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Brazilian Desks

BRAZILIAN FURNITURE

More often than not, vintage mid-century Brazilian furniture designs, with their gleaming wood, soft leathers and inviting shapes, share a sensuous, unique quality that distinguishes them from the more rectilinear output of American and Scandinavian makers of the same era.

Commencing in the 1940s and '50s, a group of architects and designers transformed the local cultural landscape in Brazil, merging the modernist vernacular popular in Europe and the United States with the South American country's traditional techniques and indigenous materials.

Key mid-century influencers on Brazilian furniture design include natives Oscar NiemeyerSergio Rodrigues and José Zanine Caldas as well as such European immigrants as Joaquim TenreiroJean Gillon and Jorge Zalszupin. These creators frequently collaborated; for instance, Niemeyer, an internationally acclaimed architect, commissioned many of them to furnish his residential and institutional buildings.

The popularity of Brazilian modern furniture has made household names of these designers and other greats. Their particular brand of modernism is characterized by an émigré point of view (some were Lithuanian, German, Polish, Ukrainian, Portuguese, and Italian), a preference for highly figured indigenous Brazilian woods, a reverence for nature as an inspiration and an atelier or small-production mentality.

Hallmarks of Brazilian mid-century design include smooth, sculptural forms and the use of native woods like rosewoodjacaranda and pequi. The work of designers today exhibits many of the same qualities, though with a marked interest in exploring new materials (witness the Campana Brothers' stuffed-animal chairs) and an emphasis on looking inward rather than to other countries for inspiration.

Find a collection of vintage Brazilian furniture on 1stDibs that includes chairssofastables and more.

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Place of Origin: Brazilian
Geraldo de Barros writing desk Unilabor Brazil 1956
By Geraldo de Barros, Unilabor
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice minimalistic small writing desk designed by Geraldo de Barros and manufactured by Unilabor, Brazil 1956. The desk is made up of three main parts. The black iron frame, rosewood finished top and the drawer cabinet. The drawer fronts have the characteristic white laminated finish with metal handles. Unilabor could use these same parts to create different furniture designs, following the company's standards. This approach was part of a methodical way of making things, and the design style was common to other factories of that time. The most unique idea was how they thought about the production process in an organised way. In very good condition with beautiful grain to the rosewood. The chair on the pictures is not included. Literature;  Brazilian Modern Design Alberto Vicente Marcelo Vasconcellos 2017, page 264-281 The most profound conceptual experience in the production of modern furniture in Brazil was led by Geraldo de Barros, a major artist of the Concrete Art movement in the country. Interested in new technologies and processes, Geraldo's career was consistently permeated with artistic experiments, particularly in photography and painting. His affiliation with design was influenced by the "gute form" principle advocated by Max Bill. Bill was the founder of the Ulm School...
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Desks

Materials

Metal

Joaquim Tenreiro Bloch writing desk Brazil 1965
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Beautiful Bloch writing desk designed by Joaquim Tenreiro and manufactured in Brazil 1965. This desk was once used in the BLOCH EDITORES S.A. BUILDING, a well-known Brazilian publish...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Desks

Materials

Rosewood

Brazilian Rosewood Desk by Joaquin Tenreriro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Hudson, NY
Joaquim Tenreiro (1906–1992) was among the leading furniture designers and visual artists in mid-20th century Brazil. The Tenreiro-designed desk, shown here, is made in solid wood a...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Desks

Materials

Rosewood

1950's Brazilian Modern Three Legged Desk in Hardwood by Moveis Fratte
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this mid-century Brazilian modern desk, designed by Moveis Fratte in the fifties, is absolutely magnificent! This desk is made with naval plywood and features three ...
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1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Desks

Materials

Hardwood

Brazilian Modern Desk in Cerejera Hardwood, Geraldo de Barros, 1970s Brazil
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in New York, NY
Available now, this Mid-Century Modern Desk designed by Geraldo de Barros for Hobjeto is is gorgeous! The desk is entirely made in Cerejera wood and features two floating drawers...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Desks

Materials

Hardwood

Brazilian Modern Desk in Hardwood by Joaquim Tenreiro for Bloch, 1966, Brazil
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this Midcentury Modern Desk in Brazilian Rosewood, known as Jacaranda designed by Joaquim Tenreiro for Bloch Editores in the 1966 is nothing less than spectacular. ...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Desks

Materials

Hardwood

Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Desk Magic Box Made in Brazil with Key
By Jean Gillon
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Stunning closable and lockable rosewood writing desk. The piece closes completely and can be key-locked to protect all your documents. Opened, it has a large teak writing top that ex...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Desks

