Oscar Niemeyer made modernist architecture sexy. In his signature designs, such as those for the planned capital city of Brasília, Niemeyer created a distinctively buoyant architectural vocabulary of sweeping curves, flowing lines and organic forms (attributes that also characterize his seductive furniture). As expressions of faith in the power of modern architecture and design to foster progress, Niemeyer’s buildings have a kind of heroic poetry.
Oscar Ribeiro de Almeida Niemeyer Soares Filho was born to an upper-middle-class family in Rio de Janeiro. (His father was a graphic designer.) While in graduate school, Niemeyer began working for Lúcio Costa, one of the few modernist architects working in Brazil in the 1930s. Niemeyer would be assigned to the design team for a new building in Rio for the Ministry of Education and Health. The famed Swiss-born French architect Le Corbusier was hired as a consultant on the project, and through him Niemeyer would absorb many lessons in bringing a sense of structural lightness to large buildings — though he would never embrace the geometric forms espoused by Le Corbusier and the members of the Bauhaus.
“I am not attracted to straight angles or to the straight line, hard and inflexible, created by man,” Niemeyer would write in his memoirs. “I am attracted to free-flowing sensual curves.”
Nowhere would Niemeyer demonstrate his love of curvature more expressively and elegantly than in his designs for the principal buildings for Brasília, a project begun in 1956. The dramatic Congressional Palace features two stark towers flanked by a domed structure and a bowl-shaped edifice, for the upper and lower legislative houses. He placed the Palácio da Alvorada (the presidential residence) on a small peninsula jutting into a lake, so that the sequence of parabolic columns on its facade casts a mirror image on the water. Niemeyer’s grandest achievement was the city’s cathedral, a stunning composition of 16 arched vertical supports with tinted-glass interstices.
Four years after Brasília was completed, in 1960, Brazil’s elected government was overthrown in a military coup. Niemeyer, a member of the Communist party, was harassed continually by the junta. He left the country and did not return until democracy was restored, in 1985.
While in exile, in the early 1970s, Niemeyer began collaborating on furniture designs with his daughter, Anna Maria Niemeyer. Their best known pieces are seating furniture — the Alta lounge chair and ottoman and the Rio rocking chaise, which have flowing bases made of sheets of lacquered wood or stainless steel, share the aesthetics of Niemeyer’s architecture.
The Alta’s deep, oversized seat pads nod — much like the chair designs of Niemeyer’s countryman Sergio Rodrigues — to the Brazilian penchant for long, languorous conversations. Examples of both designs are priced at about $20,000, depending on age, condition and materials. As you will see on these pages, Oscar Niemeyer’s furniture designs are sleek, sculptural, comfortable and elegant — as well as a compact emblem of the work of one of the great architects of our time.
Find vintage Oscar Niemeyer lounge chairs, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Oscar Niemeyer Alta chair & ottoman Mobilier International
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Padova, IT
Oscar Niemeyer Alta chair for Mobilier International, France. 1970s. Brushed steel structure joined by plastic knobs, movable backrest, faux ...
Stainless Steel
$68,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
Oscar Niemeyer Rosewood 'ON' Lounge Chairs for Hotel SESC Rio de Janeiro, c 1980
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exceptionally rare and historically important pair of 'ON' lounge chairs designed by Oscar Niemeyer for the Hotel SESC in Rio de Janeiro. This set comprises the pair of sculptural...
Leather, Rosewood
Oscar Niemeyer Alta chair & ottoman Mobilier International
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Padova, IT
Oscar Niemeyer Alta chair for Mobilier International, France. 1970s. Brushed steel structure joined by plastic knobs, movable backrest, black...
Stainless Steel
Oscar Niemeyer rocking chair longue model : « Rio » created in 1977
By Oscar Niemeyer, Anna Maria Niemeyer
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Oscar Niemeyer (1907-2012) Rio Oscar Niemeyer (1907-2012) Rio Rocking chaise longue Painted plywood, caning and leather Edited by Tendo Manufacturer's label Model created in 1977 H 9...
Leather, Cane, Plywood, Paint
Oscar Niemeyer Aran Armchair, Polished Steel, Leopard Fur, Italy, 1975
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Padova, IT
Oscar Niemeyer "Aran" armchairs for Aran Line, Florence, 1975. Mirror polished stainless steel structure, fake fur leopard lining, manufacturer's mark embossed on the frame and label...
