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.
Lagoas Accent Side Round Table "Old Gold" Finish 'Small' by Filipe Ramos
By Filipe Ramos
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
The Lagoas tables and lamps are inspired by nature, it is an allusion to the mangrove trees and the way it deeps into the water. The legs design plays with the senses of the obser...
Steel
Brazilian Modern Nesting Tray Tables in Rosewood by Jorge Jabour, 1960s - Lot 87
By Jorge Jabour
Located in New York, NY
A refined study in proportion, restraint, and material warmth, this rare trio of Brazilian Modern nesting tray tables by Jorge Jabour exemplifies the quiet sophistication that define...
Hardwood
Scandinavian Nesting Tables in Rosewood 1960s Danish
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Danish nesting table from the 1960s in rosewood.
Rosewood
$2,350 / item
H 21.66 in W 12.01 in D 13.98 in
Pedestal Table Small in Cream Shagreen & Brass by R & Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
$2,730 / item
H 22.05 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
Pedestal Table Small in Lemurian, Shagreen and Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The pedestal side table small is the perfect accent pieces due to its sleek and lightweight aesthetic. The small size is inlaid on the top surface with Lemurian Quartz...
Quartz, Brass
Oak Sculptural Nesting Tables, 1960s
By Lisa Johansson-Pape
Located in Den Haag, NL
Oak sculptural nesting tables from the 1960s in the style of Lisa Johansson-Pape.
Oak
$2,958 / set
H 23.63 in W 9.85 in D 14.57 in
Polygonal Nesting Tables in Green Marquetry and Old Brass Patina by Ginger Brown
By Ginger Brown
Located in Bourguebus, FR
These futurist nesting tables are made of polished green marquetry. They have a polygonal shape top and the metal feet have an antique brass patina. The tables are small and very v...
Wood
$3,355 / item
H 23.23 in Dm 13.78 in
Shagreen Side Table with Bronze-Patina Brass Details by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
$3,815 / item
H 21.66 in Dm 13.78 in
Shagreen Side Table with Bronze Patina Brass Details by Kifu Paris
By Kifu Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
$7,185 / set
H 23.63 in Dm 19.69 in
Shagreen and Shell Nesting Tables w/ Bronze-Patina Brass Accents by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The set of 2 round melting nesting side tables...
Brass
$3,491 / set
H 20.08 in W 20.08 in D 20.08 in
Mid Century Modern Nesting Tables by Gianfranco Frattini, Yugoslavia 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Meblo
Located in Beograd, RS
This listing features a mid century modern set of 3 nesting tables, done in solid beech wood with smoked glass tops. Tables can function as 3 separate pieces, or they can get stacked...
Beech
$7,185 / set
H 23.63 in Dm 19.69 in
Shagreen Nesting Side Tables with Bronze-Patina Brass Accents by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The set of 2 round melting nesting side...
Brass
$8,905 / set
H 23.63 in Dm 19.69 in
Shagreen & Quartz Nesting Tables w/ Bronze-Patina Brass Accents by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. The set of 2 round melting nesting side...
Brass
Danish Modern Set of Rosewood Nesting Tables, 1960s.
By Poul Hundevad
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern Set of Rosewood Nesting Tables, 1960s. Set of three Scandinavian Modern Rosewood/Palisander nesting tables with tapered legs and beautiful expressive veneer pattern. Th...
Rosewood
Sold
H 19.69 in W 22.45 in D 15.75 in
Hauner & Eisler - Moveis Artesanal - Rare Pair of 1950s nest table in wood
By Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner
Located in São Paulo, SP
This set of nesting tables, designed by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner for Móveis Artesanal in the mid-1950s, is a rare and iconic example of modern Brazilian design. Made from solid wood, the tables stand out for their light forms and sophisticated use of materials. The thin, tapered legs add elegance, while the white Formica tops create a striking contrast with the warm tone of the wood. Móveis Artesanal was a company that preceded Forma, where the design duo became more widely recognized. The functional and versatile design of the nesting tables reflects the designers’ ability to combine aesthetics with practicality, allowing the tables to be used separately or grouped together. This set is a classic example of Brazilian modernist furniture...
Formica, Wood
Sold
H 16.93 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
Brazilian Coffee Table with 4 Nesting Stools by Jean Gillon for Wood Art
By Jean Gillon
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This elegant square coffee table with 4 nesting stools was designed by Jean Gillon for Wood Art in Brazil in the 1960s. The coffee table is handmade of Jacaranda wood with a nice pa...
Leather, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Wood Nesting Side Tables, 1950s
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Wood nesting side tables, 1950s Charming Brazilian 1950s set of four nesting tables, featuring solid wood feet w...
Plywood, Wood
Set of Three Joaquim Tenreiro Nesting Tables
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
The set consisting of three black lacquered solid hardwood nesting tables with white Formica tops.
Formica, Wood
1950s Duo of Tripod Side Tables in Iron, Brass and Formica, Brazil Modern
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Delicate and super useful tripod side tables in Iron and Formica tops. The formica is in original condition but can be replaced to customer's taste. Brass details finish the touch. P...
Brass, Iron
1950s Nesting Tables in Brazilian Jacarandá
Located in Astoria, NY
A set of nesting tables, manufactured circa 1950s, crafted of deep Brazilian jacarandá wood, with brass sabots. The tables remain in excellent original condition, wear and patina to ...
Jacaranda
Set of 1960s Jacaranda Nesting Tables
Located in Astoria, NY
Three, circa 1960s nesting tables, crafted of jacaranda wood, on modernist form tapered legs, dimensions provided reflect largest table. Excellent vintage condition, wear consistent ...
Jacaranda
Modernist Rosewood and Laminate Nesting Tables, Brazil
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist rosewood and laminate nesting tables, beautiful figured rosewood construction, Classic European quality and construction. Simple architectural design, remnants of original ...
Laminate, Rosewood
Six part `Pinwheel` Coffee Table by CIMO
Located in London, London
Six part `Pinwheel` Coffee Table forming a complete circle by CIMO, c1955, Brazil.
Wood
PK 71 set of three nesting tables by Poul Kjaerholm
By Poul Kjærholm, Hans J. Wegner
Located in New York, NY
PK 71 set of three nesting tables with square steel frame and black acrylic top. Originally designed by Poul Kjaerholm, Denmark, 1957. Produced by Fritz Hansen since 1982.