Brazilian Native American Objects

BRAZILIAN FURNITURE

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.

Place of Origin: Brazilian

Large Brazilian or Guyana Amazon Indigenous Macana War Club, 18th or Earlier

$28,310

Large Brazilian or Guyana Amazon Indigenous Macana War Club, 18th or Earlier

Located in Amsterdam, NL

A splendid and rare Amazon indigenous wamara wood Macana war-club Southern-Guyana or Northern Brazil, Wapitxana group of the Aruak peoples, 18th century, possibly earlier Measure: H. 43 cm The deep patina of the club present, and the residue on the part where it was held, attest to its great age. This unusually large Macana is decorated with several incised whitened anthropomorphic and human figures, a decoration only found on one other documented club in the British Museum, which is illustrated in: Hjalmar Stolpe, Amazon Indian...

Category

Early 18th Century Antique Brazilian Native American Objects

Materials

Hardwood

Amazonian Feather Storage Basket

$550

Amazonian Feather Storage Basket

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Feather storage basket Rikbaktsa Tribe, Jurene River, Mato Grosso, Brazil 1990 Plaited fiber, wood, feathers, twined natural fiber, and cotton. 5 inche...

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Late 20th Century Native American Brazilian Native American Objects

Materials

Other

Indigenous Sheyka Sterling Silver and Inlaid Figural Rabbit Brooch or Pendant

$799

H 1.5 in W 2 in D 0.25 in

Indigenous Sheyka Sterling Silver and Inlaid Figural Rabbit Brooch or Pendant

By Native American Art

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This Zuni Indigenous American sterling silver and inlaid gemstone figural rabbit brooch or pendant was made by Porfillo and Ann Sheyka. The piece was handmade in most likely the late...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Native American Objects

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Sterling Silver

Circa 1915 Pueblo Old Pawn Turquoise Cuff Bracelet in Stamped Ingot Silver

$2,650

H 1.25 in Dm 5.5 in

Circa 1915 Pueblo Old Pawn Turquoise Cuff Bracelet in Stamped Ingot Silver

By Native American Art

Located in Denver, CO

This vintage Southwestern Native American cuff bracelet, crafted by a Pueblo artisan circa 1915, is a striking example of early Old Pawn jewelry. Made...

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Early 20th Century Native American Brazilian Native American Objects

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Silver

Pair of Vintage Indigenous American Inuit Mukluks or Boots

$995 / set

H 16.25 in W 4.5 in D 12 in

Pair of Vintage Indigenous American Inuit Mukluks or Boots

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This pair of vintage Inuit mukluks are presumed to have been made in Canada in circa 1950 in the Indigenous American Folk Art style. The upper portions a...

Category

Mid-20th Century Native American Brazilian Native American Objects

Materials

Fur, Leather, Wool

Paiute Burden Basket

$345

H 6 in Dm 16 in

Paiute Burden Basket

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Paiute burden basket with harness leather handles. Much used, well cared for, in use repairs on bottom. Collected White River Nevada, Duck Water Band. ...

Category

Late 19th Century Native American Antique Brazilian Native American Objects

Materials

Other

Fine Vintage Laguna Pot Native American Pueblo

$309

H 5.12 in W 6.7 in D 6.7 in

Fine Vintage Laguna Pot Native American Pueblo

Located in London, GB

Fine Vintage Laguna Pot Native American Pueblo Finely painted in linear geometric designs Period 1970s signed on base R Reano Condition Good

Category

20th Century Brazilian Native American Objects

Materials

Pottery

A Rare Papua New Guinea Kukukuku 'Pineapple' Stone War Club, Eastern Highlands

$2,200

H 4.5 in W 26 in D 4.5 in

A Rare Papua New Guinea Kukukuku 'Pineapple' Stone War Club, Eastern Highlands

Located in Ottawa, Ontario

This rare antique Kukukuku (pronounced "cookah-cookah") war club is from the remote Morobe Province located within the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. The head is carved from...

Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Brazilian Native American Objects

Materials

Stone

Jicarilla Lidded Storage Basket

$3,500

H 23 in Dm 15 in

Jicarilla Lidded Storage Basket

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Jicarilla-Mescale storage/waste basket with lid and handles. Used but stable condition. Fading outside, original design and colors seen on inside...

