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.
Pescador Series, N887 Jewel Holder, Green Turmaline Fisherman Table Sculpture
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
PESCADOR (FISHERMAN) SERIES From so many fish, emerges the need to pursue the new. Again. And again. The Pescador Series contemplates the private hook, which drifts and feeds on cha...
Stone, Brass
Pescador Series, Concrete and Brass Fisherman Sculpture, Acrylic Box
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
SCULPTURE SERIES PESCADOR The fisherman offers beautiful metaphors to life. His daily life, full of uncertainties and hope, is the basis for this artistic creation of Estúdio Iludi....
Concrete
Pescador Series, Fisherman Table Sculpture (Set of 3)
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
PESCADOR (FISHERMAN) SERIES From so many fish, emerges the need to pursue the new. Again. And again. The Pescador Series contemplates the private hook, which drifts and feeds on cha...
Soapstone, Brass
Bumba Meu Boi Series, Resin Folklore Sculpture N1 with Wooden Base
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
SCULPTURE SERIES BUMBA MEU BOI "I am your life My ox so true Dancing in the yard From my fantasy I'm a poet When I see your ballet My beloved bull You are my poetry" Capricious Ox ...
Resin, Wood
Pescador Series, Fisherman Table Sculpture MAXI Edition (Set of 2)
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
PESCADOR (FISHERMAN) SERIES From so many fish, emerges the need to pursue the new. Again. And again. The Pescador Series contemplates the private hook, which drifts and feeds on cha...
Soapstone, Brass
Rock Crystal Carving Decoration, with Custom Stand
Located in Cypress, CA
Impressive monumental carved rock crystal Quartz sculpture with custom stand monumental sculpture of leaf-form, carved from a single large boulder of rock crystal quartz, with sufficient transparency to transmit light. Beautifully displayed on a custom hand forged wrought iron black patinated stand. Overall H. 68" Rock crystal boulder...
Rock Crystal, Wrought Iron
Collection Rose Colored Stone Balls, Brazil, Contemporary
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary Brazilian collection of 25 in total rose colored stone balls. Three different sizes Measures: Large 2.5" diameter Medium 2" diameter Small 1" diameter Smooth and po...
Stone
Domingos Tótora "Escultura Âmago Mod.06", Brazil 21st Century
By Domingos Tótora
Located in Utrecht, NL
This organic sculpture by contemporary artist Domingos Tótora is a visual expression of the artist’s view of design. Tótora creates objects and sculptures where beauty is inseparable...
Paper
Brazilian Agate Sculpture on Steel Stand, Unique Natural Decor, 6.5”
Located in New York, NY
Brazilian thin slice of agate mounted on a custom steel stand. Agate is a banded form of finely-grained, microcrystalline Quartz. The lovely color patterns and banding make this t...
Agate
Mod.01 "Carbono" Vase by Domingos Tótora, Brazil 2019
By Domingos Tótora
Located in Utrecht, NL
This organic shell vase by contemporary Brazilian artist Domingos Tótora is a prime example of the artist’s ars poetica: “I’m a mix of artist, designer, and craftsman.” Additionally,...
Paper
Organic Anfora Vase by Brazilian Designer Domingos Tótora, Small Ribbed
By Domingos Tótora
Located in Utrecht, NL
This small “Anfora” vase by contemporary Brazilian artist Domingos Tótora is a prime example of the artist’s ars poetica: “I’m a mix of artist, designer, ...
Paper
Decorative Basket "Chasco", Inês Schertel, Brazilian Contemporary Design
By Inês Schertel
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Inês Schertel mixes ancient techniques for treating sheep wool with contemporary design and innovation, in order to create unique pieces, full of persona...
$2,107 / item
Vaso Crosta 06 Sculpture by Domingos Tótora Estúdio
Located in Geneve, CH
Vaso Crosta 06 Sculpture by Domingos Tótora Estúdio Dimensions: W 21 x D 23 x H 90 cm Materials: Recycled cardboard. Domingos Tótora born and raised in Maria da Fé, a city in the mo...
Wood
$2,107 / item
Vaso Crosta 05 Sculpture by Domingos Tótora Estúdio
Located in Geneve, CH
Vaso Crosta 05 Sculpture by Domingos Tótora Estúdio Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x H 82 cm Materials: Recycled cardboard. Domingos Tótora born and raised in Maria da Fé, a city in the mo...
Wood
$2,107 / item
Vaso Crosta 03 Sculpture by Domingos Tótora Estúdio
Located in Geneve, CH
Vaso Crosta 03 Sculpture by Domingos Tótora Estúdio Dimensions: W 14 x D 23 x H 78 cm Materials: Recycled cardboard. Domingos Tótora born and raised in Maria da Fé, a city in the mo...
