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.
French Pair of Nightstands Side Cabinets Bedside Tables Brutalist Style, 2022
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of oak nightstands "Pyrénées" signed by Sébastien Lamarre. This french side cabinets were made by Sébastien Lamarre for Maison Marie Anne. The creator chose for the Pyrénées mo...
Oak
$1,873Sale Price / set|20% Off
French Pair of Nightstands Side Cabinets Bedside Tables Brutalist Style, 2023
Located in Labrit, Landes
This bedside cabinet cabinet with the traditional technique is brustalist chic style thanks to its simple aesthetic and its bronze handle. This pair of oak nightstands...
Oak
$1,647Sale Price / set|20% Off
French Pair of Nightstands Side Cabinets Bedside Depth 18 in
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of oak nightstands "Pyrénées" signed by Sébastien Lamarre. This french side cabinets were made by Sébastien Lamarre for Maison Marie Anne. To stay in a brutalist style he has m...
Oak
Golf Trophy Cup Sculpture by David Marshall, Brutalist Brass Design
Located in Sitges, Barcelona
A golf trophy cup sculpture by David Marshall for the golf lover and enthusiast — a gilt brass cup set with a silver-toned dimpled golf ball, on a raw cast-aluminum base. Spain, circ...
Aluminum, Brass
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron and Suede Leather Log Holder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-forged wrought iron log and magazine holder with a warm cognac suede leather sling suspended through five scrolled loop handles across the upper rail. The iron frame carries vis...
Wrought Iron
French Pair of Nightstands Side Cabinets Bedside Tables Brutalist Style, 2022
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of oak nightstands "Pyrénées" signed by Sébastien Lamarre. This french side cabinets were made by Sébastien Lamarre for Maison Marie Anne....
Oak
1970s Biomorphic Brass Pendant Brutalist Style Jack Boyd
By Jack Boyd
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Biomorphic Brass Pendant Brutalist spore design unmarked attributed to Jack Boyd 3.63 h x 1.5 d x .75 w Preowned original vintage. No chain is included. Refer to images
Brass
Solid Wood Mastery Unseen Force #34 Joel Escalona's Coffee Table Art
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solid Wood Mastery Unseen Force #34 Joel Escalona's Coffee Table Art Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or carbonized finish. Due to the nature o...
Hardwood
$746Sale Price / set|25% Off
MCM Solid Exotic Wood Nightstands Rustic Brutalist Pair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on "Read More" or "View More Details" below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing is from 1st Dibs and they normally s...
Wood
Vintage Modernist Brutalist Articulated Bone Collar Necklace Nanna Ditzel Era
By Nanna Ditzel, Antoñio Pineda
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage modernist brutalist articulated bone collar necklace. It features a highly collectible Modernist anatomical architecture often inspired by a spinal...
Aluminum
Solid Oak Rustic Double bed in style of Charles Dudouyt, France 1970's
Located in Den Haag, NL
Solid Oak Rustic Double bed in style of Charles Dudouyt, France 1970's Mattress size: 160cmx210cm
Oak
$11,767 / item
Contemporary Sculpted Screen in Solid Oak
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Screen made of solid oak (+ linseed oil) Measures: 150 x 190 x 3 cm SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objec...
Oak
Vintage Modernist Bronze & Turquoise Necklace by Pal Kepenyes
By Pal Kepenyes
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning vintage modernist bronze and turquoise necklace by Pal Kepenyes, circa 1970s. The necklace is in very good vintage condition with a great patina and a six fabulous turquoi...
Bronze
Brutalist Handmade Christ made of steel and bronze details
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970. We offer this Brutalist Handmade Christ made of steel and bronze details. Fantastic patina and great vintage conditions.
Brass, Iron
Beautiful necklace in hammered brass and polished agates by Pal Kepenyes
By Pal Kepenyes
Located in Mexico, DF
Beautiful necklace in hammered brass in the form of drops with five polished agates, a highly original brutalist wearable piece by well-known artist Pal Kepenyes, Mexico, 1970s. Pal´...
