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Forma Brazil Furniture

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
Dealer: Side-Gallery
Franco Albini Midcentury Brazilian Dining Chair jacaranda and fabric
By Franco Albini, Forma Brazil
Located in Barcelona, ES
Franco Albini (1905-1977) Six dining chairs with arms (Price per chair) Manufactured by Forma Brazil Brazil, 1950s Solid jacaranda wood and fabric Measurements 58 cm x 55 cm x 77 ...
Category

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

Materials

Upholstery, Jacaranda

Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner Midcentury Brazilian Armchairs White Fabric Metal
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
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 Furniture

Materials

Metal

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 Furniture

Materials

Iron

Martin Eisler & Carlos Hauner Pair of Modern Brazilian Armchairs wood and velvet
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
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 cm x 77 cm x 72 H cm. 30.3 in x 30.3 in x 28.3 H in. Literature: Casa & Jardim, 1956. Nº 92 Details: Belonging to a three pieces set of sofa and two armchairs.
Category

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

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner Round Brazilian Wood and Glass Coffee Table
By Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Barcelona, ES
Martin Eisler (1913-1977) & Carlo Hauner (1927-1997) Coffee table Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1950s Ebonized wood, glass top Midcentury design Brazilian coffee table. Mea...
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Wood

Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner Brazilian Design Pink Silk Wood Dining Chair, 1950
By Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Barcelona, ES
Martin Eisler (1913-1977) & Carlo Hauner (1927-1997) Dining chairs 2 available. Manufactured by Forma Moveis, Brazil, 1950 Wood, cane and silk upholstery Measurements 40 cm x 50 c...
Category

Early 20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Forma Brazil Furniture

Materials

Silk, Cane, Wood

Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner Pair of Midcentury Brazilian White Lounge Chairs
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in Barcelona, ES
Martin Eisler (1913-1977) & Carlos Hauner (1927-1997) Pair of lounge chairs Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1950s Black painted metal, fabric upholstery Measurements 65 cm x 64 cm x 90 H cm. 25.5 in x 25 in x 35.4 H in. Literature Brazil Modern, the rediscovery of 20th century Brazilian furniture – Aric Chen, 2016. Beside Carlos Hauner, Martin Eisler(1913­1977) was the founder for the iconic Brazilian furniture company Forma. He was born in Vienna, Austria, and studied architecture in his country. In 1938 he moved to Buenos Aires. After meeting Carlos Hauner in Brazil, he started traveling there frequently to collaborate on designs and, they founded Forma to sell their own designs as well as pieces licensed from Knoll International. Eisler also opened Forma in Buenos Aires, along with partners Arnold Hakel and Susi Aczel...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner Modern Brazilian Pair of Low Armchairs White Fabric
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
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 Furniture

Materials

Metal

Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner Round Brazilian Wood and Glass Coffee Table
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in Barcelona, ES
Martin Eisler (1913-1977) & Carlo Hauner (1927-1997) Coffee table Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1950s Ebonized wood, glass top Midcentury design Brazilian coffee table. Measurements 60 cm diameter x 49 height cm. 23.50 in diameter x 19.3 height 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 Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner Modern Brazilian Lounge Chair Model "Shell" White
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in Barcelona, ES
Martin Eisler (1913-1977) & Carlo Hauner (1927-1997) Armchair model “Shell” Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1955 Black painted metal, white fabric upholstery. A Mid-Century modern Brazilian Armchair by Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner designed in 1955. The chairs are upholstered in a cream/white fabric with black painted metal legs. Measurements 74 cm x 77,5 cm x 78h cm. 29,1 in x 30,5 in x 30,7h in. Literature Móvel moderno Brasileiro, Marcelo Vasconcellos, Aeroplano, P. 201 Desenho da Utopia, Brazilian Modern Furnitures...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner Brazilian Mid-century Design White upholstered Sofa
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in Barcelona, ES
Martin Eisler (1913-1977) and Carlo Hauner (1927-1997) Sofa Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1950s Black painted metal, white/cream fabric upholstery...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

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 Furniture

Materials

Metal

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Glass, Wood

Martin Eisler & Carlos Hauner Dining Table, Manufactured by Forma, Brazil, 1950
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
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Martin Eisler (1913-1977) & Carlos Hauner (1927-1997) Dining table Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1950 Caviuna wood, cane, glass top ...
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1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Forma Brazil Furniture

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Forma Brazil furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Forma Brazil furniture 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 furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Forma Brazil were created in the mid-century modern style in south america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Móveis Cimo, Liceu de Artes e Ofícios, and Geraldo de Barros. Prices for Forma Brazil furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,160 and can go as high as $40,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $13,297.

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