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.
Coito Sculptural Side Table in Tropical Hardwood by Pedro Paulo Venzon
By Pedro Paulo Venzon
Located in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina
Coito (translate into English as "Coitus") is a side table that forms part of a trio of pieces called the "Tríptico Infame" (Infamous Triptych). The “Tríptico Infame” is a look a...
Hardwood
Coito Sculptural Side Table in Tropical Hardwood by Pedro Paulo Venzon
By Pedro Paulo Venzon
Located in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina
Coito (translate into English as "Coitus") is a side table that forms part of a trio of pieces called the "Tríptico Infame" (Infamous Triptych). The “Tríptico Infame” is a look a...
Hardwood
Brazilian Modern Handcrafted Studio Sculpture Stand Signed
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in San Diego, CA
Brazilian Modern handcrafted studio sculpture stand. Doweled joinery. Signed with maker's initials, with studio tag. 1970s.
Rosewood
'Canto' Mid-Century Modern Pedestal in Brazilian Hardwood by Knót Artesanal
By Knót Artesanal
Located in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro
Canto is a piece that can fit into any environment, with its combination of minimalist and mid-century modern styles, it can serve as a pedestal for art...
Brass
$6,758 / set
H 24.01 in Dm 13.78 in
Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Neatly proportioned with exceptional detailing, the constant nightstand is your perfect bedside partner. In our furniture making, the IDEA is to create special pieces that you can build a space around, whose designs highlight rather than overshadow the surface itself. As a result, simple lines that demonstrate Craft are one of our core considerations. With the Constant, designer Yaniv Chen...
Hardwood
$1,320Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 38 in W 11 in D 11 in
Pair of Chinese Export Hardwood and Marble Pedestals
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese export hardwood and marble pedestals, each one of square form with inset marble tops, on subtly carved pedestal bases with lower stretchers.
Marble
$3,321
H 44.5 in W 13.4 in D 13.4 in
Antique Carved Oak Church, Gothic Revival Studio Easel Display Stand or Pedestal
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique Gothic Revival two shelf sculpture stand with a beautiful patina. This impressive and adjustable Gothic stand dates from circa 1890. To find this rare and sizeable antique mo...
Wood, Oak
Mid-Century Modern Travertine Marble Tall Tower Shape Table Pedestal
By Harvey Probber
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern travertine hexagon shape side table pedestal. high accordingly. Harvey Probber influence.
Travertine
$1,460
H 19.1 in W 11.7 in D 11.7 in
Rare and Handcrafted Dutch Arts & Crafts Oak End Table, Plant Stand
Located in Lisse, NL
Striking and beautifully crafted Dutch Arts & Crafts table with a rich, warm patina. Collectors of high-quality, handcrafted furniture from the Arts & Crafts era will immediately ap...
Oak, Wood
Sculptural Round Side Table Mango Wood
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This wonderfully sculptural round side table features a ribbed pattern along its sides. It's narrow slender shape and mix of curves adds to...
Wood, Fruitwood
Tall Square Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood Pedestal
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Bring a touch of classical architecture into your home with this impressive tall square pedestal. This stand features burl veneer on all sides. Sturdy enough to hold your favorite ob...
Burl
$550
H 19.5 in W 13 in D 10.75 in
Antique English Mahogany Tripod Pedestal Plant Sculpture Candle Stand 20"
Located in Dayton, OH
Circa mid 20th century mahogany candle / plant stand with round top, turned pedestal base and tripod feet. Top screws onto base. Made in England. Dimensions: 10.75" x 13" x 19.5" (W...
Mahogany
Sculptural Round Side Table Mango Wood, Modern Organic
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderfully sculptural round side table. The table's neutral pigment makes it perfect for any space. It was crafted from a solid block of...
Wood, Fruitwood
$2,359
H 41.34 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Tall Wood Sculpture Stand with Hidden Drawer, Beech & Oak, 1950s
Located in London, England
Tall panelled wood sculpture stand with a hidden drawer and shelves. Beech, oak and pine make up the body of the stand. Never seen another like it. France 1950s.
Wood, Beech, Oak, Pine
Sculptural Round Side Table Mango Wood, Modern Organic
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This wonderfully sculptural round side table features a ribbed & spiral pattern along its sides. The table's neutral pigment makes it p...
Wood, Fruitwood
Sculptural Side Table Crafted from Solid Mango Wood
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderfully sculptural round side table with clear coated finish. Its neutral pigment and wood texture makes it perfect for any space. Carved from a solid trunk of mango wood, the ...
Wood, Fruitwood
Rosewood Round Pedestal Base Dining Table
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Oakland, CA
Brazilian Rosewood dining table in the manner of Sergio Rodriques' Alex table. The table is crafted of rosewood on pedestal base with glass top. Meas...
Rosewood
Elisa Bench by Leonardo Bueno
By Leonardo Bueno
Located in Miami, FL
W 75”X H 18”X D 16” Elisa bench by Leonardo Bueno. Leonardo Bueno Art and Design is a showroom furniture and design objects factory located in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil . Th...