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.
Pair of Console Tables Diego Giacometti style, USA 1970's
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Miami, FL
A vintage pair of cast aluminum patinated in a deep textured dark bronze finish and glass console tables featuring a tree-of-life motif. The consoles are designed in the brutalist ar...
Aluminum
Solace No23 Console Table – Sculpted Organic Forms, Design by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No23 Console Table – Sculpted Organic Forms, Design by Joel Escalona ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table serie...
Hardwood
Lothar Klute forged bronze console table - 1980s
By Lothar Klute
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
Sculptural two-tier console handcrafted from forged bronze and cast glass. The slender metal structure contrasts beautifully with the substantial glass shelves, featuring irregular s...
Bronze
$11,331 / set
2x Aperta Console in Solid Oak, Warm Brown color
Located in Amsterdam, NL
2 pieces Aperta Console, made of solid oak and stained in Warm Brown color. Finished with a matte varnish. L:140 x B:40 x H:84 cm. Note that the photos show the console in Americ...
Oak
Solace No10 Console Table – Soft-Edged Wood Sculpture, Design by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No10 Console Table – Soft-Edged Wood Sculpture, Design by Joel Escalona ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table se...
Hardwood
NONO Sideboard Elefante 26, Design by Joel Escalona, Sculpted Silhouette
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Sideboard Elefante 26, Design by Joel Escalona, Sculpted Silhouette ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a...
Hardwood
Elefante Console Table 31 by NONO, Fluid Wood Design, Design by Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Console Table 31 by NONO, Fluid Wood Design, Design by Escalona ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with ...
Hardwood
Brutalist Iron and Glass Console Table c. 1970/80's
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in New York, NY
Chic architectural Brutalist iron and glass console, foyer table, design reminiscent of Giacometti, circa 1970/80's. The table features a Neo Classical Roman style metal base, in f...
Metal
Extra Large Brutalist Two Tier Iron and Glass Console Table after Evans c1970's
By Paul Evans
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Brutalist school console table in the style of Paul Evans, made in the USA c. 1970's. The table is constructed of solid iron bars, which are hand sculpted to create a dim...
Wrought Iron
Single Giacometti style Console Dark Bronze Patina, USA 1970's
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Miami, FL
A vintage cast aluminum patinated in a deep textured dark bronze finish and glass console table featuring a tree-of-life motif. The console is designed in the brutalist artistic mann...
Aluminum
Solace No39 Console Table – Carved Details, Design by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No39 Console Table – Carved Details, Design by Joel Escalona ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, desig...
Hardwood
$12,470Sale Price / item|20% Off
Elefante Console Table 51 by NONO, Solid Wood, Elegant Curves
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Console Table 51 by NONO, Solid Wood, Elegant Curves ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernis...
Hardwood
$15,588 / item
NONO Elefante Table 48, Luxurious Solid Wood Finish
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Table 48, Luxurious Solid Wood Finish ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Touch N...
Hardwood
Brutalist Console, Solid European Warm Brown Oak, Fenestra by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rhythmic interplay of volumes and voids. The Fenestra collection is inspired by Brick Expressionism, the architectural movement visible in Amsterdam’s ‘South Plan’ area - the city...
Walnut
Solid Natural Walnut Console - Aperta by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Inspired by light breaking through narrow voids in architectural structures, Aperta features a precise slit, creating a sense of lightness to its solid form. The Aperta Console has...
Oak, Walnut
Contemporary Console Table 'LIAH' by Eichkorn, Brass and Oak, Customizable
By Eichkorn
Located in Paris, IDF
LIAH Console Table by German contemporary design studio Eichkorn. Material: Brass and Burnt Oak Wood Standard size: H.78 x 55 x 20 cm - Customizations are possible Liah Console - T...
Brass
Arcade Sculptural Console Table in Walnut Burl with Black Marble Top
By JLC
Located in New York, NY
The Arcade Console Table is defined by a rhythmic triple-arch structure, combining architectural mass with sculptural negative space. Its arched openings create a strong sense of dep...
Marble
Mid Century Iron and Glass Console Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
Brutalist Style Black Iron and Glass Console or Sofa Table, circa 1970s, in the style reminiscent of Giacometti. Brutalist furniture, popularized from the 1950s through the 1970s, em...
Iron
Contemporary 'OKA' Console Table by Eichkorn, Burnt Cherry Wood, Customizable
By Eichkorn
Located in Paris, IDF
OKA Console Table by German contemporary design studio Eichkorn. Material: Burnt Cherry Wood Standard size: H.75 x 170 x 45 cm - Customizations are possible Also available as dinin...
Cherry
$15,294Sale Price / item|20% Off
Solace No32 Console Table – Organic Sculpture in Wood, by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No32 Console Table – Organic Sculpture in Wood, by NONO ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, designed by...
