In 1873, a group of wealthy coffee merchants established the Liceu de Artes e Ofícios with the stated aim of supporting future industrialization efforts in Brazil. Seven years later, it became a fully integrated school. For over a century, it has trained the public in fields of agriculture, industry, trade, crafts, the arts and design, including furniture design, leading to the production of incredibly rare student-designed pieces still sought after today.
Borrowing its model from similar European institutions, the Liceu de Artes e Ofícios built upon methods and curricula popular at the time to instruct and train economically disadvantaged locals. In the hopes of making Brazil’s industries more competitive, the school involved eminent volunteers, including two of its directors, Brazilian architects Bettencourt da Silva and Ramos de Azevedo. At times, the school used its own exceptionally talented students as teachers when volunteers were scarce.
The Sociedade Propagadora das Belas Artes maintained the school in a building designed by Ramos in São Paulo. Ramos’s work also included notable buildings such as the Theatro Municipal de São Paulo and the Palácio das Indústrias. The school has provided furnishings for a range of hotels, like the Manaus Tropical Hotel, as well as the Cumbica International Airport.
On 1stDibs find a collection of Liceu de Artes e Ofícios seating, tables and more.
Liceu de Artes e Ofícios, Sofa, Wood, Fabric, Brazil, 1960s
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and brown velvet sofa produced by Liceu de Artes e Ofícios, Brazil, c. 1960. Vintage fabric in fair condition.Overall Dimensions (inches): 29.0"H x 85.25"W x 30.0"D Seat Hei...
Fabric, Wood
Sofa in Rosewood & Bouclé by Liceu de Artes e Ofícios, Brazilian Modern, 1960s
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in New York, NY
This sofa is made with Rosewood and it has been reupholstered with a beautiful off-white boucle. What makes this sofa so unique are the built-in side tables (also made with Rosewood...
Hardwood, Bouclé
Brazilian Rosewood Sofa by Liceu De Artes e Officios, Midcentury
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in New York, NY
Two-seat sofa designed by Liceu de Artes e Oficios in solid rosewood, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 1960s. The piece has been recently refinished and newly upholstered in natural leather. Liceu De Artes & Oficios was established in 1873 by a group of elite coffee aristocrats that pretended to train skilled labor for possible future industrialization of Brazil. Seven years after, the institution changed completely the proposal, really becoming a school of craftsmanship, occupying a building design by Ramos de...
Leather, Rosewood
“Canoa” Sofa in Brazilian Rosewood & Upholstery, Liceu de Artes e Ofícios, 1960s
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in New York, NY
Architectural restraint meets cultural reference in this 1960s Canoa sofa by Liceu de Artes e Ofícios. Executed in solid Brazilian rosewood (jacarandá), the design is distinguis...
Fabric, Hardwood
Vintage Rosewood Sofa, Liceu De Artes e Ofícios, Brazil, 1950s, Mid-Century
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Liceu de Artes e Oficios Vintage Sofa Rosewood, Fabric Brazil, 1950s
Upholstery, Hardwood
$9,000Sale Price|40% Off
Brazilian Modern Sofa in Hardwood & Leather, Liceu de Artes e Oficios 1960s
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in New York, NY
Liceu de Artes e Oficios, Brazil, c. 1960s. Produced for the Liceu’s institutional interiors, this three-seat sofa distills the formal restraint of Brazilian modernism into a long, q...
Leather, Hardwood
Liceu de Artes e Oficios lounge sofa Brazil 1955
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Super rare sculptural lounge sofa designed and made by Liceu de Artes e Oficios, Brazil 1955. The sofa has elegant lines and awesome woodworking details. The feet are slightly angled...
Velvet, Rosewood
Liceu de Artes & Ofícios Brazilian Chairs, Mid-Century Modern Design
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
These two lounge chairs are a stunning representation of midcentury Brazilian design, produced by the esteemed design collective Liceu de Artes e Ofícios. The chairs' frames are craf...
Brass
Liceu de Artes e Ofícios, Sofa, Rosewood, Grey Fabric, Brazil, 1955
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in High Point, NC
A grey fabric and rosewood sofa designed and produced by Liceu de Artes e Ofícios, Brazil, 1955. Presents with partial makers label to underside. Seat Height (inches): 15.25" Arm ...
Fabric, Rosewood
Brazilian Design - Liceu de Artes e Oficios, 4-seater sofa, solid wood. c. 1960
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in PARIS, FR
Liceu de Artes e Oficios 4-seater sofa, c. 1960 Solid wood and natural linen fabric 200 x 80 x 71 cm 78 37/50 x 31 1/2 x 27 19/20 in Made in the 1960s, this four-seater sofa exempla...
