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.
Joel Escalona's Elefante Console Table 33, Layered Wood, Dynamic Shape
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Elefante Console Table 33, Layered Wood, Dynamic Shape ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a ...
Hardwood
Elefante Console Table 21, Design by Joel Escalona, Organic Elegance
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Console Table 21, Design by Joel Escalona, Organic Elegance————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Mode...
Hardwood
Elefante Console Table 55, Joel Escalona, Dynamic Wood Design
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Console Table 55, Joel Escalona, Dynamic Wood Design ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernis...
Hardwood
Solace No10 Console Table – Soft-Edged Wood Sculpture, Design by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No10 Console Table – Soft-Edged Wood Sculpture, Design by Joel Escalona ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table se...
Hardwood
Extra Large Brutalist Two Tier Iron and Glass Console Table after Evans c1970's
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Brutalist school console table in the style of Paul Evans, made in the USA c. 1970's. The table is constructed of solid iron bars, which are hand sculpted to create a dim...
Wrought Iron
$15,999Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
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
Contemporary Console Table 'LIAH' by Eichkorn, Brass and Oak, Customizable
By Eichkorn
Located in Paris, IDF
LIAH Console Table by German contemporary design studio Eichkorn. Material: Brass and Burnt Oak Wood Standard size: H.78 x 55 x 20 cm - Customizations are possible Liah Console - T...
Brass
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
$15,588 / item
NONO Elefante Table 52, Distinctive Solid Wood Base
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Table 52, Distinctive Solid Wood Base ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Touch N...
Hardwood
Console With Realistic Stone Texture, Brutalist Style.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Console With Realistic Stone Texture, Brutalist Style. This console resembles an ancient monolith with bold, powerful edges and a mix of smooth and rough surfaces. At first glance, ...
Composition
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
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
Verdigris Bronze Finish Metal Console Table Brutalist Midcentury Design 60"w
Located in Atlanta, GA
Verdigris Bronze Finish Metal Console Table, American, circa 1980s. It is a versatile size and can be used as a console or sofa table, media or TV table, or bar. It measures 60" widt...
Metal
Mid Century Iron and Glass Console Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
Brutalist Style Black Iron and Glass Console or Sofa Table, circa 1970s, in the style reminiscent of Giacometti. Brutalist furniture, popularized from the 1950s through the 1970s, em...
Iron
$15,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Solace No2 Entry Table in Solid Wood with Fluid Legs, by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No1 Console Table – Sculptural Wood Form, Design by Joel Escalona ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, ...
Hardwood
Elefante Console Table 21, Design by Joel Escalona, Organic Elegance
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Console Table 21, Design by Joel Escalona, Organic Elegance————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Mode...
Hardwood
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
Handcrafted Console - Solid Walnut - 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...
Walnut
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
Joel Escalona's Elefante Console Table 53, Artistic Wood Finish
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Elefante Console Table 53, Artistic Wood Finish ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modern...
Hardwood
$15,588 / item
Socle No26 Entryway Table, Design by Joel Escalona
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Socle No26 Entryway Table, Design by Joel Escalona ————————————————————— The Socle Console Series by NONO reinterprets the plinth as a family of sculptural consoles in solid wood. U...
Hardwood
Joel Escalona's NONO Elefante Table 61, 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
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
$14,159Sale Price|20% Off
Unique sculptural platinum and white gold leaf coated metal and crystal console
Located in Highclere, Newbury
WAR TORN - a unique handmade sculptural platinum and white gold leaf coated metal and crystal glass console table. Created by Nick and Sue Allen of 'The Allen Studio' renown this un...
Metal
Paul Evans Style Patchwork Brutalist Brass and Copper Console
By Paul Evans
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Evans style patchwork Brutalist brass and copper console. A patchwork of copper and brass pieces on a wooden frame finished with a thick lacquer coat.
Brass, Copper
Paul Evans Studio Floating Console Shelf and Mirror Set, USA, Circa 1970s
By Paul Evans
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Evans studio floating console shelf and mirror set, USA, Circa 1970s Brutalist patchwork design in copper and pewter. A striking example of Paul Evans’ iconic Brutalist aestheti...
Slate, Brass, Copper, Pewter
Sculpted Brutalist Console by Denis Milovanov, Solid Oakwood
Located in Paris, IDF
Massive console table of solid oak (+ linseed oil) Dimensions: H. 75 cm x W. 142 cm x D. 51 cm Warm furniture’s made by the designer Denis Milovanov from "Soha" studio. Simplicity ...
Oak
Sculptural Monolithic Console Table with Marble Top in Custom RAL Lacquer
By JLC
Located in NEW YORK, NY
This sculptural console table is conceived as a monolithic architectural form, defined by two solid legs that support a refined stone surface. The base is finished in a deep satin bl...
Marble
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Giacometti Style Iron Grapevine Console Table
Located in Raymondville, TX
A stunning vintage hammered iron and glass top console table in the manner of Diego Giacometti. It features a grapevine motif with deep purple grape clusters, wrought and forged deta...
Iron, Wrought Iron
$19,950 / item
James de Wulf Custom 9' Shuffleboard Table
Located in Paia, HI
The James de Wulf Shuffleboard table is a lively addition to any game room. The smaller 9' table is constructed of concrete reinforced with ...
Concrete, Cement
Elefante Console Table 35, Design by Joel Escalona, Sculptural Base
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Console Table 35, Design by Joel Escalona, Sculptural Base ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Mod...
