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.
Scarce sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rare canapé trois place par Joaquim Tenreiro en imbuvable et cuir fauve.
Leather, Imbuia
Sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Refined and inviting, this sofa embodies Joaquim Tenreiro’s commitment to lightness and modern proportion. Its curved profile and tapered jacarandá legs lend the piece a quiet sophis...
Upholstery, Rosewood
$70,200Sale Price / item|25% Off
Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Made for a private commission, it is a unique piece from the 1960s featuring a rosewood base and comfortable L-shaped cushions. Newly upholstered with refined cotton velvet by Loro P...
Upholstery, Rosewood, Cotton
Joaquim Tenreiro Four-Seat Sofa, Hardwood, Brazilian Modern, 1950s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
This rare four-seat sofa exemplifies Joaquim Tenreiro’s radical redefinition of modern seating in postwar Brazil, where structure, lightness, and human scale were treated as insepara...
Velvet, Hardwood
“Concha” Sofa in Plum Mohair Velvet & Hardwood, Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
An exceptionally rare and sculptural “Concha” sofa—named after the Portuguese word for shell—this piece represents a highly refined and seldom-seen expression of Brazilian modernism ...
Hardwood, Mohair
Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1960s Three-seater sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro, circa 1960s. It has a solid wood base structure and fabric upholstery.
Fabric, Wood
Concha sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Canapé concha by Joaquim Tenreiro circa 1950, La tapisserie n’est pas dans une belle condition.
Wool, Wood
Joaquim Tenreiro, Vintage 'Curva' Sofa, 1950s, Brazil, Velvet
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Joaquim Tenreiro / Curva Sofa Velvet, Wood / Brazil, 1950s Matching Pair of Armchairs Available The Curva model, designed in the 1950s and produced in different variations through ...
Upholstery, Wood
Concha Sofa in Hardwood & Warm Camel Mohair, Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional example of Brazilian mid-century modern design, this rare Concha sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro embodies the designer’s unparalleled ability to merge sculptural form, comfor...
Fabric, Mohair
$67,200Sale Price|30% Off
Curved Sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro, Midcentury Brazilian Design, 1950s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
A prolific and gifted designer, Joaquim Tenreiro (1906–1992) masterfully laid the groundwork for modern living in Brazil through his furniture and interiors. Born in Portugal and tra...
Leather, Hardwood
Canapé Sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro, Amoreira Wood, Cane, Mid-Century Modern, C.1960
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992) is known as the “father” of Brazilian modernism, being one of the pioneers, with a work that reflects a refined coexistence of traditional values and mod...
Cane, Wood
Curved Sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1960s, Midcentury, Brazil
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992) designed and produced the Curved Sofa in circa 1960, commercializing it in his company Tenreiro Móveis e Decorações – with stores in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. A wooden frame comprises a shell-shaped piece with soft nubuck leather upholstered padding and cushions. Tenreiro's design choice for the feet contrasts with the curved upholstery, bringing four rectangular legs made of solid Brazilian...
Leather, Rosewood
Joaquim Tenreiro Three-Seat Sofa, Brasil, 1954
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Barcelona, ES
Joaquim Tenreiro Three seats sofa Manufactured by Tenreiro Moveis e Decoraçaos Brasil, 1954 Jacaranda, upholstery From the archives of Side Gallery, Barcelona Measurements: ...
Fabric, Jacaranda
Joaquim Tenreiro Three-Seat Sofa, Brazil, 1954
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Barcelona, ES
Joaquim Tenreiro Three seats sofa Manufactured by Tenreiro Moveis e Decoraçaos Brazil, 1954 Jacaranda, upholstery From the archives of Side Gallery, Barcelona Measurements: ...
Fabric, Jacaranda
Joaquim Tenreiro “Rectangular” Four-Seat Sofa in Hardwood & Rose Velvet, Brazil
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
A rare and highly desirable four-seat sofa designed by Joaquim Tenreiro and produced in Brazil during the 1950s, this exceptional example embodies the designer’s enduring contributio...
Velvet, Hardwood
Rarissime canapé trois places par Joaquim Tenreiro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rarissime canapé trois places par Joaquim Tenreiro en imbuia et cuir fauve.