Steel
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” Chairs for Mobilier International, Black, 1971, Set of 2
By Oscar Niemeyer, Mobilier International
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” easy chairs for Mobilier International, black leather and steel, France, 1971, set of two The “Alta” easy chair, created by Oscar Niemeyer in 1971 in collabora...
Leather
Oscar Niemeyer Alta Lounge Chair & Ottoman for Mobilier International, c.1971
By Anna Maria Niemeyer, Oscar Niemeyer, Mobilier International
Located in Dublin, IE
Details Alta Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Oscar Niemeyer and Anna Maria Niemeyer Mobilier International Newly upholstered in white leather Stainless steel frame Polyurethane foam ...
Stainless Steel
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” Easy Chairs for Mobilier International, 1971, Set of 2
By Mobilier International, Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” easy chairs for Mobilier International, cognac leather and steel, France, 1971, set of two The “Alta” easy chair, created by Oscar Niemeyer in 1971 in collabor...
Leather
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” Easy Chair for Mobilier International, Black Leather
By Mobilier International, Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” easy chair for Mobilier International, black leather and steel, France, 1971. The “Alta” lounge chair, conceived in 1971 by Oscar Niemeyer in collaboration wit...
Leather
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” Easy Chair for Mobilier International, 1971
By Mobilier International, Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” easy chair for Mobilier International, cognac leather and steel, France, 1971. The “Alta” easy chair, created by Oscar Niemeyer in 1971 in collaboration with h...
Leather
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” Lounge Set for Mobilier International, 1971
By Mobilier International, Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” chaise longue and ottoman for Mobilier International, leather and steel, France, 1971. The "Alta" lounge chair, designed by ...
Leather
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” Lounge Set for Mobilier International, 1971
By Mobilier International, Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” lounge set for Mobilier International, black leather and steel, France, 1971 The "Alta" lounge chair, designed by Oscar Niem...
Leather
Mid-Century Modern Rio Chaise by Oscar Niemeyer, 1978
By Anna Maria Niemeyer, Oscar Niemeyer
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Oscar Niemeyer and Anna Maria Niemeyer in 1978 and produced by Tepperman, the Rio chaise longue is constructed from lacquered molded plywood with a cane seating surface and a leather cylindrical neck cushion suspended by leather straps. The form follows a continuous sinuous curve, which functions simultaneously as structure and base. The cane panel is set within the black-lacquered plywood frame, and the leather cushion is secured at the headrest end by looped straps. Oscar Niemeyer, the Brazilian architect whose practice defined the formal vocabulary of Brazilian modernism, collaborated on furniture design with his daughter Anna Maria Niemeyer. His architectural output, most extensively realized in the construction of Brasília from the late 1950s onward, was characterized by curved concrete forms, a quality that translated directly into the Rio chaise.Anna Maria Niemeyer contributed substantially to the furniture designs attributed to their collaboration during this period. Literature Desenho da Utopia, Brazilian Modern Furniture...
Leather, Cane, Wood
Chaise Longue "Rio" by Oscar Niemeyer, Brazil, 1978
By Oscar Niemeyer, Tendo Brasileira
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rio chaise longue, a masterwork designed by Oscar Niemeyer and his daughter Anna Maria in 1978. Manufactured by Tendo Brasileira between 1979 and 1982, this exclusive piece was produ...
Wood, Plywood
Alta armchair by Oscar Niemeyer, 1978
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Barcelona, ES
Armchair model “Alta” Manufactured by Tendo Brasileira Brasil, 1978 Leather, painted and molded plywood, steel Measurements 104,1 cm x 68,6 cm x 56,h5 cm 41 in x 27 in x 22,3h in
Steel
$23,309 / set
Oscar Niemeyer ‘Alta’ Lounge Chair & Ottoman
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Zagreb, HR
Designed by the legendary Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer in collaboration with his daughter Anna Maria in 1971, the Alta's iconic silhouette requires no introduction for any desi...
Metal
Easy Chair and Ottoman by Oscar Niemeyer, Mid-Century Modern, 1970s
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in West Hollywood, CA
In this rare low version of the “Easy” chair and ottoman, Oscar Niemeyer and his daughter Anna Maria Niemeyer bring the language of modernist architecture to ground level—literally. ...
