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, Forma Brazil, 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 Round Coffee table, by Susi Aczel and Martin Eisler, 1953.
By Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in New York, NY
This round coffee table in Caviúna was designed by Martin Eisler (1913-1977) and Susi Aczel (1931-) for Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte. The piece refers to a furniture typology ...
Glass, Wood, Hardwood
Mid-Century Modern Round Coffee table, by Susi Aczel and Martin Eisler, 1953.
By Forma Brazil, Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
A round coffee table in Caviúna designed by Martin Eisler and Susi Aczel for Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte. The piece refers to a furniture typology common in the mid-century a...
Glass, Wood, Hardwood
Mid-Century Modern Set of 5 High Stools, Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, 1954
By Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Martin Eisler and produced by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte in 1955, this set of five high stools is an example of mid-century Brazilian design. Each piece features...
Iron
Late Brazilian Modern Dining Table in Iron, Chrome & Glass, Forma, Brazil, 1970S
By Forma Brazil
Located in New York, NY
A striking example of Brazilian modernist design from the 1970s, this dining table was produced by Forma, one of the most progressive manufacturers working during a period when Brazi...
Iron
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
Brazilian Modern Bar Cart by Forma, Rosewood & Chrome, 1960s Design
By Forma Brazil
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Forma in the 1960s, this Brazilian Modern bar cart is an elegant study in proportion, material contrast, and functional design. Its architectural composition is defined b...
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, 1960s
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in New York, NY
A bar cart produced by Forma, the company founded by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, two of the most influential figures in Brazilian modern design. Crafted in caviuna, the piece fe...
Wood, Formica
Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner Round Brazilian Wood and Glass Coffee Table
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in Barcelona, ES
Martin Eisler (1913-1977) & Carlo Hauner (1927-1997) Coffee table Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1950s Ebonized wood, glass top Midcentury design Brazilian coffee table. Mea...
Glass, Wood
Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner Round Brazilian Wood and Glass Coffee Table
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in Barcelona, ES
Martin Eisler (1913-1977) & Carlo Hauner (1927-1997) Coffee table Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1950s Ebonized wood, glass top Midcentury design Brazilian coffee table. Measurements 60 cm diameter x 49 height cm. 23.50 in diameter x 19.3 height in. Literature Brazil Modern, the rediscovery of 20th century Brazilian furniture – Aric Chen, 2016. Martin Eisler (Vienna, Austria, 1913 - São Paulo, Brazil, 1977), was an architect and furniture designer. He was part of a group of European architects and designers who left Europe during the chaos of the Second World War and went to live and work in Brazil. Eisler stood out amongst this group of creatives, his work was at the forefront of modern furniture design in Brazil which flourished through the 1950s and 1960s in the region. The work of Martin Eisler in partnership with Carlo Hauner (1927-1996) was of particular significance. Eisler left Europe in 1938 due to the rise of fascist regimes. He first lived in Argentina, where he was settled and worked as an architect, set designer and interior designer, he opened up an interior design firm Interieur Forma. In 1940, he married Rosl Wolf, the daughter of German immigrants. Born in Brescia in 1927, Carlo Hauner studied technical drawing and drawing at the Brera Academy in Milan, Italy. In 1948 he successfully participated in the Venice Biennale after which he moved to Brazil, where he dedicated himself to the design of textile, ceramics, furniture and architecture. In only a very short time he founded a furniture production company and purchased a factory from Lina Bo Bardi and her husband Pietro Bardi, renaming it Móveis Artesanal. In 1953 Hauner met Martin Eisler, who was looking for help to produce furniture for the home of his brother-in-law, Ernesto Wolf. Eisler reached out to Hauner and the rest is history. The two men connected and with Wolf’s financial backing, they opened Galeria Artesanal (a store for their company Móveis Artesenal) on a busy street in São Paulo. Being highly ambitious and with an eye on the international market as well as the upcoming office market, Móvies Artesanal later changed into Forma. Along with Oca, Forma became one of the biggest names in Brazilian furniture production. Even managing to attract an exclusive license to sell Knoll furniture, bringing big names in international design such as Mies Van Der Rohe, Charles Eames and Harry Bertoia to the Brazilian furniture market. Hauner and Eisler’s designs are characterized by the use of Brazilian woods, thin tubular frames and a range from furniture, to ceramics and textiles. Some of their most famous designs are the “rib” lounge chair...
Glass, Wood
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
$3,200
H 29 in W 60 in D 36 in
1970s Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman Style Glass & Chromed Steel Dining Table
By Tri-Mark, Milo Baughman
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Fabulous 1970s vintage mid-century modern Milo Baughman style rectangular clear tempered glass and polished chromed steel Parsons style dining table by Tri-Mark Designs. Features fou...
Steel, Chrome
$1,800
H 28 in W 72 in D 42 in
Milo Baughman Style, Expanding Dining Table, Chrome, Smoked Glass, USA, 1970s
By Milo Baughman
Located in Stamford, CT
Milo Baughman Style, American Mid-Century Modern, Expanding Dining Table, Chrome, Smoked Glass, USA, 1970s An interesting dining table often attributed to Milo Baughman and likely p...
