylan Myers
Located in Elkridge, MD
Fluted Tobacco is a sculptural round concrete coffee table by Dylan Myers Design for The Concrete Anomaly. Measuring 30 inches in diameter and 20 inches high, the piece combines a su...
Cast Stone, Concrete
$1,608Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Brutalist Studio Welded Steel Side Tables by Masciarelli for Regent
By Masciarelli
Located in Oceanside, US
These striking Brutalist side tables by Masciarelli for Regent crafted during the 1960s, the tables feature torched and textured cylindrical metal bases, creating a visually compelli...
Steel
Mid-Century French Brutalist Hand-Forged Iron Seven-Light Candelabrum
Located in Dallas, TX
Bold yet beautifully balanced, this mid-century French candelabrum was hand-forged from iron in the expressive Brutalist tradition. Seven candle arms rise in a graduated, symmetrical...
Wrought Iron
Hand Carved Soapstone Owls Sculpture / Paperweight in the Style of Glenn Heath
Located in San Diego, CA
Hand carved soapstone owls sculpture / paperweight in the style of Glenn Heath, circa 1980s. The owl is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 3"W x 1"D ...
Soapstone
Vintage Lane Altavista Book Matched Burl Wood Full Headboard
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking full-size headboard from Lane Furniture’s renowned Altavista collection is a celebration of organic texture and Mid-Century Modern sophistication. Featuring four distin...
Walnut, Burl
$1,745Sale Price|40% Off
Pair of Brutalist Side Tables in Black Solid Oak - Cadence by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
These solid oak Cadence side tables are showroom models in excellent condition. - Dimensions per side table: L:34 x W:22 x H:30 cm. - The price includes a custom wooden shipping cr...
Oak
Lane Brutalist Staccato Hutch c.1970's, Credenza and Hutch Top Display Cabinet
Located in Lutz, FL
Mid Century Brutalist Lane Staccato 2 piece China Hutch c.1970’s. Upper display cabinet with glass doors and 3 interior glass shelves with etched plate rail, and interior light. Lowe...
Glass, Wood
Mid-century Set of 2 Brutalist Safari lounge chairs, 1970’s
Located in Delft, NL
Set of 2 Safari lounge chairs, 1970’s
Leather, Wood
1960s Spanish Style Brutalist Carved Oak Cupboard or Cabinet
Located in London, London
A striking Spanish-style oak cupboard with a strong architectural presence and beautifully sculpted detail. Crafted in solid oak, the cabinet is defined by its pair of panelled door...
Oak
Contemporary "Arz" Chair in Solid Atlas Cedar by Mādda: Minimalist Moroccan
Located in Marrakech, MA
A contemporary seating piece by Marrakech-based design studio Mādda. Titled "Arz"—the Arabic word for Cedar—this chair is a study in reductive modernism, rooted in North African craf...
Cedar, Wood
Jean Tall Side Table with Black Marble Base and Pink Marble Top
Located in Lisbon, PT
Jean tall side table with Nero Marquina top (black marble), Nero Marquina middle part (blackmarble) and Nero Marquina (bottom). Made to Order. Open since 1997 and based in Lisbon, ...
Marble
Vintage Glazed Ceramic Scored Vases - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional pair of vintage studio pottery vases captures the raw, expressive spirit of the Brutalist and Mid-Century Modern movements through their striking textural contrast. ...
Ceramic
Bernard Rooke Ceramic Table Lamp, England 1970's
Located in New York, NY
"Wheel" table lamp by Bernard Rooke in heavy ceramic in the brutalist style. The lamp is wired for the US, comes with no shade (one can be provided on request) size is of base only.
Brass
Minimalist Solid Walnut Hari Coffee Table - by Mokko
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
Belgian Oak Armchair with Integrated Side Rest, 1960s
Located in London, London
Dutch Oak Armchair with Integrated Side Rest, 1960s A sculptural oak armchair of Dutch origin, dating to the 1960s. The design is strikingly arch...
