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.
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
$380Sale Price / set|52% Off
H 40 in W 21 in D 28 in
Vintage Regency Slipper Chairs, Ebonized Wood, Upholstered, 1960s
Located in Trenton, NJ
This stunning pair of high back regency modern slipper chairs feature ornate ebonized wooden frames with gilt detail and brass studded trim. The comfortably padded upholstered seats make this an excellent set of occasional chairs...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Chairs, 1960s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Hamburg, PA
Iconic pair of slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1960s, embodying the pinnacle of mid-century elegance. Wormley, Dunbar's legendary design director, crafte...
Upholstery, Mahogany
1960's Modernist French Slipper Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Amazing pair of 1960's modernist French slipper chair with tampered wood legs, fully restored and re-upholstered with minor wear and patina due to age and use.
Fabric, Walnut
$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
$18,200
H 30.32 in W 25.6 in D 29.93 in
Single Armchair by Móveis Cimo, 1960s, Mid-Century Brazilian Design
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
This Armchair was produced in the 1960s by the Brazilian company Móveis Cimo, a pioneer in Brazilian furniture industrialization. Cimo's history starts in 1921 with a wood boxes fac...
Silk
$22,759 / 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
$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
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
$8,500 / set
H 43 in W 24 in D 27 in
1960s Pair of Hollywood Regency Slipper Chairs in Orange with Wood Trim
Located in Dallas, TX
Unusually designed side or slipper chairs, American, 1960s. Newly upholstered in an orange velvet with the legs trimmed in walnut wood and accented by tall brass finials...
Brass
$58,500 / set
H 33.08 in W 17.72 in D 18.9 in
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
$22,759
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
$5,234Sale 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
Móveis Cimo, Slipper Chair, Wood, Fabric, Brazil, 1960s
By Moveis Cimo
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and cream-white fabric slipper lounge chairs designed and produced by Móveis Cimo, Brazil, c. 1960s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 30.5"H x 22.0"W x 33.0"D Seat Height (inche...
Fabric, Wood
Móveis Cimo, Slipper Chair, Wood, Velvet, Brazil, 1960s
By Moveis Cimo
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and green velvet slipper lounge chair designed and produced by Móveis Cimo, Brazil, c. 1960s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 29.5"H x 22.0"W x 28.5"D Seat Height (inches): 16....
Velvet, Wood