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.
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
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
Pool Series, Stainless Steel and PLA Float Table Sculptures
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
SCULPTURE SERIES POOL “Nothing has a connection, everything is just a reflection.” Millôr Fernandes The imagination drifting from the unimaginable, the playful universe of illusio...
Stainless Steel
$1,435 / 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
$3,212 / item
Fossil Vessel 02 by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Fossil Vessel 02 by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 8 x W 19 x H 23 cm. Materials: Lotus high-temperature clay with white glaze. Reproduction is entirely manual, therefore ...
Clay
$1,823 / 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
Sculptural Vessel by Jacque Faus
Located in São Paulo, BR
The shapes of Faus’s receptacles and recipients are, by themselves, objects of free assimilation, that comes into existence through a process of assemblage, rather than from a previo...
Ceramic
Contemporary "Pudim de Leite" Sculpture by Brazilian Designer Guilherme Sass
By Rodrigo Calixto and Guilherme
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Contemporary "Pudim de Leite" Sculpture by Brazilian Designer Guilherme Sass, 2021 The Pudim de Leite sculpture is a delightful and mouthwatering artwork by Brazilian designer Gui...
Wood
Sculptural Vessel by Jacque Faus
Located in São Paulo, BR
The shapes of Faus’s receptacles and recipients are, by themselves, objects of free assimilation, that comes into existence through a process of assemblage, rather than from a previo...
Ceramic
Abraham Palatnik Lucite Acrylic Sculpture Doves Bird Brazil, 1970s
By Abraham Palatnik
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Doves bird sculpture in Lucite and acrylic by Abraham Palatnik, circa 1970.
Resin, Acrylic, Lucite
João De Barro Nest Wall Separating + Sculpture by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
João de Barro nest wall separating by Mameluca Material: clay, carboard, others Dimensions: D 300x H 250 cm Scientific Name - Rufous Hornero (Gmelin, 1788) The couple builds t...
Clay, Paper
Contemporary Minimalist Golden / Black and Glass Solitary Vase V3
By Paulo Goldstein
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
V3 vase - Monstera by Paulo Goldstein, Brazilian contemporary design is part of a series of vases inspired in the observation of the natural lines of the flowers and leaves held in t...
Brass, Steel
19th-Century Hand-Carved Zoomorphic Carranca in Solid Wood, Brazil
Located in Madrid, ES
Solid Umburana wood sculpture, hand-carved, known as a "Carranca," originating from the São Francisco River region in Brazil. These pieces are anthropological elements originally us...
Wood
$2,210 / set
Tag Collection, Beige Concrete 4 Pot Set
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
TAG COLLECTION "My time has become scarce to debate labels. I want the essence. My soul is in a hurry. " Rubem Alves For many, too much simplicity lacks subtitles. Why is it so c...
Concrete, Steel
$600 / 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
$600 / 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
$2,550 / set
Ramalhete Collection, Steel Vase Set N1 & N2
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
RAMALHETE COLLECTION When words escape, flowers speak. (Bruce Currie) The Ramalhete Collection flourishes under the lights of simplicity. Petals that ...
Steel
Sertão Series, Wood and Brass Donkey on Leash Sculpture in Acrylic Box
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
SCULPTURE SERIES SERTÃO "Sertão is where people's thoughts form stronger than the place." Guimarães Rosa From afar, one hears the prophecy of Guimarães, of that place where those...
Brass
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
$4,530 / item
Balance 01 Sculpture by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Balance 01 Sculpture by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 19 x W 20 x H 80 cm. Materials: Ivory and lotus high temperature clay. Reproduction is e...
Clay
$2,023 / item
Medium Quartz Sculptural Vase by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Quartz sculptural vase by Aver Dimensions: D 20 x H 28 cm Materials: Quartz, steel, polyvinyl chloride, resin.
Quartz, Steel
$34,443 / item
João Do Pau Nest Wall Separating + Sculpture by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
João do Pau Nest wall separating + sculpture by Mameluca Material: Vime Branches, Pallets, others Dimensions: D 300x H 250 cm Birds build huge nests with twigs (reason of common...
Other
Small Vase and Candle Holder, Small Quartz Points by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Small vase and candle holder, small quartz points by Aver Dimensions: D 11 x H 18 cm Materials: Quartz, steel, polyvinyl chloride, resin.
Quartz, Steel
Set of 2 Long Bowls in Dark Bronze by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 long bowls in dark bronze by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 41.5 x D 16 x H 9.5 cm Materials: Dark bronze.
Bronze
$941 / 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
$336 / item
Soapstone Amorfo 03 by Alva Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Soapstone Amorfo 03 by Alva Design Materials: Soapstone Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 11 cm ALVA is a furniture and objects design office, formed by brothers Susana Bastos, artist and design...
Soapstone
$1,600 / 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
$362 / 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
$1,635 / 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
$1,988 / item
Cup Vase in Dark Bronze by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Cup vase in dark bronze by FAKASAKA Design Dimensions: W 16 x D 16 x H 35.5 cm Materials: Dark bronze.
Bronze
$1,000 / item
Pencil Holder I by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Pencil holder I by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: Ø 8.5 cm H 13 cm Materials: polished bronze. Also available in dark bronze. FAKASAKA is a design c...
Bronze
$1,329 / item
Soapstone Amorfo 04 by Alva Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Soapstone Amorfo 04 by Alva Design Materials: Soapstone Dimensions: Ø 35 x h 6 cm ALVA is a furniture and objects design office, formed by brothers Susana Bastos, artist and des...
