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.
Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler for Forma, Cielo Terra Bookcase, Italy, 1960s
By Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
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
Mid-Century Modern Record Player Cabinet by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, 1955
By Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner, 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
$7,802
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
$9,575
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
$5,440Sale Price|20% Off
H 55 in W 65 in D 19 in
Mid Century Credenza Jacaranda and Brass by Hauner and Eisler Brazil Ca. 1950’s
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular Mid Century credenza, made in Brazil - designed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler. This example is in very good, original condition, clean and ready to use. The case ha...
Brass
$27,500
H 68 in W 70.5 in D 21 in
Italian Mid-Century Dresser by Gio Ponti, 1950s, White Lacquer & Gold
By Gio Ponti
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century (1950s) white lacquered dresser with 2 doors centering a Pair of gilt framed drawers under a gold glass top supporting a large mirror with brass trim and handles ...
Brass
$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
$31,871
H 34.26 in W 86.62 in D 16.93 in
Sideboard - Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler Forma Moveis, Brazil, 1950s
By Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
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
$4,787
H 76.97 in W 85.04 in D 17.13 in
Large Danish Modern Rosewood Bookcase by Carlo Jensen for Hundevad, 1960s.
By Hundevad & Co., Carlo Jensen
Located in Asaa, DK
Large and Impressive Danish Modern Rosewood Bookcase by Carlo Jensen for Hundevad, 1960s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern bookcase in Rosewood/palisander designed by Carlo Jensen fo...
Santos Rosewood
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
$5,585
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
$1,750
H 27 in W 41.38 in D 16.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Dresser, Scandinavian Design, Six Drawers, 1950s
Located in San Francisco, CA
This sleek Scandinavian-inspired mid-century modern dresser will elevate your space. Its versatile size fits perfectly in bedrooms, living rooms, or entryways. Crafted from warm-ton...
Brass
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.5 in W 22.5 in D 20.25 in
Antique Regina Double Comb 15.5" Music Box Player & 46 Records
By Regina Company
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique late 19th century Regina music player including additional storage box with approx 46 records and paperwork. #35307, circa 1899. Songs Included: Adeste Fideles, Ave Maria, ...
Oak
Italian Rosewood Bookcase, circa 1960s.
Located in Houston, TX
1960s Italian Rosewood cabinet. This handsome cabinet has wonderful storage to include open shelving, drop down cabinet doors with glass shelves, base cabinet with sliding doors and ...
Brass
19th-Century Watch Winding Display Cabinet
Located in New Orleans, LA
This incredible, one-of-a-kind watch display cabinet brings together the beauty of an antique with the functionality of modern technology. Crafted of mahogany, this 19th century jewelry display cabinet...
Mahogany
$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
$13,495 / set
H 31 in W 25 in D 11 in
Dieter Rams for Braun Audio 310 Record Player and L50 floor speaker
By Braun, Dieter Rams
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
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
Sold
H 49.75 in W 55 in D 19.75 in
Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler Vanity for Forma Móveis e Objetos de Arte
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma
Located in Littleton, CO
1950s vanity with bench by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler for Móveis e Objetos de Arte of Brazil in two beautifully contrasting and complementary exotic ...
Rosewood