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.
$15,588 / item
NONO Elefante Table 48, Luxurious Solid Wood Finish
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Table 48, Luxurious Solid Wood Finish ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Touch N...
Hardwood
Paul Evans Patchwork & Slate Hanging Console & Mirror Set, USA 1960's
By Paul Evans
Located in Buffalo, NY
Matched Console & Mirror set by Paul Evans in patinated Copper, Brass, and steel riveted patchwork. Slate top on the console. Retains original iron mounting bracket (see photos).Phot...
Slate, Brass, Copper, Cut Steel
Brutalist Console, Solid European Dark Brown Oak, Sculptural, 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
$15,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
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
Solace No39 Console Table – Carved Details, Design by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No39 Console Table – Carved Details, Design by Joel Escalona ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, desig...
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
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
Console, Solid Walnut, Sculptural, Brutalist, 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...
Walnut
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
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
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
Arcade Sculptural Console Table in Walnut Burl with Black 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
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
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
Pair of Brutalist Blue Stone Top Chain Consoles, C. 1970
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These striking 1970’s blue stone top consoles feature a bold chain link base that commands a notable architectural presence. This unique pair features substantial cut blue stone sla...
Stone, Iron
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
Brutalist 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
Maurice Barilone for Roche Bobois Fleur de Fer Oxidized Steel and Glass Console
By Roche Bobois, Maurice Barilone
Located in San Diego, CA
Designed by renowned Franco-Italian designer Maurice Barilone for Roche Bobois, this sculptural Fleur de Fer console table exemplifies the designer's celebrated approach to transform...
Cut Steel
James de Wulf Industrial Console Table, Concrete and Brushed Stainless Steel
Located in Paia, HI
Contemporary console table with brushed stainless steel and two shelves. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Concrete available in Natural Tone, Light Grey, Dark Grey, White and ...
Concrete, Stainless Steel
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
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
Design by Joel Escalona Elefante Sideboard 22, Curvaceous Wood Design
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Design by Joel Escalona Elefante Sideboard 22, Curvaceous Wood Design————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Mod...
Hardwood
$15,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Solace No23 Console Table – Sculpted Organic Forms, Design by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No23 Console Table – Sculpted Organic Forms, Design by Joel Escalona ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table serie...
Hardwood
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
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
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
$12,470Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
Solid Walnut Wooden Console, Monumental Sculptural 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...
Walnut
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
$15,999Sale Price / item|20% Off
NONO Elefante Console Table 23, Flowing Lines, Solid Craft
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Console Table 23, Flowing Lines, Solid Craft ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Tou...
Hardwood
Brutalist Style Solid Wood Console Table, circa 1970
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Sculptural solid wood console table made circa 1970, notable for its strong architectural presence and expressive Brutalist character. Crafted in massive wood elements, the piece emb...
Wood
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
$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
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
$12,470Sale Price / item|20% Off
Socle No39 Architectural Console by NONO in Solid Wood
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Socle No39 Architectural Console by NONO in Solid Wood ————————————————————— The Socle Console Series by NONO reinterprets the plinth as a family of sculptural consoles in solid woo...
Hardwood
NONO Elefante Console Table 23, Flowing Lines, Solid Craft
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Console Table 23, Flowing Lines, Solid Craft ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Tou...
Hardwood
Solace No5 Console Table – Pebble-Like Legs in Wood, by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No5 Console Table – Pebble-Like Legs in Wood, by NONO ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, designed by J...
Hardwood
$15,588 / item
Socle No36 Statement Table, Design by Joel Escalona
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Socle No36 Statement Table, Design by Joel Escalona ————————————————————— The Socle Console Series by NONO reinterprets the plinth as a family of sculptural consoles in solid wood. ...
Hardwood
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
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
NONO Elefante Table 28, Joel Escalona Design, Refined Curves
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Table 28, Joel Escalona Design, Refined Curves ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist T...
Hardwood
Console in Solid American Walnut, Made in The Netherlands, Fenestra by Mokko
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
NONO Elefante Console Table 57, Solid Wood, Contemporary Flair
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Console Table 57, Solid Wood, Contemporary Flair ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Moderni...
Hardwood
$15,588 / item
Socle No25 Sofa Table by NONO in Solid Wood
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Socle No25 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
Sculptural Console in Solid Warm Brown 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 Console has...
Oak, Walnut
Elefante Console Table 31 by NONO, Fluid Wood Design, Design by Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Console Table 31 by NONO, Fluid Wood Design, Design by Escalona ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with ...
Hardwood
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
$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
$12,470Sale Price / item|20% Off
Socle No31 Architectural Console by NONO for Modern Spaces
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Socle No31 Architectural Console by NONO for Modern Spaces ————————————————————— The Socle Console Series by NONO reinterprets the plinth as a family of sculptural consoles in solid...
Hardwood
NONO Elefante Console Table 49, Sleek Solid Wood, Escalona's Craft
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Console Table 49, Sleek Solid Wood, Escalona's Craft ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Mod...
Hardwood
NONO Elefante Sideboard 36, Design by Joel Escalona Craft, Wood Swirls
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Sideboard 36, Design by Joel Escalona Craft, Wood Swirls ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a ...
Hardwood
Large Console in Solid Walnut Wood, 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, Oak
$15,588 / item
Socle No38 Entryway Table, Design by Joel Escalona
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Socle No38 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
$12,470Sale Price / item|20% Off
Socle No22 Sculptural Table, Design by Joel Escalona
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Socle No22 Sculptural Table, Design by Joel Escalona ————————————————————— The Socle Console Series by NONO reinterprets the plinth as a family of sculptural consoles in solid wood....
Hardwood
$15,588 / item
Socle No32 Hallway Table, Design by Joel Escalona
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Socle No32 Hallway Table, Design by Joel Escalona ————————————————————— The Socle Console Series by NONO reinterprets the plinth as a family of sculptural consoles in solid wood. Un...
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
"Grip" Console-Table / Display / Sculptural Object in Solid Bamboo
Located in Maastricht, NL
"Grip" console-table / display / sculptural object in solid bamboo Four square shapes flow to the center to swirl, weave, and grip eachother. Firmly holding on to form “Grip” A sculptural, powerful , iconic object made out of solid bamboo using...
Bamboo
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
NONO Sideboard 34, Elefante Range, Joel Escalona's Bold Curves
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Sideboard 34, Elefante Range, Joel Escalona's Bold Curves ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernis...
Hardwood