Materials

Rosewood

Bodil Kjaer for E Pedersen & Son MCM Brazilian Rosewood and Chrome Desk
By Bodil Kjaer, E. Pedersen & Søn
Located in Countryside, IL
Bodil Kjaer for E. Pedersen & Son Mid Century Brazilian Rosewood and Chrome Desk This desk measures: 72.75 wide x 38 deep x 28.75 high, with a chair clearance of 24.25 inches All p...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Desks

Materials

Chrome

'Nido' Mid-Century Modern style Desk in Brazilian Hardwood by Knót Artesanal
By Knót Artesanal
Located in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro
Nido desk is comprised of an ample work area and a slim drawer all enclosed by delicate slats and suspended upon four slender legs. The offset drawer pull breaks the symmetry of the ...
Category

2010s Minimalist Brazilian Desks

Materials

Wood

Class Desk with a Walnut Wood Top and Graphite Finished Metal Base 55''
By Uultis Design
Located in Miami, FL
The Class desk was designed by our Uultis team with a walnut wood finish top and a graphite-finished metal base, representing lightness and practicality in ...
Category

2010s Brazilian Desks

Materials

Metal

Class Desk with a Teak Wood Finish Top and Graphite Finished Metal Base 55''
By Uultis Design
Located in Miami, FL
The Class desk was designed by our Uultis team with a teak wood finish top and a graphite-finished metal base, representing lightness and practicality in a ...
Category

2010s Brazilian Desks

Materials

Metal

Lia S Desk Freijo Wood
By Gisela Simas
Located in Rio de Janeiro, BR
A desk table that has everything you need handily available, lining up practicality and beauty. The Lia S is a perfect work station or even a dressing table. With several compartment...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Desks

Materials

Wood, Faux Leather

Acaú Side Table
By Sergio Matos
Located in Campina Grande, Paraiba
The inspiration comes from the sea. A dive with the talent and the keen eye of Sergio Matos, the designer from Mato Grosso, Paraíba, which brings to the surface the products of his c...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Desks

Materials

Resin

Galho Table
By Sergio Matos
Located in Campina Grande, Paraiba
Versatility and sophistication are the words to set the twig table. Composed of independent structures that allow several compositions, joining one, two or more bases to form tables ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Desks

Materials

Aluminum

Jean Gillion Executive Desk in Jacaranda Wood for Italma
By Jean Gillon
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and rare desk designed by Jean Gillion for Italma made in Brazil, circa 1960s with chrome accents, freshly restored with a couple of small repair...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Desks

Materials

Chrome

Pedra Desk by Gustavo Neves, Brazilian Contemporary Furniture
By Gustavo Neves
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Brazilian Contemporary Furniture Designer: Gustavo Neves AEon Collection Pedra desk Materials: stone (limestone), metal (brass) darkened with manual treatment, manually sanded ac...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Post-Modern Brazilian Desks

Materials

Stone

Portuguese Colonial Brazilian Solid Rosewood Slant Lid Writing Desk
Located in Essex, MA
Made in Brazil and purchased as an antique in Rio De Janeiro in the 1950s. With slant lid top opening to a finely fitted compartment with drawers and cubbys and hidden compartments o...
Category

1760s Rococo Antique Brazilian Desks

Materials

Rosewood

Related Items
Beautiful Modern Solid Mahogany Desk with 4 Leather Front Oak Drawers
By Ralph Lauren
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful modern style of Ralph Lauren solid mahogany desk with 4 leather front drawers. Very High end woodwork and construction. Diamond Wood pattern on desk top. Very high end clear gloss lacquer finish. smooth metal drawer slides on solid Oak drawers with leather fronts and brass key accents. shows little wear to desk surface. No Labels or Tags. Previous owners claimed it was a Ralph Lauren desk...
Category

1990s Modern Brazilian Desks

Materials

Leather, Mahogany, Oak

Italian Mid-Century Modern Petite Desk Designed by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stylish Italian Mid-Century Modern petite desk elegantly named "Dattilo" in wood teak designed by Vittorio Dassi, from the 1950s. The drawer front is very elegant, inspired by the co...
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Desks

Materials

Brass

McGuire Oak & Bamboo Writing Desk
By McGuire
Located in Dallas, TX
Mid-century modern desk with light wash color that highlights the woodgrain and brass drawer drop handles. The neutral finish makes this desk more contemporary than its dark brown an...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Desks

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McGuire Oak & Bamboo Writing Desk
McGuire Oak & Bamboo Writing Desk
H 30 in W 52 in D 24 in
Danish Modern Executive Brazilian Rosewood Desk
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful Danish modern executive rosewood desk designed and manufactured in Denmark, circa 1960s. This desk has a very particula...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Desks

