This set of four solid pine chairs has a Brutalist appearance, projecting an air of strength, solidity and functionality.

These chairs feature the core marks of Brutalism: unornamented, solid wood, exposed joints, and raw wooden surfaces. Brutalist design extends the functional logic of Modernism, privileging bold and rugged forms and leaving all details undisguised, resulting in honest and striking pieces. At the same time, the minimalistic design does not prevent these chairs from being comfortable, which can be observed in the ergonomic design of the seats. The sturdy legs provide a firm base for these chairs, while the backrests offer solid support for the back.

The rougher, earthly coloured wood that is used in this brutalist design is the visual and palpable antithesis of the sleek, smooth and suave. Brutalist design encompasses that which is crafted, hewn and worked by hand. This set emerges through its statement pieces that can blend into a variety of design styles.

SOLD

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use.

Dimensions:

19.09 in W x 16.33 in D x 30.31 in H; Seat height 17.32 in

48.5 cm W x 41.5 cm D x 77 cm H; Seat height 44 cm

About the design:

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: hard edges, jagged shapes, asymmetrical organic designs, and earthly palettes.

The Brutalist style of design - the term derives from the French word brut, meaning “raw” – is characterized by a deliberate plainness and crudity, and 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.

Today, Brutalism is seen as a reaction against artificiality and lightness, re-evoking the appreciation for raw, yet vigilant design. The brutalist pieces, exemplified by this beautiful set of chairs, lend a unique, eccentric to any interior or collection. ~H.