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.
$30,000
Tete a tete by Hugo Franca
By Hugo França
Located in San Francisco, CA
A tete a tete by Hugo Franca made of naturally fallen Brazilian hardwood trees. The design is made of opposing seats on two semi circular bases, Brazil, circa 1990.
Hardwood
$2,800
1970’s Leather Settee
By Percival Lafer
Located in Turners Falls, MA
1970’s Leather Settee. Bentwood arms with brass details. Button Cushions. Soft light Butterscotch color vintage leather. Sofa sits low and deep for loung...
Leather
Xingu Bench Brazilian Contemporary Design in Two Hardwoods
By Noemi Saga Atelier
Located in Sao Paulo, BR
This contemporary bench in hardwood is an interpretation of functionality and technical refinement of fittings and handmade wood joints, the origin of the Xingu bench design. The co...
Wood
Rare Sofa bed designer Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner Costela
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
Beautiful and iconic Costela sofa by legendary Brazilian designers Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler for Forma, Brazil. Very good condition, Il nome "Costela", che si traduce come cost...
Iron
A Colonial Chippendale Inspired Rococo Period Suite, Chairs & Settee, circa 1790
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A gorgeous decorative suite of 18th century colonial Rococo chairs. Possibly from Brazil with Portuguese influence. Circa 1790. Immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of our exquis...
Hardwood, Harewood
Contemporary Búzios Bench by Guto Indio da Costa, Brazil, 2015
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
The Buzios Bench is a unique and elegant piece of furniture designed by Brazilian industrial designer Guto Indio da Costa. The bench draws its inspirati...
Wood
Antique Brazilian Settee by François and Julien Beranger Circa 1850
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
This exquisite settee is a rare piece crafted by the renowned French artisans François and Julien Beranger, a father-son duo who settled in Pernambuco, Brazil, during the 19th century. The Berangers were celebrated for their unique contribution to Brazilian furniture, particularly for creating the distinctive "Pernambuco Style," a design language that set their work apart from the Brazilian Empire...
Wood
Rare and Magnificent Mid 19th Century Brazilian Empire Grand Settee
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of this Brazilian Empire Settee, circa 1850, a captivating piece that exudes history and craftsmanship. Originating from a prominent coffee ...
Cane, Wood
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...
Steel
Contemporary Bench in Brazilian Hardwood by Ricardo Graham Ferreira
By Ricardo Graham Ferreira
Located in Nova Friburgo, RJ
Tropical Brazilian hardwood bench, hand crafted in a contemporary style made with angled dovetail and spindle joints. The beauty of tropica...
Hardwood
$8,218 / item
Corpo Colectivo Seating by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Corpo Colectivo seating by Mameluca Material: assorted foam, elastic fabric Dimensions: D 180 x W 120 x H 60 cm It’s form of intertwined bodies suggests a gathering, a touch, a ...
Fabric, Foam
Turquoise Post Modern Cubic Settee, 1970
By Milo Baughman
Located in Chicago, IL
Turquoise Postmodern Cubic settee, 1970 Newly reupholstered in turquoise velvet.
Velvet
$1,900
H 43 in W 55 in D 19.75 in
Midcentury Transitional Modern Spindle Back Bentwood Settee Bench in Black
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A modern yet traditional spindle back bench from the 1960s. It is very well made from solid wood and finished in black satin lacquer.
Wood
$62,400
H 29.33 in W 28.74 in D 34.64 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Costela Armchairs by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
The Costela armchair is an iconic Brazilian Mid-Century Modern piece. It was designed by Martin Eisler (1913 - 1977) in 1953 and manufactured by the companies Móveis Artesanal and Fo...
Stainless Steel
Rustic Painted Hoop Back Bench
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Windsor style rustic painted hoop back bench with a triple arched back with turned slats and arms and turned uprights, the shaped seat above turned s...
Wood
$17,925
H 33.08 in W 27.56 in D 33.08 in
Brazilian Lounge Chair Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner - "Costela" Forma, 1950s
By Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Rosendahl, DE
This rare Costela Lounge Chair by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, produced by Forma in the 1950s, features solid wood ribs paired with a vintage leopard-patterned teddy fabric. A tru...
Steel
$40,600
H 29.3 in W 28.35 in D 31.5 in
Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner "Costela" Lounge Chair, Brazil, 1953
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
The Costela armchair is an iconic Brazilian Mid-Century Modern piece. It was designed by Martin Eisler (1913 - 1977) in 1953 and manufactured by the c...
Steel
$48,003 / set
H 31.5 in W 54.73 in D 24.81 in
Pair of 1970s Trix & Robert Haussmann for Knoll Black Leather Mirror Sofa Settee
By Robert and Trix Haussmann, Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of 1970s Trix & Robert Haussmann for Knoll 2-seat sofa settee. This pair is made in black leather and mirror. All original collectors condition. The Mirror Sofa...
