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.
Rosewood Desk by Joaquim Tenreiro, Bloch Editors, 1960s, Brazilian Midcentury
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
This exquisitely crafted Rosewood Desk designed by Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992) belonged to BLOCH EDITORES S.A. BUILDING, a Brazilian publisher founded in 1952 and closed in 2000, wh...
Rosewood
$11,305Sale Price|37% Off
Sergio Rodrigues Brazilian Modern Rosewood Executive Desk, c 1960s, Brazil
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exotic Brazilian Rosewood 'Clara' executive desk by Sergio Rodrigues, circa 1960s, features beautifully grained Jacaranda Rosewood, signature trestle base with four drawers. The...
Rosewood
Rosewood Desk with Painted Glass Top by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1960's
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
The Bloch Editors Desk is a signature design by Joaquim Tenreiro, produced in two versions: one with a glass top and another with a veneer top. The piece w...
Rosewood, Glass
Rosewood Desk by Joaquim Tenreiro, Bloch Editors, Brazilian Midcentury, 1965
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
This bloch desk was designed by Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992), the “father” of Brazilian modernism, in 1965. The desk offers an interplay of rosewood tones and its elegance is complem...
Rosewood
Jorge Zalszupin Rosewood Vintage Office Desk
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
Writing desk designed by Jorge Zalszupin and manufactured by his company, L'Atelier. This piece has four drawers on each side. All the top is covered with rosewood veneer. The struct...
Leather, Rosewood
Brazilian Midcentury Modern - Geraldo de Barros Unilabor Desk / Console, 1950s
By Geraldo de Barros, Unilabor
Located in São Paulo, SP
Rare desk / console designed by Geraldo de Barros for Unilabor, Brazil, circa 1950s. The piece is an authentic period example of Brazilian modern design and reflects Unilabor’s pione...
Iron
Rosewood Desk Brazilian Midcentury Design by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Original condition.
Wood
$5,576 / item
D33, Sideboard by Cultivado Em Casa
Located in Geneve, CH
D33 - sideboard by Cultivado Em Casa. Dimensions: 120 x 45 x 80 cm. Materials: D33 foam, acrylic paint, acrylic resin, carbon steel. Also available: different colors The D33 ...
Resin
Sergio Rodrigues Brazilian Rosewood Desk and Chair
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mid Century Clean Lined Rosewood Desk and Chair, designed by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazil, circa 1960s. The chair is currently being reupholstered and can be completed in your fabric. S...
Metal
$5,500
H 21.3 in W 29.1 in D 14 in
Geraldo de Barros for Unilabor Brazilian Modern Bar Cart in Rosewood, 1960s
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Geraldo de Barros for Unilabor in the 1960s, this Brazilian Modern bar cart—also known as a tea trolley—expresses the structural clarity, refined craftsmanship and social...
Metal
$1,295Sale Price|23% Off
H 29.5 in W 33.625 in D 21.75 in
1954 Coen de Vries Desk in Birch with Ebony Base, Red Drawer and Formica Top
By Coen de Vries, Devo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great little writing desk in birch wood with ebony x-base, red drawer and Formica top. Coen de Vries is one of the Dutch pioneers of industrial des...
Formica, Birch, Ebony
Desk Made In Teak By Omann Junior From 1960s
By Omann Jun Møbelfabrik
Located in Lejre, DK
The desk in teak, designed by Omann Junior in the 1960s, is a prominent example of Danish furniture design from that time. With its characteristic teak wood design, the desk radiate...
Teak
$8,500 / item
H 42 in W 48 in D 20 in
Contemporary Sitting Standing "Work" Desk in Solid White Oak by Casey Lurie, USA
By Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
Work desk is the smaller sibling of our WORK table, a contemporary take on the traditional working tables used by artists and designers for centuries. The choice of materials combine...
Wood, Oak
$12,000
H 10 in W 47 in D 24 in
Joaquim Tenreiro Rosewood & Crystal Coffee Table — Organic Form, Brazil, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Among the most celebrated figures of twentieth-century Brazilian design, Joaquim Tenreiro transformed furniture into an exercise in proportion, lightness, and sculptural restraint. T...
