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.
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Hand-Carved Pink Amethyst Crescent Moon Sculpture with Metal Stand
Located in New York, NY
This dreamy Pink Amethyst display showcases four hand-carved crescent moons, each cut from solid, natural stone and arranged in a balanced celestial composition upon a custom metal s...
Amethyst, Metal
Sculpture by Share José Zanine Caldas, Brazil, 70´s
Located in PARIS, FR
José Zanine Caldas was one of the most original Brazilian designers. A model maker, self-taught architect, landscape architect, sculptor. He was known as a Master of Wood. Around 194...
Wood
Sculptural Amethyst with Fluorite on an 18th Century Italian Altar Base
By Interi
Located in Columbia, SC
Sculptural amethyst crystal with fluorite on an 18th century Italian altar base. The amethyst crystal is originally from Brazil and has a fluorite inclusion. It is mounted on an ...
Amethyst, Gold Leaf
Calcite Crystal Cluster with Natural Baroque Pearls
By Interi
Located in Columbia, SC
Calcite crystal cluster adorned with natural forming gold baroque pearls in its matrix. Calcite is the most abundant carbonate on Earth and commonly forms in caves, hot springs, an...
Rock Crystal, Crystal
Luminous Rock Crystal Mounted on Custom Stand, 15"H
Located in New York, NY
Large natural rock crystal (clear quartz) cluster, elegantly mounted on a custom black stand, composed of densely packed, well-formed prismatic points with softly translucent to milk...
Rock Crystal
Amethyst Slice with a Baroque Pearl on a Polished Wood Base
By Interi
Located in Columbia, SC
Amethyst slice with a baroque natural forming pearl on a polished wood base. This amethyst is rare in how large it is, its beautiful shape, and its l...
Amethyst
Lemon Quartz Cluster Mineral with Coordinating Baroque Pearls and Geode
By Interi
Located in Columbia, SC
Lemon quartz crystal cluster with coordinating natural forming Baroque pearls and geode on a Lucite stand. Lemon Quartz is known for its vibrant color that naturally forms in its mat...
Rock Crystal
Polished Circular Agate Slice with Natural Pearl Accent
By Interi
Located in Columbia, SC
Circular polished agate slice with natural forming pearl. Agate is formed within volcanic rock, creating colorful and complex varieties of banded chalcedony and crystal quartz; a pr...
Crystal, Rock Crystal
Amethyst Slice with Calcite Deposits and a Baroque Pearl on a Polished Wood Base
By Interi
Located in Columbia, SC
Amethyst slice with calcite deposits and a Baroque natural forming pearl on a polished wood base. This amethyst is rare in how large it is and how it...
Amethyst, Gold Leaf
Polished Agate Slice with Natural Forming Pearl Accent
By Interi
Located in Columbia, SC
Polished agate slice centered with natural forming pearl. Agate coral is Florida's state stone and is known for its unique formation that can take place over 20 million years. It's ...
Crystal, Rock Crystal
Polished Cast Brass Galhos Wall Hanger by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Galhos Wall Hanger by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 12 x D 8-12 x H 2.5 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum About: Stu...
Metal
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
Polished Cast Brass Figa Sculptural Object by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Figa Sculptural Object by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 8 x D 6 x H 13 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum About: Stud...
Metal
Polished Cast Brass Mino P Towel Hanger by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Mino P Towel Hanger by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 36 x D 8 x H 5 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum About: Studio ...
Metal
Polished Cast Brass Argola Wall Hanger by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Argola Wall Hanger by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 15 x D 3 x H 15 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum About: Studio...
Metal
Polished Cast Brass Garra Door Hanger by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Garra Door Hanger by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 14 x D 6 x H 33 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum About: Studio O...
Metal
Light Grey Agate Sculpture on Wood Stand, Brazilian Natural Specimen
Located in New York, NY
Brazilian thin slice of agate mounted on a wood stand. Agate is a banded form of finely-grained, microcrystalline Quartz. The lovely color patterns and banding make this transluce...
Agate
Polished Cast Brass Figa Dupla Door Hanger by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Figa Dupla Door Hanger by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 13 x D 8 x H 6 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum About: Stud...
Metal
Dark Grey Agate Sculpture on Steel Stand, Brazilian Natural Specimen
Located in New York, NY
Dark grey Brazilian thick slice of agate mounted on a steel stand. Agate is a banded form of finely-grained, microcrystalline Quartz. The lovely color patterns and banding make th...
Agate
Polished Cast Brass Mino G Towel Hanger by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Mino G Towel Hanger by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 66 x D 8 x H 5 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum About: Studio ...
Metal
$10,500
Large Fluorite Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impressive large-scale green fluorite sculpture mounted on silver leaf base.
$9,361 / 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
Radiant Rock Crystal Cluster Mounted on Custom Stand, 15"H
Located in New York, NY
Large natural rock crystal (clear quartz) cluster, dramatically mounted on a custom black stand, featuring multiple well-formed prismatic points with softly translucent to milky clar...
Rock Crystal
15th Century or Earlier Redware Tangas, Marajoara Culture, Marajo Island, Brazil
Located in Point Richmond, CA
15th Century or Earlier Redware Tangas, Marajoara culture, Marajo Island, Brazil Tangas are thin concave triangular ceramic pubic covers found in burial mounds associated with fem...
Earthenware
Antique Brazilian Signed Vieira De Castro Rio Porcelain Chinese Noble Figure
By João Vieira
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Late 19th century antique Brazilian signed Porcelain Vieira De Castro Rio This delicate Brazilian porcelain reppresenting a noble chinese woman holding ...
Porcelain
Dark Grey Agate Sculpture on Wood Stand, Brazilian Natural Specimen
Located in New York, NY
Brazilian thin slice of dark grey agate mounted on a wood stand. Agate is a banded form of finely-grained, microcrystalline Quartz. The lovely color patterns and banding make this...
Agate
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
Polished Cast Brass Principe Sculptural Object by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Principe Sculptural Object by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 11 x D 7 x H 24 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum. About:...
Metal
Airin Canedo brazilian multicolor sculpture circa 1990
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible AIRIN CANEDO multimaterials sculpture circa 1990.
Metal, Other
Brown Irregular Wood Post Modern Sculptural Wall Sculpture By Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Symbiotic wall by Mameluca Material: Brazilian woods cedar, jequitibá rosa Dimensions: D 300 x W 200 x H 350 cm With this goal, we created an intersection line that 'separates' ...
Wood