Hardwood
Giacometti Style Sculptural Brutalist Iron and Glass Console Table With Cat Head
By Christopher Chodoff, Paul Ferrante, Diego Giacometti
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Diego Giacometti Style Sculptural Etruscan Console Table Forged Hammered Iron with Glass Top. Circa 1970. Sculptural Etruscan hand forged and hammered iron frame console table with excellent scale and form. Brutalist forged iron console table with cat head inspired by the Diego Giacometti table...
Bronze, Iron
$24,000 / item
James de Wulf Custom Shuffleboard Table
Located in Paia, HI
The James de Wulf Shuffleboard table is a lively addition to any game room. The 160" table is constructed of concrete reinforced with carbon fiber. ...
Concrete, Cement
Scalloped Burl Wood Console Table – Fluted Triple-Column Monolithic Base
By JLC
Located in NEW YORK, NY
This piece is a study in Monolithic Minimalism, reimagining the classic console through the lens of Soft Brutalism. The design is defined by its dramatic, scalloped perimeter—a rhyth...
Wood
Modernist Console in Solid Walnut, Brutalist Design, 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
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
$15,920Sale Price / item|20% Off
Elefante Console Table 39 by NONO, Stacked Design, Joel Escalona's Touch
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Console Table 39 by NONO, Stacked Design, Joel Escalona's Touch ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with ...
Hardwood
$15,920Sale Price / item|20% Off
NONO Elefante Console Table 37, Dramatic Wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Console Table 37, Dramatic Wood ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Touch NONO, re...
Hardwood
Solace No25 Art-Inspired Console Table – Organic Wood Form, by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No25 Art-Inspired Console Table – Organic Wood Form, by NONO ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, desig...
Hardwood
James de Wulf Concrete Campaign Console
Located in Paia, HI
A mix of Brutalist form and Bauhaus design, the Campaign console table sets the tone in any space. The console top is constructed of reinforced, cast concrete, finished with a proprietary wax to give it a slick touch and unique sheen. The console legs are formed from iron, aged to a patina finish. The arches supporting the concrete table top...
Concrete, Cement, Iron, Wrought Iron
Solid Natural Walnut Console - 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 Console has...
Oak, Walnut
$12,470Sale Price / item|20% Off
Joel Escalona's Elefante Table 44, Sturdy Solid Wood, Modern Edge
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Elefante Table 44, Sturdy Solid Wood, Modern Edge ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Mode...
Hardwood
Elefante Console Table 51 by NONO, Solid Wood, Elegant Curves
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Console Table 51 by NONO, Solid Wood, Elegant Curves ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernis...
Hardwood
Brutalist European Warm Brown Oak Console - 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...
Walnut
Brutalist Console, Handcrafted in Solid American Walnut, 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 Console has...
Oak, Walnut
$15,588 / item
Socle No11 Sofa Table by NONO in Solid Wood
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Socle No11 Sofa Table by NONO in Solid Wood ————————————————————— The Socle Console Series by NONO reinterprets the plinth as a family of sculptural consoles in solid wood. Under th...
Hardwood
Brutalist Console in Solid Walnut Wood - 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 Console has...
Oak, Walnut
James Bearden Brutalist Console Table, Welded Steel, Glass Top, USA
Located in New York, NY
Custom console table made from welded steel square and rectangular elements sealed with a polychrome finish and finished with a clear glass inset top. Letter of authenticity from the...
Steel
Minimal Console Table, Sideboard Made of Black Tinted Oak Wood, Narrow Console
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Console made of solid oak wood stained with a water-based dye and finished with matt polyurethane. —— NONO is a Mexican design brand with more than 10 years of experience dedicated ...
Wood, Oak
Solace No26 Entry Table – Rhythmic Carved Legs, Design by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No26 Entry Table – Rhythmic Carved Legs, Design by Joel Escalona ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, de...
Hardwood
$15,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Solace No6 Foyer Table – Sculptural Carved Wood Base, by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No6 Foyer Table – Sculptural Carved Wood Base, by NONO ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, designed by...
Hardwood
Solace No32 Console Table – Organic Sculpture in Wood, by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No32 Console Table – Organic Sculpture in Wood, by NONO ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, designed by...
Hardwood
John Dickinson Style Plaster Vintage Console Circa 1960
Located in Locust Valley, NY
This is a John Dickinson-style plaster console from around the 1960s. The console features a sculptural, organic design resembling stacked stone or rock formations, giving it a natur...
Plaster
Handcrafted Console - Solid European Warm Brown Oak - 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...
Walnut
Sculptural Solid Walnut Console Table - 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 Console has...
Oak, Walnut
Wrought Iron Console Table in Gold Leaf Style of Giacometti
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wrought iron and black marble like stone in antique gold leaf in the style of Giacometti.
Iron
Brutalist Console Table, Minimal Old Wood Sideboard, Narrow Console Elefante
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante collection by NONO furniture. A distinguished tribute to the architectural movements of Mexican Modernism and Brutalist design. The collection showcases three minimal furn...
Wood, Oak
Brutalist Solid Walnut Fenestra Console
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
Arcade Sculptural Console Table in Limed Oak & Marble Top
By JLC
Located in NEW YORK, NY
The Arcade Console Table is defined by a rhythmic triple-arch structure, combining architectural mass with sculptural negative space. Its arched openings create a strong sense of dep...
Marble