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.
$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
$10,769 / item
Cantilever Coffee Table Crafted In Brutalist Style
Located in New York, NY
This handcrafted coffee table is crafted from a composite blend of wood, resin, and fiberglass, it features a distinctive design inspired by the raw and unadorned aesthetics of the b...
Composition
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
$17,429 / item
Contemporary Sculpted Wardrobe/Cupboard in Solid Oak
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Wardrobe made of solid oak (+ linseed oil) Measures: 175 x 80 x 40 cm SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in an authentic ...
Oak
Solid Walnut Fenestra Console
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rhythmic interplay of volumes and void. The Fenestra console is inspired by Brick Expressionism, the architectural movement visible in Amsterdam’s ‘South Plan’ area - the city deve...
Oak, Walnut
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
Oak Dining Table, Square top, Solid Dark Brown European Oak - Aperta by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Inspired by light breaking through narrow voids in architectural structures, Aperta features a precise slit, creating a sense of lightness to its solid form. The Aperta Square Tabl...
Oak, Walnut
French Brutalist Elm Dining Table Or Center Table By Atelier Marolles
Located in Houston, TX
French Brutalist Elm Dining Table Or Center Table By Atelier Marolles. Outstanding large French Brutalist table by Atelier Marolles. This large table can be used as a dining table, c...
Elm
Brutalist Iron and Glass Table
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a great vintage Brutalist iron and glass table. This table is classic, yet modern and is adaptable to many uses from small Center Table to Side Table to Patio Table. It is in...
Wrought Iron
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
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
Solid brass cabinet knob – Compact square format 2.5 × 2.5 cm:
Located in Marrakech, MA
Solid brass cabinet knob – Compact square format 2.5 × 2.5 cm: This solid brass cabinet knob is defined by a compact format and a deliberately irregular square profile. Designed as ...
Brass
Brutalist Brass Pendant Lamp by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, Denmark, 1960s
By Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, Holm Sørensen
Located in Karis, Nyland
Striking Danish brutalist pendant lamp designed by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen and produced by Holm Sørensen & Co in the 1960s. The lamp is crafted from brass with a sculptural, layered...
Brass
1970s Sergio Bustamante Style Metal and Ceramic Birds S/2
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of two 1970s brass and ceramic decorative birds. In the style of Sergio Bustamante. Burnished brass with blue/white painted ceramic. No artists signature or brand stamp. Owl: 5....
Brass
A BRUTALIST NEOCLASSICAL Wrought Iron PAIR of ANDIRONS, France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
A simple and strong, pair of andirons, Neoclassical, Brutalist, to be attributed, massive wrought iron structures with interesting "twirl" effect, strongly caracterised by their "Fle...
Wrought Iron
$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
Italian Contemporary Carved Oak Two-Door Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Italian Contemporary artisan made carved oak two-door cabinet, the interior with shelving for great storage. No hardware as to not interrupt the seamless design of the carved wood. I...
Oak
Paul Evans Style Brutalist Walnut Mirror
By Paul Evans
Located in Doylestown, PA
Vintage Mid-century modern brutalist walnut block panel mirror in the manner of Paul Evans. Beautiful quality with rich wood grain and bold geometric design. A chic, dramatic mirror ...
Mirror, Walnut
Paul Kingma attributed coffee table, 1980s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Brutalist slate and natural stone top coffee table with inlaid copper and brass. Black wooden base. The table is signed but we cant see by who. Good condition. Very much in the s...
Stone
Paul Evans Monumental Three-Slate PE-42 Deep Relief Cabinet, Signed & Dated 1968
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exceptional and rare PE-42 'Deep Relief' cabinet by Paul Evans, executed in 1968, represents one of the most sculptural and architecturally significant forms produced by the Pau...
Slate, Steel
Mid Century Brutalist Tripod Chair Solid Oak Spain
Located in Poperinge, BE
Vintage authentic Spanish Brutalist tripod chair, made of solid oak, circa mid-20th century, Spain. The legs are attached with a mortise and tenon joint; the chair is crafted from t...
Wood, Oak
In Stock - STOR Dining Table Stained Solid Ash - 123"x49"
Located in Calgary, AB
Oversized turned legs and exposed joinery make a bold statement. The exposed end-grain joint is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, a detail that visibly confirms solid wood ...
Ash
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
Brutalist Free-Form Glass Trinket - Solid Cast Glass Catchall - France 1970s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Brutalist Free-Form Glass Trinket - Solid Cast Glass Catchall - France 1970s Free-form large and heavy decorative catchall. Entirely made of solid glass and beautifully crafted ! ...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
$30,676 / item
Sculpted Massive Dining Table V10 in Solid Oakwood
Located in Paris, IDF
Massive dining table made of solid oak (+ linseed oil) (Outdoor use OK) Model shown : Measures: 310 cm x 122 cm x 79 cm Warm furniture’s made by Denis Milovanov, founder of 'Soha Concept' design studio. Simplicity of shapes. Authentic material. Denis Milovanov produces wooden sculptures employing chainsaw and chisel as sole instruments of his practice. Reclaimed oak is carefully chosen, hand-processed and boiled in linseed oil in accordance with traditional Russian woodwork...