Agate, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Wrought Iron Room Divider by Jean Touret, 1950s
By Atelier Marolles, Jean Touret
Located in Zevenaar, NL
This iconic room divider was created by the well-known french artist Jean Touret for Atelier des Marolles, who founded the workshop in France during the 1950s. The heavy hand-crafte...
Wrought Iron
Rare find! Pair of Bronze Bookends / Sculptures by Heinz Goll, Austria 1960s
By Heinz Goll
Located in Cork, IE
This pair of sculptural bookends truly is a rare find! Designed by Hannes Heinz Goll, the Austrian enfant terrible of the 60's art scene and co-founder of the "Grüne Galerie" (green...
Bronze
Pair of Minimalist 'Amboine' Burlwood Night Stands by Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Minimalist 'Amboine' burlwood night stands by Design Frères. Simple, functional design with 2 deep drawers per night stand.
Wood, Burl
Henning Kjærnulf, Night Stand in Oak, Danish Modern, "Razorblade", 1960s
Located in Odense, DK
A gorgeous bed side table / chest of drawer in oak. Designed by Henning Kjærnulf in 1960s. Made by Nyrup Møbler. A rare sculptural object that combine baroque style and modernism. ...
Oak
Vintage Pal-Bell Israeli Brass Hanukkah Menorah with Olive Branches and Oil Jug
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautifully sculptural Mid-Century Modern Hanukkah menorah produced by the renowned Israeli firm Pal-Bell. Cast in brass with a rich verdigris patina, the design features an elegan...
Bronze
Vintage Patinated Corinthian Greek Helmet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking miniature bronze sculpture is a masterfully rendered Corinthian-style Greek helmet, capturing the martial elegance of antiquity. Reminiscent of the historic Grand Tour ...
Bronze
French Nightstand Side Cabinet Bedside Depth 18 in
Located in Labrit, Landes
oak nightstand "Pyrénées" signed by Sébastien Lamarre. This french side cabinets were made by Sébastien Lamarre for Maison Marie Anne. To stay in a brutalist style he has made this...
Oak
World War Two Trench Art, Brass Shell Case Table Lamp, USA, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Brass table lamp made of a naval artillery shell dated production year 1943. The shell is meticulously incised with lines to create a brick pattern. Marked at the bottom 3" MK7 MOD 1...
Brass
Hand-Forged Iron Three-Panel Divider/Floor Screen, 87x74.5
Located in Oakwood, GA
Hand-Forged Iron Three-Panel Divider/Floor Screen, 87"H x 74.5"W Sculptural three-panel folding screen Hand-forged iron Artisan craftsmanship Composed with abstracted botanical eleme...
Iron
Signed Bronze Brutalist Sculpture Pendant 1970s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
This extraordinary brutalist pendant, crafted in bronze, encapsulates the artistic spirit of the 1970s. With an organic and abstract design, the piece reflects a unique sculptural ae...
Bronze
Contemporary Sculpted Bedside Table in Solid Oak Wood, Hammered texture
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Contemporary Sculpted Bedside Table in Solid Oak Wood, Hammered texture (+ linseed oil) Hand sculpted by the artist Dimensions: H. 50 x 40 x 40 cm Customizable Unique piece made t...
Oak
$1,650 / set
Ben Seibel Bronze Tail Light Bookends
By Ben Seibel
Located in New York, NY
Modernist pair of Brutalist bookends in bronze, designed by Ben Seibel.
Bronze
Vintage Modernist Bronze Lion Necklace by Pal Kepenyes
By Pal Kepenyes
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool vintage modernist bronze lion necklace by Pal Kepenyes, circa 1970s. The necklace is in very good vintage condition with a great patina and a red glass eyes; it measure...
Bronze
$232Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Brutalist cast metal Crucifix
Located in Bern, CH
Mid Century solid metal Brutalist crucifix. Appears to be either brass or brass effect. Name on rear: Frick Angela (assumed to be creator or owner o...
Metal
Pair of Vintage Brutalist Style Brass Owl Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool pair of vintage brutalist style owl bookends circa 1970s. The bookends are solid with with a great patina and measure 9"W x 4"D x 7.5"H. The are marked "Hampton, VA" on ...
