More often than not, vintage mid-century Brazilian furniture designs, with their gleaming wood, soft leathers and inviting shapes, share a sensuous, unique quality that distinguishes them from the more rectilinear output of American and Scandinavian makers of the same era.
Commencing in the 1940s and '50s, a group of architects and designers transformed the local cultural landscape in Brazil, merging the modernist vernacular popular in Europe and the United States with the South American country's traditional techniques and indigenous materials.
Key mid-century influencers on Brazilian furniture design include natives Oscar Niemeyer, Sergio Rodrigues and José Zanine Caldas as well as such European immigrants as Joaquim Tenreiro, Jean Gillon and Jorge Zalszupin. These creators frequently collaborated; for instance, Niemeyer, an internationally acclaimed architect, commissioned many of them to furnish his residential and institutional buildings.
The popularity of Brazilian modern furniture has made household names of these designers and other greats. Their particular brand of modernism is characterized by an émigré point of view (some were Lithuanian, German, Polish, Ukrainian, Portuguese, and Italian), a preference for highly figured indigenous Brazilian woods, a reverence for nature as an inspiration and an atelier or small-production mentality.
Hallmarks of Brazilian mid-century design include smooth, sculptural forms and the use of native woods like rosewood, jacaranda and pequi. The work of designers today exhibits many of the same qualities, though with a marked interest in exploring new materials (witness the Campana Brothers' stuffed-animal chairs) and an emphasis on looking inward rather than to other countries for inspiration.
Find a collection of vintage Brazilian furniture on 1stDibs that includes chairs, sofas, tables and more.
Single-Supply Faucet (Cold Water) by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
Important Note: This piece was designed according to Brazilian hydraulic standards but can be adapted to other international standards. Before completing your purchase, please contac...
Brass
$1,250 / item
Shower Handle (cold or hot) by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
Important Note: This piece was designed according to Brazilian hydraulic standards but can be adapted to other international standards. Before completing your purchase, please contac...
Brass
Countertop Faucet with Hot and Cold Valves by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
Important Note: This piece was designed according to Brazilian hydraulic standards but can be adapted to other international standards. Before completing your purchase, please contac...
Brass
Single-Supply Faucet (Cold Water) by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
Important Note: This piece was designed according to Brazilian hydraulic standards but can be adapted to other international standards. Before completing your purchase, please contac...
Brass
$760 / item
Handle by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
The objects on view in this collection extend through different forms of consciousness, intertwining layers of meaning and perception. Different modes of experiencing an object bleed...
Brass
Single-Supply Faucet (Cold Water) by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
Important Note: This piece was designed according to Brazilian hydraulic standards but can be adapted to other international standards. Before completing your purchase, please contac...
Brass
$1,175 / item
Handle by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
The objects on view in this collection extend through different forms of consciousness, intertwining layers of meaning and perception. Different modes of experiencing an object bleed...
Brass
Single-Supply Faucet (Cold Water) by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
Important Note: This piece was designed according to Brazilian hydraulic standards but can be adapted to other international standards. Before completing your purchase, please contac...
Brass
$1,250 / item
Handle by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
The objects on view in this collection extend through different forms of consciousness, intertwining layers of meaning and perception. Different modes of experiencing an object bleed...
Brass
Single-Supply Faucet (Cold Water) by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
Important Note: This piece was designed according to Brazilian hydraulic standards but can be adapted to other international standards. Before completing your purchase, please contac...
Brass
Single-handle Shower Mixer (cold and hot water) by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
Important Note: This piece was designed according to Brazilian hydraulic standards but can be adapted to other international standards. Before completing your purchase, please contac...
Brass
$760 / item
Handle by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
The objects on view in this collection extend through different forms of consciousness, intertwining layers of meaning and perception. Different modes of experiencing an object bleed...
Brass
$975 / item
Hook by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
Important Note: There are three hook models available. Before completing your purchase, please contact us to confirm the quantities and models. _ The objects on view in this collec...
Brass
Single-Supply Faucet (Cold Water) by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
Important Note: This piece was designed according to Brazilian hydraulic standards but can be adapted to other international standards. Before completing your purchase, please contac...
Brass
Wall Faucet with Hot and Cold Valves by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
Important Note: This piece was designed according to Brazilian hydraulic standards but can be adapted to other international standards. Before completing your purchase, please contac...
Brass
$1,100 / item
Drain Valve by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
Important Note: This piece was designed according to Brazilian hydraulic standards but can be adapted to other international standards. Before completing your purchase, please contac...
Brass
$6,950 / item
'Cone' Shower by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
The objects on view in this collection extend through different forms of consciousness, intertwining layers of meaning and perception. Different modes of experiencing an object bleed...
Brass
$6,400 / item
'Sino' Shower by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
The objects on view in this collection extend through different forms of consciousness, intertwining layers of meaning and perception. Different modes of experiencing an object bleed...
Brass
Single-Supply Faucet (Cold Water) by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
Important Note: This piece was designed according to Brazilian hydraulic standards but can be adapted to other international standards. Before completing your purchase, please contac...
Brass
$550 / item
Handle by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
The objects on view in this collection extend through different forms of consciousness, intertwining layers of meaning and perception. Different modes of experiencing an object bleed...
Brass
$6,950 / item
'Cone' Shower by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
The objects on view in this collection extend through different forms of consciousness, intertwining layers of meaning and perception. Different modes of experiencing an object bleed...
