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.
Paul Evans brutalist welded metal patchwork PE-11 zig zag coffee table
By Paul Evans
Located in Liberty, NY
Beautiful 1960's Paul Evans brutalist zig zag design coffee table with glass top, created as part of his "Sculptured Metal" collection for Directional. Fabricated with artisan welde...
Metal
Vintage Danish Brutalist Oak Dining Table, 1960s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Brutalist Oak Dining Table, 1960s. Scandinavian Mid-Century modern rectangular dining room table in Nordic oak. Very likely desi...
Oak
James de Wulf Straight Split Locking Concrete Coffee Table
Located in Paia, HI
A stylish update to the classic Split Locking table, the straight split locking concrete coffee table features a parallel split radius in the tabletop. C...
Concrete
Dutch Brutalist Stone + Metal Inlay Coffee Table in Manner of Paul Kingma, 1970s
Located in Chicago, IL
A Brutalist stone and metal inlay coffee table from the Netherlands, crafted in the 1970s in the manner of Paul Kingma. The rectangular top is formed from tessellated slabs of natura...
Stone, Metal
Sculpted Massive Dining Table V2 in Solid Oakwood 'Custom Size'
By Sóha, Denis Milovanov
Located in Paris, IDF
Massive dining table of solid oak (+ linseed oil) (Outdoor use OK) Warm furniture’s made by Russian designer Denis Milovanov from "Soha" studio. Simplicity of shapes. Authentic material. Wooden items are created from oak and are boiled in oil from several days to several weeks, to achieve a natural wood coloration from a dark brown to a complete black color. Patterns are applied solely by chain...
Oak
Sculptural Side Table in Giacometti Style, Cast Metal & Glass, 1970s
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Bronze Finish End or Side Table After Giacometti, USA 1970s Sculptural end table in the manner of Diego Giacometti, crafted in the 1970s from cast aluminum with a rich patinated faux...
Iron
$80,714Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist dining table by Nerone Giovanni Ceccarelli co-founder Gruppo NP2
Located in Highclere, Newbury
Vintage brutalist Italian hand carved wooden and glass dining table by Nerone, (Giovanni Ceccarelli), co-founder of Gruppo NP2, Nerone & Patuzzi. Supplied with certificate of authent...
Glass, Walnut
Brutalist Oak Slate Coffee Table Wrought Iron Base, France, 1950
By Paul Kingma
Located in Vienna, AT
Midcentury oak and slate table on iron base, Belgium circa 1950 Dimensions are: 33.85" x 16.53" (height). The midcentury Brutalist slate and oak table on a wrought iron base At...
Slate, Wrought Iron
forged oval coffee table with blue aquamarin glass - Lothar Klute attributed
By Lothar Klute
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
- early 80s brutalism - hand crafted - excellent condition 130 x 82 x 50 cm
Iron
Square Brutalist Artisan solid oak coffee table, 1970's
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Brutalist coffee table. Traditionally made from solid oak. A very nice detail are the ribs in the wood that are very subtly processed on both the top and the legs. The robust table s...
Oak
Large Brutalist coffee table in various kinds of stone by Paul Kingma, 1980s
By Paul Kingma
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you wilk find a stunning Brutalist table designed by Paul Kingma. The table is done in various kinds of stone, with brass accent and coins inserted in the stone, one ...
Stone, Brass
Brutus Model Coffee Table in Fiber Concrete, Design of a Modern Sculpture.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Brutus model coffee table, design of a modern sculpture in concrete and cast fibres, coffee table with contemporary lines. The model Brutus coffee table is made of concrete and cast...
Concrete
Brutalist Coffee Table Handmade and signed by Pia Manu, 1960s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Belgium / 1960s / Coffee Table / Pia Manu / metal, stone, chrome / Mid-century / Vintage / Brutalist Brutalist post-modern coffee table by the Belgian artist Pia Manu, handcrafted i...
Stone, Metal, Chrome
French Brutalist Pierre Chapo Style Coffee Table With Slate Top
By Atelier Marolles, Jacques Adnet, Pierre Chapo, Jean Prouvé, Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Houston, TX
French Brutalist Pierre Chapo Style Coffee Table With Slate Top. Our handsome French mid century Pierre Chapo style Brutalist rectangular cocktail table is stunning from every angle ...
Slate
Round Coffee Table in Wrought Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Hand forged iron low table, France, 1960s. This french coffee table has a gorgeous constuction with scrolled legs and scroll detailings on the top and below the glass. It has a bea...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
Sereno Center Table Serie 3 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
forged bronze table with cut lead crystal glass - by Lothar Klute
By Lothar Klute
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
This exceptional table is made by Lothar Klute in 1993. It is an original and signed art work in perfect condition. - original Lothar Klute t...
Bronze
Paul Evans Studio Floating Console Shelf and Mirror Set, USA, Circa 1970s
By Paul Evans
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Evans studio floating console shelf and mirror set, USA, Circa 1970s Brutalist patchwork design in copper and pewter. A striking example of Paul Evans’ iconic Brutalist aestheti...