Leather, Plywood
Black Leather Lounge chair and Ottoman Model 'Alta' by Oscar Niemeyer
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Black Leather Lounge chair and Ottoman Model 'Alta' by Oscar Niemeyer for Mobilier International - 1970s
Metal
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” Lounge Set for Mobilier International, 1971, Set of 2
By Mobilier International, Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” chaise longue and ottoman for Mobilier International, black leather and steel, France, 1971, set of two. The "Alta" lounge chair, designed by Oscar Niemeyer in...
Leather
Oscar Niemeyer, Single armchair "Alta", France, 1974
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Barcelona, ES
Oscar Niemeyer (1907-2012) Single armchair model “Alta” Manufactured by Mobilier international France, 1974 Steel, wool upholstery Measurements 104,1 x 68,6x 56,5h cm 41 x 27 x 22,25h in Literature Gilles de Bure, Inte´rieurs: Le Mobilier Franc¸ais 1965-1979, Pa- ris, 1983, p. 101 Provenance Private collection, Antwerp. Details Certificate by Oscar Niemeyer Foundation. Biography Niemeyer was a Brazilian architect who is considered to be one of the key figures in the development of modern architecture. His exceptional architectural work has been unanimously hailed, and his influence on how the world looks like today has been reminded. In 1960’s Oscar Niemeyer started developing furniture projects, in collaboration with his daughter Ana Maria. The first piece designed by the team was “the Alta easy chair” and its footrest, but the most famous piece designed by Oscar and Ana is the “Rio Chaise Longue...
Steel
1970s Alta Lounge Chair Attributed to Oscar Niemeyer for Mobilier Intl of France
By Oscar Niemeyer, Mobilier International
Located in Philadelphia, PA
We present this 'Alta' lounge chair, featuring a curved brushed stainless steel frame, and a generous seat pad that is upholstered in a black fabric. The chair was acquired from a Philadelphia-area estate, accompanied by other noteworthy pieces by Mies Van Der Rohe, Florence Knoll, and Finn Juhl. The chair was designed in 1971 by Oscar Niemeyer, in collaboration with Anna Maria Niemeyer. This particular example is attributed to Mobilier International as far as production, though the piece is unmarked. This special piece was launched in France, and was Niemeyer’s first foray into the field of industrialized and commercialized furniture. This is a listing for one lounge chair. The chair measures 45 inches in depth, 31 inches in width and 31 inches tall. The seat height is 18 inches. The black upholstery is in wonderful condition and the thick foam seat pad is intact and is in great shape. The chair shoes some light wear from use. Oscar Niemeyer was a critical figure in the Brazilian Modernist architectural movement, and the capital city of Brasilia owes much of its curvaceous futuristic facade to his vision. The acquisition of this important chair...
Steel
Low easy chair by Oscar Niemeyer, Brazil, 1978
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Barcelona, ES
Low easy chair Manufactured by Tendo Brasileira Brazil, 1978 Plywood, leather fabric Measurements 70 cm x 114 cm x 46h cm 27,6 in x 44,9 in x 18,1h in Literature Furniture By Archi...
Leather, Plywood
$17,305 / set
H 33.47 in W 29.53 in D 40.56 in
Black Leather Lounge chair and Ottoman Model 'Alta' by Oscar Niemeyer
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Black Leather Lounge chair and Ottoman Model 'Alta' by Oscar Niemeyer for Mobilier International - 1970s
Metal
$27,800
H 33.08 in W 29.53 in D 39.38 in
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” Easy Chair for Mobilier International, Black Leather
By Mobilier International, Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” easy chair for Mobilier International, black leather and steel, France, 1971. The “Alta” lounge chair, conceived in 1971 by Oscar Niemeyer in collaboration wit...
Leather
$33,250 / set
H 33.08 in W 29.53 in D 39.38 in
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” Lounge Set for Mobilier International, 1971
By Mobilier International, Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” lounge set for Mobilier International, black leather and steel, France, 1971 The "Alta" lounge chair, designed by Oscar Niem...