Mirror, Leather
Isamu Kenmochi Sculptural Wicker Settee
By Isamu Kenmochi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous woven wicker settee by Isamu Kenmochi. Perfect scale, and very good condition. Rare, early piece of his work.
Wicker, Rattan
Louis XVI Style Black Leather Settee Sofa
Located in North York, ON
Louis XVI style black leather settee sofa. Luxuriously carved frame, made in Italy, in iconic Louis XVI style design. Finished in a rich medium w...
Metal
Georgian Walnut Bench
Located in Westwood, NJ
Georgian walnut two seater salon style settee with caned back and neutrally upholstered drop-in cushion, sweeping back rail and arms and with simple bl...
Wood
Vintage Settee Loveseat by Ralph Lauren
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Vintage Settee...
Cotton
Danish Settee from Mid-1950's in Beech and Wool by Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very charming and very elegant small settee made in Denmark around mid 1950's by Fritz Hansen. It's similar but a bit more linear and modern than his well-know model 8112. Solid and ...
Wool, Beech
Percival Lafer Settee
By Percival Lafer
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Settee by Percival Lafer with rosewood frame and black leather. Signature sling shape with headrest and straps. Matching sofa and chairs avai...
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 80 in D 32.5 in
Jean Gillon for Probel Leather and Brazilian Rosewood Sofa, c. 1970, Signed
By Probel, Jean Gillon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare Brazilian Modern sofa is by Jean Gillon for Probel and features a gorgeous Brazilian Jacaranda frame with very-comfortable black leathe...
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 24.81 in W 77.96 in D 34.26 in
Jorge Zalzupin Cubo Three-Seater Sofa, L’Atelier Brazil, Brazil, 1970
By L’Atelier, Jorge Zalszupin
Located in London, GB
This 1970s Cubo sofa takes a cuboid form and scoops out its core. It was designed by Jorge Zalszupin, a Polish architect who moved to Brazil, having been inspired by the works of Bra...
Cotton, Linen
Sold
H 29.5 in W 57 in D 36 in
Jean Gillon for Probel Leather and Brazilian Jacaranda Settee, 1960s, Signed
By Probel, Jean Gillon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare Brazilian Modern collectors piece is by Jean Gillon for Probel and features gorgeous Brazilian Rosewood Jacaranda and beautiful red leather seats and arms. Featuring natural leather slings which support the tufted seat cushions and gorgeous rosewood details throughout the sculpted Jacaranda frame, this work of art is evidenced by the partial early Probel label indicating this was produced in the mid to late 1960s when this design was first created making it ideal for art and design investors and collectors. This Brazilian Modern loveseat...
Leather, Rosewood
"Costela" Settee by Martin Eisler
By Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
"Costela" settee in wood with wrought iron frame and upholstered cushions. Designed by Martin Eisler for Forma, Brazil, 1950s.
Wrought Iron
Brazilian Modern Rosewood and Leather Modular Sofa or Settees
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brazilian low, modular sofa set in rosewood that can form one four-seat sofa, two settees, or a single chair with a three-seat sofa, circa 1960s. Very unique form reminiscent of a de...
Leather, Rosewood
Jose Zanine Caldas Sofa
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in San Francisco, CA
Jose Zanine Caldas sofa A collectible and rare sofa by Jose Zanine Caldas in carved wood using a single hide for the seat and back. The side is bra...
Cowhide, Wood
Michel Arnoult Sofa in Solid Rosewood and Leather Arms
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Photos of specific sofa has been send through message board Michel Arnoult for Mobilia Contemporanea, three seater sofa, rosewood, leather, beige fabric, Brazil, 1965. This rare Br...
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 40 in W 75 in D 25.5 in
Brazilian Jacaranda Rosewood Sofa with Caning and Scrolled Arms, circa 1930s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous Art Deco 1930s Brazilian Jacaranda rosewood sofa with scrolled arms and beautiful caning, just shipped recently by our team from Rio De Janeiro where this was sourced. This romantic sofa is large enough to sit three but can also be used as a larger loveseat...
Cane, Rosewood
Package deal for DL Guillerme / Kalstrom / Hauner
By Guillerme et Chambron, Carlo Hauner, Erik Karlström
Located in Waalwijk, NL
- Chambron and Guillerme, easy chairs in oak upholstered in oak $ 6800 + 1120 upholstery - Erik Kalstrom, pair of easy chairs newly upholstere...
Metal
Campana Brothers 'Alligator Banquette'
By Campana Brothers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An 'Alligator Banquette' by Fernando & Humberto Campana. From Estudio Campana, Brazil, 2011.
Leather
Sold
H 29.53 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Set of Club Chairs and Settee in Pau Marfim and Velvet, Brazil, Early 1950s
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This beautiful set has the style and looks of early pieces designed by Hauner / Eisler. Brass details on the feet make it for extra luxury. New 100% cotton velvet upholstery, in two ...