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 Bar 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 chrome structure an...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, 1950s
By Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in New York, NY
This Bar 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 chrome structure and loose trays of solid Rosewood and Formica. This gorgeous piece has wheels, allowing it to be easily moved around the house – indeed, the best support your drinks could have. In 1955, the pioneer company Móveis Artesanal, founded by Carlo Hauner in partnership with Martin Eisler e Ernesto Wolf, changed the name to Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte. The purpose was to make the company more attractive to the business market, which was rapidly developing. Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Art manufactured a few icons of Brazilian design history, such as the Costela Armchair...
Chrome
$9,200 / set
H 19.69 in W 22.45 in D 15.75 in
Hauner & Eisler - Moveis Artesanal - Rare Pair of 1950s nest table in wood
By Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner
Located in São Paulo, SP
This set of nesting tables, designed by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner for Móveis Artesanal in the mid-1950s, is a rare and iconic example of modern Brazilian design. Made from solid wood, the tables stand out for their light forms and sophisticated use of materials. The thin, tapered legs add elegance, while the white Formica tops create a striking contrast with the warm tone of the wood. Móveis Artesanal was a company that preceded Forma, where the design duo became more widely recognized. The functional and versatile design of the nesting tables reflects the designers’ ability to combine aesthetics with practicality, allowing the tables to be used separately or grouped together. This set is a classic example of Brazilian modernist furniture...
Formica, 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
Small Cabinet with Bar and Internal Light - Italy - 1950s
Located in Milano, IT
Refined Mid-Century Modern bar cabinet attributed to Umberto Mascagni, 1950s. A timeless piece of design that embodies the elegance and creativity of 1950s Italian design. This gorg...
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 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
$33,549
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
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
George Nelson Style Mid Century Oak Bar Cart
By George Nelson
Located in Franklin Park, IL
George Nelson style mid century oak bar cart Bar cart measures: 36.5 wide x 18.5 deep x 26 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we cal...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart Edward Wormley for Dunbar C1953
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
Elegant Wooden Bar Cart Serving Trolley, Italy, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Elegant Italian midcentury tea trolley or bar cart in the style of Ico Parisi. Including the original removable serving tray and of course the glass top.
Brass
$14,400
H 114.18 in W 18.9 in D 23.63 in
Sky Earth Bookstore, Carlo Hauner and Martin Hesler, Forma Brescia, 1960
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Milano, Lombardia
CARLO HAUNER (1927-1997) & MARTIN HESLER (1913-1977) Steel and metal bookcase with rosewood shelves for Forma, Brescia 1960
Steel
Elegant Wooden Bar Cart Serving Trolley, Italy, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Elegant Italian midcentury tea trolley or bar cart in the style of Ico Parisi. Including the original removable serving tray and the glass top.
Brass
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, Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and 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 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