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.
Sideboard - Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler Forma Moveis, Brazil, 1950s
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in Rosendahl, DE
A rare and exquisite four-door buffet designed by Martin Eisler and Carlos Hauner, founders of the iconic Brazilian furniture company Forma Móveis. Crafted in Brazil in the 1950s, th...
Cane, Wood
Credenza in Solid Caviúna Hardwood by Forma, Brazilian Modern, Brazil, 1960s
By Forma Brazil
Located in New York, NY
Produced by Forma during the golden era of Brazilian Modernism in the 1960s, this exceptional credenza embodies the movement's commitment to sculptural simplicity, uncompromising cra...
Brass
Bar Cabinet with Footrest by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, c. 1955, Forma S.A
By Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
This fabulous Home Bar in Brazilian Caviuna wood was manufactured in c. 1955 by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte, a company with designs and creative direction by Carlo Hauner (19...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, 1950s
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil, Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
A bar cart designed by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner in the 1950s and produced by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte. It features a chrome structure and loose trays of solid Rose...
Chrome
Nomon Bar Cabinet with Marble Top by Andres Martinez
By Nomon, ANDRÉS MARTÍNEZ
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We create a space to enjoy a drink in good company. Marble top and suspended glasses from the Golden rods evoke classical bar cabinets. Available in: ...
Marble, Brass
Bronze Mirrored Bar Cabinet by Ello
By Ello Furniture
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A two-part mirrored cabinet on chest, perfect for a bar. Two mirrored doors above three mirrored drawers with modern inset brass campaign handles, on a brass base with brass sides. G...
Brass
Solid Oak Credenza with Graphic Details, France, 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt, Gaston Poisson
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Introducing a captivating and refined 1940s Art Deco sideboard, exquisitely crafted in France from solid oak. This large and elegant credenza showcases the perfect fusion of Art Deco...
Oak
$2,450
H 28.35 in W 17.33 in D 27.56 in
Cesare Lacca Brass and Wood Mid-Century Bar Cart, Italy, 1950s
By (After) Gio Ponti, Cesare Lacca
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous Italian bar trolley entirely crafted in brass and wood with crystal glass tops. This incredibly stylish and elegant piece was designed by Cesare Lacca and produced in Italy...
Brass
$1,469Sale Price|30% Off
H 29.93 in W 16.93 in D 32.68 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Brass Bar Cart, 1970s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Midcentury brass bar cart, circa 1970s. It is versatile in size and can be used as a bar or serving cart or as an additional storage space in an office. It has four bottle holders at...
Brass
Carlo Hauner Martin Eisler coffee table by Forma Italy 1955
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
The Carlo Hauner Martin Eisler versatile table for Forma Italy in 1955, is a piece of furniture that embodies both functionality and style. With its adaptable design, this table seam...
Rosewood
$11,435 / item
H 32.68 in W 100.4 in D 15.75 in
"Il Pezzo 1 Credenza" sideboard in solid walnut - marble top - brass base
By Il Pezzo Mancante
Located in Firenze, IT
An alternation of rounded shapes and geometrical lines, reassuming discipline and freedom, a composite, multiethnic plan in which each component and each material contributes to the ...
Marble, Gold, Brass
$6,450
H 39.38 in W 78.75 in D 19.69 in
Bleached Solid Oak Credenza with Graphic Details, France, 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Credenza, solid oak, France, 1940s. Large Art Deco Brutalist sideboard. The credenza consists of two central drawers and three storage facilities and covered with very detailed de...
Oak
Art Deco American Bar Cabinet, Bow Front Design, Hinged Top, 1955
Located in Queens, NY
Art Deco American bow front matchbook veneered rectangular bar cabinet with a hinged top dropdown drawer (with scroll & foliate brass escutcheon plus original bakelite signature ...
Wood
Bar Cabinet with illuminated compartments, 1940s
Located in Palermo, IT
Bar cabinet with illuminated compartments, 1940s Found in a noble apartment in my hometown, Palermo. Good condition, as per the descriptive photographs, with minor signs of aging. E1...
Wood
$2,287
H 27.56 in W 17.72 in D 28.35 in
Cesare Lacca Brass and Walnut Wood Mid-Century Bar Cart, Italy, 1950s
By Cesare Lacca, (After) Gio Ponti
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular and unique Italian bar trolley in solid brass, walnut wood and crystal glass. This stylish mid-century serving cart was designed by Cesare Lacca and produced in Italy dur...
Brass
$64,161
H 31.89 in W 105.52 in D 16.93 in
Carlos Hauner & Martin Eisler, Buffet, Caviuna Wood, Cane, Brazil, 1950
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Barcelona, ES
Carlos Hauner & Martin Eisler Buffet with five doors Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1950 Caviuna wood, cane From the archives of Side Gallery, Barcelona Measurements 268 cm x 43 cm x 81 H cm 105.52 in x 16.92 in x 31.88 H in Literature Brasilian modern: The rediscovery of 20th century Brazilian furniture. Aric Chen. Brasil, 2016 Bio Beside Carlos Hauner, Martin Eisler (1913-1977) 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...
Wood
Sold
H 23.63 in W 108.67 in D 13.78 in
Mid-Century Modern Wall-Mounted Buffet by Forma Manufacture, Brazil, 1960s
By Forma Brazil
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Wall-Mounted Buffet by Forma Manufacture, Brazil, 1960s This Wall-Mounted Buffet by Forma Manufacture is structured in wood and finished with a natural varnish, e...
Wood, Cane
1950s Brazilian Modern Credenza in Hardwood & Caning by Forma
By Forma Brazil
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this Brazilian modern credenza, designed by Forma in the 1950’s, is a true masterpiece! The frame of the credenza is made with caviuna hardwood and the outside of th...
Straw, Wood, Hardwood
Sold
H 28.9 in W 28.15 in D 17.92 in
Cane Bar Cart by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, 1950s, Forma S.A., Brazil
By Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in New York, NY
This Bar or tea cart is a rare and elegant piece designed by Martin Eisler (1913-1977) in the 1950s and produced by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte. It presents a solid Rosewood...
Chrome
Sold
H 29.1 in W 37.4 in D 20.5 in
Midcentury Chest in Hardwood & Chrome by Forma Moveis, 1965 Brazil, Sealed
By Forma Brazil
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this Mid-Century Modern Chest in Hardwood, designed by Knoll International and produced by Forma Moveis in Brazil in the 1960s is a shows...
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 30.5 in W 16.5 in D 49 in
Credenza in Caviona Wood with Cane Front by Martin Eisler for Forma, 1960
By Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in New York, NY
Credenza in caviona wood with cane front. Designed by Martin Eisler for Forma, Brazil, 1960.
Cane, Wood
Sold
H 26.38 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Mid-Century Modern Small Cabinet in Wood by Forma Manufacture, Brazil 1970s
By Forma Brazil
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Small Cabinet in Wood by Forma Manufacture, Brazil 1970s. 1970's Small vintage wood cabinet by the Brazilian Forma Manufactur...
Wood, Glass
Sold
H 118.12 in W 26.78 in D 18.12 in
Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Bookshelf by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Stunning bookshelf by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler for Forma, 1960. Sophisticated minimal design out of chromed and black lacquered metal and fine Rio Rosewood shelves. The Rosewood ...
Steel, Chrome
Brazilian Rio Rosewood Desk for Forma, 1960s
By Forma Brazil
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Nice desk from Brazil made of Rio rosewood. Small piece of sticker under the top. Two pendant drawers.
Rosewood
Sold
H 31.75 in W 90 in D 20.5 in
Carlo Hauner for Forma Brazil Large Rosewood Credenza on Plinth Base, circa 1960
By Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Newly imported from a private collector in Brazil, this impressive credenza by Carlo Hauner for Forma Brazil emulates the quality and innovation of Brazilian Modern design. Fabricated from dark Brazilian rosewood which shows a dramatic grain, this expansive sideboard is punctuated with circular black chunky concave pulls on the drawers and finger holes on the sliding doors to allow for ease of movement. These sliding drawers reveal a shelves either side for storing table linens, crockery, glassware, liquor and other household items. Fragment of Forma Brazil manufacturing label on the back of the credenza. Brazilian Modern is fantastic alternative to the usual suspects seen in Mid-Century Modern design furniture. The use of clean lines and minimal form of this piece make it appropriate for a number of locations, from Classic and contemporary homes to elegant executive offices to hip startups. It would also be great in a hospitality, retail or corporate location, such as a boutique hotel lobby, cocktail bar, members club, workspace studio, director's office or in a luxe clothing emporium. Consider pairing with our Percival Lafer sofas and coffee tables or our Sergio Rodrigues Tonico chairs...
Rosewood
Rosewood Bar Cart by Forma Brazil Attributed to Carlo Hauner
By Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner
Located in Munich, DE
Beautiful Brazilian bar cart with three removable serving tablets by Forma Sao Paulo, 1955 attributed to Carlo with makers label. Measures: H 86 ...
Rosewood, Glass