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.
Brutalist Sunburst Oval Mirror in Gilt Wrought Iron, 1950's
Located in Barcelona, ES
Hand Forged Oval Mirror in Gilt Wrought Iron Gilt Iron Oval Sunburst Mirror with Scroll Details and Brutalist Design France, 1950-1960. Eye-catching hand forged iron mirror with scro...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
French Sunburst Starburst Mirror in Gilt Iron in the Style of Gilbert Poillerat
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sunburst starburst mirror in Gilt Wrought Iron. France, 1940s. In the manner of Gilbert Poillerat. This stunning wall mirror has an eye-catching starburst design. Entirely made by h...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Round Mirror with Colorful Murano Glass Rock Crystals by Creaciones Gobesso, 60s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid- 20th century Round Wall Mirror with Red, Blue and Green Rock Crystal Accents, Italy, 1960s. Brutalist Design Manufactured by Creaciones Gobesso inspired by Line Vautrin designs....
Rock Crystal
Large Spanish Brutalist Sunburst Mirror in Gilt Metal, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Brutalist Starburst Sunburst Wall Mirror, Wrought Gilt Iron, Spain, 1950s The frame is entirely made by hand. Finished in gold leaf. Gorgeous gilding and terrific patina. This starbu...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Huge Gilt Wrought Iron Sunburst Starburst Mirror, Style of Poillerat (49 in)
Located in Barcelona, ES
Huge Sunburst mirror in the manner of Gilbert Poillerat, Gilt Wrought Iron. France, 1940s. Rare find due to its size ( 49 in diameter) This oversized wall mirror has an eye-catching sunburst design with alternating rays in two sizes surrounding a central rectangular smoked golden glass. Entirely made by hand in iron in the manner of Gilbert Poillerat. Terrific aged patina and original gold leaf gilding. This monumental sunburst mirror will add a luxury but strong accent wherever you place it. To be used as wall mirror or console mirror Place it alone or as a part of a large sunburst mirror wall composition. Overall Measures: 125 cm diameter x 9 cm H // 49,21 in diameter x 3,54 in H Glass measures: 36,5 cm H x 25,5 cm W // 14,37 in H x 10,03 in W We are specialists in mirrors and sunburst mirorrs: A curated selection is avaliable at our 1stDibs marketplace. We invite you to check "more from this seller and all from this seller" to enjoy the whole collection listed. French XL Sunburst Mirror // Gilbert Poillerat Sunburst Mirror...
Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf, Iron
$2,148Sale Price|20% Off
French Sunburst Starburst Mirror in Gilt Iron, Gilbert Poillerat Style
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sunburst starburst mirror in the manner of Gilbert Poillerat, Gilt Wrought Iron. France, 1940s. This stunning wall mirror has an eye-catching starburst design. Entirely made by hand ...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Brutalist Oval Sunburst Mirror in Gilt Wrought Iron, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Gilt Sunburst Mirror with Scroll Details and Brutalist Design, Wrought Iron, Spain, 1950-1960. Eye-catching gilt iron wall mirror with scroll decorations, fleur-de-lis accents and ov...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
Artist Signed Brutalist Metal Wall Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
Torched steel Brutalist wall mirror, Israel 1970s.
Steel
A Zoomorphic BRUTALIST Wrought Iron MIRROR by JEAN TOURET & MAROLLES France 1960
By Atelier Marolles, Jean Touret
Located in PARIS, FR
A sculptural zoomorphic iron wall mirror, Modernist, Brutalist, Folk Art, Rustic-Modern, rectangular structure featuring stylized animals around a mirror, usually attributed to Jean ...
Wrought Iron
Contemporary Brutalist Style Full Length Mirror in Solid Oak
By Sóha
Located in Paris, IDF
Full length mirror of solid oak (+ linseed oil) Measures: 189 x 98 x 10 cm SÓHA design studio conceives and produces furniture design and decorative objects in solid oak in an authe...