Leather
On Hold|$75,000
H 32.5 in W 97 in D 35 in
Rare Oscar Niemeyer Rosewood 'ON' Sofa for Hotel SESC Rio de Janeiro, c 1980
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exceptionally rare and historically important three-seat sofa designed by Oscar Niemeyer for the Hotel SESC in Rio de Janeiro. This set comprises the sculptural 'ON' sofa accompan...
Leather, Rosewood
1980's Philippe Starck "Pratfall" Leather Lounge Chair
By Philippe Starck
Located in Dallas, TX
Iconic armchair model "Pratfall" by Philippe Starck for Italian manufacture Driade Aleph, circa 1985. The distinctive three-legged chair slightly larger, deeply comfortable wraps the...
Steel
$9,280 / set
H 30.32 in W 36.62 in D 26.38 in
Pair of Warren Platner Lounge Chairs for Knoll International
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This pair of Platner chairs are in great condition, the chrome rods are not at all rusty or bent and the upholstery has just been done in a Salm...
Chrome
Chaise Longue. Oscar Niemeyer & Ana Maria Niemeyer (d'après)
By Anna Maria Niemeyer, Oscar Niemeyer
Located in PARIS, FR
Oscar Niemeyer and Ana Maria Niemeyer (attributed) Chaise Longue, c. 1970 86 x 176 x 61 cm 33 43/50 x 69 7/25 x 24 1/50 in Attributed to celebrated Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeye...
Leather, Cane, Wood, Plywood
$5,450
H 36.23 in W 40.95 in D 33.47 in
Black Leather T-Chair by Katavolos, Littell, & Kelley for Laverne International
By Douglas Kelly, Ross Littell and William Katavolos, Laverne International
Located in Madrid, ES
William Katavolos, together with Douglas Kelley & Ross Littell, designed the iconic model 3LC or T-chair for Laverne International in 1952. The T-chair is exhibited in the permanent ...
Steel
$9,500
H 29.53 in W 45.67 in D 33.47 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Artona” Armchair for Maxalto, Italy, 1975
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Artona" armchair for Maxalto, walnut and fabric, 1975 The "Artona" armchair, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in 1975, belongs to one of the most c...
Fabric, Wood
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, 1954 for Widdicomb lounge chairs
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Camden, ME
A pair of Classic and comfortable, deep seated club chairs by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb originally purchased in 1954. Elegant midcentury lounge chairs with espresso lacquered...
Upholstery, Walnut
$12,700
H 39 in W 27.5 in D 58 in
Vladimir Kagan Erica Mohair Upholstered Chaise Longue, Model P6910-L
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Astoria, NY
Vladimir Kagan Erica Chaise Longue, Model P6910-L, with black mohair upholstery on lucite base, "Vladimir Kagan / Couture" label to underside. 39" H x 27.5" W x 58" D; seat: 18" H....
Mohair, Upholstery, Lucite
$8,500
H 24.8 in W 27.6 in D 27.2 in
Boris Tabacoff ‘Sphere’ Lounge Chair for Mobilier Modulaire Moderne
By Boris Tabacoff
Located in Montréal, QC
‘Sphere’ Lounge Chair by Boris Tabacoff for Mobilier Modulaire Moderne, C.1971. Perfect vintage exemple, great condition. Height: 24.8 in / Width: 27.6 in Depth: 27.2 in
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 33.47 in W 29.53 in D 40.56 in
"Alta" Lounge chair and Ottoman by Oscar Niemeyer for Mobilier International
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Black Leather Lounge chair and Ottoman Model 'Alta' by Oscar Niemeyer for Mobilier International - 1970s - 2 Available
Steel
Sold
H 33.47 in W 29.53 in D 40.56 in
"Alta" Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Oscar Niemeyer for Mobilier International
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Lounge Chair and Ottoman Model 'Alta' by Oscar Niemeyer for Mobilier International - New Upholstery
Steel
Chaise Lounge Model Rio by Oscar Niemeyer for Fasem, Italy
By Fasem International, Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Asti, Piemonte
A sculptural rocking Rio chaise lounge, designed in 1978, contemporary edition. Base composed of three elements including supple ribbons of molded darkened ...
Leather, Ash
Osca Niemeyer pair of Aran armchairs for Aran Line, Firenze Italy, 1975
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Padova, IT
Oscar Niemeyer pair of "Aran" armchairs for Aran Line, Florence, 1975. Mirror polished stainless steel structure, brown leather, manufacturer's mark embossed on the frame. Literature...
