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.
Brazilian Modern Lidded Tobacco Jar in Jacaranda by Jean Gillon, 1970s
By Jean Gillon
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sculptural lidded tobacco jar carved from solid Brazilian rosewood (jacaranda), designed by Jean Gillon and produced in Brazil during the 1970s. The piece exemplifies Gillon’s refine...
Jacaranda, Rosewood
1950s Brazilian Bronze Souvenir Box with Inlaid Historic Coins by Alberti
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Bronze Souvenir Box with Inlaid Historic Coins by Alberti, Brazil, circa 1950s Dimensions: 2.5" Diameter x 1.25" H A finely crafted mid-century bronze so...
Brass
$986Sale Price / item|71% Off
Humidor Box Joá - Contemporary Cedarwood Cigar Box
By Valter Costa Lima
Located in BR
The cigar box conceived by Valter Costa Lima is an eloquent testament to the union between tradition and innovation. Made of cedarwood, every stroke of this piece is an ode to the Br...
Hardwood
Mid Century Brazilian Rosewood Box
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
beautifully hand-turned Rosewood box crafted in Brazil during the 1950s, showcasing the elegance and richness of South American hardwoods. The form is both simple and sculptural—cla...
Rosewood
Malachite Octagonal Box
Located in Winnetka, IL
This is a vintage malachite and brass inlay octagonal box in good condition, no chips or cracks.
Malachite, Brass
$908 / item
Mark Small Box by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Mark small box by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 10 cm D 10 cm H 6.5 cm. Materials: black/brown bronze. Also available in polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a de...
Bronze
Brazilian Agate Onyx and Wood Round Jewelry or Trinket Box, Brazil, 1980s
Located in New York, NY
A Brazilian wood and agate onyx round jewelry or trinket box, in the Modern style/Post-Modern period, circa late 20th century, 1980s, Brazil. Agate is a light grey hue. Piece would s...
Agate, Onyx
Brazilian Agate Onyx and Wood Round Jewelry Trinket Box, Brazil, 1980s
Located in New York, NY
A round Brazilian agate onyx and wood trinket or jewelry box, in the Modern style Post-Modern period, circa-late 20th century, 1980s early 1990s, Brazil. Box has a rich brown wood wi...
Onyx, Agate
$1,707 / item
Aretha Box by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Aretha box by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 15 cm D 15 cm H 9.5 cm. Materials: black/brown bronze. Also available in polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a d...
Bronze
$150 / item
Finish Samples by Alessandra Delgado Design
By Alessandra Delgado
Located in Alto da Lapa, SP
Finishing options for Alessandra Delgado Design products. Choose the samples you want for finishing the product, and check with the store for the cost of sending the chosen samples....
Steel
Vintage Handcrafted Wooden Accordion Sewing - Jewelry Box
Located in Delray Beach, FL
This exquisite sewing box is a testament to the artistry of woodworking and decorative painting. Crafted from wood and adorned with intricate inlaid designs. The centerpiece of the...
Art Glass, Wood
Small Walnut Trinket Box with Agate Inlay Lid
Located in San Diego, CA
Small walnut trinket box with agate inlay lid, circa 1990s. The box is in very good vintage condition and measures 3.75”D x 2”H. Made in Brazil. #3907
Agate
$1,707 / 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
1960s Jean Gillon Tobacco Jar for Italma Wood Art Brazil
By Jean Gillon
Located in London, GB
Cigar humidor or tobacco jar from the 1960s. This iconic piece from the Italma Wood Art collection was created by Brazilian designer Jean Gillon. Very well crafted from the finest st...
Wood
Colonial Brazilian Rosewood Miniature Chest
Located in Essex, MA
Portugese Colonial dwarf chest used for valuables. Raised panels with brass hardware. Six small drawers. Bun feet.
Brass
Quitandeira, Traditional Fruit Box in Glass, by Tiago Curioni
By Tiago Curioni
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
To perpetuate the memorable wooden boxes at fairs in Brazil, the architect and designer Tiago Curioni, a Brazilian based in Portugal, recreated the glass boxes, in a limited series of 30 units. Named as Quitandeira, it has a system of glass rulers...