Brass
$550 / item
Handle by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
The objects on view in this collection extend through different forms of consciousness, intertwining layers of meaning and perception. Different modes of experiencing an object bleed...
Brass
Ear Handle by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
The objects on view in this collection extend through different forms of consciousness, intertwining layers of meaning and perception. Different modes of experiencing an object bleed...
Brass
$550 / item
Handle by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
The objects on view in this collection extend through different forms of consciousness, intertwining layers of meaning and perception. Different modes of experiencing an object bleed...
Brass
Monumental Pair of Early 19th Century Brazilian Colonial Architectural Finials
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Monumental Pair of Early 19th Century Brazilian Colonial Architectural Finials A striking and rare pair of monumental architectural finials, carved in solid tropical hardwood, likely...
Wood
Nose Handle by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
The objects on view in this collection extend through different forms of consciousness, intertwining layers of meaning and perception. Different modes of experiencing an object bleed...
Brass
$760 / item
Handle by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
The objects on view in this collection extend through different forms of consciousness, intertwining layers of meaning and perception. Different modes of experiencing an object bleed...
Brass
$760 / item
Handle by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
The objects on view in this collection extend through different forms of consciousness, intertwining layers of meaning and perception. Different modes of experiencing an object bleed...
Brass
$550 / item
Handles by Andrew de Freitas
Located in São Paulo, BR
The objects on view in this collection extend through different forms of consciousness, intertwining layers of meaning and perception. Different modes of experiencing an object bleed...
Brass
Rock Crystal Handles by Phoenix
Located in New York, NY
Pair of rock crystal handles with nickel decoration. Created by Phoenix Gallery NYC. Size, and finish upon request.
Rock Crystal
Large Water Fountain in Ceramic Mineral Finish
Located in Madrid, ES
Water fountain in hand painted ceramic. Decorative ceramic fountain antique finish.
Ceramic
Rock Crystal Handle by Phoenix
Located in New York, NY
Rock crystal handle with polish brass decoration. Created by Phoenix Gallery NYC. Size, and finish upon request.
Rock Crystal
Rock Crystal Handle by Phoenix
Located in New York, NY
Rock crystal handle with polish brass decoration. Created by Phoenix Gallery NYC. Size, and finish upon request.
Rock Crystal
Rock Crystal Handle by Phoenix
Located in New York, NY
An elegant form rock crystal quartz handle with nickel plating finish. Created by Phoenix Gallery, NYC. Custom size, and metal finish upon request.
Rock Crystal
Rock Crystal Handle by Phoenix
Located in New York, NY
An elegant form rock crystal quartz handle with polish brass finish. Created by Phoenix Gallery, NYC. Custom size, and metal finish upon request.
Rock Crystal
Rock Crystal Handle by Phoenix
Located in New York, NY
An elegant form rock crystal quartz handle with polish brass finish. Created by Phoenix Gallery, NYC. Custom size, and metal finish upon request.
Rock Crystal
FSW Rock Crystal Handle by Phoenix
Located in New York, NY
Rock crystal handles with polished brass decoration. Created by Phoenix Gallery NYC.
Rock Crystal
Rock Crystal Handle by Phoenix
Located in New York, NY
Rose rock crystal handle with polish brass decoration. Created by Phoenix Gallery NYC. Size, and finish upon request.
Rock Crystal
Rock Crystal Handle by Phoenix
Located in New York, NY
Rose rock crystal handle with polish brass decoration. Created by Phoenix Gallery, NYC. Size, and finish upon request.
Rock Crystal
$19,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.5 in W 372 in D 348 in
Canvas Dance Floor Designed by Charles de Beistigui and Architect Emilio Terry
By Emilio Terry
Located in Nashville, TN
Dance floor was designed by Charles de Beistigui and architect Emilio Terry for the world famous ball held at de Beistigui's Venetian Palazzo Labi...
Wood, Canvas
$3,250 / set
H 10 in W 9 in D 8.38 in
Pair of Edwardian Cold Painted Bronze 4-Light Flora Wall Sconces or Candelabra
By Edward F. Caldwell & Co., Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of Edwardian bronze wall sconces. Each with 4 lights. Each arm in the form of a stems topped with flower-form candlecups. With polychrome cold-painted decorat...
Bronze
Massive Faceted Clear Quartz Elements/ Lights (3 Available)
Located in North Miami, FL
These very large gem cut quartz pieces with natural/clear tones are set in custom brass bases. There is a hollowed out space to underside of stones to accommodate a small bulb if you...
Quartz, Brass
Impressive and Stunning Rock Crystal Quartz Mineral Specimen
Located in New York, NY
This stunning rock crystal mineral specimen is a gorgeous natural formed quartz. As time progressed this beautiful hue of pearl has formed angula...
Pair of unusual Translucid" Acrylic Panels Part of a Set
Located in Sheffield, MA
Depicting Jungle scenes with Parrots Height 90 in. by 44 in. Provenance: Private estate San Paulo, Brazil
Acrylic
A Wonderful Series of Acrylic Panels
Located in Sheffield, MA
Depicting Jungle scenes with Parrots
(2) Height 92 in. by 61 in.
(3) Height 92 in. by 41 in.
Provenance: Private estate San Paulo, Brazil