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.
Contemporary Cracked Bronze Table by Erwan Boulloud, France
Located in London, GB
Coffee Table F9 by Erwan Boulloud Material:Patinated and polished bronze, steel base Dimensions: 152 x 75 cm – H 38 cm Year: 2019 Handcrafted Cast Bronze Edition of 8 pieces + 4 AP...
Bronze, Stainless Steel
Lead Low Table, Roger Capron, Vallauris c. 1968
By Roger Capron
Located in St Ouen, FR
Table top consisted of an embossed lead foil stretched over a wooden frame fixed on 4 tubular oak legs. An exceptional cooperation with Jean Derval for this atypical hand crafted wo...
Lead
De Sede DS 76 Buffalo Leather & Glass Square Coffee Table, 1970s, Switzerland
By Karl Springer, De Sede
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Sculptural "monolite" couch table made in 1970s by De Sede, Switzerland. Plywood base upholstered with Buffalo leather with very thick insert smoked glass top. Easy combinable with m...
Leather, Smoked Glass, Plywood
Sculpted Brutalist Coffee Table by Sergio Vulpe in Aged Oak
Located in Burlăceni, Cahul District
Sculpted Brutalist Coffee Table in Aged Oak – Handcrafted by VulpeConcept This sculptural coffee table is handcrafted from aged oak and reflects a Brutalist approach to form — bold ...
Oak
$12,470Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
Custom Sculptural Scalloped Coffee Table in High-Gloss Walnut Root Veneer
By JLC
Located in New York, NY
This sculptural coffee table is defined by a low, architectural profile and a rhythmically carved perimeter of concave arches. The faceted border creates a strong play of light and s...
Wood
Hand Crafted Art Deco Brutalist Dining, Console Table or Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-crafted French Deco wrought iron table with very interesting rolled and hammered disks to the lower portion of each leg. A very versatile piece which could be a small dining tab...
Wrought Iron, Bronze, Gold Leaf
Organic Wabi Sabi Table, France, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
This French brutalist table is a stunning piece, crafted in solid wood circa 1970. Its organic form and striking simplicity make it a captivating centerpiece, whether used as a conso...
Wood
"cOre" capsule collection in concrete - cOre Side Table
By Sebastian Bergne, Forma & Cemento
Located in Rome, Lazio
The "cOre" Side Table is a UHPC concrete piece designed by Sebastian Bergne for Forma&Cemento. Part of the "cOre" capsule collection, it takes inspiration from coring techniques used...
Concrete
$27,750 / item
James de Wulf Custom Concrete Pool Table
Located in Paia, HI
The classic James de Wulf Concrete Billiards Table is a staple to any game room. The regulation sized table is constructed of concrete reinforced with ...
Concrete
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
Sereno Coffee Table Serie 1 by Joel Escalona – Solid Wood for Modern Interiors
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Sereno Coffee Table Serie 1 by Joel Escalona – Solid Wood for Modern Interiors ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? ...
Hardwood
Coffee Table, Brutalist Style, Solid European Oak - Scalae by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Inspired by the timeless and pure form of stairs, the Scalae coffee table is composed of three ascending planes defined by a harmony of scale. Blending architectural influence with r...
Oak
$4,899Sale Price|35% Off
Brutalist Coffee Table in Solid Natural Light Oak - Brut by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Brut coffee table by Mokko with dimensions L:135 x W:80 x H:30 cm. Made in the Netherlands out of solid European oak. The light oak is finished with a matte varnish. A custom wooden...
Oak
Dolmen coffee table - creation
Located in Paris, FR
"Dolmen" coffee table - handcrafted A unique piece carved from an old mahogany trunk, then reshaped and softened by a cabinetmaker. The natural splits in the wood are joined with do...
Wood
Rare Pair of Paul Evans Studio Argente PE-37 Cube Tables for Directional, 1970s
By Paul Evans
Located in Miami, FL
Rare Pair of Paul Evans Studio Argente PE-37 Cube Tables for Directional, 1970s Exceptional and rare pair of Paul Evans Studio Argente PE-37 cube tables, produced by Directional cir...
Slate, Metal, Aluminum
Round Table, Solid European Oak, Handcrafted in the Netherlands, Acer by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Bringing lightness and elegance to its heavy materials and shapes. The Acer Table is a balancing act between its heavy solid volumes and light pointing legs featuring semi arched voi...
Oak, Walnut
Unique Side Table, Late 20th-Century, Spain
Located in Hønefoss, 30
Unique spanish side table by anonymous designer. Beautiful details on the table top and legs. From c. late 20th Century. Wear consistnet with age and use.
Wood
Concrete Side Table "D" Abecedario Collection Aubergine Color by Forma&Cemento
Located in Rome, Lazio
Coffee table D is part of the Abecedario Collection; it marks the beginning of a language in cement that will create a concrete alphabet made up ...
