Although best known for his photography, Geraldo de Barros was an important contributor to the canon of mid-century modern furniture design and was one of Brazil’s most influential multidisciplinary artists.
Born in 1923 in Chavantes, São Paulo, de Barros began his artistic career as a painter before discovering a passion for photography in the 1940s. In 1950, he found fame with his successful “Fotoformas” exhibition held at the Museu de Arte de São Paulo, which led to a scholarship from the French government to study in that country.
In the early 1950s, de Barros traveled throughout Europe, including Switzerland, where he met Bauhaus graduate Max Bill. At the time, Bill was collaborating with the Scholl Foundation on developing a design institute in Ulm, Germany, that combined Bauhaus tradition with emerging technical elements in design practice. Bill invited de Barros to visit the institute, where he became influenced by Bill’s philosophy of Gute Form — the belief that carefully designed objects could bring artistic values into homes.
Upon his return to São Paulo, de Barros delved into furniture design. Along with engineer Justino Cardoso, metalworker Antônio Thereza, and a Dominican priest, Friar João Batista Pereira dos Santos, he founded the furniture company and Christian cooperative Unilabor, in 1954, on the outskirts of São Paulo.
As the firm’s chief designer, de Barros incorporated the concept of Concrete art into many of his pieces, particularly his armchairs. His dining room chairs, bookcases, coffee tables, cabinets and desks were also designed with straight lines, sobriety and functionality in mind and made with natural materials such as rosewood, jacaranda and iron. Given that it was more of a cooperative with a social mission than it was a manufacturer, Unilabor paid well and offered innovative modular furniture by way of de Barros-designed components that were produced serially to be used in the construction of complete furnishings.
Despite Unilabor’s success, the company ran into economic difficulties and eventually closed. Undaunted, de Barros founded another furniture company in 1964 — Hobjeto Indústria e Comércio de Móveis — where he focused on progressive furniture design with more geometric shapes.
During the 1960s, de Barros continued with furniture design and, as a painter, became interested in Pop art and abstract movements, founding influential groups such as Grupo 15, Galeria Rex and Grupo Ruptura.
In the 1990s, de Barros returned to his career as a photographer until his death in 1998. De Barros’s furniture was shown at several exhibitions during the 1950s and 1960s, including the Exposição Nacional de Arte Concreta in São Paulo in 1956 and the Konkrete Kunst exhibition in Zurich in 1960. His photographs and paintings have also been exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Geraldo de Barros seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets.
$2,400 / set
Geraldo De Barros, Shelves, Wood, Brazil, 1970s
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of small wall shelfs or wall-mounted console tables designed by Geraldo De Barros and produced by Hobjeto, Brazil, 1970s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimension...
Wood
Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sideboard in Hardwood, Geraldo de Barros, 1950s
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in New York, NY
The sideboard is crafted entirely from Brazilian Rosewood, known as Jacaranda, featuring three drawers adorned with brass handles, along with a single door, a shelf, and supported by...
Hardwood
$34,159 / item
Geraldo de Barros MF-710 bookcases Unilabor Brazil 1955
By Unilabor, Geraldo de Barros
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This rare pair of MF-710 bookcases, designed by Geraldo de Barros (1923-1998) and manufactured by Unilabor, Brazil, in 1955, is an outstanding example of mid-century Brazilian modern...
Metal
Bookcase model "MF-710" by Geraldo de Barros
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in Barcelona, ES
Bookcase model “MF-710” Manufactured by Unilabor Brasil, 1954 Jacaranda, formica, painted metal and brass Measurements 103 cm x 43,1 cm x 200h cm 44,5 in x 17 in x 78,7h in Literatur...
Metal, Brass
Brazilian Modern Desk in Cerejera Hardwood, Geraldo de Barros, 1970s Brazil
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Geraldo de Barros for Hobjeto in the 1970s, this desk reflects the designer’s enduring commitment to rational construction and democratic modern design. De Barros—an infl...
Hardwood
Brazilian Modern Chest in Hardwood & Brass by Geraldo de Barros, 1950s, Brazil
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this Mid-Century Modern chest of drawers made in Hardwood designed by Geraldo de Barros for Unilabor in the fifties is a very rare FIND and is gorgeous! The chest...
