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.
Round Walnut Dining Table, solid wood, handcrafted in Europe, 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 Round Table...
Oak, Walnut
Sculptural Stool in Solid Black European Oak, Brutalist Style, 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
Oval dining table in the manner of Jan Vlug, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage oval stone top dining table with a double tripod black metal base in the manner of Jan Vlug. Beautiful timeless piece. The stone top is nicely finished. Good condition 19...
Stone, Metal
Vintage Coastal Coquina Block Dining Table Pedestal - Set of 2
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Anchor your dining space with the raw, organic luxury of this monumental pair of vintage coquina stone table bases. Carved from natural fossil stone, these substantial plinths showca...
Stone
Midcentury Walnut Slab End Table Side Table, circa 1970
Located in London, GB
Midcentury Walnut Slab End Table Side Table circa 1970. Very good solid construction. Very good condition commensurate of age with minor 'pitting' to surface finish.
Walnut
Steel Veneer, Cast Conrete "Protrusions End Table" with Drawers
By Stefan Rurak
Located in Biddeford, ME
This end table is a variation of the S.O. sidetable. The counter-top and base is made from cast concrete. The piece is fully wrapped and fully finished (front and back) with steel th...
Concrete, Steel
Brown Oak Dining Table, Handcrafted, Modernist Design, Fenestra by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rhythmic interplay of volumes and voids. The Fenestra table is inspired by Brick Expressionism, the architectural movement visible in Amsterdam’s ‘South Plan’ area - the city devel...
Oak, Walnut
French Brutalist Slate Tile Mosaic Coffee Table, 1970s
Located in Chicago, IL
A French Brutalist round coffee table from the 1970s. The circular top is composed of laid slate tiles arranged in a mosaic pattern, each fragment revealing natural variations in ton...
Slate, Iron
$6,800 / set
Brutalist Carved Wood Lacquered Consoles, Pair
By Witco
Located in North Miami, FL
Lacquered in a black piano finish - the brutal carved wood design is almost tribal and artistic (reminiscent of Louise Nevelson). These are wall-mounted. Note: we have a matching ...
Wood
Large dining table wooden doors top mounted on black handles
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Large dining table wooden doors top mounted on black handles Wear consistent with age and use unique piece - Brutalist - Vintage Measures : 215cmx102cm H76cm Material : Wood
Hardwood
Mona Center Table with Travertine Top, Jade Lacquered Feet and Wood Structure
Located in Lisbon, PT
The strong shapes of these tables play between them in an alluring game of proportion and color which results in the creation of a perfect balance and tension of Material and negativ...
Marble
Pair of French 1950's Hand Forged Iron Low Coffee Tables / Lamp Tables
Located in Southampton, GB
A Pair of French 1950's Hand Forged Iron Low Tables. Decorative scrolled " ribbon " detailing; beaten by hand, with an original patina and crimped edges. Would work really well besid...
Iron
$13,013Sale Price|20% Off
Sculptural multifunctional Norman base by Luciano Frigerio Unique piece
By Luciano Frigerio, Luciano Frigerio di Desio
Located in Conversano, IT
An extraordinary work that transcends the concept of furniture to fully enter the realm of sculpture. This "Norman" base by Luciano Frigerio represents one of the most powerful and r...
Walnut
Sculptural Solid Natural Light Oak Dining Table - Brut Slim by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Brut Slim table takes cues from Brutalism and Amsterdam School architecture. A balance of raw materiality and subdued forms with geometrically expressive detailing. Designed by ...
Oak, Walnut
Glass Table, Concrete and Concrete Iron, Italy, 1980
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Rare glass table with concrete base and concrete iron. Provocative, aerial, this piece of the 80s does not leave indifferent. If the materials are raw, the finish is neat, the square...
Concrete, Metal
Mona Center Table with Travertine Top, Powder Lacquered Feet and Wood Structure
Located in Lisbon, PT
The strong shapes of these tables play between them in an alluring game of proportion and color which results in the creation of a perfect balance and tension of material and negativ...
Marble
$14,400Sale Price / item|20% Off
Dining table made of Lava Stone, Solid Wood & Laminated Smoked Glass
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
This dining table features a striking brutalist design, with monolithic lava stone bases that serve as bold, grounding elements. The cross pieces, crafted from solid wood, provide st...
Lava
Console Jean in Estremoz white Marble with Terrazzo Africa Top
Located in Lisbon, PT
Jean console is unique in its conception. The combination of three different marbles makes it a sign of unconformity and originality. The combination in the picture is in Terrazzo to...
Marble
Solace No34 Accent Table – Pebble-Inspired Legs, Design by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No34 Accent Table – Pebble-Inspired Legs, Design by Joel Escalona ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, ...
