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.
Arturito Collection, Wood Paperweight Set (5 pieces)
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
ARTURITOS COLLECTION Whether in Tokyo, Denver or Moscow, printing ideas requires organization. Taking chaos out of the box and turning it into facts requires hard work, care, attent...
Wood
Stunning Vintage Tray / Sculpture Made of Brazilian Rosewood Unknown Author
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Solid Brazilian rosewood tray, with aluminum details. This peace is a huge vintage tray and also an amazing sculpture of a fish. This is one of...
Wood
Brazilian Hand Engraved Crystal Cubes
Located in Boston, MA
Floral and fauna motifs. One of a kind.
Crystal
$520Sale Price|20% Off
Brazilian Mid-Century Jacaranda Paperclip Paperweight Sculpture, 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
Brazilan mid-century paperclip desk or table sculpture from the 1960s. Paperclip is functional.
Metal
Polished Cast Brass Mino Paper Holder by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Mino Paper Holder by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 17 x D 4 x H 5 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum About: Studio Or...
Metal
Pietrina Checcacci Cast Bronze Fingers Letter Holder with Granite Base
By Pietrina Checcacci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast bronze legs letter holder by Italian-Brazilian artist Pietrina Checcacci. The small weighted object features a patinated bronze set of fingers that are separated to store envelo...
Granite, Bronze
Arturito Collection, Concrete Paperweight Set (5 pieces)
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
ARTURITOS COLLECTION Whether in Tokyo, Denver or Moscow, printing ideas requires organization. Taking chaos out of the box and turning it into facts requires hard work, care, attent...
Concrete
$240 / item
Horn 1 Sculpture by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Horn 1 sculpture by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 8 cm D 6 cm H 7 cm Materials: polished bronze. Horn 1 Paper weight / sculpture FAKASAKA is a de...
Bronze
$340 / item
Arturito Collection, Big Wood Paperweight
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
ARTURITOS COLLECTION Whether in Tokyo, Denver or Moscow, printing ideas requires organization. Taking chaos out of the box and turning it into facts requires hard work, care, attent...
Wood
Vintage Beautiful Glass Paperweight Made Around 1960
Located in Oirlo, LI
Vintage Beautiful Glass Paperweight Made Around 1960 Additional information: Dimensions: 6 W x 6 D x 5 H cm Period of Time: 1960 Condition: Good
Glass
Italian Design Ghidini 1961 Brass Rabbit Paperweight
By Ghidini 1961
Located in Brescia, IT
This is the latest iconic object designed by Stefano Giovannoni, for Ghidini 1961. An Italian contemporary design factory. Its designers: Campana Brothers, Mendini, Studio Job and mo...
Brass
Vintage Modernist Paper Tray in Chrome 1970s
By Smokador, Knoll
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful letter tray in polished aluminium / chrome finish with black enamel lining. In the style of Smokador. Clean and minimalist design that is timeless and classic. Unique and...
Aluminum, Chrome
$110
H 2.13 in Dm 2.38 in
Petite Murano Glass Paperweight Swirl inside Mid-Century Modern, Italy 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Murano hand blown Italian art glass paper weight. A beautiful nice addition to your desktop. Found at an estate sale in Verona, Italy. Highly decorative and functional in e...
Murano Glass
Tiffany Studios New York Zodiac Bronze Doré Notepad Holder
By Tiffany Studios
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Arts & Crafts period "Zodiac" pattern gilt bronze notepad holder By Tiffany Studios New York, USA, Early 20th Century Measures: 4.63"W x 7.5"D x 0.5"H. Good original v...
Bronze
Contemporary Hand-engraved Aquamarine Sculpture by Ghirò Studio
By Ghirò Studio
Located in Pieve Emanuele, Milano
The "Cactus" Sculpture is not only an elegant and modern piece of furniture but it is also a unique and unrepeatable sculpture. This incredible object has been worked and sculpted...
Glass
Sold|$650
H 5.5 in W 1.5 in D 0.5 in
Monique Gerber French Sculptural Cast Bronze Letter Opener Art du Bronze
By Monique Gerber
Located in Chicago, IL
Monique Gerber French bronze cast letter opener in a very sculptural and minimalist form. Designed Monique Gerber. Can be used as a sculptural object or paper weight as well. Re...