Brass
Brazilian Modern Sideboard in Rosewood & Formica, Geraldo de Barros for Unilabor
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in New York, NY
Designed in the 1950s during Geraldo de Barros’ seminal period at Unilabor, this sideboard stands as a refined expression of Brazilian modernism at the intersection of art, industry,...
Metal
Geraldo de Barros Brazilian Modern Office Cabinet in Rosewood, Hobjeto, 1970s
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in New York, NY
An architecturally disciplined Brazilian modern office cabinet designed by Geraldo de Barros for Hobjeto in the 1970s. Executed in richly figured jacaranda (Brazilian rosewood) venee...
Metal
Rosewood Credenza by Geraldo de Barros, Unilabor, Brazilian Midcentury, 1960s
By Unilabor, Geraldo de Barros
Located in New York, NY
Previously Restored
Rosewood
Geraldo de Barros writing desk Unilabor Brazil 1956
By Geraldo de Barros, Unilabor
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice minimalistic small writing desk designed by Geraldo de Barros and manufactured by Unilabor, Brazil 1956. The desk is made up of three main parts. The black iron frame, rosewood finished top and the drawer cabinet. The drawer fronts have the characteristic white laminated finish with metal handles. Unilabor could use these same parts to create different furniture designs, following the company's standards. This approach was part of a methodical way of making things, and the design style was common to other factories of that time. The most unique idea was how they thought about the production process in an organised way. In very good condition with beautiful grain to the rosewood. The chair on the pictures is not included. Literature; Brazilian Modern Design Alberto Vicente Marcelo Vasconcellos 2017, page 264-281 The most profound conceptual experience in the production of modern furniture in Brazil was led by Geraldo de Barros, a major artist of the Concrete Art movement in the country. Interested in new technologies and processes, Geraldo's career was consistently permeated with artistic experiments, particularly in photography and painting. His affiliation with design was influenced by the "gute form" principle advocated by Max Bill. Bill was the founder of the Ulm School...
Metal
Buffet by Geraldo de Barros, 1956
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in Barcelona, ES
Buffet Manufactured by Unilabor Brazil, 1956 Jacaranda wood Measurements 206 cm x 40 cm x 78h cm 81,1 in x 15,74 in x 30,7h in Literature Unilabor, by Mauro Claro. Brasil, 2004. Se...
Wood, Jacaranda
Mid-Century Modern Leather Sideboard by De Couro, Brazil, 1980s
By De Couro
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Sideboard - A Pair available - Vintage 1980s A Pair available : model without cable pass Rare and elegant, this Brazilian sideboard from the De Couro collection testifies to the refi...
Leather, Wood
On Hold|$7,633
H 34.26 in W 57.09 in D 19.69 in L 34.26 in
Mid-Century Sideboard in style of Charlotte Perriand, France, c. 1950s
By Jean Prouvé, Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A mid-century oak sideboard in the manner of Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand and Le Corbusier. Produced in France c. 1950s. Warm patina from age and use. Marks, scratches, stains. ...
Oak
$3,655
H 29.34 in W 39.38 in D 22.05 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Bamboo, Cane and Rattan Console Desk, 1970s
By Vivai del Sud
Located in Roma, IT
We are pleased to offer this exceptional Italian Mid-Century Modern console desk, handcrafted in the 1970s from bamboo, rattan, reed, and plywood. Featuring an elegant architectural ...
Brass
$3,187Sale Price|25% Off
H 36 in W 40 in D 17 in
Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Desk Magic Box Made in Brazil with Key
By Jean Gillon
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning closable and lockable rosewood writing desk. The piece closes completely and can be key-locked to protect all your documents. Opened, it has a large teak writing top that ex...
Rosewood
Vintage 1970s Danish Peter Lovig Mid Century Modern Desk in White Oak
By Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The iconic Løvig teak flip top desk designed by Peter Løvig Nielsen, 1960s, Denmark. It’s versatile in that the back shelf can flip down on its brass hinges to create a larger work s...
Oak
Mid-Century Oak Sideboard, France, 1950s
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, HR
Three-door oak sideboard, solid oak, France, 1950s. A three-door buffet bas in solid oak, constructed with the formal rigour characteristic of French mid-century cabinetmaking. The ...
