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.
Brazilian Designer, Settee, Iron, Fabric, Wood, Brazil, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A black-lacquered iron, dark-stained wood and floral-printed settee or sofa designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1960s. Fabric has areas of distress. Natural wood cracking arm rests....
Iron
$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
Brazilian Designer, Settee, Wood, Fabric, Brazil, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and white fabric settee or sofa designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Restored and reupholstered in recent history. Pre restoration ima...
Fabric, 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
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
Sofa MP-163, by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Design
By Percival Lafer
Located in São 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
Brazilian Designer, Settee, Wood, Velvet, Brazil, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and green velvet settee, sofa or bench designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1950s. Wear consistent with age and use. Missing a few wood screws caps. Overall Dimensions (inche...
Velvet, Wood
Brazilian Designer, Settee, Wood, Vinyl, Metal, Brazil, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood, metal and brown vinyl settee, sofa or bench designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1950s. Minimal signs of use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 34.0"H x 44.0"W x 30.0"D Seat Hei...
Metal
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
Contemporary Búzios Bench by Guto Indio da Costa, Brazil, 2015
By Índio da Costa
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
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
$7,828 / 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
Danish Midcentury Settee by Frits Henningsen
By Frits Henningsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Elegant Danish settee or loveseat from circa 1950s by Master Furniture Maker, Frits Henningsen Solid and sturdy small piece with a strong presence and charming demeanor. Coil springs...
Wool, Beech
Laurel Settee, Modern Windsor Style Bench in Blackened Ash
By Carter Ellis
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A clean modernization of a Classic Windsor bench, this settee features sculpted legs and slats instead of dowels and spindles. Constructed from sustainable blackened ash, the settee is artisan crafted with traditional joinery and finished with an all-natural, 100% plant-based, hard-wax oil. "The Laurel Settee...
Wood, Ash
Danish 1950's 3-seat sofa by To Ole Wanscher
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful super elegant sofa by Ole Wanscher for Cabinet maker A.J. Iversen ca. mid 1950's. Very elegant design raised on teak legs with stretchers (usually seen in Kaare Klint's fam...
Wool, Teak
$3,750
H 32.5 in W 57 in D 27.5 in
Danish 1950s Settee with Wooden Armrest by Orla Mølgaard Amber Colored Frame
By Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and very elegant Danish 1950s settee raised on a amber colored beech frame and legs. Attributed to Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen. We love how the armrests continue into the front l...
Wool, Beech
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Settee
Located in Chicago, IL
A 19th century French Louis XVI style giltwood settee with a floral cartouche at the top of the back, and circled in a carved ribbon motif, with fluted and tapered legs. The back and...
Wool, Upholstery
19th Century Louis XVI Style Settee
Located in Belmont, MA
Elaborate Louis XVI style settee, finely carved pearwood. Straight back crowned with wreath, upholstered seat and back, ending on round tapered baluster legs. Originally the settee b...
Pearwood
$9,500Sale Price|24% Off
H 26.5 in W 51 in D 27.5 in
'LC2' Black Leather Settee Sofa Loveseat by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
By Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier, Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly comfortable Le Corbusier for Cassina 'LC2' two-seat loveseat sofa, signed (see pics, in gorgeous thick Italian black leather on chrome steel frame is in beautiful vin...
Steel
Danish 1960s Midcentury Settee in Teak and Leather
By France & Daverkosen, Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful and elegant small 1950s easy style Danish settee with the frame, legs and armrests in solid teak. Very high design quality and workmanship. The piece is unmarked but the de...
Teak, Leather
$8,600
H 33.5 in W 57 in D 32 in
Finn Juhl Attributed Danish Loveseat Model 188 by Slagelse Mobelvaerk, 1950s DN
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Finn Juhl
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Superbly elegant Finn Juhl attributed sofa or settee made by Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Denmark sometime in the 1940s as Model Number 188. The lines and proportions of this design are just...
Wool, Beech
Antique Wicker Loveseat by Larkin & Co., Arts and Crafts Style, USA
By Larkin & Co.
Located in Southampton, NJ
American Victorian natural wicker woven roll design high back loveseat with spindles and bobbins on the back and apron and cane seat. The settee fea...
Brass
19th Century Anglo-Indian Carved Ebony Settee
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century Anglo-Indian hand-carved ebony settee upholstered in natural creamy white ecru linen.
Upholstery, Velvet, Rosewood
19th Century Italian Venetian Grotto Settee by Pauly et Cie
By Pauly et Cie
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian Grotto (19th cent.) silver gilt settee with triple seashell seat and dolphin & seahorse motif (att: Pauly et Cie, Venice)
Silver Leaf
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
Package deal for DL Guillerme / Kalstrom / Hauner
By Erik Karlström, Carlo Hauner, Guillerme et Chambron
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
Michel Arnoult Sofa in Solid Rosewood and Leather Arms
By Michel Arnoult
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Michel Arnoult for Mobilia Contemporanea, three seater sofa, rosewood, leather, beige fabric, Brazil, 1965. This rare Brazilian sofa is of the highest-quality in both material and...
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Leather Sofa/Settee in Style of Jean Gillon, 1960
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful settee/two-seater sofa in the style of Jean Gillon, upholstered in cognac-colored leather on a dark rosewood frame, great condition.
Leather, Rosewood
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
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 Jean Gillon, Probel
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