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.
$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
NONO Elefante Console Table 23, Flowing Lines, Solid Craft
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Console Table 23, Flowing Lines, Solid Craft ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Tou...
Hardwood
$82,441Sale 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
Rare Architectural Travertine Coffee Table, Belgium, 1970s
Located in DE KWAKEL, NL
A rare Belgian coffee table from the 1970s, defined by an architectural composition of layered natural stone elements. The different rectangular sections are arranged at varying heig...
Stone, Travertine
Hand-Carved, Wabi Sabi, Solid Wood, Sculptural, Log Stool, Side Table, Walnut
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Unique chainsaw carved wooden functional sculpture usable as a multifunctional piece such as a stool, side table, pedestal, night table or many more. Carved from a single piece of wa...
Wood, Walnut
Brutalist Round Coffee Table in Red Oak Wood Veneer, Podio by NONO
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Brutalist round coffee table in red oak wood veneer, Podio by NONO The NONO design team presents a coffee table that exudes elegance and modernity. The foundation of this piece is a...
Plywood
Brutalist slate stone coffee table, 1980s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Brutalist slate and natural stone top coffee table mounted an an equally beautiful stone base. Good condition. 1980s - Germany Height: 48cm Width x depth: 70cm Ref.: 25090808 *A...
Stone
Pair of Hand Forged Brutalist Side or Drink Tables in Iron, Spain 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of Two Spanish Brutalist Drink Tables in wrought iron Rare find. These eye-catching tables were handcrafted in wrought iron and show a gorgeous blacksmith's design combininig ind...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Minimalist Coffee Table Serie 58 – Sereno by Joel Escalona for Subtle Interiors
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Minimalist Coffee Table Serie 58 – Sereno by Joel Escalona for Subtle Interiors ——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? ...
Hardwood
$15,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
Concrete Side Table "F" Abecedario Collection Ardesia Color by Forma&Cemento
Located in Rome, Lazio
Coffee table F is part of the Abecedario Collection; it marks the beginning of a language in cement that will create a concrete alphabet made up ...
Concrete
Joel Escalona's NONO Elefante Table 60, 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
Unique Brutalist Round Moon Crater Coffee Table Glass & Chrome, Germany 1970
By Ronald Schmitt 1, Berthold Muller, Ronald Schmitt
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Unique brutalist one-off moon crater artwork side or coffee table consisting of a heavy glass/onyx top and a chrome-plated metal frame. The craters have plastic indentations which ca...
Onyx, Chrome
Wrought Iron Console Table in Gold Leaf Style of Giacometti
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wrought iron and black marble like stone in antique gold leaf in the style of Giacometti.
Iron
Vintage Oak & Steel Top Square Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
A late 20th Century square coffee table with an oak wood frame and steel plate inset top. The overall design can be characterized as minimal in structure and abundant in texture. The...
Steel
Solid Walnut Round Table - 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
$15,588 / item
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
Elefante by NONO Console 20, Slender Oak Elegance, Substantial Presence
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante by NONO Console 20, Slender Oak Elegance, Substantial Presence ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a ...
Hardwood
French Massive Walnut Top & Wrought Iron Coffee Table, circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
French coffee table from the 1960s made of solid wood and wrought iron French coffee table made in the 1960s, combining a thick rectangular solid wood top with a wrought iron base. ...
Wrought Iron
NONO Elefante Table 28, Joel Escalona Design, Refined Curves
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Table 28, Joel Escalona Design, Refined Curves ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist T...
Hardwood
Nesting Tables in Oak, Made by a Danish Cabinetmaker, Mid Century Modern, 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
A refined and decorative set of three oak nesting tables, crafted in the 1960s in the style of Danish designer Henning (Henry) Kjærnulf. These tables display the hallmarks of Danish ...
Oak
Sculptural Stool / Side Table in Dark 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
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
French Brutalist Pine Coffee Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully crafted solid pine coffee table featuring exposed joinery with circular dowel detailing and open slatted sides. Warm patina and minimalist Brutalist form emphasizing mate...
Pine
Live Edge Coffee Table, Log Furnitue, Walnut, Epoxy, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
This striking coffee table seamlessly blends organic warmth with contemporary artistry, live-edge walnut slab with a vibrant blue epoxy resin river running through the center. The d...