Linen, Hardwood
Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Liceu de Artes e Ofícios, 1950's
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in New York, NY
This unique piece showcases the excellence of Brazilian modernist design. Crafted in solid rosewood of exceptional quality and upholstered in a deep red fabric. Founded in 1873 mids ...
Leather, Upholstery, Rosewood
Sofa by “Liceu de Artes e Ofícios”, Brazil, 1960s
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sofa designed and produced by “Liceu de Artes e Ofícios” around 1960’s in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Solid wood, brass details and new upholstery. Ready to...
Brass
$3,895
H 26.25 in W 51.25 in D 27 in
Arne Norell Style Mid Century Danish Rosewood Settee Loveseat Sofa
By Arne Norell
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Arne Norell Style Mid Century Danish Rosewood Settee Loveseat Sofa This settee measures: 51.25 wide x 27 deep x 26.25 inches high, with a seat height of 15.25 and arm height of 18.5...
Upholstery, Rosewood
$22,940
H 28.75 in W 34.65 in D 30.71 in
Lounge Chair in Hardwood by Liceu de Artes e Ofícios — Brazil, 1960s
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This pair of mid-century lounge chairs, designed by the esteemed Brazilian design manufacturer Liceu de Artes e Ofícios, is a stunning representation of the innovative and refined cr...
Leather, Hardwood
$17,092 / set
H 27.17 in W 33.47 in D 27.56 in
Liceu De Artes e Oficios Pair of Midcentury Brazilian Jacaranda Armchairs Cream
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in Barcelona, ES
Liceu de artes e oficios Pair of armchairs Manufactured by Liceo de Arte e Oficios Brazil, 1950 Solid jacaranda and upholstery Cream upholstered Mid-Century Modern Measure...
Upholstery, Jacaranda
$4,850
H 28.75 in W 66.5 in D 23.75 in
Danish Midcentury Sofa with Legs and Accents in Teak by Georg Thams Denmark 1957
By Kurt Olsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Super cool and elegant sofa by Georg Thams for Vejen Polstermøbelfabrik. Designed and produced around 1957. Epitome of Danish 1950's style by one of the iconic designers. Solid and...
Wool, Teak
$26,900Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 75 in D 36 in
'Mole' Brazilian Rosewood Sofa by Sergio Rodrigues for OCA Brazil, 1960s, Signed
By OCA Brazil, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare signed example of the 'Mole' sofa by Sergio Rodrigues, produced by OCA Brazil in the 1960s (see image gallery for a photo of the OCA stamp). This Mole sofa has an expansive am...
Rosewood, Leather
$5,302 / set
H 14 in W 17 in D 17 in
Brazilian Modern Stools by Liceu de Artes, Rosewood & Cane, 1960s
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in New York, NY
This refined pair of stools, produced in Brazil during the 1960s and attributed to the Liceu de Artes, exemplifies the disciplined yet warm design language that defined Brazilian mod...
Cane, Hardwood
Brazilian Designer, Sofa, Wood, Fabric, Marble, Brazil, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood, brown fabric and marble sofa designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1960s. Vintage fabric in fair condition, reupholstery recommended. Overall Dimensions (inches): 24.75"H x 9...
Marble
$9,700
H 32 in W 66 in D 38 in
French Design, Art Deco, Sofa, Lacquered Rosewood, Beige Velour, France, 1930s
Located in Manhasset, NY
French Art Deco style rosewood sofa/couch having a fine velour upholstery with lacquered rosewood arms. This magnificent sofa or large loveseat is cert...
Rosewood, Upholstery
$6,483
H 24.81 in W 60.63 in D 33.86 in
Chic Mid-Century Modern Green Leather Sofa / Loveseat by De Sede
By De Sede
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Chic and playful Mid-Century Modern loveseat / sofa made in Switzerland by master leather ateliers De Sede.
Leather
Vintage DS-47 Leather Sofa by De Sede, Circa 1970
Located in Nashville, TN
Vintage Swiss DS-47 Buffalo leather 2-seater sofa by De Sede, 1970s. The thick neck leather is 5mm thick and very durable. The seat extends up to 9" for another seating position. W...
Leather
Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Rosewood Sofa by Selig
By Milo Baughman, Selig
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This exceptional Selig rosewood sofa from 1960s Denmark is the kind of piece that stops conversations. When Brazilian rosewood enters a room, everything else fades into the backgroun...
