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.
$230Sale Price|20% Off
Elegant Pewter Pitcher by John Somers, Mid-20th Century, Brazil, 1980
By John Somers
Located in Raleigh, US
Classic John Somers Pewter Water or Juice Pitcher Elevate your table with this elegant mid-20th-century pewter pitcher by renowned designer John Somers. Crafted in Brazil, this high-...
Pewter
$470Sale Price|20% Off
Late 20th Century John Somers Pewter Pitcher With Lid
By John Somers
Located in Raleigh, US
John Somers Brazilian Pewter Water Pitcher with Lid 'Pewter Flagon with Cover in the Portuguese Style' This beautifully crafted John Somers Brazi...
Pewter
$86Sale Price|20% Off
Elegant Pewter Pitcher by John Somers, Mid-20th Century, Brazil
By John Somers
Located in Raleigh, US
Elegant Mid-20th Century Pewter Pitcher by John Somers – Brazil This beautifully crafted 6-inch pitcher is a distinguished piece by John Somers, a well-known Brazilian pewter manuf...
Pewter
$230Sale Price|20% Off
John Somers 'Jarra de Cristal' Pitcher with Pewter Handle, Circa 1980
By John Somers
Located in Raleigh, US
John Somers Brazilian Pewter ‘Jarra de Cristal’ Pitcher Dimensions: 7 inches tall Material: Crystal-clear glass body for a sleek and timeless look Sturdy Brazilian pewter handle and...
Pewter
Vintage Turquoise Pitcher, Second Half of 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Turquoise pitcher is a decorative object realized in the second half of 20th century. Made in Italy. The object is realized in met...
Metal
Pitcher with Brass Handle by Carl Auböck
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in London, GB
A glass pitcher with leather sleeve and brass handle by Carl Auböck II, Vienna, 1950s. The leather sleeve settles at the top third of the glass and is of a beautifully aged light ta...
Brass
Vintage Silver Plate Pitcher with Parrot Handle
By Emilia Castillo
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout mid century pitcher hand crafted in silver plate on hammered copper in classic modern form with a bit of whimsy featuring a stone clad parrot as a handle.
Silver Plate, Copper
Mid-20th Century Italian Lemon Pitcher
Located in Charleston, SC
A vibrant hand-painted ceramic pitcher marked Made in Italy, crafted in the form of clustered lemons with leafy green accents and a sculptural branch handle. The body is richly detai...
Ceramic, Paint
Vintage Italian Ceramic Pitcher by Bassano, Mid 20th Century
By Bassano
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Beautiful vintage ceramic jug by Bassano made in Italy in mid 20th century. Bassano ceramics (also known as "Bassano del Grappa") is a traditional Italian craft produced in the city ...
Ceramic
Vintage Silver Plate Pitcher with Parrot Handle
By Emilia Castillo
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout mid century pitcher handcrafted in hammered copper with a silver plate finish in classic form featuring a stone clad parrot as a handle.
Silver Plate, Copper
Vintage Silver Plate Pitcher with Parrot Handle
By Los Castillos
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic mid century pitcher handcrafted in silver plate on hammered copper featuring a stone clad parrot as a handle, likely by Los Castillo.
Stone, Silver Plate, Copper
An unusual modernist water pitcher in pewter
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A very nicely executed pewter pitcher in the modernist style. Hand bent, faceted planes ending in a solid rosewood top stopper.
Pewter
Vintage Italian Ceramic Pitcher by Bassano, Mid 20th Century
By Bassano
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Beautiful vintage ceramic jug by Bassano made in Italy in mid 20th century. Bassano ceramics (also known as "Bassano del Grappa") is a traditional Italian craft produced in the city ...
Ceramic
$255
H 9.75 in W 7 in D 6 in
ROBINSON RANSBOTTOM POTTERY CO - Glazed Ceramic Pitcher - US - Late 20th Century
By Robinson Ransbottom Company
Located in Chatham, ON
ROBINSON RANSBOTTOM POTTERY COMPANY - Vintage glazed ceramic pitcher - impressed mark on the base - United States (Roseville - Ohio) - late 20th century. Excellent/mint vintage cond...
Ceramic
Vintage Capodimonte Ceramic Pitcher, Mid 20th Century
By Capodimonte
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Large elegant porcelain jug with the Capodimonte stamp — the letter N under the crown. The rich relief decor, made by hand, is typical of the Italian Capodimonte tradition. It is ide...
Ceramic
Kayserzinn Art Nouveau Pewter Pitcher with Devils Head
By Kayserzinn 1
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
German Kayserzinn pewter wine/water pitcher or jug with Art Nouveau style low relief iris decoration centered by a Devils head under the spout and a ...
Pewter