Hardwood
Paul Evans Studio Floating Console Shelf and Mirror Set, USA, Circa 1970s
By Paul Evans
Located in Miami, FL
Paul Evans studio floating console shelf and mirror set, USA, Circa 1970s Brutalist patchwork design in copper and pewter. A striking example of Paul Evans’ iconic Brutalist aestheti...
Slate, Brass, Copper, Pewter
Console, Solid Walnut, Sculptural, Brutalist, Customizable, Fenestra by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rhythmic interplay of volumes and voids. The Fenestra collection is inspired by Brick Expressionism, the architectural movement visible in Amsterdam’s ‘South Plan’ area - the city...
Walnut
Sculptural Monolithic Console Table with Marble Top in Custom RAL Lacquer
By JLC
Located in New York, NY
This sculptural console table is conceived as a monolithic architectural form, defined by two solid legs that support a refined stone surface. The base is finished in a deep satin bl...
Marble
Brutalist Console Table, Minimal Old Wood Sideboard, Narrow Console Elefante
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante collection by NONO furniture. A distinguished tribute to the architectural movements of Mexican Modernism and Brutalist design. The collection showcases three minimal furn...
Wood, Oak
Vintage Brutalist Console Table in Tessellated Granite, Maitland Smith
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Brutalist style tessellated granite stone console table or pedestal in the style of Maitland Smith. Base is 28"x23"x11 Glass top is 52"x16" This can be used with or without glass top...
Granite
Design by Joel Escalona Elefante Sideboard 22, Curvaceous Wood Design
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Design by Joel Escalona Elefante Sideboard 22, Curvaceous Wood Design————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Mod...
Hardwood
Black Brutalist Console in Solid European Oak - Aperta by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Inspired by light breaking through narrow voids in architectural structures, Aperta features a precise slit, creating a sense of lightness to its solid form. The Aperta Console has...
Oak, Walnut
$12,470Sale Price / item|20% Off
Elefante Console Table 55, Joel Escalona, Dynamic Wood Design
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Console Table 55, Joel Escalona, Dynamic Wood Design ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernis...
Hardwood
John Dickinson Style Plaster Vintage Console Circa 1960
Located in Locust Valley, NY
This is a John Dickinson-style plaster console from around the 1960s. The console features a sculptural, organic design resembling stacked stone or rock formations, giving it a natur...
Plaster
Paul Evans Patchwork & Slate Hanging Console & Mirror Set, USA 1960's
By Paul Evans
Located in Buffalo, NY
Matched Console & Mirror set by Paul Evans in patinated Copper, Brass, and steel riveted patchwork. Slate top on the console. Retains original iron mounting bracket (see photos).Phot...
Slate, Brass, Copper, Cut Steel
Maurice Barilone for Roche Bobois Fleur de Fer Oxidized Steel and Glass Console
By Roche Bobois, Maurice Barilone
Located in San Diego, CA
Designed by renowned Franco-Italian designer Maurice Barilone for Roche Bobois, this sculptural Fleur de Fer console table exemplifies the designer's celebrated approach to transform...
Cut Steel
Arcade Sculptural Console Table in Limed Oak & Marble Top
By JLC
Located in New York, NY
The Arcade Console Table is defined by a rhythmic triple-arch structure, combining architectural mass with sculptural negative space. Its arched openings create a strong sense of dep...
Marble
$15,920Sale Price / item|20% Off
Joel Escalona's Elefante Console Table 33, Layered Wood, Dynamic Shape
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Elefante Console Table 33, Layered Wood, Dynamic Shape ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a ...
Hardwood
Belgian Wenge Wood Brutalist Console Table
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Belgium. Console table with no storage that attaches to wall.
Wenge
Brutalist Console, Solid European Dark Brown Oak, Sculptural, Fenestra by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rhythmic interplay of volumes and voids. The Fenestra collection is inspired by Brick Expressionism, the architectural movement visible in Amsterdam’s ‘South Plan’ area - the city...
Walnut
James Bearden Brutalist Console Table, Welded Steel, Glass Top, USA
Located in New York, NY
Custom console table made from welded steel square and rectangular elements sealed with a polychrome finish and finished with a clear glass inset top. Letter of authenticity from the...
Steel
$19,900 / item
NONO Elefante Console Table 37, Dramatic Wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Console Table 37, Dramatic Wood ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Touch NONO, re...
Hardwood
James de Wulf Industrial Console Table, Concrete and Brushed Stainless Steel
Located in Paia, HI
Contemporary console table with brushed stainless steel and two shelves. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Concrete available in Natural Tone, Light Grey, Dark Grey, White and ...
Concrete, Stainless Steel
$15,588 / item
Socle No39 Architectural Console by NONO in Solid Wood
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Socle No39 Architectural Console by NONO in Solid Wood ————————————————————— The Socle Console Series by NONO reinterprets the plinth as a family of sculptural consoles in solid woo...
Hardwood
Elefante Console Table 25, Design by Joel Escalona, Artistic Wood
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Console Table 25, Design by Joel Escalona, Artistic Wood ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modern...
