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.
Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Red Murano Glass Bottle, c. 1970, 54cm
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Red opaline glass bottle, commonly known in Brazil as a “clown nose” or "ball bottle". Produced during the 1970s, the piece features a vibrant red exterior with a milky white interio...
Murano Glass
$10,800 / set
Pair of Polished Rock Crystal Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
These polished rock crystal vases are a sophisticated addition to any home décor. They have a beautiful polished finish and provide sleek and elegant look. A stunning accessory that ...
Rock Crystal
Victorian Pair of Sterling Silver-Mounted Cut Crystal Vases
Located in New York, NY
Victorian pair of sterling silver-mounted cut crystal vases, England, circa 1895. Each heavy vase stands 7" high x 3 1/4" diameter at widest point. Crystal "twists" near the base of ...
Silver
Pair of Hawkes Crystal and Sterling Vases
By Hawkes and Son Makers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Presenting a pair of Hawkes vases; crystal with sterling silver bases. The crystal is in the "diamond cut" pattern with slight curves alon...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Pair of Art Deco Style Smokey Cut Rock Crystal Ball Form Ornaments
Located in New York, NY
A exquisite pair of art deco style smokey cut rock crystal ball form ornaments. Each ornament consists of a spherical smokey rock crystal ball resting atop a faceted rock crystal bas...
Rock Crystal
$313
H 14.18 in W 4.34 in D 4.34 in
Mid-Century Modern Red Glass Vase, Italy, 1970s, Decorative Object
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Beautiful red glass vase made in Italy in the 1970s. The vintage vase is in good vintage condition, there is a small chip at the bottom. Dimensions: Width: 11 cm / 4.3 inches Hei...
Glass
Pair of Lalique Nature Bowl Vases Crystal, France
By Lalique
Located in Rijssen, NL
Luxury at its finest, A collector’s item made by Lalique in France. This is a pair of Lalique nature bowl vases, made from frosted crystal glass. Please notice the price is for th...
Crystal
Pair of Baccarat Structured Clear Crystal Vases, France
By Baccarat
Located in Rijssen, NL
A set of two crystal masterpieces of beautiful proportions, these 2 vases crystallize the extraordinary know-how of the Baccarat craftsmen. The different cuts in the vases produce a ...
Crystal
$452
H 11.82 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in
Italian Craftsmanship Hand-Cut and Hand-Polished Beveled Crystal Vase
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as we aim to provide detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. This exceptio...
Crystal
Pair of Baccarat Structured Exquisite Clear Crystal Vase, France
By Baccarat
Located in Rijssen, NL
A set of two crystal masterpieces of beautiful proportions, these 2 drinking glasses s crystallize the extraordinary know-how of the Baccarat craftsmen, Design Marcal Wanders. The di...
Crystal
Cenedese Red Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano Glass Bowl or Vase
By Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Wonderful vintage Mid-Century Modern glass bowl or vase in green by Cenedese of Murano, Italy. This can be used as a bowl or as a vase when turned upside down - perfect for displ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Rock Crystal Vase II by Phoenix
Located in New York, NY
Finely carved rock crystal vase with natural gemstone decoration. Created by Phoenix Gallery, NYC.
Rock Crystal
Pair of Superb and Unusual Art Deco Style Cut Rock Crystal Urns
Located in New York, NY
A pair of superb and unusual Art Deco-style cut rock crystal urns. Each urn is crafted from a single piece of rock crystal, carefully cut and polished to reveal the natural inclusion...
Rock Crystal
$3,349 / set
H 13.39 in Dm 7.88 in
Atelier Oball Mid-Century Modern Two of Murano Glass Bottles Sommerso, 1994s
By Atelier Oball
Located in Murano, Venezia
Pair of Murano blown glass bottles, handmade with Sommersa work, amethyst, blue, pink and crystal color. Works performed by the famous Vetreia Oball Murano...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass