Mid-Century Brutalist Solid Oak Chair, France 1960s (sold)

Mid-Century Brutalist Solid Oak Chair, France 1960s (sold)

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With a robust organic form and an earth-toned palette, this chair is the embodiment of Brutalism. In furniture and décor, the Brutalist movement was somber, giving importance to eerie organic and rugged shapes in dark, earthy tones. The defining characteristics of Brutalist furniture design can be observed in this chair: jagged shape, asymmetrical organic design, and an earthly palette.

Using simple but well-though out lines, this chair was designed to be minimalistic, yet aesthetically distinct. The chair gives and airy feel, while the sturdy frame provides a firm and reliable base, with the overall design focusing on the natural beauty of the wood. The Brutalist style of design - the term derives from the French word brut, meaning “raw” – is characterized by a deliberate plainness and crudity. It emerged in the mid-20th century and gained popularity in the late 1950s and 1960s. It originated post–World War II, when the design of low-cost housing and government buildings was composed of mainly raw, unrefined materials. As a descendant of the modernist movement of the late 19th and the first half of the 20th century, Brutalism favours simple and bare, yet well-thought-out, stark design. The architects and builders sought to project a sense of strength through their fortress-like designs, while also celebrating the imperfect appeal of handmade items. While Brutalism started out as an architectural style, it quickly influenced furniture design in Europe and the Americas.

This chair has a startling rawness, but with its warm-toned and slightly asymmetrical body it is a greatly-balanced piece. Sensitive touches enliven the brutalist design, visible in the careful craftsmanship. Through its eccentric geometries and expressive forms, - brutalist furniture design’s best qualities - this chair is the perfect piece for any interior. In the 21st century, unlike in architecture, brutalist furniture design has been making a comeback, making 20th century pieces like this chair a rare and valuable piece of the movement.