Concrete
$2,725 / set
Vintage brutalist dining set, 1960s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Sturdy and handcrafted dining set with a bench and three high back dining chairs. This striking design and 'rough' hand made brutalist style is really standing out. The entire set...
Oak
Arcade Sculptural Console Table in Walnut Burl with Black Marble Top
By JLC
Located in New York, NY
The Arcade Console Table is defined by a rhythmic triple-arch structure, combining architectural mass with sculptural negative space. Its arched openings create a strong sense of dep...
Marble
"Grip" Console-Table / Display / Sculptural Object in Solid Bamboo
Located in Maastricht, NL
"Grip" console-table / display / sculptural object in solid bamboo Four square shapes flow to the center to swirl, weave, and grip eachother. Firmly holding on to form “Grip” A sculptural, powerful , iconic object made out of solid bamboo using...
Bamboo
$2,099
Paws
Located in Gurgaon, IN
Born from a desire to forge something captivatingly unique, this limited-edition piece stands as a testament to innovative design. Its aluminium body is a celebration of the material...
Aluminum
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
Italian Bronze Brutalist Coffee Table in the Style of Luciano Frigerio
Located in London, GB
A high quality Italian bronze & stone coffee table in the brutalist style. Similar in style & quality to the work of Luciano Frigerio. - We offer free shipping to the USA/Canada t...
Stone, Brass, Bronze
Wooden Brutalist Table, Wabi-Sabi, Handmade, Oak, Black, Rock, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Unique table with original design by Logniture. Made entirely from wood. Protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade design wil...
Wood, Oak, Ash
Customizable Sculpted Massive Dining Table in Solid Oak Wood, V8
By Denis Milovanov, Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Massive Dining Table in Solid Oakwood by Denis Milovanov Dimensions: H. 76 x W. 300 x D. 100 cm Customizable Materials: Solid oak (+ linseed oil) Hand sculpted by the artist Wa...
Oak
$15,588 / item
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
Sculptural Hardwood Stool, Side Table, Charred Wood, Hand-Carved, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
This functional sculpture is a one-of-a-kind object, carved from a single log of solid hardwood to highlight the inherent beauty and structural integrity of the natural material. The...
Wood
NONO Sideboard Elefante 26, Design by Joel Escalona, Sculpted Silhouette
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Sideboard Elefante 26, Design by Joel Escalona, Sculpted Silhouette ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a...
Hardwood
Large Round Coffee Table, Brutalist, Custom Made, 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 Coffee Table...
Oak, Walnut
Mid Century Brutalist Farmhouse Style Pine Trestle Cocktail Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid Century Brutalist Farmhouse Style Trestle Cocktail Table Measure 36.5" in width, 17.5" in depth and 16" in height.
Pine
Sapo Dining Table by Sergio and Giorgio Saporiti, Italy, 1970s
By Sergio and Giorgio Saporiti, Saporiti
Located in Antwerp, BE
Model Sapo dining table by Sergio and Giorgio Saporiti, crafted for Saporiti, Italy in 1972. This architectural masterpiece marries brutalist aesthetics with minimalist sensibilities...
Concrete, Metal
Vintage Black Stone Coffee Table, 1980s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage unusual coffee table with a black stoneware table top with a brutalist relief and a sculpted black lacquered wooden base. The top is also n...
Stone
Concrete Side Table "E" Abecedario Collection Honey Color by Forma & Cemento
Located in Rome, Lazio
Coffee table E is part of the Abecedario Collection; it marks the beginning of a language in cement that will create a concrete alphabet made up ...
Concrete
Brutalist Rustic Design Slate Tile & Oak Coffee Table, Belgium 1960's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Brutalist Rustic Design Slate Tile & Oak Coffee Table. Made in Belgium, 1960's. Oak wooden frame with slate stone and ceramic tile inlay top. Beautiful cone shaped legs. This...
Slate
$3,424Sale Price|20% Off
French brutalist popular-art round oak table, CIRCA 1880
Located in LYON, FR
Maison Lecan presents this popular-art round oak table, c.1880. A unique, powerful piece embodying 19th-century rural craftsmanship. The circular top,...
Oak
Sculptural Side Table, Rustic, Burnt Black Wood, Carved, Handmade, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
This commanding side table is a one-of-a-kind functional sculpture, hand-carved from a single solid hardwood log. Its heavy, circular top is designed to serve as a substantial coffee...
Wood
Sculpted Massive Dining Table V8 in Solid Oakwood 'Custom Size'
Located in Paris, IDF
Massive dining table made of solid oak (+ linseed oil) (Outdoor use OK) Model shown : 300 cm x 100 cm x 77 cm Warm furniture’s made by Denis Milovanov, founder of 'Soha Concept' design studio. Simplicity of shapes. Authentic material. Denis Milovanov produces wooden sculptures employing chainsaw and chisel as sole instruments of his practice. Reclaimed oak is carefully chosen, hand-processed and boiled in linseed oil in accordance with traditional Russian woodwork...
