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.
Paire de chenets de cheminée en fer forgé- Edouard SCHENCK 1950s
Located in PARIS, FR
Paire de chenets zoomorphes représentant un couple de Teckel attribué à Edouard Schenck. En bon état avec des traces d’oxydation Production des années 50 Période Art déco.
Wrought Iron
Aluminum and Brass Firewood Holder by David Marshall, Spain, 1980s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
A sculptural vintage firewood holder designed by David Marshall, manufactured in Spain during the 1980s. The piece is constructed from cast aluminum forming a robust, gracefully curv...
Aluminum, Brass
Spanish Brutalist Fireplace Tool Set Stand in Gilt Wrought Iron and Knot Design
Located in Barcelona, ES
Beautiful Hand forged knot fireplace tool set on stand. Spain, 1950s-1960s The set includes five hand forged iron tools : a shovel, a log poker, broom, and two tongs. The rack stands up on a tripod base with scrolled ended feet and a knot detail on the top. All the tools have nice twisting details and are placed on the stand hanging...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Spanish Brutalist Fireplace Tool Set Stand in Wrought Iron, Scroll Loop Motif
Located in Barcelona, ES
Stand with Fireplace Tools, Hand Forged Iron Eye-catching fireplace tool set on stand, silver patinated wrought iron. Spain, 1950s-1960s The set includes four hand forged iron firepl...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Pair of Brutalist Male and Female Fireplace Andirons
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A cool pair of Brutalist male and female fireplace andirons from the 1970s. This are in original condition, so they show some patina. If you want a different finish on them let us kn...
Steel
Hammered Forged Bronze Fireplace Tool Set
By Paul Evans
Located in San Diego, CA
Hammered forged bronze fireplace tool set. A nice mix of mid century modern, antique and brutalism. Set includes a shovel, poker and log grabber.
Brass, Bronze
Heavy Quality Victorian Brass Fender, Industrial Look
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Heavy Quality Victorian Brass Fender, Industrial Look This is a Beautifully Designed Victorian Brass Fender it has a strong rectangular look The Fender is very good quality, it is i...
Brass
Large Wrought Iron Hammered Fireplace Tool Set : H 127cm
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Large Wrought Iron Hammered Fireplace Tool Set : H 127cm Fireplace set - Vintage Measures : 36x41cm H : 127cm Weigth : ~ 15kg Materials : Wrought Iron Wear consistent with age and use
Iron
Brutalist Style Beaten Brass Fender, 57” Long, Arts and Crafts, 1880
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Long Arts and Crafts Beaten Brass Fender This is a good large Brass Fender it is worked in beaten brass and with a slightly brutalist look to the finish The Fender is in good co...
Brass
Brutalist Fireplace Log Holder, Magazine Rack in Silvered Iron, Perforated, 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Brutalist Log holder or magazine rack with Perforated Design, wrought iron, silvered, Spain, 1950s. This wrought iron magazine rack feautures a perforated container with footed base...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Metal
David Marshall Brutalist Brass and Iron Fireplace Tool Set, 1970s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Brutalist fireplace tool set consisting of a stand and four tools, designed and hand-wrought by David Marshall during the 1970s. This sculptural companion set features Marshall’s cha...
Brass, Iron, Wrought Iron
Hand Crafted Wrought Iron Fireplace Set in the Style of Giacometti
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking Brutalist hand-crafted wrought iron fireplace tool set on stand, executed with sculptural presence and exceptional attention to detail. The decorative stand echoes the el...
Wrought Iron
Brutalist-Style Hammered and Painted Iron Fire Tools with Wall-mounted Holder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Circa 1970s / 1980s fire tool set including poker, log holder, brush, and shovel with wall-mounted holder. Nice texture with hammered detail to the forged iron with gilt finish. Pain...
Iron
Hand Beaten Copper Cooking Cauldron on Stand, Log Basket
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Hand beaten copper cooking cauldron on stand, log basket This is a lovely early Cooking Pot, it is made in hand beaten copper, slightly flaring out at...
Copper
Pair of Wrought Iron Dachshund Andirons - 20th century
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Pair of Wrought Iron Dachshund Andirons Brutalist - Vintage - Open Fire Measures : 18cmx46,5 H:20cm Material : Iron Wear Consistent with age and use
Iron
Heavy Studded Darkened Brass Fender, Brutalist Look
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Heavy studded darkened brass fender, Brutalist Look This is a good large Victorian beaten brass fender it has a studded pattern worked in the age darkened brass giving it a Brutalis...
Brass
Heavily Embossed Age Darkened Steel Fender, Brutalist Look, Made by Dudley
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Heavily embossed age darkened steel fender, brutalist look, made by Dudley This is a good oxidised pressed steel fender it has a leafy pattern worke...
Steel
Wrought Iron and Brass Arts and Crafts Fireplace Tool Set
Located in New York, NY
Four piece wrought iron and cast brass fireplace tool set, including a poker, shovel, tongs, and the stand. The set is in good, original, cl...
Brass, Wrought Iron
$1,897
H 30.71 in W 12.6 in D 12.6 in
Spanish Gothic Revival fireplace tool set wrought iron dragon 1920 hand forged
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
An exceptional five-piece fireplace tools set with stand, handcrafted in Spain from wrought iron during the late Art Nouveau period (circa 1920s–1930s). This sculptural ensemble feat...
Wrought Iron
Danny Alessandro Brass Fire Tools Set, Panther Design, 1980s
Located in New York, NY
1980s chic set of brass firetools adorned with a stylized satin brass finished Cartier influenced Panther. Professionally polished.
