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.
Móveis Cimo, Slipper Chair, Wood, Vinyl, Brazil, 1960s
By Moveis Cimo
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and brown vinyl slipper lounge chairs designed and produced by Móveis Cimo, Brazil, c. 1960s. Wood seams present with light fissures throughout. Vintage upholstery ideally re...
Faux Leather, Wood
$20,736 / set
Julio Roberto Katinsky Sling Chairs, Brazil, 1959
By Julio Katinski
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Highly beautiful and rare pair of sling chairs designed by Julio Roberto Katinsky, locally made in Brazil 1959. In 1959, to serve a private orde...
Metal
Brazilian Designer, Slipper Chairs, Wood, Vinyl, Brazil, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of black-painted wood and brown vinyl slipper lounge chairs designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1960s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 27.0"H x 22.0"W x 28.625"D Seat Height (i...
Upholstery, Wood
White Faux Sheepskin Slipper Chair with Gold Metal and Low Profile - Mono Line
By Uultis Design
Located in Miami, FL
This sculptural slipper chair blends refined minimalism with quiet luxury. From the Uultis Design collection, the Mono chair pairs a soft white faux sheepsk...
Metal
Giuseppe Scapinelli, Slipper Chairs, Fabric, Wood, Brazil, 1950s
By Giuseppe Scapinelli
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of beige fabric and dark-stained wood slipper chairs or lounge chairs designed and produced Giuseppe Scapinelli, Brazil, c. 1950s. Multiple stains on seats. Reupholstery reco...
Fabric, Wood
Brazilian Designer, Slipper Chair, Iron, Velvet, Brazil, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A white-lacquered iron and grey velvet lounge designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1950s. Oxidation present throughout metal frame. Cushions reupholstered in brand new velvet. Overa...
Iron
Original and early Cadeira baixa
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Incroyable chauffeuse dite Cadeira de baixa, Première édition.
Rope, Wood
Brazilian Designer, Slipper Chairs, Wood, Leather, Fabric, Brazil, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of wood, leather and fabric slipper chairs designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1960s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 27.75” H x 25.4” W x 26.4” D Seat Height (inches): 18” Al...
Leather, Fabric, Wood
$2,080Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 27.5 in D 27 in
Wrought Iron Jerry Johnson Leather Sling Lounge Chair (3) Leathercraft 1954
By Jerry Johnson
Located in Camden, ME
Wrought iron and leather sling lounge chairs designed by Jerry Johnson for Leathercraft, circa 1954. Three available, two as pictured the 3rd can be custom fitted to your choice of c...
Wrought Iron
$6,800
H 34.5 in W 24 in D 31 in
1960's Modern Sabre Legs Mahogany Slipper Chairs In Velvet Upholstery
Located in New York, NY
Amazing pair of 1960's mid-century modern sabre legs mahogany slipper chairs, fully restored and re-upholstered in velvet, with minor wear and patina due to age and use.
Velvet, Mahogany
$7,744Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 41.34 in W 16.15 in D 21.66 in
Pierre Lottier brown Spanish Slipper chairs by Almazan, 1950s
By Valmazan, Pierre Lottier
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Spanish neo-classical high-back auxiliary chair designed by Pierre Lottier for Almazan, 1950s. Oak wood structure with curved and harmonious lines where the reddish-brown leather ba...
Metal
Dunbar Slipper Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Palm Springs, CA
slipper chair by Edward Wormley for Dubar. Button tufted tight seat and back in ivory boucle. Wood base refinished in dark walnut
Wood
Lounge Chair by Florence Knoll for Knoll
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A lounge chair formed by an armless button-tufted upholstered seat resting on a matte steel, rectilinear architectural frame.
Steel
Vintage Scoop Lounge Chairs by Carter Brothers
By Carter Brothers Inc.
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage scoop lounge chairs manufactured by Carter Brothers, circa the 1950s. This mid-century pair of scoop chairs feature a sleek design covered in tufted green leather upholstery ...
Leather, Walnut
$19,600
H 36.03 in W 25.6 in D 27.96 in
Brazilian Armchair with High Backrests by Giuseppe Scapinelli, 1950s, Midcentury
By Giuseppe Scapinelli
Located in New York, NY
This armchair in solid Caviuna with high backrests was designed by Giuseppe Scapinelli (1911-1982) in the 1950s. The piece has slatted backrests with thin vertical rods and comfortab...
Silk, Organic Material, Hardwood
Pair of 1950s Upholstered Lounge Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 1950s lounge or slipper chairs in the manner of Gilbert Rohde. Off-white upholstery with black lacquered wood legs. Dunbar style.
