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.
$7,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
Elefante Side Table 5 by Joel Escalona, Solid Wood, Artistic Curves
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Side Table 5 by Joel Escalona, Solid Wood, Artistic Curves ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid red oak wood, available in natural or black tinted finish...
Hardwood
French Brutalist Wood Side Table Tripod Stool with High Backrest, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Brutalist tripod chair in carved wood, France, 1950s. Eye-catching tripod chair or stool with a perforated heart shaped motif on the back and striped details on the backrest and on the legs. Very good vintage condition Structurally strong and sound. This sculptural piece will be a nice addition to any wabi sabi, contemporary or classical decoration. Nice addition to your room, bedroom, entry hall or patio, used as stool or chair or end, side or occassional table. Measures: 73 cm H x 32 cm W x 28 cm D Brutalist Wood Stool...
Wood
Limestone Bowl - Sculpture - Brutalist - Sculptural - Solid Oak - Taes by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Taes collection draws inspiration from the majestic sloping-sided architectural platforms, historically used for religious, ceremonial and defensive purposes. In stacked form, th...
Oak, Walnut
Brutalist Side Table in Solid Walnut - Scalae by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Form follows rhythm. Inspired by the timeless and pure form of stairs, the Scalae side table is composed of five planes defined by a harmony of scale. Blending architectural influenc...
Walnut
Natural Light Oak Sculptural Side Table - Cadence by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Form follows rhythm. The Cadence side tables are inspired by the simplicity and power of the rhythmic stepped brickwork visible in the architecture of Amsterdam's 'South Plan' area; ...
Oak, Walnut
Walnut Elegance Solace 2: Small Side Table with Circular To, Ideal for Bedroooms
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Sculptural side table made of solid walnut wood, nightstand, auxiliary table solace S2 by Joel Escalona The Solace side table series, designed by Joel Escalona, is a furniture collection that exudes balance and presence, thanks to its sensuous, dense, and irregular shapes. These small tables double as works of art, bold and sculptural, with function taking a backseat to expression. Inspired by the iconic Pigeon sculpture...
Hardwood, Walnut
Solace 1: Versatile Solid Wood Side Table with Round Top, Perfect as Nightstand
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Sculptural side table made of solid walnut wood, nightstand, auxiliary table solace S1 by Joel Escalona The solace side table series, designed by Joel Escalona, is a furniture collection that exudes balance and presence, thanks to its sensuous, dense, and irregular shapes. These small tables double as works of art, bold and sculptural, with function taking a backseat to expression. Inspired by the iconic Pigeon sculpture...
Hardwood, Walnut
Pair Mid Century Freeform Suar Root-Slice Live Edge Occasional Side Tables
Located in London, GB
Pair of Freeform Suar Root-Slice Live Edge Occasional Tables C.1970 Two organic-form side tables, each top a single cross-cut slice of suar (Samanea saman) root wood, retaining its ...
Hardwood
Sculptural Stool / Side Table, Solid Dark Brown Oak, Brutalist, Cadence by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Cadence stool is inspired by the simplicity and power of the rhythmic stepped brickwork visible in the architecture of Amsterdam's 'South Plan' area; the city development plan de...
Oak
Broken Terrazzo Sculptural Concrete Side Table by Dylan Myers
Located in Elkridge, MD
Broken Terrazzo is a sculptural concrete side table from the line DEGRADATION collection by Dylan Myers. The cylindrical form combines hand-cast GFRC with reclaimed mineral aggregate...
Cast Stone, Concrete
Spanish Oak and Leather Stool in Turquoise Patina, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Stool, Ottoman or Side Table, Oak, Wood, Leather, Spain, 1940s-1950s. Spanish Stool in Wood with Braided Leather Seat and Iron Studs. The seat contains braided leather straps which a...
Iron
$7,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
Joel Escalona Elefante Side Table 20, Solid Wood, Artistic Stack
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona Elefante Side Table 20, Solid Wood, Artistic Stack————————————————————— The base product is made of solid red oak wood, available in natura...