Oak
Spanish Brutalist Sunburst Oval Mirror in Silvered Wrought Iron, 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Wrought Iron Oval Sunburst Mirror with Scroll Details and Brutalist Design, Spain, 1950-1960. Eye-catching hand forged iron mirror with scroll decorations, fleur-de-lis accents and o...
Wrought Iron, Iron
Brutalist Mirror in Wrought Iron, Joan Miró Inspired, Spain 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
One of a Kind Hand Forged Iron Mirror from the Brutalist Period. Spain, 1950s. This unique mirror was entirely made by hand. Its surrealist design is inspired in Joan Miró designs. T...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
Large Spanish Sunburst Mirror in Gilt Wrought Iron, 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Outstanding Large Eyelash Sunburst Mirror, Wrought Gilt Iron, Spain, 1950s The frame is entirely made by hand with alternating hand-hammered curved and straight rays in eyelash shape...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Sculptural Contemporary Brutalist Mirror
Located in New York, NY
A sculptural contemporary Brutalist wall mirror made up of hand welded elements. The patinated metal frame features colorful weld marks on individually cut square panels. The design...
Metal
$147Sale Price|40% Off
Hand Carved Large Brutalist Mirror In Oak 1960s
Located in Herentals, BE
Mid-Century Eye-catcher in Oak Give your space an artistic flair with this brutalist mirror from the 1960s. The geometric, hand-carved frame in warm oak reflects the essence of mid-c...
Oak
Brass Mirror, attributed to Luciano Frigerio, Italy, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Rectangular wall mirror in a brass frame, designed by Luciano Frigerio in the 1970s. The decorative cast brass surround is composed of irregular elevations and recesses, creating a c...
Brass
Vintage Palladio Wall Mirror, Wood & Glass, Brutalist Style, 1960s
By Palladio
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Beautiful Large Vintage Wall Mirror by Palladio, Italy, 1960s. The vintage mirror is in very good vintage condition. The glass is original. The original label has been preserved. Di...
Mirror, Wood
1960s Belgian Oak Brutalist Mirror
Located in London, London
1960s Belgian Oak Brutalist Mirror A solid and sculptural wall mirror in oak, Belgium, circa 1960s. Executed in a confidently minimal Brutalist idiom, t...
Oak
Vintage Patinated Wrought Iron Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your interior with the bold, architectural presence of this vintage wrought iron wall mirror. Defined by its rhythmic structural design, the frame features linear bars punctu...
Metal, Wrought Iron
Brutalist Wrought Iron Sunburst Mirror, circa 1970
Located in BELFORT, FR
Sunburst mirror made of wrought iron in the 1970's. Diameter 57 cm, diameter of the glass 19,5 cm.
Wrought Iron
Mid-Century Brutalist Textural Welded Brass & Copper Bordered Signed Mirror
Located in New York, NY
This Mid-Century Brutalist welded brass and copper bordered mirror, crafted in America circa 1974, exemplifies the rugged, textural beauty and bold aesthetic characteristic of the Br...
Brass, Copper
Brutalist Sunburst Wall Sculpture Mirror by William Friedle, 1970s
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A Brutalist sculpture/wall mirror, three layers of bronze spoked incorporating a brass, radiating sun dial, ca' 1970's.
Brass, Bronze
Golden Hammered Rim Round Wall Mirror Vintage 1960s
Located in Bochum, NRW
Golden Hammered Rim Round Wall Mirror Vintage 1960s. This beautiful vintage mirror is mounted in a round brass frame with a slightly hammered surface and a naturally aged patina. It ...
Brass
Mid Century Modern Arch Top Wall Mirror with Brutalist Wood Frame
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern mirror features unique brutalist inspired wood frame with a patchwork design, original dark wood finish, arched top, and vintage mirror glass. Dimensions: 25...
Oak
Brutalist mid-century round wall mirror. France c.1950
Located in Bristol, GB
Brutalist round wall mirror from the mid 20th century, sourced from France. Hand made hammered metal frame with original mirrored glass. Great original condition with patina. Dime...
