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.
Safari Armchairs by Carlo Hauner for Forma, 1970s, set of 2
By Carlo Hauner, Forma
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
Armchair in Metal and Wood with ebony finish, Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, 1950
By Forma, Carlo Hauner
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
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
Brazilian Modern Red Synthetic Rope and Iron Armchair, Forma, Brazil, 1950s
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
$22,607Sale 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
$17,753
H 33.08 in W 27.56 in D 33.08 in
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
$40,600
H 29.3 in W 28.35 in D 31.5 in
Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner "Costela" Lounge Chair, Brazil, 1953
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
The Costela armchair is an iconic Brazilian Mid-Century Modern piece. It was designed by Martin Eisler (1913 - 1977) in 1953 and manufactured by the c...
Steel
$16,800
H 31.03 in W 26.78 in D 29.73 in
Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner "Costela" Lounge Chair, Midcentury Brazil, 1953
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
The Costela armchair is an iconic Brazilian Mid-Century Modern piece. It was designed by Martin Eisler (1913 - 1977) in 1953 and manufactured by the companies Móveis Artesanal and Fo...
Fabric, Hardwood
$35,000 / set
H 27.16 in W 30.31 in D 29.52 in
Rare Forma armchairs by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, 1955
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in São Paulo, BR
This particular piece showcases a rare design crafted by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler for Forma in 1955. Though Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler are primarily known for their well-s...
Wood
$3,276
H 33.47 in W 24.81 in D 20.87 in
Solid Oak and Rope Armchair, Mid-Century Modern, France, 1950's
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Den Haag, NL
Solid oak and rope armchair, Mid-Century Modern, France, 1950's.
Rope, Oak
1950s Hollywood Regency Gilt Iron Armchair with Rope & Tassel Design
Located in Stamford, CT
1950s - 1960s Italian gilt iron rope and tassel Hollywood Regency chair. This chair is sturdy and well made. It is in the style of Napoleon III gilt rope and tassel furniture...
Metal, Wrought Iron
Brazilian Designer, Armchair, Wood, Fabric, Brazil, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A dark-stained wood, metal and green fabric armchair or side chair designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1950s. Minor wear consistent with age and use. Vintage fabric in fair conditi...
Wood, Fabric
$8,900 / set
H 31 in W 27.5 in D 28 in
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
$4,500 / set
H 32.29 in W 23.23 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Modern Brazilian Rosewood Armchairs by Gelli, circa the 1950s
By Gelli Indústria de Móveis
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Gelli, a pair of modern Brazilian armchairs, rosewood, and leather. Brazil, circa the 1950s. Pair of armchairs made in Brazilian Rosewood (Jacaranda) and recently reup...
Rosewood, Leather
$10,723
H 34.65 in W 28.75 in D 29.53 in
Carlo Hauner, Armchair, 1950's, Caviuna Wood and Mohair's Velvet
By Carlo Hauner
Located in PARIS, FR
Carlo Hauner Armchair, c. 1950 This elegant armchair, designed by Carlo Hauner circa 1950, exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of mid-century Brazilian design. The sculptural fram...
Textile, Wood
$5,800
H 31 in W 28 in D 30 in
Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, Lounge Chair, Iron, Rattan, Brazil, 1950s
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in High Point, NC
An iron and rattan lounge chair designed by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler and produced by Forma S.A., Brazil, 1950s. Heavy oxidation to metal legs. Overall Dimensions (inches): 31” ...
Iron
$18,000
H 32.68 in W 51.19 in D 26.38 in
"Concha" Sofa by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Modern Brazilian Design, 1950s
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, modern Brazilian sofa, iron, and velvet. Brazil, circa 1950s. Shell or "Concha" sofa is made of iron and recently reupholstered in yellow velvet by the experienced craftsmen in our team. The upholstery was chosen considering the contemporary proposal of the piece. The sofa features a comfortable seat, clean design, and freedom of user movements and is constructed in a frame with metal rods elegantly positioned to give strength to the piece, a common trait of designers. The buttons velvet coated between seat and backs were used, by the designers, for an excellent velvet finish, and the restoration proposal was to maintain them. Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner were the primary designers for the iconic Brazilian furniture...
Iron
Pair of Armchairs by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner, Brazil 1950s
By Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair of “concha” (shell) armchair designed by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner, manufactured by Forma in Brazil in the earlies 1950. The structure is made of solid steel, the ergonomic...
Steel
Sold
H 28.35 in W 40.95 in D 26.78 in
"Reversivel" Armchair by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Brazil, 1960's
By Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in PARIS, FR
An iconic piece of Brazilian modernism, "Reversivel", the reversible armchair, is made of tubular metal that forms the innovative, lightweight structure. The originality of this pie...
Metal
Concha Lounge Chairs Carlo Hauner Martin Eisler, Brazil, 1950
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Stunning and fully original pair of 'Concha' (shell) lounge chairs designed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler and manufactured by Forma Moveis, Brazil 1950. These chairs have a solid...
Metal
Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler Wooden Costela Chairs for Forma
By Carlo Hauner, Forma, Martin Eisler
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Costela chairs designed by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler for Forma (Brazil, 1950). Seating with a structure in lacquered iron and solid wood. Two chairs are available.
Iron
Sold
H 32 in W 27.5 in D 30.5 in
Pair of Brazilian 'Costela' Lounge Chairs by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, 1954
By Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Brazilian Mid-Century Modern 'Costela' Armchairs / Lounge Chairs by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, circa 1954. Black enameled steel frame, tiny brass finial feet and curve...
Steel