Brass
Antique French Fencing Mask in Leather & Steel
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Raw authentic fencing mask that tics all the right boxes. It has such a masculine and brutal appearance. Thick patinated leather and dark metal face-cover sets the tone for this high...
Steel
Brutalist modern design sculpture architectural model tower majolica 1950s Italy
Located in Wien, AT
A striking brutalist sculpture – an architectural model, a tower with an extension, made in Italy in the 1950s. The object is made of majolica, which is still raw inside, while the...
Majolica
Danish Brutalist Oak Bedside Table, 1970s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Brutalist Oak Bedside Table, 1970s. Small two drawer commode in Henning Kjærnulf style on a base with bobbin legs. Suitable as a bedside table, side table, small chest of d...
Oak
Brutalist Chest Set in brass, aluminium and leather by David Marshal, Spain 1970
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a striking and highly sculptural Brutalist chess set by renowned Spanish designer and sculptor David Marshall, executed i...
Aluminum, Brass
$880Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage 1980s Christian LaCroix Bijoux Splatter Set Brooch Earrings Costume
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Made in France, c.1980s. LaCroix designed matching set; brooch pin and pair of clip-back earrings. Brutalist, Abstract Biomorphic forms. Sold with the original box. Brooch Dia 3 ...
Metal
Sculptural Oceanic Nightstand by Pulaski, 1960's, Style of Witco
By Pulaski Furniture Corporation
Located in Culver City, CA
Transport yourself to the golden age of tiki chic with this fabulous nightstand by Pulaski, designed in the unmistakable style of Witco from the 196...
Resin, Walnut
Brutalist Brass Necklace
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Signed Brutalist brass necklace.
Brass
$1,741Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Wooden Umbrella Stand
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This brutalist umbrella stand is made of wood. The pîece has very simple and pure lines. This is a French work. Circa 1950
Wood
Vintage Brutalist Wood Coat Rack, Wabi Sabi Design, 186cm Tall
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Vintage Brutalist wood standing coat rack Wear consistent with age and use : missing several hook - See Photos Wabi Sabi - Vintage - Decoration Measures ...
Wood
Chain Link Floor Ashthay in Wrought Iron with Horseshoe Detail, France 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Brutalist Wrought Iron Chain Standing Floor Ashtray with Horseshoe Detail Horseshoes standing ashtray with chain link iron base. France, 1950s. Rare find. Unique ashtray made of horseshoes and an iron chain. It features an iron horseshoe with metal stud rivet detail on the top. It stands on an iron chain link...
Iron, Wrought Iron
1960's Brutalist Art Sculpture Solid Bronze Figural Bookends Artist Signed WLC
By Paul Evans, Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in San Diego, CA
Wonderful brutalist solid bronze sculptural figural bookends, circa 1960's. Great form and design. The sculptures are signed on the bottom with the artist initials "WLC". One is mark...
Bronze
Long, Vintage Bar Chain or Darcy Chain Type Necklace, about 28 Inches
Located in Warrenton, OR
Long, Vintage Bar Chain or Darcy Chain Type Necklace, about 28 Inches. ***NOTE: Our 1stDibs store is closing soon. This collectible vintage goldtone chain necklace looks great as a ...
Metal
Chic Black Tinted Round Coffee Table - Urban Fundamenta 27 by NONO
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Chic Black Tinted Round Coffee Table - Urban Fundamenta 27 by NONO Sculptural coffee table made of solid wood with a natural water-based or black tinted finish. Due to the nature of...
Hardwood
Brutalist Jewelry Set Bracelet & Monumental Pendant, Skandinavian 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Two Statement mid century studio modernist brutalist made jewelry pieces. A large pendant and a bracelet made of brass and copper with a black stone. Made probably in the Scandinavia...
Stone, Brass, Copper
Vintage Mid-Century Brutalist Magazine Rack from the 1970s
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
Brutalist lectern from the 1970s, crafted from metal, leather and oak. A bold and expressive piece that perfectly reflects the strong, architectural style of the period. A striking s...
Metal
Set of 2 Mid-Century Brutalist Bookends, Copper Metal, Vintage, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Bookends, 1960s, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Material: Metal Color: Copper Styles: Brutalist, Mid-Century...