Hardwood
$890Sale Price|40% Off
Brutalist Side Table in Solid Dark Brown Oak - Cadence by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
This solid oak Cadence side table is a showroom model in excellent condition. - Dimensions: L:34 x W:22 x H:30 cm. - The price includes a custom wooden shipping crate. - The thick...
Oak
Italian Sculptural Brutalist Wrought Iron and Glass Coffee Table or Side Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautifully hand crafted wrought iron side table with strong and thick glass top, placed on a decorative frame. The legs, greatly shaped and forged with the typical finish of hand fo...
Wrought Iron
Rare & Early Pair of James Bearden 'Hive Form Stool' or Side Tables Steel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed and studio-made by American designer and craftsman James Bearden, these pieces offer a unique blend of extraordinary hand-made quality and striking brutalist visual appeal. ...
Bronze, Steel
Round Side Table Made of Walnut Veneer by Nono Furniture
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A brutalist side table made of premium mdf with beautiful wood veneer finish. All pieces are covered with polyurethane semi matte finish. The sturdiness of construction and except...
Walnut
NONO Elefante Side Table 3, Solid Wood, Heavy Sculptural Design
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Side Table 3, Solid Wood, Heavy Sculptural Design ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid red oak wood, available in natural or black tinted finishes. ...
Hardwood
Oak Abstract Round Fundamenta 66 Sleek Lines, Solid Craft by NONO
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Oak Abstract Round Fundamenta 66 Sleek Lines, Solid Craft by NONO Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or black tinted finish. Due to the nature of ...
Hardwood
Round Side Table Made of Oak Veneer by Nono Furniture
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A brutalist side table made of premium mdf with beautiful wood veneer finish. All pieces are covered with polyurethane semimatte finish. The sturdiness of construction and excepti...
Oak
Sculptural & Brutalist Stool in Black European Oak - Cadence by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Cadence stool is inspired by the simplicity and power of the rhythmic stepped brickwork visible in the architecture of Amsterdam's 'South Plan' area; the city development plan de...
Oak
Elefante Side Table 11, Solid Wood, Heavy Aesthetic, SET OF TWO SMALL TABLES
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Side Table 11, Solid Wood, Heavy Aesthetic ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid red oak wood, available in natural or black tinted finishes. Other w...
Hardwood
$9,176Sale Price / item|20% Off
Elefante Side Table 11, Solid Walnut Wood, Heavy Aesthetic, SET OF TWO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Side Table 11, Solid Wood, Heavy Aesthetic ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid walnut wood. Other wood options are also available, which may affect...
Hardwood
1970s Brutalist Rustic Vintage Iron Anchor Chain Link Side Table Round Base West
By Franz West
Located in Miami, FL
Unique and decorative black lacquered Iron Anchor Chain Link Side, End, Drink Table in the Style of Designer Franz West. Features a round base and Top with the Anchor Stem Brutalist ...
Iron
Brutalist Rustic Wabi Sabi Side Table, 1970s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Brutalist Rustic Wabi Sabi side table. Striking Dutch design from the 1970s. Original solid oak top on four original solid legs. This wonderful Brutalist Rustic Wab...
Oak
$1,059Sale Price|40% Off
Brutalist Side Table in Solid Walnut - Cadence by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
This solid walnut Cadence side table is a showroom model in excellent condition. - Dimensions: L:34 x W:22 x H:30 cm. - The price includes a custom wooden shipping crate. - The th...
Walnut
Joel Escalona Elefante Side Table 2, Rounded Organic Form Walnut Wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona Elefante Side Table 2, Rounded Organic Form ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid walnut wood. Other wood options are also available, which may affec...
Hardwood
Solid Burnt Wood, Side Table, Tall Table, Pedestal, Handmade, Black, Rustic
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved side table/pedestal. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handma...
Wood, Oak
NONO Elefante Side Table 16, Organic Curves, Solid Walnut Wood Elegance
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Side Table 16, Organic Curves, Solid Wood Elegance ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid walnut. Other wood options are also available, which may affe...
Hardwood
Joel Escalona Elefante Side Table 6, Weighty Design, Walnut Wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona Elefante Side Table 6, Weighty Design, Elegant Rounds ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid walnut. Other wood options are also available, which may ...
Hardwood
Joel Escalona Elefante Side Table 17, Hefty Rounded Form, Solid Walnut Wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona Elefante Side Table 17, Hefty Rounded Form————————————————————— The base product is made of solid walnut wood. Other wood options are also available, which may affect t...
Hardwood
Elefante Side Table 5 by Joel Escalona, Solid Wood, Artistic Curves
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Side Table 5 by Joel Escalona, Solid Wood, Artistic Curves ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid red oak wood, available in natural or black tinted finish...
Hardwood
Elefante Side Table 9 by NONO, Solid Walnut Wood, Ornamental Design
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Side Table 9 by NONO, Solid Wood, Ornamental Design ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid walnut wood. Other wood options are also available, which may aff...
Hardwood
Elefante Side Table 9 by NONO, Solid Wood, Ornamental Design
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Side Table 9 by NONO, Solid Wood, Ornamental Design ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid red oak wood, available in natural or black tinted finishes. Othe...
Hardwood
$7,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
Joel Escalona Elefante Side Table 10, Sculptural Wood Rounds
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona Elefante Side Table 10, Sculptural Wood Rounds ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid red oak wood, available in natural or black tinted finishes. Oth...
Hardwood
NONO Elefante Side Table 16, Organic Curves, Solid Wood Elegance
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Side Table 16, Organic Curves, Solid Wood Elegance ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid red oak wood, available in natural or black tinted finishes. ...
Hardwood
$7,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
Elefante Side Table 13 by NONO, Solid Walnut Wood, Dynamic Shapes
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Side Table 13 by NONO, Solid Wood, Dynamic Shapes ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid red walnut. Other wood options are also available, which may affec...
Hardwood
NONO Elefante Side Table 3, Solid Walnut Wood, Heavy Sculptural Design
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Side Table 3, Solid Wood, Heavy Sculptural Design ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid walnut wood, available in natural or black tinted finishes. O...
Hardwood
$7,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
Joel Escalona's Elefante Side Table 4, Organic Shapes, Decorative Detail
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Elefante Side Table 4, Organic Shapes, Decorative Detail ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid red oak wood, available in natural or black tinted f...
Hardwood
$7,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
Joel Escalona's Elefante Side Table 12, Rounded Silhouette, Decorative Craft
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Elefante Side Table 12, Rounded Silhouette, Decorative Craft ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid red oak wood, available...
Hardwood
Handcrafted Brutalist Solid Oak Side Table, the Netherlands 1970s
Located in Utrecht, NL
In the thriving design landscape of the 20th century, the emergence of Brutalist furniture left an indelible mark on design. Brutalist furniture design in the post-war decades came a...
Oak
Round Side Table Made of Black Tinted Wood Veneer by Nono Furniture
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A brutalist side table made of premium mdf with beautiful wood veneer finish. All pieces are covered with polyurethane semi matte finish. The sturdiness of construction and excepti...
Oak
$7,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
Elefante Side Table 1, Joel Escalona, Solid Wood Elegance
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's NONO Elefante Table 40, Wood Spheres, Elegant Lines ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid red oak wood, available in ...
Hardwood
“Portico Side Table” Collectible Riuvina Marble Side Table by Aparentment
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
The Portico Side Table is a sculptural object inspired by the enduring architecture of the Mediterranean. Defined by its solid geometry and monolithic presence, the piece functions a...
Marble
Natural Finish Fundamenta Sideboard 62 Basic Geometry, Solid Oak by NONO
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Natural Finish Fundamenta Sideboard 62 Basic Geometry, Solid Oak by NONO Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or black tinted finish. Due to the na...
Hardwood
$1,113Sale Price|25% Off
Brutalist Side Table Solid Black Oak - Cadence by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
This solid oak Cadence side table is a showroom model in excellent condition. - Dimensions: L:34 x W:22 x H:30 cm. - The price includes a custom wooden shipping crate. - The thick...
Oak
$7,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
Joel Escalona's Elefante Side Table 4, Solid Walnut Wood, Organic Shapes
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Elefante Side Table 4, Organic Shapes, Decorative Detail ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid walnut wood. Other wood options are also available, ...
