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.
Mid-Century Modern Record Player Cabinet by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, 1955
By Carlo Hauner, Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, 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
Mid-Century Semainier Dresser by Hauner & Eisler for Forma, 1950s
By Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
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
Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler for Forma, Cielo Terra Bookcase, Italy, 1960s
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma
Located in Naples, IT
Floor-to-ceiling steel and metal bookshelf with 3 wooden shelves Designed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler for Forma in the 1960s, this piece perfectly embodies the avant-garde des...
Metal, Steel
$2,800
H 15 in W 20 in D 5 in
Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler Magazine Rack in Cooper for Forma, Brazil, 1950s
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
A sculptural exercise in material contrast, this magazine rack designed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler for Forma in the 1950s captures the experimental spirit of early Brazilian M...
Copper, Metal
$7,983
H 28.75 in W 48.04 in D 15.75 in
Italian Radiophonograph RR126 and Record Player by Castiglioni, Brionvega 1960s
By Brionvega, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Radiophonograph RR126 and Record Player by Castiglioni Brothers for Brionvega, 1960s. RR126 radio phonograph and turntable with a rectangular wooden base with dark brown prof...
Metal
$1,650
H 13 in W 22 in D 18 in
Antique Sonora Victorian Quartersawn Oak Tabletop Phonograph Record Player
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Very Rare Antique Sonora Victorian Quartersawn Oak Tabletop Phonograph Record Player. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 13" H x 22" W x 18" D.
Metal
$9,819
H 29.14 in W 47.64 in D 14.57 in
Italian Radiophonograph RR126 and Record Player by Castiglioni, Brionvega 1960s
By Brionvega, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Radiophonograph and Record Player RR126 by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Brionvega 1960s Model RR126 radio and record player with rectangular wooden base and dark ...
Metal
1960s Industrial Medical Cabinet
Located in Norwalk, CT
This is a great medical cabinet from the 1960s, ready to keep all your goodies safe this is a great 1960s accent item that is sure to be a one of a kind addition to your decor!
Metal
$11,995 / set
H 31 in W 25 in D 11 in
Dieter Rams for Braun Audio 310 Record Player and L50 floor speaker
By Dieter Rams, Braun
Located in Seattle, WA
Rare Classic Braun Audio 310 unit paired with L50 floor speaker designed by Dieter Rams, produced by Braun. The unit is fully functional, recently cosmetically restored, and has been...
Steel
$55
H 6 in W 13.5 in D 9.5 in
Vintage Mickey Mouse Walt Disney Blue Portable Record Player GE Turntable (B)
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage General Electric Blue & White Mickey Mouse Walt Disney 1970's Portable Record Player Turntable in Carrying Case (B). Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 6" H x 13.5" W...
Plastic
Large Modular Wood Bookcase, Italy, 1960s
Located in Milan, IT
Large modular bookcase composed by movable black painted shelves and wood uprights with brass feet. More uprights and shelves available.
Brass
$1,795
H 30.25 in W 42 in D 18.25 in
Leslie Diamond for Conant Ball Mid-Century Modern Solid Birch Dresser, 1950s
By Conant Ball, Leslie Diamond
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern three-drawer solid birch dresser or chest of drawers By Leslie Diamond for Conant Ball, "ModernMates" Collecti...
Birch
$5,727
H 118.12 in W 14.97 in D 87.8 in
Italian mid-century bookcase series Selex for Industria Mobili Barovero, 1960s
By Barovero
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century bookcase series Selex for Industria Mobili Barovero, 1960s Modular bookcase from the Selex series in teak. It features nine rectangular shelves with black metal r...
Metal, Brass
$2,600
H 29.5 in W 29.5 in D 12.5 in
Italian Mahogany Bookcase by Vittorio Parigi & Nani Prina for Rimadesio, 1960s
By Vittorio Parigi and Nani Prina
Located in Chicago, IL
A petite Italian bookcase designed by Vittorio Parigi and Nani Prina for Rimadesio in the 1960s. The structure is composed of thick, curved glass side panels that frame a warm mahoga...
Glass, Mahogany
$3,500
H 40.75 in W 26 in D 17.5 in
Unusual Early American Quack Medicine Thompson-Plaster Electric Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and most unusual Thompson-Plaster electrical cabinet, by Physician's Specialty Company, Leesburg, Virginia, United States. The historic turn of the late 19th / early 20th century quack medicine machine used a violent ray electrotherapy apparatus as a cure-all, claiming to cure numerous ailments, cancers, and more. Featuring the original oak framed glazed glass-covered marble top for use with 'medical' instruments, atop quartersawn oak chest fitted with three graduated drawers, opening to reveal various associated equipment and supplies, including blown glass evacuated tube implements of varying shapes and for different therapeutic uses. High-quality solid wood case, rising on castors. Signed, retaining the original manufacturer plaque. Museum quality. Provenance / Acquisition: Reportedly purchased by Dr. Slaughter, of Goldthwaite, Texas, May, 1903. Acquired from highly reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, established 1983, Austin, Texas. Day 2 of 3, Important Estates catalog. 2021 Similar examples can be found in select museum collections and exhibitions, including Loudoun Museum, Leesburg, Virginia. Holmes Medical Museum, Foley, Alabama. Dimensions: (approx) 40.75" High, 26" Wide, 17.5" Deep Condition: Excellent original antique condition. Museum quality. Unknown if complete. Wear consistent with age and use. A scarce example of medical quackery...
Marble
Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler Bookshelf, 1960s
By Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Bookshelf by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler for Forma, 1960. Sophisticated minimal design consisting of a large chromed metal stem, black lacquered metal elements and fine Rosewood she...
Metal
Martin Eisler Rosewood Chest for Forma, Brazil, circa 1955
By Forma, Martin Eisler
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Martin Eisler Rosewood Pair of Chest for Forma, Brazil, circa 1955. This pair has been expertly restored.
Rosewood
Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler Sideboard Forma Brazil 1950
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Beautifully designed sideboard by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, and manufactured by Forma Moveis in Brazil, 1950. The Rosewood veneer has a beautiful mirrored pattern, and the over...
Rosewood