Metal
Jean Blazy Sculptural Etched Brass Mirror, France, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
Sculptural wall mirror by French decorator Jean Blazy, dating from the 1970s. The rectangular frame is composed of individual brass panels, engraved with restrained geometric motifs ...
Brass
Spanish Brutalist Sunburst Mirror in Gilt Metal, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Gilt metal leafed sunburst mirror, Spain, 1940s-1950s. This handcrafted Brutalist wall mirror features two layers of alternating leaves in different sizes surrounding a central roun...
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf
Brutalist Pocket Watch Wall Mirror in Wrought Iron, Spain
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Pocket Watch Mirror, Wrought Iron, Silver Patinated ____________________________________________________________________________ Hand forged iron round with pocket watch desi...
Iron, Wrought Iron
American Brutalist Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
An exceptional hand torched Brutalist steel mirror.
Steel
Sensational Large Brutalist Starburst Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
American, mid-20th century. A Brutalist style polychromed steel wall-hanging starburst mirror, with a central, round mirrored panel, bordered with shaped wire scrolls, surrounded by ...
Metal
Vintage Monumental Wave Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This monumental wave mirror is a breathtaking intersection of architecture and art, perfect for the collector seeking a bold visual anchor. The piece features a dramatic, scalloped f...
Metal
$176Sale Price|20% Off
Small brutalist metal wall mirror by Don Drumm, signed, late 20th century
By Donald Drumm
Located in View Park, CA
A vintage miniature brutalist aluminum wall mirror by metal artist Donald Drumm, signed on verso, late twentieth century. Hand-crafted with Drumm’s signature illustrative motifs with...
Aluminum
Artisan Martelé Wrought Iron Wall Mirror - France 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Hammered wrought iron knot shaped wall mirror made by a French artisan in the 1970s. Brutalist style. Signature stamp on the back. In good vintage condition. This mirror will ship ...
Wrought Iron
Octagonal Brass Framed Mirror
By Mastercraft
Located in New York, NY
Gutsy Brutalist style octagonal brass framed wall mirror, in excellent, original, clean and ready to install condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, normal and consistent with ...
Brass
Exquisite Brutal Hammered Bronze Wall Mirror
Located in North Miami, FL
This brutal heavy bronze frame from France shows a wonderful patina, as well as an aged mirror. THIS ITEM IS LOCATED AND WILL SHIP FROM OUR EAST HAMPTON, NY SHOWROOM.
Bronze
A Small BRUTALIST Iron WALL MIRROR, JEAN TOURET & MAROLLES style, France 1960
Located in PARIS, FR
A small circular wall mirror, Modernist, Brutalist, Folk Art, Rustic-Modern, thick frame and 3-link oval chain in thick wrought iron, in the spirit of Jean Touret and Les artisans de...
Wrought Iron
Brutalist Round Wall Mirror, Forged & Hammered Wrought Iron Mirror, France 1950s
By Jean Touret
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Brutalist Round Wall Mirror, Forged & Hammered Wrought Iron Mirror, France 1950s Rare hand-forged and hand-hammered small wall mirror in wrought iron. Most probably a unique pi...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Exceptional American Brutalist Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptional American Brutalist mirror. Signed and dated 1978.
Steel, Chrome
French Brutalist Mid Century Mirror
Located in New York, NY
French Brutalist Mid Century Artisan Brass & Copper Mirror, handmade. Hand hammered shaped Brass with Raw weld detail. The brass & copper metal are hand shaped over a wood frame wi...
Brass, Copper
Brutalist Round Metal Mirror in the Style of Silas Seandel
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Mid Century Modern round mixed metal mirror in the style of Silas Seandel and Curtis Jere. This sculptural abstract-form Brutalist wall mirror is constructed of torch-cut steel, bra...
