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.
Solid Bronze Mortar and Pestle, Brazil, 1970s
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
A solid bronze mortar and pestle handcrafted in Brazil circa 1970. With its balanced proportions and substantial weight, the piece exemplifies the enduring appeal of traditional util...
Bronze
1960s Tobacco Jar by Jean Gillon for Italma Wood Art in solid rosewood
By Jean Gillon
Located in Victoria, BC
This tobacco jar was designed by Jean Gillon and produced by Italma Wood Art in Brazil during the 1960s. Crafted in solid rosewood, the piece reflects Gillon’s distinctive approach t...
Rosewood
1970s McCoy Art Pottery Canyon Mesa Glazed Tea Pot
By David Cressey
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s McCoy Art Pottery Canyon Mesa Drip Glazed Tea Pot Vintage personal Tea Pot Art Pottery signed McCoy Speckled Earth tones. 5.5 h x 9 d x 5 Pre...
Pottery
Antique Hand-Crafted Solid Bronze Mortar with Pestle and Great Original Patina
Located in Lisse, NL
Decorative and tactile, late 18th century mortar set. Mortars have been used for centuries by private people and by people in certain trades. In the kitche...
Bronze
$646
H 3.15 in Dm 4.26 in
Italian Bronze Mortar and Pestle, Original Patina, Italy, Pharmacy or Herbalist
Located in Roma, IT
Antique bronze mortar. Handmade with pestle. Original patina Italian bronze mortar and pestle Measures: Pestle height 7.5 in.
Bronze
$480
H 4.75 in W 5.5 in D 5.5 in
Antique Solid Bronze Brass Large German Apothecary Mortar with Pestle - 2 Pcs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Solid Bronze Brass Large German Apothecary Mortar with Pestle - 2 Pcs with Great Authentic Patina. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: Mortal: 4.75" H x 5.5" W x 5.5" D. P...
Bronze
$500
H 1.19 in W 4.93 in D 13.19 in
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
$1,750
H 1 in W 18 in D 8 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
Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Tray in Hardwood, Jean Gillon, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted in Brazil in the 1960s, this elongated serving tray reflects the disciplined minimalism that characterized the country’s modern design movement during its period of inter...
Hardwood
Vintage Apothecary Bronze Mortar and Wood Pestle
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice vintage apothecary bronze mortar and wood pestle, circa 1950s. The piece is in good vintage condition with a nice patina and measures 5"W x ...
Bronze
Mortar and Pestle in Solid Grey Granite
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Solid mortar and pestle made in solid grey granite.
Granite
Studio Pottery Rock Vase in Stoneware by Tom McMillin 1960s
By Tom Mcmillin
Located in Troy, MI
Studio Pottery Vase in Stoneware Rock by Tom McMillin Sculptural rock vase by Tom McMillin circa 1960s Round form with exploding multi spout openings Additional Information: Mater...
Stoneware
$1,759
H 2.36 in Dm 10.63 in
Large Mid-Century Rimini Blu Pottery Bowl by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, 1960s
By Aldo Londi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Rimini blue bowl. Very rare in this size with a diameter of 27.5 cm. This piece has an attribution mark, I am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility ...
Ceramic
Carlo Zauli Monumental Wall Plate, Italy, 1970s
By Carlo Zauli
Located in Milan, IT
Unique Carlo Zauli monumental wall plate, Italy, 1970s
Pottery
19th Century Antique Terracotta Pot
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Decorative Pieces A beautiful 19th century terracotta pot, acquired by previous owner and collector while in Brazil in 1950s. Sculptural shape and beautiful deep patina with c...
Clay
19th Century Antique Terracotta Pot
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Decorative Pieces A beautiful large 19th century terracotta pot, acquired by previous owner and collector while in Brazil in 1950s. Sculptural shape and beautiful deep patina ...
Clay
19th Century Antique Terracotta Pot
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Decorative Pieces A beautiful 19th century (or older) terracotta pot, acquired by previous owner and collector while in Brazil in 1950s. Sculptural shape and beautiful deep pa...
Clay
Vândria Borari & Eunice De Oliveira Bowls
By Maria Fernanda Paes de Barros
Located in Jundiaí, SP
Unique design piece The Kwasawá Straw and ceramic bowl was first presented in Two Chronicles Exhibition at A CASA Museum, in October 2019 in São Paulo, Brazil. They are an homage to indigenous ancestry and the importance to understand and value our traditions and origins as part of knowing who we are and our place in the world. The pieces in Tucumã straw (typical palm of The Amazon Forest) dyed with roots, leaves and fruits and braided by the artisans of the riverside Community of Urucureá, in Pará, followed the shapes of the indigenous pottery...
Ceramic, Pottery, Straw
Early 20th Century Hand-Carved Brazilian Soap Stone Bowl
Located in Wainscott, NY
Early 20th century hand-carved Brazilian soap stone bowl most likely used as a cooking vessel Dimensions: 8 in. W x 5 in. D x 2.75 in. H opening is 6 in. W x 3.5 in. D.
Soapstone
19th Century Painted Clay Country Pot from Brazil
Located in Wainscott, NY
19th century painted clay country pot from Brazil Beautiful example of pottery from the countryside Worn rim adds to the beauty of this piece as does th...
Clay
Faye Toogood and John Pawson are among the list of plate designers.
Get to know the innovators behind the pottery countercultural revolution.