Martin Eisler was an influential figure in mid-century modern furniture design, particularly within the Brazilian design movement. Born in Vienna, Austria, in 1913, Eisler was part of a generation of European architects and designers whose work and lives were profoundly affected by the upheaval of the Second World War. His father was the art historian Max Eisler, a founding member of the Austrian Werkbund, which likely influenced Eisler's early exposure to design and architecture.
It was in Brazil that Eisler's design sensibilities fully blossomed. He met Carlo Hauner, with whom he would form a formidable partnership, founding the iconic Brazilian furniture company Forma. Their designs are celebrated for integrating Brazilian materials and craftsmanship with modernist design principles, creating furniture that was both accessible and aesthetically sophisticated.
Eisler's furniture designs, such as the Reversível and Costela chairs, are lauded for their innovative use of materials and form. His work often featured Brazilian woods and thin tubular frames, showcasing a finesse in blending structure with visual lightness. The collaboration between Eisler and Hauner was marked by a shared vision that helped define Brazilian mid-century modern design, making it distinctive and sought after globally.
Find vintage Martin Eisler furniture on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by Herança Cultural)
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, 1950s
By Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in New York, NY
A bar cart designed by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner in the 1950s and produced by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte. It features a chrome structure and loose trays of solid Rose...
Chrome
Bar Cabinet with Footrest by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, c. 1955, Forma S.A
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in New York, NY
This fabulous Home Bar in Brazilian Caviuna wood was manufactured in c. 1955 by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte, a company with designs and creative direction by Carlo Hauner (19...
Brass
$2,279 / item
Trolley/ bar by Martin Eisler for Forma - 1960s
By Martin Eisler
Located in Uccle, Bruxelles
Small bar, cart, or coffee table designed by Martin Eisler for Forma in the 1960s. This magnificent serving trolley on wheels has two tiers. On the top tier, there are two removable...
Smoked Glass, Wood
Nomon Bar Cabinet with Marble Top by Andres Martinez
By Nomon, ANDRÉS MARTÍNEZ
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We create a space to enjoy a drink in good company. Marble top and suspended glasses from the Golden rods evoke classical bar cabinets. Available in: ...
Marble, Brass
$62,694
H 31.89 in W 105.52 in D 16.93 in
Carlos Hauner & Martin Eisler, Buffet, Caviuna Wood, Cane, Brazil, 1950
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Barcelona, ES
Carlos Hauner & Martin Eisler Buffet with five doors Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1950 Caviuna wood, cane From the archives of Side Gallery, Barcelona Measurements 268 cm x 43 cm x 81 H cm 105.52 in x 16.92 in x 31.88 H in Literature Brasilian modern: The rediscovery of 20th century Brazilian furniture. Aric Chen. Brasil, 2016 Bio Beside Carlos Hauner, Martin Eisler (1913-1977) was the founder for the iconic Brazilian furniture company Forma. He was born in Vienna, Austria, and studied architecture in his country. In 1938 he moved to Buenos Aires. After meeting Carlos Hauner in Brazil, he started traveling there frequently to collaborate on designs and, they founded Forma to sell their own designs as well as pieces licensed from Knoll International. Eisler also opened Forma in Buenos Aires, along with partners Arnold Hakel and Susi Aczel...
Wood
$31,803
H 34.26 in W 86.62 in D 16.93 in
Sideboard - Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler Forma Moveis, Brazil, 1950s
By Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Rosendahl, DE
A rare and exquisite four-door buffet designed by Martin Eisler and Carlos Hauner, founders of the iconic Brazilian furniture company Forma Móveis. Crafted in Brazil in the 1950s, th...
Cane, Wood
Bar Cabinet by Torbjørn Afdal for Bruksbo, Norway, 1960s
By Dyrlund, Reno Wahl Iversen
Located in Karlstad, SE
Sophisticated foldable bar cabinet designed by Torbjørn Afdal for Bruksbo in the 1960s. Crafted in richly grained rosewood, the cabinet features a clever fold-out construction that d...