Wood, Oak, Walnut
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
Antique Scandinavian Brutalist Oak Dining Set, Table and 6 Chairs
Located in Lutz, FL
Vintage European Brutalist Oak Dining Set. Draw leaf table with 6 chairs. A fantastic and unusual set, the table features draw leaf at each end to extend and lovely details top to bo...
Oak
SIDE TABLE Jean-Paul Barray & Kim Moltzer
By Kim Moltzer, Jean-Paul Barray
Located in Forest, BE
Jean-Paul Barray and Kim Moltzer, renowned French furniture designers, are particularly noted for their collaboration on the «Penta Chair.» Barray was a versatile designer, painter, ...
Metal
James de Wulf Concrete Round Side Table, Standard Colors
Located in Paia, HI
This simple, elegant side table is constructed of one solid piece of concrete. Its low center of gravity offers grounding and stability. This table lends a high level of sophistication to any setting. Available in Natural Tone (as shown), Light Grey, Dark Grey Premium colors available Suitable for Outdoor use James de Wulf has been widely recognized for his original and innovative work with concrete design and rapidly became known for his ability to fuse advanced concrete technology with aesthetic, modern, and natural concrete forms...
Concrete
Paul Evans Bronze Stalagmite Coffee Table
By Paul Evans
Located in Hudson, NY
A sculpted bronze and glass “Stalagmite” coffee table, the thick round glass top sits on top of a bronze base, decorated with thick impasto like application of bronze over an iron fr...
Bronze, Iron
Brut Dining Table by Mokko Amsterdam, Solid Black European Oak, Customizable
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Brut table takes cues from Brutalism and Amsterdam School architecture. A balance of raw materiality and subdued forms with geometrically expressive detailing. Designed by Aad B...
Oak, Walnut
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
NONO Elefante Console Table 49, Sleek Solid Wood, Escalona's Craft
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Console Table 49, Sleek Solid Wood, Escalona's Craft ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Mod...
Hardwood
Vintage 20th Century Elm Wood Brutalist Coffee Table in Good Condition
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Wabi Sabi - Vintage - Decoration Measures : 73x62 H:40cm Its elm wood bears the marks and imperfections accumulated over centuries of use, making it unique.This is an ideal decorati...
Wood
Socle No31 Architectural Console by NONO for Modern Spaces
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Socle No31 Architectural Console by NONO for Modern Spaces ————————————————————— The Socle Console Series by NONO reinterprets the plinth as a family of sculptural consoles in solid...
Hardwood
Handcrafted Oak Coffee Table, Natural French Oak, Sculptural, Brut by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Brut coffee table takes cues from Brutalism and Amsterdam School architecture. A balance of raw materiality and subdued forms with geometrically expressive detailing. Designed b...
Oak, Walnut
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
In the Manner of Charles Dudouyt, Tripod Plant Stand, Turned Oak, France, 1950s
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, HR
In the Manner of Charles Dudouyt, Tripod Plant Stand, Turned Oak, France, 1950s. This pedestal plant stand is built from solid turned oak, with three bobbin-turned columns rising fr...
Oak
The Cadence Stool - Brutalist Stool / Side Table in European Oak 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
Sculptural Side Table, Rustic, Burnt Black Wood, Carved, Handmade, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
These two sculptural blocks are functional art, each carved from a single piece of wood to maintain the raw integrity of the timber. The design features a blocky, monolithic form tha...
Wood, Oak
Brut Dining Table in Solid French Oak
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Brut table takes cues from Brutalism and Amsterdam School architecture. A balance of raw materiality and subdued forms with geometrically expressive detailing. Designed by Aad B...
Oak, Walnut
$11,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
$1,608Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Brutalist Studio Welded Steel Side Tables by Masciarelli for Regent
By Masciarelli
Located in Oceanside, US
These striking Brutalist side tables by Masciarelli for Regent crafted during the 1960s, the tables feature torched and textured cylindrical metal bases, creating a visually compelli...
