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.
$484 / item
Leo Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Leo candleholder by Fakasaka Design. Dimensions: W 11 cm D 10 cm H 30.5 cm. Materials: dark bronze. Also available in polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on ...
Bronze
$620Sale Price|20% Off
Modernist South American Rosewood Candlesticks Hourglass Studio Craft Woodwork
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful South American turned wood candlestick holders.
Rosewood
$401 / item
Debbie Candlestick by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Debbie candlestick by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 6 cm D 5 cm H 24 cm each. Materials: dark bronze. Also available in polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused o...
Bronze
Set of 2 Long Candleholders in Polished Bronze by FAKASAKA Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 long candleholders in polished bronze by FAKASAKA Design Dimensions: W 8 x D 8 x H 41 cm Materials: Polished bronze.
Bronze
$1,607 / item
Alexia Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Alexia candleholder by Fakasaka Design. Dimensions: W 20 cm D 19 cm H 30.5 cm. Materials: dark bronze. Also available in polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused ...
Bronze
Silver Dipped Bronze Sculptural Flower Candle Stick Holder, Brazil 1990s
Located in Miami, FL
Brazilian modern silver dipped bronze candle holder with flowers on vines. Signed by unknown artist, 1990s.
Silver, Bronze
Midcentury Rare Rosewood Candleholder Casa Finland, Brazil, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
- very rare - marked by label
Rosewood
Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Candle Lamp in Silver Metal, Unknown, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
This mid-century chrome candle floor lamp is defined by its disciplined verticality and sculptural restraint. Rising from a circular, weighted base, a polished chrome column extends ...
Silver
$492Sale Price|20% Off
Zanini de Zanine Escora Gold Candleholder
By Zanini de Zanine
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautifully sculptural candleholder by Zanini de Zanine. Regarded as one of the most renowned forces in art and design, Zanini de Zanine creates pieces that bring a strong presence i...
Steel
$310 / item
NU Candle Holder
Located in Gamboa, RJ
Candle holder for four candles made from crushed recycled ceramic bricks, glass and recycled beige Bahia marble aggregates. *Comes with 4 NU CANDLES (hydrogenated soy-based vegetable...
Terrazzo
Set of 2 Debbie Candlesticks by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Debbie candlesticks by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 6 cm D 5 cm H 24 cm each. Materials: polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production of high-e...
Bronze
$1,170 / item
Dark Bronze Candleholder by FAKASAKA Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Dark bronze candleholder by FAKASAKA Design Dimensions: W 9 x D 6 x H 33 cm Materials: Dark bronze.
Bronze
$602 / item
Gui Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Gui Candleholder by Fakasaka Design. Dimensions: W 14 cm D 10.5 cm H 40.5 cm. Materials: dark bronze. Also available in polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on pr...
Bronze
Pair of brazilian baroque candlesticks in wood polychrome circa 1800
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible and original pair of brazilian candlesticks in wood polychomed circa 1800.
Wood
$484 / item
Leo Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Leo candleholder by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 11 cm D 10 cm H 30.5 cm. Materials: polished bronze. Also available in dark bronze. Fakasaka is a design company focused on produc...
Bronze
$401 / item
Debbie Candlestick by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Debbie candlestick by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 6 cm D 5 cm H 24 cm each. Materials: polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production of high-end furnitu...
Bronze
$390 / item
Selenite Candle Holder by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Selenite candle holder by Aver Dimensions: D 10 x H 14 cm Materials: Selenite, glass, steel, resin.
Quartz, Steel
$10,010Sale Price|35% Off
Rock Crystal Candleholder Lavender Stone
Located in Dallas, TX
Rock crystal candleholder lavender stone, beautiful designed, unique piece.
Rock Crystal
$1,831 / item
Apple Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Apple candleholder by Fakasaka design Dimensions: W 13.5 cm D 13.5 cm H 41.5. Materials: polished bronze. Also available in dark bronze. Fakasaka is a design company focused ...
