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.
$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
Freestanding Desk in Oak by Henning Kjærnulf, Danish Mid Century Modern, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
An elegant freestanding writing desk designed by Danish designer Henning Kjærnulf in the 1950s. Crafted in rich oak, the piece showcases a tactile warmth through its finely grained s...
Brass
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 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
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
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
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
Danish Modern Writing Desk in Oak, in style of Henning Kjærnulf, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Rødding, DK
A commanding solid oak freestanding writing desk in the Danish Country Modern tradition, with deeply hand-carved drawer fronts, brass ring pulls, and a richly figured cathedral grain...
Brass
Freestanding Desk in Oak by Henning Kjærnulf, Danish Mid Century Modern, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
An elegant freestanding writing desk designed by Danish designer Henning Kjærnulf in the 1950s. Crafted in rich oak, the piece showcases a tactile warmth through its finely grained s...
Brass
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
French Carved Wood Brutalist Table by Charles Dudouyt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible wood table by Charles Dudouyt, made in France, 1940's. Large rectangular parquet top with thick intricately carved wood legs on pedestal base. Original finish shows nice a...
Oak
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
Dudouyt - Spirit - Architectural - Oak - Desk - France - 1940s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Architectural Oak Desk with Parquet Top, France, 1940s Form distilled to mass and rhythm — a collector’s piece of sculptural restraint. This commanding French oak dining table, craf...
Oak
$6,380 / item
James de Wulf Concrete Leaning Coffee Table
Located in Paia, HI
A play on balance, this table is constructed entirely of two concrete pieces. The tabletop is singly supported by the leg, while the two merge with gravity to lock into place. Their balance is a sight to behold. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Color shown in natural tone A perfect complement to the James de Wulf concrete...
Concrete, Cement
$19,900 / item
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
$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
French Modern, Rectangular Desk / Dining Table in Solid Pine, Handcrafted, 1900s
By Philip Arctander, Pierre Chapo
Located in Odense, DK
Large rectangular modern country style working desk / dining table in solid pine. Handcrafted by a French cabinetmaker in the early 1900s. This table has a strong impression, nice ch...
Iron
$21,500 / item
M_019 Desk by Anya Antropova for Monolith
By Monolith
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The M_019 Tuye Desk monolithic silhouette contemplates classical proportions with minimalist simplicity. The subtle entasis of the base lends an organic fluidity to the earthy traver...
Travertine
$15,588 / item
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 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
$15,920Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
$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
Danish Cabinetmaker Solid Oak Trestle Desk, Brutalist, 1940s
Located in Rødding, DK
A rare and characterful Danish solid oak trestle writing desk with exposed keyed through-tenon joinery, crafted by an anonymous Danish cabinetmaker circa 1940s — a piece of quiet mat...
Brass
$12,470Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
$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
$15,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
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
$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
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
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
$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
$15,588 / item
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
$15,920Sale 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
$12,470Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
Brutalist Oak Desk Attributed to Henning Kjærnulf, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Oak desk attributed to Danish designer Henning Kjærnulf, crafted in Denmark during the 1960s. Designed in a distinctive Brutalist style, the piece features beautifully carved details...
Oak
$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
$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
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
Contemporary 'JULIUS' Secretary by Eichkorn, Black Bronze, Customizable
By Eichkorn
Located in Paris, IDF
JULIUS Console Table by German contemporary design studio Eichkorn. Material: Cast Bronze with Black Patina Standard size: H.75 x 163 x 70 cm - Customizations are possible Our „JUL...
Bronze
$18,835 / item
Sculpted Dining Table in Solid Oakwood 'Custom Size S'
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Dining table of solid oak (+ linseed oil) (Outdoor use OK) SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in an authentic style. Insp...
Oak
Solid Oak Architect's Desk, France 1960s
Located in Utrecht, NL
A drafting table or architect's table is, in its antique form, a kind of multipurpose desk which can be used for any kind of drawing, writing or impromptu sketching or for drafting t...
Wood
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
Antique Baroque Dining / Desk Table in Oak, Danish Cabinetmaker, 19th Century
Located in Odense, DK
This Antique Baroque versatile dining / desk table, crafted by a skilled Danish cabinetmaker in the 19th century, exudes timeless elegance and a modern appeal. The sturdy oak wood is...
Oak
Atelier S.L. Prestige, Table and 2 Chairs Set, France 2012
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Atelier S.L Prestige, Biot, France 2012. Set composed of a wrought iron and patinated iron table, chapped and speckled maple top accompanied by its two chairs. The thick iron bases a...
Iron
James de Wulf Concrete Leaning Table, Available Now
Located in Paia, HI
A play on balance, this table is constructed entirely of two concrete pieces. The tabletop is singly supported by the leg, while the two merge with gravity to lock into place. Their balance is a sight to behold. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Color shown in Natural Tone A perfect complement to the James de Wulf Concrete Leaning Coffee Table...
Concrete, Cement
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
19th Century Antique Baroque Dining / Desk Table in Oak, Danish Cabinetmaker
Located in Odense, DK
This impressive 19th-century baroque dining/desk table, made from solid oak by a skilled Danish cabinetmaker, is a timeless piece of furniture exuding elegance and functionality. The...
Oak
$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
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
$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 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
$15,588 / 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
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
$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
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
$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
$18,835 / item
Sculpted Dining Table in Solid Oakwood 'Custom Size M'
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Dining table of solid oak (+ linseed oil) (Outdoor use OK) SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in an authentic style. Insp...
Oak
Luciano Frigerio Presidential Writing Desk in Walnut, Italy 1970s
By Luciano Frigerio di Desio, Luciano Frigerio
Located in Almelo, NL
Luciano Frigerio Presidential Writing Desk in Walnut, Italy 1960s This is a rare presidential mid-century desk designed by Luciano Frigerio for the "Norman" series, manufactured i...
Granite