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
$2,200
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
$8,170 / 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
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
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
$12,960Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.38 in W 83.86 in D 33.86 in
Mp-97 Sofa Midcentury Brazilian Design by Percival Lafer, Cedar Wood, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
Original condition.
Metal
$47,722 / 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
Antique Wicker Loveseat by Larkin & Co., Arts and Crafts Style, USA
By Larkin & Co.
Located in Southampton, NJ
Antique American Victorian natural wicker high back loveseat with spindles and bobbins on back and apron. New custom cushion upholstered in art N...
Brass
'Brigadier' Loveseats by Cini Boeri for Knoll, Italy, 1980s
By Knoll, Cini Boeri
Located in Antwerp, BE
Exceptional sofa from the award-winning Brigadier Series by renowned Italian architect and designer, Cini Boeri (1924–2020). Crafted in the 1980s for Knoll, these sofas feature a sle...
Leather, Lacquer
$58,000
H 27 in W 56.5 in D 24 in
Ib Kofod-Larsen "Elizabeth" Settee, Leather, Rosewood, Denmark, 1950s
By Christensen & Larsen, Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in High Point, NC
A black leather and rosewood settee, designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen and produced by Christensen & Larsen, Denmark, 1950s. Seat Height (inches): 14.63" Arm Height (inches): 22.5" All ...
Leather, Rosewood
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
Turquoise Post Modern Cubic Settee, 1970
By Milo Baughman
Located in Chicago, IL
Turquoise Postmodern Cubic settee, 1970 Newly reupholstered in turquoise velvet.
Velvet
Danish 1960s Midcentury Settee in Teak and Leather
By Tove & Edvard Kindt-Larsen, France & Daverkosen
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
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
Brazilian Modern Sofa, Percival Lafer 1960's
By Percival Lafer
Located in Uccle, BE
Sofa Mod. MP-13, 1960's Made by Lafer S. e Co, Sao Paulo Rosewood, chrome and faux leather H 70 x L219 x W80 x Seat Height 41Percival Lafer Mid-Century Brazilian sofa made of Walnut ...
Chrome
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, Guillerme et Chambron, Carlo Hauner
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
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
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
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