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.
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
Rustic Sculptural Side Table, Stool, Burnt Black Wood, Carved, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved side table/stool. Carved from a single piece of burnt wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade desi...
Wood
Chain Link Floor Ashtray Drinks Table / Side Table in Wrought Iron and Brass
Located in Barcelona, ES
French chain design drinks side table / floor ashtray, wrought iron, brass France 1950s-1960s. This brutalist floor ashtray, side table or stand features an sculptural construction w...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Brass, Metal
Spanish Drinks Table / Side Table / Martini Table with Handle, Gilt Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Brutalist Squared Drink Table in Wrought iron Gilt patinated brutalist Martini table with squared top and handle, Spain, 1950s Wrought iron table standing on four footed base...
Metal, Wrought Iron, Iron
Contemporary Side Table 'TAVO' by Eichkorn, Brass and Oak, Customizable
By Eichkorn
Located in Paris, IDF
TAVO Side Table by German contemporary design studio Eichkorn. Material: Brass and Burnt Oak Wood Standard size: H.52 x 35 cm - Customizations are possible Brass and burnt oak. Fin...
Brass
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
Stool, Side Table, Solid Burnt Wood, Rustic, Organic, Handmade, Carved, Black
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved stool/side table. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade ...
Wood, Oak
$1,184Sale Price / item|48% Off
Contemporary Handcrafted Stool in Brazilian Hardwood by Leo Strauss
Located in Atibaia, BR
Solid wood, processed in large width and thickness dimensions, and it adds life to this piece of straight and modernist shapes. In its artisan production, traditional woodworking ...
Hardwood
Brutalist Solid Elm Side Tables, Set of 2, France, 1960s
Located in Almelo, NL
Exceptional set of two Brutalist side or coffee tables crafted from solid elm wood, originating from France, circa 1960s. Each table is hand-carved from a single solid elm slab, sho...
Elm
$5,833 / item
Sculpted Bench or Side Table N7 in Solid Oak Wood
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Bench or side table of solid oak (+ linseed oil) (Outdoor use OK) SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative object...
Oak
Vintage etched brass side table 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Square side table with an etched brass top and brown stained wooden frame. Cool brutalist style motive in the brass. 1970s - Germany Good condition Dimensions Height: 45cm Width ...
Brass
$2,333Sale Price / set|20% Off
Sculptural Black Walnut Side Tables by Sergio Vulpe, set of 3
Located in Burlăceni, Cahul District
Brutalist Sculptural Walnut Side Tables, Set of Three This collectible set of three sculptural side tables is handcrafted from solid walnut and designed as a functional composition ...
Walnut
Sculptural Side Table, Solid Wood, Black, Rustic, Oak, Pedestal, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved side table/pedestal. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handma...
Wood, Oak
Sculptural Side Table, Stool, Burnt Wood, Oak, Black, Carved, Rustic, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved side table. Carved from a single piece of burnt wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade design wil...
Wood, Oak
Side Table, Pedestal, Solid Burnt Wood, Rustic, Organic, Handmade, Carved, Black
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved side table. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade design...
Wood, Oak
Sculptural Side Table, Rustic, Burnt Black Wood, Carved, Handmade, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
This coffee table is a unique functional sculpture, carved from solid hardwood to ensure absolute material integrity and a monolithic presence. Its design features a thick, circular ...
Wood
Brutalistic, Monolithic sculpture /Side Table / Object
By Jan Paul
Located in Maastricht, NL
GRIP Brutalist, monolithic sculpture / side table/ object design: JAN PAUL Four shapes flow to the center to swirl, weave, and grip each other. Firmly holding on to form “GRIP” A sculptural, powerful , iconic object made out of solid bamboo using...
Bamboo
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
NONO Elefante Side Table 7, Solid Wood, Sculptural Elegance
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Side Table 7, Solid Wood, Sculptural Elegance ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid red oak wood, available in natural or black tinted finishes. Othe...
Hardwood
Stool, Side Table, Solid Burnt Wood, Rustic, Organic, Handmade, Carved, Black
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Unique and decorative side table. It is build in combination of high quality burnt oak & steel, and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. ...
Steel
Modular Side Table by Willy Guhl for Eternit AG, Switzerland, 1954
By Eternit, Willy Guhl
Located in Antwerp, BE
Willy Guhl’s modular cubic side table for Eternit AG, handmade in Switzerland in 1954. This rare piece exemplifies Guhl’s groundbreaking design approach, crafted with precision from ...