Hardwood
Solace No30 Display Table – Abstract Carved Form, by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No30 Display Table – Abstract Carved Form, by NONO ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, designed by Joel...
Hardwood
Solace No27 Accent Table – Sculptural Base, Wood Finish by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No27 Accent Table – Sculptural Base, Wood Finish by NONO ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, designed ...
Hardwood
Solace No19 Wall Table – Sensuous Solid Wood Legs, by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No19 Wall Table – Sensuous Solid Wood Legs, by NONO ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, designed by Joe...
Hardwood
$15,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Solace No9 Accent Table – Rhythmic Solid Wood Form, by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No9 Accent Table – Rhythmic Solid Wood Form, by NONO ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, designed by ...
Hardwood
$15,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Solace No8 Sculptural Wood Table for Halls and Walls, by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No8 Sculptural Wood Table for Halls and Walls, by NONO ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, designed by...
Hardwood
Portuguese Side Table Poppy with Jade Top and White Marble Base by Mambo
Located in Lisbon, PT
Poppy table is an emblem of nature and organic growth, behind this design lies an essence of naivety effortlessly found within natural forms. Poppy tables are a finely tuned example ...
Marble
Silas Seandel Style Brutalist Bronze Leaves Vintage Coffee Brass Cocktail Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage style of Silas Seandel brass torchcut leaf and bronze tree trunk coffee table base. Does not include glass top. Very heavy piece.
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Living Room Table Serie 99 – Sereno by NONO in Solid Wood for Refined Spaces
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Living Room Table Serie 99 – Sereno by NONO in Solid Wood for Refined Spaces ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? ...
Hardwood
Living Room Coffee Table Serie 91 – Sereno by NONO with Pebble Legs
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Living Room Coffee Table Serie 91 – Sereno by NONO with Pebble Legs ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? These are...
Hardwood
$12,705Sale Price / item|20% Off
Cocktail Table Serie 89 – Sereno by NONO in Solid Wood for Subtle Spaces
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Cocktail Table Serie 89 – Sereno by NONO in Solid Wood for Subtle Spaces ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? Thes...
Hardwood
$12,705Sale Price / item|20% Off
Sereno Coffee Table Serie 87 by NONO – Designed for Elegant Homes
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Sereno Coffee Table Serie 87 by NONO – Designed for Elegant Homes ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? These are t...
Hardwood
Minimalist Living Room Table Serie 85 – Sereno by NONO in Solid Wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Minimalist Living Room Table Serie 85 – Sereno by NONO in Solid Wood ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? These ar...
Hardwood
$12,705Sale Price / item|20% Off
Custom Accent Table Serie 74 – Sereno by Joel Escalona for Subtle Interiors
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Custom Accent Table Serie 74 – Sereno by Joel Escalona for Subtle Interiors ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? T...
Hardwood
Minimal Coffee Table Serie 73 – Sereno by NONO for Elegant Spaces
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Minimal Coffee Table Serie 73 – Sereno by NONO for Elegant Spaces ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? These are t...
Hardwood
Round Living Room Table Serie 72 – Sereno by Joel Escalona with Sculptural Detai
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Round Living Room Table Serie 72 – Sereno by Joel Escalona with Sculptural Details ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes ...
Hardwood
$11,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Sereno Coffee Table Serie 67 by NONO – Perfect for Elegant Homes
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Sereno Coffee Table Serie 67 by NONO – Perfect for Elegant Homes ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? These are th...
Hardwood
Custom Coffee Table Serie 64 – Sereno by Joel Escalona for Minimalist Spaces
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Custom Coffee Table Serie 64 – Sereno by Joel Escalona for Minimalist Spaces ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? ...
Hardwood
Rectangular Accent Table Serie 61 – Sereno by NONO for Modern Living Spaces
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Rectangular Accent Table Serie 61 – Sereno by NONO for Modern Living Spaces ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona Wha...
Hardwood
Cocktail Table Serie 57 – Sereno by NONO with Organic Sculptural Design
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Cocktail Table Serie 57 – Sereno by NONO with Organic Sculptural Design ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? These a...
Hardwood
Modern Center Table Serie 56 – Sereno by Joel Escalona for Contemporary Spaces
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Modern Center Table Serie 56 – Sereno by Joel Escalona for Contemporary Spaces ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? ...
Hardwood
Rectangular Coffee Table Serie 54 – Sereno by Joel Escalona for Elegant Homes
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Rectangular Coffee Table Serie 54 – Sereno by Joel Escalona for Elegant Homes ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? T...
Hardwood
Round Coffee Table Serie 52 – Sereno by Joel Escalona with Pebble Legs
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Round Coffee Table Serie 52 – Sereno by Joel Escalona with Pebble Legs ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? These ar...
