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.
Find vintage Forma seating, tables and storage pieces for sale on 1stDibs.
Brazilian Modern Dining Chairs in Rosewood by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler 1950s
By Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Troy, MI
Exceptional and rare set of dining chairs by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler Produced by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte Brazil circa 1956 Sculpted Brazilian rosewood frames w...
Cane, Rosewood
Brazilian Lounge Chair Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner - "Costela" Forma, 1950s
By Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Rosendahl, DE
This rare Costela Lounge Chair by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, produced by Forma in the 1950s, features solid wood ribs paired with a vintage leopard-patterned teddy fabric. A tru...
Steel
Pair Mid Century Modern Leather sling safari chairs Carlo Hauner Forma Italy
By Forma, Carlo Hauner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair Mid Century Modern Leather sling safari chairs designed by Carlo Hauner for Forma Made in Italy. Pair of Brown leather and off white Lacquer painted wood frame low sling safari ...
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Carlo Hauner. Headboard (piece on order), c. 1950. Edition Forma
By Carlo Hauner, Forma
Located in PARIS, FR
Made of Caviuna wood, with a matching veneer and a delicate cane, this piece combines the robustness of the wood with the delicacy of the cane. The generous dimensions of 82 x 257 x ...
Straw, Laminate, Hardwood
Carlo Hauner, Console Table, Wood, Formica, Brazil, 1950s
By Forma, Carlo Hauner
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and green formica console table designed by Carlo Hauner and produced by Forma, Brazil, c. 1950s. In unrestored original condition with lively wear and patina. Overall Dime...
Formica, Wood
Safari Armchairs by Carlo Hauner for Forma, 1970s, set of 2
By Forma, Carlo Hauner
Located in bruxelles, BE
Pair of cognac leather and wood armchairs by Carlo Hauner. Seat height: 25 cm. Wear due to age and use. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Leather, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Record Player Cabinet by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, 1955
By Carlo Hauner, Martin Eisler, Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
A Caviúna record player produced by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte in the 1950s, with designs by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler. This record player has two hanging doors...
Hardwood
Pair of Rattan Armchairs by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner for Forma, 1950
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma
Located in New York, NY
Rattan and black-painted iron lounge chair designed by by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner for Forma, produced in Brazil, c. 1950s.
Iron
Martin Eisler Carlo Hauner, Lounge Chairs, Rattan, Steel, Forma, Brazil, c. 1955
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of rattan and steel lounge chairs designed by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner and produced by Forma, Brazil, c. 1955. Seat Height (inches): 15" All items ship from High Poin...
Steel
Carlo Hauner Martin Eisler Concha lounge chairs Brazil 1955
By Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare Pair of ‘Concha’ Lounge Chairs by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler for Forma Móveis, Brazil, 1955. Authentic Frames, Expertly Reupholstered in Sand Bouclé. A masterful balance of sculptural elegance and tactile comfort, this exceptional pair of Concha (Portuguese for “shell”) lounge chairs was designed in 1955 by the influential Brazilian-Italian duo Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler for Forma Móveis, a defining name in the modernist design movement of mid-century Brazil. The Concha chair...
Iron
Scarce coffee table by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
By Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rarissime table basse à deux tiroirs latéraux par Carlo Hauner et Martin Eisler. Cette table fut peu produite par Forma.
Glass, Imbuia, Paint
Mid-Century Modern Slatted Bench from Forma Manufacture, Brazil, 1970s
By Forma
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Slatted bench produced in Brazil in the 1970s by Forma Manufacture. This beautiful piece's seating is composed of regularly arranged solid Brazilian hardwood slats, finished with n...
Wood
Mid-Century Semainier Dresser by Hauner & Eisler for Forma, 1950s
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma
Located in Roma, RM
A refined mid-century semainier dresser designed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler for their influential furniture company Forma, dating from the 1950s–1960s. Hauner and Eisler play...
Brass
$19,123 / item
Reversivel chair by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Fauteuil Reversibel par Carlo Hauner et Martin Eisler pour Forma. Métal, laiton et textile Édition Forma Modèle créé vers 1955 H 68×L 103×P 71 cm Bibliographie : - M. Vasconcellos, ...
Metal, Brass
Carlo Hauner. Pair of "Concha" armchairs, c. 1950. Metal and fabric
By Carlo Hauner, Forma
Located in PARIS, FR
Carlo Hauner (1927-1996) Pair of "Concha" Armchairs, c. 1950 Metal and fabric Dimensions: 78 x 62 x 78 cm (30 71/100 x 24 41/100 x 30 71/100 in) This pair of iconic "Concha" ...
Metal
Armchair in Metal and Wood with ebony finish, Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, 1950
By Carlo Hauner, Forma
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler for their company Forma, this armchair reflects a pivotal moment in Brazilian modernism during the country’s mid-century industrial expansi...
Metal, Iron
Pair of "Concha" Armchairs by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, Brasil, 1955
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma
Located in Echt, NL
Set of beautiful ‘Concha’ chairs in very good condition. Designed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler in 1955 Manufactured by Forma Moveis, Brazil The ch...
