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.
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Early 20th Century Wolfe Silverplate Samovar, URN
Located in Birmingham, AL
Silverplate Samovar, Coffee Urn, With Lid and Ebony Insulators. This is a fabulous coffee or hot water , sweet tea or tea urn, could be also used for sweet tea made in Brazil . It ...
Silver Plate
$2,108
H 17.72 in W 13.78 in D 13.39 in
Antique Regency Old Sheffield Silver Plated Tea Urn Samovar 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a wonderful antique Regency Old Sheffield silver plated tea urn, Circa 1820 in date. This handsome antique Old Sheffield samovar has been ...
Sheffield Plate
$12,000 / set
H 9.85 in W 20.08 in D 14.57 in
Mappin & Webb Cutlery Set for 12 People. England, Early 20th Century
By Mappin & Webb
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Mappin & Webb silver plate cutlery set for 12 people, England, early 20th century. Complete for 12 people. A total of 130 pieces: 12 large kni...
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century Art Deco Serving Tray Silver Plated with Wood
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Art Deco tray, with silver plated rim and handles. The central piece is mahogany. The tray is marked with small hallmarks 'HDR', maker unknown. Light polishing spots can be seen on 1...
Silver Plate
$750
H 23 in W 11.5 in D 12 in
Antique English Regency Silver Plated Trophy Cup Urn Coffee Beverage Samovar
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Regency Silver Plated Twin Handle Award Trophy Cup Urn Coffee Beverage Samovar. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 23" H x 11.5" W x 12" D.
Silver Plate
19th Century English Silver Plate Samovar / Tea Urn
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid 19th century English silver plated samovar / tea or coffee urn with Ram detail side handles and finial lid on square footed base . The samova...
Silver Plate, Copper
$650
H 20 in W 12 in D 7.5 in
Antique English Regency Silver Plated Trophy Cup Urn Coffee Beverage Samovar
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Regency Silver Plated Trophy Cup Urn Coffee Beverage Samovar. Item features drape, horse, and shield decoration to front, twin handles, raised on ball form feet, bake...
Silver Plate
$175
H 1.78 in W 3.94 in D 3.94 in
Topazio Casquinha Wine Bottle Holder in Silver Plate Portugal Early 20th Century
By Topazio
Located in Meer, VAN
Topazio Casquinha Wine Bottle Holder in Silver Plate, Portugal, Early 20th Century. This is a very decorative (wine) bottle holder with a rich and intricate decor, made in silver pl...
Silver Plate
$495
H 1.75 in W 18.25 in D 13.5 in
Large Barker Ellis Oval Bowl with Menorah Hallmark Silverplate, Early 20th c
By Barker Ellis Silver Co.
Located in valatie, NY
Large Barker Ellis Silverplated Oval Bowl with Menorah Hallmark. Barker Ellis silver, Birmingham England, manufacturer of silver, silver plate and electroplated ware date back to 1801, it is now one of the oldest silversmiths and electroplaters in Birmingham. Trent Antiques has been a respected name in antiques for...
Silver Plate
$1,160 / set
H 10 in W 12 in D 6.5 in
Sheffield Plate Tea and Coffee Service, American, Early 19th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
Coffee and Chocolate were both introcuced into England in the Mid-17th Century, and were to become an important part of social life, with more than four hundred coffee houses in L...
Sheffield Plate
$12,485Sale Price / set|32% Off
H 23 in W 12.25 in D 12.5 in
Pair of Early 20th Century George III Style Plated Hot Water Samovars, Elkington
By Elkington & Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine and large pair of English George III style plated hot water-tea Samovars, each urn-form finely chased with a floral design reservoir with side ring-shaped handles, surmounted by a domed cover and raised on square base and ball feet with pull-out burners. Stamped: "Elkington Plate...
Silver Plate
$688Sale Price|42% Off
H 15.25 in W 10.5 in D 9.5 in
English Silverplate Hot Water Urn, Early 20th C. With Its Alcohol Burner
Located in New Orleans, LA
English Silverplate Hot Water Urn, Early 20th C., having a reeded urn, original hand carved hardwood spigot handle, matching hardwood cover knob and with its original alcohol burner...