Brass
Bronze Mirrored Bar Cabinet by Ello
By Ello Furniture
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A two-part mirrored cabinet on chest, perfect for a bar. Two mirrored doors above three mirrored drawers with modern inset brass campaign handles, on a brass base with brass sides. G...
Brass
$55,000
H 29.53 in W 86.62 in D 35.44 in
Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler Dining Table, midcentury Brazilian modern design
By Carlo Hauner, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Martin Eisler
Located in São Paulo, SP
Elegant and rare dining table designed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler for Forma in the 1950s, a striking example of Brazilian modernist design. Crafted in solid caviuna wood with ...
Cane, Glass, Wood, Hardwood
Mid-Century Modern Italian Brass Bar Cart, 1970s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Midcentury brass bar cart, circa 1970s. It is versatile in size and can be used as a bar or serving cart or as an additional storage space in an office. It has four bottle holders at...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart Edward Wormley for Dunbar C1953
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous bar cart/server with a drop down top which is 27 inches and 54 when raised, shelves for bottles, cupboard for glasses and other necessities. Model # 5433 created out of waln...
Brass
Original 1960s Dry Bar by Erik Buch
By Erik Buch
Located in Paris, FR
Original Danish rosewood dry bar designed by Erik Buch (1923-1982). The outside of the bar is made from rosewood with a very nice grain, and the inside is partly in rosewood and the...
Chrome
$10,828
H 45.48 in W 47.25 in D 17.92 in
Bar Cabinet with Tambour Doors in Rosewood and Brass by Kurt Østervig, 1960's
By Kurt Østervig
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Bar Cabinet with Tambour Doors in Rosewood, Brass and Glass by Kurt Østervig, 1960's Additional Information: Material: Rosewood, brass and glass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Pro...
Rosewood
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart by Sergio Rodrigues, 1960s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
A mid-century modern bar cart produced by Oca, Rio de Janeiro, circa 1960s, designed by Sergio Rodrigues. Constructed with rosewood veneer over a rosewood solid frame, the piece feat...
Formica, Rosewood
$2,963
H 25.4 in W 27.17 in D 19.69 in
Cesare Lacca Brass and Rosewood Mid-Century Bar Cart, Italy, 1950s
By Cesare Lacca, (After) Gio Ponti
Located in Roma, IT
Spectacular and unique Italian bar trolley in solid rosewood and brass. This incredibly stylish piece was designed by Cesare Lacca and produced in Italy during the 1950s. Fully orig...
Brass
Bar Cabinet with illuminated compartments, 1940s
Located in Palermo, IT
Bar cabinet with illuminated compartments, 1940s Found in a noble apartment in my hometown, Palermo. Good condition, as per the descriptive photographs, with minor signs of aging. E1...
Wood
Danish Captains Bar by Reno Wahl Iversen for Dyrlund, 1960s
By Reno Wahl Iversen, Dyrlund
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Exceptional Danish vintage captains bar designed by Reno Wahl Iversen for Dyrlund in the 1960s. Beautifully crafted with an ingenious and highly practical design, the cabinet unfolds...
Formica, Rosewood
$6,256
H 27.96 in W 37.8 in D 18.9 in
Wood and Marble Dry Bar Cart by Angelo Mangiarotti for Molteni, Italy, 1960s
By Molteni & C, Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Dry bar cart cabinet in wood and marble top by the italian designer Angelo Mangiarotti for Molteni, the bar is mounted on wheels. Famous design like Mario Sabot, Willy Rizzo, Maison ...
Marble
Sold
H 28.9 in W 28.15 in D 17.92 in
Cane Bar Cart by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, 1950s, Forma S.A., Brazil
By Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in New York, NY
This Bar or tea cart is a rare and elegant piece designed by Martin Eisler (1913-1977) in the 1950s and produced by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte. It presents a solid Rosewood...
Chrome
Sold
H 42.13 in W 59.85 in D 39.38 in
Martin Eisler/Forma, Brazilian Modernist Bar Made with Caviuna Wood
By Martin Eisler
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Martin Eisler for Forma. Brazilian modernist bar made with caviuna wood. Structure made of solid caviuna wood with bronze details. Front panels made with sticks of solid caviuna wood...
Metal