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.
$14,000 / item
T-Beam Outdoor Dining Table in Solid Teak
Located in New York, NY
A solid teak outdoor dining table defined by a T-shaped trestle base, where mass and structure are treated with clarity and restraint. The composition is reduced to its essential ele...
Teak
Sculptural Outdoor Coffee Table in Cast Volcanic Lava Stone
Located in New York, NY
This contemporary sculptural coffee table is crafted from resin-reinforced fiberglass, a highly durable composite material valued for its strength, lightness, and resistance to outdo...
Resin, Fiberglass, Coating
$14,000 / item
10+ Person Outdoor Teak Dining Table In Brutalist Style
Located in New York, NY
Introducing an outdoor dining table, a bold statement piece that comfortably seats over 10 guests. This table, inspired by the raw and powerful aesthetic of the Brutalist movement, is crafted entirely from solid teak with unrefined finish in combination with the beauty of the architecture. 110" x 43" x 2" thick teak wood sealed with outdoor exterior...
Teak
Brutalist Solid Cedar Coffee Table Sculpted from Tree Trunk For Indoor/Outdoor
By Riva 1920
Located in New York, NY
This coffee table celebrates the natural beauty and history of wood. Crafted from a single section of a scented cedar tree trunk, it showcases the tree's life story through its promi...
Cedar
Pair of Solid Cedar Coffee Tables Sculpted from Tree Trunk For Indoor/Outdoor
By Riva 1920
Located in New York, NY
This coffee table celebrates the natural beauty and history of wood. Crafted from a single section of a scented cedar tree trunk, it showcases the tree's life story through its promi...
Cedar
$16,848 / item
James de Wulf Stepped Concrete Fire Pit Table
Located in Paia, HI
James de Wulf's Stepped Concrete Fire Table is the third design in a series of three different styles. Influenced by the geometry of Scarpa, the Stepped Fire Table sits in graduated ...
Concrete
Pair Sculptural French Bistro Chair in Welded Steel, Brutalist Style
Located in Round Top, TX
A welded steel bistro/patio chair pair from France. All original wear and heavy developed patina to the sculptural rounded form. Wonderfully weighty and quality construction. Cleaned...
Steel
Contemporary Brutalist Style Massive Bench in Solid Oak and Linseed Oil
By Sóha, Denis Milovanov
Located in Paris, IDF
Massive bench made of solid oak (+ linseed oil) (Outdoor use OK) Measures: 300 x 70 x 35 cm SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design a...
Oak
Concrete Tree Trunk Garden Set, France, 20th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
This garden set from 1970s France is cast in concrete with a striking faux-bois finish, mimicking carved tree trunks. Comprising a round table and four chairs, each element is molded...
Concrete
$10,644 / item
James de Wulf Concrete Lowboy Block Chair
Located in Paia, HI
The first chair design by James de Wulf. Weighing 750 pounds, the Block Chair is a grounded landscape fixture. High loft cushions are molded into the seat, removable for laundering. ...
Concrete
$19,020 / item
James de Wulf Concrete Fibonacci Locking Coffee Table
Located in Paia, HI
Finding symmetry in organic landscapes is always a bit of wonder. The James de Wulf Concrete Fibonacci locking coffee table is the perfect center piece for the garden. Constructed of...
Concrete
$16,848 / item
James de Wulf 3-Legged Concrete Fire Table
Located in Paia, HI
James de Wulf's 3-Legged Concrete Fire Table is the second design in a series of three different styles. The unique and unexpected 3-legged design is made to look asymmetrical from a...
Concrete
Willy Guhl Style Concrete Tulip Chairs, 1970s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique set of concrete aggregate chairs with a Tulip style base. Very unusual chairs with light patina and nice coloring. Good condition. Extremely heavy and well made. Priced as a pair of 2 chairs...
Concrete
Ilana Goor Style Iron Coffee Table Base, Brutalist Design, USA, 1980
By Ilana Goor
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Impressive large Ilana Goor style Iron coffee table base with her typical rebar type construction. Stunning Ilana Goor iron coffee table base with amazing sculptural Industrial Bruta...
Iron
Willy Guhl Style Concrete Tulip Chair, for Cristina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique concrete aggregate chairs with a Tulip style base. Very unusual chairs with light patina and nice coloring. Good condition. Extremely heavy and well made. Priced as one chair ...
Concrete
Pair of Sculptural Concrete Zig Zag Chairs, 1960s Switzerland
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Substantial set of concrete zig zag chairs. Exceptional presence. Stunning presence and design. Industrial steel rebar runs inside the concrete reinforcing the chair and table giving...
Concrete
Italian Sculptural Brutalist Wrought Iron and Glass Coffee Table or Side Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautifully hand crafted wrought iron side table with strong and thick glass top, placed on a decorative frame. The legs, greatly shaped and forged with the typical finish of hand fo...