Oak
Vintage Handcarved Dark Wooden Candleholder with Brutalist Italian Design, 1960s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
This vintage wooden candleholder from 1960s Italy is a striking example of handcarved Brutalist design. Crafted from dark wood with strong sculptural lines, it combines raw texture w...
Wood
Potro Stool - Contemporary solid Parota woodturned stool from Mexico
Located in Guadalajara, MX
Potro Stools are versatile, solid wood pieces that can work as seating, side tables or pedestals. Potro Stools are inspired by the sturdy anatomy of horses and their role in Mexica...
Wood
$4,443Sale Price|33% Off
Unique Brutalist Mirror Made of Painted Wood, Rope & Old Iron Nails, Signed Arbo
By Arbo
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This unique amazing Brutalist mirror is made of painted wood, rope & old iron nails. This is a fantastic work of art made of hundreds of oak pieces representing a large sunburst mirr...
Steel
Midcentury brutalist artisanal rustic handcrafted pine stool, France 1960s
Located in Zaandam, NL
Gorgeous and rare artisanal stool, France 1960s. This beautiful stool could also be used as a plant stand or small side table. It's in a lovely vintage worn and patinated condition a...
Pine
ARCHETYPE Lounge Chair: Hand-Crafted Epoxy Resin, Brutalist Design
Located in Paris, IDF
The ARCHETYPE Seat is a bold exploration of primitive geometry transformed into contemporary collectible design. Its stepped silhouette appears simultaneously playful and monumental,...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Foam
Paul Kingma Inlaid African Slate & Brass Side Table, Circa 1980
By Paul Kingma
Located in Bainbridge, NY
V. Ramburrem attributed inlaid African slate, stone, wood and brass art side table. Featuring a rounded square form with varied tones of inset Slate and Stone, rimmed in rounded Wood...
Slate, Metal
Large Brutalist french mirror circa 1960
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Jolie et large miroir en chêne, jolie travail français vers 1960.
Mirror, Oak
Set of 6 “Sculpture” Dining Chairs by Salvino Marsura, Italy
Located in PARIS, FR
Set of 6 “Sculpture” Dining Chairs in Wrought Iron by Salvino Marsura, Italy, Late 1970s Exceptional and rare set of six sculptural dining chairs by Salvino Marsura, crafted in Ital...
Wrought Iron
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
Spanish Brutalist Wooden Marbella Bar Stools by Confonorm, 1970s, Set of 3
By Confonorm
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
A vintage set of Marbella bar stools in stained solid wood and black metal, made by Confonorm and produced in Spain during the 1970s. The stools feature sculptural saddle-style seats...
Metal
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
Paul Kingma attributed triangular coffee table, 1980s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Brutalist slate and natural stone top coffee table with inlaid copper and brass. Stone base. Good condition. Very much in the style of Paul Kingma. 1980s - Germany Height: 47cm ...
Slate, Brass
Paul Evans Style Brutalist Handmade Brass & Leather Lounge Chair, a Pair
By Paul Evans
Located in Plainview, NY
These exceptional lounge chairs inspired by the bold and sculptural aesthetic of Paul Evans' Brutalist designs, seamlessly blend industrial artistry with Art Deco elegance. Masterful...
Metal, Brass
$1,213
Brutalist stool
Located in Paris, FR
Brutalist stool - France 1950 Sculpted seat for comfortable seating with a beautiful patina. Root system with a very nice movement Dimensions : H45 x P40 x L40 cm
Wood
Pair of Signed Iron Brutalist Candle Holders
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice pair of signed iron brutalist candle holders, circa 1970s. The set is signed on the base "Perry", is in good vintage condition and measures 3"W x 3"D x 3"H. Cool well cr...
Iron
$4,580 / set
Ensemble de 6 chaises brutalistes 1960's
Located in TOURCOING, FR
Ensemble de 6 chaises brutalistes 1960's Suite de six chaises brutalistes des années 1960, au dessin volontairement architectural. Le piètement, construit en sections carrées et blo...
