In its heyday, Móveis Cimo was the most prolific furniture manufacturer in Brazil. From humble beginnings, the company grew into a leading mid-century modern and modern design and production house. It made stylish and quality wood furniture like lounge chairs, coffee tables and buffets, which were made available to the average homeowner who wanted functional and attractive pieces.
Móveis Cimo was founded in 1921 by brothers Jorge and Martin Zipperer in the municipality of Rio Negrinho. Initially a chair company, Móveis Cimo quickly expanded its repertoire to include many types of furniture. At the time, there was a substantial gap in the Brazilian furniture market for quality furniture produced at an industrial scale for homes, schools, offices, cinemas and other public spaces.
Móveis Cimo filled this niche with simple but chic furniture that brought the latest styles to the masses. According to designer João Livoti, who spoke about the company to Gazeta do Povo, the brothers made frequent trips abroad to stay on top of post-war design trends. Comfort, ergonomics and the modern use of different shades of wood characterized the company’s furniture. Móveis Cimo was also the first company in Brazil to employ steam wood lamination techniques.
Jorge Zipperer died in 1944, just as the company was hitting its stride. From the 1940s to the 1960s, Móveis Cimo produced thousands of pieces of wood furniture for the Brazilian market. At the end of the 1960s, new wood fiber panel production methods shifted the furniture landscape in Brazil and introduced a host of new competitors. After Martin Zipperer died in 1971, the company began experimenting with new Dutch and French designs, although these were not widely popular.
Móveis Cimo closed its doors in 1982, but the company left behind a legacy of innovation that paved the way for future furniture makers. Today, Móveis Cimo furniture is collected worldwide as an inventive example of modern Brazilian furniture design.
On 1stDibs, find Móveis Cimo seating, tables, case pieces and more.
Brazilian Modern Lounge Chairs by Móveis Cimo, 1960s Signed
By Moveis Cimo
Located in San Francisco, CA
An exceptional pair of Brazilian modernist lounge chairs by Móveis Cimo, 1960's. Sculpturally crafted from solid Brazilian rosewood these statement club chairs are rare and valuable ...
Upholstery, Rosewood
Set of Ten Dining Chairs by Móveis Cimo, Mid-Century Brazilian Design, 1960s
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
Cimo's history starts in 1921 with a wood boxes factory called A.Ehrl e Cia. and ends in 1982 as a furniture factory, after a lot of names and format changes, as Móveis Cimo S.A. Cim...
Wood, Faux Leather
Cimo, Brazil — Set of 8 Mid-Century Chairs in Ebonized Hardwood & Ivory Boucle
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
A sculptural and well-proportioned set of eight dining chairs by Cimo, Brazil, circa 1950 — executed in ebonized hardwood and newly upholstered in warm ivory bouclé. Produced by one ...
Bouclé, Hardwood
Organic Shape Chair by Móveis Cimo, Ivory Wood, Mid-Century Modern
By Moveis Cimo
Located in Whitstable, GB
Small curved chair with organic shaped ivory wood base, 'Pau Marfim'. Brazil, 1950s. The wooden frame is really eye catching; the organic shape frame is divided into three parts, with beautiful rounded edges and curves. There are some minor marks of wear and age, normal in a vintage piece, but frame is in excellent condition. The slightly angled back and seating appear to float on the frame. This chair design is very unique, and at the same time, very ergonomic: The seat and backrest provide a very comfortable seating experience. New upholstery in a light green zigzag fabric. Móveis Cimo...
Wood, Hardwood
$7,500 / set
H 32.29 in W 17.33 in D 20.87 in
Set of 4 Dining Chairs in Brazilian Hardwood by Novo Rumo — Brazil, 1960s
By Novo Rumo
Located in São Paulo, SP
Set of 4 Novo Rumo Dining Chairs in Brazilian Hardwood and Suede, Brazil, 1960s This exquisite set of four dining chairs was crafted by Novo Rumo, a distinguished Brazilian design h...
