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.
Brazilian Jacaranda Wood Tray Designed by Jean Gillon for Wood Art
By Jean Gillon
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Brazilian Jacaranda wood tray designed by Jean Gillon, circa 1960. Excellent vintage condition, very minor scratches on underside consistent with age and use. Includes ...
Jacaranda
$5,520Sale Price|20% Off
Brazilian Architectural Bowl Slatted Centerpiece Mid-Century like Oscar Niemeyer
By Oscar Niemeyer, Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Made in Brazil, a hand-crafted footed centerpiece sculpture, truly an mid-century masterpiece. A fragile, brass belted, curved Jacaranda (Brazilian Rosewood) slat design. A rare find...
Jacaranda
$8,778 / item
Ava Bar Tray by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Ava bar tray by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 52.5 cm D 52.5 cm H 1.2 cm Materials: polished bronze. AVA BAR TRAY / CENTERPIECE / CANDLE TRAY FAKA...
Bronze
$2,341 / item
O'Connor Bowl by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
O'Connor bowl by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 41.5 cm D 16 cm H 9.5 cm. Materials: dark bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on pro...
Bronze
Prata Wolff Silver Plate Platter Tray Centerpiece with Lucite Horn Handles
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite serving tray is a true masterpiece designed by silversmith Prata Wolff in the 1980s. A striking example of modernist artistry, this substantial ovoid silver-plated pla...
Metal, Silver Plate
$3,278 / item
Center Piece, Small Quartz Points by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Center piece, small quartz points. by Aver Dimensions: D 35 x H 27 cm. Materials: quartz, steel, polyvinyl chloride, resin.
Quartz, Steel
$1,100 / item
Bowl, Large Quartz Points by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Bowl, large quartz points by Aver Dimensions: D 25 x W 25 x H 14 cm Materials: Quartz, steel, polyvinyl chloride, resin.
Quartz, Steel
$1,170 / item
Bowl, Large Quartz Points by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Bowl, large quartz points by Aver Dimensions: D 23 x H 10 cm. Materials: quartz, steel, polyvinyl chloride, resin.
Quartz, Steel
$2,645 / item
Alexia Bar Tray by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Alexia bar tray by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 42.5 cm D 29 cm H 4 cm Materials: polished bronze. Alexia tray / bar tray / centerpiece / candle tray...
Bronze
$715 / item
Benta Collection, Small Wooden Centrepiece
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
BENTA COLLECTION “How often do we, in search for happiness, do exactly as the poor grandfather does: in vain, look restlessly for the glasses Having them on the tip of the nose!” M...
Wood
$2,024 / 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
$1,076 / item
Candle Holder, Large Quartz Points by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Candle holder, Large Quartz Points by Aver Dimensions: D 14 x H 28 cm Materials: Quartz, Steel, Polyvinyl chloride, Resin.
Quartz, Steel
$749 / item
Polly Jean Small Tray by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Polly Jean small tray by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 19 cm D 9 cm H 2.5 cm Materials: off white bronze. Also available in polished and dark bronze fini...
Bronze
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
$9,001 / item
Mariae Bar Tray by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Mariae bar tray by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 63 cm D 37 cm H 7 cm. Materials: polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production o...
Bronze
$745 / item
Ramalhete Collection, Steel Centrepiece
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
$970 / item
Benta Collection, Big Wooden Centrepiece
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
BENTA COLLECTION “How often do we, in search for happiness, do exactly as the poor grandfather does: in vain, look restlessly for the glasses Having them on the tip of the nose!” M...
Wood
$2,645 / item
Alexia Bar Tray by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Alexia bar tray by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 42.5 cm D 29 cm H 4 cm Materials: black/brown bronze. Alexia tray / bar tray / centerpiece / candle tray ...
Bronze
$1,369 / item
Etta Bowl by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Etta bowl by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 56.5 cm D 16.5 cm H 5 cm. Materials: black/brown bronze. Also available in polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a ...
