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, 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
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
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, 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
'Showcase' Coffee Table by Eisler and Hauner for Forma, Brazil, 1955
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma
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
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
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
$2,385
H 23.82 in W 48.04 in D 19.3 in
Military Campaign Style Console Coffee Table Hidden Radio Tape Record Player
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to this lovely vintage circa 1970s impulse ST 210 Radiogram Military Campaign brown leather topped console table What a cool thing, on the outside you have the never out of style military Campaign style console table, it’s the size of a modern day coffee table, the top is brown cattle leather with gold leaf embossing Inside you have a full entertainment system, there’s a radio, tape...
Leather, Hardwood
$2,477
H 33.47 in W 42.52 in D 14.97 in
Italian Console Table 1950s In Ebonized Wood And Verde Alpi Marble
Located in Prato, Tuscany
Elegant Italian console table from the 1950s, crafted from solid wood with an ebonized finish and featuring a fine “Verde Alpi” marble top. The demilune profile of the top, combined ...
Wood
$41,600
H 45.95 in W 50.01 in D 38.82 in
Bar Cabinet with Footrest by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, c. 1955, Forma S.A
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in New York, NY
This fabulous Home Bar in Brazilian Caviuna wood was manufactured in c. 1955 by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte, a company with designs and creative direction by Carlo Hauner (19...
Brass
1950s Jansen Style Console Table
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Sleek metal console in the style of Maison Jansen, featuring a black glass top and classic cross-stretcher design with central rosette medallion. The tapered legs and lower curved st...
Metal
$2,123
H 35.04 in W 31.89 in D 13.39 in
Italian Midcentury Mahogany Wood and Glass Console Table by Carlo de Carli 1950s
By Carlo di Carli
Located in Rome, IT
A splendid example of linear style typical of Italian design in the 1950s and 1960s. Mahogany console in excellent condition, suitable for any environment; essential and elegant in ...
Brass
Carlo Hauner, Side Tables, Iron, Rosewood, Brazil, 1960s
By Carlo Hauner
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of black-painted iron and rosewood side tables designed by Carlo Hauner, Brazil, c. 1960s. Provenance: Adesso, Los Angeles
Iron
$3,421
H 35.44 in W 28.35 in D 11.42 in
Elegant Mid-Century Italian Console Table in Wood and Brass, 1950s
By Cesare Lacca
Located in Argelato, BO
An elegant mid-century Italian console table in wood and brass. Crafted from polished dark mahogany veneer, it features a lustrous surface and warm grain. The frame is supported by f...
Wood
$3,044
H 31.89 in W 61.42 in D 15.75 in
Mid-Century Console Table with Tapered Legs and Formica Top, Italy c. 1950s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
Mid-Century console table with tapered legs and original green Formica top. Wear consistent with age and use. Must be wall-mounted with screws for stability.
Formica, Oak
$6,300
H 33.08 in W 25.6 in D 18.71 in
Brazilian Bar Cart in Rosewood by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, the bar cart is made of Rosewood, Glass, and Steel. Composed of three removable serving trays and steel casters for Forma S/A Móveis e Obj...
Steel
$14,000
H 30.32 in W 53.15 in D 37.41 in
3 in 1 Extendable Dining Table in Caviuna Wood by Carlo Hauner for Forma, 1950s
By Carlo Hauner
Located in New York, NY
Designed in the 1950s by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, this rare 3-in-1 extendable dining table exemplifies the intelligence and refinement that defined early Brazilian Modernism. ...
Hardwood
$14,159
H 15.75 in W 51.19 in D 33.86 in
Carlo Hauner rare low table with a central base and compartments
By Carlo Hauner
Located in Milano, IT
Carlo Hauner (1927-1996) A rare low table with a central base and compartments for objects, bottles, glasses, and an ice bucket covered in vinyl leather, all enclosed by double-side...
