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.
Imbuia wood Sofa, Brazilian Design by Móveis Cimo, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
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...
Brass
$26,800Sale Price|21% Off
H 29.5 in W 75 in D 36 in
'Mole' Brazilian Rosewood Sofa by Sergio Rodrigues for OCA Brazil, 1960s, Signed
By OCA Brazil, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare signed example of the 'Mole' sofa by Sergio Rodrigues, produced by OCA Brazil in the 1960s (see image gallery for a photo of the OCA stamp). This Mole sofa has an expansive am...
Rosewood, Leather
$14,000
H 28.75 in W 98.43 in D 43.31 in
Mid-Century Modern Sofa in Hardwood and Leather by Lineart Móveis, Brazil 1960s
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Sofa in Hardwood and Leather by Lineart Móveis, Brazil 1960s. This large four-seat sofa by the Brazilian manufacturer Lineart Móveis...
Leather, Wood, Hardwood
$22,615 / set
H 27.56 in W 37.8 in D 29.53 in
Imbuia Wood Pair of Armchairs by Móveis Cimo 1960s Brazil Dedar Milano Fabric
By Moveis Cimo
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Móveis Cimo / Pair of Armchairs Imbuia Wood, Dedar Milano Fabric 1960s, Brazil Matching Sofa Available Founded in 1913 in Santa Catarina, Móveis Cimo grew from a small box factory ...
Upholstery, 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
Móveis Cimo, Slipper Chair, Wood, Vinyl, Brazil, 1960s
By Moveis Cimo
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and brown vinyl slipper lounge chairs designed and produced by Móveis Cimo, Brazil, c. 1960s. Wood seams present with light fissures throughout. Vintage upholstery ideally re...
Faux Leather, Wood
$22,615
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
Brazilian Bentwood Lounge Chair by Moveis Cimo Mid-Century Modern
By Moveis Cimo
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Brazilian Bentwood lounge chair by Moveis Cimo Mid-Century Modern.
Bentwood
$15,000
H 31 in W 51 in D 24 in
Brazilian Modern Loveseat in Imbuia Wood and Sage Mohair, Cimo, Brazil, 1950s
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
A refined expression of Brazilian Modernism, this sculptural loveseat was produced by Cimo in Brazil during the 1950s and embodies the era’s pursuit of organic form, visual lightness...
Mohair, Hardwood
Móveis Cimo, Lounge Chairs, Wood, Vinyl, Brazil, 1960s
By Moveis Cimo
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of yellow and pink vinyl and wood lounge chairs or slipper chairs produced by Móveis Cimo, Brazil, c. 1960s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 30.5"H x 22.75"W x 28.0"D Seat Heig...
Wood
$17,164
H 31.5 in W 110.24 in D 35.44 in
Mid-Century Modern Beijinho Leather Sofa, Camel, Handmade by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Beijinho Sofa, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Beijinho leather sofa seamlessly combines the soft texture of high-qua...
Brass
$5,201Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 36.23 in W 18.51 in D 24.02 in
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
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
Sold
H 26.38 in W 93.9 in D 32.09 in
Imbuia wood Cimo Sofa Brazilian Design by Móveis Cimo, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
This Imbuia Sofa was manufactured in the 1960s by the Brazilian company Móveis Cimo, a pioneer in Brazilian furniture industrialization. Cimo Sofa is very charming, presenting the s...
Brass
Sold
H 24.41 in W 36.23 in D 28.35 in
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Móveis Cimo, 1960's, Brazilian Mid-Century Design
By Moveis Cimo
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This exquisite pair of lounge chairs by Móveis Cimo has been meticulously renovated by our skilled craftsmen, who have taken great care to ensure that both the outer aesthetics and t...
Fabric, Wood