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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
Joaquim Tenreiro, Desk, Rosewood, Brazil, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in High Point, NC
A rosewood desk designed by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil, 1960s. Designed and produced for Bloch Editores S.A. Building, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Overall Dimensions (inches): 28.75"H x ...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Desks

Materials

Rosewood

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

Sculptural Writing Desk att. to Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazilian Hardwood, 1950s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Attributed to Joaquim Tenreiro (1906–1992), this sculptural writing desk stands as an exceptional example of the designer’s refined vision for Brazilian modern furniture. Widely rega...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Desks

Materials

Wood

Teak Wood Desk with 55-Inch Top and Graphite Metal Base - Class Collection
By Uultis Design
Located in Miami, FL
The Class desk by Uultis is a streamlined, modern writing desk that balances warm natural textures with clean-lined industrial elements. Featuring a 55-inch...
Category

2010s Modern Brazilian Desks

Materials

Metal

Jean Gillon, Brazilian Modern, Jacaranda, Chrome, Writing Desk, Brazil, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in Manhasset, NY
Jean Gillon, Brazilian Modern, Jacaranda, Chrome, Writing Desk, Brazil, 1960s A Jacaranda wood and chrome writing desk designed by Jean Gillon and produced in Brazil in the second h...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Desks

Materials

Chrome

Jorge Zalszupin. Rare Desk "Diplomate", c. 1960. 72 x 210 x 110 cm
By Jorge Zalszupin, L’Atelier
Located in PARIS, FR
Jorge Zalszupin (1922–2020) Rare Desk "Diplomate", c. 1960 This rare and sculptural “Diplomate” desk, designed by Jorge Zalszupin circa 1960, is a striking example of Brazilian mode...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Desks

Materials

Metal

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

Lia S – A Plug-In Ready Statement for Work
By Gisela Simas
Located in Petrópolis´, RJ
A desk table that has everything you need handily available, lining up practicality and beauty. The Lia S is a perfect workstation. Thoughtfully equipped with built-in electric plugs...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Desks

Materials

Wood

Rare Desk, c. 1950 .Historical piece. 69 x 130 x 82 cm
Located in PARIS, FR
Atelier Glebo Rare Bureau / Desk, c. 1950 Historical piece Bois pin massif, Bois Pau Marfim et contreplaqué Solid pine wood, Pau Marfim wood and plywood 69 x 130 x 82 cm 27 17/100 x ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Desks

Materials

Hardwood

Jean Gillon Brazilian Rosewood and Chrome Executive Desk
By Jean Gillon, Italma Wood Art
Located in New Windsor, NY
Large and roomy Brazilian Jacaranda executive desk. Chrome legs and drawer hardware. The four drawers are flush right of the user. High and wide enough from the desk top for loads o...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Desks

Materials

Chrome, Nickel

Customizable Chocolate Oak Desk with Two Storage Drawers, Class Collection
By Uultis Design
Located in Miami, FL
A Class desk designed by Uultis Studio in Chocolate oak with chocolate metallic base. The Class desk is a refined marriage of functionality and elegance, featuring a chocolate oak ve...
Category

2010s Modern Brazilian Desks

Materials

Metal

Jorge Zalszupin, Desk, Brazil 1976.
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in L’ISLE-SUR-LA-SORGUE, FR
Jorge Zalszupin Desk by Atelier Moveis. São Paulo, Brazil Rare because it's the large model. Labeled and dated December 1976. Perfect condition, restoration done by a cabinetmaker. ...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Desks

Materials

Rosewood

'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

Brazilian Modern Desk with Eight Drawers in Hardwood by Ava, 1960s, Brazil
Located in New York, NY
Available today with domestic shipping included, this Brazilian Modern Desk with Eight Drawers in Hardwood by Ava made during the 1960s in Brazil is nothing less than spectacular! T...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Desks

Materials

Hardwood

18th Century Brazilian Desk Chest of Drawers from Sabará Minas Gerais
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
This rare and monumental desk / chest of drawers, hails from the 18th century, a period marked by the flourishing of the Brazilian Baroque in the his...
Category

18th Century Other Antique Brazilian Desks

Materials

Wood

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

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

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

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Previously Available Items
1950's Brazilian Modern Three Legged Desk in Hardwood by Moveis Fratte
Located in New York, NY
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Joaquim Tenreiro Bloch writing desk Brazil 1965
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Joaquim Tenreiro Bloch writing desk Brazil 1965
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H 28.75 in W 57.49 in D 27.56 in
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Bodil Kjaer for E Pedersen & Son MCM Brazilian Rosewood and Chrome Desk
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Jorge Zalszupin directors desk L'Atelier Brazil 1959
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
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De Couro, Set of Desk in Leather, 1980s
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De Couro, Set of Desk in Leather, 1980s
De Couro, Set of Desk in Leather, 1980s
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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...
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Jorge Zalszupin Attributed Desk in Rosewood, Brazil, 1965
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Rare Rosewood Desk, 1960s Vintage Brazilian Design
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
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Category

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Portuguese Colonial Brazilian Solid Rosewood Slant Lid Writing Desk
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