Six young architects joined forces in the 1950s to create Branco & Preto in São Paulo. Together, they created high-end modern furniture inspired by the spirited reinvigoration of art and architecture in Brazil.
The six founders — Miguel Forte, Jacob Ruchti, Plínio Croce, Roberto Aflalo, Carlos Millan and Chen Y Hwa — all attended Mackenzie Architecture University, a school led by architect and modernist critic Cristiano Stockler das Neves who prioritized neoclassicism. As progressive students, the founders rebelled against this status quo in their work.
During the 1950s, there were few designers of modern furniture based in Brazil aside from Brazilian furniture firm Mòveis Artisticos Z and Portuguese-born furniture designer Joaquim Tenreiro. Branco & Preto helped fill a wide gap in the market.
Brazilian modernist pioneers Rino Levi and Gregori Warchavchik were important early connections. Through them, Ruchti and Forte met American architect Philip Johnson and German-American architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe; meanwhile, Croce, Alfalo and Millan drew inspiration from the works of Austrian-American architect Richard Neutra and Hungarian-American architect and furniture designer Marcel Breuer.
As a proponent of “Rio modernism,” Branco & Preto often combined glass, iron and calacatta marble with Brazilian woods like jacaranda and caviuna to make its handcrafted furnishings. Free from plywood and screws, this furniture required the expertise of skilled woodworkers, especially for the MF5 armchair and slatted coffee table. Both designed by Millan, they are among Branco & Preto’s most recognized works.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Branco & Preto tables, seating and case pieces and storage cabinets.
Mid-Century Modern Pair of MF5 Armchairs by Branco & Preto, 1953
By Branco & Preto
Located in New York, NY
Designed in 1953 by Carlos Milan and Miguel Forte for Branco & Preto, the MF5 Armchair stands as an important piece of Brazilian modern design. Crafted in solid rosewood with a han...
Fabric, Cane, Wood
Branco & Preto Pair of Brazilian Modern Armchairs, "R3"
By Branco & Preto
Located in Whitstable, GB
The Lounge armchairs model “R3", were designed in 1952 by Jacob Ruchti for the Brazilian collective Branco & Preto, and manufactured by Mahlmeister & Cia in Brazil. Frame i...
Fabric, Hardwood
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Armchairs MF5 by Branco & Preto, 1960
By Branco & Preto
Located in New York, NY
Designed in 1953 by Carlos Milan and Miguel Forte for Branco & Preto, the MF5 Armchair stands as an important piece of Brazilian modern design. Crafted in solid rosewood with a handwoven cane seat and backrest, the piece reflects the studio's precision and craft. The loose cushions...
Silk, Cane, Rosewood
Pair of R3 Armchairs by Branco & Preto, Mid-Century Modern Brazilian, 1950s
By Branco & Preto
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Designed for the pioneering São Paulo collective Branco & Preto, the R3 armchairs embody the group’s synthesis of architectural rigor and understated luxury. Their geometric stru...
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Pair of R3 Armchairs by Branco & Preto, 1952
By Branco & Preto
Located in New York, NY
A pair of R3 Armchairs by Branco & Preto, one of the pioneering studios of Brazilian modernism. Designed in the 1950s, these pieces exemplify the studio's signature craft. The ...
Fabric, Rosewood
Mid-Century Modern "R3" Armchair by Branco & Preto, 1952
By Branco & Preto
Located in New York, NY
An iconic R3 Armchair by Branco & Preto, one of the pioneering studios of Brazilian modernism. Designed in the 1950s, these pieces exemplify the studio’s signature harmony between s...
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Pair of M1 Armchairs by Branco & Preto, 1953
By Branco & Preto
Located in New York, NY
The M1 Armchair was designed in 1953 by Carlos Milan and produced by Branco & Preto, a pioneering architecture and design firm that opened in 1952 in São Paulo. This armchair has a ...
Bouclé, Rosewood
$21,829 / set
Branco & Preto armchairs model n R3
By Branco & Preto
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Branco & Preto (1952-1965) Model n°R3 Pair of armchairs Imbuia wood and fabric Edited by Branco & Preto Creation date: circa 1952 H 75 × L 62 × P 75 cm Bibliography: Movel moderno no...
Fabric, Imbuia, Paint
Branco e Preto Pair of Modern Brazilian Armchairs solid jacaranda wood, fabric
By Branco & Preto
Located in Barcelona, ES
Branco e Preto (Miguel Forte, Jacob Ruchti, Plinio Groce, Roberta Aflalo, Carlos Millan & Che Y Hwa) Pair of armchairs model “R3” Sold as individual it...
