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.
$330Sale Price|46% Off
Hand-Carved Carnelian Crystal Bowl, Mid-Century Modern, Brazil, 12cm
Located in Glasgow, GB
A small carnelian crystal bowl, hand-carved from natural Brazilian carnelian stone. Perfectly polished to a high gloss to reveal its rich, translucent banding in shades of burnt ora...
Carnelian
$242Sale Price|49% Off
Rose Quartz, Natural Crystal, Polished Freeform Bowl, Brazil
Located in Glasgow, GB
A luminous rose quartz crystal bowl, hand-carved from natural Brazilian pink quartz. This freeform bowl has been shaped into a smooth, organic rectangular form with rounded edges and...
Rose Quartz
Midcentury Agate Catchall Brazilian
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful, substantial, relatively large, Brazilian agate catchall vide-poche, Organic Modern design, circa mid-20th century, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Agate
Large Handmade Mid-Century Carved Blue Agate Stone Organic Dish or Vide-Poche
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
A beautiful carved, shaped and polished blue Agate stone dish, bowl or vide-poche by unknown maker. Wonderful organic slightly oval form with warm lines or rings of caramel, cream an...
Stone, Agate
Brazilian Modern Bronze Clam Shell Ashtray or Catchall, 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century modern clam shell sculpture, Brazil 1960s.
Bronze
Mid-Century Hand-Carved Wooden Bowl or Dish - Organic Centerpiece - 1970s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Mid-Century Hand-Carved Wooden Bowl or Dish - Organic Centerpiece - 1970s A beautifully hand-carved bowl or decorative centerpiece. Probably made from solid lignum vitae, prized f...
Wood
Hand-Carved Rock Crystal Bowl Vide-Poche from Brazil with Scalloped Design
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand carved in Brazil, this elegant rock crystal bowl features a deeply scalloped form with a beautifully polished surface and luminous natural translucency. The thick crystal body r...
Rock Crystal
Brazilian Modern Bronze Lips Ashtray or Catchall, 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Brazilian modern ashtray or catch-all resembling lips. Signed by unknown artist, Brazil 1960s.
Bronze
Large Brazilian Carved Rock Crystal and Gilt Bronze Mount Table Bowl
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in Brazil, this elegant hand carved rock crystal bowl features a substantial round form with a deep basin and exceptional clarity. The heavy crystal dish is mounted with a de...
Rock Crystal, Bronze
20th Century Shipibo Pot
Located in Chicago, IL
A striking 20th century Amazonian Shipibo pot hand-built from clay, decorated with wide red and orange lines, and glazed with the sap of a tree. Members of...
Clay
Jean Gillon. Set of 4 square trays, c. 1960
By Jean Gillon, Italma Wood Art
Located in PARIS, FR
Suite of four square trays designed by Jean Gillon, dating from about 1960. Each top is characterized by dimensions of 2 x 16 x 16 centimeters, offering a compact scale and a geometr...
Hardwood
Jacaranda Wood Bowl by Jean Gillon for Italma/Georg Jensen, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Organically shaped bowl in Brazilian Jacaranda wood. Designed by Brazilian wood art icon Jean Gillon during the 1960s in a series for Italma and Georg Jensen in Denmark. Due to Cites...
Jacaranda
$1,897 / item
Long Bowl in Dark Bronze by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Long bowl in dark bronze by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 41.5 x D 16 x H 9.5 cm Materials: Dark bronze.
Bronze
Mid Century Scalloped White Onyx and Lapis Bowl with Footed Base
Located in Toronto, ON
A stunning mid century scalloped white onyx and lapis lazuli bowl with footed pedestal base. Finely carved with delicate scalloped shape, in an exceptional quality of stone.
Precious Stone
$732 / item
Nina Bowl by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Nina bowl by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 17 x D 17 x H 3.5 cm Materials: black/brown bronze. Nina bowl / ashtray / centerpiece / candle holder / card holder FAKASAKA is a ...
