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.
$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
1960s Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Brutalist Glass Dining Table
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a stunning table by American architect and furniture designer Adrian Pearsall, circa the 1960s. Inspired by Paul Evans creation of metal-sculpted furniture...
Glass, Resin
$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
Oval Capsule Table - solid European Oak - Acer by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Acer Capsule table features an oval table top resting on two symmetrical groups of Acer legs positioned in semicircles. The light pointing legs with semi arched voids balance the...
Oak, Walnut
Joel Escalona's Elefante Side Table 8, Hefty Organic Look, Walnut Wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Elefante Side Table 8, Hefty Organic Look ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid walnut. Other wood options are also available, which may affect the ...
Hardwood
Solid Light Oak Wooden Brut Slim Dining Table - 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
$7,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
Joel Escalona Elefante Side Table 17, Hefty Rounded Form
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona Elefante Side Table 17, Hefty Rounded Form————————————————————— The base product is made of solid red oak wood, available in natural or black tinted finishes. Other woo...
Hardwood
$7,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
NONO Elefante Side Table 15, Solid Wood, Bold Organic Forms
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Side Table 15, Solid Wood, Bold Organic Forms ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid red oak wood, available in natural or black tinted finishes. Other...
Hardwood
$7,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
Elefante Side Table 13 by NONO, Solid 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 oak wood, available in natural or black tinted finishes. Other...
Hardwood
P. Watson Brutal Torch Cut Iron & Concrete Garden Console Table
Located in North Miami, FL
Expertly torch cut from a round solid piece of steel in to 4 legs which comprise this console. Inset of gray slate tone concrete slab. Very brutal and unique with natural oxidizati...
Concrete, Iron
Mona Side 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
Black & Bronze Brutalist Sculpture Torch Cut Coffee Table Atrib to Daniel Gluck
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Smoked Glass Black & Bronze 1960's Brutalist Sculpture Torch Cut Coffee Table Attributed to Daniel Gluck Fabulous vintage Black and bronze colored coffee table...
Metal
$9,364Sale Price / item|20% Off
NONO Elefante Sideboard 12, Intricate Oak Form, Sleek Surface
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Sideboard 12, Intricate Oak Form, Sleek Surface ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist ...
Hardwood
$9,364Sale Price / item|20% Off
Elefante Oak Console 06 by NONO, Bold Texture, Sleek Edge
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Oak Console 06 by NONO, Bold Texture, Sleek Edge————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Touch...
Hardwood
Gallery-Style Unseen Force #65: Solid Oak Table by Joel Escalona, Luxe Decor
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Gallery-Style Unseen Force #65: Solid Oak Table by Joel Escalona, Luxe Decor Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the nature of the production process, each piece may vary in grain, texture, shape or even size. The dimensions provided refer to the table only. The dimensions and shape of the sculpture may vary. — About the Concept. Unseen Force Coffee Tables and Side Tables, design by Joel Escalona for NONO When Tables Talk Art...
Hardwood
Solid Oak Unseen Force #63: Joel Escalona's Masterful Coffee Table Sculpture
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solid Oak Unseen Force #63: Joel Escalona's Masterful Coffee Table Sculpture Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the n...
Hardwood
Unseen Force #61: Joel Escalona's Solid Oak Table, Art-Inspired Design
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Unseen Force #61: Joel Escalona's Solid Oak Table, Art-Inspired Design Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the nature ...
Hardwood
$9,882Sale Price / item|20% Off
Art-Form Table Unseen Force #58: Joel Escalona's Solid Wood, Elegant Decor
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Art-Form Table Unseen Force #58: Joel Escalona's Solid Wood, Elegant Decor Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the nature of the production process, each piece may vary in grain, texture, shape or even size. The dimensions provided refer to the table only. The dimensions and shape of the sculpture may vary. — About the Concept. Unseen Force Coffee Tables and Side Tables, design by Joel Escalona for NONO When Tables Talk Art...
Hardwood
Joel Escalona's Unseen Force #57: Solid Oak Table, Sculptural Presence
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Unseen Force #57: Solid Oak Table, Sculptural Presence Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonize...