Slate, Brass, Copper, Pewter
Sculptural Side Table, Solid Wood, Black, Rustic, Oak, Pedestal, Logniture
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
$959Sale Price|52% Off
Brutalist Free Form Burlwood Root Coffee Table with Custom Cut Glass Top
By Phillips
Located in East Freetown, MA
Burl wood free form root coffee table with custom cut kidney shaped glass top. Beautiful natural free form design is one of a kind.
Glass, Wood
Brutalist sidetable in steel - by CONCREET.
By CONCREET
Located in Boechout, BE
Steel side table - a minimalist design created by Belgian designer/craftsman Oscar Santens. The three legs give the piece an intriguing appearance from every angle, bringing the desi...
Steel
Vintage Giacometti Style Iron Grapevine Console Table
Located in Raymondville, TX
A stunning vintage hammered iron and glass top console table in the manner of Diego Giacometti. It features a grapevine motif with deep purple grape clusters, wrought and forged deta...
Iron, Wrought Iron
brutalist forged square table in the style of Lothar Klute
By Lothar Klute
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
- stunning forged coffee table with cast glass - perfect condition - 59 x 59 x 48 cm
Iron
Drop-leaf table - Spain 1970s
Located in Paris, FR
Drop" coffee table - Spain, 1960s Magnificent tabletop extracted from the cross-section of a robust tree. The cabinetmaker respected the strength of nature by exposing its rings, wh...
Wood
Contemporary Side Table 'TAVO' by Eichkorn, Brass and Oak, Customizable
By Eichkorn
Located in Paris, IDF
TAVO Side Table by German contemporary design studio Eichkorn. Material: Brass and Burnt Oak Wood Standard size: H.52 x 35 cm - Customizations are possible Brass and burnt oak. Fin...
Brass
$13,479Sale Price / set|20% Off
Round Post Modern Brutalist MCM Beech Dining Table + 6 Chairs, 9 Pcs Set
Located in Basel, BS
Absolutely incredible, and very stylish Brutalist dining table with an additional extendable leaf, and 6 chairs set made of solid beech wood. When the table is without the leaf it se...
Beech
Vintage Brutalist Swedish Pine Couch Table by Yngve Ekström for Swedese, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brutalist coffee table from Swedish manufacturer Swedese designed by Yngve Ekström.A rustic design and striking solitaire in a minimalist … Read more Brutalist coffee table from Swed...
Pine
brutalist forged coffee table with aquamarin glass in style of Lothar Klute
By Lothar Klute
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
- forged iron table Lothar Klute attribute - stunning aquamarin glass - very good condition no chips or brakes - 90 cm x 51 cm height
Iron
Large Coffee Table in Solid Natural Light Oak - Hari by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Inspired by the simplicity of traditional Japanese architectural timber structures. The low coffee table balances three minimalist volumes composed of solid wooden parts. Designed b...
Oak, Walnut
$7,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
NONO Elefante Side Table 15, Solid Walnut 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 walnut. Other wood options are also available, which may affect th...
Hardwood
In Stock - Bastogne Walnut Single Slab FIJN Dining Table
Located in Calgary, AB
A single slab of California exhibition-grade Bastogne walnut set atop oversized legs set in a brutalist stance. Handcrafted from one of our "unicorn"...
Steel
$4,960Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist 1970's French Primitive Round Dining Table, Wood W/ Solid Slate Inlay
By Ettore Sottsass, Mario Botta
Located in Basel, BS
Stunning French Solid wood and Slate Dining table. Very beautiful work of design. Measures: 50" diameter 29" Height 1.5" Table op thickness
Oak, Walnut
$15,999Sale Price / item|20% Off
NONO Elefante Console Table 29, Joel Escalona's Vision, Round Base
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Console Table 29, Joel Escalona's Vision, Round Base ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Moder...
Hardwood
French Olive Wood Rustic / Wabi Sabi Accent Side Table / Stool, Early 20th C.
Located in Valencia, VC
Early 20th Century French Olive Wood Rustic Tripod Stool / Side Table A striking and highly decorative early 20th-century French rustic tripod stool, handcrafted from solid olive wo...
Wood, Olive
Sculptural Monolithic Console Table with Marble Top in Custom RAL Lacquer
By JLC
Located in New York, NY
This sculptural console table is conceived as a monolithic architectural form, defined by two solid legs that support a refined stone surface. The base is finished in a deep satin bl...
Marble
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
Sculptural Stool / Side Table in Warm Brown 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
Vintage midcentury Brutalist steel, brass & red glass coffee table, USA 1970s
Located in Hastings, GB
Unusual Brutalist steel & brass coffee table with tomato red glass panels, USA 1970s. Good condition: some slight wear to metal, commensurate with the age of the piece. Dimensions:...