Upholstery, Wood
Regency slipper chair
Located in Batley, GB
An early 19th century Regency slipper chair of generous proportions. Raised on nicely turned tall front legs with splayed rear legs all capped with brass casters. English c1830 The ...
Linen, Walnut
$3,719Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.96 in W 30.71 in D 29.53 in
Contemporary Isabella Scalloped Slipper Chair Juniper Green Velvet Walnut Legs
By Stuart Scott
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The Isabella slipper chair is one of our signature pieces. The exquisite tailored fluting and distinctive lines give a shapely feminine edge. This design is superb upholstered in a v...
Velvet, Walnut
$9,400
H 29 in W 33 in D 29 in
Paul Laszlo Hollywood Regency Slipper Chair in Off White Bouclé circa 1940s
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Paul Laszlo 1940s slipper chair with new super soft off white ivory bouclé upholstery. Hollywood Regency from top to bottom and side to side, this gorgeous one of a kind chair...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Chairs, 1960s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Hamburg, PA
Iconic pair of slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1960s, embodying the pinnacle of mid-century elegance. Wormley, Dunbar's legendary design director, crafte...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Brazilian Designer, Slipper Chairs, Wood, Vinyl, Brazil, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of wood and blue vinyl slipper chairs or lounge chairs designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1950s. Vintage vinyl in distressed condition, reupholstery and restoration of sprin...
Faux Leather, Wood
Móveis Cimo, Slipper Chair, Wood, Fabric, Brazil, 1960s
By Moveis Cimo
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and cream-white fabric slipper lounge chairs designed and produced by Móveis Cimo, Brazil, c. 1960s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 30.5"H x 22.0"W x 33.0"D Seat Height (inche...
Fabric, Wood
Móveis Cimo, Slipper Chair, Wood, Velvet, Brazil, 1960s
By Moveis Cimo
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and green velvet slipper lounge chair designed and produced by Móveis Cimo, Brazil, c. 1960s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 29.5"H x 22.0"W x 28.5"D Seat Height (inches): 16....
Velvet, Wood
Brazilian Designer, Slipper Chairs, Wood, Wool Velvet, Brazil, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of wood and cream-white wool velvet slipper chairs or slipper lounge chairs designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1960s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 27.75” H x 25” W x 34” D ...
Wool, Velvet, Wood
Brazilian Designer, Slipper Chair, Wood, Fabric, Brazil, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pink-painted wood and pink floral-printed fabric slipper lounge chair designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1950s. Moderate discoloration to painted wood legs and backrest support. ...
Fabric, Wood
Percival Lafer Lounge Chairs in Khaki Green Upholstery
By Percival Lafer
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Percival Lafer, lounge chairs, fabric, wood, leather, Two L-shaped forms are attached together what characterizes their voluminous and playful appearance. The short side builds t...
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Percival Lafer Lounge Chairs in Mahogany & Leather Brazil, 1970
By Percival Lafer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice sculptural set of lounge chairs designed and manufactured by Percival Lafer, Brazil 1970. Percival Lafer was one of the leading design manufac...
Mahogany, Faux Leather
Lounge Chair in Solid Rosewood Frame by Móveis Pailar.
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Móveis Pailar, lounge chair, rosewood, Brazil, 1960s. Wonderful chair with rhythmic frame that reminds of an organic rib structure. The frame is complet...
Velvet, Rosewood
Sold
H 28.5 in W 24 in D 27.25 in
Joaquim Tenreiro Style Peroba Lounge Chairs in leather for Knoll & Forma Brazil
By Knoll, Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of Peroba wood chairs upholstered in a rich caramel leather. Forma distributed and produced many designs by Knoll in the 1960s. These are essentially Brazilian Knoll chairs as...
Pair of Suede Leather Lounge Chairs by Lafer, 1970
By Lafer
Located in Hamburg, PA
A fabulous pair of Brazilian suede leather lounge chairs, labeled Lafer, 1970. The backs are removable and make a pair of ottomans depending on how you would like to utilize the chai...
Suede
Pair of Mahogany and Chrome Easy Chairs by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in London, London
Pair of mahogany and chrome stylish and comfortable easy chairs by Percival Lafer for Lafer Móveis, Sao Paulo.
Chrome
Percival Lafer Lounge Sofa Set, Brazil, 1960
By Percival Lafer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice and large lounge sofa set designed and made by Percival Lafer, Brazil 1960. This sofa has a solid rosewood frame, and the cognac leather cu...
Leather, Rosewood