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 Rocking Chairs in Bentwood, Cimo, c. 1950s
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
Produced by Cimo in Brazil during the 1950s, this pair of rocking chairs reflects the manufacturer’s disciplined approach to bentwood construction and mid-century Brazilian modernism...
Bentwood
$8,000Sale Price|20% Off
Brazilian Modern Rocking Chair in Bentwood by Moveis Cimo, 1950, Brazil
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
A masterful exercise in economy and material intelligence, this bentwood rocking chair by Moveis Cimo (c. 1950s) exemplifies mid-century Brazilian approaches to seating, where struct...
Bentwood
Swedish Rocking Chair in Sheepskin, 1950s
By Viggo Boesen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Reupholstered in honey colored sheepskin. Produced in Sweden, 1950s.
Sheepskin
$1,600
H 19 in W 13 in D 22 in
Bauhaus Childrens`Bentwood Rocking Chair Brockhage Andrä Era, Germany, 1950s
By Hans Brockhage & Erwin Andrea, Roland Rainer
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful and cute little Bauhaus rocking chair for children. Made in Germany in the 1950s, in the style of Hans Brockhage und Erwin Andrä. Made of bentwood with a charming fairy t...
Wood, Bentwood
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
Vintage Bentwood Rocking Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Bentwood Rocking chair. This unique chair is a perfect conversation piece for any living room or lounge space. Please confirm...
Wood, Bentwood
$29,400 / set
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
Swedish Rocking Chair in Sheepskin, 1950s
By Viggo Boesen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Reupholstered in honey colored sheepskin. Produced in Sweden, 1950s.
Sheepskin
Swedish Rocking Chair in Sheepskin, 1950s
By Viggo Boesen
Located in Stockholm, SE
Reupholstered in sheepskin. Produced in Sweden, 1950s. Pair available up on request.
Sheepskin
Bentwood Rocking Chair
By Thonet
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
An attributed thonet rocking chair as it is not signed in good condition in tinted beech.
Beech
Vintage Wicker Rocking Chair, 1950s
Located in Quarrata, IT
Wicker 1950s rocking chair.
Wicker, Rattan, Rush
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Armchairs by Móveis CIMO, 1960's
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
This elegant pair of armchairs, crafted in solid Imbuia wood, was produced in the 1960s by Móveis Cimo, a company recognized as a pioneer of Brazilian furniture industrialization. Th...
Upholstery, Wood
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
Low rocking Chair Japanese Modern Style Bentwood Chair
By Studio Jig
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Bentwood rocking chair in the Japanese modern style. Made of Yoshino cedar which is a famous wood grown in the Yoshino district in Japan. It has characte...
Wood
Brazilian Rocking Chair by CIMO, 1930s
By Moveis Cimo
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Mahogany rocking chair designed by CIMO of Brazilian design whose world galleries are starting to draw attention. Valuable work whose label is also behind the seat. Curves of simple...
Wood