Brass, Steel
Sculpted Massive Dining Table V2 in Solid Oakwood 'Custom Size'
By Sóha, Denis Milovanov
Located in Paris, IDF
Massive dining table of solid oak (+ linseed oil) (Outdoor use OK) Warm furniture’s made by Russian designer Denis Milovanov from "Soha" studio. Simplicity of shapes. Authentic material. Wooden items are created from oak and are boiled in oil from several days to several weeks, to achieve a natural wood coloration from a dark brown to a complete black color. Patterns are applied solely by chain...
Oak
Brutalist Square Slate Stone Red Agate Coffee Table by Paul Kingma
By Paul Kingma
Located in DE MEERN, NL
Brutalist coffee table designed and made by Paul Kingma, The Netherlands. Introducing the Brutalist Round Coffee Table by renowned sculptor Paul Kingma, crafted in the Netherlands i...
Slate, Concrete, Multi-gemstone, Agate, Metal, Brass
Private Sale for Malusa Sculpted Bench or Side Table N10 in Solid Oakwood
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Bench or side table in solid oak (and linseed oil) (Outdoor use OK) SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in an authentic st...
Oak
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
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
$3,680Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Coffee Table by Silas Seandel
Located in New York, NY
Torch cut iron base, with original plate glass top (.5"). Unusual to find signed and dated examples ( Seandel '75). Coffee, Cocktail table, iron with original faux bronze finish. Cl...
Iron
Large Brutalist Coffee Table in Solid Natural Light Oak - Hari by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Inspired by the simplicity of traditional Japanese architectural timber structures. The low coffee table balances three minimalist volumes composed of solid wooden parts. Designed b...
Oak, Walnut
M_018 Dining Table by Anya Antropova for Monolith
By Monolith
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With its timeless silhouette and grounded presence, the M_018 Tuye Dining Table anchors any space, inviting communal gatherings and intimate conversations alike. Carved from earthy t...
Travertine
Spanish Drinks Table / Side Table / Martini Table with Handle, Gilt Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Brutalist Squared Drink Table in Wrought iron Gilt patinated brutalist Martini table with squared top and handle, Spain, 1950s Wrought iron table standing on four footed base...
Metal, Wrought Iron, Iron
Architectural Dining Table, Solid European Oak, Aperta by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Aperta is inspired by the mystery and attraction of light and space breaking through narrow voids in architectural structures. The objects feature a precise slit, creating a sense of...
Oak, Walnut
Sculptural Black Walnut Side Tables by Sergio Vulpe, set of 3
Located in Burlăceni, Cahul District
Brutalist Sculptural Walnut Side Tables, Set of Three This collectible set of three sculptural side tables is handcrafted from solid walnut and designed as a functional composition ...
Walnut
Large “brutalist” coffee table in solid oak, Belgium or France, circa 1950
Located in Paris, FR
Interesting “Brutalist” round coffee table in solid oak. Diameter: 88 cm (34.6 inches) Height: 44 cm (17.3 inches) Tray thickness: 9 cm (3.5 inches)
Oak
$27,750 / item
James de Wulf Custom Concrete Pool Table, Available Now
Located in Paia, HI
**Table available now is in Light Grey** The classic James de Wulf Concrete Billiards Table is a staple to any game room. The regulation sized table is constructed of concrete reinf...
Concrete
1930s Italian Art Deco Brutalist Rational Bookmatched Burl Walnut Table, Pagano
By Gino Maggioni, Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig, Osvaldo Borsani, Gio Ponti, Paolo Buffa
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
A refined Italian Art Deco occasional table, side table or end table. Circa 1930s, it is veneered in richly figured book matched burl walnut. The piece reflects the transition betw...
Hardwood, Walnut, Burl
Mid-Century Brutalist Coffee Table by Tom Greene - Brass with Glass Top
By Tom Greene
Located in Raleigh, NC
Striking example of American Brutalist design by renowned metalworker Tom Greene, circa 1960s-70s. This commanding coffee table features Greene's signature heavy brass construction w...
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
Side Table, Pedestal, Solid Burnt Wood, Rustic, Organic, Handmade, Carved, Black
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved side table. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade design...
Wood, Oak
Round Solid Oak Coffee Table Attributed to Henning Kjærnulf, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Round coffee table in solid oak attributed to Danish designer Henning Kjærnulf, produced in Denmark during the 1960s. The table features finely carved decorative details and a well-b...
Oak
Lothar Klute bronze coffee table with cast glass
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
- Lothar Klute bronze table signed Klute in the bronze and glass - spectacular shape with 8 legs - cast glass plate - excellent condition
Bronze
Danish Brutalist Oak Extendable Dining Table attr. to Henning Kjærnulf, 1960s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Brutalist Oak Extendable Dining Table attr. to Henning Kjærnulf, 1960s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern dining room table in light Nordic oak. Attributed to Danish designer H...
Oak
Sculptural Brutalist Round Table in Solid Oak by Sergio Vulpe, 90cm
Located in Burlăceni, Cahul District
Sculptural Brutalist Round Table in Solid Oak – Custom Made by Sergio Vulpe This sculptural round table, handcrafted from solid oak, embodies a raw yet minimal Brutalist aesthetic. ...
Oak
$12,470Sale Price / item|20% Off
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