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.
Modern Bronze Verdigris Menorah
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous modern bronze verdigris menorah from Israel, circa 1980s. The menorah measures 8"W x 3"D x 10.5"H and is quite heavy and solid. #3787
Bronze
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
Mid Century Brutalist "Marbella" Bar Stools by Sergio Rodrigues Circa 1970s
Located in Gloucester, GB
Mid Century Brutalist "Marbella" Bar Stools by Sergio Rodrigues Circa 1970s - Price is for set of 3 - Solid beech - Steel footrests - Designed by Sergio Rodrigues - Produced by Con...
Steel
$5,958 / item
Sculpted Brutalist End Table 'CT-8' 'Solid Oak'
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
End table CT-8 by Denis Milovanov x Soha Concept (Side table, end table, stool, pedestal...) Material: Solid oak Dimensions: H 40 x 45 x 45 cm SÓHA desi...
Oak
A MODERNIST BRUTALIST Wrought Iron PAIR of ANDIRONS, France 1950
Located in PARIS, FR
A strong and singular pair of andirons, Mid-Century-Modern, Modernist, Brutalist, to be attributed, massive wrought iron structures strongly characterised by their "ring heads" and ...
Wrought Iron
Set of 6 Olavi Hänninen Solid Wood Chairs - T chairs
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Description: Presenting a remarkable set of six chairs designed by the renowned Finnish designer Olavi Hänninen. Crafted from rich, solid wood, these chairs embody a blend of rustic...
Elm
Brutalist Table Lamp by Harry Balmer for the Laurel Lamp Company, ca. 1970's
By Harry Balmer, Laurel Lamp Company
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Brutalist table lamp, by Harry Blamer, for the Laurel Lamp Company circa 1970's. The lamp features a torch cut body of welded iron segme...
Iron
Vintage MCM Leather Sling Lounge Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional mid-century modern sling chair is a masterclass in organic Brutalist design, blending rugged materiality with a sophisticated, relaxed silhouette. The frame is exper...
Leather, Wood
Brutalist Pocket Watch Wall Mirror in Wrought Iron, Spain
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Pocket Watch Mirror, Wrought Iron, Silver Patinated ____________________________________________________________________________ Hand forged iron round with pocket watch desi...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Brutalist Architectural Door Panel or Wall Decoration
By Paul Evans
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Brutalist cast aluminum sculpture that can be attached to your existing door or be hang above the fireplace or on the wall just like featured in Architectural Digest Magazine.
Aluminum
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
Vintage Wall Mirror by Palladio, Italy, 1960s
By Palladio
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Beautiful Large Vintage Wall Mirror by Palladio, Italy, 1960s. The vintage mirror is in very good vintage condition. The glass is original. The original label has been preserved. Di...
Mirror, Wood
Italian Brutalist Iron And Glass Lamp By Longobard
Italian Brutalist Iron And Glass Lamp By Longobard. We present a rare and unusual Italian Brutalist table lamp with a hammered iron base and a multicolored chiseled glass shade. This...
Iron
Chic Black Tinted Round Coffee Table - Urban Fundamenta 27 by NONO
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Chic Black Tinted Round Coffee Table - Urban Fundamenta 27 by NONO Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or black tinted finish. Due to the nature of...
Hardwood
Danish Modern Round Coffee Table in Solid Pine, Rainer Daumiller Style, 1970s
By Rainer Daumiller, Hirtshals Savvaerk
Located in Odense, DK
A fine Danish Modern round coffee table in solid pine, made in the style of Rainer Daumiller in the 1970s by a Danish Cabinetmaker. This sculptural coffee / side table will complem...
Pine
$20,259 / item
Contemporary Brutalist Cabinet in Solid Oak, Black
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Contemporary Brutalist cabinet made of solid oak by Denis Milovanov for SOHA Concept Dimensions: 180 x 80 x 45 cm - Custom size on requ...
Oak
Vintage Brutalist Spanish Ottoman 1950s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice chunky Brutalist Ottoman . Hand made Wood pins Solid Oak frame .comes with a Thick Leather top . 1950s Spanish . Good sturdy condition
Leather, Oak
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
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
Brutalist Oak Sideboard, Belgium, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
A brutalist sideboard produced in Belgium in the 1970s. The piece is constructed in oak with a warm brown tone, emphasizing the natural grain and material presence. The façade is def...
