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.
$15,999Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
$15,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Solace No36 Wall Table – Abstract Solid Wood, Design by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No36 Wall Table – Abstract Solid Wood, Design by Joel Escalona ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, des...
Hardwood
Modernist Console in Solid Warm Brown Oak, 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
$15,920Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
NONO Sideboard 54, Elefante, Bold Lines, Solid Wood Elegance
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Sideboard 54, Elefante, Bold Lines, Solid Wood Elegance ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist...
Hardwood
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
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
Hand Crafted Art Deco Brutalist Dining, Console Table or Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-crafted French Deco wrought iron table with very interesting rolled and hammered disks to the lower portion of each leg. A very versatile piece which could be a small dining tab...
Wrought Iron, Bronze, Gold Leaf
Solid Walnut Console, 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...
Oak, Walnut
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
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
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
Elefante Console Table 45, Joel Escalona, Bold Wood Silhouette
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Console Table 45, Joel Escalona, Bold Wood Silhouette ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Moderni...
Hardwood
Contemporary 'OKA' Console Table by Eichkorn, Burnt Cherry Wood, Customizable
By Eichkorn
Located in Paris, IDF
OKA Console Table by German contemporary design studio Eichkorn. Material: Burnt Cherry Wood Standard size: H.75 x 170 x 45 cm - Customizations are possible Also available as dinin...
Cherry
$12,470Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
$15,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Solace No42 Wall Console – Organic Form, Design by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No42 Wall Console – Organic Form, Design by Joel Escalona ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, designed ...
Hardwood
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
$15,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Solace No29 Wall Table – Subtle Curved Base in Wood, by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No29 Wall Table – Subtle Curved Base in Wood, by NONO ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, designed by ...
Hardwood
$15,920Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
$15,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Solace No44 Console Table – Bold Contours, Sculptural Design by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No44 Console Table – Bold Contours, Sculptural Design by Joel Escalona ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table seri...
Hardwood
Solace No40 Hallway Table – Sculptural Movement in Wood, by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No40 Hallway Table – Sculptural Movement in Wood, by NONO ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, designed ...
Hardwood
$15,588 / item
Joel Escalona Elefante Sideboard 50, Rich Textured Wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona Elefante Sideboard 50, Rich Textured Wood ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Touc...
Hardwood
Nikol Console by Luciano Frigerio for Frigerio di Desio
Located in Conversano, IT
The "Nikol" console by Luciano Frigerio represents one of the highest points of his research between art and design: a perfect balance between architectural structure, sculptural mat...
Brass
$19,118 / item
Solace No16 Display Table – Organic Wood Base, by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No16 Display Table – Organic Wood Base, by NONO ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, designed by Joel E...
Hardwood
$6,163Sale Price / item|20% Off
21st Century Beverly Console Table Lacquered Wood Marble Brass by Porus Studio
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
Beverly Hills, a prestigious city nestled within the bounds of Los Angeles County, California, is renowned for its lavish lifestyle, opulent fashion, and affluent neighborhoods. The ...
Marble, Brass
Brutalist Console, Solid Walnut Wood, 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...
Oak, Walnut
$15,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
Xylem - Console Table, Oak & Carved Lava Stone, México
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
The Xylem console is conceived as a sculptural console exploring the relationship between mass, balance, and material contrast. Defined by two monolithic lava stone bases supporting ...
Lava
Solace No1 Console Table – Sculptural Wood Form, Design by Joel Escalona
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
$10,676Sale Price|38% Off
Videre Licet Shell Console by Daniele Albright and Stefan Lawrence, 2017
By Daniele Albright & Stefan Lawrence
Located in amstelveen, NL
Handmade custom console, made from beautiful shell pieces in resin with a chrome top, circa 2017. This item is extremely rare because Videre Licet only makes individual pieces and ea...
Shell, Mirror
Sculpted Massive 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
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
Solace No24 Wall Table – Soft Curves in Solid Wood, by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No24 Wall Table – Soft Curves in Solid Wood, by NONO ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, designed by Jo...
Hardwood
$8,703
Brutalist console table
Located in Brussels, BE
This large architectural console in solid wood is a highly decorative piece. Composed of three distinct parts that join together with two tenons, creating a solid structure. The cen...
