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.
Modern Hanger Storage and Shelf in Hardwood and Nautical Rope
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Multifunctional hanger, storage and shelf in solid wood and exotic rope pattern, packs may functions in one solution to organize the outdoor and indoor space, this object is part of ...
Metal
19th Century South American Chest
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
This 19th-century Brazilian chest, crafted from vinhático wood, exemplifies the robust craftsmanship and elegant simplicity of Brazilian colonial furniture...
Wood
Early 18th Century Brazil Colonial Chest
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Early 18th-Century Brazilian Colonial Chest - A Rare and Authentic Masterpiece A striking example of early 18th-century Brazilian Colonial craftsmanship, this magnificent chest embo...
Wrought Iron
$36,700 / item
Trunk by Rafael Triboli
Located in São Paulo, BR
Rafael Triboli’s new collection synthesizes the foundational aspects of his practice, bringing together techniques and resources that have long inhabited his repertoire, but now achi...
Stainless Steel
$2,350 / item
Tray by Rafael Triboli
Located in São Paulo, BR
Rafael Triboli’s new collection synthesizes the foundational aspects of his practice, bringing together techniques and resources that have long inhabited his repertoire, but now achi...
Resin
A Fine Late 19th / Early 20th Century German-Brazilian Chest in Peroba do Campo
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
A Fine Late 19th / Early 20th Century German-Brazilian Chest in Peroba do Campo — Pomerode, Santa Catarina Crafted in the quiet valleys of Santa Catarina, in the German immigrant tow...
Wood
Vintage-Style Pearl Leather Trunk Bench
Located in Westwood, NJ
Vintage-style pearl leather trunk bench. A fully functional trunk that hinges open to reveal storage. The padded leather exterior makes it a great bench ...
Leather, Wood
Danish Modern Floating Teak, Brass and Steel Coat Hanger, 1960s
By Torben Orskov
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Simplistically composed teak rack and stainless bend wire hanger with brass 'socks'. Manufactured and designed in Denmark by Torben Orskov. Hidden sockets for mounting to the backsid...
Brass, Steel
Early 19th century hand painted Swedish marriage chest
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century hand painted Swedish marriage chest circa 1807. During our travels around Scandinavia we come across numerous folk art and rustic coffers of this era, but this is...
Pine, Paint
$3,104Sale Price / item|22% Off
H 78.74 in W 13.77 in D 11.81 in
Contemporary Book Shelf Stand in Brazilian Hardwood by Leo Strauss
Located in Atibaia, BR
The book shelf column is a piece of unique construction and design. Its geometric shapes, straight angles and simple lines, significant characteristics of the modernist movement in B...
Brass
Antique Early 18th Century Carved Oak Coffer/Chest
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique early 18th century carved oak coffer/chest having finely carved detail to the panels and frieze, panelled sides, standing on stile feet. A fantastic example in original con...
Oak
Antique 19th Century American Country Blanket Chest
Located in Sheffield, MA
19th century rustic American chest or floor trunk. Can be used for storage or coffee table. Place the blanket chest at the bottom of a bed or in a mud room and add a cushion for a bi...
Wood
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Chest
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine 19th century Swedish folk art chest in painted pine wood & wrought iron. Polychrome painted decoration with clouds and a cartouche decorated with flowers. Dated 1802 on the lid....
Pine
Queen Anne Cedar Hope Chest by Lane Furniture
By Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Simple yet ornate, this traditional cedar hope chest has all the features that made Virginia’s Lane Furniture one of the biggest names in 20th century American woodworking. Built in ...
Wood, Hardwood, Mahogany, Cedar
18th Century American Pine Decorated Blanket Chest
Located in Nantucket, MA
18th century American pine decorated blanket chest, probably from New England, circa 1770 having a dovetailed case on wide bracket feet, the li...
Pine
19th Century Swedish Marriage/Dowry Chest
Located in Staffordshire, GB
1850 19th century Swedish marriage/dowry chest with original hand painted decoration, hardware and hinged candle box. Measures: W 138 x H 59 x D 58cm. ...
Pine
$1,387
H 17.72 in W 35.83 in D 16.54 in
French Riviera Storage Chest or Bench in Bamboo and Wicker, Italy 1970
By Dal Vera
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning French Riviera style storage chest or bench, entirely handcrafted in rattan and woven wicker. This stylish organic piece was produced in Italy during the 1970s. In amazing ...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
$3,500
H 13.5 in W 18 in D 10.5 in
18th Century Spanish Colonial Leather Carved Cedar Antique Small Chest Coffer
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce fine 300-year-old Spanish Colonial era hand carved & leather clad cedar travel chest / coffer, with warm rich dark honey colored patina. circa 1725 A rare and wonderful pie...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Tray by Rafael Triboli
Located in São Paulo, BR
TRAY Rafael Triboli’s new collection synthesizes the foundational aspects of his practice, bringing together techniques and resources that have long inhabited his repertoire, but now...
Resin, Hardwood
Vintage Brazilian Walnut ‘Sabara’ Trunk by Sergio Rodrigues
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in London, GB
A stunning and very rare vintage Brazilian walnut ‘Sabara’ trunk by Sergio Rodrigues. This was made in Brazil, it dates from the 1970’s. This is of outstanding quality, it is extrem...
Walnut
Colonial Portugese Chest on Stand
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular hinged top and case with brass mountings , later barley twist base.
Mahogany
Brazilian Portuguese Colonial Carved Wood Chest
Located in Essex, MA
With rectangular hinged top over a case with two panels with diamond carved centers, elaborate wrought iron hinged latch and lock plate, side handles with carved diamond shape panels...
Wood
Sergio Rodrigues Rosewood Chest or Trunk
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in San Francisco, CA
Sergio Rodrigues design blanket chest or storage chest made from Brazilian rosewood. Excellent original condition, stamped.
Rosewood
19th Century Sacristy Chest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th c. cedro wood sacristy chest with original carvings. Traces of old red paint. Dove tailed. All original
Lidded chest by Jose Zanine
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in New York, NY
Rectangular, lidded chest carved from a single piece of solid wood. Designed by Jose Zanine, Brazil, circa 1968.
Lidded chest by Jose Zanine
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in New York, NY
Rectangular, lidded chest carved from one solid piece of wood. Designed by Jose Zanine for Z-Moveis Denuncia, Brazil, circa 1970.
Storage Chest by Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Rectangular storage chest in jacaranda with detailing on the front. Designed by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil, 1950s.
Antique Brazilian Blanket Chest
Located in Sheffield, MA
Wooden chest with wrought hardware,
"Sabara" storage chest by Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
"Sabara" storage chest in jacaranda with polished brass trim. Designed by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazil, circa 1965.
19th Century Brasilian Sacristy Chest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sacristy chest with original carvings and hardware. FOR OUR COMPLETE INVENTORY PLEASE VISIT www.dosgallos.com
Cedar