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 Round Coffee table, by Susi Aczel and Martin Eisler, 1953.
By Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
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 Round Coffee table, by Susi Aczel and Martin Eisler, 1953.
By Forma Brazil, Martin Eisler
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
$7,445 / item
H 11.82 in W 43.71 in D 39.38 in
Bordeira Coffee Table by Rute Martins, Patagonia Granite and Black Oak
By Greenapple, Rute Martins
Located in Lisboa, PT
The Bordeira coffee table by Rute Martins for Greenapple, in Patagonia granite and black-stained American oak. Handcrafted in Portugal. W 111 x D...
Granite, Quartz
$13,172 / 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
Round Wheat Bamboo Sheaf Base Coffee Table Mid-Century Modern McGuire
By McGuire
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern white wash finish bamboo sheaf base coffee table by McGuire.
Bamboo
$2,795
H 12.41 in Dm 35.44 in
Mid-Century Modern Leather and Wood Circular Coffee Table by Angel I. Pazmino
By Muebles De Estilo
Located in London, GB
Rare Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by Ángel I. Pazmiño – Ecuador, 1960s The work of Ecuadorian designer Ángel I. Pazmiño has been internationally recognized since the 1960s, when ...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Square Travertine Coffee Table
By Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid century Italian modern 40" square travertine coffee table.
Travertine
$7,445 / item
H 11.82 in W 43.71 in D 39.38 in
Bordeira Coffee Table by Rute Martins, Shadow Onyx and White Lacquer
By Greenapple, Rute Martins
Located in Lisboa, PT
The Bordeira coffee table by Rute Martins for Greenapple, in Shadow onyx and pure white satin lacquer. Handcrafted in Portugal. W 111 x D 100 x H 30 cm...
Onyx
Mid-Century Modern Square Glass and Brass Coffee Table
By Pace Collection
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern glass coffee table by Pace Collection.
Brass
$6,800
H 19 in Dm 48 in
Gibbings for Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern Round Walnut Coffee Table Tapered Legs
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Gibbings for Widdicomb Mid-Century Modern round walnut coffee table tapered legs.
Walnut
$9,736
H 13.78 in W 70.87 in D 49.61 in
Mid-Century Modern Infinity Marble Coffee Table, Green Antiqua, by Greenapple
By GF Modern, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Infinity Marble Coffee Table, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The Infinity marble coffee table reflects the passage of time in an endless gaze, captivating attention with every encounter. Featuring a petal-shaped tabletop handcrafted by our master artisans, its sculptural silhouette evokes a sense of movement and elegance. A true statement piece, the Infinity marble coffee table brings sophistication and artistic allure to contemporary interiors. Designed by Rute Martins, Greenapple's Creative Director. The Infinity Coffee Table...
Onyx, Marble, Carrara Marble, Travertine, Brass, Stainless Steel, Gold Leaf
$9,965 / item
H 13.78 in W 48.04 in D 30.71 in
Mid-Century Modern Landscape Brass&Marble Coffee Table, Handmade by Greenapple
By GF Contemporary, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Landscape Marble Coffee Table, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Landscape marble coffee table draws inspiration from t...
Marble, Travertine, Onyx, Statuary Marble, Brass
Solid Walnut & Slate Rectangular Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table
By Jens Risom, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Rockaway, NJ
High quality craftsmanship slate top solid oiled walnut base coffee table signed and dated 1972.
Slate
$6,643 / item
H 11.82 in W 43.71 in D 39.38 in
Bordeira Coffee Table by Rute Martins, Rainbow Onyx and White Lacquer
By Rute Martins, Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
The Bordeira coffee table by Rute Martins for Greenapple, in Rainbow onyx and oyster white satin lacquer. Handcrafted in Portugal. W 111 x D 100 x H 30 cm...
Onyx