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.
Leather Tray ALINEA by ARIA HOME - Rectangular Large A - Color: Wine
By Aria Home
Located in Curitiba, Parana
A classic that endures. The ALINEA Collection embodies the essence of Aria Home: classic trays with refined finishes, designed to move effortlessly across spaces and styles. Its si...
Leather
Mid Century Modern Decorative Tray in Brazilian Hardwood, Tropic Art, c. 1960s
Located in New York, NY
This refined mid-century decorative tray, produced in Brazil in the 1960s by Tropic Art, exemplifies the sculptural restraint and material sophistication that define Brazilian modern...
Hardwood
Brazilian Modern Serving Tray with Shape of Leaf in Hardwood, Unknown, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Carved from a single block of richly figured hardwood, this sculptural serving platter evokes the organic contour of a tropical leaf. The elongated form unfolds into three gently rec...
Hardwood
$2,000 / set
Brazilian Paint Tea Cart 1970's
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
Tea cart, estimated 1970s, made in Brazil.The design is so roughly designed that it is recognisable from a distance, and the product shows a bold use of wood in its construction.Many...
Wood
Hardwood Side Table, Contemporary Brazilian Design
By Rahyja Afrange
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The "SE7E" Reversible Tray table or side table in tropical Brazilian hardwood tray and base by Brazilian designer Rahyja Afrange. A versatile piece with ti...
Wood
$1,960 / item
Contemporary Side table in Wood and Brass Side Table
By Atelier BAM
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This side table, made of wood and brass, uses Brazilian contemporary style and is a delicate piece of art work. The base is brass and the table itself has a Brazilian Imbuia wooden v...
Brass
Brazilian Desserte with 2 reversible trays in Rosewood, by Jorge Jabour Mauad.
By Esposizione Permanente mobili Cantù, Jorge Jabour
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Rare and clever rolling table or serving cart with 2 stacked trays that easily flip over. One side in rosewood and one side in cream formica. The 4 tall legs give it remarkable ele...
Formica, Rosewood
Contemporary Boton Three Side Table in Conacaste Solid Wood by Labrica
By Ricardo Velasquez, Labrica
Located in Oakland Park, FL
Inspired by old brass buttons and cuff links, this series includes three different table tops each with a distinct base. The series continues to grow and each piece can be modified t...
Wood
$3,800 / set
H 17.52 in W 17.52 in D 17.52 in
Pair of Midcentury Side Tables in Rosewood Designed by Aksel Kjærsgaard, 1960s
By Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Lejre, DK
Pair of side tables rosewood. Designed by Aksel Kjærsgaard in 1960s, Denmark. Great original condition.
Rosewood
$1,000
H 22.25 in W 23 in D 16 in
Vintage Boho Wicker Rattan Elephant Side Table Style of Mario Lopez Torres 1970s
By Mario Torres
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
1970s Vintage Boho Figurative Animalia Wicker Rattan elephant side tray table in the style of Mario Lopez Torres. This Animalia vintage 1960s-19...
Bamboo, Wicker, Wood
$696 / item
H 17.75 in Dm 15.75 in
Contemporary Boton Three Side Table, Conacaste Wood with Black Stain by Labrica
By Labrica, Ricardo Velasquez
Located in Oakland Park, FL
Inspired by old brass buttons and cuff links, this series includes three different table tops each with a distinct base. The series continues to grow and each piece can be modified t...
Wood
Phorma Small Rectangular Set of Trays
By Giobagnara
Located in Milan, IT
Part of the Phorma wooden trays collection, this sophisticated set features a series of trays in walnut wood with a leather lining that fit into each other. The wood finish can be we...
Leather, Walnut
French Round Rolling Drinks Cart of Nickel Chrome with Tray Top
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome French rolling drinks cart or trolley (bar cart) of nickel and glass, from the Mid-Century Modern period, featuring two round tiers, each with pierced gallery and glass, m...
Metal, Nickel
$10,076
H 22.05 in W 25.6 in D 17.72 in
Peter Hvidt Side / Tray Table Model No 1775 by Fritz Hansen in Denmark
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare side / tray table model no 1775 designed by Peter Hvidt. Produced by Fritz Hansen in Denmark.
Walnut
$763 / item
H 2.37 in W 14.18 in D 9.85 in
Knotted Double Leather Tray Set Home Accessories By André Fu Living
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
Knotted double leather serving tray set. Hand stitched calf leather. Also, available in a larger size tray set of two, size 55 x 35 x 5.8 H cm. Larger quantities available upon reque...
