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Brazilian Furniture

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 NiemeyerSergio Rodrigues and José Zanine Caldas as well as such European immigrants as Joaquim TenreiroJean 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 rosewoodjacaranda 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 chairssofastables and more.

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Place of Origin: Brazilian
Creator: Percival Lafer
Pair of Mid-Century Brazilian Rosewood End Tables by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in North Miami, FL
Pair of rosewood end tables with smoked glass plateaus designed by Percival Lafer - Brazil 1960's. Original label on this piece is visible in detail pics and video.
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Smoked Glass, Rosewood

"MP-29" Coffee Table, by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
By Percival Lafer
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The MP-29 coffee table, created by renowned architect and designer Percival Lafer in the 1960s, is a stunning piece that was initially designed for whole a set including a three-seat...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Iron

Pair of MP-51 Armchairs by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century
By Percival Lafer
Located in Whitstable, GB
A rare model of armchair by Percival Lafer, our stunning pair of MP-51 have their structure entirely made out of solid Jatobá wood - Brazilian cherry. The seat base has been redone with new natural leather straps. These straps are part of the overall aesthetics of the piece. The wood on both chairs has been sanded and matt varnished, revealing the beautiful colour and grain of Jatobá. The wood surfaces look stunning. The chairs have a new brown natural leather upholstery, done in Brazil. These MP51 are very comfortable, and ours are in excellent condition. We have two chairs available. A common trait amongst Lafer pieces is that they are very comfortable and also unique: they have a hard-achieved simplicity about them. Lafer studied architecture at São Paulo’s Universidade Mackenzie. After he graduated, his father passed away suddenly, leaving a furniture business that Lafer took over with his brothers. Lafer then made the jump from architecture to furniture design in 1961, putting a focus on thoughtfully designed pieces available at affordable prices. In the same year he introduced the amazing MP-1 chair, a plush piece of furniture made with iron and wood- and since then has had a prolific career. The silhouettes of his lounge chairs, armchairs and other seating were were a step away from the streamlined American and European mid-century modernism being designed at the time, taking on casual, puffed forms thanks to the use of polyurethane layers as padding. He combined such contemporary industrial materials with local natural ones, namely Brazilian hardwoods, which delighted customers around the world as Lafer became one of the country’s leading exporters of furniture. Lafer has continued to design furniture throughout his career, branching into sofas, tables and lighting. He was at the forefront of mechanical furniture movements, debuting the MP-7 sofa...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Leather, Hardwood

Brazilian Sidetable Rosewood by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Vienna, AT
A punchy sidetable designed by Percival Lafer, Brazil, 1960. A firm and heavy object, upholstered with black leather and completed with a deep seated glass top. Additionally this str...
Category

1960s Brutalist Vintage Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

'MP-79' Center Table, by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Design
By Percival Lafer
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The MP79 center table, designed by the illustrious Percival Lafer, stands as a paragon of mid-century modern Brazilian design, reflecting an era where functionality met elegance in a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Limestone

"MP-79" Coffee Table, by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
By Percival Lafer
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This beautiful MP-97 coffee table, made of solid Jatobá wood, is another great example of the imaginative and innovative mind of designer and architect Percival Lafer. With its iconi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Wood

Poltrona reclinabile vintage anni '70/'80, di Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Manzano, IT
Poltrona reclinabile vintage anni '70/'80, di Percival Lafer Stile Vintage Periodo di progettazione Dal 1970 al 1979 Periodo di produzione Dal 1970 al 1979 Anno di produzione 1970 P...
Category

1970s Vintage Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Leather

Vintage Percival Lafer Rosewood and Glass Coffee Table
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates, Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin, Percival Lafer
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century rectangular coffee table designed by Percival Lafer, circa 1970s. The base of the table is made from sculpted Brazilian rosewood. Rosewood known for being especially rich...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Glass, Smoked Glass, Wood, Rosewood

Sofa MP-163, by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Design
By Percival Lafer
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Crafted by the renowned master Percival Lafer in 1970, this exceptional piece of furniture boasts a striking and comfortable design. Its clean lines and unique details, such as elega...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Steel

'MP- 51' Coffee Table in Marble, by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
By Percival Lafer
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The MP-51 coffee table, designed by Percival Lafer, is a quintessential piece that showcases the elegance and timeless appeal of Brazilian mid-century modern design. It is a fine rep...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Marble

