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 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 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
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
$2,438
H 28.35 in W 17.33 in D 27.56 in
Cesare Lacca Brass and Wood Mid-Century Bar Cart, Italy, 1950s
By Cesare Lacca, (After) Gio Ponti
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
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
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
$1,462Sale 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
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
Etoile Bar Cabinet by Chiara Provasi
By Chiara Provasi
Located in Milan, IT
Part of the Etoile collection, this cabinet can be displayed alone in a modern or Classic bedroom, or it can be combined with the other pieces from the same series for a lavish look....
Metal
$2,438
H 29.93 in W 33.08 in D 18.51 in
Elegant Italian Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart Serving Trolley in Beechwood, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Elegant Italian serving trolley from the 1950s, crafted in beautifully shaped beechwood with glass shelves and brass-mounted castors. A refined mid-century design featuring flowing o...
Brass
$63,855
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
$2,275
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
$32,391
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
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 Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, 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
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