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.
Untitled by Rafael Triboli
Located in São Paulo, BR
The collection brings together a new body of work that explores the relationship between materiality, gesture, and time, unfolding through a continuous process of experimentation and...
Ceramic
Untitled by Rafael Triboli
Located in São Paulo, BR
The collection brings together a new body of work that explores the relationship between materiality, gesture, and time, unfolding through a continuous process of experimentation and...
Ceramic
Untitled by Rafael Triboli
Located in São Paulo, BR
The collection brings together a new body of work that explores the relationship between materiality, gesture, and time, unfolding through a continuous process of experimentation and...
Ceramic
Untitled by Rafael Triboli
Located in São Paulo, BR
The collection brings together a new body of work that explores the relationship between materiality, gesture, and time, unfolding through a continuous process of experimentation and...
Ceramic
Tatu Armadillo Sculpture by Taukana Regui Wauja, Ceramic, 2020, Brazil
Located in PARIS, FR
Taukana Regui Wauja Indigenous Ceramic "Tatu", 2020 This unique ceramic sculpture titled Tatu was created in 2020 by Taukana Regui Wauja, an Indigenous artist from the Wauja communit...
Ceramic, Terracotta
Atelier Forjaz, Brazilian Ceramics - Vase, c. 1950
Located in PARIS, FR
Atelier Forjaz Brazilian Ceramics - Vase, c. 1950 Signed "Forgez" under the base Enameled ceramic in yellow and black. 29 x 10 x 10 cm 11 21/50 x 3 47/50 x 3 47/50 in Dating from th...
Enamel
Solitary vase/ Ceramic Tupy - modern Brazilian ceramics, c. 1960
Located in PARIS, FR
Céramique Tupy Solitary vase - Brazilian modern ceramic, c. 1960 Signed and numbered under the base Polychrome and enamelled ceramics 21 x 11 x 8 cm 8 27/100 x 4 33/100 x 3 3/20 in ...
Enamel
Weiss. Brazilian Modern Ceramic Vase, c. 1950 / 27 x 11 x 11 cm
By Weiss
Located in PARIS, FR
Weiss Brazilian Modern Ceramic Vase, c. 1950 This modern Brazilian ceramic vase, produced circa 1950, is a refined example of mid-century ceramic artistry. Signed under the base with...
Enamel
Francisco Brennand. Ceramic egg, c. 1970. Stamp of the Manufacture
By Francisco Brennand
Located in PARIS, FR
Francisco Brennand - Recife - Brazil (1927-2019) Ceramic egg, c. 1970 Stamp of the Manufacture "Oficina Brennand (made in Brazil)" Historical piece Enameled ceramics 13 x 8 x 8 cm 5 ...
Enamel
Modern Brazilian Ceramics. Enameled ceramic vase, c. 1960
Located in PARIS, FR
This modern Brazilian ceramic represents an elegant vase, created around the 1960s. Made of enamelled ceramics, this artistic object embodies the contemporary aesthetics of the time....
Enamel
Mid-Century Modern Vitrified Vase by Carlo Hauner & Ernesto Hauner, 1950s
By Carlo Hauner, Ernesto Hauner
Located in New York, NY
Vitrified ceramic vase produced by H Cerâmica, a company founded by Carlo Hauner, Ernesto Hauner in partnership with Milton Guper. The works of H Cerâmica follow the principles of m...
Ceramic
Untitled by Rafael Triboli
Located in São Paulo, BR
The collection brings together a new body of work that explores the relationship between materiality, gesture, and time, unfolding through a continuous process of experimentation and...
Ceramic
Untitled by Rafael Triboli
Located in São Paulo, BR
The collection brings together a new body of work that explores the relationship between materiality, gesture, and time, unfolding through a continuous process of experimentation and...
Ceramic
Untitled by Rafael Triboli
Located in São Paulo, BR
The collection brings together a new body of work that explores the relationship between materiality, gesture, and time, unfolding through a continuous process of experimentation and...
Ceramic
Untitled by Rafael Triboli
Located in São Paulo, BR
The collection brings together a new body of work that explores the relationship between materiality, gesture, and time, unfolding through a continuous process of experimentation and...
Ceramic
Modern Brazilian Ceramics. Enamelled Ceramic Vase, c. 1950. 18.5 x 15 x 12 cm
Located in PARIS, FR
This modern Brazilian ceramic vase dates from about 1950. Made from glazed ceramic in shades of green, black and white, it measures 18.5 cm high, 15 cm wide and 12 cm deep. The use ...
Enamel
Modern Brazilian ceramic. Ceramic vase, c. 1950. Enamelled polychrome ceramic
Located in PARIS, FR
Modern Brazilian Ceramics Ceramic Vase, c. 1950 This elegant Brazilian ceramic vase, dating from circa 1950, is a refined example of mid-century modern craftsmanship. Made from enam...
Enamel
Brazilian Tupy Ceramics. Ceramic ashtray, Brazil, c. 1950
Located in PARIS, FR
Céramique Tupy Ceramic ashtray, c. 1950 Signed and numbered under the base Enameled polychrome ceramic 9 x 19 x 8 cm 3 27/50 x 7 12/25 x 3 3/20 in Tupy ceramic ashtray, made around ...
Enamel
Flat Vase Project by 213A
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
Flat vase in Shiny Black. Designed by Project 213A in 2021. Handmade Stoneware. Creation demands destruction, taking the old and the typical to conceive th...