Hardwood
Brutalist Side Table or Night Stand in Old Wood Finish, Auxiliary Table 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 furni...
Wood, Oak
Elefante Side Table 1, Joel Escalona, Solid Wood Elegance
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's NONO Elefante Table 40, Wood Spheres, Elegant Lines ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid red oak wood, available in natural or black tinted finish...
Hardwood
$3,577 / item
Dramatic Black Marble Jali Table, Jour, Paul Mathieu
By Stephanie Odegard Collection, Paul Mathieu (French)
Located in New York, NY
Carved in solid Black Marble with a full jali fretwork pattern hand-pierced through the top and pedestal, this round side table brings the open stone screens of Mughal architecture t...
Marble
$2,754 / item
Pedestal Side Table, Solid Beslana Marble Block
By Stephanie Odegard Collection, Paul Mathieu (French)
Located in New York, NY
A Black Marble conceived as a pedestal table is formed from a carefully selected block of Beslana Black Marble chosen for its exceptional natural veining and grain. The piece emphasi...
Marble
$890Sale Price|40% Off
Side Table in Light Natural Oak - Cadence by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
This solid oak Cadence side table is a showroom model in excellent condition. - Dimensions: L:34 x W:22 x H:30 cm. - The price includes a custom wooden shipping crate. - The thick...
Oak
Solid Oak Brutalist Side Table, The Netherlands 1970s
Located in Utrecht, NL
In the thriving design landscape of the 20th century, the emergence of Brutalist furniture left an indelible mark on design. Brutalist furniture design in the post-war decades came a...
Oak
$1,113Sale Price|25% Off
Brutalist Side Table in Solid Black Oak - Cadence by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
This solid oak Cadence side table is a showroom model in excellent condition. - Dimensions: L:34 x W:22 x H:30 cm. - The price includes a custom wooden shipping crate. - The thick...
Oak
$890Sale Price|40% Off
Side Table in Natural Light Oak - Cadence by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
This solid oak Cadence side table is a showroom model in excellent condition. - Dimensions: L:34 x W:22 x H:30 cm. - The price includes a custom wooden shipping crate. - The thick...
Oak
Fiberglass Cantilevered Stand in the Brutalist Manner
Located in New York, NY
Interesting fiberglass cantilevered "waterfall" stand, in dark grey, silvery clear, with very slight pale yellow tint tones. We executed and detailed, unknown artist maker.
Fiberglass
Natural White Marble Stone, Rose top, Black detail handmade Jean Tall Side Table
Located in Lisbon, PT
Jean side tables are unique in their conception. The combination of three different marbles make them a sign of unconformity and originality. The combination in the picture is in Estremoz white marble, Estremoz pink marble and Nero Marquina marble. The marbles can be combined differently. Made to Order. Open since 1997 and based in Lisbon, Portugal, a country with a long crafts tradition, Mambo Unlimited Ideas' design team researches for innovation and creativity developments around the world while embracing the crafts heritage, creating contemporary pieces combining traditional Portuguese materials and handmade techniques producing original, high quality products. Mambo Unlimited Ideas is dedicated to furniture and upholstery. Its collection offers a comprehensive customizable furniture...
Marble
$8,182 / item
Sculpted Bench or Side Table N10 in Solid Oakwood
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Bench or side 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 sty...
Oak
Contemporary Brutalist Style Small Table #5 in Solid Oak and Linseed Oil
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Small table made of solid oak (+ linseed oil) Measures: 50 x 123 x 45 cm SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects...
Oak
Contemporary Brutalist Style Small Table #6 in Solid Oak and Linseed Oil
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Small table made of solid oak (+ linseed oil) Measures: 50 x 123 x 45 cm SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in an authent...
Oak
2 brutalist steel side bedside tables with etced glass animal hunting scen, 70s
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Amazing and unique set of 2 brutalist steel sidetables with primitive safari scene motifs etched into thick green glass. Inspired by prehistoric cave paintings and ancient storytelli...
Steel, Lead