Bronze
$80
H 2.38 in Dm 2.13 in
Petite Murano Glass Paperweight Flower inside Mid-Century Modern, Italy 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Murano hand blown Italian art glass paper weight. A beautiful nice addition to your desktop. Found at an estate sale in Verona, Italy....
Murano Glass
$2,941
H 3.94 in W 6.3 in D 3.15 in
Claude Victor Boeltz Gilt Bronze Letter Holder, circa 1970, France.
By Claude Victor Boeltz
Located in Brussels, BE
Claude Victor Boeltz Letter Holder , circa 1970, France. Gilt exploded bronze, metal blade. Dimensions: 16 cm W, 10 cm H, 8 cm D. Boeltz’s "exploded-bronze" pieces, made famous in th...
Bronze
Vintage Paper Holder Stand With Hand Shaped Clips
Located in Seattle, WA
Possibly Brass, Beautiful Patina Consistent with Age. Intricate Base. Hinge on Bottom is Loose. Dimensions. 4 Diameter ; 14 H
Metal
Hermes Desktop Magnifier Paperweight in Silver, 1960s
By Hermès
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Hermes Paris magnifying glass desk accessory with domed lens ensconced in a silver frame with a belt design. We've left the oxidation and patina untouched and simply added a ...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Islamic Dagger Style Letter Opener in Hand-engraved Brass
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Large artisan made hand-tooled/engraved dagger style paper knife in solid brass. It comes in a decorative sheath also in hand-engraved solid brass. It was made in either Turkey or an...
Brass
Pietrina Checcacci Cast Bronze Hand Letter Holder with Granite Base
By Pietrina Checcacci, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast bronze hand letter holder by Italian-Brazilian artist Pietrina Checcacci. The small weighted object features a patinated bronze set of fingers th...
Granite, Bronze
Pietrina Checcacci Cast Bronze Legs Letter Holder
By Pietrina Checcacci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast bronze legs letter holder by Italian-Brazilian artist Pietrina Checcacci. The small weighted object features a patinated bronze pair of bent legs ...
Bronze
Pietrina Checcacci Cast Bronze Thumbs Letter Holder
By Pietrina Checcacci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast bronze thumbs letter holder by Italian-Brazilian artist Pietrina Checcacci. The small weighted object features a patinated bronze pair of opposing thumbs that are separated to s...
Bronze
Pietrina Checcacci Cast Bronze Foot Letter Opener
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast bronze foot letter opener by Italian-Brazilian artist Pietrina Checcacci. The small weighted object features a patinated bronze blade with a foot with upraised big toe as the ha...
Bronze
Pietrina Checcacci Cast Bronze Finger Sculpture
By Pietrina Checcacci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast bronze finger by Italian-Brazilian artist Pietrina Checcacci. The small weighted object features a bronze finger in a curved position with the tip f...
Bronze
Amethyst Crystal Cluster Geode in Heart Shape
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Amethyst crystal cluster geode in heart shape. Dimensions Height: 2 in. Width: 3.75 in. Depth: 4.75 in. Handmade and formed into a heart shape...
Amethyst, Quartz
Pair of Unique Brown Agate Bookends
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of unique gorgeous agate stones bookends and polished and varnished brass. The natural stone integrates with the different design languages, combining straight and sinuous curv...
Agate, Brass
Blue Pair of Blue Agate Bookends
By Graziela Dias
Located in Paris, FR
Blue agate and polished and garnished brass pair of bookends. Natural stone integrates with the different design languages, combining straight and sinuous curves in sophisticated ...
Agate, Brass
Pair of Unique Brown Agate Bookends
By Graziela Dias
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of unique gorgeous Agate stones bookends and polished and varnished brass. The natural stone integrates with the different design languages, combining straight and sinuous curv...
Agate, Brass
Purple Amethyst Geode Specimen
Located in Astoria, NY
An amethyst geode specimen with large purple crystal Formations dating from the 20th century, possibly Brazil. This piece is in good vintage co...
Amethyst
Chrome or Pyrite Mineral Sculpture
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Natural specimen heavy block of chrome or pyrite, very decorative as a sculpture. Galena, pyrite.
Precious Stone