Wood
$2,107 / item
Vaso Crosta 01 Sculpture by Domingos Tótora Estúdio
Located in Geneve, CH
Vaso Crosta 01 Sculpture by Domingos Tótora Estúdio Dimensions: W 21 x D 21 x H 95 cm Materials: Recycled cardboard. Domingos Tótora born and raised in Maria da Fé, a city in the mo...
Wood
Handmade geometric sand ceramic and brass table lamp, minimalist styled. Brazil
By Atelier BAM
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Minimalist-styled sand ceramic table lamp reveals the textures and colors gradian of its materials, handmade movements, and unexpected organic form. Slowly air-dried for more than 30 days, until it reaches a few hours into a low temperature hoven, to reach its final color and form. During all this process, the clay disc will take an unexpected organics movement in its form, almost like a living material, making each object unique in its details and colors. The brass part would be added at the end and tailored for each piece. The sculpture results in a process of hand modeling and details carving of grey...
Brass
$270 / item
Geometric Letter Holder
By Atelier BAM
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Bring a warm modern touch to your stationary with this geometric Desktop accessory. Named “Triângulo”, it showcases how small leftover materials can be turned into a new object: mass...
Copper
'Picos' Minimalist Set of Wooden Vases in Brazilian Hardwood by Knót Artesanal
By Knót Artesanal
Located in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro
Picos form a set of volumetric and minimalist vases resulting in a playful composition. Made from hardwood, they appear angular, slender and solid yet light. Handmade using Brazilian hardwood Muirapiranga. Each vase includes a glass tube allowing for plants to be placed in water. Each pico has the dimensions 8 x 8 cm (length x depth) with varying heights of 17, 23 and 29cm. Includes glass test tubes: 2 items of 2.5 x 20cm (75ml) and 1 item of 2 x 15cm (34ml). Knót Artesanal...
Wood
Pequi 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
$4,609 / 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
$2,238 / item
Poured Vessel 04 by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Poured Vessel 04 by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 19 x W 22 x H 30 cm. Materials: White high-temperature clay. Reproduction is entirely manual...
Clay
$1,652 / item
Poured Vessel 01 by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Poured Vessel 01 by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 13 x W 16 x H 22 cm. Materials: Black low temperature clay with white grog. Reproduction is ...
Clay
$2,011 / item
Poured Vessel 02 by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Poured Vessel 02 by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 19 x W 20 x H 27 cm. Materials: Tobacco high-temperature clay with white oxide. Reproduction...
Clay
$1,771 / item
Arrowhead Vessel 05 by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Arrowhead Vessel 05 by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 5 x W 14 x H 24 cm. Materials: Ivory high-temperature clay. Reproduction is entirely manu...
Clay
$2,238 / item
Ori 02 Sculpture by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Ori 02 Sculpture by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 13 x W 10 x H 17 cm. Materials: Black low temperature clay with white grog. Reproduction is entirely manual, therefore i...
Clay
$2,478 / item
Ori 01 Sculpture by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Ori 01 Sculpture by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 16 x W 11 x H 15 cm. Materials: White high temperature clay. Reproduction is entirely manual...
Clay
$1,652 / item
Arrowhead Vessel 04 by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Arrowhead Vessel 04 by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 5 x W 11 x H 19 cm. Materials: Lotus high temperature clay. Reproduction is entirely manu...
Clay
$1,652 / item
Arrowhead Vessel 03 by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Arrowhead Vessel 03 by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 5 x W 14 x H 22 cm. Materials: White high-temperature clay. Reproduction is entirely manual, therefore it will be a v...
Clay
$2,011 / item
Arrowhead Vessel 01 by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Arrowhead Vessel 01 by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece Dimensions: D 6 x W 18 x H 28 cm. Materials: White high temperature clay. Reproduction is entirely manual, therefore it will be a ve...
Clay
$993 / item
Fossil Vessel 06 by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Fossil Vessel 06 by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 15 x W 9 x H 14 cm. Materials: Lotus high-temperature clay with white glaze sprayed. Reprodu...
Clay
$3,783 / item
Fossil Vessel 04 by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Fossil Vessel 04 by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 15 x W 30 x H 45 cm. Materials: Lotus high-temperature clay with white glaze sprayed. Reproduction is entirely manual, t...
Clay
$622 / item
Fossil Vessel 05 by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Fossil Vessel 05 by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 3 x W 13 x H 15 cm. Materials: Ivory high temperature clay. Reproduction is entirely manual, therefore it will be a very...
Clay
$5,208 / item
Fossil Vessel 03 by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Fossil Vessel 03 by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 24 x W 29 x H 70 cm. Materials: Lotus high-temperature clay with white glaze sprayed. Reproduction is entirely manual, t...
Clay
$3,268 / item
Fossil Vessel 01 by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Fossil Vessel 01 by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 8 x W 23 x H 16 cm. Materials: Lotus high-temperature clay with white glaze. Reproduction is entirely manual, therefore ...