Upholstery, Jacaranda
Mid Century Modern Upholstered Armchair
Located in Pasadena, TX
This chair is made of walnut. It's upholstered in a nice floral fabric. It's made is the style of Dux.
Upholstery, Walnut
$1,989Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 34.65 in W 28.75 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Paolo Buffa Mid-Century Modern Italian Armchairs, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Beautiful pair of armchairs with curved armrests, made by Paolo Buffa in 1950. The structure in curved and padded wood, the upholstery was redone more than twenty years ago but is in...
Fabric, Beech
Pair of Jens Risom Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
Danish Jens Risom attributed Mid-Century Modern armchairs with new wool felt upholstery, circa 1960s . Button tufted. Tapered legs with minor loses and fading to wood. Good original ...
Wool
$3,183 / set
H 33.47 in W 29.14 in D 29.14 in
Pair of Mid-century Modern Italian Design Armchairs, 1950s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Pair of armchairs covered in eco-leather and brass feet, 1950s Italian design. The armchairs have original upholstery, as shown in the photos in good condition but with small signs o...
Brass
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Black Walnut Lounge Armchairs, 1957
By Edward Wormley
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Elegant pair of black walnut lounge armchairs. Totally restored including wood and all new upholstery and padding. Great style with wrap aro...
Walnut, Fabric
$25,000 / set
H 28 in W 32 in D 33 in
Pair of Brazilian Modern Rosewood and Mohair Armchairs, Bertomeu, Brazil, 1960s
By Bertomeu & Cia
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional pair of Brazilian Modern armchairs by Bertomeu, showcasing the bold sculptural language and refined craftsmanship that defined Brazil’s most celebrated furniture maker...
Mohair, Rosewood
$3,600 / set
H 35.8 in W 18 in D 18.8 in
Brazilian Modern Pair of Armchairs in Hardwood & Cane, Unknown, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Attributed to an unknown Brazilian maker and dating to the 1960s, this pair of armchairs reflects the disciplined clarity that defines much of the period’s seating design. Their arch...
Cane, Hardwood
$25,012 / set
H 30.52 in W 26.78 in D 26.78 in
Jorge Zalszupin 2 armchairs model 'Ouro Preto' Brazil 1960
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Paris, IDF
Jorge Zalszupin (né en 1922) Pair or armchair Modèle "Ouro Preto" in solid Rio palissander and original beige leather Made in Brazil around 1960 Good condi...
Leather, Jacaranda, Palisander
Mid-Century Modern Beige Armchair, Edmund Homa, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beige armchair, designed by Edmund Homa. The armchair was made in the 1960s in the Goscieninska Furniture Factory. It is made from solid beechwood. The GFM type armchair is regarded ...
Textile, Beech
$16,000 / set
H 31 in W 26 in D 24 in
Brazilian Modern Pair of "Fixed Commander" Armchairs, Jorge Zalszupin, 1970s
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
This pair of “Commander” armchairs was conceived to attend Brazil’s growing market of office furniture. The first model (with casters) was developed in 1973 and later, this fixed mod...
Metal
$3,520Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.34 in W 32.49 in D 27.37 in
Pair of New Upholstered Mid-Century Modern Armchairs by Lifa, West Germany, 1963
By LIFA
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Great pair of New Upholstered Mid-Century Modern armchairs by Lifa West Germany High quality German manufacturing from the 1960s We upholstered these chairs with a stunning mid...
Wool, Beech
$13,250 / set
H 30.32 in W 32.29 in D 35.44 in
Pair of Mid Century Modern Armchairs, Europe Mid-20th Century
Located in Utrecht, NL
Mid century modern design in Europe was driven by a desire to balance comfort, clarity, and everyday use. Emerging after the Second World War, it favoured honest materials, soft scul...
Fabric, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of vintage modern office chairs with walnut wood frames. Handsome mid-century design for your living room. Please confirm location NY ...
Faux Leather, Walnut
$4,911Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 32.68 in W 24.81 in D 24.81 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Armchairs Gio Ponti Style, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
This pair of midcentury armchairs features the unique design style of Gio Ponti. Two-tone upholstery and curved back and armrests make these a stylish selection for any room.
Plastic, Wood
$8,400Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 29.93 in W 25.2 in D 30.24 in
Pair of Brazilian Midcentury Modern Armchairs, Unknown Designer, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Hidden among Brazil's modern furniture heritage are pieces whose origins remain a mystery. These designs, beautifully crafted and steeped in the aesthetics of their time, are yet to ...
Hardwood, Leather
Pair of Brazilian Jacaranda Cane Chairs by Studio Branco & Preto
By Branco & Preto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Brazilian jacaranda cane chairs by Studio Branco & Preto
Cane, Jacaranda