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.
Gerardo de Barros 'Stool' 1956
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in Barcelona, ES
Geraldo de Barros Stool Manufactured by Unilabor Brasil, 1956 Iron, fabric upholstery and brass details Measurements 38cmx38cmx44hcm 14,9 in x 14,9 in x 17,32h in Literature Unilab...
Brass, Iron
$4,500 / item
Afinco Collection, Wooden Bench
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
AFINCO COLLECTION "Carve time and mark memories." The chisel is sharpened on the emery. In each notch in the wood, brute strength dissipates to the sound of poetry, when paying at...
Wood
$2,200 / item
Afinco Collection, Low Terracotta Wooden Stool
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
AFINCO COLLECTION "Carve time and mark memories." The chisel is sharpened on the emery. In each notch in the wood, brute strength dissipates to the sound of poetry, when paying at...
Wood
Collection Dominó, Brazilian Contemporary Stool in Wood
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
DOMINÓ COLLECTION The Dominó Collection expands its meanings and transforms the structure of a mosaic into a witty piece with a unique personality. As a bench or side table. The r...
Wood
Tropos Collection, Brazilian Contemporary Stool in Steel
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
TROPOS COLLECTION "All things are metaphors." Johann Goethe Tropos, in itself, is the change. It is where the object takes a new shape with a simple word replacement. Metaphors, hy...
Steel
$3,000 / item
Benta Collection, Contemporary Angelim Wooden Stool
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
BENTA COLLECTION “How often do we, in search for happiness, do exactly as the poor grandfather does: in vain, look restlessly for the glasses Having ...
Wood
Trator Stool With Backrest in Cast Aluminum by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Trator Stool With Backrest in Cast Aluminum by Studio Orth Dimensions: D 44 x W 46 x H 52 cm. Materials: Cast aluminum. Available in cast brass and aluminum finishes. Prices may va...
Aluminum
$2,841 / item
Brown Gravatá Bar Stool by Wentz
By Guilherme Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
Brown Gravatá Bar Stool by Wentz Dimensions: D 52 x W 47 x H 100 cm Materials: Tauari Wood, Cane/Upholstery. Weight: 4,4kg / 9,7 lbs The Gravatá series synthesizes our vision regard...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,841 / item
White Gravatá Counter Stool by Wentz
By Guilherme Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
White Gravatá Counter Stool by Wentz Dimensions: D 52 x W 47 x H 90 cm Materials: Tauari Wood, Cane/Upholstery. Weight: 4,4kg / 9,7 lbs The Gravatá series synthesizes our vision reg...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,841 / item
Bleached Tauari Gravatá Bar Stool by Wentz
By Guilherme Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
Bleached Tauari Gravatá Bar Stool by Wentz Dimensions: D 52 x W 47 x H 100 cm Materials: Tauari Wood, Cane/Upholstery. Weight: 4,7kg / 10,4 lbs The Gravatá series synthesizes our vi...
Upholstery, Wood
$3,166 / item
Set Of 2 01 & 02 Stools by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 01 & 02 Stools by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 16 x W 14 x H 26 cm. Materials: Ivory and lotus high temperature clay. Reproduction is entirely manual, therefore...
Clay
$4,395 / item
Amparo Braúna and Bronze Tall Stool by Alva Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Amparo Braúna and Bronze Tall Stool by Alva Design Materials: solid wood (Braúna) and cast bronze. Dimensions: W 37 x D 48 x H 73 cm. Available in different wood options (Braúna...
Bronze
$1,403 / item
Curva Zincada Stool by Cultivado Em Casa
Located in Geneve, CH
Curva Zincada stool by Cultivado Em Casa Dimensions: 43 x 43 x 62 cm Materials: Zinc A common item in steel houses, the 180º curve is the starting point...
Zinc
$985 / item
Ovni, Green Bench by Cultivado Em Casa
Located in Geneve, CH
Ovni - Green bench by Cultivado Em Casa Dimensions: 38 x 38 x 45 cm Materials: MDF, carbon steel, resin, painting in duco paint. Also Available: trico...
Steel
$951 / item
Curva Stool by Cultivado Em Casa
Located in Geneve, CH
Curva stool by Cultivado Em Casa Dimensions: 43 x 43 x 62 cm Materials: Steel A common item in steel houses, the 180º curve is the starting point for the dev...
Steel
$6,193 / set
Set of 3 Curva Stool by Cultivado Em Casa
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 curva stool by Cultivado Em Casa Dimensions: 43 x 43 x 62 cm Materials: Steel A common item in steel houses, the 180º curve is the starting point fo...
