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.
Modern Organic Style Collana Armchair in Solid Wood, Leather Flexible Seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
THE COLLANA SERIES – WHERE ARTISTRY MEETS COMFORT IN EVERY CURVE." THE ARMCHAIRS The Collana armchairs are a celebration of refined design and unparalleled comfort. Crafted to elev...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Modern Organic style armchair in Solid Wood, Upholstered Flexible Seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
THE COLLANA SERIES – WHERE ARTISTRY MEETS COMFORT IN EVERY CURVE." THE ARMCHAIRS The Collana armchairs are a celebration of refined design and unparalleled comfort. Crafted to elev...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Modern Organic style armchair in Solid Wood, Upholstered Flexible Seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
THE COLLANA SERIES – WHERE ARTISTRY MEETS COMFORT IN EVERY CURVE." THE ARMCHAIRS The Collana armchairs are a celebration of refined design and unparalleled comfort. Crafted to elev...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Modern Organic Style Collana Armchair in Solid Wood, Leather Flexible Seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
THE COLLANA SERIES – WHERE ARTISTRY MEETS COMFORT IN EVERY CURVE." THE ARMCHAIRS The Collana armchairs are a celebration of refined design and unparalleled comfort. Crafted to elev...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Cabaça Ottoman +55design Inspired by Brazilian Sertão Symbolism
By Nildo José
Located in Jardim America, SP
The Cabaça Ottoman was created as the perfect companion to the Cabaça Armchair, the inaugural furniture piece by Studio NJ+, designed by Brazilian architect Nildo José. Drawing inspi...
Leather
Pair of Ottomans by Celina Decorações, Rosewood and Fabric Upholstery, Brazil
By Celina Decoracoes
Located in Lisboa, PT
Pair of rosewood ottomans by Celina Decorações, Brazil, 1960s. Each pairs a solid jacaranda frame with a fabric cushion top — a compact, versatile form that works as a footstool, ext...
Fabric, Wood
Modern Organic Style Armchair and Foot Stool in Solid Wood, Upholstered Seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
THE COLLANA SERIES – WHERE ARTISTRY MEETS COMFORT IN EVERY CURVE." THE ARMCHAIRS The Collana armchairs are a celebration of refined design and unparalleled comfort. Crafted to elev...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Stool Handcrafted in Brazilian Hardwood by Ricardo Graham Ferreira
By Ricardo Graham Ferreira
Located in Nova Friburgo, RJ
'Aragonez do Cerrado' is a handcrafted wooden stool designed by Ricardo Graham. It was inspired by the beautiful Brazilian Cerrado region with a poetic touch the medieval Spain...
Hardwood
Vale Ottoman in Brazilian Hardwood – Minimalist Design with Slender Wood Frame
By Roberta Banqueri
Located in Jardim America, SP
This refined ottoman, crafted from Brazilian certified hardwood, complements the matching Vale lounge chair or stands beautifully on its own as a versatile accent piece. Featuring a ...
Leather, Hardwood
"Encilhaço" Stool, Inês Schertel, Brazilian Contemporary Design
By Inês Schertel
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Full of personality, in order to create unique pieces, mixing ancient techniques for treating sheep wool with contemporary design and innovation, Inês Schertel...
Wool, Wood
$1,188 / item
H 15.95 in W 17.33 in D 17.33 in
Drova 4 Pouf in Woolland Fabric by Dmytro Kozinenko — Firewood-Inspired Ottoman
By Dmitriy Kozinenko
Located in Kyiv, UA
The structure of the Drova pouf is a story told in four upholstered logs, stacked on top of each other the way firewood is stacked near a fireplace. Designer Dmytro Kozinenko borrowe...
Steel
Stool Vincent Vincent "80/20" Burnt Wood Organic Modern - VV112
By Vincent Vincent
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Danke galerie is pleased to present the latest creation of the cabinetmaker Vincent Vincent. This Ethnic inspired stool in solid beech wood will bring a ...