Clay
Brazilian Contemporary Set of Appetizer Ceramic Bowls by Rodrigo Almeida
By Rodrigo Almeida
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Set of three appetizer ceramic bowls, Brazil, 2014 Brazilian contemporary design by Rodrigo Almeida Measurement Units Centimeters 22cm D x 9.5cm H 21.5cm x 21cm x 6cm H 21.5cm x 21...
Jacaranda, Ceramic
$35,044 / item
Guacho Nest Wall Separating + Sculpture by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Guacho nest wall separating + sculpture by Mameluca Material: fishing net. coconut fiber, others Dimensions: D 300x H 250 cm Only the female constructs the nest in the form of a...
Other
$7,013 / 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
$3,516 / item
Libidonoso Object #3 by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Libidonoso object #3 by Mameluca Material: corian, gold-plated metal. Dimensions: D 21 x W 18 x H 10cm. In reference to Paul Nacke’s states about Narcissism, being an attitude o...
Metal
$3,516 / item
Libidonoso Object #2 by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Libidonoso object #2 by Mameluca Material: gold-plated metal Dimensions: D 15 x H 10cm In reference to Paul Nacke’s states about Narcissism, being an attitude of a person who tr...
Metal
$7,019 / 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
$9,613 / item
Natural Amethyst Flower by Demian Quincke
By Demian Quincke
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural amethyst flower by Demian Quincke Dimensions: 40 x 30 x H 11 cm Materials: Natural Amethyst Weight: 3.1 kg This is a collector’s unique piece. Geological studies indica...
Amethyst
$778 / item
Finito Soapstone Sculpture by Alva Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Finito Soapstone Sculpture by Alva Design Materials: Soapstone. Dimensions: Ø 18 x H 45 cm. One counter stool, one screen, one coffee table, two wall sconces, sculptures: furnit...
Soapstone
Infinito Soapstone and Brass Sculpture by Alva Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Finito Soapstone 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 sconces, sculptu...
Soapstone, Nickel
$658 / item
Hand Bronze Sculpted Vase by Gustavo Dias
By Gustavo Dias
Located in Geneve, CH
Hand bronze sculpted vase by Gustavo Dias Bronze Designer: Gustavo Dias Dimensions: H 15 cm x W 9 cm x L 12 cm. Gustavo Dias One of the most important contemporary Brazilian...
Marble
$2,047 / item
D33, Vase by Cultivado Em Casa
Located in Geneve, CH
D33 - vase by Cultivado Em Casa Dimensions: 20 x 63 x 53 cm Materials: D33 foam, acrylic paint, acrylic resin, carbon steel. Also Available: different colors The D33 collecti...
Resin
$2,370 / item
Dear Celia Bowl by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Dear Celia bowl by Fakasaka Design. Dimensions: W 36 cm D 30 cm H 7 cm. Materials: polished bronze. Fakasaka is a design company focused on production of high-end furniture, li...
Bronze
$2,322 / item
Bowie Vase by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Bowie vase by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 34 cm D 8 cm H 17.5 cm Materials: dark bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production of high-end furniture, lighting, d...
Bronze
$2,466 / item
Garrym Vase by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Garrym vase by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 19 cm D 12 cm H 41.5 cm. Materials: Dark Bronze. Fakasaka is a design company focused on production of high-end furniture, lighting...
Bronze
$368 / 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
$5,950 / item
Round Vase in Dark Bronze by FAKASAKA Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Round Vase in Dark Bronze by FAKASAKA Design Dimensions: W 35.5 x D 15 x H 41 cm Materials: Dark bronze.
Bronze
$1,628 / 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
$1,664 / item
Box, Ashtray in Polished Bronze by FAKASAKA Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Box, ashtray in polished bronze by FAKASAKA Design Dimensions: W 28 x D 12 x H 10 cm Materials: Polished bronze.
Bronze
$11,182 / set
Set of 2 Bronze Hilda Bowl by FAKASAKA Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 bronze Hilda bowl by FAKASAKA Design Dimensions: W 78 x D 41 x H 12 cm Materials: Polished and black bronze.
Bronze
$1,664 / item
Ashtray, Box in Polished Bronze by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Ashtray, box in polished bronze by FAKASAKA Design Dimensions: W 26 x D 14 x H 9 cm Materials: Polished bronze.
Bronze
$2,466 / item
Long Vase in Dark Bronze by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Long vase in dark bronze by FAKASAKA Design Dimensions: W 19 x D 12 x H 41.5 cm Materials: Dark bronze.
Bronze
$1,628 / 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
$2,322 / item
Vase in Dark Bronze by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Vase in dark bronze by FAKASAKA Design Dimensions: W 34 x D 8 x H 17.5 cm Materials: Dark bronze.
Bronze
$3,735 / 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
Pair of Centerpieces Bowls in Polished Bronze by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Pair of centerpieces bowls in Polished bronze by FAKASAKA Design Dimensions: W 36 x D 30 x H 7 cm Materials: Polished bronze.
Bronze
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.