Metal
Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler Rattan Lounge Chairs Brazil 1955
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
A beautiful pair of lounge chairs in rattan by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, made by Forma Móveis in Brazil in 1955. The chairs are in fully original condition and have never been ...
Metal
Carlo Hauner. Suite of 4 Rattan chairs, c. 1950. Metal and Rattan
By Carlo Hauner, Forma
Located in PARIS, FR
The suite of 4 rattan chairs designed by Carlo Hauner, dating from about 1950, is a superb example of timeless design. Made from rattan and metal, these chairs combine elegance and d...
Metal
Coffee Table for Record Player by Carlo Hauner for Forma, 1960s
By Forma, Carlo Hauner
Located in bruxelles, BE
White wooden coffee table with a compartment for a record player, a compartment for storing vinyl records and two storage spaces, one of which is glass. Holes are made for the record...
Wood, Glass
'Showcase' Coffee Table by Eisler and Hauner for Forma, Brazil, 1955
By Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Antwerp, BE
This mid-century coffee table, designed by Martin Eisler for Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte, features a dual-layer design with a wooden base and an opaque glass top. Its geometr...
Glass, Wood
Showcase Coffee Table, Brazilian Rosewood, Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, C. 1955
By Forma
Located in Knokke-Heist, BE
Martin Eisler (1913-1977) designed this rosewood coffee table for Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte. It belongs to a furniture category commonly found during the midcentury period ...
Glass, Rosewood
Coffee Table by Carlo Hauner for Forma, 1960s
By Forma, Carlo Hauner
Located in bruxelles, BE
White wooden coffee table with 4 storage compartments. There are 3 tops, one black and one white, and a tray. The whole unit is modular. Wear due to time and age of the coffee table.
Wood
$19,721 / item
Carlo Hauner Martin Eisler Reversivel chair Forma 1950
By Martin Eisler, Forma, Carlo Hauner
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
The Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler ‘Reversível’ Lounge Chair by Forma Móveis, Brazil, 1950 is a Brazilian Icon of Sculptural Functionality. This extraordinary ‘Reversível’ lounge c...
Metal
Carlo Hauner for Forma Rectangular Modular Coffee Table, Italy 1960s
By Forma, Carlo Hauner
Located in Naples, IT
Rosewood, metal and glass modular coffee table designed by Carlo Hauner and produced by the Forma Company in 1960s Italy. It is divided into six different compartments:1 removable pl...
Glass, Wood
Pair of “Pollock” Armchairs by Forma, Aluminum & Leather, Brazil, 1970s
By Forma
Located in New York, NY
A striking pair of “Pollock” armchairs produced by Forma in the 1970s, reflecting Brazil’s embrace of international corporate modernism. With polished aluminum bases and generously u...
Aluminum
Coffee Table by Carlo Hauner for Forma, 1960s
By Forma, Carlo Hauner
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden coffee table with 7 storage compartments. There's a large top, 2 small tops and 2 glass panels. The whole is modular. Wear due to time and age of the coffee table. For shippi...
Glass, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Forma, White Bouclé, Caviúna Legs, 1960s
By Forma
Located in New York, NY
Manufactured by Forma in the 1960s, this sofa reflects the studio’s commitment to refined modern forms and high-quality materials during a formative period of Brazilian mid-century d...
Fabric, Hardwood
1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Armchair by Forma, Iron Frame, Red Rope
By Forma
Located in New York, NY
A refined expression of Brazilian mid-century experimentation, this 1950s armchair by Forma was originally conceived for outdoor use—where industrial materials met open-air living. T...
Iron
Contemporary Figural Marble Bust Depicting Heart Shaped Face Signed Forma
By Forma
Located in Stamford, CT
Contemporary Figural Marble Bust Depicting Heart Shaped Face Signed Forma 15H x 12.5W x 10D
Marble
$22,912Sale Price / set|40% Off
Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner Modern Sofa & Armchairs Lounge Set, 1950s
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma
Located in Whitstable, GB
Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler midcentury sofa and armchairs; 1950s Sofa designed for their manufacturing company, Forma around 1955. This model is an icon of Brazilian midcentury design and was used to illustrate some advertisements for Forma in the 1950s. We offer the set of sofa and matching armchairs. They are stunning together. The set has been newly reupholstered in beautiful blue velvet, feet in imbuia wood, lacquered finish. Sofa Dimensions: H28.35, W76.78, D30.32 in H72, W195, D77 cm Armchairs Dimenions: H 28.35, W30.32, D30.32 in H72, W77, D77 cm The creative duo were the leading designers behind the Brazilian furniture company Forma, and produced many celebrated pieces of Brazilian midcentury design. Martin Eisler (1913-1977) was born in Vienna, and studied architecture in his country. Eisler left Europe in 1938 due to the rise of fascist regimes. He first lived in Buenos Aires, where he settled and worked as an architect and designer. There here...
Velvet, Hardwood