Leather, Rosewood
Knot Brazilian Contemporary Foam Sofa by Lattoog
By Lattoog
Located in Sao Paolo, BR
This sofa/pouf is characterized by a flexible linear structure tied in a knot shape. The 'Knot' was the first piece created by the duo Leonardo Lattavo and Pedro Moog, when designing furniture was still seen as a hobby by both of them. A few years later, when they came across the cover of an Italian magazine that showed a piece of furniture by the Campana brothers (the Boa sofa...
Fabric, Upholstery
Sold
H 73 in W 232 in D 76 in
Brazilian Modern Sofa in Hardwood & Brown Leather by Liceu De Artes 1960
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in New York, NY
Available right now, with complimentary domestic shipping included this midcentury sofa in Brazilian Rosewood, as known as Jacaranda and brown leather designed by Liceu de Artes e Of...
Leather, Hardwood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 91.34 in D 29.93 in
Brazilian Modern Sofa in Hardwood &Brown Leather by Liceu De Artes 1960
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in New York, NY
Available right now, this midcentury sofa in Brazilian Rosewood, as known as Jacaranda and brown leather designed by Liceu de Artes e Oficios is absolute stunning! The “Canoa” (canoe) model was inspired by the Brazilian canoes used...
Leather, Hardwood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 91.7 in D 28.3 in
Brazilian Modern Sofa in Hardwood & Beige Suede by Liceu de Artes, c1960 Brazil
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in New York, NY
Available right now, this mid-century sofa in Brazilian Rosewood and beige suede by Liceu de Artes e Oficios is absolute gorgeous! What makes this mid-century sofa so special is th...
Suede, Hardwood
Sold
H 29.93 in W 103.94 in D 32.68 in
Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Liceu de Artes e Ofícios Manufacture, Brazil, 1960s
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Liceu de Artes e Ofícios manufacture, Brazil, 1960s. Sofa by the Brazilian manufacture Liceu de Artes e Ofícios, dating the 1960s. The sofa's ni...
Hardwood
Liceu de Artes e Oficios Three-Seat Sofa, circa 1960, Brazil
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in Brussels, BE
Very nice Liceu de Artes e Oficios three-seat sofa, circa 1960, Brazil. Jacaranda wood frame, brass and new ivory fabric. Dimensions: 190 cm W, 74 cm D, 74 cm D, seat height 43 cm. G...
Fabric, Jacaranda
Sold
H 28.35 in W 59.06 in D 32.29 in
Brazilian Rosewood Sofa by Liceu De Artes e Officios, Midcentury
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in New York, NY
Two-seat sofa designed by Liceu de Artes e Oficios in solid rosewood, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 1960s. The piece has been recently refinished and newly upholstered in natural leather. Liceu De Artes & Oficios was established in 1873 by a group of elite coffee aristocrats that pretended to train skilled labor for possible future industrialization of Brazil. Seven years after, the institution changed completely the proposal, really becoming a school of craftsmanship, occupying a building design by Ramos de...
Leather, Rosewood
Sofa in Caviuna Wood
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in Soho, London, GB
Sofa in caviuna wood and fabric, 1950s.
Liceu de Artes e Ofícios Three Seats Sofa with Magazine Holder
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This is a fine sofa made of caviuna wood by the Liceu de Artes e Ofícios. This amazing sofa features a moving magazine holder made of solid caviuna wood too. It has been recently res...
Wood
Sold
H 30.71 in W 84.65 in D 26.78 in
1950s Sofa in Rosewood by Liceu de Artes e Ofícios, Brazil Modern Design
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Big and classy four-seat sofa, with arms and legs in Brazilian rosewood, produced by Liceu de Artes e Ofícios, São Paulo, Brazil, 1950s. Beautiful rosewood piece runs through the who...
Leather, Rosewood
Liceu De Artes e Oficios Jacaranda Sofa, Brazil, circa 1950
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Newly imported and restored from a private collector in Brazil, this one of a kind sofa created by the Liceu de Artes e Oficios de São Paulo encapsulates the quality and innovation o...
Brass
Sold
H 28.5 in W 98.25 in L 28.5 in
Liceu de Artes e Oficios Jacaranda Sofa & Pair of Side Tables Brazil, circa 1950
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Newly imported and restored from a private collector in Brazil, this one of a kind sofa and two matching side tables were created by the Liceu de Artes e Ofícios de São Paulo and enc...
Linen, Jacaranda, Rosewood