Steel
$15,588 / item
Socle No38 Entryway Table, Design by Joel Escalona
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Socle No38 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
$15,588 / item
Socle No22 Sculptural Table, Design by Joel Escalona
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Socle No22 Sculptural Table, Design by Joel Escalona ————————————————————— The Socle Console Series by NONO reinterprets the plinth as a family of sculptural consoles in solid wood....
Hardwood
Large Spanish Butcher Block Table / Wabi Sabi Rustic Tripod Table
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Butcher Block Side Table / Brutalist Wabi Sabi Rustic Tripod Side Table, 1930s- 1940s Originally used as butcher's table.To be used as side table or stand to display sculptures or decorative objects. The Murano glass squirrel...
Iron
Round Pair of Hand-Welded Steel Rod Brutalist Tables, Set of Two, Tripod Legs
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair of steel rod welded tables. An organized sleek Brutalism is the overall effect. Perfect as night stands, or to flank a sofa. We love them as drink tables at comfortable lounge c...
Steel
Brutalist Round Dining Table, Solid Oak, French Design, 1950s Vintage
Located in Hellouw, NL
Honest in construction and weighty in presence, this Brutalist round dining table embodies a quiet strength. Its design speaks with a raw, grounded clarity, favouring structure over ...
Oak
Contemporary 'OKA' Dining Table by Eichkorn, Burnt Oak, Customizable
By Eichkorn
Located in Paris, IDF
OKA Dining Table by German contemporary design studio Eichkorn. Material: Burnt Oak Standard size: H.75 x 380 x 115 cm - Customizations are possible The minimalist design of our "O...
Oak
Contemporary Brutalist Style Small Table #3 in Solid Oak and Linseed Oil
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Small table made of solid oak (+ linseed oil). Measures: 50 x 107 x 45 cm. SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in an authe...
Oak
$15,920Sale Price / item|20% Off
Elefante Console Table 39 by NONO, Stacked Design, Joel Escalona's Touch
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Console Table 39 by NONO, Stacked Design, Joel Escalona's Touch ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with ...
Hardwood
Solid Wood, Sculptural Side Table, Contemporary Design, Handmade, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Unique functional sculpture carved from a single piece of wood in the shape of a side table, stool, night table or even pedestal. Each piece in our production is carved by artists wi...
Wood
Costa Antique Reclaimed Fir Dining Table with Trestle Style Base Solid Wood 86"
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
The Costa Dining Table is crafted from solid reclaimed fir & pine and finished in a weathered walunut finish, this oval dining table draws inspiration from traditional European w...
Fir, Reclaimed Wood
Coffee Table with Bronze Base, Late 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
Round coffee table featuring a clear glass top and an intertwined bronze base. The base showcases an irregular, textured surface with a distinctly Brutalist aesthetic.
Bronze
French Studio Coffee Table, Faceted Pine Marquetry Top, 1970s
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, HR
French Studio Coffee Table, Faceted Pine Marquetry Top, 1970s. This handmade low table is built from solid pine arranged in a faceted geometric pattern, with triangular and polygona...
Wood, Pine
bronze leaf coffee table attributed to Jacques Duval - 1980s
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
- rare bronze coffee table with a leaf and branches - very good condition with slight signs of use. No chips in the glass. - 105 x70 x 45 cm the item will be crated for transport an...
Bronze
Large Coffee Table, Contemporary Design, Solid European 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
Mid Century Torch Cut Sculptural Brutalist Side Table by Silas Seandel, c1970
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Just in, a striking vintage Mid Century Modern Brutalist side table by Silas Seandel, circa 1970s. This sculptural accent table features a thick round glass top resting on a substant...
Iron
$11,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Sereno Coffee Table Serie 17 by Joel Escalona – Perfect for Calm Interiors
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Sereno Coffee Table Serie 17 by Joel Escalona – Perfect for Calm Interiors——— Sereno Coffee Table Series – A Note from Joel Escalona What happens when structure becomes art? These...
Hardwood
Handcrafted Brutalist Coffee Table with Resin Base and Glass Top
Located in New York, NY
This handcrafted coffee table features a striking blend of materials. Its lightweight, yet durable, fiberglass-reinforced resin base boasts a brass-toned "stripes" texture, adding a ...
Resin, Fiberglass, Glass