Metal, Brass, Copper, Cut Steel
Parcel Gilt Sunburst Mirror in the Style of Gilbert Poillerat
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sunburst mirror in the manner of Gilbert Poillerat, Parcel-Gilt Wrought Iron, France 1940s. This sunburst wall mirror has an eye-catching sunburst design with iron rays surrounding a central glass. Entirely made by hand in wrought iron. The frame is heavily adorned by the hammer marks thorough. Terrific aged patina retaining some rests of its original gold leaf gilding. It will add a luxury but strong accent wherever you place it. Place it alone or as a part of a sunburst mirrors wall composition. Overall Measures: 76 cm // 29,92 in diameter Glass : 45cm // 17,71 in diameter We are specialists in mirrors and sunburst mirorrs: A curated selection is avaliable at our 1stDibs marketplace. French Sunburst Mirror // Gilbert Poillerat Sunburst Mirror...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Brutalist Sunburst Mirror in Wrought Iron, Spain 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Sunburst Mirror, Wrought Iron, Silver Patinated ____________________________________________________________________________ Hand forged iron round mirror with scrolled detai...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Brutalist Sunburst Mirror with Double Layered Jagged Frame in Gilt Wrought Iron
Located in Barcelona, ES
One of a Kind Brutalist Sunburst Wall Mirror, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf __________________________________________________________ Double Layered Large Sunburst Mirror with Jagged Desi...
Iron, Gold Leaf, Wrought Iron
Rustic Brutalist Mirror Bass Wood Hand Carved Brown Color France 1960 Solid Oak
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Rustic & Brutalist Mirror Bass Wood Hand Carved Brown Color France 1960
Wrought Iron
Brutalist Sunburst Mirror in Silver Patinated Wrought Iron, Eyelash Design, 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eyelash Scrollwork Sunburst Mirror / Wall Mirror in Wrought Iron, Spain, 1950s ___________________________________________________________ Eye-catching double layered round sunburst ...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
$2,057Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Oval Sunburst Mirror in Gilt Patinated Wrought Iron, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Gilt Patinated Sunburst Mirror with Scroll Details and Brutalist Design, Wrought Iron, Spain, 1950-1960. Eye-catching gilt iron wall mirror with scroll decorations, fleur-de-lis acce...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Hillebrand Mid-Century Brutalist Wall Mirror, Germany 1960's
By Hillebrand
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
A Mid-Century wall mirror with a frame constructed of cast metal sculptural elements in the “Brutalist” aesthetic. The frame surrounds a polished and lacquered brass inner frame. Thi...
Brass, Iron
Petite Patinated Cut Steel "Goutte de Feu" Brutalist Mirror - France 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Elegant mirror in cut and patinated steel. Shaped like a drop of fire. Can be positioned with the corolla up or down. France 1970's. Trace of oxidation on the mirror.
Cut Steel
$1,142Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist illuminated wrought iron mirror, Germany 1970s
By Atelier Marolles, Jean Touret
Located in ECHT, NL
Round brutalist mirror. Made from wrought iron. It is illuminated from the back by 4 lamps operated by a pull switch. The mirror itself measures...
Wrought Iron
Brutalist Forged Iron Mirror, French c. 1970s
Located in Warminster, GB
A brutalist forged iron mirror. French, c. 1970s. Stock ref. #3089 In very good order. Suitable for display portrait or landscape. 59 x 52 x 6 cm 23.2 x 20.5 x 2.4 "
Iron
French Brutalist Mirror, circa 1970, Forged Iron
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare French Brutalist mirror from the 1960-1970s. Very unusual sculptural design combining classical elements with expressive 'rawness'. Mirror area is 31 x 17cm or 12 x 7inches.
Wrought Iron, Iron
Brutalist, Circular Wall Mirrors, Hammered Metal, Distressed Glass, 21st c.
Located in Stamford, CT
Brutalist, Circular Modern Wall Mirrors, Hammered Metal, Distressed Glass, 21st c. Pair of modernist wall mirrors having a silver hammered metal frame and a lightly distressed bevel...