Hardwood
Solace No44 Console Table – Bold Contours, Sculptural Design by Joel Escalona
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No44 Console Table – Bold Contours, Sculptural Design by Joel Escalona ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table seri...
Hardwood
$12,470Sale Price / item|20% Off
Joel Escalona's NONO Elefante Table 61, Smooth Solid Wood, Sleek Style
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's NONO Elefante Table 60, Smooth Solid Wood, Sleek Style ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a...
Hardwood
$19,950 / item
James de Wulf Custom 9' Shuffleboard Table
Located in Paia, HI
The James de Wulf Shuffleboard table is a lively addition to any game room. The smaller 9' table is constructed of concrete reinforced with ...
Concrete, Cement
Two French Midcentury 1930 Style Wrought Iron & Stone Consoles
Located in New York, NY
Elegant and sober French Post-Art Deco style consoles in bronzed wrought iron supporting a top of stone. Consoles have a narrow profile with 10.5" depth. Each console is priced an...
Travertine, Iron
NONO Elefante Console Table 23, Flowing Lines, Solid Craft
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Console Table 23, Flowing Lines, Solid Craft ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Tou...
Hardwood
Scalloped Burl Wood Console Table – Fluted Triple-Column Monolithic Base
By JLC
Located in New York, NY
This piece is a study in Monolithic Minimalism, reimagining the classic console through the lens of Soft Brutalism. The design is defined by its dramatic, scalloped perimeter—a rhyth...
Wood
NONO Elefante Table 28, Joel Escalona Design, Refined Curves
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Table 28, Joel Escalona Design, Refined Curves ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist T...
Hardwood
Joel Escalona's Elefante Console Table 33, Layered Wood, Dynamic Shape
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Joel Escalona's Elefante Console Table 33, Layered Wood, Dynamic Shape ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a ...
Hardwood
Solace No40 Hallway Table – Sculptural Movement in Wood, by NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Solace No40 Hallway Table – Sculptural Movement in Wood, by NONO ————————————————————— Solace Console Table Series Design by Joel Escalona The Solace console table series, designed ...
Hardwood
$13,650Sale Price / set|62% Off
Brass Coral Console Table and Mirror by Alain Chervet
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Brass coral console table and matching mirror by Alain Chervet Console measures 36.5" high, 52" wide and 10" deep Glass top is half inch thick, 60" wide and 15" deep Mirror is 42"...
Brass
A Brutalist Blue Stone Top Chain Console C. 1970
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A striking 1970’s blue stone top console featuring a bold chain link base that commands a notable architectural presence. This unique table features substantial cut blue stone slab a...
Stone, Iron
Solid Walnut Wooden Console, Monumental Sculptural Design, Fenestra by Mokko
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rhythmic interplay of volumes and voids. The Fenestra collection is inspired by Brick Expressionism, the architectural movement visible in Amsterdam’s ‘South Plan’ area - the city...
Walnut
Elefante Console Table 21, Design by Joel Escalona, Organic Elegance
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Console Table 21, Design by Joel Escalona, Organic Elegance————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Mode...
Hardwood
Unique Giandomenico Belotti Architectural Table in Chrome and Stone, Italy 1960
Located in Milan, IT
Unique, Sculptural, Piece of Art, Giandomenico Belotti Monumental table made for his wife in the 1960s The pure essence of Italian architectural modernism. Structure, lightness, ...
Stone, Steel, Chrome
$12,470Sale Price / item|20% Off
NONO Elefante Table 52, Distinctive Solid Wood Base
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Table 52, Distinctive Solid Wood Base ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Touch N...
Hardwood
Elefante Console Table 45, Joel Escalona, Bold Wood Silhouette
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Elefante Console Table 45, Joel Escalona, Bold Wood Silhouette ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Moderni...
Hardwood
$2,445 / set
Pair of Italian Brutalist Hall Side Tables
Located in London, London
Pair of tables Brutalist style Italy 20th Century This charming pair of side tables exude a classic and timeless appeal, making them a versatile addition to various interior settin...
Walnut
NONO Elefante Console Table 49, Sleek Solid Wood, Escalona's Craft
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Console Table 49, Sleek Solid Wood, Escalona's Craft ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Mod...
Hardwood
$15,588 / item
NONO Elefante Table 48, Luxurious Solid Wood Finish
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
NONO Elefante Table 48, Luxurious Solid Wood Finish ————————————————————— Elefante Collection: A Harmony of Design and Heritage by NONO Crafting Elegance with a Modernist Touch N...
Hardwood
$12,470Sale Price / item|20% Off
Socle No36 Statement Table, Design by Joel Escalona
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Socle No36 Statement Table, Design by Joel Escalona ————————————————————— The Socle Console Series by NONO reinterprets the plinth as a family of sculptural consoles in solid wood. ...
Hardwood