The Portugese-born furniture designer Joaquim Tenreiro was a pioneer of modernism in Brazil, where his work paved the way for the successes of such mid-20th-century design greats as Sergio Rodrigues, Jorge Zalszupin, and Lina Bo Bardi, an Italian-Brazilian architect whose futuristic São Paulo buildings are only part of her legacy.
Tenreiro’s vintage tables, chairs and storage cabinets are known for their simplicity of line and an elegance that is enhanced by the use of richly grained South American hardwoods such as jacaranda and imbuia.
Tenreiro’s father and grandfather were both master woodworkers, under whom he trained in the craft. He had artistic leanings and in the late 1920s enrolled as a university student at the School of Arts and Crafts in Rio de Janeiro, where he joined a group of upstart modernists protesting the staid, retrograde curriculum at the college. At the time, Brazil was culturally mired in a 19th-century mindset that was reflected in an upper-class preference for academic painting and reproduction furnishings in antique European styles. But the progressive spirit that Tenreiro and his colleagues fostered slowly gained force.
With the terms “lightness” and “functionality” as his bywords, Tenreiro opened a furniture-design business in 1943, where one of his first clients was the legendary architect Oscar Niemeyer. The arrival of Brazil’s first democratically elected government, in 1945, lent modernism official sanction, which culminated in the construction of the new capital, Brasília. Tenreiro eventually stepped away from design in the late 1960s to devote his time to sculpture and painting.
To appreciate how revolutionary Tenreiro’s work seemed, one must imagine the heavy, ornately carved, deeply varnished furniture that was the standard for top-end Brazilian interior design in the 1930s. Tenreiro’s chairs and sofas employed slender, softly angular frames that were only lightly stained to highlight the grains of the local woods. He preferred chairs and chaises with caned seats and backrests that “breathe” in the tropical climate, and as a carpenter and joiner he wanted to show off the beauty of Brazilian wood.
Two versions of a three-legged side chair introduced in 1947 serve as a veritable manifesto for a new age in Brazilian design: Using the stack-lamination technique, Tenreiro bonded together a gently contoured seat made of alternating layers of different-colored native woods to produce a magnificent stripe effect. These chairs, like all Tenreiro works, demonstrate the enduring power of simple design and superb construction — with a teaspoon of flair.
Find vintage Joaquim Tenreiro furniture on 1stDibs.
Mid-Century Modern Folding Screen by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1950s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Joaquim Tenreiro's folding screen from the 1950s is an articulated panel built in pau-marfim wood. This material was chosen for its stability and clean linear grain. The piece reflec...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Sculpture by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1960's
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
By the late 1960s, Joaquim Tenreiro began shifting his focus from design to art, returning to the studio practice that had always accompanied his career. In these works, which he cal...
Iron
Joaquim Tenreiro. Purple Abstract Sculpture in Wood
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Purple sculpture in a tape-like, abstract format in wood with impeccable procedence. This work was created by Joaquim Tenreiro, one of the most important names of Brazilian furnitur...
Wood
Sculpture by Joaquim Tenreiro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Sculpture par Joaquim Tenreiro pour une villa à Jardim, Suite à ses créations mobilières Joaquim Tenreiro s’intéressa aux arts graphiques, peinture et sculptures.
Metal
F.4 Sculpture by Natalie Du Pasquier
By Bitossi
Located in Milan, IT
Capturing the unique post-modernist style of Nathalie du Pasquier, this sculpture is defined by bold geometric elements in different colors stacked in an abstract shape. Turned on a lathe and finished with a matte glaze, the black lower section features a round base with two truncated cones connected at the base, while the white top has a truncated cone with a round top with a rectangular finial. Synonymous with quality and design creativity, this superb sculpture makes...
Ceramic
Italian mid-century modern ceramic fish-shaped sculpture, 1950s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern ceramic fish-shaped sculpture, 1950s Fish-shaped sculpture in colored and glazed ceramic. The rounded body features front opening with wavy profile. The in...