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Chrome

Minimalist Brazilian Rosewood and Chrome Desk in the style of Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman
Located in Chicago, IL
Incredibly stunning Danish minimalist desk, with a style calling to mid-century modern icon Milo Baughman, c.1970s. Rich Brazilian rosewood grain, supported by a sturdy chrome base. The desk features three drawers for storage, with a cut detail below the drawers for easy access. The desk is fully finished - back included - providing an elegant 360 degree viewing, making it perfect for an open space...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Desks

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Desk French Style Writing Desk, Black Lacquer with Grey Leather Writing Surface
By Selva
Located in Toronto, CA
We present a beautifully finished desk made in Italy by Selva in cherry wood, with a leather writing surface. This item has been recently re-stained by our expert team in a black lac...
Category

20th Century Brazilian Desks

Materials

Leather, Cherry

Pedestal Desk in the Biedermeier manner
By Jonathan Sainsbury
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
A blond wood burr veneered and ebonized pedestal desk with inset leather top and diamond design inlaid ends. The design is taken from Biedermei...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Biedermeier Brazilian Desks

Materials

Birch, Wood

Danish Modern Executive Rosewood Desk
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Fabulous Danish modern executive rosewood desk, designed in Denmark, circa 1960’s. The Brazilian rosewood desk has been carefully restored to reveal its natural beauty and incredible...
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1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Desks

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Danish Modern Executive Rosewood Desk
Danish Modern Executive Rosewood Desk
H 28.75 in W 59.75 in D 31.25 in
Danish rosewood desk, 1960s
Located in Braga, Braga
Mid century rosewood desk. Denmark in the 1960s. Desk features three drawers on each side and one in the center (three lockable) on the front. A closed bar cabinet and bookshelves on...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Desks

Materials

Rosewood

Danish rosewood desk, 1960s
Danish rosewood desk, 1960s
H 29.53 in W 55.12 in D 28.35 in
Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Desk Magic Box Made in Brazil with Key
By Jean Gillon
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Stunning closable and lockable rosewood writing desk. The piece closes completely and can be key-locked to protect all your documents. Opened, it has a large teak writing top that ex...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Desks

Materials

Rosewood

Rúna Small Desk, by Isabel Ahm from Warm Nordic
By Isabel Ahm
Located in Viby J, DK
Timeless desk with a poetic idiom and a neat little drawer. With its pure and Classic design, Rúna creates a space around itself and boosts your entire interior design whether the de...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Brazilian Desks

Materials

Wood

Antique Mahogany Davenport Writing Desk
Located in Benington, Herts
This attractive mahogany Edwardian Davenport / writing desk, circa 1900s has been constructed from quality solid mahogany having a raised back above a fall front moulded edge writing slope with a raised and fielded panelled cupboard door standing on bracket feet. The Davenport's top section has a brass hinged mahogany lift up lid to reveal an original lead lined storage...
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Brazilian Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Mahogany Davenport Writing Desk
Antique Mahogany Davenport Writing Desk
H 38.19 in W 24.02 in D 22.84 in
Previously Available Items
Jorge Zalszupin directors desk L'Atelier Brazil 1959
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Large sized desk from the componivel series designed by Jorge Zalszupin and manufactured at his own company L'Atelier, Brazil 1959. The Escrivaninha or desk is a very sophisticated d...
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Desks

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

De Couro, Set of Desk in Leather, 1980s
By De Couro
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
De Couro, signed. Desk set in rolled and sewn thick leather, chestnut color, consisting of a desk, an armchair and two chairs. Desk consisting of a glass slab standing on a rectan...
Category