Oak
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
Rare Brutalist Oak Bar, De Coene
By Aurora
Located in Waasmunster, BE
Rare Brutalist Oak Bar, Original Edition "Niagara" from "Aurora", style De Coene
Oak
Decorative Brass Leaf Sculpture and Nut Cracker By David Marshall 1970’s
Located in Hastings, GB
A superbly executed large sculpture of a brutalist brass leaf with accompanying nut crackers in brass and cast aluminium by the Spanish based Scottish artist and sculptor David Marsh...
Brass
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
Brutalist Brass Pendant Lamp by Svend Aage Holm Sørensen, Denmark, 1960s
By Holm Sørensen, Svend Aage 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
Contemporary Brutalist Concrete and Oak Coffee Table
Located in Alhambra, CA
Elegant brutalist-style concrete and cerused Dublin oak coffee table. Large custom poured concrete table top, framed with wood and resting on three solid oak legs. All wood is Dublin...
Concrete
$31,462 / 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
French Brutalist Carved Oak Bar, 1950s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
"Raw materials are both the medium and the message." — Paul Rudolph A bold expression of mid-century French Brutalism, this sculptural bar is a striking testament to raw materiality...
Iron
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
Spanish Brutalist Aluminum + Brass Jug Handled Vase Attrib to Alfonso Marquez
Located in Troy, MI
Found in Spain, this brutalist style aluminum and brass jug style vase is attributed to Alfonso Marquez and dates from the 1970s. Vase is 10-1/2” tall and has a diameter just shy of ...
Aluminum, Brass
Cast Bronze 1970s Brutalist Side Tables by Peter van Heeck
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Bronze coffee or side table by Peter Van Heeck, Netherlands. Beautiful, brut table frame with a smoked glass top. Patina. 1970s - Netherlands Height: 45cm Width x depth: 70cm Re...
Bronze
Floating Console In Composite Material, Stone Effect, Brutalist Style
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Floating Console In Composite Material, Stone Effect, Brutalist Style. Floating console in composite material with stone effect. this floating console reproduces the appearance of a...
Composition
Double pair of Bronze Door Handles, Bel and Key Hole with Organic Relief
Located in London, GB
Double pair of bronze door handles with matching letterbox in strong relief like a crater in a landscape. They . These architectural pieces are made in the 1960-70's by sand cast in ...
Bronze
Hand Crafted Brutalist Art Pottery Owl c 1970/1980’s
Located in New York, NY
Intriguing studio made ceramic pottery owl in the Brutalist style. The tonal polychrome mat finish glaze perfectly complements the textural surface. Suitable for use as a flower vase...
Pottery
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Patinated Brutalist Unicorn Tragedy Bronze Sculpture on Marble Base
Located in San Diego, CA
Patinateed Brutalist "Unicorn Tragedy" bronze sculpture on marble base, circa 1970s. The piece depicts the tragedy of a young unicorn realizing his mother has been speared and is on ...
Marble, Bronze
Klaus Lehmann, Brutalist German Studio Pottery Cube Art Sculpture No. 255 78
Located in Hamburg, DE
Klaus Lehmann, Postmodern Brutalist German Studio Pottery Cube Art Sculpture No. 255 78, 1978, Ceramic & Metal
Metal
Live Edge Walnut Bench, Wabi-Sabi, Brutalist, Organic, Log Furniture, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Embrace the essence of wabi-sabi with our walnut bench, meticulously crafted from a walnut wood. This bench is a celebration of natural beauty, showcasing the unique imperfections th...
Wood, Walnut
$5,580 / item
James de Wulf Concrete Locking Bench 60
Located in Paia, HI
James de Wulf has worked for over fifteen years with gravity joints inspired by the work of Angelo Mangiarotti. With concrete as a medium, he has been able to expand on what Mangiaro...
Concrete
$1,132 / set
Set of 4 oak brutalist dining chairs, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage solid oak brutalist dining chairs These rustic chairs where handcrafted and show beautiful wood grain. Good condition with normal age related wear 1970s - Belgium Dimensi...
Oak
Monumental French Brutalist Walnut Daybed, Sculptural with Bouclé Upholstery.
Located in Almelo, NL
Monumental French Brutalist Walnut Daybed, Sculptural with Teddy Bouclé Upholstery, France, 1950s A rare and commanding piece of mid-century design, this monumental French Brutalist daybed...
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Pine Stools, Brutalist Style, Sweden, 1970s
By Axel Einar Hjorth, Goran Malmvall
Located in Karis, Nyland
A pair of Swedish pine stools from the 1970s in a brutalist style. Each stool has a solid circular seat resting on sculptural cross-shaped legs. The design is raw and expressive, hig...
Pine
$1,450 / item
Mid-Century Modern Sconces, Italy, circa 1960
Located in Merida, Yucatan
Brutalist style sconces in clear and orange Murano glass There are one in "clear" glass and one in orange-clear galss combination available at ...
