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.
Set of 3 Aro Mirrors by Leandro Garcia Contemporary Brazil Design
By Leandro Garcia
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 Aro Mirrors by Leandro Garcia Contemporary Brazil Design Dimensions: H 25 x 5.6 x L 32 cm H 35 x 5.6 x L 42 cm H 55 x 5.6 x L 68 cm Materials: Light, medium, dark or reddish...
Brass
Aro Mirror 25 by Leandro Garcia Contemporary Brazil Design
By Leandro Garcia
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Aro mirror 25 by Leandro Garcia Contemporary Brazil Design Dimensions: H 25 x 5.6 cm Final mirror length considering spheres: L 32 cm Materials: Light, medium, dark or reddish tauari wood frame and background Silver mirror Without polished brass spheres - sold separately. Available in H 35, 45, 55, Oval. The initial idea for the Aro Mirror came during the social project “Mãos em Ação” (“Hands in Action”), a realization of Instituto Campana in partnership with Ôda Design Club, produced by Consuelo Cornelsen and mentoring by Humberto Campana. Later developed, Aro Mirror has a thick round-section solid wooden frame forming a circle or an ellipse. Embedded to it is the mirrored surface. Each side edge of the frame receives a solid metal sphere that can be used as a hanger. Available in several dimensions, Aro Mirror still allows to form sets through the metal spheres, which this time connect the pieces in sequence and create different compositions Leandro Garcia Contrary to a general trend of large-scale production and homogenization, he develops unique and exclusive designs. His creative process claims on rational and functional solutions that explore the essence of shapes in the conception of the object and/or space. Leandro Garcia seeks to develop a timeless aesthetic, which translates into the disposal of excess and the exploration of primordial spatial matters such as proportion, light and shadow, materials and textures. The detail is essential, being directly connected to the design artwork. Architect and urban-planer graduated from the university “Universidade do Grande ABC (UniABC)”, Leandro Garcia began his studies in the area over 25 years ago, when attended technical school in Civil Engineering Drawing...
Wood
Set of 2 Aro Mirrors by Leandro Garcia Contemporary Brazil Design
By Leandro Garcia
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 5 Aro mirrors by Leandro Garcia contemporary Brazil design Dimensions: H 25 x 5.6 x L 32 cm H 55 x 5.6 x L 68 cm Materials: Light, medium, dark or reddish tauari wood frame...
Brass
Set of 4 Aro Mirrors by Leandro Garcia Contemporary Brazil Design
By Leandro Garcia
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 Aro mirrors by Leandro Garcia contemporary Brazil design Dimensions: H 25 x 5.6 x L 32 cm H 35 x 5.6 x L 42 cm H 55 x 5.6 x L68 cm H 55 x 5.6 x L 62 cm Materials: Light...
Brass
Set of 5 Aro Mirrors by Leandro Garcia Contemporary Brazil Design
By Leandro Garcia
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 5 Aro mirrors by Leandro Garcia Contemporary Brazil design Dimensions: H 25 x 5.6 x l 32 cm H 35 x 5.6 x l 42 cm H 45 x 5.6 x l 52 cm H 55 x 5.6 x l 62 cm H 55 x 5.6 x l 6...
Brass
Aro Mirror 45 by Leandro Garcia Contemporary Brazil Design
By Leandro Garcia
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Aro mirror 45 by Leandro Garcia Contemporary Brazil Design Dimensions: H 45 x 5.6 cm Final mirror length considering spheres: L 52 cm Materials: light, medium, dark or redd...
Wood
Aro Mirror 55 by Leandro Garcia Contemporary Brazil Design
By Leandro Garcia
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Aro mirror 55 by Leandro Garcia contemporary Brazil design Dimensions: H 55 x 5.6 cm Final mirror length considering spheres: L 62 cm Materials: Light, medium, dark or reddish tauari wood frame and background Silver mirror Without polished brass spheres. Available in H 35, 45, 55, oval. The initial idea for the Aro Mirror came during the social project “Mãos em Ação” (“Hands in Action”), a realization of Instituto Campana in partnership with Ôda Design Club, produced by Consuelo Cornelsen and mentoring by Humberto Campana. Later developed, Aro Mirror has a thick round-section solid wooden frame forming a circle or an ellipse. Embedded to it is the mirrored surface. Each side edge of the frame receives a solid metal sphere that can be used as a hanger. Available in several dimensions, Aro Mirror still allows to form sets through the metal spheres, which this time connect the pieces in sequence and create different compositions Leandro Garcia Contrary to a general trend of large-scale production and homogenization, he develops unique and exclusive designs. His creative process claims on rational and functional solutions that explore the essence of shapes in the conception of the object and/or space. Leandro Garcia seeks to develop a timeless aesthetic, which translates into the disposal of excess and the exploration of primordial spatial matters such as proportion, light and shadow, materials and textures. The detail is essential, being directly connected to the design artwork. Architect and urban-planer graduated from the university “Universidade do Grande ABC (UniABC)”, Leandro Garcia began his studies in the area over 25 years ago, when attended technical school in Civil Engineering...