Bronze
$5,520Sale Price|20% Off
Brazilian Architectural Bowl Slatted Centerpiece Mid-Century like Oscar Niemeyer
By Oscar Niemeyer, Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Made in Brazil, a hand-crafted footed centerpiece sculpture, truly an mid-century masterpiece. A fragile, brass belted, curved Jacaranda (Brazilian Rosewood) slat design. A rare find...
Jacaranda
OTA Vintage leather paper waste bin
Located in TILBURG, NL
Nice little paper waste bin. Made out of thick brown leather with black colored pressed details and large stitching. Possibly South American / Brasilian manufactured in the 60's or 7...
Leather
Agate Jewelry Dish Dark Brown
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful, natural, rich dark brown and white agate jewelry dish, decorative object, or small bowl/vessel, in the Organic Modern design, circa mid-20...
Agate, Onyx
$1,897 / item
O'Connor Bowl by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
O'Connor bowl by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 41.5 cm D 16 cm H 9.5 cm. Materials: dark bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on pro...
Bronze
$11,500 / set
Pair of Rock Crystal Tazzas from Brazil
Located in Dallas, TX
This product is a pair of rock crystal tazzas sourced from Brazil. Known for its stunning beauty and unique properties, Brazilian rock crystal is a highly sought-after collectible am...
Rock Crystal
$4,200
Rock Crystal Bowl
Located in Dallas, TX
The White Rock Crystal Bowl with touches of gray is a luxurious and elegant piece. Its sleek design makes it a versatile and eye-catching addition to any home decor. 18.5w x 3.5h
Rock Crystal
Ramon Ramirez - hammered copper bowl. Circa 1960.
By R Ramirez
Located in Branford, CT
Ramon Ramirez - hammered copper bowl. Circa 1960. H 3-1/2" D 9-1/2". Condition: Minor surface imperfections. No damage noted.
Copper
Mid Century Scalloped White Onyx and Rhodonite Bowl with Footed Base
Located in Toronto, ON
A stunning mid-century scalloped white onyx and rhodonite bowl with footed pedestal base. Finely carved with delicate scalloped shape, in an exceptional quality of stone.
Precious Stone
Bowl, Centerpiece in Polished Bronze by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Bowl, centerpiece in polished bronze by Fakasaka design. Dimensions: W 36 x D 12 x H 7 cm. Materials: Polished bronze.
Bronze
$900 / item
Tomw Bowl by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Tomw bowl by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 19 cm D 19 cm H 8.5 cm. Materials: dark bronze. TOMW BOWL / ASHTRAY / CENTERPIECE / CANDLEHOLDER. Also available in polished bronze. FAK...
Bronze
Rock Crystal Bowl from Brazil
Located in Dallas, TX
This magnificent rock crystal bowl origins from Brazil.
Rock Crystal
'Aya' Minimalist and Modern Tray in Brazilian Hardwood by Knót Artesanal
By Knót Artesanal
Located in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro
Aya is a simple and multi-functional piece that serves as a tray, a table centre-piece or a fruit bowl. The brass handle facilitates its transport and can be separated allowing the rest to be used solely as a tray. Minimalist and mid-century modern in its style Aya's clean lines and curves combined with the brass details give it a unique and eye-catching aesthetic. Handmade using Brazilian hardwood Cumaru along with brass details. Knót Artesanal...
Brass
$3,363 / item
Center Piece, Small Quartz Points by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Center piece, small quartz points. by Aver Dimensions: D 35 x H 27 cm. Materials: quartz, steel, polyvinyl chloride, resin.
Quartz, Steel
Wood Fruit Bowl, Marítima, Brazilian Contemporary by Lattoog
By Lattoog
Located in Sao Paolo, BR
Like a leaf: light and soft. That's how we thought about this piece: Organic like the fruits it contains. Like a fluid - in constant motion. That's how w...