Oak
$1,950 / item
H 18.9 in W 49.22 in D 16.15 in
'Arca' Mid-Century Modern Shoe Rack in Brazilian Hardwood by Knót Artesanal
By Knót Artesanal
Located in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro
Arca shoe rack/bench is made up of thin slats of wood which encircle the piece supporting the main body and creating a sensation of movement. The slats permit constant ventilation wh...
Wood
$2,043Sale Price|30% Off
H 70.48 in W 78.75 in D 18.9 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Sideboard Bar, 1950s
By Umberto Mascagni
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Four-door sideboard from the 1950s, made with green vinyl doors, inspired by the production of Umberto Mascagni. The main body structure is made of European wood. This piece features...
Aluminum
1950s Brazilian Black Lacquered Cabinet by Dinucci
Located in London, London
1950s Black Lacquered Brazilian Cabinet by Dinucci This 1950s cabinet by Brazilian designer Dinucci showcases a perfect blend of artistry and functionality. Its striking black lacqu...
Beech
Jorge Zalszupin, Desk, Brazil 1976.
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in L’ISLE-SUR-LA-SORGUE, FR
Jorge Zalszupin Desk by Atelier Moveis. São Paulo, Brazil Rare because it's the large model. Labeled and dated December 1976. Perfect condition, restoration done by a cabinetmaker. ...
Rosewood
$2,324
H 55.12 in W 47.25 in D 11.42 in
Danish Design Rosewood Bookcase Model 5 by Omann Jun Mobelfabrik, 1960s
By Omann Jun Møbelfabrik
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Danish Design bookcase, Model 5 in beautiful rosewood veneer by Gunni Omann for Omann Jun Mobelfabrik A/S. The brand sticker can be found on the back. What's special about this midc...
Rosewood
$5,495 / set
H 70 in W 34 in D 14 in
1970s Pagoda Rattan Glass Bookcase Etagere Display Shelves, Ser of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, pagoda rattan and glass design tier etagere set you could hope to find. In original and unfinished condition. Outstand...
Rattan, Glass
Geraldo de Barros Wall Unit in Rosewood and Steel
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Geraldo de Barros, wall unit MF 710 bookshelf, iron, plywood veneered with white Formica and rosewood, Brazil, 1954. Slender wall unit by the Brazilian modernist designer Geraldo de Barros. This playful design has two doors and three drawers. This well-proportioned book...
Steel
Sold
H 30 in W 81 in D 16 in
Brazilian Modern Credenza in Hardwood, Geraldo de Barros for Unilabor, 1950s
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Geraldo de Barros (1923–1998) in the 1950s, this credenza exemplifies the structural clarity and graphic discipline that define his contribution to Brazilian modernism. R...
Hardwood
Sold
H 28 in W 70 in D 17 in
Brazilian Mid-Century Credenza in Hardwood by Geraldo de Barros, c. 1970s
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in New York, NY
Available today, with domestic shipping in the NYC metro area included, this Brazilian Mid-Century Credenza in Hardwood by Geraldo de Barros, c. 1970s, is nothing less than gorgeous!...
Hardwood
Sold
H 28 in W 70 in D 17 in
Brazilian Mid-Century Credenza in Hardwood by Geraldo de Barros, c. 1970s
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in New York, NY
Available today, with domestic shipping in the NYC metro area included, this Brazilian Mid-Century Credenza in Hardwood by Geraldo de Barros, c. 1970s, is nothing less than gorgeous!...
Hardwood
Sold
H 78.75 in W 16.54 in D 40.95 in
Geraldo de Barros – Unilabor. Bookcase MF 710, 1954. Iron, Rosewood and Formica.
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in Curitiba, PR
Geraldo de Barros – Unilabor. Bookcase MF 710, 1954. Iron, Rosewood and Formica. The restoration process only needed refinishing, which was done by our team at the finest details an...
Iron
Sold
H 79.14 in W 61.03 in D 16.74 in
Brazilian Rosewood Bookshelf by Geraldo de Barros, Unilabor, 1950s, Mid-Century
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in New York, NY
This bookshelf was designed in the 1950s by Geraldo de Barros (1923-1998) and produced by Unilabor. He designed and projected furniture based on his constructive references related t...
Iron