Joaquim Tenreiro Armchairs

Brazilian, Portuguese, 1906-1992

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.

Creator: Joaquim Tenreiro

Pair of Metal Leve Armchairs by Joaquim Tenreiro

By Joaquim Tenreiro

Located in Whitstable, GB

Joaquim Tenreiro, leve armchairs (light) - 1960s. Metal version. Manufactured by Tenreiro Móveis e Decorações. Metal frame, armrests in Jacarandá. Metal ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Joaquim Tenreiro Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of Metal Leve Armchairs by Joaquim Tenreiro

Mid-Century Modern Armchairs in Hardwood & White Leather Joaquim Tenreiro Brazil

By Joaquim Tenreiro

Located in New York, NY

Available now, this beautiful pair of Brazilian Modern armchairs are made of ebonized Pau Marfim hardwood & white leather in buttone style. The structure is composed of curved arms & feet, and were designed by Joaquim Tenreiro in the 1940’s. The wood joints are composed of delicate wood pins in Pau Marfim also, which were typically used by the artist at the time. Sold as set of two. For the restoration process, both armchairs where dissembled to understand their condition and to restore them following Tenreiro’s technique. This is shown in the last 3 images. The set comes from a private residence in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro. This mid-century modern pair would look incredible in any modern, mid-century modern, boho chic or contemporary environment. Joaquim Tenreiro (1906–1992) was among the leading furniture designers and visual artists in mid-20th century Brazil. Tenreiro was born in Melo, Gouveia Municipality, Portugal into a family of woodworkers and carpenters. In the late 1920s, he emigrated to Rio de Janeiro and began working for the firm of Laubisch & Hirth. In the early 1940s, Tenreiro was among the first designers in the Brazilian furniture industry to adopt a European modernist vernacular. His initial efforts, including the 1942 "Poltrona Leve," met with considerable success, and in 1943 he established his own firm with factories in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. However, it was not until the 1950s that he began to be recognized as a master furniture designer in Brazil. His design philosophy found a great response with architects who supported modernism. A forerunner in the use of rediscovered raw materials (like cane and jacaranda -Brazilian Roswood) as well as the creator of a new formal language in 20th-century Brazilian furniture design, he drew on the lessons of past furniture-making as a vital source, not only in the mastery of technical and constructive solutions but also in the aesthetic experience, craftsmanship, and the cultural meaning of his production. As a result, his exquisitely crafted pieces evoke a refined coexistence of traditional values and modern aesthetics, firmly bound to the Brazilian cultural milieu. Literature: • Arquitetura e Decoracao, no. 12, Jul-Aug 1955 • Tenreiro book...

Category

1940s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Joaquim Tenreiro Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Mid-Century Modern Armchairs in Hardwood & White Leather Joaquim Tenreiro Brazil

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Joaquim Tenreiro: Exceptional Pair of Jacaranda Armchairs, Brazil 1940's

By Joaquim Tenreiro

Located in New York, NY

Joaquim Tenreiro (1906 - 1992) A stunning pair of armchairs of exceptional lightness and elegance, in jacaranda, by pioneer of Brazilian modernism Joaquim Tenreiro. With their slim...

Category

1940s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Joaquim Tenreiro Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Hardwood

Joaquim Tenreiro: Exceptional Pair of Jacaranda Armchairs, Brazil 1940's

Pair of Leve Metal Armchairs by Joaquim Tenreiro

By Joaquim Tenreiro

Located in Whitstable, GB

Joaquim Tenreiro, Leve armchairs (light) - 1960s. Manufactured by Tenreiro Móveis e Decorações. Metal frame, armrests in Jacaradá. Metal shows signs of a...

Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Joaquim Tenreiro Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Pair of Leve Metal Armchairs by Joaquim Tenreiro

Pair of “Leve” armchairs in hardwood & leather by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1942, Brazil

By Joaquim Tenreiro

Located in New York, NY

Available today in NYC with free domestic shipping, these one a kind pair of “Leve” armchairs in hardwood and leather by Joaquim Tenreiro, c. 1942are nothing less than spectacular, c...

Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Joaquim Tenreiro Armchairs

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Armchair Set in Metal and Suede by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil

Lounge Chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil, 1958

By Joaquim Tenreiro

Located in PARIS, FR

Pair of lounge chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro with a slick elegant back seat. The absence of back seat cushion gives lightness and modernity to the traditional chauffeuse structure. Sm...

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1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Joaquim Tenreiro Armchairs

Materials

Wool, Fabric

Lounge Chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil, 1958

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Joaquim Tenreiro Armchair

By Joaquim Tenreiro

Located in Washington, DC

Manufactured by Tenreiro Moveis e Decoraçaos Brasil, 1954 Measurements 86 cm x 76 cm x 83 H cm 34 in x 30 in x 32.5 H in Provenance Private collection...

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Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Joaquim Tenreiro Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Joaquim Tenreiro Armchair

Slim Armchair in Grey Fabric Attributed to Joaquim Tenreiro, c. 1950s

By Joaquim Tenreiro

Located in New York, NY

This slim armchair is made with a wooden frame and a soft gray fabric. The legs of the chair are slim, which is a common theme in Brazilian modern armcha...

Category

1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Joaquim Tenreiro Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Slim Armchair in Grey Fabric Attributed to Joaquim Tenreiro, c. 1950s

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Thick Armchair in Grey Fabric Attributed to Joaquim Tenreiro, c. 1950s

By Joaquim Tenreiro

Located in New York, NY

This thick armchair is made with a wooden frame and a soft gray fabric. The legs of the chair are slim, which is a common theme in Brazilian modern armchairs. The cushions are super soft and make the chair very comfortable. This chair is very old but has been refurbished to look brand new. The frame of the chair was originally designed by Joaquin Tenreiro...

Category

1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Joaquim Tenreiro Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Thick Armchair in Grey Fabric Attributed to Joaquim Tenreiro, c. 1950s

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Joaquim Tenreiro Pair of Armchairs Model “Leve”, Brasil, 1942

By Joaquim Tenreiro

Located in Barcelona, ES

Joaquim Tenreiro Pair of armchairs model “Leve” Manufactured by Langenbach & Tenreiro Ltda Brasil, 1942 Jacaranda, upholstery From the archives of Side Gallery, Barcelona M...

Category

1940s Brazilian Vintage Joaquim Tenreiro Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Jacaranda

Joaquim Tenreiro Pair of Armchairs Model “Leve”, Brasil, 1942

Iconic Leve Armchair in Pau Marfim, Joaquim Tenreiro, 1942, Midcentury Brazil

By Joaquim Tenreiro

Located in New York, NY

The Leve armchair is one of the fundamental pieces in Brazilian Modern design history. Designed by Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992) in 1942, it is considered...

Category

1940s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Joaquim Tenreiro Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Rosewood

Iconic Leve Armchair in Pau Marfim, Joaquim Tenreiro, 1942, Midcentury Brazil

Brazilian Modern Armchairs in Hardwood & Grey Velvet by Joaquim Tenreiro Brazil

By Joaquim Tenreiro

Located in New York, NY

Available right now, this very Brazilian Modern armchair pair in hardwood and gray suede designed by Joaquim Tenreiro in the sixties is gorgeous! The model is called “Concha” (Shell in Portuguese). The armchairs feature a hardwood structure upholstered in gray velvet and four toothpick legs. The back (the “shell”) is curved and ends in the arm rests. What makes these armchairs so special is the beautiful design iconic from Joaquim Tenreiro (Publications attached also). The original upholstery was also suede so we decided to do something similar. The furniture set photo showcases the armchairs with the matching “Concha” sofa (sold separately) and a Jean Gillon Rodeio...

Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Joaquim Tenreiro Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Hardwood

Brazilian Modern Armchairs in Hardwood & Grey Velvet by Joaquim Tenreiro Brazil

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Mid-Century Modern Armchairs in Leather & Wood by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1955, Brazil

By Joaquim Tenreiro

Located in New York, NY

Available today, this Mid-Century Modern armchair set in beige leather & hardwood designed by Joaquim Tenreiro in 1955 is a showstopper. Full stop. The stately pair consists of a hardwood structure with ebonized feet, spring seat and backrest in leather. Both pieces have the "Tenreiro Arquitetura de Interiores SA" seal under the seat which can be seen by opening the zipper underneath the seat (as seen in the pics). The armchairs are very wide, making them not only super rare but very comfortable. These Brazilian Modern gems effortlessly flex into any Mid-Century Modern, modern, Danish modern or contemporary environment. This piece would also look wonderful in a boho chic, or Hollywood Regency styled home or office as well. During the restoration process, both armchairs where dissembled to understand their condition and to restore them following Tenreiro’s technique. Part of the process is shown in the last few images. Back in the fifties, most of the high-end furniture was created as special requests by wealthy patrons. As such, this is the case of this set that belonged to a private residence in Teresopolis, a well-known city for modernist architecture, two hours away from Rio de Janeiro. The mastery of the work is seen throughout the entire piece: The curved arms, joints and back sitting on a wide comfortable seat resting on Tenreiro’s iconic wood...

Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Joaquim Tenreiro Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Hardwood, Ebony

Mid-Century Modern Armchairs in Leather & Wood by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1955, Brazil

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Armchairs by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil, 1960s

By Joaquim Tenreiro

Located in Deerfield Beach, FL

Pair of Mid-Century Modern armchairs by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil 1960s This pair of square armchairs designed by Joaquim Tenreiro is a stunning examp...

Category

1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Joaquim Tenreiro Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Plywood

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Armchairs by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil, 1960s

Pair of Armchairs by Joaquim Tenreiro, Wood and Leather, 1950

By Joaquim Tenreiro

Located in PARIS, FR

Pair of armchairs made of solid walnut from Joaquin Tenreiro, 1960 Sculpted wood with a great quality of wood: density and deep grain. Subtil and geo...

Category

1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Joaquim Tenreiro Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Pair of Armchairs by Joaquim Tenreiro, Wood and Leather, 1950

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Joaquim Tenreiro, "Estoril", 1947

By Joaquim Tenreiro

Located in PARIS, FR

This armchair was designed around 1947 by Joaquim Tenreiro, the Brazilian master designer. It has typical Tenreiro characteristics. First of all, the use of this rare wood and cane, ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Joaquim Tenreiro Armchairs

Materials

Cane, Hardwood

Joaquim Tenreiro, "Estoril", 1947

Brazilian Modern Armchairs in Hardwood & Salmon Linen by Joaquim Tenreiro 1958

By Joaquim Tenreiro

Located in New York, NY

Available now, this Mid-Century Modern armchairs in hardwood & salmon linen by Joaquim Tenreiro are gorgeous! These elegant low armchairs consist of a hardwood structure with re-upholstered loose cushions in orange linen. Besides the small marks of time, the piece is in excellent condition. Also, very comfortable. The last images feature the same armchair featured on Tenreiro (by Soraia Cals) book. Also we're attaching images of the set throughout the upholstery process to showcases the piece from the inside Owning a piece designed by Joaquim Tenreiro is not just about acquiring a beautiful piece of furniture; it's also about possessing a part of Brazilian design history and culture. These set is a testament to Tenreiro's futuristic vision about Modernism and it would make an excellent addition to any interior space that values and appreciates the significance of this design. This model is called “L-shape” and is a great example of Tenreiro’s modernistic approach towards simplifying shapes, contrary to elaborate European standards, still in fashion during the fifties in Brazil. He achieves this by using rectangular shapes and no armrest...

Category

1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Joaquim Tenreiro Armchairs

Materials

Linen, Hardwood

Brazilian Modern Armchairs in Hardwood & Salmon Linen by Joaquim Tenreiro 1958

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Joaquim Tenreiro armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Joaquim Tenreiro armchairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Joaquim Tenreiro armchairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original armchairs by Joaquim Tenreiro were created in the mid-century modern style in south america during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider armchairs by Jorge Zalszupin, José Zanine Caldas, and Percival Lafer. Prices for Joaquim Tenreiro armchairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $6,850 and can go as high as $38,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $21,800.