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 Sofa in Imbuia Wood & Champagne Camel Mohair, Cimo, 1950s
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional example of Brazilian Modernism from the 1950s, this sculptural sofa by Cimo embodies the restrained elegance, refined craftsmanship, and architectural clarity that def...
Imbuia, Mohair
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
$15,920Sale Price|20% Off
'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
Rare Sofa by Móveis Cimo, Brazil, 1960s, Ivory Velvet
By Moveis Cimo
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Móveis Cimo / Rare Sofa Imbuia Wood, Ivory Velvet 1960s, Brazil Matching Pair of Lounge Chairs Available This rare Móveis Cimo model is offered as an exceptionally intact sofa and ...
Upholstery, Hardwood
$23,660Sale Price|30% Off
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
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
Vintage Imbuia Sofa by Móveis Cimo, 1960s, Brazilian Midcentury
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
This Imbuia sofa reupholstered in a stunning velvet was manufactured in the 1960s by the Brazilian company Móveis Cimo, a pioneer in Brazilian furniture industrialization. Cimo Sofa is very charming, presenting the seat and backrest as a single piece that seems to float over the Imbuia structure. It is a very comfortable piece of furniture and has many details to be in love with. It is worth highlighting the wooden partitions...
Velvet, Imbuia
$9,950 / item
Móveis Cimo Round Sofa, 60's Brazilian Midcentury
By Moveis Cimo
Located in Lapa de Baixo, 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
$9,200 / set
H 30.71 in W 27.56 in D 28.35 in
1950s Pair of Lounge Chairs in Imbuia Wood, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
These two chairs have an amazing Italian style, with sexy curves contrasting with the boxy shell. Two-tone fabrics enhance the dynamics of the shell, creating a very exciting piece. ...
Hardwood
Mid-Century Modern Red Mohair Sofa and Daybed, 1950s Asymmetric Design
Located in San Francisco, CA
Dramatic mid-century red mohair sofa that converts to a daybed in a great size. Asymmetric with dog-bone shape, a popular style in the 1950s.
Mohair, Wood
$22,000
H 31 in W 91 in D 28 in
Sofa in Brazilian Rosewood and Camel Mohair by Móveis Provenzal, Brazil, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional example of Brazilian modernism from the golden era of furniture design, this rare sofa by Móveis Provenzal captures the quiet sophistication and architectural refineme...
Mohair, Rosewood
Mid Century Modern 1960s Sofa by Viko Baumritter
By Viko Baumritter
Located in New York, NY
This floating 1960s sofa was manufactured by Viko Baumritter , an American furniture Company that later became Ethan Allen. The sofa has a metal frame and metal splay legs with a fau...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Rosewood and Leather Sofa, 1960s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This exceptional mid-century sofa, crafted in Brazil during the 1960s, captures the warmth and character that define Brazilian modern design. Upholstered in beautifully aged distress...
Leather, Rosewood
Carl Malmsten Vintage Samspel Sofa in Mohair Velvet 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten - Samspel Sofa, 1956 Malmsten's iconic curved sofa was designed in 1956 and produced by Swedish cabinetmakers AB Record in Bollnas. It is considered one the finest exa...
Mohair, Velvet, Beech
Brazilian Designer, Sofa, Wood, Fabric, Marble, Brazil, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood, brown fabric and marble sofa designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1960s. Vintage fabric in fair condition, reupholstery recommended. Overall Dimensions (inches): 24.75"H x 9...
Marble
$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
Carl Malmsten Vintage Samspel Sofa in Mohair Velvet 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in London, England
Carl Malmsten - Samspel Sofa, 1956 The Samspel sofa was designed in 1956 and first produced by AB Record in Bollnäs, Sweden. It is one of the finest pieces to be designed by Malmste...
Mohair, Velvet, Beech
Italian Mohair Settee Sofa, Brown, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful mohair upholstered curved sofa with wooden legs. Perfect shape and size. In excellent condition, 1950s, Italy. Same era as: Ch...
Mohair, Wood
Brazilian Designer, Sofa, Velvet, Wood, Brazil, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
An organic green velvet and wood sofa designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1950s. Likely reupholstered in fairly recent history, fabric in fair condition. Overall Dimensions (inches...
Velvet, Wood
$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 Sergio Rodrigues, OCA Brazil
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
Brazilian Modern Sofa in Hardwood, Camel Boucle, Cimo, 1960ss
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this Brazilian Modern sofa by Cimo made in the 1960s is simply fantastic! This spectacular sofa comfortably seats four people and features a Brazilian rosewood (jac...
Leather, Cotton, Hardwood
'Móveis Cimo' two-seater Sofa In solid Imbuia wood. Brazil 1960
By Moveis Cimo
Located in Curitiba, PR
'Móveis Cimo' two-seater Sofa In solid Imbuia wood. Brazil 1960. The highest historical reference in Brazilian furniture design, Companhia Industrial de Móveis, nicknamed Móveis Cim...
Imbuia
Moveis Cimo sculptural sofa Brazil 1960
By Moveis Cimo
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Beautiful sculptural B082 sofa manufactured by Moveis Cimo in Brazil in 1960. This sofa is bulky and yet playful, with a strong wooden frame made of Jatoba wood. The frame is like a ...
Upholstery, Hardwood
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
Cimo S/A Sofa from the 60s, Brazil, structure in Jacaranda
By Moveis Cimo
Located in Curitiba, PR
Cimo S/A sofa from the 60s, Brazil, structure in Jacaranda. The restoration process only needed refinishing and reupholster, which was done by our team at the finest details and p...
Jacaranda
Sold
H 24.41 in W 90.56 in D 36.62 in
Renovated Vintage Sofa by Móveis Cimo, 1960's, Brazilian Mid-Century Design
By Moveis Cimo
Located in Lapa de Baixo, SP
Renovated Sofa by Móveis Cimo, 1960's, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern This exquisite sofa by Móveis Cimo has been meticulously renovated by our skilled craftsmen, who have taken great...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 26.38 in W 94.1 in D 31.89 in
Vintage Imbuia Sofa - B082 by Móveis Cimo, 1960s, Brazilian Midcentury
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
This Imbuia sofa reupholstered in a stunning velvet was manufactured in the 1960s by the Brazilian company Móveis Cimo, a pioneer in Brazilian furniture industrialization. Cimo Sofa is very charming, presenting the seat and backrest as a single piece that seems to float over the Imbuia structure. It is a very comfortable piece of furniture and has many details to be in love with. It is worth highlighting the wooden partitions...
Velvet, Imbuia