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.
$542Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist sculpture in welded and patinated copper and brass - Jarc - 1970
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Brutalist sculpture in welded and patinated copper and brass, depicting a stylized animal. Created by the artist Jarc in the 1970s, it is in excellent condition with a beautiful patina.
Brass
Set of 2 Brutalist Soft Gray Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Soft Gray collage tiles by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one-of-a-kind composition. Each tile measures...
Wood
$4,250Sale Price|45% Off
Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates Sculpted Brutalist Sofa Large Loveseat Settee
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Wayne, NJ
Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates Brutalist Sofa Couch . We have another matching sofa in a different size in our other items. The highly decorated resin surfaces are similar to Paul...
Fabric
KITA LIVING Shelf No: 1 - Oak Mist
By İsmail Dağlı, Gökhan Eryaman
Located in Bomonti, TR
An open, wall-mounted shelf designed for the storage and display of everyday objects. Crafted from raw aluminum plate and solid oak brackets, its simplistic design and utilitarian lo...
Aluminum
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
$5,800 / set
1930's Forge Iron Tripod Italian Floor Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Amazing pair of large forge iron tripod Italian floor lamps, newly rewired and ready to use with some wear and patina due to age and use. One of the lamps is 1' shorter.
Iron
Marz Designs "Polaris Wall Light", Small, Tumbled Brass
By Marz Designs
Located in BYRON BAY, NSW
Drawing from Brutalist architecture and the symbolism of the North Star, Polaris is a collection that embodies both origins, by fusing geometric form and celestial illumination to cr...
Aluminum, Brass
Cast brass cabinet knob from the Earth Prints collection 5.5 x 4 cm
Located in Marrakech, MA
Cast brass cabinet knob from the Earth Prints collection: This cast brass cabinet knob is part of the Earth Prints collection, which draws inspiration from natural formations and or...
Brass
Modern Stump Chair in Solid Pine, by a Swedish Cabinetmaker, Wabi Sabi, 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
A captivating primitive stump chair, hand-carved in solid wood by an unknown Swedish cabinetmaker in the 1960s. This beautiful Wabi-Sabi piece carries a warm patina, making it a uniq...
Pine
Large Tree Shaped Candle Holder in Hand Forged Steel 1970s
Located in Meer, VAN
Large Tree Shaped Candle Holder in Hand Forged Steel 1970s This well sized hand forged candle holder is wonderfully shaped like a tree, it origins from Europe, 1970s. It is original...
Wrought Iron
Set of 2 Brutalist Antique Gold Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Antique Gold collage tiles by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one-of-a-kind ...
Wood
Brutalist pine rocking lounge chair with leather seat by Wasa 1984
Located in Zaandam, NL
Pine rocking chair originally designed in the 1970s according to some but this one is Cleary marked 1984 by Wasa ( Germany ). The chair is ingrate condition with only some minimal we...
Leather, Pine
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
Set of 2 Brutalist Matte Black Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Matte Black collage tiles by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one-of-a-kind c...
Wood
Vintage Brutalist Abstract Metal Nail Wall Art Sculpture, circa 1970
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Brutalist Abstract Metal Nail Wall Art Sculpture In the Style of William Bowie, circa 1970's Artist Unknown " in very good vintage condit...
Metal
Vintage 1960s Danish Brutalist Ladderback Light Oak Chairs style of Kjærnulf
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
This set of four carved light oak ladder-back chairs, familiar to the "Razorblade" model, designed by Henning Kjærnulf. Crafted with solid oak frames, these chairs are both elegant a...
Fabric, Oak
Joel Escalona's NONO Elefante Table 60, Smooth Solid Wood, Sleek Style
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's NONO Elefante Table 60, Smooth Solid Wood, Sleek Style ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a...
Hardwood
Pair of Multicolored Hammered Glass and Wrought Iron Sconces by Longobard, Italy
By Longobard
Located in Benalmadena, ES
An extraordinary pair of wall sconces from the renowned Italian manufacturer Longobard, iconic of the Brutalist style of the 1970s. Each sconce features a crescent shape made of wrou...
Wrought Iron
$8,700Sale Price|40% Off
Brutalist Aluminum Door Panel in Anodized Bronze / Copper Finish
By Billy Joe Mccarroll and David Gillespe
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Brutalist cast aluminum door panel with handle in anodized bronze / copper finish made in Belgium in 1970’s. In the style of Billy Joe McCarroll and David Gillespi "Heroic Doors...