Ceramic
$2,845
H 20.87 in W 14.97 in D 7.09 in
Abstract sculpture in solid dark stained wood dating from the 1950s.
Located in Antwerp, BE
This striking abstract sculpture dates from the 1950s and embodies the expressive spirit of post-war modernism. Carved from solid wood and finished in a deep, dark stain, the work re...
Oak
$2,845
H 14.38 in W 3.35 in D 1.78 in
Mid-Century Modern Bronze Sculptures, Unknown Artist, Sweden, 1960s
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of sculptures by unknown artist. Probably produced in Sweden. Signed “MR 66 15/20” and the other “MR 66 17/20”.
Bronze
Abstract Freeform Teak Wood Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an amazing abstract freeform natural organic teak wood sculpture. A very impressive and large piece of art. Mounted to a wood base.
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Steuben Glass Penguin Sculpture, USA, 1950s
By Steuben Glass
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century Steuben clear glass small figure of a penguin
Glass
Selection of Large Abstract Wood Sculptures
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of large abstract wood sculptures, circa 1960s. From left to right, the sculptures measure 25.5"H x 4.75"W x 4.75"D, 32.5"H x 8"W x 3"D, 31"H x 9"W x 8"D, and 24"H x 9"W x ...
Marble
Brazilian Wall Sculpture Movimento Joaquim Tenreiro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Oakland, CA
Movimento wall-hanging sculpture of solid wood, designed by Joaquim Tenreiro. 1970's Measurements W 41.25'' x D 3.50'' x H 17.50''
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Steuben Glass Eagle Sculpture, USA, 1950s
By Steuben Glass
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century Steuben clear glass small figure of an American eagle
Glass
Abstract Mid-Century Modern Organic Wooden Sculpture, 1960's
Located in Den Haag, NL
Abstract Mid-Century Modern Organic Wooden Sculpture, 1960's Please contact us for an affordable shipping quote.
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Italian Ceramic Elephant Sculpture, Glazed, 1950s
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Ceramic elephant sculpture with an uplifted trunk, broad ears, and an elaborately modeled ceremonial covering. Tassels, fringe, and flowing drapery enrich the surface, finished in a ...
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern Brass Bird Sculptures by Joaquin Tinta, 1960s
By Joaquin Tinta
Located in Richmond, VA
Beautiful pair of modernist brass birds by Joaquin Tinta made in the 1960's. Each is marked and left with original patina that would easily polish if des...
Brass
$534
H 3.94 in W 18.51 in D 9.06 in
Red Murano Glass Sculptural Centerpiece, 1950s Mid-Century Modern Design
By Flavio Poli
Located in Palermo, IT
Certainly, Christian. Here is a title and description for the red glass centerpiece, with a focus on Mid-Century Modern: Title: Red Murano Glass Sculptural Centerpiece, Mid-Century...
Murano Glass, Stained Glass
Abstract Wood Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A unique smoothly carved biomorphic sculpture. The stylized irregularity of the curved form offers a unique viewing experience from every vantage point; it could represent embracing ...
Wood
$3,450Sale Price|40% Off
H 38.5 in W 14 in D 14 in
Mid-Century Modern Large Wooden Ribbon Sculpture, Handcrafted, 1960s
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand crafted large wooden ribbon sculpture. Single piece of wood.
Wood
Joaquim Tenreiro - rare iron sculpture "Fita"
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Immenstaad am Bodensee, DE
Joaquim Tenreiro, a prominent Brazilian furniture designer, left an indelible mark on the world of design through his innovative approach and significant contributions to the moderni...
Iron
Sculpture in Painted Wood by Joaquim Tenreiro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A beautiful modern sculpture in wood by celebrated Brazilian designer and artist Joaquim Tenreiro. This example was created in 1975 in a very small edition of 12. Signed to o...
Wood