Leather, Wood
Authentic Curva Four-Seat Sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro in Hardwood, Brazil, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Curitiba, PR
Designed by Joaquim Tenreiro in the early 1960s, the Curva sofa is among the most celebrated and sculptural examples of Brazilian modern furniture. Its gracefully flowing silhouette ...
Hardwood
Price Upon Request
Sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in London, England
Rare sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro. Preserves traces of manufacture's label on the back.
Fabric, Hardwood
Price Upon Request
Two-Seat Sofa with Rosewood Frame Designed by Joaquim Tenreiro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Two-seat sofa with rosewood frame and upholstered cushions. Designed by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil, circa 1960s.
Rosewood
$143,000 / set
H 25.39 in W 32.08 in D 31.49 in
Mid-Century Modern Curved Armchairs by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1948
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Designed in 1948, this pair of Curved Armchairs by Joaquim Tenreiro embodies the essence of Brazilian mid-century modern design. The soft, organic lines defining the sculptural form ...
Upholstery, Rosewood
Mid Century Modern 1960s Sofa by Viko Baumritter
By Viko Baumritter
Located in New York, NY
This floating 1960s sofa was manufactured by Viko Baumritter , an American furniture Company that later became Ethan Allen. The sofa has a metal frame and metal splay legs with a fau...
Metal
$7,500
H 31 in W 21 in D 19 in
Brazilian Modern "Curva" Chair in Rosewood & Caning, Joaquim Tenreiro, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Joaquim Tenreiro (1906–1992) in 1961–1962, the Curva chair is one of the designer’s most refined and recognizable seating designs. It exemplifies Tenreiro’s ability to un...
Hardwood, Cane
Brazilian Designer, Sofa, Velvet, Wood, Brazil, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
An organic green velvet and wood sofa designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1950s. Likely reupholstered in fairly recent history, fabric in fair condition. Overall Dimensions (inches...
Velvet, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Leve Armchair by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1942
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
The Light Armchair marked the first design Tenreiro fully claimed as his own—an early expression of his modern vision. For him, lightness wasn’t about weight but about elegance, prop...
Upholstery, Wood
$67,200Sale Price|30% Off
H 25.2 in W 93.31 in D 31.5 in
Curved Sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro, Midcentury Brazilian Design, 1950s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
A prolific and gifted designer, Joaquim Tenreiro (1906–1992) masterfully laid the groundwork for modern living in Brazil through his furniture and interiors. Born in Portugal and tra...
Leather, Hardwood
$17,557 / set
H 31.5 in W 20.87 in D 19.69 in
Joaquim Tenreiro Wood Dining Chair Manufactured by Tenreiro Movèis, Brazil, 1960
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of dining chairs (14 available) (Price is per chair) Manufactured by Tenreiro Movèis & Decorações Brasil, 1960 Jacaranda wood and cane Modern Br...
Jacaranda
$14,000
H 28.75 in W 98.43 in D 43.31 in
Mid-Century Modern Sofa in Hardwood and Leather by Lineart Móveis, Brazil 1960s
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Sofa in Hardwood and Leather by Lineart Móveis, Brazil 1960s. This large four-seat sofa by the Brazilian manufacturer Lineart Móveis...
Leather, Wood, Hardwood
$2,245
H 33.86 in W 99.22 in D 42.13 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet four Seater Curved Sofa, 1950s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Curved four-seater sofa, Italian design, solid wood structure and legs, original vintage chenille velvet upholstery, 1950s production. Conditions as s...
Chenille, Velvet, Beech
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair of chairs in Jacaranda and upholstered in black faux leather, made in Brazil, circa 1950 by Joaquim Tenreiro. A total of four chairs are available.
Faux Leather, Jacaranda
$52,673
H 26.78 in W 26.78 in D 26.78 in
Joaquim Tenreiro, Pair of Vintage 'Curva' Armchairs, Velvet, 1950s, Brazil
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Joaquim Tenreiro / Pair of Vintage 'Curva' Armchairs Wood, Velvet / Brazil, 1950s / Matching Sofa Available The Curva model, designed in the 1950s and produced in different variatio...