Wood
Brutalist Carved Oak Slats Lamp, France 1950’s
Located in New York, NY
Brutalist table lamp in carved oak with wrought iron studs. Base only 22x11.
Oak
$6,870 / item
Sculpted Brutalist End Table 'CT-9' 'Solid Oak'
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
End table CT-9 by Denis Milovanov x Soha Concept (Side table, end table, stool, pedestal...) Material: Solid oak Dimensions: H 34 x 40 x 40 cm SÓHA design studio conceives and prod...
Oak
Set of Four Bronze Door Handles, Bell and Key Plate in Organic Relief, 1970s
Located in London, GB
Double pair of bronze door handles, bel and unused name plate with strong relief of organic lines is made in the 1960-70's. These architectural pieces are made of cast bronze. They a...
Bronze
Rustic Ceramic Pendant Light, Handcrafted Studio Design, France, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rustic Ceramic Pendant Light, Handcrafted Studio Design, France, 1970s A unique handcrafted ceramic pendant light with a raw, artisanal aesthetic. Made from stoneware in a natural b...
Brass
Mid Century Brutalist Coffee or Console Table
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mid Century Brutalist Coffee or Console Table with glass top. 43.5w 22d 21h
Metal
Brutalist Console, Solid Walnut Wood, Customizable, Fenestra by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rhythmic interplay of volumes and voids. The Fenestra collection is inspired by Brick Expressionism, the architectural movement visible in Amsterdam’s ‘South Plan’ area - the city...
Oak, Walnut
Original Pal Kepenyes Articulate Sculpture Signed
By Pal Kepenyes
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970. We offer this Rare and Original Pal Kepenyes Articulate Sculpture Signed made in brass. Pal Kepenyes was a Hungarian artist and jewelry designer known for his unique and...
Brass
Spanish Colonial Wall Clock / Wall Decoration in Enamel & Wood, Spain 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching wall clock with hand-painted and enamel decorative details. Spain, 1950s. This wall clock features a carved wood backplate with scalloped edge adorned by a central circl...
Brass, Enamel, Gold Leaf
Vincent Payez Signed 1967 Torch Copper Wall Art, Brutalist Floral Repoussé Panel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A striking hand-worked copper wall panel by French brutalist artist Vincent Payez, signed and dated 1967. The composition features a raised, repoussé floral and botanical motif — a s...
Copper
$7,840Sale Price / set|20% Off
Joel Escalona NONO Lounge Chairs
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Lounge chairs by Joel Escalona. Custom ordered pair by the previous owners. Brilliant and understated, the set has true comfort and presence anywhere.
Walnut
$451Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist bench, inspired by the spirit of Olavi Hänninen.
Located in LYON, FR
Maison Lecan presents this brutalist bench, inspired by the spirit of Olavi Hänninen. Its elm veneer seat, resting on a solid elm base, features a minimalist silhouette, typical of ...
Elm
Spanish Brutalist Four-Door Sideboard, Solid Pine, Wrought Iron, 1970s
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, HR
Spanish Brutalist Four-Door Sideboard, Solid Pine, Wrought Iron, 1970s. This long sideboard is built from solid pine with a plank-constructed case and a thick overhanging top. The f...
Wrought Iron
Vintage Boho Textured Pedestal Dining Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking 60-inch round dining table is a masterclass in Postmodern Minimalism, featuring a bold, Brutalist-inspired silhouette. Crafted with a thick, tapered pedestal base and a...
Concrete
Contemporary Brutalist Style Small Table #4 in Solid Oak and Linseed Oil
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Small table made of solid oak (+ linseed oil) Measures: 50 x 112 x 45 cm. SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative object...
Oak
European Studio Art Chair in Carved Wood In the Manner of Jean Touret
Located in North Miami, FL
This carved wood Studio Chair is in the Manner of Jean Touret, Poland 1970s. Architecturally exquisite and perfect for high design spaces.
Wood