Steel
Brass and Wood Sculpted Stool by Leandro Garcia Contemporary Brazil Design
By Leandro Garcia
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass and wood sculpted stool by Leandro Garcia Materials: cylindrical wood legs (dark color), wooden seat (light color), and polished brass hoops Dimensions: 40 x 40 x 40 cm T...
Wood
"R.ed" stool by Andrea Macruz, Brazilian Contemporary Design
By Andrea Macruz
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Andrea Macruz, contemporary Brazilian design, painted steel. Brazil, 2016. R.ed is a stool inspired in vortices. A vortex is a rotating vacuum in which the currents pr...
Steel
$2,350 / item
Afinco Collection, Tall Military Green Wooden Stool
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
AFINCO COLLECTION "Carve time and mark memories." The chisel is sharpened on the emery. In each notch in the wood, brute strength dissipates to the sound of poetry, when paying at...
Wood
$2,350 / item
Afinco Collection, Tall Off-White Wooden Stool
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
AFINCO COLLECTION "Carve time and mark memories." The chisel is sharpened on the emery. In each notch in the wood, brute strength dissipates to the sound of poetry, when paying at...
Wood
Price Upon Request
SESC Stools by Lina Bo Bardi
By Lina Bo Bardi
Located in London, England
Iconic SESC Stool designed by Lina Bo Bardi and Marcelo Suzuki for SESC Pompeia in 1982 completely unrestored.
Hardwood
Price Upon Request
Side Table by Jorge Zalszupin
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in London, England
Side Table/ Stool by Jorge Zalszupin
Hardwood
Price Upon Request
Stool by Jose Zanine Caldas
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in London, England
Stool by Jose Zanine Caldas
Plywood, Faux Leather
Price Upon Request
Stool by Jose Zanine Caldas
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in London, England
Stool by Jose Zanine Caldas reupholstered in Loro Piana
Fabric, Plywood
Price Upon Request
"Mocho" stools by Sergio Rodrigues
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in London, England
Iconic "Mocho" stool created by Sergio Rodrigues in 1954 in Imbuia Wood.
Hardwood
Price Upon Request
"Magrini" stools by Sergio Rodrigues
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in London, England
Iconic "Mocho" stool created by Sergio Rodrigues in 1954 in Rosewood and Original Cushions.
Hardwood
Price Upon Request
Stools by Jose Zanine Caldas
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in London, England
Rare stools by Jose Zanine Caldas
Fabric, Faux Leather
Price Upon Request
"Marina" chairs by Jorge Zalszupin
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in London, England
Set of "Marina" dining chairs upholstered in suede
Iron
Price Upon Request
"Magrini" stool by Sergio Rodrigues
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in London, England
Iconic "Mocho" stool created by Sergio Rodrigues in 1954 in Pine Wood.
Hardwood
Price Upon Request
"Mucki" bench by Sergio Rodrigues
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in London, England
Iconic "Mucki" bench created by Sergio Rodrigues in 1959.
Hardwood
Price Upon Request
Rare coffee table by Martin Eisler
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in London, England
Rare coffee table designed by Martin Eisler for FORMA S/A in Cavina Wood and glass top.
Hardwood, Glass
Price Upon Request
"Presidencial" armchair by Jorge Zalszupin
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in London, England
Rare "Presidencial" chair by Jorge Zalszupin created in 1959.
Hardwood, Fabric
Price Upon Request
"Mucki" bench by Sergio Rodrigues
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in London, England
Iconic "Mucki" bench created by Sergio Rodrigues in 1959.
Hardwood
Price Upon Request
"Magrini" stool by Sergio Rodrigues
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in London, England
Iconic "Mocho" stool created by Sergio Rodrigues in 1954 in Imbuia Wood.
Hardwood
Price Upon Request
"Mocho" stool by Sergio Rodrigues
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in London, England
Iconic "Mocho" stool created by Sergio Rodrigues in 1954 in Imbuia Wood.
Hardwood
Price Upon Request
SESC Stools by Lina Bo Bardi
By Lina Bo Bardi
Located in London, England
Iconic SESC Stool designed by Lina Bo Bardi and Marcelo Suzuki for SESC Pompeia in 1982.
Hardwood
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Molly Kidd lets her affection for France shine through in a new-build home that has the character of a centuries-old villa but still feels light and fresh.
In Los Angeles, dealer Joel Chen gives the often clever and always versatile seats some long-overdue attention.
The ancient decorative plaster still captivates as it did in the 17th century.
As her sun-filled home reveals, the furniture maker and dealer puts a contemporary spin on antiques from around the globe.
Form and function collide in these little workhorses.