Soapstone
$18,367 / item
Vertigem Wall Separating + Sculpture by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Vertigem wall separating + Sculpture by Mameluca Material: Stainless Steel & Acrylic, Guitar strings Dimensions: D 130 x W 190 x H 50 cm The introduction of electric guitar in t...
Stainless Steel, Other
$3,456 / item
Libidonoso Object #1 by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Libidonoso object #1 by Mameluca Material: marble, gold-plated metal Dimensions: D 15 x H 5.5 cm In reference to Paul Nacke’s states about Narcissism, being an attitude of a per...
Marble
$3,671 / set
Pair of Dark Bronze Ashtrays by FAKASAKA Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Pair of Dark Bronze Ashtrays by FAKASAKA Design Dimensions: W 26 x D 14 x H 9 cm Materials: Dark bronze.
Bronze
Infinito Soapstone and Nickel Sculpture by Alva Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Infinito Soapstone and Nickel Sculpture by Alva Design Materials: Soapstone and nickel. Dimensions: Ø 18 x H 45 cm. One counter stool, one screen, one coffee table, two wall sco...
Soapstone, Nickel
$582 / item
Marble Ginga Vase by Gustavo Dias
By Gustavo Dias
Located in Geneve, CH
Pair of Ginga vases by Gustavo Dias Zara chair Wood: Different Woods are available Designer: Gustavo Dias Dimensions: Tall: 34 x 9 x 9 cm Short: 27 x 9 x 9 cm Available in wo...
Marble
Pitaya Sculpture by Pedro Ávila
Located in São Paulo, BR
In the collection Delicadeza e Brutalidade, the sculptural furniture explores the essential duality between romance and violence, beauty and aggression. Materials such as marble, sta...
Brass, Aluminum, Stainless Steel
Flower Jardinières Pingo Outdoor Metal Brazilian Contemporary by Lattoog-Model 2
By Lattoog
Located in Sao Paolo, BR
Once again, designers Leonardo Lattavo and Pedro Moog materialize the shape of a drop of water in a product. Following a design line that makes use of ...
Metal
$5,300
Sculpture by Jacque Faus
Located in São Paulo, BR
The shapes of Faus’s receptacles and recipients are, by themselves, objects of free assimilation, that comes into existence through a process of assemblage, rather than from a previo...
Ceramic
$1,600 / 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
$4,977 / item
Dear Sonia Bowl by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Dear Sonia bowl by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 36 cm D 30 cm H 7 cm. Materials: polished bronze + onyx transluced marbled FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production...
Onyx, Bronze
$1,800 / item
Teresa Bowl by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Teresa bowl by Fakasaka Design. Dimensions: W 32.5 cm D 25.5 cm H 6 cm. Materials: polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production of high-end furniture, li...
Bronze
$635 / 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
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
$200 / item
Stringray Coaster 2 by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Stringray coaster 2 by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 10.7 cm D 10.7 cm H 0.5 cm Materials: polished bronze. Also available in dark bronze. Stringray coaster 2 Cup coaster...
Bronze
$482 / item
Brutalist Coaster 1 by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Brutalist Coaster 1 by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 17 cm D 17 cm H 0.9 cm. Materials: polished bronze Also available in black/brown bronze. BRUTALIST COASTER 1 CUP COASTER / BOTTLE COASTER / CANDLE...
Bronze
$1,459 / 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
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
$1,823 / 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
$2,094 / item
Donna Bowl by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Donna bowl by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 36 cm D 12 cm H 7 cm. Materials: polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production of high-e...
Bronze
$1,823 / 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
$1,659 / 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
$1,988 / item
Page Vase by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Page vase by Fakasaka design. Dimensions: W 16 cm D 16 cm H 35.5 cm. Materials: dark bronze. Fakasaka is a design company focused on product...
Bronze
$776 / item
Osborne Bowl by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Osborne bowl by Fakasaka Design. Dimensions: W 35 cm D 10 cm H 3.5 cm. Materials: black/brown bronze. Also available in polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on pr...
Bronze
$564 / 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
$1,200 / item
Cure Bowl by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Cure bowl by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 19.5 cm D 19.5 cm H 3.5cm. Materials: polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production of high-end furniture, ligh...
Bronze
$595 / item
Soapstone Amorfo 06 by Alva Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Soapstone Amorfo 06 by Alva Design Materials: Soapstone Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 11 cm ALVA is a furniture and objects design office, formed by brothers Susana Bastos, artist and de...
Soapstone
$181 / item
Soapstone Amorfo 08 by Alva Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Soapstone Amorfo 08 by Alva Design Materials: Soapstone Dimensions: Ø 20 x H 6 cm ALVA is a furniture and objects design office, formed by brothers Susana Bastos, artist and designe...
Soapstone
Bowl designed by Jean Dobré for Tropic-Art. Brazil 1970s.
Located in Barcelona, ES
Bowl with handle made of solid “imbuia” wood, designed by Jean Dobré for Tropic-Art. Brazil 1960s.
Hardwood
The French sculptor shaped dense blocks into tactile forms meant to be used and held.
After synthetic dyes changed fashion, home goods and printed matter, it was only a matter of time till glass caught up.
The brilliantly simple design turns a modest bouquet into a major statement.
The Greek tragedian is said to have been handsome in his day.
Even for those who don’t indulge, elegant smoking accessories and audacious art portraying cigar enthusiasts hold a nostalgic allure.
It’s an excellent example of the sought-after ceramics coming out of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province.
Thanks to its new leadership, the Spanish maker of figurines, busts and lighting is on a mission to update the art of porcelain for the 21st century.
The free-form stoneware piece is inspired by the magnolia tree and its associations with home.