Suede, Hardwood
$687 / item
H 32.29 in W 17.72 in D 15.75 in
Mid Century Butterfly Chair, Light Ivory Boucle, Light Oak Wood, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Dining chair called "Butterfly" with medium light stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back in beautiful boucle italian fabric (color number 01). This chair can be cus...
Fabric, Bouclé, Beech
$6,483Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in L 31.5 in
Erik Buch 1960s Dining Chairs Set of 8 1960s mid century modern Blue
By Erik Buch
Located in Lewes, England
Very rare set of 8 1960s dining chairs designed by Erich Buch for Nova Stolefabrik Superb find - these are very unusual pieces and in good structural condition with teak colour wood...
Birch
$8,024 / set
H 32.29 in W 17.72 in D 15.75 in
Set of Ten Mid Century Chairs, Light Gray Boucle, Dark Walnut Wood, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Dining chair called "Butterfly" with medium light stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back in beautiful boucle italian fabric (color number 06). This chair can be c...
Fabric, Bouclé, Beech
$15,920Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.56 in W 90.56 in D 30.71 in
'Móveis Cimo' Sofa 1960s, Brazil Mid-Century Modern
By Moveis Cimo
Located in Curitiba, PR
Beautifully crafted by Móveis Cimo in Brazil during the 1960s, this elegant sofa exemplifies the timeless appeal of Brazilian modern design. The piece features a solid hardwood frame...
Fabric, Hardwood
$8,680
H 31.5 in W 22.45 in D 24.22 in
Rosewood Chair with Armrests by Móveis Cantù, 1960s, Brazilian, Midcentury
By Cantu
Located in New York, NY
This chair with armrests was produced by Cantù Móveis e Interiores Ltda. in the 1960s and presented in the company catalog from this period. With a structure in solid Rosewood, the piece received new upholstery in gorgeous red leather. Architects Jorge Jabour Mauad...
Rosewood, Leather
$23,660Sale Price|30% Off
H 26.4 in W 94.1 in D 30.7 in
Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Móveis CIMO, 1960's
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
Produced in the 1960s by the Brazilian company Móveis Cimo, this sofa structure is entirely made of solid imbuia, including the wooden partitions on both the armrests and backrest, s...
Velvet, Imbuia
$32,400 / set
H 36 in W 19.5 in D 22.5 in
Set of Fourteen Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Dining Chairs in Ivory Bouclé
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Beautiful large set of of 14 iconic Milo Baughman Model #1187 thin line polished stainless steel dining chairs for Thayer Coggin freshly reupholste...
Stainless Steel
Móveis Cimo, Lounge Chair, Wood, Fabric, Brazil, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and brown grey fabric lounge chair or slipper chair designed and produced by Móveis Cimo, Brazil, c. 1960s. Fabric distressed, reupholstery recommended. Wear to wood frame co...
Fabric, Wood
Moveis Cimo Model 201 Armchair
By Moveis Cimo
Located in Washington, DC
Beautiful curved wood expertly joined together by Moveis Cimo to create this handsome armchair. Moveis Cimo is a Brazilian furniture company that has produced quality furniture for g...
Wood
$22,352
H 26.78 in W 82.68 in D 30.71 in
Imbuia Wood Sofa by Móveis Cimo, 1960s, Brazil, Dedar Milano Fabric
By Moveis Cimo
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Móveis Cimo / Sofa Imbuia Wood, Dedar Milano Fabric 1960s, Brazil Matching Pair of Lounge Chairs Available Founded in 1913 in Santa Catarina, Móveis Cimo grew from a small box fact...
Upholstery, Imbuia
$10,920
H 40.95 in W 34.45 in D 39.38 in
Vintage Imbuia Lounge Chair by Móveis Cimo, 1960s, Brazilian Midcentury
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
This Imbuia Lounge chair was designed and manufactured by the Brazilian company Móveis Cimo, a pioneer in Brazilian furniture industrialization. Cimo's history starts in 1921 with a...
Imbuia
Brazilian Modern 1001 Chair by Cimo
By Moveis Cimo
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Founded in 1913 in Lionegrinho, Santa Catarina State in the southern part of Brazil, it was a Pioneer of wood lamination technology, a chair of the model 1001, the first furniture pr...
Wood