Hardwood
Artisan Oak Unseen Force #54: Coffee Table Art by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Artisan Oak Unseen Force #54: Coffee Table Art by Joel Escalona Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the nature of the production process, each piece may vary in grain, texture, shape or even size. The dimensions provided refer to the table only. The dimensions and shape of the sculpture may vary. — About the Concept. Unseen Force Coffee Tables and Side Tables, design by Joel Escalona for NONO When Tables Talk Art...
Hardwood
Unseen Force #55: Joel Escalona's Table, Sculpture-Inspired Solid Wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Unseen Force #55: Joel Escalona's Table, Sculpture-Inspired Solid Wood Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonize...
Hardwood
$9,882Sale Price / item|20% Off
Solid Wood Decor Unseen Force #56: Joel Escalona's Oak Coffee Table
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solid Wood Decor Unseen Force #56: Joel Escalona's Oak Coffee Table Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the nature of the production process, each piece may vary in grain, texture, shape or even size. The dimensions provided refer to the table only. The dimensions and shape of the sculpture may vary. — About the Concept. Unseen Force Coffee Tables and Side Tables, design by Joel Escalona for NONO When Tables Talk Art...
Hardwood
Joel Escalona's Unseen Force #51: Sculpture-Accented Solid Wood Table
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Unseen Force #51: Sculpture-Accented Solid Wood Table Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the nature of the production process, each piece may vary in grain, texture, shape or even size. The dimensions provided refer to the table only. The dimensions and shape of the sculpture may vary. — About the Concept. Unseen Force Coffee Tables and Side Tables, design by Joel Escalona for NONO When Tables Talk Art...
Hardwood
Geometric Round Top Fundamenta 65 Chic Design, Oak Finish by NONO
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Geometric Round Top Fundamenta 65 Chic Design, Oak Finish by NONO Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or black tinted finish. Due to the nature of ...
Hardwood
$9,600Sale Price / item|20% Off
Round Fundamenta 64 Unique Geometric Style, Solid Construction by NONO
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Round Fundamenta 64 Unique Geometric Style, Solid Construction by NONO Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or black tinted finish. Due to the natu...
Hardwood
$9,600Sale Price / item|20% Off
Fundamenta Coffee Table 55 Solid Oak, Abstract Design by NONO
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Fundamenta Coffee Table 55 Solid Oak, Abstract Design by NONO Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or black tinted finish. Due to the nature of th...
Hardwood
Round Top Fundamenta Coffee 48 Abstract Oak, Stylish Design by NONO
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Round Top Fundamenta Coffee 48 Abstract Oak, Stylish Design by NONO Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or black tinted finish. Due to the nature o...
Hardwood
Fundamenta Round Side Table 49 Solid Wood, Geometric Elegance by NONO
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Fundamenta Round Side Table 49 Solid Wood, Geometric Elegance by NONO Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or black tinted finish. Due to the natur...
Hardwood
Portuguese Center 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
Luciano Frigerio Brutalist African Padouk Diamante Table with Glass Top 1970
Located in Conversano, IT
Extraordinary “Diamante – Scultura 99” table designed by Luciano Frigerio for Frigerio di Desio in the 1970s, belonging to the extremely rare limited series composed of only 99 examp...
Crystal
$11,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Unseen Force #50: Oak Coffee Table by Joel Escalona, Art-Decor Fusion
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Unseen Force #50: Oak Coffee Table by Joel Escalona, Art-Decor Fusion Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the nature ...
Hardwood
Art Table Unseen Force #48: Solid Oak by Joel Escalona, Elegance Defined
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Art Table Unseen Force #48: Solid Oak by Joel Escalona, Elegance Defined Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the natu...
Hardwood
Solid Oak Canvas Unseen Force #43: Joel Escalona's Coffee Table, Artistic
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solid Oak Canvas Unseen Force #43: Joel Escalona's Coffee Table, Artistic Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the nat...
Hardwood
$11,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Functional Sculpture Unseen Force #44: Solid Wood Table by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Functional Sculpture Unseen Force #44: Solid Wood Table by Joel Escalona Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the natu...
Hardwood
Sculptural Solid Oak Unseen Force #40 Joel Escalona's Table, Art Decor
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Sculptural Solid Oak Unseen Force #40 Joel Escalona's Table, Art Decor Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the nature...
Hardwood
Joel Escalona's Unseen Force #37 Artisan Oak Coffee Table, Decor Art
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Unseen Force #37 Artisan Oak Coffee Table, Decor Art Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized f...