Concrete, Cement
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
$7,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
Joel Escalona's Elefante Side Table 12, Rounded Silhouette, Walnut Wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Elefante Side Table 12, Rounded Silhouette, Decorative Craft ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid walnut wood. Other wood...
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
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
Hand-carved from a single solid hardwood log, this tall side table possesses a striking architectural presence and a functional, sculptural form. Its design is defined by a heavy, ci...
Wood
Contemporary Brutalist Style Small Table #9 in Solid Oak and Linseed Oil
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Small table made of solid oak (+ linseed oil) Measures: 45 x 73 x 40 cm SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in an authenti...
Oak
Jean Tall Side Table with Black Marble Base and Pink Marble Top
Located in Lisbon, PT
Jean tall side table with Nero Marquina top (black marble), Nero Marquina middle part (blackmarble) and Nero Marquina (bottom). Made to Order. Open since 1997 and based in Lisbon, ...
Marble
Brutalist Style Black Lacquer and Gold Leaf Nightstands
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Brutualist influenced sidecabinets with a high gloss black lacquer case and 22-carat gold leaf front panels. The gold panels resemble some wor...
Lacquer
Paul Evans Studio Argente PE-37 Cube Tables – Exceptionally Clean Pair - 1970s
By Paul Evans
Located in Dallas, TX
Paul Evans Studio Argente PE-37 Cube Tables – Pair Commanding in form and masterful in execution, this rare pair of Paul Evans Studio Argente series cube tables (Model PE-37) exempli...
Slate, Aluminum
Sculpted Authentic Brutalist Side Table by Sergio Vulpe
Located in Burlăceni, Cahul District
This remarkable vintage pedestal is crafted from stacked end-grain wood blocks, creating a bold architectural silhouette with sculptural depth. Each segment reveals natural cracks, t...
Oak
Solid Burnt Wood, Side Table, Coffee Table, Wabi Sabi, Chainsaw Carved, Handmade
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved coffee table in organic shape. Carved from a single piece of burnt wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique ...
Wood
Elefante Side Table 9 by NONO, Solid Wood, Ornamental Design
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Side Table 9 by NONO, Solid Wood, Ornamental Design ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid red oak wood, available in natural or black tinted finishes. Othe...
Hardwood
Brutalist Solid Elm Wood Coffee Table
Located in Weesp, NL
Striking robust brutalist coffee table made of solid Elm wood. The elm has warm colors and a fantastic patina from use over decades of years. Measurements : 77 x 77 x 45cm - 30.31...
Elm
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
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
Side Table, Solid Burnt Wood, Oak, Wine Table, Chainsaw Carved, Rustic
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved side table/wine table/pedestal. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such un...
Wood, Oak
$1,057Sale 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
Brutalist Marble Capri Side Table by Studio Sam London, Set of 2, 2020s
By Marcel Breuer, Carlo Scarpa, Angelo Mangiarotti
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
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
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
Bronze & Glass Brutalist Bonsai Tree Side Table in the Manner of Silas Seandel
Located in Troy, MI
Unique sculptural bronze and glass side table in the style of Silas Seandel Bronze bonsai tree style base with brass leaf accents and a round glass top secured with brass leaf finia...
Brass, Bronze
Joel Escalona Elefante Side Table 17, Hefty Rounded Form, Solid Walnut Wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona Elefante Side Table 17, Hefty Rounded Form————————————————————— The base product is made of solid walnut wood. Other wood options are also available, which may affect t...
Hardwood
$7,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
Joel Escalona's Elefante Side Table 8, Hefty Organic Look
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Elefante Side Table 8, Hefty Organic Look ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid red oak wood, available in natural or black tinted finishes. Other w...
Hardwood
Natural White Marble Stone, Rose top, Black detail handmade Jean Tall Side Table
Located in Lisbon, PT
Jean side tables are unique in their conception. The combination of three different marbles make them a sign of unconformity and originality. The combination in the picture is in Estremoz white marble, Estremoz pink marble and Nero Marquina marble. The marbles can be combined differently. Made to Order. Open since 1997 and based in Lisbon, Portugal, a country with a long crafts tradition, Mambo Unlimited Ideas' design team researches for innovation and creativity developments around the world while embracing the crafts heritage, creating contemporary pieces combining traditional Portuguese materials and handmade techniques producing original, high quality products. Mambo Unlimited Ideas is dedicated to furniture and upholstery. Its collection offers a comprehensive customizable furniture...