Aluminum
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
Cabinet knob in cast brass : Organic shape 5 x 3 cm
Located in Marrakech, MA
Cabinet knob in cast brass : This cabinet knob in cast brass is designed for interior furniture applications, including drawers, cabinet doors, and built-in storage units. With dime...
Brass
NONO Sideboard Elefante 26, Design by Joel Escalona, Sculpted Silhouette
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Sideboard Elefante 26, Design by Joel Escalona, Sculpted Silhouette ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a...
Hardwood
Set of 2 Samples of Brutalist Sculptural Collage Wall Art in Upcycled Wood
Located in San Antonio, TX
Each sample measures 10" x 4.5" and is offered as a set of two. Designed by Peter Glassford, each piece is a unique Brutalist-inspired collage. No two samples are alike; every compo...
Wood
HERMAN TALVIK - Surrealist Engraving - Signed - Estonia/Sweden - Circa 1950's
Located in Chatham, ON
HERMAN TALVIK (1906-1984) - Vintage Surrealist engraving - signed lower right - untitled - finished with a single bevel edged matte board under glass - vintage painted wood frame wit...
Glass, Wood, Paint, Paper
Sculptural Side Table, Rustic, Burnt Black Wood, Carved, Handmade, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
These two sculptural blocks are functional art, each carved from a single piece of wood to maintain the raw integrity of the timber. The design features a blocky, monolithic form tha...
Wood, Oak
Mid-Century Brutalist Carafe Vases from Hartwig Heyne Pottery, Germany, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Carafe Vases from Hartwig Heyne Pottery, Germany, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional informat...
Ceramic
Brutalist “Staccato” Dresser by Lane Furniture, USA, 1970s
Located in Almelo, NL
Brutalist “Staccato” Dresser by Lane Furniture, USA, 1970s Striking Brutalist dresser from the “Staccato” series by Lane Furniture, USA, 1970s. This architectural piece showcases La...
Wood, Walnut
Round Brutalist Coffee Table in Stone & Steel, French Mid-Century Modern, 1970s
Located in Odense, DK
A round coffee table from the 1970s, crafted in France, featuring a large stone tabletop supported by a sturdy steel base. Its circular form and robust design embody the Mid-Century ...
Stone, Steel
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...
Hardwood
Danish Brutalist Oak Dining Chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, 1960s. Set of 6.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Brutalist Oak Dining Chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, 1960s. Set of 6. Set of six Danish Mid-Century Modern dining chairs designed by Danish architect Henning Kjærnulf and manufac...
Velvet, Oak
Black brutalist bar cabinet, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Illuminated ebonized wood bar cabinet with graphical brutalist design doors. Mirrored and illuminated bar compartment. Good condition. 1970s - Belgium Dimensions: Height: 127cm ...
Wood
Peter Glassford Natural Parota Reclaimed Wood Collage, Set of 2 Brutalist tiles
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Natural Parota collage tiles by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one-of-a-kind composition. Each tile mea...
Wood
Large Round Rustic Vintage Brutalist Coffee Table in Oak
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
This large, round coffee table from the 1960s is crafted in a Brutalist style from heavy, high-quality oak. The wood exhibits a beautiful patina and minor signs of wear, giving the p...
Oak
Spanish Foliage Sunburst Light Fixture / Chandelier in Gilt Iron, 10 Lights
By Ferro Art
Located in Barcelona, ES
Outstanding spanish foliage sunburst flush mount ceiling light in gilt iron, Ferro Art, 1950s Extra large size ( 91cm / 35,8 inches diameter). Ten Ligh...
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf
$22,750Sale Price|30% Off
Paul Evans Brutalist Skyline Dining Table
By Paul Evans
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Paul Evans brutalist "Skyline" sculpted bronze resin dining table with 48" x 96" x 3/4" thick glass top. Signed PE70 Only base is 65" x 27".
Bronze
$3,930 / item
AVRA Wall Sconce - Piccolo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Buds of warm natural alabaster – glowing harbingers of Spring after a long Winter - nestle in textured, Brutalist – inspired cast bronze frames. Custom Sizes Available. Models in t...
Alabaster, Bronze
Set of 2 Brutalist Whitewashed Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural White wash collage tiles by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one-of-a-kind co...
Wood
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...
Stone, Metal, Chrome
$5,715 / item
ALMA Ceiling Surface Flush Mount
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A slab of hand cut Natural Alabaster glows in the grasp of a Brutalist-inspired cast Bronze frame. Custom Sizes Available. Models in the collection are individually hand-crafted by...
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze
Peter Glassford Charcoal Reclaimed Wood Collage, Set of 2 Brutalist tiles
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural charcoal collage tiles by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one-of-a-kind comp...