Bronze
$638 / item
Selenite Candle Holder by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Selenite candle holder by Aver Dimensions: D 14 x H 20 cm Materials: Selenite, steel.
Quartz, Steel
$1,607 / item
Candlestick in Polished Bronze by FAKASAKA Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Candlestick in Polished Bronze by FAKASAKA Design Dimensions: W 20 x D 19 x H 30.5 cm Materials: Polished bronze.
Bronze
Monumental Pair of 1960s Brass Candelabras by Madame Journel
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Monumental Pair of 1960s Brass Candelabras by Madame Journel, Rio de Janeiro Striking in both scale and elegance, this rare pair of twelve-light candelabras was crafted in Rio de J...
Brass
$567 / item
Adri Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Adri candleholder by Fakasaka Design. Dimensions: W 12.5 cm, D 10 cm, H 36.5 cm. Materials: dark bronze. Also available in polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on ...
Bronze
$1,430 / item
Dark Bronze Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Dark bronze candleholder by FAKASAKA Design. Dimensions: W 9.5 x D 5.5 x H 29.5 cm. Materials: dark bronze.
Bronze
Long Candleholder in Polished Bronze by FAKASAKA Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Long candleholder in Polished bronze by FAKASAKA Design Dimensions: W 8 x D 8 x H 41 cm Materials: Polished bronze.
Bronze
$1,170 / item
Hun Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Hun Candleholder by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 9 cm D 6 cm H 33 cm. Materials: dark bronze. Also available in polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a desig...
Bronze
$1,229 / item
Janis Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Janis candleholder by Fakasaka design. Dimensions: W 8 cm D 8 cm H 41 cm. Materials: polished bronze. Fakasaka is a design company focused on production of high-end furniture, ...
Bronze
$1,430 / item
Heather Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Heather candleholder by Fakasaka Design. Dimensions: W 9.5 cm D 5.5 cm H 29.5 cm. Materials: dark bronze. Also available in polished bronze. Fakasaka is a design company focus...
Bronze
$364 / item
Selenite Candle Holder by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Selenite candle holder by Aver Dimensions: D 12 x H 29 cm. Materials: selenite, steel, resin.
Quartz, Steel
$1,607 / item
Candlestick in Dark Bronze by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Candlestick in dark bronze by FAKASAKA Design Dimensions: W 20 x D 19 x H 30.5 cm Materials: dark bronze.
Bronze
$1,831 / item
Candleholder in Polished Bronze by FAKASAKA Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Candleholder in Polished Bronze by FAKASAKA Design Dimensions: W 13.5 x D 13.5 x H 41.5 cm Materials: Polished bronze.
Bronze
$2,068 / item
Alexia Bar Tray by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Alexia bar tray by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 42.5 cm D 29 cm H 4 cm Materials: polished bronze. Alexia tray / bar tray / centerpiece / candle tray...
Bronze
$2,068 / item
Alexia Bar Tray by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Alexia bar tray by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 42.5 cm D 29 cm H 4 cm Materials: black/brown bronze. Alexia tray / bar tray / centerpiece / candle tray ...
Bronze
$1,607 / item
Alexia Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Alexia candleholder by Fakasaka design. Dimensions: W 20 cm D 19 cm H 30.5 cm. Materials: polished bronze. Fakasaka is a design company focused on production of high-end furnit...
Bronze
$1,831 / item
Apple Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Apple candleholder by Fakasaka design Dimensions: W 13.5 cm D 13.5 cm H 41.5. Materials: dark bronze. Also available in polished bronze. Fakasaka is a design company focused on pr...
Bronze
$567 / item
Adri Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Adri candleholder by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 12.5 cm D 10 cm H 36.5 cm. Materials: polished bronze. Also available in dark bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused o...
Bronze
$602 / item
Gui Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Gui candleholder by Fakasaka Design. Dimensions: W 14 cm D 10.5 cm H 40.5 cm. Materials: polished bronze. Fakasaka is a design company focused on production of high-end furniture, ...
Bronze