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 Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
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
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, 1950s
By Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and 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
Bar Cabinet with Footrest by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, c. 1955, Forma S.A
By Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
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
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
Spanish, Bar Cabinet in Bamboo with Wheels, 1950s
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful Spanish bamboo bar cabinet from the 1950s with a cupboard door and a lower shelf with a bottle rack. On its legs it has wheels as a bar cart. Design period 1950 to 1959. ...
Bamboo
$5,800 / item
H 35 in W 32 in D 19 in
Modern Bar Cabinet with Steel Frame, Oak Slats and Leather Top by KLEIN
By Klein Agency
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials - Steel, Oak Wood // Style - Sculptural Modern // Origin - USA // Condition - New, Made to Order Be it in the gentleman’s corner of your apartment or centre stage in your ...
Cut Steel
$11,237 / 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
$13,260
H 35.44 in W 36.82 in D 19.3 in
Mid-Century Modern Record Player Cabinet by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, 1955
By Martin Eisler, Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner
Located in New York, NY
A Caviúna record player produced by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte in the 1950s, with designs by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler. This record player has two hanging doors...
Hardwood
Móveis Paschoal Bianco, Sideboard, Wood, Brazil, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A sizable wood sideboard or cabinet produced by Móveis Paschoal Bianco, Brazil, c. 1950s. Minor wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 35.9"H x 98.75"W x 21...
Wood
$13,500
H 18 in W 71 in D 15 in
Brazilian Modern Floating Bar / Sideboard in Hardwood by Carlo Hauner, 1950s
By Carlo Hauner
Located in New York, NY
Designed in the 1950s by Carlo Hauner, this rare floating bar or sideboard showcases Hauner’s early mastery of proportion, material, and refined detail. Executed in richly grained Br...
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
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
$4,995
H 32.25 in W 66 in D 16 in
Vintage MCM to Modern Rosewood Buffet Credenza Lucite Legs Attr Bernhardt Flair
By Bernhardt, Flair, Milo Baughman
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous vintage Mid-Century Modern to modern Rosewood buffet or credenza with Lucite legs & chrome accents attributed to Bernhardt Flair. This pi...
Metal, Chrome
$9,950
H 31 in W 48 in D 20 in
Sleek Restored Vintage Modern Credenza in Walnut by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning example of a rare multipurpose case piece by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, circa 1950s. Expertly crafted walnut case construction with elegant lines and detail. Wo...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart Edward Wormley for Dunbar C1953
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous bar cart/server with a drop down top which is 27 inches and 54 when raised, shelves for bottles, cupboard for glasses and other necessities. Model # 5433 created out of waln...
Brass
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 Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil, Martin Eisler
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 Forma Brazil, Martin Eisler
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 Carlo Hauner, Forma Brazil
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