Wood, Plywood
$1,873 / item
Dark Bronze Ashtray by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Dark Bronze ashtray by FAKASAKA Design Dimensions: W 26 x D 14 x H 9 cm Materials: Dark bronze.
Bronze
Centerpiece Bowl in Polished Bronze by FAKASAKA Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Centerpiece bowl in polished bronze by FAKASAKA Design Dimensions: W 36 x D 30 x H 7 cm Materials: Polished bronze.
Bronze
Large Handmade Mid-Century Carved Onyx Agate Stone Organic Dish or Vide-Poche
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
A beautiful carved, shaped and polished Onyx Agate stone dish, bowl or vide-poche by unknown maker. Wonderful organic slightly oval form with warm lines or rings of caramel, cream an...
Stone, Agate
$1,693 / item
Box in Polished Bronze by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Ashtray, box in polished bronze by FAKASAKA Design Dimensions: W 15.5 x D 15.5 x H 13 cm Materials: Polished bronze.
Bronze
$1,465 / item
Rod Bowl by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Rod bowl by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 19.5 cm D 19.5 cm H 3.5cm. Materials: dark bronze. Rod bowl / ashtray / centerpiece / candle holder / ca...
Bronze
$5,609 / item
Hilda Bowl by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Hilda bowl by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 78 cm D 41 cm H 12 cm. Materials: polished bronze. Also available in dark bronze. FAKASAKA is a design compan...
Bronze
$5,609 / item
Polished Bronze Hilda Bowl by FAKASAKA Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Hilda bowl by FAKASAKA Design Dimensions: W 78 x D 41 x H 12 cm Materials: Polished bronze.
Bronze
Large Handmade Mid-Century Carved Blue Agate Stone Organic Dish or Vide-Poche
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
A beautiful carved, shaped and polished blue Agate stone dish, bowl or vide-poche by unknown maker. Wonderful organic slightly oval form with warm lines or rings of caramel, cream an...
Stone, Agate
$360 / item
Benta Collection, Small Wooden Bowl
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
BENTA COLLECTION “How often do we, in search for happiness, do exactly as the poor grandfather does: in vain, look restlessly for the glasses Having them on the tip of the nose!” M...
Wood
$628Sale Price|77% Off
Decorative Stone Bowl in Quartz Crystal with Black Tourmaline Inclusions, Brazil
Located in Glasgow, GB
Hand-carved from a single piece of tourmaline quartz, this sculptural bowl merges organic mineral formation with refined craftsmanship. The raw exterior preserves the natural matrix ...
Quartz, Tourmaline
Brazilian Leather Baskets
By Luhome
Located in Boston, MA
Leather organizer baskets. Natural color.
Leather
Brazilian Modern Handcrafted Studio Bronze Ashtray or Catchall, Signed DS
Located in Miami, FL
Handcrafted studio patinated bronze ashtray or catchall circa 1990s, Brazil. The initials DS have been carved into the bronze. Artist unknown.
Bronze
Brazilian Jacaranda Wood Tray Designed by Jean Gillon for Wood Art
By Jean Gillon
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Brazilian Jacaranda wood tray designed by Jean Gillon, circa 1960. Excellent vintage condition, very minor scratches on underside consistent with age and use. Includes ...
Jacaranda
Hand Carved Brazilian Rock Crystal Bowl Vide-Poche with Scalloped Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand carved in Brazil, this elegant rock crystal bowl features a deep circular form surrounded by a sculptural scalloped exterior, giving the piece the appearance of a blooming flowe...
Rock Crystal
$1,873 / item
Box, Ashtray in Dark Bronze by FAKASAKA Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Box, Ashtray in Dark Bronze by FAKASAKA Design Dimensions: W 28 x D 12 x H 10 cm Materials: Dark bronze.
Bronze
Jean Gillon, Bol en bois massif, c. 1960
By Jean Gillon, Italma Wood Art
Located in PARIS, FR
Bowl with handle designed by Jean Gillon and produced by Italma/WoodArt, dating from the 1960s. Made from solid wood, this bowl has dimensions of 16 x 3 x 10 cm, giving it a compact ...
