No other American mid-century furniture line has become as synonymous with a certain type of curvilinear decoration as Broyhill’s Brasilia group. While its revered cabinets, dressers, dining chairs and more were made in the United States, the inspiration for the distinguishing characteristics of vintage Broyhill Brasilia furniture can actually be found in Latin American architecture.
Broyhill Furniture Industries was launched in Lenoir, North Carolina by brothers Thomas H. and James Edgar “Ed” Broyhill. Ed had been working for his brother’s furniture manufacturing company, the Lenoir Furniture Corporation, which produced bedroom furnishings in the 1920s, when a nearby supplier’s factory, Bernhardt Chair Company, burned in a fire.
Ed founded Lenoir Chair Company and expanded its operations while remaining an employee at Lenoir Furniture Corporation. He subsequently partnered with Thomas and together they purchased Harper Furniture Company, a local producer of Colonial Revival-style furniture, in 1929.
By the 1940s, Broyhill Furniture Industries had absorbed more factories and gained footing as a strong competitor of Lenoir’s Kent-Coffey Manufacturing Company and a rebuilt Bernhardt Furniture.
In the mid-1950s, responding to changing tastes and to an appetite for what is now universally known as mid-century modern furnishings, the firm launched its Broyhill Premier line with the Sculptra series. Sculptra pieces featured a square-within-a-square motif and horizontal cat’s-eye-shaped drawer pulls. Later, in 1962, the Broyhill Brasilia furniture group debuted at the Seattle World’s Fair. The collection was heavily inspired by Oscar Niemeyer’s modernist buildings for the eponymous Brazilian capital.
Designed and built by Niemeyer between 1956 and 1960, the modernist architecture of Brasília’s state capitol buildings has since taken on iconic status. The elegant curves of Niemeyer's works — those that characterize the white concrete structures that encase Palácio do Planalto in addition to the fluid inverted arches of the Supreme Federal Court Building — can be seen in the pronounced decorative elements that adorn the Broyhill Brasilia group’s sleek walnut highboy dressers, specifically in their striking brass drawer-pull arches and carved moldings. While considerably popular during the 1960s, the production of the Brasilia line — with its beloved two-tiered bedside tables and tasteful credenzas — was discontinued in 1970.
On 1stDibs, browse vintage mid-century Broyhill Brasilia furniture, such as its walnut dressers, dining chairs, case pieces and more.
H 56 in W 72 in D 14 in
Broyhill Brasilia Mid-Century Modern Glass Display Hutch
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Original Broyhill Brasilia glass-top hutch from the iconic Brasilia collection, crafted in the 1960s. This upper display cabinet features the collection’s distinctive sculpted walnut...
Walnut
H 64.75 in W 54 in D 19 in
Broyhill Brasilia Mid Century Walnut and Brass Offset Credenza and Hutch
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Broyhill Brasilia Mid Century Walnut and Brass Offset Credenza and Hutch The credenza measures: 54 wide x 19 deep x 30.75 inches high The hutch measures: 53.5 wide x 13.5 deep x 34 ...
Glass, Walnut
H 76 in W 60 in D 18 in
MCM 2-Piece China Hutch Cabinet Buffet by Heywood Wakefield Contessa Collection
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Topeka, KS
Mid-Century Modern 2-piece china hutch, cabinet, or buffet by Heywood Wakefield for the Contessa Collection. Comprised of 2-pieces a top hutch & a bottom buffet in a dark cherrywood, woven wicker basket weave or caned door fronts, brass toned pulls, & slim steel legs. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. There are nicks on the left side of the buffet edge toward the front. Stiffener has been added underneath buffet as the cabinet had sagged in the middle making doors uneven. Stiffener corrected that issue. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1960’s. In 1959, the Heywood Wakefield “Contessa” slogan was "Wood for warmth and grace ... steel for strength and rigidity." "Furniture of Slender Elegance." And does this China cabinet ever fit that description. The Contessa line features a darker cherrywood, gold or brass toned accents, and slim steel legs. This cabinet has 2 pieces. A bottom buffet that features brass toned pulls that open two sets of double doors. There are three drawers on the right side with a silverware tray in the top drawer. The left side is open storage. The top hutch features two rolling side doors with woven wicker basket weave, or caned, door fronts and three shelves in the center. The whole cabinet stands on slim steel legs and exudes mid-century modern magnificence! This awesome, versatile china cabinet or buffet will look amazing whether you place it in the dining room, living room, study, or the kitchen. It is adaptable enough to blend right in whether your design style leans to Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern, industrial, southwestern, or modern country. In 1897, two prominent furniture companies, Heywood Brothers and Wakefield Company merged and created Heywood Brothers & Wakefield Company; the name would be shortened to Heywood-Wakefield in 1921. The new company rose to popularity in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s with its solid wood, Art Deco-inspired, mid-century modern furniture. In 1992, South Beach Furniture Company acquired the rights to the Heywood-Wakefield name. After realizing how in demand vintage Heywood Wakefield pieces were, production began on new pieces that remained true to the style, quality, and values of the original company. Today's Heywood-Wakefield is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the name and its famous pieces while incorporating new and contemporary technology which allows new generations to appreciate the classic looks from a classic company. This is a fabulous piece by Heywood Wakefield’s Contessa...