Beech
From $1,630 / item
+ 1 moreH 16.75 in W 19.63 in D 15.75 in
Cluster Stool in Carved, Solid Wood by Craig Bassam
By BassamFellows
Located in Ridgefield, CT
Some of the most innovative, powerful design takes its strength from its sculptural elements. In certain cases, it is a sense of fragility that offers impact. At other times it is the imposing, muscular heft of the object that strikes a chord, a strong sense of presence. There have been many influential pieces of design from the last 100 years that have come from a utilitarian place. The Bassam Fellows...
Wood
$580
H 6.3 in W 13.39 in D 13.39 in
Organic Modern Turned Wood and Rope Footstool in the Style of Charlotte Perriand
By Pierre Jeanneret, Axel Vervoordt, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Valencia, VC
Organic Modern Turned Wood and Rope Footstool in the Style of Charlotte Perriand A charming turned wood and handwoven natural fiber rope footstool, rooted in the organic modern trad...
Rope, Organic Material, Wood
$29,400 / set
H 26.58 in W 35.83 in D 28.98 in
Pair of Rosewood Armchairs by Celina Decorações, Brazilian Midcentury, 1960s
By Celina Decoracoes
Located in New York, NY
Brazilian company Celina Decorações, based in Rio de Janeiro, signed one of the most modern lines of Brazilian furniture in the 1960s. These armchairs in Rosewood have loose cushion...
Rosewood, Silk
$42,000 / set
H 36.62 in W 18.9 in D 21.26 in
Set of 10 Rosewood Dining Chairs, Celina Decorações, Brazilian Midcentury, 1960s
By Celina Decoracoes
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous set is composed of ten chairs produced by the Brazilian company Celina Decorações in the 1960s. Chairs are made of solid Rosewood, with seats and backs upholstered with 100% Organic Silk fabric from our collection Bossa Fabrics. The restoration process followed historical references published in magazines from the period. Celina Decorações signed one of the most modern lines of Brazilian furniture in the 1960s. Based in Rio de Janeiro, the Celina Decorações factory imposed high-quality standards, maintaining handcrafted characteristics. With a color pallet rooted in natural shades, our Fabric collection tells a bit about Brazilian biodiversity through raw and natural materials and artisanal processes. This fabric color was made using Mango tree...
Wood, Silk
$21,000
H 29.93 in W 88.9 in D 31.5 in
Brazilian Rosewood Sofa by Celina Decorações, Midcentury Brazilian Design, 1960s
By Celina Decoracoes
Located in New York, NY
This sofa was produced by the Brazilian company Celina Decorações in the 1960s. The sofa is made of solid Rosewood, with seats and backs upholstered with a gorgeous fabric 100% Organ...
Silk, Rosewood
$1,188 / item
H 16.15 in W 17.33 in D 17.33 in
Drova 4 Ottoman by Dmytro Kozinenko — Upholstered Pouf Inspired by Firewood
By Dmitriy Kozinenko
Located in Kyiv, UA
Drova means firewood — and this pouf is exactly that: four soft upholstered logs, stacked the way firewood is stacked near a fireplace, waiting to warm somebody. Designer Dmytro Kozi...
Fabric, Plywood, Foam
$671 / set
H 10.63 in W 25.2 in D 11.42 in
PAIR OF VERSACE ITALY 2003 ILIAN RACHOV DESiGNED OTTOMAN FOOTSTOOLS
By Versace Home Collection
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this extremely well made pair of Ilian Rachov Designed for Versace Italy Footstools which are part of a huge...
Chrome
$1,218 / item
H 16.93 in Dm 19.3 in
Organic nature-inspired brushed brass COM Figueroa ottoman by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Located in the sunny California, the charming Figueroa Mountain is a magical landscape that led to the creation of the Figueroa stool. The exquisite sto...
Brass
$3,390 / item
H 29.34 in W 29.14 in D 30.52 in
Customizable Modern Armchair Guerrero, Solid wood, Upholstery and Leather.
By Comité de Proyectos
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
The Guerrero armchair is a favorite best seller since it was first designed in 2015. A great piece for a small waiting area, it’s so comfortable that it also makes for a perfect read...