Glass, Rosewood
Sergio Rodrigues, Coffee Table, Wood, Marble, Brazil, 1960s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and marble coffee table designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1960s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (inches): 11.0"H x 32.5"W x 32.5"D All items ship fr...
Marble
19thC French Oak Bank Counter Desk
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1880 19thC French Oak Bank Counter Desk, the matching Waiting Bench is also available separately Ideal for a hotel reception or Lobby, restaurant et...
Oak
$12,000
H 14 in W 46 in D 28 in
Brazilian Modern “Amelia” Coffee Table in Rosewood & Chrome, Sergio Rodrigues
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
A masterclass in structural restraint and material richness, the “Amelia” coffee table by Sergio Rodrigues exemplifies the architectonic clarity that defined Brazilian Modernism duri...
Chrome
$17,500
H 28.35 in W 43.31 in D 82.68 in
Rare Large Jacaranda Executive Desk by Jorge Zalszupin, L’Atelier São Paulo 1960
By Jorge Zalszupin, L'Atelier San Paulo
Located in Dronten, NL
A rare, large Jacaranda executive desk by Jorge Zalszupin for L’Atelier São Paulo, circa 1960, representing the pinnacle of Brazilian mid-century modern design. This is the slightly ...
Jacaranda
$3,500
H 13.78 in W 40.56 in D 20.08 in
Mid-Century Modern Wood Center Table by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazil, 1960s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern wood center table by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazil, 1960s Center table created in the 1960s by the acclaimed Brazilian designer...
Plywood, Hardwood
$29,540
H 31.19 in W 51.58 in D 29.65 in
Desk by Celina Decorações, Solid Rosewood, Brazilian Midcentury, 1960s
By Celina Decoracoes
Located in New York, NY
Produced in the 1960s by Celina Decorações, this desk has a simple yet functional structure, showcasing the early stages of industrialization in Brazilian furniture design. Its wide ...
Rosewood
Sold
H 28.94 in W 54.93 in D 28.94 in
Rosewood Desk by Joaquim Tenreiro, Bloch Editors, 1960s, Brazilian Midcentury
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
This exquisitely crafted Rosewood Desk designed by Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992) belonged to BLOCH EDITORES S.A. BUILDING, a Brazilian publisher founded in 1952 and closed in 2000, wh...
Rosewood
Sold
H 29.06 in W 63.98 in D 29.53 in
Rosewood Desk by Joaquim Tenreiro, Bloch Editors, 1960s, Brazilian Midcentury
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
This exquisitely crafted Rosewood Desk designed by Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992) belonged to BLOCH EDITORES S.A. BUILDING, a Brazilian publisher founded in 1952 and closed in 2000, wh...
Rosewood
Sold
H 28.55 in W 55.12 in D 29.53 in
Rosewood Desk by Joaquim Tenreiro, Bloch Editors, 1960s, Brazilian Midcentury
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
This exquisitely crafted Rosewood Desk designed by Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992) belonged to BLOCH EDITORES S.A. BUILDING, a Brazilian publisher founded in 1952 and closed in 2000, wh...
Rosewood
Jorge Zalszupin Folding Desk L'atelier, Brazil, 1959
By Jorge Zalszupin, L'Atelier San Paulo
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Fantastic large set of 6 folding desks designed by recently passed designer Jorge Zalszupin and manufactured in his own company L'Atelier, Brazil, 1959. These are folding desks are p...
Leather, Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood and Aluminum 'Escriba' Desk by Tora Brazil, circa 1970
By Tora Brasil 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brazilian rosewood desk with aluminum frame by Tora Brazil. Featuring double pedestals consisting of two (2) sets of three (3) drawers with half-circle chr...
Aluminum
Sold
H 29.5 in W 63.25 in D 31.35 in
Rosewood and Aluminum "Escriba" Desk by Tora Brazil, circa 1970, Restored
By Tora Brasil 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Recently refinished Brazilian rosewood desk with aluminum frame by Tora Brazil. Featuring double pedestals consisting of two (2) sets of three (3) drawers ...
Aluminum