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 Mid-Century Modern Three Legged Round Stool in Hardwood, Cimo
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
Cimo Móveis, Brazil, c. mid-20th century. This compact stool distils Brazilian mid-century practice into a single, pragmatic proposition: an economy of parts that yields a quietly ar...
Hardwood
$1,650 / item
H 18 in W 18.5 in D 18 in
Stool, Cantilever, Danish Cord, Mid Century-Style, Hardwood, Woven, Hardwood
By Semigood Design
Located in Issaquah, WA
Mid Century inspired Rian Cantilever Stool made out of white oak hardwood and danish cord. The lead time provided is an estimate and may extend up to 12 months. If you require deli...
Cord, Hardwood
$5,850
H 18.12 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Charlotte Perriand Three-Legged Stool Authentic & Rare Mid-Century Modern
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Zürich, CH
This item expresses a specific rawness. There is no need for precise execution or the desire to appear sophisticated. It is simple, self-evident, and direct. It is made out of basic ...
Pine
$1,184Sale Price / item|48% Off
H 17.72 in W 14.17 in D 14.17 in
Contemporary Handcrafted Stool in Brazilian Hardwood by Leo Strauss
Located in Atibaia, BR
Solid wood, processed in large width and thickness dimensions, and it adds life to this piece of straight and modernist shapes. In its artisan production, traditional woodworking ...
Hardwood
$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 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
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
Wharton Esherick Three-Legged Stool in Cottonwood
By Wharton Esherick
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wharton Esherick, stool, cottonwood, hickory, United States, 1954 This beautiful three-legged stool is a striking example of American designer Wharton Esherick’s oeuvre. The resurge...
Hickory
$2,650 / item
H 17.33 in W 27.17 in D 10.24 in
Stool Handcrafted in Brazilian Hardwood by Ricardo Graham Ferreira
By Ricardo Graham Ferreira
Located in Nova Friburgo, RJ
'Aragonez do Cerrado' is a handcrafted wooden stool designed by Ricardo Graham. It was inspired by the beautiful Brazilian Cerrado region with a poetic touch the medieval Spain...
Hardwood
Antique Three-Legged Stool, Scandinavia, late 19th Century
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A hand-carved three-legged stool with a deeply scooped seat and turned branch legs. Retains traces of its original dark green paint, worn down to the wood over more than a century of...
Pine
Josef Frank Three Legged Stool
By Josef Frank
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A charming, three legged stool, Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden.
Cherry
Italian mid-century modern round table stool in rattan, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern round table stool in rattan, 1960s Table stool with a round seat, entirely made of finely woven rattan. The legs are joined at the center of an X-shaped st...
Rattan
Krogenæs Møbler, Three Legged Stool in Pine, Norway 1960s
By K.S. Mobler
Located in Renens, CH
A beautifully patinated “522” stool by Krogenæs Møbler, Norway 1960s. The sturdy, three legged hocker was original designed as a milking stool, but would nowadays be a great additi...
Pine
Brazilian Modern Round Stool in Ebonized Wood & Boucle, Cimo, Brazil, 1950s
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
A sculptural 1950s stool by Móveis Cimo, defined by its restrained geometry and architectural presence. The circular seat rests on four tapered legs in ebonized wood, each terminatin...
Bouclé, Hardwood