Murano Glass
Brutalist Geometric Wall Mirror, Distressed Beveled Glass, Wood, 21st C.
Located in Stamford, CT
Venetian Geometric Wall Mirror, Distressed Beveled Glass, 21st C. This unique brutalist distressed wall mirror can be hung vertically or horizontally above a console table, bedside ...
Mirror, Wood
Customizable Cabinet, Sculpted Oak Wood, Brown, Diamond Pattern
By Sóha, Denis Milovanov
Located in Paris, IDF
Contemporary Brutalist Sculpted Cabinet in Solid Dark Oak, Diamond Pattern Materials: solid oak (+ linseed oil) Hand sculpted by the artist Dimensions: H. 71 x 120 x 52 cm SÓHA de...
Oak
Pair of Hammered Glass Gilt Iron Sconces by Biancardi, Italy, 1970s
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Pair of Mid-Century Modern wall lamps lights lighting sconces hammered glass, yellow glass and iron, gilding gold copper patina, by the italian design manufacture Biancardi Jordan Ar...
Iron
Studio D Italy Brutalist Chairs in Darkened Solid Pine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio D Italy, side chairs, lacquered pine, 1970s This eye-catching brutalist chair captures the essence of raw design. Crafted by Studio D in Italy during the 1970s, it exemplifie...
Pine
Tom Ahlström & Hans Ehrlich Brutalist Torch Amber Murano Glass Sconces 1950
Located in Firenze, Toscana
Pair of brutalist sconces with thick amber Murano glass covering bulbs. Will be rewired with certified UL US socket for the USA and an appropriate socket for all other countries and...
Wrought Iron
Axis Architectural Bench In Macassar And Velvet By Sidani Design
Located in NEW YORK, NY
This architectural bench features a monolithic composition with a rectilinear platform and offset leg structure. The frame is constructed from engineered hardwood panels finished in ...
Velvet, Wood
Curtis Jere "Windswept" Brutalist Sculpture, Brass and Marble
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Miami, FL
Curtis Jere "Windswept" Brutalist Sculpture, Brass and Marble Offered for sale is a vintage Curtis Jere Brutalist "Windswept" sculpture on a black marble base. This brass sculptur...
Marble, Brass
1970s French Brutalist Oak Round Coffee Table
Located in High Point, NC
This striking 1970s French Brutalist round coffee table showcases the bold simplicity and material honesty emblematic of the Brutalist movement. Crafted from solid oak, the table fea...
Oak
NONO Elefante Console Table 29, Joel Escalona's Vision, Round Base
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Console Table 29, Joel Escalona's Vision, Round Base ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Moder...
Hardwood
Brutalist oak wooden dining table by de Puydt, Belgium 1970s
By De Puydt
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Introducing the Mid-century De Puydt Natural Oak Dining Table: A Timeless Blend of Elegance and Brutalist Charm Immerse yourself in the allure of the Mid-century De Puydt Natural Oa...
Oak
Mid-Century Swedish Brutalist Bubble Glass Block Vase by Josef Schott, 1960s
By Josef Schott
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Swedish Brutalist Bubble Glass Block Vase by Josef Schott for Smalandshyttan, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 I have official proof of authenticity ...
Glass
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
Cruciform Base Round Edges Solid Wood Round Table By NONO Fundamenta 08
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Round coffee table with cross legs made of solid oak. Product made to order; some variances may apply to the final piece. —— NONO is a Mexican design brand with more than 10 years...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
Set of Eight Maison Regain Elm & Leather Slings Chairs, France 1980's
Located in New York, NY
Set of 8 dining chairs by Regain with the less-seen ivory leather slings. All original finish and leather.
Leather, Elm
Paul Evans Style Mid Century Brutalist Bronze Cabinet Handle Pull
By Paul Evans
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Paul Evans-style bronze casted door pull with a distinct late 1960s Mid-century/Brutalist pattern across the front. This Pull is made from a solid bronze from a sand casting that has...
Bronze
Mid-Century Pierre Chapo Style Brutalist Oak Coffee Table, Tripod Base
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Coffee table in the manner of Pierre Chapo demonstrates the Brutalist approach to oak furniture that emerged from French design studios in the 1960s. The substantial circular top sho...
Oak
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
Jean-Jacques Argueyrolles Gilt Metal Sconces, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Jean-Jacques Argueyrolles (French, b. 1954) Pair of Gilt Metal Brutalist Wall Sconces. 78" H x 3.25" W x 7.25" D. Provenance: From a New York City Collection.
Metal