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.
Leather Tray ALINEA by ARIA HOME - Rectangular Medium B - Color: Clay
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
A classic that endures. The ALINEA Collection embodies the essence of Aria Home: classic trays with refined finishes, designed to move effortlessly across spaces and styles. Its si...
Leather
Leather Tray AUREN by ARIA HOME - Scandinese style - Large - Color: Clay
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
High-end design, without excess. The AUREN Collection elevates the Aria experience with trays that combine genuine leather and premium-quality brass handles. Featuring hardware ins...
Brass
Leather Tray ALINEA by ARIA HOME - Rectangular Medium A - Color: Saffron
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
A classic that endures. The ALINEA Collection embodies the essence of Aria Home: classic trays with refined finishes, designed to move effortlessly across spaces and styles. Its si...
Leather
Leather Tray AUREN by ARIA HOME - Chinoiserie style - Large - Color: Clay
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
High-end design, without excess. The AUREN Collection elevates the Aria experience with trays that combine genuine leather and premium-quality brass handles. Featuring hardware ins...
Brass
Leather Tray AUREN by ARIA HOME - Scandinese style - Medium - Color: Sadletan
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
High-end design, without excess. The AUREN Collection elevates the Aria experience with trays that combine genuine leather and premium-quality brass handles. Featuring hardware ins...
Brass
Decorative Tray Set ALINEA by ARIA HOME - Set of 4 Square Trays
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
ALINEA Collection A classic that endures. The ALINEA Collection embodies the essence of Aria Home: classic trays with refined finishes, designed to move effortlessly across spaces an...
Leather
Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lazy Susan & Bowls in Hardwood, Tropic Art, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
This beautifully crafted rosewood Lazy Susan, made by Tropic Art in the 1970s, is a striking example of Brazilian mid-century functional design. The piece features a substantial rota...
Hardwood
Leather Table Tray ALESSIA by ARIA HOME - Large - Color: Clay
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Where objects breathe. The ALESSIA Collection features generously proportioned console trays with minimalist design, created to highlight compositions with lightness and intention....
Leather
Leather Table Tray ALESSIA by ARIA HOME - Medium - Color: Green Garden
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Where objects breathe. The ALESSIA Collection features generously proportioned console trays with minimalist design, created to highlight compositions with lightness and intention....
Leather
Leather Tray AUREN by ARIA HOME - Chinoiserie style - Medium - Color: Sadletan
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
High-end design, without excess. The AUREN Collection elevates the Aria experience with trays that combine genuine leather and premium-quality brass handles. Featuring hardware ins...
Brass
Leather Table Tray ALESSIA by ARIA HOME - Large - Color: Classic Blue
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Where objects breathe. The ALESSIA Collection features generously proportioned console trays with minimalist design, created to highlight compositions with lightness and intention....
Leather
Leather Table Tray ALESSIA by ARIA HOME - Extra Long - Color: Wine
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Where objects breathe. The ALESSIA Collection features generously proportioned console trays with minimalist design, created to highlight compositions with lightness and intention....
Leather
Leather Table Tray ALESSIA by ARIA HOME - Long - Color: Beet
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Where objects breathe. The ALESSIA Collection features generously proportioned console trays with minimalist design, created to highlight compositions with lightness and intention....
Leather
Set of two Pen Holders in Rosewood, Unknown, 1960s - Lot 739
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful pair of pen holders made of solid turned rosewood.
Hardwood
Leather Tray ALINEA by ARIA HOME - Square Large A - Color: Saffron
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
A classic that endures. The ALINEA Collection embodies the essence of Aria Home: classic trays with refined finishes, designed to move effortlessly across spaces and styles. Its si...
Leather
Leather Tray, Large A Square Tray, Handmade - Color: Wine
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Monochrome Collection Trays For various purposes, the Monochrome Collection Trays can be used individually or as a set. Their sizes are customizable, so feel free to get creative an...
Leather
Leather Tray ALINEA by ARA HOME - Square Large B - Color: Caramel
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
A classic that endures. The ALINEA Collection embodies the essence of Aria Home: classic trays with refined finishes, designed to move effortlessly across spaces and styles. Its si...
Leather
Leather Tray ALINEA by ARIA HOME - Rectangular Large A - Color: Vanilla
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
A classic that endures. The ALINEA Collection embodies the essence of Aria Home: classic trays with refined finishes, designed to move effortlessly across spaces and styles. Its si...
