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 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” 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
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” 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 Oscar Niemeyer, Mobilier International
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
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 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
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” 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 Set for Mobilier International, 1971, Set of 2
By Oscar Niemeyer, Mobilier International
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 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 fur zebra lining, very nice patina.
Stainless Steel
1970s Alta Lounge Chair Attributed to Oscar Niemeyer for Mobilier Intl of France
By Mobilier International, Oscar Niemeyer
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
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
H 24.22 in W 24.41 in D 28.75 in
'Sphere' Lounge Chairs by Boris Tabacoff for Mobilier Modulaire Moderne 1971
By Boris Tabacoff
Located in Uxbridge, GB
Pair of ‘Sphere’ Lounge Chairs by Boris Tabacoff for Mobilier Modulaire Moderne, 1971 Iconic pair of Sphere lounge chairs designed by Boris Tabacoff for Mobilier Modulaire Moderne i...
Steel, Chrome
H 32.68 in W 32.29 in D 28.35 in
'P60' Saporiti Black Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Vittorio Introini
By Vittorio Introini, Saporiti
Located in London, GB
Leather lounge chair and footstool are part of the innovative Proposals collection designed by Vittorio Introini for Saporiti. This model 'P60' showcases the flowing lines, curves, a...
Leather
H 38.5 in W 26.5 in D 36.5 in
Vintage Chrome and Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A stunning mid-century lounge chair and ottoman, crafted in the United States circa the 1970s. This exquisite set showcases a luxurious design that highlights the elegant materials u...
Steel, Chrome
H 30.32 in W 36.62 in D 26.38 in
Pair of Warren Platner Lounge Chairs for Knoll International
By Knoll, Warren Platner
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
H 29.93 in W 23.63 in D 30.71 in
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Lounge Chair in Teak
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Florence Knoll for Knoll International, lounge chair, model '51', teak, fabric, United States, 1955 This slipper chair model 51 is designed by Florence Knoll. The teak frame of the chair is sleek in form. The angled seat is placed upon the squared-off frame. Maximum seating comfort is ensured by the wide seat and tilted backrest. Florence Knoll (1917-) was trained as an architect and had a sense of style from a very young age. In 1936 she met Alvar Aalto and was trained by Marcel Breuer, Walter Gropius and Mies van der Rohe. This meant that although she was barely out of her teens, she was educated by the best of the European modernists. When she arrived in New York Knoll worked on interior projects (being the only female) which is how she came to know Hans Knoll. When Florence joined Knoll, the planning unit started. Florence also made sure that the designs where more 'American Modernist' instead of Scandinavian, When Hans Knoll died she...
Fabric, Teak
H 34 in W 24.5 in D 29.5 in
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
H 32.29 in W 32.68 in D 32.68 in
Iconic Eames Black Leather Lounge Chair by Mobilier International, c.1980
By Mobilier International
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
This particular chair is made by Mobilier International around the latter part of the last century and bears the label “Mobilier International, bld Voltaire a’ Paris“. Mobilier International are an authorised manufacturer producing the Lounge Chair by Charles and Ray Eames using...
Leather
H 27.76 in W 27.96 in D 30.32 in
Set of 2 Easy Chairs by Martin Visser for 'T Spectrum, 1960s
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum Bergeijk, Dick van der Net
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This is a beautiful set of 2 size 38/size 08 Martin Visser easy chairs for 't Spectrum in collaboration with designer Dick van der Net. This model has been produced by 't Spectrum fr...
Metal
H 39 in W 42 in D 36 in
Easy Lounge Chair by Warren Platner for Knoll International, 1980
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Model 1715 easy chair, designed by Warren Platner for Knoll. Zinc steel wire rods are bent and welded to form a graceful, sculptural Silhouette. A generously sized lounge chair, the ...
Metal
H 29 in W 26 in D 28 in
'Sphere' Chairs by Boris Tabacoff for Mobilier Modulaire Moderne, France, 1960s
By Boris Tabacoff, Mobilier Modulair Moderne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible condition on this pair of Boris Tabacoff 'Sphere' lucite lounge chairs, France, circa late 1960s. Designed for Mobilier Modulaire Moderne, these sculptural easy chairs rep...
Fabric, Lucite
H 38.59 in W 40.56 in D 35.44 in
Warren Platner for Knoll Easy Chair
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll, easy chair model '1705', steel, fabric, United States, design ca. 1962, production later. This iconic lounge chair by Warren Platner is created by welding ...
Steel
H 36.5 in W 31 in D 30 in
Erhardsen & Andersen, "Siesta" Chair with Ottoman, Black Leather, Lounge Chair
By Erhardsen & Andersen
Located in Toledo, OH
Erhardsen and Andersen, "Siesta" chair with ottoman. 20th century. Black leather tufted armchair on chrome base with matching ottoman. Unlabeled...
Chrome
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
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
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
H 29.53 in W 29.53 in D 45.28 in
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
H 29.53 in W 29.53 in D 45.28 in
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
H 25.6 in W 29.53 in D 43.31 in
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
H 32.29 in W 31.5 in D 44.1 in
White Leather Alta Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Oscar Niemeyer
By Mobilier International, Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Madrid, ES
Iconic 'Alta' lounge chair with ottoman designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer and manufactured by Mobilier International in France. Made of steel with white leather upholste...
Steel
H 29.53 in W 31.11 in D 52.76 in
Mid-Century Modern Rare "Aran" Lounge Chair Oscar Niemeyer, 1970s
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Rare "Aran" Lounge chair by Oscar Niemeyer, 1975. "Oscar Niemeyer made modernist architecture sexy. In his signature designs, such as those for the planned capita...
Stainless Steel
H 26.78 in W 29.93 in D 53.15 in
Mid-Century Modern Plexiglass chair by Oscar Niemeyer for Burgo complex-1977
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Plexiglass chair by Oscar Niemeyer for Burgo complex-1977. "Oscar Niemeyer made modernist architecture sexy. In his signature designs, such as those for the plann...
Leather, Plexiglass
H 32.29 in W 31.5 in D 44.1 in
Mid-Century Black Leather Lounge chair Model 'Alta' by Oscar Niemeyer
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century black leather Lounge chair Model 'Alta' by Oscar Niemeyer for Mobilier International - 1970s.
Metal
H 31 in W 31 in D 45 in
'Alta' Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Oscar Niemeyer for Mobilier Intl, 1970s, Signed
By Oscar Niemeyer, Mobilier International
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This beautiful 'Alta' fireside lounge chair and ottoman by Oscar Niemeyer for Mobilier International (France) features thick curved steel frames with tufted black leather cushions. The head rest is adjustable as can be seen in photos, and both pieces are signed with Mobilier International medallions. Ideal for collectors and investors of art and design, this 20th Century modern marvel is a favorite amongst high end interior designers and architects working on interior design and architectural magazine cover projects. The Alta lounge...
Stainless Steel
H 30 in W 30 in D 52 in
Oscar Niemeyer "Aran" Lounge Chair with Ottoman, 1975
By Oscar Niemeyer
Located in New York, NY
Iconic “Aran” lounge chair by Oscar Niemeyer with matching ottoman. Upholstered in black leather with polished steel bases. Engraved with “Aran” logo...
Steel