Metal
Wall Coat Rack Sculpture Wrought Iron by Pozzebon. Italy, 1970s
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Rare large Mid-Century Modern Brutalist wall coat rack stand sculpture in wrought iron by the italian design manufacture M Pozzebon. In the mood of Tom Ahlström, Salvino Marsura
Iron, Wrought Iron
French Pair of Nightstands Side Cabinets Bedside Tables Brutalist Style, 2025
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of oak nightstands "Pyrénées". This french side cabinets were made by Sébastien Lamarre for Maison Marie Anne. To stay in a brutalist style he has made this natural finition. T...
Oak
Vintage Modernist Bronze & Stone Necklace by Pal Kepenyes
By Pal Kepenyes
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice vintage modernist bronze and stone necklace by Pal Kepenyes, circa 1970s. The necklace is in very good vintage condition with a great patina and a eleven brown stones; ...
Bronze
Brutalist Mixed Metal Artisan Handbag ca 1970s
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970. We offer this Brutalist Mixed Metal Artisan Handbag. This unique handmade bag is adorned with sinuous three dimensional mixed metal work designs.
Brass, Copper
Pair of Swiss 1960's hand carved Brutalist book ends
Located in Bern, CH
Fabulous pair of hand carved Swiss Brutalist book ends dating from the 1960's. Believed to originate from the renowned Swiss lakeside wood carving town of Brienz. Solid carved wooden...
Wood
Luciano Frigerio Italian Modern Brass Bed, Italy 1960
By Frigerio Di Desio, Luciano Frigerio
Located in Conversano, IT
Rare and historically significant "Thailandia" bed designed by Ciansky, Shelba, and Luciano Frigerio for Frigerio di Desio, Italy, in the late 1960s. An extraordinary example of Ital...
Brass
Stool / Table by eliaselias, Made in Recycled Solid Pine, Danish Design 2022
Located in Odense, DK
This multifunctional stool is created by using recycled pine furniture. Use it as a decorative side table, a stool or a nightstand. The material is Scandinavian pine and the expressi...
Pine
Brutalist Wrought Iron Coat Hangers, Denmark, 1970s, Set of 6
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Hand-welded in Denmark during the 1970s this set of twisted iron and brass coat hangers stylistically displays midcentury Brutalism. The price is for the set of six.
Wrought Iron
Brian Bijan Hot Air Balloon Table Top Sculpture in Copper, Brass & Stone
By Brian Bijan
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Brian Bijan Attributed Hot Air Balloon Mixed Media Table Sculpture. Featuring a handcrafted, welded mixed metal sculpture in Copper, Iron coated Brass and Basalt, with tethered early...
Stone, Brass, Iron
James De Wulf Cue Rack, Floor Standing Concrete Billiards Cue Rack
Located in Paia, HI
Floor standing billiards concrete cue rack to accompany the James De Wulf pool table. Please select a color option when placing an order: Natural Tone, Ligh...
Concrete
Brutalist Three Panel Wrought Iron And Marble Room Divider Screen
Located in Houston, TX
Brutalist Three Panel Wrought Iron And Marble Room Divider Screen. Offered is a handsome three panel geometric black wrought iron hinged screen with inset panels of marble. This grea...
Marble, Iron, Wrought Iron
Luciano Frigerio Brutalist Aurora Sculptural King Size Bed Frame In Brass
By Frigerio Di Desio, Luciano Frigerio di Desio
Located in Conversano, IT
Majestic and rare brutalist sculptural bed frame titled "Aurora," designed by Luciano Frigerio for Frigerio di Desio in 1970. This extraordinary piece is part of the ULTRABRONZO99 co...
Brass, Bronze, Iron
Zabihi Collection Persian Mohtasham Kashan Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a 19th century Mohtasham Kashan rug zipper closure and poly fill insert provided 20'' x 20''
Wool, Cotton, Foam
Vintage Norwegian Brutalist Pewter Pendant Necklace by Astrid Holthe 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Sculptural vintage necklace by Astrid Holthe, from Norway circa 1965-75. This distinct piece is iconic of the designer, featuring brutalist and industrial - architectural elements. T...
Pewter