Percival Lafer MP-131 Lounge Chair
By Percival Lafer
Located in Oakland, CA
Uncommon MP-131 lounge chair, designed by celebrated Brazilian designer, Percival Lafer. Made in Brazil in the 1970s, the chair features a sculptural leather seat rests upon a leath...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Leather, Jacaranda

Percival Lafer, Side Tables, Wood, Marble, Brazil, 1985
By Percival Lafer
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of wood and marble side tables, model MP-85, designed and produced by Percival Lafer, Brazil, c. 1985. Dimensions: 13.75” H x 27.3” W x 25.125” D
Category

1980s Vintage Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Marble

'MP-85' Side Table, by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
By Percival Lafer
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This pair of MP-85 side tables embodies the essential qualities of mid-century modern Brazilian design, a period known for its innovative use of materials and clean, geometric lines....
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Marble

Vintage Percival Lafer Side Tables - a Pair
By Milo Baughman, Lane Furniture, Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates, Percival Lafer
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century square shaped side tables designed by Percival Lafer, circa 1970s. The base of the tables are made from sculpted Brazilian rosewood. Rosewood known for being especially r...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of Percival Lafer Coffee Table Brazilian Rosewood Exotic Wood Mosaic
By Percival Lafer
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Percival Lafer coffee tables with glass tops over rosewood hardwood mosaic.  
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Rosewood

Set of 4 Brazilian Modern Strapped Leather Ottomans MP-145 by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 Brazilian modern strapped leather ottomans MP-145 by Percival Lafer. Tagged and referenced in the Percival Lafer monograph. 2 pairs (4 total) are available.
Category

1970s Modern Vintage Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Leather, Upholstery

Pair of MP-29 Armchair
By Percival Lafer
Located in Barra Funda, SP
The armchair MP29 by Percival Lafer (1960s) is a modernist statement piece. Provides a modern aesthetic and structural support. Luxurious Wood rosewood, a classic Lafer material. Up...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Jacaranda

MP-091 Percival Lafer Lounger/ Armchair
By Percival Lafer
Located in North Miami, FL
An original MP-091 lounger by Percival Lafer in Brazilian cherry and with original dowels and leather straps. Re-upholstered by previous owner in red ...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Leather, Cherry

Percival Lafer, Coffee Table, Patchwork Wood, c. 1970
By Percival Lafer
Located in PARIS, FR
This exceptional coffee table by Percival Lafer is a striking example of 1970s design, seamlessly blending natural materials with contemporary finishes. The tabletop, crafted from an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Glass, Hardwood

Percival Lafer Brutalist Style End Table
By Lafer, Percival Lafer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This impressive Brazilian hardwood coffee table features a brutalist style sculpted top with a mix of woods for a sculptural design with a protective glass top. By Lafer Design of Brazil, this Percival Lafer design...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Jacaranda

Percival Lafer Pair of Coffee Tables, circa 1960
By Percival Lafer
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Pair of coffee tables designed by Pecival Lafer, circa 1960. Manufactured in Brazil. Jacaranda slat wood. In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and us...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Wood, Glass

Percival Lafer Mp-5 lounge chairs pair Brazil 1961
By Percival Lafer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare pair of MP-5  lounge chairs designed by Percival Lafer and manufactured by Lafer MP, Brazil 1961. Steel structures covered with Caviuna. Reupholstered in a grey mixed fabric to ...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Metal

Percival Lafer “MP-41” Living Room Set for Lafer MP, 1972, Set of 3
By Percival Lafer
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Percival Lafer “MP-41” living room set for Lafer MP, wood and cognac leather, Brazil, 1972, set of 3 The “MP-41” living room set by Percival Lafer, composed of a sofa and two armcha...
Category

1970s Post-Modern Vintage Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Percival Lafer MCM Brazilian Rosewood and Smoked Glass Side End Table - Pair
By Percival Lafer
Located in Countryside, IL
Percival Lafer Mid Century Brazilian Rosewood and Smoked Glass Side End Table - Pair Each table measures: 21.5 wide x 23.5 deep x 12.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be ha...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Furniture

Materials

Smoked Glass, Rosewood

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