Chrome
Round Coffee Table by Thonet
By Thonet, August Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Round coffee table by Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Bentwood
$3,907Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.35 in Dm 51.19 in
Vittorio Introini Dining Table, Smoked Glass & Chrome, 1970s Italy
By Vittorio Introini
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Glass dining table designed by Vittorio Introini, made in Italy in the 1970s. The table has a smoked glass top of 15 mm thickness. Supporting structure is made of chrome-plated m...
Chrome
Italian Pedestal Dining Table in Chrome and Glass, 1970s
By Gastone Rinaldi
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Italian Pedestal Dining Table in Chrome and Glass, 1970s Beautiful round dining table made of chromed metal with glass top, designed in style of Gastone Rinaldi. Made in Italy, ca....
Metal, Chrome
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
1970s Sculptural Chrome Dining Or Center Table
By Pace Furniture Company
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Modern sleek and sculptural chrome 1970s tubular dining or center table. This table is simply stunning. The photographs really capture its beauty. Curved chrome supports reflect and ...
Chrome
Midcentury Chrome and Glass Dining Table, Italy, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Italy, circa 1960s-1970s - Good original condition - The glass shows signs of use - scratches, scuffed edges, missing pieces of glass - Chrome has an old patina - Glass is ...
Chrome
Italian Chrome & Glass Dining Table, 1970's
Located in Lisbon, PT
This dining table was designed and produced in Italy during 1970's. The structure has four legs and is made of chromed steel rectangular tubes and smoked glass top. Height with exte...
Metal, Chrome
$13,602 / item
H 13.78 in W 59.06 in D 47.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Landscape Coffee Table Calacatta Marble Handmade Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Landscape Coffee Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins fo...
Marble, Onyx, Travertine, Brass, Stainless Steel
Martin Eisler for Forma Coffee Tray Table
By Forma Brazil, Martin Eisler
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Martin Eisler for Forma, 1452 trolley table, stained beech, brassed metal, Formica, circa 1960. This small elegant coffee table and bar trolle...
Metal
Dining Table in Caviuna Hardwood & Glass by Forma Brazil, 1960s
By Forma Brazil
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this Dining Table in Caviuna Hardwood & Glass by Forma Brazil, 1960s is nothing less than gorgeous! The frame of the dining table is made with Caviuna hardwood and ...
Glass, 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 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
Sold
H 28.75 in W 35.24 in D 35.24 in
Forma S.A. Game Table in Rosewood by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, c. 1955
By Carlo Hauner, Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
This game table was produced by the Brazilian Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte in the 1950s. The piece is made of a Rosewood structure and the top can be used on both sides: one i...
Fabric, Rosewood
Sold
H 17.72 in W 43.31 in D 21.66 in
Carlo Hauner e Martin Eisler Modern Brazilian Wood Coffee Table by Forma, 1960s
By Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Coffee table produced by Forma Brazil Furniture design by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler The coffee table has been polished with shellac Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler were the l...
Wood
Martin Eisler Coffee Table in Caviuna Wood, Brazil, 1950s
By Forma Brazil, Martin Eisler
Located in Utrecht, NL
Martin Eisler coffee table in Caviuna wood and glass, Brazil 1950s This small coffee table is designed by Martin Eisler and Susi Aczel for Forma. The coffee table consists of a wooden base supported by three delicate tapered legs giving the table an elevated feeling. On top of the base are three rounded elements positioned round the top that support the round glass tabletop. The elements rise slightly upwards around the edge of the glass making the glass top fall perfectly into the frame. The outer sides of the caviuna table...
Glass, Wood
Mid Century Rosewood Conference Dining Table by Florence Knoll
By Knoll, Florence Knoll, Forma Brazil
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage dining or conference table in Brazilian rosewood designed by Florence Knoll. This piece features a boat shaped tabletop supported by a rectangular steel base finished in poli...
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 34.65 in W 18.9 in D 37.8 in
Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Tea Cart in Wood and Glass with Removable Trays
By Forma Brazil
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Brazilian tea cart in imbuia wood and glass by Forma manufacture. It has three removable trays. Two in glass framed by wood and one in solid wood. Wheels in chro...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Tea Cart by Forma Brazilian Manufacture
By Forma Brazil
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Beautiful organic Brazilian tea cart done in Imbuia wood. The trays are removable and are done in Imbuia wood, natural straw and covered in glass.
Straw, Glass, Wood, Imbuia
Sold
H 17.72 in Dm 15.75 in
Side Table Iron and Glass by Warren Platner for Knoll Inc., Brazilian Production
By Forma Brazil, Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Classic Platner side table, produced in Brazil by Forma S/A under license of Knoll Inc, circa 1960. Original glass top has a small chip, iron is in great shape and shows age. Can ...
Chrome
Sold
H 28.5 in W 91 in D 38 in
1960s Rectangular Brazilian Jacaranda Wood and Chrome Dining Table by Forma
By Forma Brazil
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brazilian Jacaranda wood rectangular dining table for eight by Forma from the 1960s with chrome pedestal leg.
Chrome
Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner, Coffee Table, Brazil, 1955
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in Barcelona, ES
Martin Eisler (1913-1977) & Carlo Hauner (1927-1997) Coffee table Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1950s Ebonized wood, glass top Meas...
Glass, Wood