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Forma Brazil Armchairs

Brazilian

Forma stands at the forefront of a revival of Brazilian modern furniture. Fashioned from high-grade regionally sourced hardwoods, leather and iron, even Forma's earliest creations have stood the test of time. The company’s alluring mid-century modern works appealed to homeowners at its peak, from the 1950s through the ’70s, and given the broadening interest in Brazilian furniture and the likes of designers such as Sérgio Rodrigues, vintage Forma is making a major comeback today. 

Forma began in São Paulo, under the leadership of Italian designer Carlo Hauner and Austrian architect and interior designer Martin Eisler. Hauner studied drawing and technical drawing at the Brera Academy in Milan. After participating in the Venice Biennale, he emigrated to São Paulo, where he established the furniture manufacturer Móveis Artesanal, for which Carlo and Martin — as well as Carlo’s brother Ernesto Hauner — would create a range of pieces for the home.

In 1936, Eisler earned a degree in architecture from the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, where he studied under Oskar Strnad and Clemens Holzmeister. With World War II looming, he left Austria immediately after graduating. He first went to Czechoslovakia, to which some of his family had already fled. In 1938, he moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and opened his interior design firm Interieur Forma.

Eisler relocated to Brazil in the early 1950s, where he met Hauner. At the time, Eisler had been looking for help producing furniture for his brother-in-law, Ernesto Wolf, and contacted Hauner. The two found that they had a shared vision, and with financial help from Wolf, they opened Galeria Artesanal as a storefront for Móveis Artesanal.

Looking to expand into international sales, the duo rebranded the company Forma. Sérgio Rodrigues, who helped launch a branch of Artesanal in Curitiba, was put in charge of interiors at Forma. That company soon became one of the biggest names in Brazilian furniture — it sold its own sculptural rattan lounge chairs, bookcases and other case pieces crafted with rosewood or jacaranda, and Forma was eventually distributing furniture licensed from iconic American manufacturer Knoll, thereby bringing works by noted designers such as Ludwig Mies van der RoheCharles Eames and Harry Bertoia to the Brazilian market.

The Forma furniture company continued producing masterfully crafted furniture into the 1970s, until Eisler's death in 1977. Forma folded soon after, but Eisler's company in Argentina, Interieur Forma, is still in business today.

On 1stDibs, explore Forma seatingtables and storage pieces.

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Creator: Forma Brazil
Brazilian Modern Armchair Set in Hardwood & Burgundy Fabric by Forma, 1950’s
By Forma Brazil
Located in New York, NY
This pair of armchairs was designed by Forma (company owned by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler) in the 1950s. This design was very popular amongst the urban elites of Sao Paulo and Ri...
Category

Mid-20th Century South American Mid-Century Modern Forma Brazil Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Hardwood

Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler Concha Armchairs, Brazilian MidCentury Modern, 1953
By Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
This pair of Concha armchairs was designed in the 1950s by Carlo Hauner (1927-1997) and Martin Eisler (1913-1977). They were manufactured by Móveis Artesanal and later by Forma S.A. ...
Category

1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Forma Brazil Armchairs

Materials

Iron

Martin Eisler & Carlos Hauner Pair of Modern Brazilian Armchairs wood and velvet
By Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Barcelona, ES
Martin Eisler (1913-1977) & Carlos Hauner (1927-1997) Pair of armchairs Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1955 Caviuna wood legs, velvet and cotton upholstery Measurements: 77 c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Forma Brazil Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Pair of Concha Wicker Armchairs Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler circa 1953 Brazil
By Carlo Hauner, Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
This armchair is a gorgeous version of Concha, one of the most iconic pieces designed by Martin Eisler (1913-1977), with a single seat and backrests made with wicker. "Concha" is ...
Category

1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Forma Brazil Armchairs

Materials

Iron

Martin Eisler & Carlos Hauner Model "Reversible" modern Brazilian armchair 1955
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in Barcelona, ES
Martin Eisler(1913-1977) & Carlos Hauner (1927-1997) Armchair model “Reversible” Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1955 Iron structure, brass, cotton upholstery Measurements: 10...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Forma Brazil Armchairs

Materials

Iron

Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler Midcentury brazilian armchair, 1955
By Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler Midcentury brazilian armchair, 1955 One of the most iconic armchairs designed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, is today a beautiful example of the i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Forma Brazil Armchairs