20th Century Brazilian Desks

Materials

Leather

De Couro, Set of Desk in Leather, 1980s
De Couro, Set of Desk in Leather, 1980s
H 28.75 in W 63 in D 37.41 in
Desk, Móveis Cimo, C. 1950, in Imbuia's Wood Solid and Yellow Leather
By Moveis Cimo
Located in PARIS, FR
Originally designed for a child's room, this chest of drawers from the Moveis Cimo workshop in solid imbuia wood is one of the most playful pieces of furniture the workshop has produced. Opening with three drawers, the handles are circles inlaid in the drawer creating an optical game with the other circles in yellow leather in decoration. The delicacy of the finishes are visible throughout the piece and included in the covers of the screws and the assembly of wood. The charm is finished with the elegant and characteristic conical legs (or "pé palitos" in Portuguese) of the furniture of the 50s Brazilian. Founded in 1913 in Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, initially by Jorge Zipperer (1879-1944) and Willy Jung (1879-1919) and "named Jung e Cia", Moveis Cimo was the largest furniture factory in Latin America from the 1930s until the 1970s. In 1919, with the death of Jung, Jorge Zipperer joined forces with his brother Martin Zipperer (1890-1971) who had a solid background in carpentry. From the beginning, Moveis Cimo had several different corporate names due to the changes in the partners and the growth of the company, the name "Moveis Cimo" was only used from 1954. Always very attentive to the technological novelties of the time, the products of the workshop have been marked by its modernization and optimization of the raw materials, always keeping the high quality know-how. Moreover, through the edition of their catalogs where the materials and techniques used were shown, the company allowed the diffusion of the knowledge of the modernist style. Beyond the technical aspect, the modernization has made possible the large-scale production of pieces in series, allowing the company to respond to many institutional orders, including for cinemas, theaters and schools. In addition, Moveis Cimo maintained a catalog for residential furniture, mainly from the 1950s, with the modernization of Brazil and the construction of the new capital, Brasilia, and its demand for furniture more suitable for the new architecture. The forms created by Moveis Cimo illustrate the passage from the aesthetics of traditional furniture with strong references to Portuguese colonial furniture...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Desks

Materials

Leather, Imbuia

Expertly Restored -Sergio Rodrigues "Redig" Rosewood Butterfly-Leaf Table / Desk
By Sergio Rodrigues, Oca
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sergio Rodrigues "Redig" rosewood butterfly-leaf table / desk Dimensions 25in H x 55-71in W x 31.50in D 1x Extension Leaf 16in. __________________...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Desks

Materials

Steel

Mid Century rosewood split folding table desk brazilian by karl heinz Bergmiller
By Escriba
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Mid Century rosewood split folding table desk brazilian by karl heinz Bergmiller. The top folds over and both legs swing out. Great design all ro...
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1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Desks

Materials

Rosewood

Jorge Zalszupin Attributed Desk in Rosewood, Brazil, 1965
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Beautiful rosewood patchwork desk attributed to Jorge Zalszupin, Brazil, 1960. This desk has a nice not to large size, but plenty of storage options because of the 2 large drawer cab...
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1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Desks

Materials

Metal

Rare Rosewood Desk, 1960s Vintage Brazilian Design
Located in Lyon, FR
Modernist desk in rosewood. Incredible rosewood veneers, even the steel legs are veneer.
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Desks

Materials

Rosewood

Small Vintage Two-Door Hand Painted Cabinet
Located in Round Top, TX
This delightful step back cabinet, while small in size, is brimming with character. Adding to its charm is the distressed painted finish featuring South American pottery...
Category

Late 20th Century Brazilian Desks

Materials

Wood

Small Vintage Two-Door Hand Painted Cabinet
Small Vintage Two-Door Hand Painted Cabinet
H 59.25 in W 41.25 in D 19 in
Brazilian Rio Rosewood Desk for Forma, 1960s
By Forma Brazil
Located in Lyon, FR
Nice desk from Brazil made of Rio rosewood. Small piece of sticker under the top. Two pendant drawers.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Desks

Materials

Rosewood

Brazilian Rio Rosewood Desk for Forma, 1960s
Brazilian Rio Rosewood Desk for Forma, 1960s
H 29.53 in W 55.52 in D 29.53 in
South American Brazilian Modern Rosewood and Chrome Desk
Located in Washington, DC
Dramatic rosewood and chrome desk from Brazil. Desk was brought to the Brazilian embassy in Washington D.C. in the 1960s. Desk is made from natural color Brazilian (un-stained) ros...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Desks

Materials

Chrome

Cimo Curved Top Midcentury Desk Table
By Moveis Cimo
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Amazing designed desk table that reminds a flying space ship with curved top floating like drawers with metal handles. This is very special item made by Cimo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Modern Brazilian Desks

Materials

Metal

Cimo Curved Top Midcentury Desk Table
Cimo Curved Top Midcentury Desk Table
H 29.53 in W 83.47 in D 31.5 in
Brazilian Designer Joaquim Tenreiro Vintage Rosewood Desk with White Glass Top
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer Joaquim Tenreiro created this stunning rosewood desk with reverse painted glass top... A sophisticated example of art in every setting - Write a letter, pay a bill, surf the net - You will be an impressive statement next to this beauty! Joaquim Tenreiro Pés de Tenreiro (4851468849).jpg Cabinet designed by Joaquim Tenreiro in the hall of the Hotel Cataguases. Born 1906 Melo, Gouveia, Portugal Died...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Desks

Materials

Rosewood

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