Steel
Sold
H 31.11 in W 29.53 in D 41.34 in
Mid-Century Lounge Chair and Ottoman Model 'Alta' by Oscar Niemeyer
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Lounge Chair and Ottoman Model 'Alta' by Oscar Niemeyer for Mobilier International, 1970s Dimensions D: 105 -75 cm (41.34-29.53") H: 79 - 48 cm (31.10-18.90") W:...
Fabric
Sold
H 33.5 in W 68 in D 22.5 in
Oscar Niemeyer Ebonized Ash, Leather "Rio" Chaise Longue Manufactured by Fasem
By Fasem International, Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Miami, FL
Oscar Niemeyer Ebonized Ash, Leather "Rio" Chaise Longue Manufactured by Fasem Offered for sale is an Oscar Niemeyer (Brazil, 1907-2012) ebonized ash and leather "Rio" chaise longue designed in 1978 and manufactured in Italy by Fasem International c2022. This wonderful rocking chaise is an iconic design from the famous Brazilian architect and designer. Oscar Niemeyer made modernist architecture sexy. In his signature designs, such as those for the planned capital city of Brasília, Niemeyer created a distinctively buoyant architectural vocabulary of sweeping curves, flowing lines, and organic forms (attributes that also characterize his seductive furniture). As expressions of faith in the power of modern architecture and design to foster progress, Niemeyer’s buildings have a kind of heroic poetry. “I am not attracted to straight angles or to the straight line, hard and inflexible, created by man,” Niemeyer would write in his memoirs. “I am attracted to free-flowing sensual curves.” In the early 1970s, Niemeyer began collaborating on furniture designs with his daughter, Anna Maria Niemeyer. Their best-known pieces are seating furniture — the Alta lounge chair and ottoman and the Rio rocking chaise...
Brass
Sold
H 32.68 in W 99.61 in D 21.66 in
Mid-Century Modern Marquesa by Oscar and Anna Maria Niemeyer, Brazil, 1970s
By Anna Maria Niemeyer, Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Marquesa by Brazilian designers Oscar and Anna Maria Niemeyer, Brazil, 1970s The celebrated architect Oscar Niemeyer, best known for his iconic design of civic bu...
Cane, Plywood
Oscar Niemeyer Alta chair & ottoman Mobilier International
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Padova, IT
Oscar Niemeyer Alta chair for Mobilier International, France. 1970s. Brushed steel structure joined by plastic knobs, movable backrest, black...
Stainless Steel
Osca Niemeyer pair of Aran armchairs for Aran Line, Firenze Italy, 1975
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Padova, IT
Oscar Niemeyer pair of "Aran" armchairs for Aran Line, Florence, 1975. Mirror polished stainless steel structure, brown leather, manufacturer's mark embossed on the frame. Literature...
Steel
Sold
H 33.86 in W 69.3 in D 24.02 in
Mid-Century Modern Rio Chaise by Oscar and Anna Maria Niemeyer, Brazil, 1970s
By Anna Maria Niemeyer, Oscar Niemeyer, Móveis Teperman
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Rio rocking chaise lounge by Brazilian Designers Oscar Niemeyer and Anna Maria Niemeyer, 1970s The celebrated architect Oscar Niemeyer, best known for his design of civic buildings for Brasília, Brazil's capital, is lauded as one of the key figures in the development of modern architecture. In 1971 he launched the furniture line "On", which was developed in partnership with his daughter Anna Maria Niemeyer. This exquisite rocking chaise was originally designed in 1987 and is a great example of the organic curves and sinuous lines characteristic of Niemeyer's oeuvre. Consisting of a structure in lacquered black bent plywood, the Rio chaise...
Leather, Cane, Plywood
Oscar Niemeyer Alta chair & ottoman Mobilier International
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Padova, IT
Oscar Niemeyer Alta chair for Mobilier International, France. 1970s. Brushed steel structure joined by plastic knobs, movable backrest, black...
Stainless Steel
Oscar Niemeyer "Alta" Chair & Ottoman
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Padova, IT
Oascar Niemeyer Alta chair & ottoman in black leather for Mobilier International, France. Low seat edition. Satin stainless steel structure, fixing knobs, a...
Steel