Wood
$2,423 / set
Pair of Italian Brutalist Hall Side Tables
Located in London, London
Pair of tables Brutalist style Italy 20th Century This charming pair of side tables exude a classic and timeless appeal, making them a versatile addition to various interior settin...
Walnut
Industrial Console/table bluestone top and green weathered wood - 20th
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Industrial Console/table bluestone top and green weathered wood Brutalist Table console Measures : 79.5cm x 50cm H:84.5cm Materials : Bluestone - Wood
Wood
Design by Joel Escalona, Elefante Sideboard 38, Layered Elegance, Solid Form
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Design by Joel Escalona, Elefante Sideboard 38, Layered Elegance, Solid Form ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance w...
Hardwood
$1,728Sale Price|20% Off
Late 20th Century Brutalist Wall Console
Located in Bagshot, GB
Looking for something different? A late 20th Century Brutalist wall console, metal base with a very heavy glass top.
Metal
Brutalist Console, Solid European Light 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
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
$15,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Solace No23 Console Table in Black Wood 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
Solid Hammered Iron Console w/ Limestone Top
Located in North Miami, FL
Iron and limestone-top console /serving table with blackened iron base and brass detail feet in the Giacometti style; The top is natural matte limestone, very beautiful.
Limestone, Iron
NONO Elefante Table 52, Distinctive Solid Walnut 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
Vintage Faux Snakeskin Console
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Brutalist style console or sofa table with a rectangular pedestal base and rounded edge top wrapped in a lacquered faux snakeskin. Wear is consistent with age and use. See photos for...
Faux Leather, Wood
Wabi Sabi Brutalist Console Table, France, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Art populaire console table, a timeless piece steeped in history and character, featuring three spacious drawers and the versatility to serve as a console table or counter. Its aged ...
Wood
Mid Century Brutalist Faux Stone and Glass Top Console
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A Brutalist-style console table featuring a sculptural faux stone base supporting a rectangular glass top. The truncated pyramid pedestal showcases ric...
Glass
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
Design by Joel Escalona Elefante Console Table 27, Rosa Morada Wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Design by Joel Escalona Elefante Console Table 27, Rich Wood Contours ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Mo...
Hardwood
Joel Escalona's Elefante Table 24, NONO Solid Wood, Unique Form
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Elefante Table 24, NONO Solid Wood, Unique Form ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernis...
Hardwood
Sculptural Console in Solid Warm Brown Oak - Aperta by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
This listing is for a directly available Aperta Console in Warm Brown Oak in the dimensions L:120 x B:35 x H:85 cm. The photos show the console in American walnut. The price reflects...
Oak, Walnut
Solace No20 Console Table in Black Wood Abstract Carved Shape, By Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No20 Console Table – Abstract Carved Shape, Design by Joel Escalona ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series,...
Hardwood
$15,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Solace No12 Foyer Accent Table – Fluid Shape in Wood, by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No12 Foyer Accent Table – Fluid Shape in Wood, by NONO ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, designed by...
Hardwood
$15,999Sale Price / item|20% Off
Elefante Console Table 21 Soft Shapes, 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
$19,999 / item
Design by Joel Escalona Elefante Round Table
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Design by Joel Escalona Elefante Console Table 27, Rich Wood Contours ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Mo...
Hardwood
Sculptural Burl Veneer Console — Handcrafted Architectural Statement
Located in Burlăceni, Cahul District
Sculptural Burl Veneer Console — Handcrafted Architectural Statement This sculptural console is a refined balance of geometry and organic beauty. Each piece is handcrafted in our Vu...
Burl
NONO Large 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 No49 Entry Table – Poetic Structure in Black Wood, by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No49 Entry Table – Poetic Structure in Wood, by NONO ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, designed by J...
Hardwood
$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
$6,880
Brutalist Leaf Console
Located in New York, NY
A rare vintage walnut console in the Brutalist style, designed and crafted in Italy circa 1960s. This striking piece is composed of three separate sections that fit together to form ...
Walnut
$15,588 / item
Socle No35 Wall Table by NONO in Solid Wood
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Socle No35 Wall 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