Broyhill Brasilia Highboy Dresser
View Similar Items
Broyhill Brasilia Highboy Dresser
About the Item
- Creator:Broyhill (Manufacturer),Broyhill Brasilia (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 44.25 in (112.4 cm)Width: 40 in (101.6 cm)Depth: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Some small chips; bottom back corner of the left side has a visible repair.
- Seller Location:Miami, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1958312271601
Broyhill Brasilia
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 have 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 mid-century Broyhill Brasilia furniture, such as walnut dressers, dining chairs, case pieces and more.
Broyhill
Founded during the 1920s, the Broyhill Furniture Company was one of the stalwart North Carolina makers of mid-priced, traditional wooden furnishings, and it served American families well. The Colonial Revival style — chairs with turned legs, beds with split pediment headboards — had always been the company’s stock in trade. But the vintage Broyhill bedroom furniture, dressers and cabinets of the postwar era are quite popular with today’s fans of mid-century modern design — particularly those who enjoy more flamboyant stylings, such as those of Adrian Pearsall.
For collectors of a certain type, Broyhill is most admired for its brief foray into the contemporary furnishings of the late 1950s and ‘60s. In 1957, responding to changing tastes, the firm launched its Broyhill Premier line with the Sculptra series. Sculptra pieces featured decorative molding with a square-within-a-square motif and horizontal cat’s eye-shaped drawer pulls. Five years later, Broyhill introduced the Brasilia furniture group, inspired by the Oscar Niemeyer architecture for the brand-new Brazilian capital. The collection made its debut at the Seattle World’s Fair.
The cabinet door fronts of vintage Broyhill Brasilia pieces feature moldings based on the sweeping colonnades and parabolic curves of such buildings as the Palácio da Alvorada (“Palace of the Dawn”), the presidential residence. As you will see on 1stDibs, Broyhill created a striking and spirited line of furnishings that will make a happy keynote in any Atomic Age-inspired interior.
Ohio retailer Big Lots acquired the rights to the Broyhill name and related trademarks in 2019.
Find vintage Broyhill tables, credenzas, seating and other items on 1stDibs.
- Danish Teak Highboy Magna DresserLocated in Miami, FLBoth gorgeous and functional, this Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern bachelor's chest of drawers dates from the 1970s. With 5 large drawers, a fixed shelf and two adjustable shelves, i...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsTeak
- Danish Modern Teak Double DresserLocated in Miami, FLA vintage Mid-Century Modern teak double dresser from Denmark with beautiful wood grain. Both gorgeous and functional, this Scandinavian Modern chest of drawers dates from the 1970s....Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsTeak
$2,137 Sale Price25% Off - Rosewood and Mahogany Triple Dresser by Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Miami, FLStunning Harvey Probber large dresser or cabinet. The triple dresser features a mahogany case with contrasting Brazilian rosewood sliding doors and sculpted handles. The doors open t...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMahogany, Rosewood
- Mid-Century Modern Walnut Triple Dresser by StanleyBy Stanley FurnitureLocated in Miami, FLVintage walnut and brass triple dresser by Stanley Furniture. The Mid-Century Modern credenza features 9 drawers, recessed black hardware with brass pulls, oak interiors and beautifu...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMetal, Brass
$1,987 Sale Price25% Off - Paul McCobb Maple Double Dresser Planner Group by Winchendon Furniture, 1950sBy Winchendon, Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Miami, FLMid-Century Modern vintage six-drawer dresser model no. 1509 designed by Paul McCobb for his modular Planner Group line made by Winchendon Furniture in the 1950s. The cabinet can be ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsAluminum
- Broyhill Emphasis Queen Size Walnut HeadboardBy BroyhillLocated in Miami, FLA vintage Mid-Century Modern queen size walnut bed dating from the 1960s manufactured by Broyhill for their Emphasis collection. The sculptural bed fram...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsWalnut
$942 Sale Price35% Off
- 'Brasilia' Highboy Dresser by Broyhill Premiere, Refinished, 1960s, SignedBy Broyhill Brasilia, BroyhillLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis incredible 'Brasilia' highboy dresser by Broyhill Premiere has been completely refinished and is signed with its original Brasilia label, and ready to grace your home or office. This beautiful high-boy dresser features the signature Brasilia sculpted front panels and brass pulls. These key elements are what makes a Brasilia a Brasilia. The dresser features five wide drawers in total, the top drawer with a sculpted wood front panel and four with brass Brasilia pulls. All standing on top of a sculpted Brasilia base. Brasilia by Broyhill Premiere label located inside of top drawer. We have the matching low dresser with mirror, nightstands and headboard - contact us or see our other listings for details. Originally designed in the 1960s based on the emerging modern designs coming from the capital city of Brazil, Brasilia. Much of the public spaces were designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer such as the Palácio do Planalto which this credenza shares many design similarities with. Perfect for the Mid-Century Modern collector or the interior designer looking for the perfect piece to make a room look complete and finished. These authentic and original Brasilia pieces are always in such high demand. In addition they are commonly copied these days by so many faker makers (there is one West Coast modern...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
$3,000 Sale Price33% Off - Monumental Mid-Century Modern Broyhill Brasilia Dresser, circa 1960sBy Broyhill BrasiliaLocated in Weehawken, NJMid Century Modern Broyhill Brasilia Dresser, circa 1960s. This is a magnificent dresser from the much beloved and voraciously collected Brasilia collection. From the distinctive elo...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWood, Walnut
- Monumental Mid-Century Modern Broyhill Brasilia Long Dresser / CredenzaBy Broyhill BrasiliaLocated in Weehawken, NJMid-Century Modern Broyhill Brasilia Dresser, circa 1960s. This is a magnificent dresser from the much beloved and voraciously collected Brasilia collection. From the distinctive elo...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWood, Walnut
- Mid-Century Modern Highboy Dresser from Sculptra by BroyhillBy BroyhillLocated in Freehold, NJThis Mid-Century Modern highboy dresser from the Sculptra line by Broyhill features hardwood construction, walnut veneer with original finish, three dovetailed drawers with signature...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Broyhill Brasilia Mid Century Walnut 5 Drawer Highboy DresserBy Broyhill BrasiliaLocated in Countryside, ILBroyhill Brasilia Mid Century Walnut 5-Drawer Highboy Dresser This highboy measures: 40 wide x 19 deep x 44.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restore...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Broyhill Brasilia Mid Century Walnut Magna Highboy DresserBy Broyhill BrasiliaLocated in Countryside, ILBroyhill Brasilia Mid Century Walnut Magna Highboy Dresser This highboy measures: 54 wide x 19 deep x 43.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored v...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass