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 Rohe, Charles 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 seating, tables and storage pieces.
Mid-Century Modern Slatted Bench by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, 1955
By Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner, Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
A bench designed by Martin Eisler in 1955 and produced by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte. The piece is constructed in solid Caviúna, with thin slats arranged in a rhythmic patte...
Rosewood
$35,000 / set
H 27.16 in W 30.31 in D 29.52 in
Rare Forma armchairs by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, 1955
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in São Paulo, BR
This particular piece showcases a rare design crafted by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler for Forma in 1955. Though Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler are primarily known for their well-s...
Wood
Armchairs by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner, Brazil 1950s.
By Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair of armchairs designed by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner, manufactured by Forma S/A in Brazil in the earlies 1950. The structure is made of solid painted steel. The characteristi...
Iron
$16,884Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.04 in W 59.85 in D 30.71 in
Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longue by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Berlin, DE
Extremely Rare Lounge Chair by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Produced by Forma. A striking piece featuring a delicate steel frame with brass feet and organically sculpted wooden ar...
Metal
$3,600Sale Price / set|44% Off
H 18.9 in W 18.51 in D 12.6 in
Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler Pair of Stools
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Washington, DC
Beautiful and interesting pair of iron and cane stools by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler. Can also be used as side tables.
Metal
$8,900 / set
H 31 in W 27.5 in D 28 in
Martin Eisler Carlo Hauner, Lounge Chairs, Rattan, Steel, Forma, Brazil, c. 1955
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of rattan and steel lounge chairs designed by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner and produced by Forma, Brazil, c. 1955. Seat Height (inches): 15" All items ship from High Poin...
Steel
$48,500
H 30.52 in W 28.35 in D 29.53 in
Mid-Century Brazilian Modern- Costela Armchairs by Hauner & Eisler, Forma, 1950s
By Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner, Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma
Located in São Paulo, SP
**Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler Costela Armchair for Forma, Brazil, 1953** Exceptional and highly rare original Costela armchair, designed by C...
Stainless Steel
$20,337
H 66 in W 71 in D 102 in
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...
Iron
$24,000
H 14.97 in W 122.05 in D 23.63 in
Mid-Century Modern Curved Bench by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler for Forma, 1960s
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern CurvedBench by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler for Forma, 1960s This curvaceous bench was done in a beautiful solid wood, and it has a natural finish that mainta...
Metal
$21,137 / set
H 31.5 in W 33.47 in D 61.03 in
Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler Rattan Lounge Chairs Brazil 1955
By Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
A beautiful pair of lounge chairs in rattan by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, made by Forma Móveis in Brazil in 1955. The chairs are in fully original condition and have never been ...
Metal
$16,110
H 43.31 in W 66.93 in D 25.2 in
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...
Metal
$16,567
H 30.71 in W 27.56 in D 29.14 in
Pair of "Concha" Armchairs by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, Brasil, 1955
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma
Located in Echt, NL
Set of beautiful ‘Concha’ chairs in very good condition. Designed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler in 1955 Manufactured by Forma Moveis, Brazil The ch...
Metal
$13,384
H 30.71 in W 29.14 in D 30.52 in
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...
Metal