Metal
A Ceramic & Bronze MIRROR SCULPTURE Unique Piece by JEAN PERILLAUD, France 1970
By Jean Perillaud
Located in PARIS, FR
An exceptional rectangular and asymmetrical wall-sculpture mirror, Brutalist, large vertical rectangular frame in bronze or patinated brass, with 2 welded asymmetrical inserts arrang...
Brass, Bronze
Spanish Brutalist Sunburst Mirror in Parcel Gilt Iron, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Parcel-Gilt Iron Sunburst Mirror Sunburst Mirror in Wrought Iron and Brutalist Design. Spain, 1950s This sunburst mirror was entirely made by hand. It has a frame with alternating iron thin rays in two sizes A double layered twisted iron rope surrounds de mirror glass. It has a terrific aged original patina retaining rests of its original gilding. It will a nice brutalist addition to any comtemporary, midcentury or industrial decoration. Place it alone or as a part of a sunburst mirrors wall compositon. Overall measures: 60 cm diameter x 4 cm H // Glass measures: 17 cm diameter We are specialists in mirrors and sunburst mirrors: A curated selection is avaliable at our 1stdibs marketplace. We invite you to enjoy the whole collection checking "more from this seller" and "all from this seller" Gilt Iron Mirror // Gilt Brutalist...
Metal, Iron
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Brutalist Sunburst Mirror in Gilt Metal, Spain 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Gold Leaf Gilt Iron Sunburst Mirror Eye-catching Sunburst Mirror in Gilt Iron and Brutalist Design, Spain, 1950s This sunburst mirror was entirely made by hand. It has a frame with alternating leaves in two sizes accented by pointed curly rays or spikes. A loop iron decorative detail surrounds de mirror glass. It has a nice patina and gold leaf gilding. Rare design. It can be used as wall mirror placed alone or as a part of a sunburst mirrors wall composition. Overall measures: 62 cm diameter x 12 cm H // 24,40 in diameter x 4,72 in H Glass measures: 16,5 cm diameter // 6,49 in We are specialists in mirrors and sunburst mirrors: A curated selection is avaliable at our 1stdibs marketplace. We invite you to enjoy the whole collection checking "more from this seller" and "all from this seller" Gilt Iron Mirror // Gilt Brutalist...
Metal, Iron, Gold Leaf
Brutalist Oval Sunburst Mirror in Gilt Wrought Iron, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Gilt Oval Eyelash Mirror in Wrought Iron Wrought Iron Oval Sunburst Mirror with Scroll Ended Rays and Brutalist Design, France, 1950-1960. Eye-catching hand forged sunburst iron mirr...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
Pair of Brutalist Sunburst Mirrors in Wrought Iron, Spain 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Two hand forged iron round mirrors framed with scrolled details and crest, Spain, 1950s. These eye-catching mirrors were entirely made by hand. Brutalist design and a very heavy cons...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Italian Brutalist Metal Mirror with Cobalt Blue Glass Accents
Located in Miami, FL
Unique Large Italian Mid-Century Brutalist Mirror with Murano Cobalt Blue Blown Glass Accents.
Metal
Brutalist Sunburst Mirror in Gilt Iron with Nail Detail, Spain, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Stunning Mini sized sunburst mirror, gilt iron, gold leaf. Brutalist spanish gilt iron sunburst mirrors with nails ornamentation. Spain, 1950s This small sunburst mirror will be eye-catching placed alone or as a part of a sunburst mirror wall composition. Choose other sunburst mirrors in different sizes from our shop to create a beautiful wall decoration. Terrific aged patina. Original gold leaf gilding. Rare find, unusual size. Overall Measures: Overall diameter: 19 cm // 7,48 in diameter Glass diameter: 11 cm // 4,33 in We are specialists in wall mirrors and sunburst mirrors. A curated selection of mirrors...
Iron, Metal, Gold Leaf
Large Mid-Century Modernist Brutalist Double Mirror by Lane Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Make a statement with this fantastic double mirror by Lane, circa 1970. This vintage Mid-Century Modern style mirror has a striking dim...
Mirror, Wood