Hardwood
$2,760
H 33.08 in W 28.75 in D 31.5 in
Brutalist Sculptural Armchair, Solid Burnt Oak Wood, Organic, Logniture
By Logniture
Located in Stara Gradiška, HR
Step into the realm of bold, uncompromising design with the Logniture Brutalist Sculptural Armchair—a true masterpiece in solid burnt oak wood. This one-of-a-kind armchair is not jus...
Wood, Oak
Sold
H 14.57 in W 16.34 in D 16.34 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of "Magrini" Stools by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazil, 1960s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Pair of "Magrini" Stools by brazilian designer Sergio Rodrigues, Brazil, 1960s This 1963 creation by the renowned Brazilian designer Sergio Rodrigues is structure...
Wood
Sold
H 29.1 in W 35.4 in D 33.5 in
Brazilian Modern Mole Armchair & Stool Hardwood & Leather Sergio Rodrigues 1957
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this Mid-Century Modern “Mole” armchair with stool in Hardwood & Leather by Sergio Rodrigues designed in 1957 is absolutely gorgeous! ...
Leather, Hardwood
Armchair and Ottoman, by Rino Levi, Brazil, 1960s
By Rino Levi
Located in Whitstable, GB
Solid wood armchair and ottoman, by Rino Levi. Brazil, 1960s Manufactured by Móveis Ambiente. A perfectly balanced armchair, masterly executed. Stun...
Fabric, Hardwood
Palafitas Bench
By Maria Fernanda Paes de Barros
Located in Jundiaí, SP
Limited edition of unique pieces - Each piece has it's on drawing. The Palafitas Bench was first presented at MADE – Mercado, Arte, Design 2019 in São Paulo, Brazil and is par...
Straw, Wood
Sold
H 31 in W 35 in D 37 in
LOUNGE Chair and Ottoman , Rosewood & Leather by Jean Gillon, Brazil, 1960
By Jean Gillon
Located in Buffalo, NY
Brazilian Jangada Rosewood & Leather Sling Chair with Ottoman by Jean Gillon Wonderful lounge chair and ottoman designed by Jean Gillon for I...
Leather, Rosewood
Pair of Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jacaranda Stools
Located in New York, NY
Structural pair of Brazilian Jacaranda Mid-Century Modern stool. Button tufted with wooden button and diamond sewn velvet and single welting. Grea...
Jacaranda
Jararaca Stilts Bench or Footstool
By Maria Fernanda Paes de Barros
Located in Jundiaí, SP
Unique design piece The Jararaca Stilts Bench was first presented at MADE – Mercado, Arte, Design 2019 in São Paulo, Brazil and is part of the Alma-Raiz (Soul and Roots) collection ...
Straw, Wood
Brazilian Leather MP-81 Ottoman by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Voorburg, NL
A beautiful 1970s Brazilian ottoman, model MP-81 designed by Percival Lafer. This amazing comfortable ottoman has a solid wooden frame and a soft Brazilian chocolate brown leather cu...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 16.93 in W 17.33 in D 17.33 in
Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Stools in Jacaranda with Upholstered Seats
Located in Astoria, NY
Mid-Century Modern stools in Brazilian jacaranda. Each stool features a seat which has been recently reupholstered in dark green artificial suede. The stools remain in good vintage c...
Faux Leather, Jacaranda
Sold
H 23 in W 23.25 in D 18 in
Pair of Carved and Painted Brazilian Wood Stools with Fluted and Tapered Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of carved and painted wood stools. This pair of vintage stools from Brazil stool feature carved scrolling accents at the seat rails and fluted deta...
Linen, Wood
Brazilian Stool Footrest Ottoman by Jean Gillon
By Jean Gillon
Located in New York, NY
Hard to find item by Brazilian designer Jean Gillon. This example is in fair condition, showing cosmetic wear and one tenon has been cracked and re-glued.
Leather, Wood
Jorge Zalszupin 'Paulistana' Lounge Chair and Footstool
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Astoria, NY
A 'Paulistana' lounge chair and footstool by architect and designer Jorge Zalszupin, manufactured circa 1960s, each with matching, button tufted ivory toned leather, against curved j...
Jacaranda, Leather