Upholstery, Wood
$60,000
H 25.2 in W 37.8 in D 33.86 in
Pair of Armchairs by Joaquim Tenreiro, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Softly contoured and impeccably balanced, this pair of curved armchairs reflects Joaquim Tenreiro’s mature phase, when comfort and sculptural form reached perfect harmony. The envelo...
Upholstery, Rosewood
Sold
H 25.6 in W 92.52 in D 30.71 in
Authentic Curva Four-Seat Sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro in Hardwood, Brazil, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Curitiba, PR
Designed by Joaquim Tenreiro in the early 1960s, the Curva sofa is among the most celebrated and sculptural examples of Brazilian modern furniture. Its gracefully flowing silhouette ...
Hardwood
Manta Solta Sofa, Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazilian Design
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Radical in concept and precise in execution, the Manta Solta set embodies Joaquim Tenreiro’s disruptive vision for modern furniture design in mid-20th-century Brazil. Crafted in 1955...
Leather, Hardwood
Sold
H 29 in W 90.6 in D 29 in
Brazilian Modern Sofa in Hardwood & Light Blue Fabric, Joaquim Tenreiro, c. 1960
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
This “Curva” (curve in Portuguese) sofa was designed by Joaquim Tenreiro in the 1950s for his own company Tenreiro Moveis e Decoraçãos. It fits four people comfortably. The shell-sha...
Fabric, Hardwood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 70.87 in D 29.14 in
Two Seater Sofa, wooden frame and upholsterd cushions, by Joaquim Tenreiro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Whitstable, GB
Designed by Joaquim Tenreiro in the 1960s, this sculptural piece is a great example of Tenreiro’s genius. The design of this sofa is testimony to Tenreiro's passion for his craft: the features of this piece show his deep knowledge of wood as the sections are worked to perfection and the limits of the material. The furniture feels light visually, however it is very sturdy. Tenreiro uses wood cleverly never losing sight of the furniture primary function as an utilitarian element. Our sofa is in excellent vintage condition. It has been refinished, the furniture is solid and the wood grain, surfaces and colour look beautiful. We made new upholstered cushions for the seat and back rest. Joaquim Tenreiro was born in Portugal in 1906 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...
Fabric, Hardwood
Sold
H 27.56 in W 51.19 in D 27.56 in
Two-Seat Sofa, by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in São Paulo, SP
The simple lines and the overall lightness of the sofa are both signatures of Joaquim Tenreiro's work. This is a piece that also reflects the craft and wisdom in the use of tropical ...
Wood
Sold
H 28.35 in W 74.81 in D 26.78 in
Brazilian Modern Cane Three Seat Sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro, Early 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Cane and Peroba Branca Hardwood Three Seat Sofa designed and produced by Joaquim Tenreiro, early 1960s. This three seat sofa is amongst the most minimal...
Cane, Hardwood
Sold
H 29.53 in W 31.5 in D 157.49 in
Large Sofa with Side Tables, by Joaquim Tenreiro, Mid-Century Modern
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in São Paulo, SP
Extremely rare sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro. With 4 meters width, this elegant bench, made in solid cedar comfortably accommodates 4 people and has a side space that may be used as a sid...
Cedar
Sold
H 31.5 in W 74.81 in D 27.56 in
Joaquim Tenreiro Free-Form Sofa in Pau Marfim Wood, Brazil, Late 1950s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This beautiful free-form sofa has the structure built in Pau Marfim wood, with sturdy faceted splayed legs. The floating back design is sustained by two poles that are made from the ...
Hardwood
Sold
H 29.14 in W 78.75 in D 30.32 in
Brazilian Midcentury, Sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil, circa 1954
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Brazilian midcentury sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil, circa 1954. Material: linen and jacaranda.
Linen, Jacaranda
Joaquim Tenreiro Four-Seat Linen Sofa on Jacaranda Legs
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Astoria, NY
A lengthy four-seat sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro, produced circa 1950s, upholstered in off-white linen, with curved arms, raised on tapered legs in Brazilian jacaranda. Very good vintage...
Linen, Wood, Jacaranda, Rosewood
Sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Sofa with horizontal back slats in jacaranda and upholstered cushions. Designed by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil, 1950s.
Sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Upholstered sofa with solid cabreuva wood frame. Designed by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil, circa 1954. (Seat 16" H)