Hardwood
$11,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Oak Elegance Unseen Force #35 Joel Escalona's Artistic Coffee Table
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Oak Elegance Unseen Force #35 Joel Escalona's Artistic Coffee Table Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the nature of ...
Hardwood
Sculpture Fusion Unseen Force #33 Solid Oak Table by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Sculpture Fusion Unseen Force #33 Solid Oak Table by Joel Escalona Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the nature of t...
Hardwood
Joel Escalona's Unseen Force #31 Solid Oak Coffee Table, Sculptural Art
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Unseen Force #31 Solid Oak Coffee Table, Sculptural Art Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the nature...
Hardwood
$11,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Unseen Force #32 Solid Wood, Joel Escalona's Art-Decor Coffee Table
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Unseen Force #32 Solid Wood, Joel Escalona's Art-Decor Coffee Table Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the nature of...
Hardwood
$11,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Solid Oak Artistry Unseen Force #29 Joel Escalona's Coffee Table, Unique Design
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solid Oak Artistry Unseen Force #29 Joel Escalona's Coffee Table, Unique Design Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to th...
Hardwood
Oak Art Table Unseen Force #27 Joel Escalona's Coffee Table, Sculptural Base
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Oak Art Table Unseen Force #27 Joel Escalona's Coffee Table, Sculptural Base Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the ...
Hardwood
$11,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Sculpture-Inspired Unseen Force #28 Solid Wood Table by Joel Escalona, Decor Foc
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Sculpture-Inspired Unseen Force #28 Solid Wood Table by Joel Escalona, Decor Focus Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due t...
Hardwood
$11,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Oak Statement Unseen Force #21 Joel Escalona's Art-Centric Coffee Table
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Oak Statement Unseen Force #21 Joel Escalona's Art-Centric Coffee Table Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the natur...
Hardwood
Large Walnut Tree Trunk Table, Carl Auböck 1940s
Located in London, GB
A large tree trunk table designed and made by the Auböck werkstätte, circa 1950. This table is made from reclaimed wood. Carl Auböck II, responsible for the design of this series, g...
Brass
Artful Decor Unseen Force #20 Joel Escalona's Solid Wood Table, Sculpture-Accent
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Artful Decor Unseen Force #20 Joel Escalona's Solid Wood Table, Sculpture-Accent Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to ...
Hardwood
Artisan Oak Unseen Force #15 Joel Escalona's Coffee Table, Sculptural Base
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Artisan Oak Unseen Force #15 Joel Escalona's Coffee Table, Sculptural Base—— Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbo...
Hardwood
$11,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Gallery-Ready Unseen Force #13 Joel Escalona's Solid Wood Coffee Table
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Gallery-Ready Unseen Force #13 Joel Escalona's Solid Wood Coffee Table —— Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the natu...
Hardwood
Decor-Focused Unseen Force #9 Solid Wood by Joel Escalona, Coffee Table Art
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Artisanal Unseen Force #8 Joel Escalona's Crafted Oak Table, Elegance & Form —— Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the...
Hardwood
$11,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Sculpture-Base Unseen Force #7 Joel Escalona's Oak Coffee Table, Unique Design
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Sculpture-Base Unseen Force #7 Joel Escalona's Oak Coffee Table, Unique Design —— Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to ...
Hardwood
Artisan Unseen Force #4 Joel Escalona's Solid Wood Coffee Table, Decor Accent
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Artisan Unseen Force #4 Joel Escalona's Solid Wood Coffee Table, Decor Accent —— Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to th...
Hardwood
$11,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Gallery-Style Unseen Force #5 Solid Oak Table by Joel Escalona, Luxe Decor
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Gallery-Style Unseen Force #5 Solid Oak Table by Joel Escalona, Luxe Decor —— Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the n...
Hardwood
Solid Oak Unseen Force #3 Joel Escalona's Masterful Coffee Table Sculpture
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solid Oak Unseen Force #3 Joel Escalona's Masterful Coffee Table Sculpture —— Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the n...
Hardwood
Unseen Force #1 Joel Escalona's Solid Oak Table, Art-Inspired Design
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Unseen Force #1 Joel Escalona's Solid Oak Table, Art-Inspired Design —— Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the nature ...
Hardwood
Round Sculptural Table in Solid Walnut - 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
Natural Light Oak Sculptural Fenestra Dining Table - Aad Bos for 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