Wood
Aro Mirror 35 by Leandro Garcia Contemporary Brazil Design
By Leandro Garcia
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Aro Mirror 35 by Leandro Garcia Contemporary Brazil Design Dimensions: h 35 x 5.6 cm Final mirror length considering spheres: L 42 cm Materials: Light, medium, dark or reddish...
Wood
Mirror 'OKO 120' in Polished Stainless Steel by Zieta (in stock)
By Zieta, Oskar Zieta
Located in Paris, IDF
"OKO 120 contemporary mirror by Zieta (New model from 2020 collection) Stainless steel Measures: 120 x 6 cm. Zieta is best known for his collection of ...
Stainless Steel
$2,103 / item
H 2.37 in Dm 37.41 in
Contemporary Mirror 'Rondo 95' in Polished Stainless Steel by Zieta (in stock)
By Zieta
Located in Paris, IDF
"Rondo" contemporary mirror by Zieta Original Zieta mirror, delivered with certificate. Stainless steel Custom size: 95 cm diameter, 6 cm depth Zieta...
Stainless Steel
$18,300 / set
H 50 in W 38 in D 3 in
Pair of Regency Style Dolphin Giltwood and Parcel Ebonized Convex Mirrors
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A pair of Regency style giltwood and parcel-ebonized convex dolphin mirrors from the 21st century. Each mirror presents a distressed convex round mirror...
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
$4,010 / item
H 1.97 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Constellation Mirror in Shagreen Shell & Bronze-Patina Brass by Kifu Paris
By Kifu Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
$9,762 / set
H 47.25 in W 47.25 in D 3.15 in
A Pair of Vernazza 120 cms / 47" Silver Antiqued Convex Mirrors.
Located in Farnham, GB
A Pair of Vernazza Antiqued Convex Wall Mirror (sold separately if requested) Artistry in Reflection The Vernazza mirror embodies timeless elegance, combining the optical precision...
Mirror
$4,010 / item
H 1.97 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Constellation Mirror in Shagreen Shell & Bronze-Patina Brass by Kifu Paris
By Kifu Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
$1,721 / item
H 29.53 in W 29.53 in D 2.37 in
Contemporary Mirror 'Rondo 75' in Polished Stainless Steel by Zieta, In Stock
By Zieta
Located in Paris, IDF
"Rondo 75" contemporary mirror by Zieta Stainless steel 75 cm diameter, 6 cm depth .... Zieta is best known for his collection of stools “Plopp” made through the technologist FIDU....
Stainless Steel
Distressed Bronze and Silver Concave Mirror
Located in London, GB
A concave mirror in distressed bronze colour with a silver distressed convex mirror to centre. Frameless, held in place by 4 clips and secured at he back with a circular fitting and ...
Mirror
Contemporary Black Concave Curve Mirror, Italy
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Contemporary curve concave sculpture black wall mirror, brass structure. Artisanal handmade work made by a small italian design workshop using the old style mercurization technic. s...
Brass
Contemporary Pink Champagne Concave Curve Mirror, Italy
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Contemporary curve concave pink champagne wall mirror, brass structure. Artisanal handmade work made by a small italian design workshop using the o...
Brass
Contemporary Concave Curve Gold Bronze Mirror, Italy
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Contemporary curve concave gold bronze wall mirror, brass structure. Artisanal handmade work made by a small italian design workshop using the old style mercurization technic. stand...
Brass
Carved Giltwood Mirror
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful Large Venetian Rococo style carved gilt wood mirror. Measures: Height 60 cm. Width 38 cm. Depth 10 cm.
Wood, Giltwood
Aro Mirror 25 by Leandro Garcia Contemporary Brazil Design
By Leandro Garcia
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Aro mirror 25 by Leandro Garcia Contemporary Brazil Design Dimensions: H 25 x 5.6 cm Final mirror length considering spheres: L 32 cm Materials: Light, medium, dark or redd...
Wood
Aro Mirror 55 by Leandro Garcia Contemporary Brazil Design
By Leandro Garcia
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Aro mirror 55 by Leandro Garcia contemporary Brazil design Dimensions: H 55 x 5.6 cm Final mirror length considering spheres: L 62 cm Materials: Light, medium, dark or reddi...
Wood