Wood
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...
Hardwood
$7,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
Elefante Side Table 1, Joel Escalona, Solid Walnut Wood Elegance
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's NONO Elefante Table 40, Wood Spheres, Elegant Lines ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid walnut wood. Other wood opt...
Hardwood
$20,228 / item
Contemporary Brutalist Cabinet in Solid Oak, Brown
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Contemporary Brutalist Cabinet made of solid oak Dimensions: 180 x 80 x 45 cm Unique piece made to order. Customizable. Founded by D...
Oak
Peter Glassford Matte White Reclaimed Wood Collage, Set of 2 Brutalist Tiles
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Matte White collage tiles by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one-of-a-kind c...
Wood
Large Brutalist Warm Brown Solid European Oak Table - Brut by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Brut table takes cues from Brutalism and Amsterdam School architecture. A balance of raw materiality and subdued forms with geometrically expressive detailing. Designed by Aad B...
Oak, Walnut
Brutalist Mid-Century Coffee Table
Located in London, England
Brutalist mid-century glass top coffee table on solid teak base. Re-finished and new toughened smoked glass. France circa 1970.
Glass, Teak
Mid-Century Brutalist Spanish Oak Two-Piece Stacking Cupboard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Each cupboard is constructed in solid oak and features bold geometric relief carving across all door panels — a repeating pattern of raised squares with inset circles that gives the ...
Wrought Iron
Set of 2 Brutalist Satin Black Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Satin Black collage tiles by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into a richly textured, one-of-a-kind c...
Wood
Wabi Sabi Stump Chair in Solid Birch, by a Swedish Cabinetmaker, Modern, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
Charming primitive stump chair made in solid birch. Hand carved by an unknown Swedish cabinetmaker. A nice wabi sabi piece, perfectly sutied for the modern interior. This modern arm...
Birch
Minimalist Brutalist Lounge Chair, Burn Oak Wood Muted D Easy Chair by NONO
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Minimalist Brutalist Lounge Chair, Burn Oak Wood Muted Easy Chair by NONO Brutalist chairs boast a strong, yet passive presence with minimalist designs that highlight the rich text...
Hardwood
1 of the 7 Georges Pelletier Ceramic Lamps, Custom Silk Shades by R. Houben
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 7 beautiful ceramic table/ floor lamps by Georges Pelletier, 2022. Custom made silk and rattan lampshades by René Houben. The brown and honey colored ceramics and the geome...
Ceramic
Vintage Brutalist Bronze Candleholder from Gallo, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Brutalist Bronze Candleholder from Gallo, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Bronze...
Bronze
$8,700Sale Price|40% Off
Brutalist Aluminum Door in Antique Bronze Finish
By Billy Joe Mccarroll and David Gillespe
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Brutalist cast aluminum door in antique bronze finish in the style of Billy Joe Mccarrol and David Gillespie or Paul Evans. This is just the panel that can be cut / modified to be at...
Aluminum
Sculptural Brutalist Marble Side Table by Jonathan Christian, France.
Located in Lille, FR
Sculptural Brutalist marble side table by Jonathan Christian.
Marble, Metal
Brutalist Iron and Glass Console Table c. 1970/80's
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in New York, NY
Chic architectural Brutalist iron and glass console, foyer table, design reminiscent of Giacometti, circa 1970/80's. The table features a Neo Classical Roman style metal base, in f...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Paul Evans Patchwork Hanging Shelf Console Table & Mirror
By Paul Evans
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Paul Evans studio floating shelf and mirror set circa early 1970's. It features copper, bronze and pewter cladding in a patchwork design. Console shelf measures 60 x 13 x 6.5 inches ...
Slate, Bronze, Copper, Pewter
Brown Ceramic Lamp Bitossi, Custom Double Silk Rattan Lampshade by R. Houben
By Bitossi
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful ceramic table/ floor. Custom made double rattan lampshade by René Houben. The brown ceramics and the warm colored details fit perfectly with the custom made double shade w...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Wrought Iron Color: Black Styles: Brutalis...
Wrought Iron
Contemporary Brutalist Dresser in Solid Oak 'Custom Size'
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Dresser / Cabinet Sculpted wood (solid oak) Finish: hammered, dark SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in so...
Oak
Contemporary Brutalist Style Commode in Solid Oak 'Custom Size'
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Commode / Chest of Drawers made of solid oak (+ linseed oil) by Denis Milovanov for SOHA Concept Measures: 85 x 122 x 56 cm - Custom size on request SÓHA design studio conceives and...
Oak