Oak
Oval Coffee Table Serie 36 – Sereno by Joel Escalona for Refined Homes
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Oval Coffee Table Serie 36 – Sereno by Joel Escalona for Refined Homes ———— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? These a...
Hardwood
French Brutalist Dining Table in Solid Wood
By Charlotte Perriand, Pierre Chapo
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
This striking French Brutalist dining table, crafted in the 1950s, is a masterful study of form and function. The monolithic construction and bold architectural lines are enhanced by...
Mahogany
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
Sculpted Dining Table 'Simple Dark' in Solid Oakwood 'Custom Size M'
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Dining dining table made of solid oak (+ linseed oil) (Outdoor use OK) Made to order - Custom size SÓHA design studio conceives and produces fur...
Oak
Joel Escalona Elefante Side Table 14, Hefty and Artistic, Solid Walnut Wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona Elefante Side Table 14, Hefty and Artistic ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid walnut wood. Other wood options are also available, which may affect ...
Hardwood
$1,050Sale 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
round bronze glass coffee table by Lothar Klute
By Lothar Klute
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
- round bronze table by Lothar Klute - 107 cm x 52 cm height - green/blue cast glass
Bronze
French Brutalist Oak Desk Table, 1940s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
"Architecture is not about space but about time." — Vito Acconci A commanding expression of French Brutalist design, this solid oak dining table embraces monolithic proportions an...
Oak
$9,364Sale Price / item|20% Off
NONO Elefante Buffet 15, Solid Oak, Understated Design Detail
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Buffet 15, Solid Oak, Understated Design Detail ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO ...
Hardwood
A French Brutalist style Elm and Iron Console / Occasional Table, C. 1950.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French console or occasional table constructed with a solid elm slab top resting on twisted wrought-iron legs. The base is joined by four iron stretchers that support a small lower c...
Iron
Rustic Farmhouse Primitive Brutalist Vintage Mid-Century Coffee Table from Oak
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
This small, square coffee table from the 1960s is crafted in the Brutalist style and made of heavy oak. The wood displays characteristic signs of use, which give the furniture a warm...
Oak
Artisan Brutalist Oak Coffee or Outdoor Table Mid Century, France, 1950
Located in Vienna, AT
Artisan brutalist oak coffee or outdoor table, France, 1950 Artisan rustic coffee table, large and round, France, 1950. Unique, handmade solid oak-tree table from planks of wood. Pe...
Oak
James Bearden Brutalist Console Table, Welded Steel, Glass Top, USA
Located in New York, NY
Custom console table made from welded steel square and rectangular elements sealed with a polychrome finish and finished with a clear glass inset top. Letter of authenticity from the...
Steel
Brutalist Marble Capri Side Table by Studio Sam London, Set of 2, 2020s
By Marcel Breuer, Angelo Mangiarotti, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Vicenza, IT
The Capri Side Table by Studio Sam is a contemporary collectible design that merges sculptural presence with refined Italian craftsmanship. Featuring a solid Carrara marble top and b...
Marble, Carrara Marble
Paul Kingma Mixed-Media Coffee Table, Netherlands, 1970s
By Paul Kingma
Located in BORGO, FR
Striking mixed-media coffee table by Dutch artist Paul Kingma, executed in the 1970s. This piece exemplifies Kingma’s signature approach, where furniture becomes a sculptural composi...
Stone, Slate, Metal, Brass
$15,920Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
Brutalist Wrought Iron and Slate Coffee Table or Cocktail Table, 1970s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Brutalist coffee table or cocktail table. Striking Dutch design from the 1970s. Patinated wrought iron frame and legs with original multi-colored slate top. This...
Slate, Wrought Iron
Contemporary Brutalist Style Small Table #2 in Solid Oak and Linseed Oil
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Small table made of solid oak (+ linseed oil) Measures: 60 x 122 x 45 cm. SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in an authen...
Oak
A Pair Of Brutalist Square Slate Stone Table by Paul Kingma
By Paul Kingma
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of slate cocktail or coffee table signed by Paul Kingma . The tabletop with red and grey colors create a beautiful composition within an asymmetric design with Inlayed brass c...
Stone
Verdigris Bronze Finish Metal Console Table Brutalist Midcentury Design 60"w
Located in Atlanta, GA
Verdigris Bronze Finish Metal Console Table, American, circa 1980s. It is a versatile size and can be used as a console or sofa table, media or TV table, or bar. It measures 60" widt...
Metal
Paul Evans, Zigzag Coffee Table, model PE11, by Directional, USA 1970
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Paul Evans (American 1931-1987) Zigzag Coffee Table model PE11 conceived 1970 and made by Directional, USA The zigzag base in welded, polychromed and patinated steel, with rectangul...
Steel