Oak
$9,800Sale Price|30% Off
Monumental Adrian Pearsall Brutalist Wall Mounted Disc Dry Bar, 1970's
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Culver City, CA
Available right now we have this increasingly rare, mid century modern, brutalist disc bar by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. This brutalist wall mounted disc cabinet is definitely a conversation piece-- stretching a whopping 48" in diameter, this disc dar opens to reveal a mirrored back as well as 2 shelf inserts. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and this entire brutalist line of furniture appears to have (pretty obviously) been inspired by American craft movement designer Paul Evans, who designed nearly identical pieces which were available through Directional Furniture to the trade in the 1960's and 1970's. While this piece doesn't have the pedigree of an original Paul Evans piece, what is does have is an abundance of over-the-top maximalist style with a much more palatable price tag. Without being mounted to the wall, this piece was a little tougher than an average piece to photograph, but for scale purposes we photographed it resting on the floor alongside a Fabricius and Kastholm grasshopper...
Resin, Wood
Peter Glassford Charcoal Reclaimed Wood Collage, Set of 2 Brutalist tiles
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural charcoal collage tiles part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled into ...
Wood
Sculpted Massive Dining Table in Solid Oakwood 'Custom Size'
By Denis Milovanov, Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Massive dining table of solid oak (+ linseed oil) (Outdoor use OK) Warm furniture’s made by Russian designer Denis Milovanov from "Soha" studio. Simplicity of shapes. Authentic material. Wooden items are created from oak and are boiled in oil from several days to several weeks, to achieve a natural wood coloration from a dark brown to a complete black color. Patterns are applied solely by chain...
Oak
Albano Poli style. Brutalist Murano Glass Sconce, Italy, 1970s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Large Brutalist and Mid-Century Modern Murano glass sconce in the style of Albano Poli's creations for Poliarte, Italy, 1970s. Composed of several rectangular and elongated pieces of...
Metal, Steel
MARYLYN HYDE Post-War British Ceramic Sculptural Stoneware Pottery Vessel
Located in Torquay, GB
Striking British studio stoneware pottery sculptural vessel by Marylyn Hyde, dating from the late 1970s to early 1980s. This monumental stoneware jardiniere is formed as a fragmented...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$12,000Sale Price|52% Off
1960s Mid Century Modern Abstract Metal "Wall Jewelry" Sculpture Harry Bertoia
Located in Peoria, AZ
MAGNIFICENT! BRUTALIST HANDWORKED SCULPTED METAL WALL ART Attributed to Harry Bertoia. INCREDIBLE WELDS, WORKMANSHIP & DESIGN! HUGE! App...
Bronze, Iron
Vintage Patinated Wrought Iron Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your interior with the bold, architectural presence of this vintage wrought iron wall mirror. Defined by its rhythmic structural design, the frame features linear bars punctu...
Metal, Wrought Iron
Paul Evans 'PE-32' Patchwork Copper Cabinet with Slate Top for Directional, 1968
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning 'PE-32' copper clad bar cabinet on casters by Paul Evans for Directional, produced in 1968 per original receipt which we have a copy of...
Brass, Copper, Pewter
Billy Joe McCarroll and David Gillespie Bronze Brutalist Heroic Sunburst Doors
By Billy Joe Mccarroll and David Gillespe, MS + Surfaces
Located in Chicago, IL
Billy Joe McCarroll and David Gillespie Bronze Brutalist Heroic Sunburst Doors 1970's Forms and Surfaces, Inc. These stunning doors, designed by Billy Joe McCarroll and David Gillesp...
Bronze, Steel
Set of 2 Brutalist Satin Black Reclaimed Wood Collage Tiles by Peter Glassford
Located in San Antonio, TX
A sculptural Satin Black collage tiles part of the Brutal Nature collection by Peter Glassford, handcrafted from reclaimed wood fragments and assembled in...
Wood
Mexican brutalist Feders Pendant Light
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer these original pendant light designed by Felipe Delfinger. Made of brass and blue artglass. About Felipe Delfinger: In the year 1860, the German Derflinger fam...
Brass
Coffee Table, Architectural Contemporary Design, Solid Oak, Hari 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
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
Contemporary 'PATHOS' Dining Table by Eichkorn, Burnt Ash Wood, Customizable
By Eichkorn
Located in Paris, IDF
PATHOS Dining Table by German contemporary design studio Eichkorn. Material: Burnt Ash Wood Standard size: H.75 x 280 x 180 cm - Customizations are possible Made from burnt ash woo...
Ash
Pair mid century Brutalist Pueblo cabinets nightstands Lane Furniture USA 1970s
Located in Hastings, GB
Pair of Brutalist 'Pueblo' cabinets / nightstands by Lane Furniture, USA 1970s. Great for bedroom or living room use. Walnut veneer with resin abstract design in relief on doors. In...
Resin, Wood
Flying rock sculpture, monolith in composite material, stone effect, brutalist
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Flying rock sculpture, monolith in composite material, stone effect, brutalist. This flying rock sculpture resembles an ancient monolith with bold, powerful edges and a mix of smoot...