Wrought Iron
Set of 4 Brutalist Iron Stacking Dining/Garden Chairs Great pieces
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Set of 4 Brutalist Style Iron Stacking Dining/Garden Chairs Great pieces, a set of good heavy iron chairs which have square seats and round backs with inset heavy mesh These stylish...
Iron
Contemporary Brutalist Style Massive Bench in Solid Oak and Linseed Oil
By Sóha, Denis Milovanov
Located in Paris, IDF
Massive bench made of solid oak (+ linseed oil) (Outdoor use OK) Measures: 300 x 70 x 35 cm SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design a...
Oak
$2,938Sale Price|69% Off
Sculpted Brutalist Dining Table & Bench in Solid Ash 1960 Paris Mid Century
Located in Munster, NRW
Striking brutalist dining set made of solid blackened ash in the 1960ties. The Set consists of 1 table and its 4 benches. The ensemble comes f...
Ash
Brutalist Vulcano Cedar Coffee Table Sculpted from Tree Trunk For Indoor/Outdoor
By Riva 1920
Located in New York, NY
This coffee table celebrates the natural beauty and history of wood. Crafted from a single section of a scented cedar tree trunk, it showcases the tree's life story through its promi...
Cedar
Pair of "Loop Chair" Armchairs Willy Guhl Swiss Vintage Design, G212
By Willy Guhl
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Pair of garden armchairs model "Loop chair" by the Swiss designer Willy Guhl from the 60's edited by Eternit. Fiber cement ribbon forming a low...
Cement
Sculptural French Bistro Chair in Welded Steel, Brutalist Style
Located in Round Top, TX
A welded steel bistro/patio chair from France. All original wear and heavy developed patina to the sculptural rounded form. Wonderfully weighty and quality construction. Cleaned and ...
Steel
Italian Sculptural Brutalist Wrought Iron and Glass Coffee Table or Side Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautifully hand crafted wrought iron side table with strong and thick glass top, placed on a decorative frame. The legs, greatly shaped and forged with the typical finish of hand fo...
Wrought Iron
$4,760Sale Price|30% Off
Monumental Midcentury Brutalist Center or Garden Table Sculpture
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Mid-Century Modern iron center table or garden patio table made on a monumental scale. The Brutalist style sculpture is supported by three br...
Iron
"Todas mis Locuras" – Brutalist Steel Folding Screen for outdoors or interiors
Located in Guadalajara, MX
This sculptural folding screen named "Todas mis Locuras" (All my Follies) abstract a quote by Pritzker-Prize winning architect Luis Barragán: "All my follies -those I don't even dare...
Steel
Zen Fire Pit by AK47 Design
By AK47 Design
Located in Boston, MA
Zen fire pit by AK47 Design. Steel fire pit Ø1800 mm. Zen is a wood-burning outdoor fire pit with a round steel crown and built-in brazier. Stone, g...
Steel
$1,400
H 29.52 in W 31.5 in D 59 in
New Garden, Patio or Dining Table in Wrought Iron. Indoor & Outdoor
Located in Miami, FL
New garden, patio or dining table in wrought iron. You can choose this pattern in round or rectangular table and then, choose the top (glass, mosaic, marble, ceramic...) and color...
Wrought Iron
$2,450 / item
H 60 in W 35.5 in D 35.5 in
Steel Fire Pit Chiminea Outdoor Fireplace by Koby Knoll Click
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Not your normal chiminea or fireplace. This high design, raw steel sculptural piece will make a statement in any outdoor space. Functionally, it is perfect on that cold evening, but ...
Steel
21st Century Outdoor Wood Burning Fire Pit
Located in London, GB
21st Century Outdoor Wood Burning Fire Pit. A Contemporay Hand Made Blackened Steel Cylindrical Shaped Luxury Fire Pit. Unused And Fantastic Condition Reardy For Shipment. Suitable F...
Wrought Iron, Iron
Vintage Round Teak Wood Outdoor Garden Dining Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Vintage indoor or outdoor round teak wood garden, porch or patio dining table with center hole for umbrella. Table has wonderful well weathered patina adding charm and character.
Teak
Outdoor Coffee Table with Rust Powdercoat
By Stephen Kenn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inspired by weekend visits to the stark desert landscapes found a few hours east of Los Angeles, the Stephen Kenn Outdoor Collection is composed o...
Steel
Sculpted Steel Patinated Coffee Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Large sculpted steel metal and glass coffee table constructed of six saber form legs joined by 2" thick flat bar box stretchers. The table is topped with recta...
Metal
$16,690 / item
H 15.75 in Dm 47.25 in
Jean Bronze Lost Wax Cast Butterfly Indoor or Outdoor Coffee Table by Fred&Juul
By Fred&Juul
Located in Fiesole, Florence
A swarm of butterflies as delicate as a lace table cloth forms an everlasting table top in white bronze, lost wax cast by Italian master craftsmen. A sculptural table for both indoor...
