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 Sao 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
$6,908Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 38.19 in W 18.12 in D 20.08 in
Set of 8 Mid-Century Modern Italian Bouclè Dining Chairs, 50s
By Atelier Borsani Varedo, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Elegant lines and a solid structure characterize this splendid set of eight dining chairs in the 1950s. The mahogany-colored wood surfaces, as well as the padded backrests and seats,...
Bouclé, Walnut
$8,070 / set
H 31.5 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 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
Sold|$1,384 / set
H 48.43 in W 16.54 in D 18.12 in
Mid-Century Modern Chiavari Ladder Chairs, Ebonized Hardwood, Italy
By Chiavari
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Pair of beautiful ladder high-back chairs by Chiavari in 1950s Italy. Ebonized hard wood with slim cane seat. Chairs are extremly light and firm. Patina and condition is due to the ...
Cane, Hardwood
Móveis Cimo, Rocking Chair, Wood, Brazil, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood rocking lounge chair produced by Móveis Cimo, Brazil, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 41.75"H x 28.0"W x 39.0"D Seat Height (inches): 17.5" Arm Height (inches): 25.8...
Wood
$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 Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
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
$1,962Sale Price|35% Off
H 35.44 in W 19.69 in D 18.12 in
José Zanine Caldas - MÓVEIS ARTÍSTICOS Z Chair, Brazil, 1960s
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in Immenstaad am Bodensee, DE
This beautiful and very rare chair is attributed to José Zanine Caldas and his company Móveis Artisticos Z. Structure in solid noble wood, totally original, only cleaned and refinished. X-shaped backrest. Backrest and seat in tacheado fabric (upholstery in original condition). A self-taught artist, designer and architect, Jose Zanine Caldas (1919-2001) was born on the southern coast of Bahia in Brazil. At age twenty, he opened an architectural scale model...
Upholstery, Hardwood
$22,050Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 28.75 in W 22.84 in D 28.75 in
Pair of Vintage Imbuia Lounge Chairs by Móveis Cimo, 1960s, Brazilian Midcentury
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
This pair of Imbuia Lounge chairs was designed by Martin Zipperer in 1950 and manufactured by the Brazilian company Móveis Cimo, a pioneer in Brazilian furniture industrialization. I...
Velvet, Imbuia
Móveis Cimo Round Sofa, 60's Brazilian Midcentury
By Moveis Cimo
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This amazing lounge sofa is definitely an eyecatcher. The design of this amazing Brazilian hardwood structure combines beautifully the curve lines of the comfortable seat. This piece...
Wood
$24,400 / set
H 33 in W 22 in D 20 in
Milo Baughman Set of 8 Parsons Dining Chairs in Ivory Bouclé by Thayer Coggin
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Sexy set of eight Parsons dining chairs designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin newly professionally reupholstered in soft ivory white bouclé rated highly durable (over 50k double rubs). Milo Baughman's Parsons chairs are unique in that all surfaces are upholstered. Your guests will appreciate the softness of the all enveloping bouclé upholstery. Its texture ventilates well and is comfortable in both warm and cooler climates. Our buyers regularly contact us seeking comfortable dining chairs that are also sculptural. The sort one would admire from afar but also produce a comfortable sitting experience for long dinner celebrations. Here they are! Super sexy silhouette. Angled back and rear legs. Sturdy pedestal frame. Comfortable plush seat cushion and back. The look is clean, modern and elegant. These chairs' neutral color make them easy to incorporate into most styles of decor, but certainly hit the mark for California Modern, Organic Modern, Mid Century Modern and even Post Modern interiors...
Bouclé, Upholstery
$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
$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
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