Ceramic, Stoneware
White Contemporary Ceramic Sculpture by Steen Ipsen
By Steen Ipsen
Located in New York, NY
Organic 9, 2013 (Ceramic; Unique, C. 11 in. h x 10.5 in. w x 8 in. d, Object No.: 3645) Steen Ipsen was born in 1966 in Denmark and lives and works in Copenhagen. He graduated in 19...
Ceramic, Pottery
Venetian Ceramics Round Red Color Mid-Century Vases, 2020
Located in Roma, Lazio
Gorgeous Ceramica Veneta vase, in a beautiful chili pepper red color, an original design for a very large and full-bodied vase. The red ceramic vase has a round section, slightly na...
Ceramic
Enamel Ceramic Sculpture by Abele Jacopi Signed Lenci, Italy
By Lenci
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Enamel ceramic sculpture by Abele Jacopi (1882-1957) signed Lenci. Art Deco period, Italy, circa 1950.
Ceramic
'Belmont' Ceramic Mug Sculpture by Peter Shire, 2016
By Peter Shire
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Glazed Whiteware ceramic mug sculpture by Peter Shire, 2016. Approx: 8 3/4" high x 13" wide x 23" long (to handle). Peter Shire: Peter Shire is an LA-based artist whose work elu...
Ceramic
Ring Vase by Aldo Londi
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Milan, IT
This striking vase in white clay has a simple cylindrical shape with a white finish, and a central area decorated with a series of multicolored rings...
Ceramic
Fish Plate by Aldo Londi
By Bitossi
Located in Milan, IT
This striking decorative plate in white clay was designed by Aldo Londi in 1959 and is part of a limited edition of 199 pieces. The decorations on the top of the plate are a multitud...
Ceramic
Ceramic Lamp by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Ceramic lamp by Olivia Cognet Materials: Ceramic Dimensions: H around 40-50 cm tall Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a precious moment c...
Ceramic
Large Obvara Vase by Doa Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Obvara vase by Doa Ceramics Dimensions: 8" (in) Materials: Ceramic. Technique: Hand-crafted. Freeform. Glazed. Also available in size 6".
Ceramic
Alfonso Vase, by Project 213A
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
This vase draws inspiration from the Icelandic volcanic rock formations which can be found by Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. It his sculpted by organically displacing seventeen indivi...
Clay
Ceramic Bowl by Albert Green
Located in Dallas, TX
A potter and painter, Albert Green (1914 - 1994) earned an international reputation for his ceramics, stoneware, and canvases. A graduate of the Universit...
Ceramic
Alfonso Vase, by Project 213A
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
This vase draws inspiration from the Icelandic volcanic rock formations which can be found by Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. It is sculpted by organically displacing seventeen individ...
Clay
Sold
H 5.12 in Dm 4.34 in
Contemporary Small Egg Shaped Blue & Green Ceramic Glazed Ornament by FD21 Clay
Located in London, England
No 35 Contemporary handmade small egg-shaped mottled dark blue, gold & green ceramic ornament. Designed and made by Brazilian ceramicist Flavio Diogo of FD21 Clay Dimensions: Diame...
Ceramic, Pottery
Mid-Century Modern tray.
Located in Barcelona, ES
Decorative and functional tray in wood and ceramic. Dimensions: 35x17x2cm
Ceramic, Wood
Wauja, Céramique Indigène Zoomorphe, "Onça", 2020
Located in PARIS, FR
The indigenous ceramics of the Wauja community of Haut Xingu, Brazil, is a unique piece in the shape of an elongated "onça" (jaguar), inverted to t...
Ceramic
Sculptural Ceramic Vessel by Jacque Faus
Located in São Paulo, BR
The rushed yet suggestive drawings, after enameling, reveal a diffuse landscape, as seen through a foggy glass, expanding the color that inhabits the grooves, in a constant dialogue ...
Ceramic, Paint
Sculptural Ceramic Vessel by Jacque Faus
Located in São Paulo, BR
The rushed yet suggestive drawings, after enameling, reveal a diffuse landscape, as seen through a foggy glass, expanding the color that inhabits the grooves, in a constant dialogue ...
Ceramic, Paint
Sculptural Ceramic Vessel by Jacque Faus
Located in São Paulo, BR
The rushed yet suggestive drawings, after enameling, reveal a diffuse landscape, as seen through a foggy glass, expanding the color that inhabits the grooves, in a constant dialogue ...
Ceramic, Paint
Ceramic "Snake", Indigenous Reserve Xingu, Brazil
Located in PARIS, FR
This large ceramic is a contemporary creation of the Wauja tribe of the Upper Xingu Park. Made according to traditional methods with natural raw materials, its strong graphics make i...
Ceramic
Contemporary Handmade Ceramic, Orgus Bowl
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
The ORGUS collection is composed of pieces with organic volumetry, all hand modeled in colored clay.
Ceramic
Traditions Pottery and Straw Fruit Bowl
By Maria Fernanda Paes de Barros
Located in Jundiaí, SP
Unique design piece The Traditions Pottery and straw fruit bowl was first presented in Carimbo Exhibition at Yankatu Gallery, in November 2019 in São Paulo, Brazil and is part of ...
Ceramic, Pottery, Straw, Wood
Traditions Pottery and Straw Fruit Bowl
By Maria Fernanda Paes de Barros
Located in Jundiaí, SP
Unique design piece The Traditions Pottery and straw fruit bowl was first presented in Carimbo Exhibition at Yankatu Gallery, in November 2019 in São Paulo, Brazil and is part of th...
Ceramic, Pottery, Straw, Wood
Contemporary Handmade - Tube Vase
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
The Morphus collection is composed of six vases with different proportions, all of them executed by hand on a ceramic lathe. This technique uses a rotating disk where the clay is pla...
Ceramic