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.
Bar Cabinet with Footrest by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, c. 1955, Forma S.A
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, 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
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, 1950s
By Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, 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 ANDRÉS MARTÍNEZ, Nomon
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
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
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
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart Edward Wormley for Dunbar C1953
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
$31,981
H 34.26 in W 86.62 in D 16.93 in
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
$6,304
H 45.28 in W 35.44 in D 19.69 in
Mid-Century Semainier Dresser by Hauner & Eisler for Forma, 1950s
By Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Roma, RM
A refined mid-century semainier dresser designed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler for their influential furniture company Forma, dating from the 1950s–1960s. Hauner and Eisler play...
Brass
George Nelson Style Mid Century Oak Bar Cart
By George Nelson
Located in Franklin Park, IL
George Nelson Style Mid Century Oak Bar Cart This bar cart measures: 36.5 wide x 18.5 deep x 26 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting ...
Brass
$2,980
H 25.4 in W 27.17 in D 19.69 in
Cesare Lacca Brass and Rosewood Mid-Century Bar Cart, Italy, 1950s
By (After) Gio Ponti, Cesare Lacca
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular and unique Italian bar trolley in solid rosewood and brass. This incredibly stylish piece was designed by Cesare Lacca and produced in Italy during the 1950s. Fully orig...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Frederick Weinberg Wire Horse Bar Cart
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Frederick Weinberg wire Horse bar cart.
Metal, Wrought Iron
$3,746Sale Price|25% Off
H 38.75 in W 52 in D 27 in
Art Deco Style Mahogany Entry Desk or Bar by IMA S.A. Bogota, Colombia
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful Art Deco style entry desk or bar by IMA S.A. Bogota, Colombia comprised of mahogany, mahogany veneer, laminate, brass hinges, and brass ring pulls. Gorgeous condition with wear as you would expect with a vintage piece but no outstanding flaws that we have detected. A small repair was made in the veneer and is unnoticeable. Please see photos. Circa 20TH Century. MARAVILLOSO!!!! This art deco style entry desk or bar was made by IMS S.A. in Bogota, Colombia and is functional, versatile, and unusually unique. It is comprised of two separate pieces. Both are solid mahogany. The base has a gorgeous Greek Key design on one side and it’s plain on the other so you can change the look to be decorative or more transparent. The countertop is a flip open design with brass ring pulls and brass hinges that open to a large storage area for supplies of your choice. There are two large drawers on each lower side and two smaller drawers above the countertop lined with laminate inside and mahogany veneer. Because it is counter height, it would be perfect as a walk-up bar. Or use it as an entry desk in your home. It would also make an awesome check in counter at a restaurant, check out space at a boutique or nail...
Brass
Vintage Dry Bar By Davis Cabinet Co
By Davis Cabinet Company
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Wood
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
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