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.
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, 1960s
By Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
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
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
$1,591Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.32 in W 36.23 in D 18.9 in
Mid-Century Mahogany Wood and Brass Italian Serving Bar Cart, 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
Unique mid-century bar cart in mahogany wood and brass. This fantastic item was designed in Italy during the 1960s. This magnificent bar cart is amazing because of the shape of th...
Metal, Brass
$2,054
H 29.14 in W 38.98 in D 18.9 in
Hand-Crafted Italian Bamboo Bar Cart, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Hand-Crafted Italian Bamboo Bar Cart, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s Italian Bamboo and Rattan Bar Cart Trolley with curved pockets for bottles and brass casters Italy, 1960's. Beautiful...
Bamboo, Wicker
Jacques Adnet Cart Bar Trolley Tea Table
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
This magnificent Jacques Adnet bar cart comes from a Chateau in the Medoc near Bordeaux in the South West of France where it has been since the 1950s The glass of the tray sti...
Metal, Aluminum
Vintage 1960s Italian-designed bamboo bar cart
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Two-shelf bar cart with a bamboo and wicker frame, Italian design, 1960s. CONDITION: In good condition, with signs of wear due to age. DIMENSIONS: Height 68 cm; Width 45 cm; Depth ...
Bamboo, Wicker
Midentury Modern Wood Rolling Bar Cart, Italy 1960s
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Vintage Wood and Brass Rolling Bar Cart, Italy 1960s Rare 1960s Italian vintage rolling bar cart features a solid wood frame veneered in dark walnut wood, it exudes warmth and sophi...
Iron
$55,000
H 29.53 in W 86.62 in D 35.44 in
Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler Dining Table, midcentury Brazilian modern design
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner
Located in São Paulo, SP
Elegant and rare dining table designed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler for Forma in the 1950s, a striking example of Brazilian modernist design. Crafted in solid caviuna wood with ...
Cane, Glass, Wood, Hardwood
Boho Chic Rattan and Wicker Bar Cart
Located in Redding, CT
Boho Chic Rattan and wicker Bar Cart. Wicker top and bottom shelf with rattan structure. Cabinet doors open to ample space for bottles. Easy to wheel ...
Metal
Móveis Bertomeu, Bar Cart, Caviuna, Brazil, 1960s
By Bertomeu & Cia
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Móveis Bertomeu Caviuna Bar Cart Brazil, 1960s Offered by RAFA gallery
Formica, Caviuna
Bremshey Bar Cart Trolley 1960s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Bremshey Folding Bar Cart Troliey Germany 1960s
Chrome
$775
H 25.75 in W 28.5 in D 18 in
1960s Danish Modern Teak Bar Cart, Bar Trolley, Tea Cart by BRDR FURBO Denmark
By BRDR Furbo
Located in Monrovia, CA
Mid Century Danish Modern teak bar cart by BRDR FURBO Made in Spøttrup Denmark, Tea Trolley. 1960s Danish Teak Bar Cart, Bar Trolley, Tea Cart. Made In Denmark. Note, Minor Wear Is Photographed. Marked Under Bottom Of Cart Is Original Labels. Made in Denmark by BRDR FURBO. Beautiful Danish Teak Cart...
Wood, Teak
$14,700 / item
H 27.56 in W 17.72 in D 45.28 in
Bar Cart in Tropical Brazilian Hardwood, Contemporary Design
By Rahyja Afrange
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This tea cart or bar cart made of tropical Brazilian hardwood evokes the ancient ritual of making tea, which endures as one of the few things we can...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart by Giuseppe Scapinelli, 1960's
By Giuseppe Scapinelli
Located in Saudade, MG
Giuseppe Scapinelli Bar Cart, designed in the 1960s. Crafted from solid caviúna wood, it features transparent glass shelves that enhance the piece's visual lightness while emphasizin...
Glass, Caviuna
$2,640Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Tiled Tea-Cart with Removable Trays, Brazil, 1960s
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Brazilian Mid-Century Modern tile and hardwood tea-cart or bar-cart, Brazil, 1960s. Structured in solid Brazilian hardwood, this charming 1960s tea-cart features two removable tra...
Metal
$3,000
H 25.6 in W 21.7 in D 28.3 in
Brazilian Midcentury Bar Cart in Wood by Carlo Hauner for Moveis Artesanal, 1955
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
Produced in the 1950s by Movéis Artesanal—the workshop that would evolve into Forma under Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler—this bar cart reflects the experimental spirit that defined e...
Metal
$10,700Sale Price|28% Off
H 29 in W 32.75 in D 19.75 in
Sergio Rodrigues Brazilian Rosewood Convertible Bar Cart, c 1960s Brazil
By OCA Brazil, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This innovative bar cart by Sergio Rodrigues was crafted in circa 1960 from Brazilian Rosewood with contrasting white formica interior, made in Brazil and recently imported to the states. Fully restored and ready to be used and cherished immediately. A highly sought-after collectors piece, this dry bar / trolley features a flip-top which becomes a usable platform...
Formica, Rosewood
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
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