Hardwood
Brutalist Solid Amorphic Teak Wood Natural Slab Coffee Side Table, 1930s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Wooden tripod tree trunk brutalist coffee side Table, 1960s. An early 20th century French burl wood slab top coffee table. This antique smal...
Teak
Living Room Coffee Table Serie 46 – Sereno by Joel Escalona in Solid Wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Living Room Coffee Table Serie 46 – Sereno by Joel Escalona in Solid Wood ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? These ...
Hardwood
Solid Wood Cocktail Table Serie 38 – Sereno by Joel Escalona for Interior Projec
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solid Wood Cocktail Table Serie 38 – Sereno by Joel Escalona for Interior Projects ———— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes ...
Hardwood
Rectangular Accent Table Serie 40 – Sereno by Joel Escalona with Sculptural Deta
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Rectangular Accent Table Serie 40 – Sereno by Joel Escalona with Sculptural Details ———— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escal...
Hardwood
Living Room Coffee Table Serie 35 – Sereno by NONO for Modern Interiors
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Living Room Coffee Table Serie 35 – Sereno by NONO for Modern Interiors ———— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? These ...
Hardwood
$11,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Sereno Coffee Table Serie 33 by NONO – Sculptural Legs in Solid Wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Sereno Coffee Table Serie 33 by NONO – Sculptural Legs in Solid Wood ———— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? These ar...
Hardwood
Center Table Serie 34 – Sereno by Joel Escalona with Organic Pebble Forms
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Center Table Serie 34 – Sereno by Joel Escalona with Organic Pebble Forms ———— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens whe...
Hardwood
$11,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Rectangular Coffee Table Serie 31 – Sereno by NONO for Contemporary Living Rooms
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Rectangular Coffee Table Serie 31 – Sereno by NONO for Contemporary Living Rooms ———— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art...
Hardwood
$11,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Modern Center Table Serie 22 by Joel Escalona – Solid Wood with Pebble Legs
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Modern Center Table Serie 22 by Joel Escalona – Solid Wood with Pebble Legs ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? Th...
Hardwood
Minimalist Accent Table Serie 20 – Sereno by Joel Escalona for Modern Decor
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Minimalist Accent Table Serie 20 – Sereno by Joel Escalona for Modern Decor ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? T...
Hardwood
Rectangular Coffee Table Serie 12 – Sereno by NONO for Sophisticated Interiors
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Rectangular Coffee Table Serie 12 – Sereno by NONO for Sophisticated Interiors ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? ...
Hardwood
$11,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Sereno Center Table Serie 2 by NONO – Minimalist Design with Pebble Legs
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Sereno Center Table Serie 2 by NONO – Minimalist Design with Pebble Legs ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? These...
Hardwood
$6,980Sale Price / item|20% Off
21st Century Lincoln Bedside table Marquina Marble Made in Portugal by Porus
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
Honoring Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, an American national monument was born, the Lincoln Memorial. The building is in the form of a Greek Doric temple and inspired the designers of Porus Studio to create the Lincoln Nightstand...
Marble, Brass
Studio-Made Iron Console Table
Located in Nashville, TN
Late 20th century studio-made iron console table. A sturdy piece that would incorporate into a variety of styles. The top surface does dip down slightly in the center. Dimensions: ...
Iron
$12,470Sale Price / item|20% Off
Joel Escalona Elefante Sideboard 58, Solid Wood, Stylish Form
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona Elefante Sideboard 58, Solid Wood, Stylish Form ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernis...
Hardwood
"Big Iron/Running Gun" Dining Room Set, Iron, James Vincent Milano, Italy, 2023
Located in Milano, IT
“Big Iron/Running Gun” Dining Room Set, Iron, JAMES VINCENT MILANO, Italy, 2023 “Running Gun” Dining Table, Iron, JAMES VINCENT MILANO, Italy, 2023 Irregular hexagonal top. Tripod...
Iron
Industrial Coffee Table in Glass Blocks and Steel – Architectural Brutalist
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Industrial Coffee Table in Glass Blocks and Steel – Architectural Brutalist Design, France, 1970s–1980s A rare and highly distinctive industrial coffee table combining architectural...
Steel
Two French Midcentury 1930 Style Wrought Iron & Stone Consoles
Located in New York, NY
Elegant and sober French Post-Art Deco style consoles in bronzed wrought iron supporting a top of stone. Consoles have a narrow profile with 10.5" depth. Each console is priced an...
Travertine, Iron
Sculptural 1960s Brazilian Coffee Table by Percival Lafer
Located in Long Island City, NY
A mid-century Brutalist style coffee table with a staggered wooden block relief design, protected with a glass top.
Glass, Wood