Metal, Bronze
Wood and Concrete Tabletop Fire Pit by Pierre Sarkis
Located in Guatemala City, Central America
Wood and Concrete tabletop rubbing alcohol fire pit by Pierre Sarkis. The beauty of wood and concrete light up your Table. Solid Wood table of exotic...
Concrete
Bertu Side Tables, Solid Outdoor Side Table, Red Cedar, Black
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Side Tables, Solid Outdoor Side Table, Red Cedar, Black Please scroll down to read IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT OUR STUMPS before purchase! Please note, we have upgraded to ...
Wood, Cedar
Harbour Outdoor Pacific Round Dining Table in Teak, 60", 2024
Located in New York, NY
A beautifully crafted Pacific Dining Table by Harbour Outdoor, manufactured in 2024. Constructed entirely of premium solid teak, this 60-inch round dining table exemplifies Harbour's...
Teak
$1,520Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.5 in W 18.5 in D 18.5 in
Vintage Italian Brass Brazier with Copper Fire Pit and Light
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage Italian Brass Brazier with copper fire pit and light. This is a Brass Brazier with a copper cooker and a second piece that hangs from the ceiling which provides lighting. An ...
Brass
Sold
H 30 in W 36 in D 60 in
Brutalist Neo Classical Garden Patio Dining Set in the style of Giacometti
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Nice set of six architectural chairs and dining table in antique pewter finish, done in the Brutalist, Neo Classical, Antiquity style, after Giacometti. The chairs feature tubular me...
Iron
Sold
H 31.89 in W 20.08 in D 27.56 in
1970s Municipal Brutalist Concrete Garden Loop Chairs and Table Willy Guhl Style
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Wonderful Brutalist Garden chairs and table set. The set dates from the 1970s and is made from reinforced concrete; white cement and exposed aggregate. Very nicely made, good quali...
Concrete
French brutalist cast concrete cantilever zig zag garden chair
Located in London, GB
Rare sculptural concrete cantilever S chair, sourced from France. This extremely heavy piece is made with steel rods embedded within the structure. Material: Concrete, steel Period:...
Concrete, Steel
Sold
H 37.5 in W 20 in D 18.5 in
Set of 4 Brutalist Neo Classical Garden Patio Dining Chairs in Faux Verdigris
Located in New York, NY
Chic set of architectural chairs in original faux Verdigris finish, done in the Brutalist, Neo Classical, Antiquity style, after Giacometti. The chairs feature tubular metal frames ...
Metal
Sold
H 29 in W 36 in D 36 in
Brutalist Metal and Glass Dinette Table in Faux Verdigris after Giacometti
Located in New York, NY
Chic Brutalist, Romanesque, Classical Antiquity style dinette table constructed of tubular metal with decorative rings, an X form stretcher, and original tempered glass top. The ta...
Iron
Sold
H 33.86 in W 49.61 in D 15.75 in
Sculptural Stainless Steel Bespoke garden Bench Seat Large Garden Sculpture
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
Bespoke made Stainless Steel garden bench seat of sculptural form. Wonderful quality. Beautifully made, the seat comprises of one piece stainless ...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 18.5 in W 52 in D 34 in
Paul Ferrante Sculptural Etruscan Forged Hammered Iron Coffee Table with Stone
By Diego Giacometti, Paul Ferrante, Christopher Chodoff
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Paul Ferrante American sculptural Etruscan Forged and Hammered Iron Coffee Table with Stone Top. "Emilio" coffee cocktail table custom...
Wrought Iron
Sculptural Concrete Zig Zag Chair and Table, 1960s Switzerland
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Substantial concrete zig zag chair with a matching side table. Stunning presence and design. Industrial steel rebar runs inside the concrete reinforcing t...
Concrete
Pr. Faux Verdigris Metal and Glass Garden Patio Side Tables after Giacometti
Located in New York, NY
Chic pair of aluminum and glass side, or end tables, with a faux verdigris green finish. The tables each have their original glass tops, and are in very good, clean and original cond...
Aluminum
Monumental Concrete Sculptural Chairs, 1970s, France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Absolutely stunning concrete chairs with a forked base. Extremely rare and made of a tan aggregate ranging between coarse and fine. The unique sculptural design of these chairs allow...
Concrete, Steel
Sculptural Set of Concrete Zig Zag Chairs and Table, 1960s Switzerland
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing set of concrete zig zag chairs with a matching side table. Stunning presence and design. Industrial steel rebar runs inside the concrete reenforci...
Concrete
Sold
H 28.35 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Set of four Brutalist Stools Wrought Iron, Round Camel Leather Seats
Located in Antwerp, BE
Set of four hand-crafted wrought iron bar stools with special hand stitched leather seats and bronze nails. The four bar stools are very special design of the Midcentury Modern look. All stools...
Wrought Iron