Leather
Leather Table Tray ALESSIA by ARIA HOME - Extra Long - Color: Marine
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Where objects breathe. The ALESSIA Collection features generously proportioned console trays with minimalist design, created to highlight compositions with lightness and intention....
Leather
Leather Table Tray ALESSIA by ARIA HOME - Long - Color: Indigo
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Where objects breathe. The ALESSIA Collection features generously proportioned console trays with minimalist design, created to highlight compositions with lightness and intention....
Leather
Leather Table Tray ALESSIA by ARIA HOME - Medium - Color: Sadletan
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Where objects breathe. The ALESSIA Collection features generously proportioned console trays with minimalist design, created to highlight compositions with lightness and intention....
Leather
Leather Tray ALINEA by ARIA HOME - Retangular Large B - Color: Savannah
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
A classic that endures. The ALINEA Collection embodies the essence of Aria Home: classic trays with refined finishes, designed to move effortlessly across spaces and styles. Its si...
Leather
Leather Tray ALINEA by ARIA HOME - Retangular Large B - Color: Wine
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
A classic that endures. The ALINEA Collection embodies the essence of Aria Home: classic trays with refined finishes, designed to move effortlessly across spaces and styles. Its si...
Leather
Leather Tray ALINEA by ARIA HOME - Retangular Large B - Color: Black
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
A classic that endures. The ALINEA Collection embodies the essence of Aria Home: classic trays with refined finishes, designed to move effortlessly across spaces and styles. Its si...
Leather
Leather Tray ALINEA by ARIA HOME - Retangular Large B - Color: Military
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
A classic that endures. The ALINEA Collection embodies the essence of Aria Home: classic trays with refined finishes, designed to move effortlessly across spaces and styles. Its si...
Leather
Leather Tray ALINEA by ARIA HOME - Rectangular Large A - Color: Zinc
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
A classic that endures. The ALINEA Collection embodies the essence of Aria Home: classic trays with refined finishes, designed to move effortlessly across spaces and styles. Its si...
Leather
Console Tray Set ALINEA by ARIA HOME - Set of 5 Trays
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
A classic that endures. The ALINEA Collection embodies the essence of Aria Home: classic trays with refined finishes, designed to move effortlessly across spaces and styles. Its si...
Leather
Leather Tray ALINEA by ARIA HOME - Square Medium - Color: Savannah
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
A classic that endures. The ALINEA Collection embodies the essence of Aria Home: classic trays with refined finishes, designed to move effortlessly across spaces and styles. Its si...
Leather
Leather Tray ALINEA by ARIA HOME - Rectangular Medium B - Color: Zinc
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
A classic that endures. The ALINEA Collection embodies the essence of Aria Home: classic trays with refined finishes, designed to move effortlessly across spaces and styles. Its si...
Leather
Leather Tray ALINEA by ARIA HOME - Retangular Large B - Color: Zinc
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
A classic that endures. The ALINEA Collection embodies the essence of Aria Home: classic trays with refined finishes, designed to move effortlessly across spaces and styles. Its si...
Leather
Leather Tray ALINEA by ARIA HOME - Rectangular Large A - Color: Military
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
A classic that endures. The ALINEA Collection embodies the essence of Aria Home: classic trays with refined finishes, designed to move effortlessly across spaces and styles. Its si...
Leather
Set of two Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Pen Holders in Hardwood, Jupanam, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
This pair of pen holders reflects the restrained utility and material integrity associated with Brazilian modern desk accessories of the mid-twentieth century. Modest in scale yet de...
Hardwood
Leather Tray ALINEA by ARIA HOME - Rectangular Medium A - Color: Clay
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
A classic that endures. The ALINEA Collection embodies the essence of Aria Home: classic trays with refined finishes, designed to move effortlessly across spaces and styles. Its si...
Leather
Leather Tray ALINEA by ARIA HOME - Rectangular Medium A - Color: Wine
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
A classic that endures. The ALINEA Collection embodies the essence of Aria Home: classic trays with refined finishes, designed to move effortlessly across spaces and styles. Its si...
Leather
$680Sale Price|20% Off
Brazilian Mid-Century Resin Encased Travertine Desk Organizer, 1970s
Located in Miami, FL
Discarded travertine pieces encased in a hardened resin shell desk organizer with patinated brass holders, Brazil 1970s.
Travertine, Brass