Brass
Five Piece Arts and Crafts Hand Wrought Iron Fireplace Tool Set
Located in New York, NY
Vintage hand wrought iron fireplace tool set, consisting of a shovel, poker, tongs, brush and the stand. The set is in very good, original, clean and ready to use condition, showing ...
Wrought Iron
$2,676
H 12.21 in W 18.51 in D 14.57 in
1970's Cast aluminium "Brutalist" log holder By David Marshall
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1970's Cast aluminium "Brutalist" log holder By David Marshall Great condition... Possibility of andirons and mantels with same design
Aluminum, Bronze
1980s David Marshall Woodshed in Bronze with Two Finishes
Located in Marbella, ES
Impressive woodshed designed by artist David Marshall, made of bronze with two finishes in gold and silver. This object combines functionality and art with a fluid and contemporary d...
Bronze
$2,201
H 17.72 in W 19.69 in D 18.9 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Dimensionefuoco leather and brass firewood sack, Italy
By Dimensione Fuoco, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Argelato, BO
The high-quality leather and gold-plated brass bag is an elegant log holder (or firewood sack) designed by Italian designer duo Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Dimensionefuoco, a company s...
Brass
Brass and Black Lacquered Brass Log Holder
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice neoclassical style log holder is made of black lacquered brass and brass witt claw feet. This is a French work. Circa 1970
Brass
1960s Sculptural Black Wrought Iron Ring Firewood Holder
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Sculptural Midcentury Black Metal Ring Fire Log Wood Holder 25.75 tall x 25 w x 4.5 d Preowned vintage condition unrestored. Refer to all mages p...
Metal
Arts and Crafts Wrought Iron and Brass Fireplace Tool Stand
By Samuel Yellin
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional hand wrought iron and brass fireplace tool stand The stand features a scroll work base with brass rosettes, and a large brass finial at the top. Well crafted quality meta...
Brass, Wrought Iron
Midcentury French Wrought Iron Fireplace Tools, circa 1960
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Elegant midcentury wrought iron & bronze fireplace tools, circa 1960, France. Sphere handles. What’s fascinating is how these set is that they are almost like furniture accents as mu...
Bronze, Wrought Iron
$6,500 / set
H 30.5 in W 11.25 in D 5.5 in
1980s Danny Alessandro Fireplace Tool Set, Brass and Nickel Chrome, Ring Handles
Located in New York, NY
Five-piece cast fireplace tool set by Danny Alessandro, produced in the 1980s. The set is finished in lacquered brass and chromed steel and includes a weighted stand with ring-form h...
Steel
Sold
H 18.9 in W 35.83 in D 8.27 in
A Panoramic MODERNIST BRUTALIST Wrought Iron & Glass FIRE SCREEN, France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
A wide and impressive Brutalist fire-screen, holding a safe transparent glass in a strong sculpted structure, ended at the top by 2 massive rings giving the piece a strong visual inp...
Wrought Iron, Brass
Mid Century Brutalist Fire Screen in Metal 1960s
Located in Meer, VAN
Mid Century Brutalist Fire Screen in Metal, 1960s. This brutalist fire screen from the 1960s is a striking and functional piece featuring an industrial aesthetic. Crafted entirely f...
Metal
Mid Century Wrought Iron Andirons
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A pair of mid century wrought iron andirons. Hammered ball details. Measurements shown are of one andiron.
Wrought Iron
firewood holder by David Marshall, 1980s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Beautiful firewood holder by sculptor David Marshall. Ideal complement for rooms with a fireplace. Piece stamped by the artist.
Aluminum, Bronze
Sold
H 30.6 in W 9 in D 9 in
Timeless Design with Subtle Hand Forged Forms, Wrought Iron Fireplace Tools Set
Located in Lisse, NL
This artistic and strong wrought iron fire set will help manage the fire in your fireplace. If you are passionate about artistic and handcrafted antiques, then this fireplace set fr...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Large Zinc and Iron Cauldron Log Basket This is a large galvanised pot
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Zinc and Iron Cauldron Log Basket This is a large galvanised pot it has riveted carrying swing handles An unusual piece of brutalist design, a heavy piece and it would make a...
Zinc
Modernist Cast Iron Fireback
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This modernist fireback is made of cast iron with a very nice design. This is a French work, Circa 1950
Iron
Antique Brutalist Style Fireplace Tools Set in Bronze Patinated Finish
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare fireplace tools set in patinated bronze finish interesting brutalist, Art Noveau finish.
Bronze
Pair of Cast Iron Brutalist Andirons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An excellent pair of cast iron Brutalist style andirons. The andirons feature a patinated Arts & Crafts style front design with a beveled edge detail. A perfect compliment to your ho...
Iron
Sold
H 18.12 in W 12.21 in D 1.97 in
Pair of Midcentury Swedish Brutalist Roosters as Fire Screen by Olle Hermansson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of Midcentury Swedish Brutalist fire screens of "Fireroosters" by Olle Hermansson for Husqvarna. In cast iron. Olle Hermansson was interested in No...
Iron
Pair of Cast Iron Brutalist Andirons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An excellent pair of cast iron Brutalist style andirons. The andirons feature a patinated Arts & Crafts style front design with a beveled edge detail. A perfect compliment to your ho...
Iron
Unique Brutalist Firewood Holder by David Marshall
Located in North Miami, FL
This mixed-metals small firewood rack is very unique with a surreal or brutal style. Hardly used, truly a work of art!
Aluminum, Brass