Brazilian Modern Bench in Hardwood by Geraldo de Barros for Hobjeto, 1970’s
About the Item
- Creator:Geraldo de Barros (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 13 in (33 cm)Width: 39.38 in (100 cm)Depth: 22.45 in (57 cm)Seat Height: 13 in (33 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
Geraldo de Barros
Although best known for his photography, Geraldo de Barros was an important contributor to the canon of mid-century modern furniture design and was one of Brazil’s most influential multidisciplinary artists.
Born in 1923 in Chavantes, São Paulo, de Barros began his artistic career as a painter before discovering a passion for photography in the 1940s. In 1950, he found fame with his successful “Fotoformas” exhibition held at the Museu de Arte de São Paulo, which led to a scholarship from the French government to study in that country.
In the early 1950s, de Barros traveled throughout Europe, including Switzerland, where he met Bauhaus graduate Max Bill. At the time, Bill was collaborating with the Scholl Foundation on developing a design institute in Ulm, Germany, that combined Bauhaus tradition with emerging technical elements in design practice. Bill invited de Barros to visit the institute, where he became influenced by Bill’s philosophy of Gute Form — the belief that carefully designed objects could bring artistic values into homes.
Upon his return to São Paulo, de Barros delved into furniture design. Along with engineer Justino Cardoso, metalworker Antônio Thereza, and a Dominican priest, Friar João Batista Pereira dos Santos, he founded the furniture company and Christian cooperative Unilabor, in 1954, on the outskirts of São Paulo.
As the firm’s chief designer, de Barros incorporated the concept of Concrete art into many of his pieces, particularly his armchairs. His dining room chairs, bookcases, coffee tables, cabinets and desks were also designed with straight lines, sobriety and functionality in mind and made with natural materials such as rosewood, jacaranda and iron. Given that it was more of a cooperative with a social mission than it was a manufacturer, Unilabor paid well and offered innovative modular furniture by way of de Barros-designed components that were produced serially to be used in the construction of complete furnishings.
Despite Unilabor’s success, the company ran into economic difficulties and eventually closed. Undaunted, de Barros founded another furniture company in 1964 — Hobjeto Indústria e Comércio de Móveis — where he focused on progressive furniture design with more geometric shapes.
During the 1960s, de Barros continued with furniture design and, as a painter, became interested in Pop art and abstract movements, founding influential groups such as Grupo 15, Galeria Rex and Grupo Ruptura.
In the 1990s, de Barros returned to his career as a photographer until his death in 1998. De Barros’s furniture was shown at several exhibitions during the 1950s and 1960s, including the Exposição Nacional de Arte Concreta in São Paulo in 1956 and the Konkrete Kunst exhibition in Zurich in 1960. His photographs and paintings have also been exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Geraldo de Barros seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Brazilian Modern Table in Hardwood by Geraldo de Barros for Hobjeto Brazil 1972By Geraldo de BarrosLocated in New York, NYAvailable today, I love everything about this Midcentury Modern Circular Dining Table in Hardwood by Geraldo de Barros. This hardwood, m...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsHardwood
- Brazilian Modern Phone in Table in Hardwood & Steel, Geraldo de Barros, BrazilBy Geraldo de BarrosLocated in New York, NYAvailable today, with free domestic (US) shipping included, this super cute Brazilian Modern Phone Table in Hardwood & Steel designed by Geraldo de Barros in Brazil during the 50s is...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsMetal
- Brazilian Modern Desk in Cerejera Hardwood, Geraldo de Barros, 1970s BrazilBy Geraldo de BarrosLocated in New York, NYAvailable now, this Mid-Century Modern Desk designed by Geraldo de Barros for Hobjeto is is gorgeous! The desk is entirely made in Cerejera wood and features two floating drawers...Category
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsHardwood
- Brazilian Modern Chest in Hardwood & Brass by Geraldo de Barros, 1950s, BrazilBy Geraldo de BarrosLocated in New York, NYAvailable today, this Mid-Century Modern chest of drawers made in Hardwood designed by Geraldo de Barros for Unilabor in the fifties is a very rare FIND and is gorgeous! The chest...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Dra...
MaterialsBrass
- Brazilian Modern Sideboard in Hardwood and Metal by Geraldo de Barros, BrazilBy Geraldo de BarrosLocated in New York, NYSize: H 30 x W 41 x 16” This sleek sideboard was designed by Geraldo de Barros during his time at Unilabor. This piece showcases many of Barros’ designs characteristics such as the ...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsMetal
- Brazilian Modern Armchairs in Metal, Hardwood & Boucle, Geraldo de BarrosBy Geraldo de BarrosLocated in New York, NYAvailable today, these Brazilian Modern armchairs designed by Geraldo de Barros are nothing less than gorgeous. These timeless armchairs were designed by Geraldo de Barros for his ...Category
Mid-20th Century South American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Geraldo de Barros By Hobjeto, Bench/ Coffee Table, c. 1960By Geraldo de BarrosLocated in PARIS, FRThis solid wood bench/coffee table by Geraldo de Barros for "Hobjeto" is a good example of the state of mind of Brazilian modernist designers. Its clean lines are resolutely modern, ...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsHardwood
- Tubular Armchair by Geraldo de Barros for Hobjeto, Brazil, 1970sBy Geraldo de BarrosLocated in Brasília, BRTubular armchair designed by Geraldo de Barros for Hobjeto in the 70s. Made from black lacquered metal. This is the perfect piece for a collector. The cushions are original. They bea...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Geraldo de Barros BenchBy Geraldo de BarrosLocated in Washington, DCLong bench designed by Geraldo De Barros, considered one of the most important artists and designers In Brazilian Modernism.Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsWood
- Pair of chairs by Geraldo de Barros for Hobjeto, Brazil, 1970sBy Geraldo de BarrosLocated in Brasília, BRPair of chairs designed by Geraldo de Barros for Hobjeto in the 70s. Made from black lacquered veneer plywood. Fully restored and upholstered in a beige bouclé fabric. SEATING PAI...Category
Mid-20th Century South American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Bench by Geraldo de Barros, 1956By Geraldo de BarrosLocated in Barcelona, ESBench Manufactured by Unilabor Brazil, 1956 Jacaranda wood, upholstery Measurements 190 cm x 93 cm x 79h cm 74,8 in x 36,61 in x 31,10h in Details Unique piece comissioned by priva...Category
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Benches
MaterialsUpholstery, Jacaranda
- Small Bench with Rounded Edges, Geraldo de Barros, Brazilian Mid-Century DesignBy Geraldo de BarrosLocated in Sao Paulo, SPConstructed from a richly grained hardwood, the bench features a series of individual, smoothly finished wooden slats laid out horizontally to form the seating surface. The slats are...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsHardwood