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, N886 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, N857 Green Turmaline in Matrix 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, N868 Granada in Black 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, N910 Black Turmaline in Quartz 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
Sertão Series, N874 Black Turmaline in Matrix Donkey on Leash Table Sculpture
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
SERTÃO SERIES "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 in charge...
Stone, Brass
Pescador Series, N906 Brute Amethyst 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, N913 Black Turmaline in Quartz 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, N865 Black Turmaline in Quartz 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, N838 Emerald in Matrix 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, N819 Selenite 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
Fuji Series, N829 Diopside Lamppost Table Sculpture
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
FUJI SERIES "Difficulties are like mountains. They only diminish when we advance on them.” Japanese proverb — The Fuji sculpture series transcend shapes and meanings. They are dai...
Stone, Brass
Pescador Series, N845 Muscovite 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, N820 Selenite 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
Fuji Series, N757 Purple Lepidolite Lamppost Table Sculpture
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
FUJI SERIES "Difficulties are like mountains. They only diminish when we advance on them.” Japanese proverb — The Fuji sculpture series transcend shapes and meanings. They are dai...
Stone, Brass
Pescador Series, N754 Rubellite Tourmaline 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, N777 White Optical Calcite 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 chance. Its images carry as many meanings as the uncertainties of those who dare to sail. Open sea, flowing river, fisherman of illusions. For the environments, the deck that suits the best. For the reader, the silent wait for the waiting to make sense. _ Material: White Optical Calcite...
Stone, Brass
Fuji Series, N765 Pink Quartz Lamppost Table Sculpture
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
FUJI SERIES "Difficulties are like mountains. They only diminish when we advance on them.” Japanese proverb — The Fuji sculpture series transcend shapes and meanings. They are dai...
Stone, Brass
Pescador Series, N809 Brute Aquamarine 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, N818 Selenite 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
Sertão Series, N803 Calcite Family on Donkey Table Sculpture
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
SERTÃO SERIES "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 in charge...
Stone, Brass
Pescador Series, N778 White Optical Calcite 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 chance. Its images carry as many meanings as the uncertainties of those who dare to sail. Open sea, flowing river, fisherman of illusions. For the environments, the deck that suits the best. For the reader, the silent wait for the waiting to make sense. _ Material: White Optical Calcite...
Stone, Brass
Pescador Series, N749 Rubellite Tourmaline 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, N750 Rubellite Tourmaline 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, N751 Rubellite Tourmaline 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, N748 Rubellite Tourmaline 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, Fisherman Table Sculpture Wood 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...
Brass
Sinestesia Series, Concrete and Brass Girl Sculpture N2
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
SCULPTURE SERIES SINESTESIA “Freedom is normal air, without exotic perfumes, which breathes together with oxygen without thinking about it, but aware that it exists.” Juan Carlos On...
Concrete, Brass
Sinestesia Series, Concrete and Brass Girl Sculpture N3
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
SCULPTURE SERIES SINESTESIA “Freedom is normal air, without exotic perfumes, which breathes together with oxygen without thinking about it, but aware that it exists.” Juan Carlos On...
Concrete, Brass
Sinestesia Series, Concrete and Brass Girl Sculpture N1
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
SCULPTURE SERIES SINESTESIA “Freedom is normal air, without exotic perfumes, which breathes together with oxygen without thinking about it, but aware that it exists.” Juan Carlos On...
Concrete, Brass
Sinestesia Series, Concrete and Brass Girl Sculpture N4
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
SCULPTURE SERIES SINESTESIA “Freedom is normal air, without exotic perfumes, which breathes together with oxygen without thinking about it, but aware that it exists.” Juan Carlos On...
Concrete, Brass
Sinestesia Series, Concrete and Brass Girl Sculpture N5
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
SCULPTURE SERIES SINESTESIA “Freedom is normal air, without exotic perfumes, which breathes together with oxygen without thinking about it, but aware that it exists.” Juan Carlos On...
Concrete, Brass
$5,000 / set
Idílio Series, PLA Boy Table Sculpture
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
SCULPTURE SERIES IDÍLIO “Because the really serious questions are only those a child can ask. Only the most naive questions are really serious questions.” Milan Kundera The ciranda sung in a circle, the games of tag and the toys kept in the trunk, a nostalgic reverence of childhood memories. The lightness of sweet innocence enchants hearts. Radiant colors pave the way for imagination to take flight towards the sweet freedom of being whatever you want. Astronaut, artist, king or fisherman. Grandma's backyard can still be seen from inside the car window, getting farther and farther away, as the afternoon fades away with pastel colors painted between the clouds. A child observes nature in the middle of spring, the heart is ennobled and the dawn is more serene. With enchanting brass sculptures, Iludi presents the Idílio Series, which narrates the sweetness of light, colorful and bucolic scenes of a child's daily life. Oblong Sculpture...
Brass
Mandacaru Series, Stone and Brass Cactus Sculpture in Acrylic Box
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
SCULPTURE SERIES MANDACARU “Mandacaru When it burns in the drought It is the sign that the rain arrives in the sertão” Luiz Gonzaga. Cordel poems dry on the clotheslines, and throu...
Stone, Brass
Sertão Series, Wood and Brass Family on Donkey 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
Reconto Series, Bird Sculpture N1 in Acrylic Box
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
SCULPTURE SERIES RECONTO “Happiest will be the one who hears the poet sing love in the square of the reunion.” Junior A. Magrafil Through the squares of the interior of Minas Gerai...
Brass, Steel
$1,000 / item
Reconto Series, Bird Sculpture N2 in Acrylic Box
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
SCULPTURE SERIES RECONTO “Happiest will be the one who hears the poet sing love in the square of the reunion.” Junior A. Magrafil Through the squares of the interior of Minas Gerai...
Brass, Steel
$1,200 / set
Remanso Series, Bird Concrete Table Sculptures
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
SCULPTURE SERIES REMANSO “The ideal beauty is in calm and serene simplicity.” Johann Goethe The stillness balances the lullaby of a sincere hug, whether of welcome or farewell. Th...
Concrete, Brass
$1,200 / item
Reconto Series, Bird Sculpture N3 in Acrylic Box
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
SCULPTURE SERIES RECONTO “Happiest will be the one who hears the poet sing love in the square of the reunion.” Junior A. Magrafil Through the squares of the interior of Minas Gerai...
Brass, Steel
$1,900 / set
Cadeira Series, Wood and Brass Sculptures
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
SCULPTURE SERIES CADEIRA In a chair, a set of qualities, personalities and experiences is built. Its form is characterized as a tool for transposing the relationship between body an...
Brass
$650 / item
Fuji Series, Wood and Brass Sculpture N1
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
SCULPTURE SERIES FUJI "Difficulties are like mountains. They only diminish when we advance on them.” Japanese proverb — The Fuji sculpture series transcend shapes and meanings. Th...
Brass
Pool Series, Mirror and PLA Blue Sculpture N1
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
$650 / item
Fuji Series, Wood and Brass Sculpture N2
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
SCULPTURE SERIES FUJI "Difficulties are like mountains. They only diminish when we advance on them.” Japanese proverb — The Fuji sculpture series transcend shapes and meanings. Th...
Brass
$990 / item
Pool Series, Mirror and PLA Sculpture N2
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
$950 / item
Pool Series, Mirror and PLA Sculpture N3
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
Oceano Series, Whale Tail Stone Sculpture in Acrylic Box
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
SCULPTURE SERIES OCEANO The mystery of the ocean in its vast infinity, brings poetry through the movement of waves and reveals extraordinary creatures. The oceanic feeling of blue d...
Stone, Brass
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.