Category

Late 19th Century Native American Antique Brazilian Native American Objects

Materials

Other

Signed Northwest Coast Killer Whale Mask, Attributed to Johnny Johns

$5,450

H 8.25 in W 6.5 in D 4.5 in

Signed Northwest Coast Killer Whale Mask, Attributed to Johnny Johns

Located in Denver, CO

This striking hand-carved wooden mask from the Pacific Northwest Coast powerfully embodies the rich artistic traditions and cultural symbolism of Indigenous coastal peoples. Featurin...

Category

Mid-20th Century Native American Brazilian Native American Objects

Materials

Wood, Bentwood

Native North American Indian Indigenous Southwest Navajo or Yokuts Woven Basket

$895

H 3 in Dm 11 in

Native North American Indian Indigenous Southwest Navajo or Yokuts Woven Basket

Located in Studio City, CA

A wonderful, beautifully designed/decorated and executed Native North American Indian hand woven oval shaped basket made of natural organic materials/fibers. The piece is quite a st...

Category

20th Century Native American Brazilian Native American Objects

Materials

Natural Fiber, Organic Material

Native American Indian Large Shipibo-Conibo Peruvian Amazon Pottery Jar Vase

$1,395

H 12 in Dm 15 in

Native American Indian Large Shipibo-Conibo Peruvian Amazon Pottery Jar Vase

Located in Studio City, CA

A wonderful geometric patterned and designed hand painted and glazed Native American large earthenware jar/vase/pot made by the Shipibo-Conibo people, an indigenous people along the ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Brazilian Native American Objects

Materials

Earthenware, Pottery, Paint

19th C. Plains Native American Roach Headdress, Deer & Porcupine Hair

$3,750

H 11.25 in W 4.5 in D 18.75 in

19th C. Plains Native American Roach Headdress, Deer & Porcupine Hair

By Native American Art

Located in Denver, CO

This exceptional 19th-century Plains Indian roach headdress is a rare and visually striking example of traditional Native American ceremonial regalia. ...

Category

19th Century Native American Antique Brazilian Native American Objects

Materials

Fur

Panamint Shouldered Basket

$2,875

H 7.5 in Dm 5 in

Panamint Shouldered Basket

By Native American Art

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Panamint shouldered basket with three butterflies. 7 1/2" x 5" Period: First quarter 20th century Origin: Panamint Size: 7 1/2" x 5". Family Owned & Operated Cisco’s Gallery ...

Category

Early 20th Century Native American Brazilian Native American Objects

Materials

Other

Previously Available Items

Kayapo Small Feather Headdress, Akkakry-Re

Sold

H 29.93 in W 22.45 in D 1.58 in

Kayapo Small Feather Headdress, Akkakry-Re

Located in Amsterdam, NL

A Kayapó small feather headdress, Àkkàkry-Re First half of the 20th century The Kayapo´ tribe lives along the lower ranges of the Xingu River in the state of Mato Grosso, Centr...

Category

Early 20th Century Native American Brazilian Native American Objects

Materials

Rope, Feathers

Kayapo-Xikrin Upé Long Hoop Feather Headdress, Akkati, Indigenous Brazil

Sold

H 39.77 in W 26.78 in D 1.58 in

Kayapo-Xikrin Upé Long Hoop Feather Headdress, Akkati, Indigenous Brazil

Located in Amsterdam, NL

A Kayapó-Xikrin Tribe Long Hoop Headdress, Àkkàti First half of the 20th century Worn on the back suspended from the forehead by a tump-line, these are made of small white egr...

Category

Early 20th Century Native American Brazilian Native American Objects

Materials

Other

Tapirapé Upé Enemy Warrior Feather Mask headdress, Indigenous Brazil

Sold

H 24.02 in W 21.26 in D 1.58 in

Tapirapé Upé Enemy Warrior Feather Mask headdress, Indigenous Brazil

Located in Amsterdam, NL

A Tapirapé Upé (ENEMY WARRIOR) mask First half of the 20th century Now worn during harvest festivals, these semi-circular wooden masks representing a spirit, are made of blue, yellow and scarlet macaw feathers affixed to a wood panel with beeswax. They have a split border into which a fringe, the spirit’s headdress, is inserted. The fringing feather diadem “unzips” for separate storage. The central cross of blue and yellow is derived from the colors of the Brazilian flag...

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