Marble
Sculptural Side Table, End Table, Burnt Black Wood Tall Table, Carved, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved side table. Carved from a single piece of burnt wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handmade design wil...
Wood, Oak
$7,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
NONO Elefante Side Table 7, Solid Walnut Wood, Sculptural Elegance
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Side Table 7, Solid Wood, Sculptural Elegance ————————————————————— The base product is made of solid walnut wood. Other wood options are also available, which may aff...
Hardwood
$7,200Sale Price / item|20% Off
NONO Elefante Side Table 19, Sculptural Walnut Wood Shapes
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Side Table 19, Sculptural Wood Shapes————————————————————— The base product is made of solid walnut wood. Other wood options are also available, which may affect the fi...
Hardwood
1970's Henning Kjærnulf Brutalist Sidetable in Oak with Søholm Tiles
By Henning Kjærnulf, Søholm Stentøj
Located in Knebel, DK
1970's Henning Kjærnulf brutalist sidetable in oak with Søholm tiles Square sofa / side tables in solid oak. Designed by Henning Kjærnulf for E.G Møbler, Denmark, with Søholm Kerami...
Ceramic, Oak
French Olive Wood Rustic / Wabi Sabi Accent Side Table / Stool, Early 20th C.
Located in Valencia, VC
Early 20th Century French Olive Wood Rustic Tripod Stool / Side Table A striking and highly decorative early 20th-century French rustic tripod stool, handcrafted from solid olive wo...
Wood, Olive
$1,778Sale Price|40% Off
Pair of Brutalist Side Tables in Black Solid Oak - Cadence by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
These solid oak Cadence side tables are showroom models in excellent condition. - Dimensions per side table: L:34 x W:22 x H:30 cm. - The price includes a custom wooden shipping cr...
Oak
Tall Floor Candle Holder - Brutalist - Sculptural - Solid Oak - Taes by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Taes collection draws inspiration from the majestic sloping-sided architectural platforms, historically used for religious, ceremonial and defensive purposes. In stacked form, th...
Oak, Walnut
Jean Low Side Table with White Marble Base and Negro Marble Top
Located in Lisbon, PT
Jean side tables are unique in their conception. The combination of three different marbles make them a sign of unconformity and originality. Made to order. Open since 1997 and bas...
Marble
Natural Light Oak Sculptural Side Table - Cadence by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Form follows rhythm. The Cadence side tables are inspired by the simplicity and power of the rhythmic stepped brickwork visible in the architecture of Amsterdam's 'South Plan' area; ...
Oak, Walnut
"Rino" High Side Table in Cast Brass and Botanic Bordô Stone by Estudio Orth
By Estúdio Orth
Located in Sao Paulo, BR
Produced in São Paulo, Brazil. This side table in cast brass and Botanic Bordô stone was meticulously handmade by master artisans one piece at a time. It is therefore quite difficul...
Brass
Solid Burnt Wood, Side Table, Tall Table, Pedestal, Handmade, Black, Rustic
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Chainsaw carved side table/pedestal. Carved from a single piece of burnt oak wood and protected with the highest quality oils, ensuring durability for generations. Such unique handma...
Wood, Oak
Brutalist Tripod Side Table, France, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
This 19th-century dark wood tripod side table embodies the essence of wabi-sabi, celebrating beauty in imperfection. Its weathered surface and asymmetrical tripod legs radiate rustic...
Wood
Fiberglass Cantilevered Stand in the Brutalist Manner
Located in New York, NY
Interesting fiberglass cantilevered "waterfall" stand, in dark grey, silvery clear, with very slight pale yellow tint tones. We executed and detailed, unknown artist maker.
Fiberglass
Contemporary Side Table 'TAVO' by Eichkorn, Stone and Oak, Customizable
By Eichkorn
Located in Paris, IDF
TAVO Side Table by German contemporary design studio Eichkorn. Material: Nero Asoluto stone and Burnt Oak Wood Standard size: H.52 x 35 cm - Customizations are possible * Visible p...
Stone, Marble
$3,900Sale Price|25% Off
Round Brutalist Side Table with Metal Legs
Located in Chicago, IL
This light walnut veneer round table features an angular chromed steel base. The table is an example of brutalist "socialist mid-century modern" des...
Metal