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.
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
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
Waujá Indigenous Brazilian Handmade Jaguar Onça Figural Pottery Bowl
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Striking hand-formed and hand-painted ceramic jaguar vessel made by Indigenous Waujá artisans of Brazil. Sculpted in the form of an onça-pintada, or Brazilian jaguar, the piece featu...
Clay
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 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
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
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
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
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
Mid-Century Modern Vitrified Vase by Carlo Hauner & Ernesto Hauner, 1950s
By Ernesto Hauner, Carlo 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
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
Mid-Century Ceramic Vase with brown enamel signed Gambone Italy, 1960s
By Bruno Gambone
Located in Paris, FR
Small vase by Gambone Cracked brown and white enamel Measures: H 16 cm x D 8 cm Signed Gambone Italy at base.
Ceramic
Arne Bang Ceramic Vase No. 38, Enamel Finish, Danish Design, 1950
By Arne Bang
Located in Paris, FR
Danish ceramic stoneware by Arne Bang (1901-1983), circa 1950. Two handles Vase with a beautiful enamel. Signed by the ceramist Artist, monogram "AB" and model number "38".
Enamel
$330Sale Price|62% Off
H 4.5 in Dm 8.75 in
Drejar Gruppen's Robin's Egg Blue Ceramic Bowl for Rörstrand
By Drejar Gruppen
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Swedish ceramic bowl from Rörstrand by artist Drejar Gruppen, circa 1972. Dark Robin's egg blue and chocolate are the dramatic colors on the inside while the outside is a si...
Ceramic
Rare Jerome Ackerman for Jenev pottery bowl
By Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman
Located in Fraser, MI
Rare elongated ceramic bowl by Jerome Ackerman for Jenev.
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
Contemporary 8 Large Egg Plates Ceramic Clay Handmade Mexican
By Lorenzo Lorenzzo
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Ceramic 8 plate set with salt and pepper cart made in modern egg design by Lorenzo Lorenzzo Lorenzo's work alludes to his favourite meal, breakfast, creating a contemporary design f...
Majolica
Hertha Bengtsson Ceramic Vase for Rörstrand, 1960s Scandinavian Modern
By Rörstrand, Hertha Bengtson
Located in Göteborg, SE
The Ceramic Vase by Hertha Bengtsson for Rörstrand is an exquisite and timeless piece of artistry, designed by the renow...
Ceramic
$188Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 0.6 in Dm 11.03 in
Handcrafted Contemporary 2 Ceramic Breakfast Egg Plates Majolica by Lorenzo
By Lorenzo Lorenzzo
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Enhance your space with this elegant ceramic egg plate by Mexican artist Lorenzo Lorenzzo. Handcrafted in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, this versatile piece features a refined e...
Majolica
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
Midcentury Mini Ceramic Bowl, Italy, 1970s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
This original vintage ceramic bowl element was designed and produced in the 1970s in Lombardia, Italy. It is made in Sommerso Technique and has a fantastic faceted form. The vibrant ...
Ceramic, Glass
$750Sale Price|21% Off
H 1 in W 6 in D 6 in
Ceramics by Stig Lindberg, "Domino" Group, Sweden, C 1950, Ceramic Ash Tray
By Stig Lindberg
Located in New York, NY
Decorative ashtray by Stig Lindberg, Sweden, circa 1950. This ceramic comes from the group Domino. Made by Gustavsberg.
Ceramic
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