Materials

Iron

Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner Modern Brazilian Pair of Low Armchairs White Fabric
By Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Barcelona, ES
Martin Eisler (1913-1977) & Carlo Hauner (1927-1997) Pair of low armchairs Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1950s Black painted metal, fabric upholstery. Measurements 70 cm x 53 cm x 71 H cm. 27.5 in x 21 in x 28 H in. Literature Brazil Modern, the rediscovery of 20th century Brazilian furniture – Aric Chen, 2016. Martin Eisler (Vienna, Austria, 1913 - São Paulo, Brazil, 1977), was an architect and furniture designer. He was part of a group of European architects and designers who left Europe during the chaos of the Second World War and went to live and work in Brazil. Eisler stood out amongst this group of creatives, his work was at the forefront of modern furniture design in Brazil which flourished through the 50s and 60s in the region. The work of Martin Eisler in partnership with Carlo Hauner (1927-1996) was of particular significance. Eisler left Europe in 1938 due to the rise of fascist regimes. He first lived in Argentina, where he was settled and worked as an architect, set designer and interior designer, he opened up an interior design firm Interieur Forma. In 1940, he married Rosl Wolf, the daughter of German immigrants. Born in Brescia in 1927, Carlo Hauner studied technical drawing and drawing at the Brera Academy in Milan, Italy. In 1948 he successfully participated in the Venice Biennale after which he moved to Brazil, where he dedicated himself to the design of textile, ceramics, furniture and architecture. In only a very short time he founded a furniture production company and purchased a factory from Lina Bo Bardi and her husband Pietro Bardi, renaming it Móveis Artesanal. In 1953 Hauner met Martin Eisler, who was looking for help to produce furniture for the home of his brother-in-law, Ernesto Wolf. Eisler reached out to Hauner and the rest is history. The two men connected and with Wolf’s financial backing, they opened Galeria Artesanal (a store for their company Móveis Artesenal) on a busy street in São Paulo. Being highly ambitious and with an eye on the international market as well as the upcoming office market, Móvies Artesanal later changed into Forma. Along with Oca, Forma became one of the biggest names in Brazilian furniture production. Even managing to attract an exclusive license to sell Knoll furniture, bringing big names in international design such as Mies Van Der Rohe, Charles Eames and Harry Bertoia to the Brazilian furniture market. Hauner and Eisler’s designs are characterized by the use of Brazilian woods, thin tubular frames and a range from furniture, to ceramics and textiles. Some of their most famous designs are the “rib” lounge chair...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Forma Brazil Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner Midcentury Brazilian Armchairs White Fabric Metal
By Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Barcelona, ES
Martin Eisler (1913-1977) & Carlo Hauner (1927-1997) Pair of armchairs Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1950s Black painted metal, fabric upholstery Measurements 66 cm x 80 cm x 94h cm. 26 in x 35 in x 37h in. Literature Brazil Modern, the rediscovery of 20th century Brazilian furniture – Aric Chen, 2016. Martin Eisler (Vienna, Austria, 1913 - São Paulo, Brazil, 1977), was an architect and furniture designer. He was part of a group of European architects and designers who left Europe during the chaos of the Second World War and went to live and work in Brazil. Eisler stood out amongst this group of creatives, his work was at the forefront of modern furniture design in Brazil which flourished through the 1950s and 1960s in the region. The work of Martin Eisler in partnership with Carlo Hauner (1927-1996) was of particular significance. Eisler left Europe in 1938 due to the rise of fascist regimes. He first lived in Argentina, where he was settled and worked as an architect, set designer and interior designer, he opened up an interior design firm Interieur Forma. In 1940, he married Rosl Wolf, the daughter of German immigrants. Born in Brescia in 1927, Carlo Hauner studied technical drawing and drawing at the Brera Academy in Milan, Italy. In 1948 he successfully participated in the Venice Biennale after which he moved to Brazil, where he dedicated himself to the design of textile, ceramics, furniture and architecture. In only a very short time he founded a furniture production company and purchased a factory from Lina Bo Bardi and her husband Pietro Bardi, renaming it Móveis Artesanal. In 1953 Hauner met Martin Eisler, who was looking for help to produce furniture for the home of his brother-in-law, Ernesto Wolf. Eisler reached out to Hauner and the rest is history. The two men connected and with Wolf’s financial backing, they opened Galeria Artesanal (a store for their company Móveis Artesenal) on a busy street in São Paulo. Being highly ambitious and with an eye on the international market as well as the upcoming office market, Móvies Artesanal later changed into Forma. Along with Oca, Forma became one of the biggest names in Brazilian furniture production. Even managing to attract an exclusive license to sell Knoll furniture, bringing big names in international design such as Mies Van Der Rohe, Charles Eames and Harry Bertoia to the Brazilian furniture market. Hauner and Eisler’s designs are characterized by the use of Brazilian woods, thin tubular frames and a range from furniture, to ceramics and textiles. Some of their most famous designs are the “rib” lounge chair...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Forma Brazil Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Pair of Brazilian Armchairs with Wood Base by Forma, 1960s
By Forma Brazil
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
We work with artisans who masterfully restore typical pieces from each period of our history, valuing their different preservation techniques. Teamwork has built this pioneering comp...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Forma Brazil Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner Modern Brazilian Large Armchair White fabric metal
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in Barcelona, ES
Martin Eisler (1913-1977) & Carlo Hauner (1927-1997) Armchair, part of set with sofa Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1950s Black painted metal, fabric upholstery Measur...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Forma Brazil Armchairs

Materials

Metal

Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner 'Concha' Lounge Chairs for Forma, Brazil, c 1960
By Carlo Hauner, Forma Brazil, Martin Eisler
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully reupholstered with soft nubby white bouclé, this pair of 'Concha' chairs by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner for Forma, Brazil, encapsulates the quality and innovation of t...
Category

1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Forma Brazil Armchairs

Materials

Iron

Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner 'Concha' Lounge Chairs for Forma, Brazil, c 1960
By Carlo Hauner, Forma Brazil, Martin Eisler
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully reupholstered with soft furry taupe colored sheepskin, this pair of 'Concha' chairs by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner...
Category

1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Forma Brazil Armchairs

Materials

Iron

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Forma Brazil armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Forma Brazil armchairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Forma Brazil armchairs, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original armchairs by Forma Brazil were created in the mid-century modern style in south america during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider armchairs by Móveis Cimo, Liceu de Artes e Ofícios, and Mòveis Artisticos Z. Prices for Forma Brazil armchairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $4,700 and can go as high as $26,717, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $12,036.

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