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 Set of 5 High Stools, Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, c1954
By Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner
Located in New York, NY
This fabulous high stool was designed by Martin Eisler and manufactured by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte in circa 1955. The piece is composed of an iron structure with brass ti...
Iron
Squared Side Table by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, 1950 Brazilian Mid-century
By Carlo Hauner, Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
This square side table with iron structure and Rosewood top is a rare piece designed by Carlo Hauner (1927-1997) for "Móveis Artesanal" by 1948. The gorgeous piece stands out by its ...
Iron
Square Italian Mid-Century Modern Travertine Side Table
By Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern single pedestal Italian travertine square side table.
Travertine
Lane Rhythm Mid Century Square Walnut Side End Table
By Lane Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Lane Rhythm Mid Century Square Walnut Side End Table This side table measures: 23.5 wide x 23.5 deep x 20.25 inches high Restored - Mint Condit...
Walnut
$20,982
H 66 in W 71 in D 102 in
Martin Eisler & Carlos Hauner Model "Reversible" modern Brazilian armchair 1955
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in Barcelona, ES
Martin Eisler(1913-1977) & Carlos Hauner (1927-1997) Armchair model “Reversible” Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1955 Iron structure, brass, cotton upholstery Measurements: 10...
Iron
$28,291 / set
H 28.35 in W 30.32 in D 30.32 in
Martin Eisler & Carlos Hauner Pair of Modern Brazilian Armchairs wood and velvet
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in Barcelona, ES
Martin Eisler (1913-1977) & Carlos Hauner (1927-1997) Pair of armchairs Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1955 Caviuna wood legs, velvet and cotton upholstery Measurements: 77 cm x 77 cm x 72 H cm. 30.3 in x 30.3 in x 28.3 H in. Literature: Casa & Jardim, 1956. Nº 92 Details: Belonging to a three pieces set of sofa and two armchairs.
Upholstery, Wood
$7,500
H 29.5 in W 59.1 in D 33.5 in
Brazilian Modern Set of Four Chairs by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, c. 1960s
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
Carlo Hauner, Brazil, c. 1960s. This quartet distills Hauner’s restraint and formal clarity into a compact dining type: pared proportions, a taut seat rail, and a rectilinear back th...
Fabric, Cane, Hardwood
$88,100
H 31.11 in W 28.75 in D 28.75 in
Rare 'Costela' Lounge Chairs by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner, Brazil, 1954
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in Antwerp, BE
These extraordinary lounge chairs represent an original and very rare piece of Brazilian design history. Designed by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner in 1954 for the renowned company F...
Steel
$4,000 / set
H 19 in W 17 in D 14 in
Pair of Caned Stools with Iron Frame, Carlo Hauner, Brazilian Modern, 1950s
By Carlo Hauner
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Carlo Hauner in the 1950s and produced by Forma, this elegant pair of stools exemplifies the lightness and structural clarity that defined Brazilian modernism in the post...
Iron
$3,600 / set
H 15.5 in W 17.25 in D 17.25 in
John Keal Mid-Century Square Reverse Painted Glass and Walnut End / Side Tables
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of American mid-century square end / side tables with reverse painted glass tops mounted in a walnut frame, supported by a smaller square walnut pedestal base. (John Keal for Br...
Walnut
$3,600Sale Price / set|44% Off
H 18.9 in W 18.51 in D 12.6 in
Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler Pair of Stools
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Washington, DC
Beautiful and interesting pair of iron and cane stools by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler. Can also be used as side tables.
Metal
$25,000
H 18.12 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
Coffee Table by Carlo Hauner, Mid-Century Modern Brazilian, 1953
By Carlo Hauner
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This elegant round coffee table by Carlo Hauner showcases his refined command of curvature, proportion, and Brazilian hardwoods. The design is defined by a circular rosewood band div...
Glass, Rosewood
Carlo Hauner, Side Tables, Iron, Rosewood, Brazil, 1960s
By Carlo Hauner
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of black-painted iron and rosewood side tables designed by Carlo Hauner, Brazil, c. 1960s. Provenance: Adesso, Los Angeles
Iron
$1,185Sale Price|34% Off
H 15.25 in W 16.25 in D 16.25 in
Pair of Small Square Mid-Century Modern Lucite Side Table Bases
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Lucite side tables with optional bevelled rectangular glass tabletops Complimentary shipping includes only the Lucite bases, not the glass table tops.
Lucite
Martin Eisler for Forma Coffee Tray Table
By Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Martin Eisler for Forma, 1452 trolley table, stained beech, brassed metal, Formica, circa 1960. This small elegant coffee table and bar trolle...
Metal
Sold
H 14.5 in W 18.5 in D 18.5 in
Pair of 1960s Martin Eisler Brazilian Caviuna and Metal Side Tables
By Martin Eisler
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Brazilian caviuna side tables with metal base by Martin Eisler form the 1960s.
Metal