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.
Cimo, Brazil, 1950s — Set of 8 Dining Chairs in Hardwood with Dusty Olive Mohair
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
A rare and sculptural set of eight dining chairs by Cimo, Brazil, circa 1950s — comprising two head chairs with armrests and six side chairs — executed in ebony-finished hardwood and...
Mohair, Hardwood, 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
Brazilian Modern Set of 8 Tall-Back Dining Chairs in Caviúna & Bone Linen, Cimo
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional and increasingly scarce set of eight dining chairs by Cimo, Brazil, circa 1950 — a study in proportion, restraint, and material authority. Executed in richly grained c...
Linen, Caviuna
$5,184Sale Price / set|35% Off
Móveis Cimo, Brazil - set of 4 rare Dinner Chairs, 1960s
By Moveis Cimo
Located in Immenstaad am Bodensee, DE
These 4 rare hardwood dining chairs were manufactured in the 1960s by the Brazilian company Móveis Cimo, a pioneer of Brazilian furniture manufacturing that existed from 1921 to 1982...
Linen, Hardwood
Set of Six Wooden Dining Chairs with Green Upholstery, 1950s
By Mario Asnago
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This set of six dining chairs was designed by Carlo Ratti in Italy in the 1950s. The dark rosewood contrasts with the turquoise vintage upholstery and the colour combination makes th...
Wool, Faux Leather
$1,650 / set
H 38 in W 18 in D 20 in
4 American Modern Tomlinson Sophisticate Tall Back Dining Chairs Mid-century
By Tomlinson
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stylish set of 4 tall back American modern Tomlinson Sophisticate dining chairs. I love the round seat pads and sexy tall backs.
Upholstery
$16,000 / set
H 46.07 in W 17.13 in D 18.9 in
Dining Chairs in the Style of Vittorio Valabrega, 1950s, Set of 8
By Vittorio Valabrega
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Dining Chairs in the Style of Vittorio Valabrega, velvet and wood, Italy, 1950s, set of eight. These sculpted chairs recall the Art Deco Movement with their elegant shapes. The wood...
Wood, Velvet
$3,350 / item
H 30.32 in W 21.66 in D 20.48 in
Upholstered dining chair in Brazilian Hardwood by Ricardo Graham
By Ricardo Graham Ferreira
Located in Nova Friburgo, RJ
Contemporary chair made of tropical hardwood. Its arms and backrest are elegantly designed, offering comfort for the lumbar region and for the support of the forearms. The chair's...
Upholstery, Hardwood, Wood
$6,470Sale 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
Post modern high back dining chairs, set of 6, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Striking vintage dining chairs with black ebonized wooden frames and a black fabric seat. The post modern design with the long curved backrests is strongly inspired by the Golem cha...
Fabric, Wood
Tall Back Upholstered Chairs, Set of 10
Located in Annville, PA
The set of Tall Back Upholstered Chairs consists of 2 arm chairs and 8 matching side chairs. The chairs in this set are both finely detail...
Fabric, Mahogany
Rare set of 10 Jean Gillon dining chairs, Brazil, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare set of 10 dining room chairs in original black leather by Jean Gillon, Brazil, 1960s. Matching dining room table available.
Leather
$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
$2,560Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 37.41 in W 18.51 in D 20.48 in
Set of 4 Italian 1950s Dining Chairs with New Mohair Velvet Upholstery
By Ico Parisi
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Set of 4 Italian 1950s dining chairs in dark mahogany stained ash or beechwood. This set has been restored with new "De Ploeg' Musco Mohair wo...
Mohair, Velvet, Ash
mt curve dining chair in ash hardwood and mohair velvet
Located in Chicago, IL
The mt. curve dining chair from bnf studio brings elegance and warmth to any dining setting or as a statement piece. Featuring a sleek, sculpted ash hardwood frame in a natural finis...
Mohair, Hardwood, Ash
$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
Sold
H 36.62 in W 19.3 in D 21.66 in
Brazilian Modern Set of Six Chairs in Hardwood & Green Leather by Cimo 1950
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this candy like, Brazilian Modern set of six dining chairs in hardwood & green leather by Cimo, are breathtaking. The set consists of 6 dining chairs in ebonized hardwood frame and leather seats. The wood has been refinished and repainted. The seats have been re-upholstered in mint green by one of the best upholsters in Brazil, an artisan who worked for Sergio Rodrigues for 20 years. Each chair has the Cimo manufacture mark under the seat. Equally as practical as beautiful, these chairs will look great with a modern dining table but will also look incredible into a Midcentury Modern, Contemporary, or even Eclectic environment. The penultimate image is 1958 vintage ads...
Leather, Hardwood, Ebony