Composition
$796Sale Price / set|20% Off
MCM Solid Exotic Wood Nightstands Rustic Brutalist Pair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on "Read More" or "View More Details" below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing is from 1st Dibs and they normally s...
Wood
$22,800Sale Price|20% Off
Jacques Duval-Brasseur Gilt Bronze Tree Form Dining Table, France, 1970s, Signed
By Jacques Duval Brasseur, Jacques Duval-Brasseur 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare and monumental gilt bronze tree-form dining or center table by French designer and sculptor Jacques Duval-Brasseur, executed circa 1970. While Duval-Brasseur is widely known f...
Bronze
Paolo Soleri Special Order Large 55 inch Brutalist Windbell 1975
By Paolo Soleri
Located in Chicago, IL
Paolo Soleri Special Order Large 55 inch Brutalist Windbell 1975 Cast aluminum, patinated bronze, and copper 55 h × 13 w × 7½ d in Cast artist's cipher to body. Condition: Natural pa...
Bronze, Copper
Vintage Mid-Century Solid Oak Desk with 6 drawers, Kjærnulf style, Denmark 1960s
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
This striking freestanding executive brutalist desk, attributed to Danish designer Henning Kjærnulf, is a masterclass in mid-century Scandinavian craftsmanship. Crafted in Denmark ...
Oak
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
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 high back chair, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Decorative brutalist side chair with 4 chunky interlocking legs and a long backrest. The chair looks great and is in very nice and sturdy condition. 1960s Belgium Height: 113cm Wi...
Oak
Brutalist cement and glass wall lamp, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Poliarte style wall lamp made from cement and inlaid glass. The brutalist design looks great and the light is diffused. Italy - 1960s Good conditionand in working order Dimensio...
Cement
Vintage 1970s Danish Brutalist Light Oak Dining Cabinet, Henning Kjærnulf style
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
Elevate your dining space with this exceptional Mid-Century Modern Light Oak Display Cabinet / China, a true testament to 20th-century Danish craftsmanship. This magnificent piece se...
Brass
Brutalist Handmade Ceramic Wall Sconce, Envelope Sconce by Streicher Goods
By Streicher Goods, Ethan Streicher
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Envelope Sconce is a brutalist-inspired wall sconce, perfect for down-lighting a bedside, accent lighting in larger living spaces, or lighting a ha...
Ceramic, Acrylic
Contemporary Brutalist Style Bench or Low Table in Solid Oak and Linseed Oil
By Sóha, Denis Milovanov
Located in Paris, IDF
Bench or low table made of solid oak (+ linseed oil) (Outdoor use OK) Measures: 35 x 250 x 60 cm Warm furniture’s made by Russian designer Denis Milovanov from "Soha" studio. Si...
Oak
Contemporary Sculpted Sideboard in Solid Oak and Linseed Oil
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Contemporary sculpted sideboard in solid oak and linseed oil. Dimensions: H. 85 x W. 160. x D. 45 cm Unique piece made to order. Founded ...
Oak
Contemporary Brutalist Style Bench in Solid Oak ‘Dark’ and Linseed Oil
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Brutalist Bench Bench made of solid oak (+ linseed oil). Measures: 90 x 185 x 60 cm. SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak i...
Oak
Brutalist Coffee Table, Solid Black Oak, Custom Made, Hari 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...
Walnut, Oak
Italian Brutalist Ceramic Table Lamp with Running Glaze, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Raw looking italian table light executed in a chamotte clay type with running drip glazes in light green, white and brown. Studio-made in Italy circa 1970-75. It comes mounted with a...
Ceramic
Brutalist Oak Coffee Table with Tiled Top
Located in London, London
A substantial brutalist coffee table with tiled top, dating to the 1960s–70s, notable for its weight, texture and sculptural construction. The solid timber frame is formed from thic...
Ceramic, Oak
Forged Wrought Iron Brutalist Candle Holder Wall Sconce, Spain 1940s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Spanish hand forged iron wall sconce features a brutalist, graphic form, combining Medieval and Spanish Hacienda Revival influences with Arts and Crafts attitude. The prominent silho...
Wrought Iron
Large Mid-Century Brutalist Modern Paul Evans Rectangular Cocktail Table Brass
By Paul Evans
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large Paul Evans mixed metal rectangular coffee table circa early 1960's in New Hope PA. It features copper, bronze and pewter cladding design work with a thick black slate top. In ...
Slate, Bronze, Copper, Pewter
Sculpted Massive Dining Table V3 in Solid Oakwood 'Custom Size'
By Denis Milovanov, Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Massive dining table made of solid oak (+ linseed oil) (Outdoor use OK) Warm furniture’s made by Russian designer Denis Milovanov for 'Soha Concept' design studio. Simplicity of shapes. Authentic material. Wooden items are created from oak and are boiled in oil from several days to several weeks, to achieve a natural wood coloration from a dark brown to a complete black color. Patterns are applied solely by chain saw...
Oak