Silver
Antique, 1919, Meriden Britannia Company Silverplated Urn
Located in Phoenix, AZ
This wonderful piece was made by the Merida Brittania Company in 1919. It measures about 10.5" high and 16" in diameter at the widest part. The piece has no visible damages. The lid...
Silver Plate
Vintage St. James Silver Plate Caviar Server of Ovoid Form on Pedestal Base
By St. James
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Vintage silver plate caviar server by St. James of vertical ovoid form on a tapered pedestal rising from a square foot. The egg form container hinged at the center reveling a removab...
Silver Plate
St. James Brazil Silver Plate Caviar Server with Glass Bowl
By St. James
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This classic and elegant caviar server is perfectly timeless in style. Upon opening the lid you will find a glass bowl resting on the understated silver rim which lifts out. The ice ...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 11.42 in W 7.49 in D 7.09 in
St James Brazil Silver Plate and Crystal Caviar Bowl Serving Dish Chiller
By St. James
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stylish and large egg or ovoid-shaped silver plate caviar bowl, serving dish, or caviar chiller set is hallmarked St James, made in Brazil with a coat of...
Crystal, Metal, Silver Plate
Modern Silver Plated Standing Double Champagne Bucket
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Modern silver plated double champagne bucket and stand, exceptional quality with swing handle, the oval handled champagne / wine bucket, attach...
Silver Plate
Silver Plate Quatrefoil Brazilian Tea Caddy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Silver Quatrefoil Brazilian tea caddy - A wonderful caddy, simple and straightforward, with a Silver Quatrefoil design. The lid fits snug and, due to the Elegant, yet plain lines, th...
Silver Plate
Silver Plate Flask by St James Brazil for D.B. Howes & Son
By St. James
Located in Atlanta, GA
Stylish modernist Art Deco-inspired silver plate flask designed by St James, Brazil and sold at D. B. Howes and Son Jewelers, California. Minimalist chic desi...
Metal, Silver Plate
1970s Silver Plate Cocktail Shaker and Jigger by Bellini, Brazil
By Bellini Studio
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant Mid-Century silver plate cylindrical cocktail or Martini shaker by silversmith Bellini, Brazil. Three-sectioned bullet-shaped designed cocktail shaker with removable cover ca...
Metal, Silver Plate
Sold
H 3.94 in W 8.27 in D 9.45 in
Silver Plate and Crystal Caviar Bowl by Ken Benson for St James Brazil
By St. James
Located in Atlanta, GA
Stylish modernist Art Deco-inspired silver plate caviar serving bowl designed by Ken Benson for St James, Brazil. Minimalist chic design with geometric streamline shape, compliment with crystal bowl insert. Marked underside: Ken Benson - St James Brazil...
Crystal, Metal, Silver Plate
Modern Silver Plated Double Champagne Bucket and Stand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Modern silver plated double champagne bucket and stand, exceptional quality in consisting of three parts oval handled champagne / wine bucket 1...
Silver Plate
Dual Silver plated Wine Bucket by St James-Brazil
By St. James
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Stylish wine bucket in silver plate finish featuring two bottle capacity, ball feet, and a handle. Made by St. James. Founded in São Paul...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 16.5 in W 9.5 in D 8 in
Hammered Silver Plate Flower Vases Pair by Brazilian Modernist Marilena Mariotto
By Marilena Mariotto
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of large modernist silver plated flower vases by the Brazilian designer Marilena Mariotto. Each with a bulbous base, elongated...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 13 in W 8.5 in D 8.5 in
Ovoid Silver Plate Sculptural Caviar Bowl/ Serving Dish or Caviar Stand /SALE
By St. James
Located in North Miami, FL
This stunning and large egg or ovoid shaped silver plate caviar bowl/ serving dish/ caviar stand is hallmarked St James with a crest on the square base. The square base is 5.25. The top lid opens up to a glass bowl inset and liner that is removable. The dome like top is hinged. Caviar will flow in abundance with this elegant serving piece. It will look gorgeous on any table setting. It is from the 1980s from the most exclusive shop in Bal Harbour Florida called Nessa Gaulois...
Silver Plate