Wood
$8,200
H 33.08 in W 25.6 in D 18.9 in
Carlo Hauner for Forma S/A – Three-Tier Tea Trolley in Caviúna and Glass, Brazil
By Carlo Hauner
Located in Curitiba, PR
Elegant and functional tea trolley designed by Carlo Hauner for Forma S/A, Brazil, 1960s. Executed in solid caviúna wood with three tiers and glass trays, this piece reflects the ref...
Glass, Hardwood
Carlo Hauner coffee table Forma Italy 1961
By Forma, Carlo Hauner
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful coffee table designed by Carlo Hauner and manufactured by Forma Italy in 1961. The design is highly versatile due to its modular components and trays. The coffee table has...
Glass, Teak
Coffee Table by Carlo Hauner for Forma, 1960s
By Carlo Hauner, Forma
Located in Hellouw, NL
A confident example of modular Brazilian design, this coffee table by Carlo Hauner for Forma is a composition of clarity, balance and utility. Designed in the 1960s–70s, it reflects ...
Teak
Carlo Hauner coffee table for Forma, Brasil 1961
By Carlo Hauner, Forma
Located in Diest, BE
Carlo Hauner (Brescia 1927-1997) is well-known for his designs for Forma, a Brazilian furniture company that brought to live many iconic designs. Carlo Hauner set up the company Form...
Glass, Wood
1960s teak coffee table Carlo Hanuer for Forma
By Forma
Located in Milano, IT
Center table with storage compartments, with removable lids that can be used as trays made of teak veneer wood.
Teak
Coffee Table by Carlo Hauner for Forma, 1960s
By Carlo Hauner, Forma
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden coffee table with 6 storage compartments. There is 1 tray, 4 wooden covers and 1 glass cover. The unit is modular. Wear due to time and age of the coffee table. For shipping, ...
Glass, Wood
Coffee Table by Carlo Hauner for Forma, 1960s
By Carlo Hauner, Forma
Located in bruxelles, BE
White wooden coffee table with 4 storage compartments. There are 3 trays and a bin. The set is modular. Wear due to time and age of the coffee table.
Wood
Coffee Table by Carlo Hauner for Forma, 1960s
By Carlo Hauner, Forma
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden coffee table with 6 storage compartments. There are 4 trays and 1 glass panel. The whole thing is modular. Wear due to time and age of the coffee table.
Glass, Wood
Coffee Table by Carlo Hauner for Forma, 1960s
By Carlo Hauner, Forma
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden coffee table with 4 storage compartments. There is a top and 2 glass panels. The whole thing is modular. Wear due to time and age of the coffee table.
Glass, Wood
Coffee Table by Carlo Hauner for Forma, 1960s
By Carlo Hauner, Forma
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden coffee table with 7 storage compartments, one of which is plastic. There is a large top, 2 small tops and 2 glass panels. The whole thing is modular. Wear due to time and age ...
Wood, Glass
Rare Carlo Hauner coffee table for Forma, Italy 1961
By Forma, Carlo Hauner
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Rare Carlo Hauner coffee table for Forma, Italy 1961 Highly versatile coffee table designed by Carlo Hauner and manufactured by Forma, Italy 1961. This particular large model ...
Glass, Teak
Sold
H 30.32 in W 86.62 in D 35.04 in
Dining Table in Caviuna and Cane Weaving by Martin Eisler, Brazil Modern, 1950s
By Martin Eisler, Forma
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This is the rare and extremely sought after dining table with cane top, by Austrian-Brazilian designer Martin Eisler in the early to mid 1950s. Eisler was seduced by the simplicity and results of using cane weaves...
Cane, Glass, Hardwood
Sold
H 13.78 in W 34.06 in D 34.06 in
Low Coffee Tables with Removable Trays by Carlo Hauner for Forma, Italy, 1970s
By Forma, Carlo Hauner
Located in Antwerp, BE
Coffee table; cocktail table; removable trays; Carlo Hauner; Forma; Italy; 1970s; Italian Design; Storage Table; Storage Unit; Martin Eisler; Teak; Glass; Wood; Mid-Century Modern; These remarkable coffee tables with removable trays...
Wood, Glass, Teak