Glass
$968 / item
Florence Box by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Florence box by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 10 cm D 10 cm H 9 cm. Materials: polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production of...
Bronze
Brazilian Table Top Box in Rosewood
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A stunning mid-20th-century box veneered in rich Brazilian Rosewood, dating to circa 1940. The hinged lid is framed by a striking Dutch ripple-style molding, expertly carved from sol...
Brass
Late 20th Century Square Pewter Lidded Box with Christian motif
By John Somers
Located in Raleigh, US
John Somers – World-Renowned Manufacturer of Fine Pewter Special Offering: Ornamental Square Box Crafted by the esteemed pewter artisan John Somers, celebrated globally for exceptio...
Pewter
1970’s Mid Century Egg Shape Coffee Storage Container With Coffee Beans Cover
By Arthur Arbesser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique Egg Shape with a coffee bean cover - probably to store coffee grains or anything you feeling to put inside. That unique object will have your guest talking about it. Brought i...
Lucite
$13,493 / set
Set of 2 Casulo Cubes #2 by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Casulo cubes #2 by Mameluca Material: electrostatic sluminum paint, recycled rubber blanket. Dimensions: D 45 x W 45 x H 90 cm Opening a cube and transforming it into a...
Aluminum
$871 / item
Joan Small Box by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Joan small box by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 10 cm D 10 cm H 6.5 cm. Materials: polished bronze. Also available in black/brown bronze. FAKASAKA is a de...
Bronze
$1,683 / item
Pearl Box by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Pearl box by Fakasaka design. Dimensions: W 26 cm D 14 cm H 9 cm. Materials: polished bronze. Fakasaka is a design company focused on production of hig...
Bronze
$1,707 / item
Aretha Box by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Aretha box by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 15 cm D 15 cm H 9.5 cm. Materials: polished bronze. Also available in black/brown bronze. FAKASAKA is a d...
Bronze
1960's Brazilian Modern Ice Bucket in Imbuia and Brazilian Rosewood
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this mid-century modern ice bucket that was made in the sixties is one of a kind! This beautiful wooden ice bucket is made with imbuia hardwood and Brazilian rosewoo...
Hardwood
$7,099 / item
Casulo Cube #2 by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Casulo Cube #2 by Mameluca Material: Electrostatic Aluminum paint, recycled rubber blanket. Dimensions: D 45 x W 45 x H 90 cm Also available in different dimensions. Opening a ...
Aluminum
$7,099 / item
Casulo Cube #3 by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Casulo cube #3 by Mameluca Material: Electrostatic Aluminum paint, recycled rubber blanket. Dimensions: D45 x W90 x H45 cm Also available in different dimensions. Opening a cub...
Aluminum
$1,755 / item
Ava Box by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Ava box by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 16 cm D 16 cm H 28.5 cm Materials: polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production of high-end furniture, lighting,...
Bronze
$1,755 / item
Ava Box by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Ava box by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 16 cm D 16 cm H 28.5 cm Materials: black/brown bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production of high-end furniture, lighti...
Bronze
$1,513 / item
Natalie Box by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Natalie box by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 15.5 cm D 15.5 cm H 9.5 Materials: polished bronze, agate. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production of high-end furniture...
Bronze
$908 / item
Mark Small Box by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Mark small box by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 10 cm D 10 cm H 6.5 cm. Materials: polished bronze. Also available in black/brown bronze. FAKASAKA is...
Bronze
$1,501 / item
Dido Box by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Dido Box by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 15.5 cm D 15.5 cm H 9 Materials: polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production of high-end furniture, lighting, ...
Bronze
$1,683 / item
Gilmour Box by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Gilmour Box by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 28 cm D 12 cm H 10 cm. Materials: polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production of high-end furniture, lighting, ...
Bronze
$1,707 / item
REM Box by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
REM box by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 15.5 cm D 15.5 cm H 13 cm. Materials: polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production of high-end furniture, lighti...
Bronze