Bronze
$1,053 / 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
$1,053 / 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: polished bronze Also available in black/brown bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on pro...
Bronze
$749 / item
Polly Jean Small Tray by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Polly Jean small tray by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 19 cm D 9 cm H 2.5 cm Materials: polished bronze. Also available in dark and off white bronze fini...
Bronze
$749 / item
Polly Jean Small Tray by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Polly Jean small tray by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 19 cm D 9 cm H 2.5 cm Materials: dark bronze. Also available in polished and off white bronze fini...
Bronze
$678
H 1.78 in W 21.26 in D 14.38 in
French Riviera Serving Tray in Rattan and Hand-Woven Wicker, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful rectangular organic serving tray fully made in bamboo, rattan and hand-woven wicker. This gorgeous French Riviera style tray was hand-made in Italy during the 1970s. This...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
$1,750
H 1 in W 21.25 in D 11.25 in
Brazilian Modern Serving Tray in Jacraanda, by Jean Gillon for WoodArt, Brazil
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Jean Gillon for WoodArt and produced in Brazil during the 1960s, this serving tray exemplifies the designer’s ability to reconcile sculptural restraint with material rich...
Hardwood
American Victorian Silver Plate Centerpiece
Located in Queens, NY
American Victorian silver plate round scalloped shaped bowl with beaded top rim.
Silver
Postmodern Gray Ceramic Braided Woven Abstract Centerpiece Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Stunning woven braided ceramic centerpiece bowl glazed in a wonderful shade of gray with some blue tones. Great size for a coffee table or entryway. Very unusual abstract shape, plea...
Ceramic
Lalique Crystal Oval Centerpiece Bowl, Orchid Design, France, 1980s
By Lalique
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Beautiful rare Lalique centerpiece adorned with orchids on each end. This oval shaped centerpiece bowl has understated elegance.
Crystal
Large Seguso Murano Blue Conch Seashell Centerpiece Bowl
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Large eye-catching seashell or conch shaped Seguso Murano Sommerso Italian glass bowl centerpiece. Thick handblown rich blue colored glass...
Glass
Oval Pedestal Resin Bowl, White and Pearl by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Our oval pedestal bowl is great for holding fruit, plants, decorative objects, faux succulents and specially everyone's attention. You can have it on display on a kitchen counter or ...
Resin
Large Lalique Crystal Bowl Centerpiece
By René Lalique
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautifully hand crafted Lalique centerpiece decorative bowl in a wide open "V" form shape. The bowl is embellished by engraved frosted doves and large scrolls design details. Maker'...
Crystal
$4,750
H 7.5 in W 17 in D 7 in
Fine English Sterling Silver Hallmark Cherub Horn Playing Handle Centerpiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Fine English Sterling Silver With Hallmarks, Cherub / Putti Horn Playing Blowing Handle Large Footed Centerpiece 17" L X 7" D X 7 1/2" H
Sterling Silver
Gianfranco Frattini, Red Centerpiece / Tray, Progetti Italy, 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Progetti
Located in Firenze, IT
Red enamelled aluminium stackable tray / centerpiece designed by Gianfranco Frattini Manufactured by Progetti, Italy, 1970s. Manufacturer's label on the base Measures: Height 6 cm...
Aluminum
$1,495 / set
H 19.75 in W 11.25 in D 11.25 in
Antique Silver Plated Centerpiece or Epergne with Figural Children Playing
By Wilcox Silver Plate Co.
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large centerpiece or epergne was made by the well known Wilcox Silver Plate Company of the United States in approximately 1900 and done in a Victorian style. The base is composed of silver plate and features three figural children holding a rope and playing a period circle game. The middle of the centerpiece is composed of a bowl with three partitions that is decorated with engraved stylized flowers. The trumpet vase or epergne at the top is a clear glass with a diamond cut pattern. The base is clearly signed with the maker's marks for the Wilcox Silver Company...