Hardwood
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Brazilian Modern Acrylic Catch All Dish With Scaly Underside
Located in Miami, FL
Brazilian mid-century yellow catch all dish in the shape of a shell with a scaly underside, 1960s.
Acrylic
Rock Crystal Bowl from Brazil
Located in Dallas, TX
This magnificent rock crystal bowl origins from Brazil.
Rock Crystal
Large Brazilian Carved Rock Crystal Bowl Vide-Poche
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant hand carved rock crystal bowl features a substantial round form with a deep basin and exceptional clarity. Expertly sculpted from a solid block of natural Brazilian crys...
Rock Crystal
Solid Rock Quartz Crystal Circular Centerpiece Tray
Located in New York, NY
Rock crystal circular tray with wide rim and flat bottom. Hand carved from one piece of natural clear quartz crystal.
Rock Crystal
Brazilian Mid Century Amoeba Shaped Carved Rosewood Bowl
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
An elegant and sculptural hand-carved Brazilian rosewood bowl in an organic amoeba shape, showcasing the rich grain and deep, chocolate tones o...
Rosewood
$280Sale Price|20% Off
Brazilian Modern Faux Malachite Resin Tray or Catchall, 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century faux malachite resin base with removable silver tray insert from Brazil, 1960s. Good to use as an ashtray or catch all.
Metal
1970s Souza Rio Handmade Brazilian Rosewood Bowl
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Souza Rio Handmade Brazilian Jacaranda Rosewood Bowl Stamped 17.5 long x 2.88 w x 2 h Preowned original vintage condition Refer to im...
Jacaranda
$3,459
Jean Gillon plate
By Jean Gillon
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Centre de table par Jean Gillon
Imbuia
Brazilian Ceramic. Arte Forma. Set of 6 enamelled ceramic trays
Located in PARIS, FR
Brazilian Ceramic : Arte Forma Set of 6 Enameled Ceramic Trays, n.d. This set of six enameled ceramic trays by Arte Forma showcases the elegance and functionality of modern Brazilia...
Enamel
Large Oval Mid-Century Carved Brown Crystal Agate Stone Organic Dish Vide-Poche
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
A beautiful carved, slightly oval shaped and polished crystal agate stone ashtray, dish, bowl or vide-poche by unknown maker. Wonderful organic slightly oval form with lines or ring...
Stone, Agate
Jean Gillon. Rectangular tray model 304, c. 1960. Wood Art
By Jean Gillon, Italma Wood Art
Located in PARIS, FR
Jean Gillon Rectangular Tray, Model 304, c. 1960 Label: Wood Art 1/304 Hardwood 2 x 35 x 12 cm 79/100 x 13 39/50 x 4 18/25 in This rare rectangular tray, model 304, was designed by ...
Hardwood
$640Sale Price|20% Off
Genuine Polished Rutile Quartz Soap Dish from Brazil (2.5 lbs)
Located in New York, NY
Connect deeply to your higher self by welcoming this one-of-a-kind Rutilated Quartz soap dish. An essential tool for manifesting transformation and inner healing, its vibrations will...
Crystal, Quartz, Other
Carved Mid-Century Brown Agate Crystal Stone Organic Dish, Vide-Poche or Ashtray
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
A beautiful carved, slightly oval shaped and polished reddish brown stone dish, bowl, ashtray or vide-poche by unknown maker. Wonderful organic slightly oval form with warm colours o...
Stone, Agate
Mid-Century Modern tray. Brazil 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern tray crafted in imbuia with meticulous detail.
Hardwood
Natural Hand Carved Pink Amethyst Crystal Bowl
Located in Ametista Do Sul, BR
Hand-carved from a unique X Large Pink Amethyst Stone, this bowl will be a perfect upgrade to your home or workspace decor. Whether used as a place to display crystals, a decorative ...
Amethyst, Crystal, Rock Crystal