Metal
H 81 in W 67 in D 18 in
Mahogany Wood China Cabinet / Hutch
Located in Tarry Town, NY
This elegant Italian hand-crafted two-part mahogany china cabinet, also known as a hutch, is a stunning addition to any dining or living room. The cabinet features interior glass she...
Brass
H 101 in W 130 in D 21 in
Italian Walnut Breakfront China Cabinet – Inlay & Glass Display Design
Located in Dallas, TX
This impressive 1960s Italian breakfront china cabinet is crafted from richly figured walnut and showcases the exceptional craftsmanship associated ...
Glass, Maple, Walnut
H 65 in W 38 in D 15 in
Mid-Century Walnut China Cabinet Buffet Hutch
Located in Baltimore, MD
Beautiful, retro Mid-Century Modern detailed proportioned walnut buffet China cabinet in great original condition. The hutch is one solid-piece, featuring two sliding glass doors on ...
Glass, Walnut
H 80 in W 57 in D 24 in
English Renaissance Walnut Hutch Cabinet
Located in Queens, NY
English Renaissance-style (18/19th Century) walnut hutch cabinet with 2 shelves under a carved pediment top with 2 drawers over 2 diamond carved doors on ...
Walnut
H 69 in W 43 in D 16 in
Antique Carved Oak Two Doors Jacobean Style China Cabinet Cupboard Hutch Buffet
By B. Altman and Company 1
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Antique carved oak two doors Jacobean style china cabinet cupboard hutch buffet mint!
Chestnut, Oak
H 87.75 in W 67 in D 16.75 in
1995 Biedermeier Style Thomasville Grand Classics Line Breakfront China Hutch
By Thomasville
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage 1995 Biedermeier Neoclassic Revival Empire Style Thomasville Grand Classics 2-piece lighted breakfront China hutch comprised of a burled maple & black frame, brass ...
Brass
H 26.75 in W 54.13 in D 17.13 in
Broyhill Brasilia Mid Century Walnut Credenza Room Divider
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well-crafted Brasilia Mid Century modern walnut credenza room divider with two doors three drawers to one end and to the other two doors w...
Walnut
Broyhill Brasilia Model 6140-72/73 Room Divider Base & Deck Walnut Wall Unit
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Broyhill Brasilia line is extensive, spanning multiple rooms across more than 30 models. Throughout our multi-decade experience in this industry, we have seen and handled nearly ...
Walnut
Lightly Restored Broyhill Brasilia Walnut & Brass 9-Drawer Long Dresser & Mirror
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This fantastic long dresser & mirror combo was built in the 1970s by high-end manufacturer Broyhill for their Brasilia line of furntiure. Since then, the Brasilia line has become mor...
Brass
Broyhill Brasilia Dining Table & Chairs in Walnut & Pink Upholstery w/ 3 Leaves
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Wonderful dining set by Broyhill Brasilia. This set includes the classic Brasilia base table with three 12" leaves, and 6 recently reupholstered chairs, 2 armchairs, 2 side chairs. T...
Upholstery, Walnut
Restored Florence Knoll Walnut & Maple Cabinet Model No.541 New York, 1960s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This iconic cabinet was designed in the 1960s by Florence Knoll and manufactured by Knoll International for sale in the heart of New York City on Park Avenue. Built of a finely grain...
Metal
Paul McCobb for Lane Delineator Walnut & Rosewood Cabinet & Bookshelf 271-62/63
By Paul McCobb, Lane Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed and made in the USA, this piece stands among the most monumental by Paul McCobb. With an angular and architectural design ethos, and Lane's customary high quality, this piec...
Chrome
Expertly Restored Roger Sprunger Dunbar Model #7111 Maple Burl Cabinet Sideboard
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Made in the early 1970s by prestigious American furniture maker Dunbar, this piece was designed by Roger Sprunger, who spent the better part of three decades at Dunbar. Many of Dunba...
Brass