Silver Plate
$1,638
H 1.19 in Dm 17.33 in
Lino Sabattini, Large silver-plated centerpiece / tray, Sabattini Italy 1970s
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Firenze, IT
Large silver-plated centerpiece / tray by Lino Sabattini Sabattini Italy 1970s H 3 cm / 44 cm diam. Marked on the base. Conditions: excellent, no defects
Silver Plate
Hand Carved Round Rock Crystal Quartz Decorative Bowl Vide-Poche
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate an entry table or console with this important rock crystal bowl. Crafted in Brazil, the hand carved dish is round in shape. The circular dish in excellent condition commensu...
Rock Crystal
Domingos Tótora Organic Table Centerpiece, Brazil 21st Century
By Domingos Tótora
Located in Utrecht, NL
This organic centrepiece by contemporary artist Domingos Tótora is a visual expression of the artist’s view of design. Tótora creates objects and sculptures where beauty is inseparab...
Paper
Sold
H 2.2 in W 21.7 in D 9.4 in
Mid Century Brazilian Modern Platter with Leaf-shape in Hardwood, 1960s, Brazil
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this Midcentury Brazilian Modern Decorative Platter with Leaf-Shape was made in Brazil during the sixties. Handcrafted from noble wood, the serving platter features smooth curves and delicate woodwork emulating a tropical leaf from the Amazon. The noblewood has two rich tones with stunning natural wood grain on both sides. Size: H2.2, W21.7, D9.4 (in) H5.5, W55, D24 (cm) Pieces like this are iconic from Brazil in the sixties, and were catered not only for domestic but for the international markets. This platter will look awesome as a centerpiece on a dining table or a sideboard or even better, be part of a collection dedicated to Brazilian Modernism decorative objects...
Hardwood
Frozen Bowl, Large Quartz Points
Located in Geneve, CH
Frozen bowl, large quartz points Dimensions: D 23 x H 10 cm Materials: Quartz, Steel, Polyvinyl chloride, Resin.
Quartz, Steel
Frozen Small Vase and Candle Holder, Small Quartz Points
Located in Geneve, CH
Frozen Small Vase and Candle Holder, Small Quartz Points Dimensions: D 11 x H 22 cm Materials: Quartz, Steel, Polyvinyl chloride, Resin.
Quartz, Steel
Large Hand Carved Rock Crystal Quartz Decorative Bowl from Brazil
Located in Dallas, TX
This important hand carved rock crystal bowl was crafted in Brazil, the heavy dish with natural scalloped edges is in excellent condition with a rich patinated clear finish. Place th...
Rock Crystal
Large Faceted Smokey Quartz Centerpiece Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite centerpiece bowl or vessel encrusted with large hand polished smokey quartz specimens. Glass bowl liner.
Quartz
Sold
H 3.75 in W 17.25 in D 8.75 in
1950s Brazilian Architectural Rosewood Bowl Mid-Century Modernist Construction
By Joaquim Tenreiro, Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Made in Brazil, a hand-crafted footed centerpiece sculpture, truly an mid-century masterpiece. A fragile, brass belted, curved Jacaranda (Brazilian Rosewood) slat design. A rare find...
Jacaranda
Quartz Crystal Collectible Pt, Special Internal Striations of Another Stone
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A real nice mostly clear rock crystal point. Has another stone inside. Good size at 9" ht and no chips to the top point. It is free standing. Nice C...
Rock Crystal
Brazilian Rock Crystal Bowl
Located in Dallas, TX
Nice quality Brazilian rock crystal bowl.
Rock Crystal
1960s Jean Gillon Brazilian Rosewood Canoe Bowl Centerpiece
By Arthur Umanoff, Emil Milan
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Attributed to Jean Gillon, bowl is Unmarked. A Beautifully carved, symmetric Vessel.
Rosewood
Jean Gillon Large Centerpiece Jacaranda Wood Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Made during the 1970’s in Brazil. It is hand carved from a Brazilian hardwood known as “Pau-ferro” which means iron wood from a specific type of Jacaranda tree. The larger size of th...