Leather, Wood
Moroccan Folding Tray Table in Brass and wood
Located in Barcelona, ES
Large Traditional Moroccan Folding Tray Table, Brass, Wood, Morocco, 1940s-1950s. This moorish brass tray table features a round brass tray...
Brass
$1,234 / item
H 2.29 in W 13.78 in D 21.66 in
Knotted Double Leather Tray Set Large Home Accessories By André Fu Living
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
Knotted double leather serving tray set. Hand stitched calf leather. Also, available in a smaller size tray set of two, size 36.2 x 24.7 x 5.8 H cm. Larger quantities available u...
Leather
$2,180
H 25.6 in W 23.23 in D 23.23 in
Lorenzo Burchiellaro Cubic Bar Cart in Metal and Glass Italy 1970s.
By Lorenzo Burchiellaro
Located in Almelo, NL
Lorenzo Burchiellaro cubic bar cart in Metal and Glass Italy 1970s. Cubic-shaped bar cart with wheels with a frame realized in metal which presents a circular void on each side, a...
Metal
Art Nouveau Engraved Tea Table
Located in Malibu, CA
A rare and important French Art Nouveau tea table with two shapely shelves. Engraved with lily pads petals & leaves. Decorative bronze handles. Completely hand crafted.
Hardwood
Sold
H 21.3 in W 29.1 in D 13.8 in
Bar Cart in Hardwood & Formica, Geraldo de Barros for Unilabor, 1960s - Lot 499
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in New York, NY
Made in the 1960s, this bar cart, also known as a tea trolley, boasts a solid hardwood structure with two levels covered in brown Formica. The top level includes a movable tray, whil...
Hardwood
Sold
H 1.97 in W 18.63 in D 11.5 in
Brazilian modernist Tray designed by Carlos Zipperer Sobr in inlaid wood, 1960s
Located in Roma, IT
A splendid mid-20th century tray hand crafted in Brazil, as attested by the adhesive label still present on the back, which also bears the name of the manufacturer "Carlos Zipperer S...
Cherry, Mahogany, Maple, Walnut
Sold
H 19.69 in Dm 22.05 in
Brazilian Modern Catch-All in Iron & Reed, by Carlo Hauner for Móveis Artesanal
By Carlo Hauner
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Brazilian Mid-Century Modern catch-all or side table, produced in iron and white enameled reed, designed by Carlo Hauner for Móveis Artesanal, early 1...
Iron
Sold
H 25.99 in W 33.47 in D 17.33 in
Mid-Century Modern Tea Cart in Jacarandá (Brazilian Rosewood), Brazil, 1950s
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Tea Cart in Jacarandá (Brazilian Rosewood), Brazil, 1950s This vintage tea-cart consists of a delicately trapezoidal structure in Jacarandá (Brazilian Rosewood) w...
Metal
Sold
H 35.24 in W 42.92 in D 21.66 in
Mid-Century Modern Three-Tier Tea Cart by Teperman Manufacture, Brazil 1950s
By Móveis Teperman
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern three-tier tea cart by Teperman Manufacture in Ebonized Pink Peroba Hardwood, Brazil 1950s. This elegant black and white three-tier tea-cart or bar-cart was pro...
Metal
Sold
H 34.65 in W 18.9 in D 37.8 in
Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Tea Cart in Wood and Glass with Removable Trays
By Forma Brazil
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Brazilian tea cart in imbuia wood and glass by Forma manufacture. It has three removable trays. Two in glass framed by wood and one in solid wood. Wheels in chro...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Tea Cart by Forma Brazilian Manufacture
By Forma Brazil
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Beautiful organic Brazilian tea cart done in Imbuia wood. The trays are removable and are done in Imbuia wood, natural straw and covered in glass.
Straw, Glass, Wood, Imbuia
1900s Catch-All or Fruit Bowl Tray Table in Hardwood, Brazil
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This Catch-All or fruit bowl comes from a selection of pieces acquired in a small and distant countryside town. The amazing patina and marks of the passage of time create the unique ...
Hardwood
1900s Catch-All or Fruit Bowl Tray Table in Hardwood, Brazil
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This Catch-All or fruit bowl comes from a selection of pieces acquired in a small and distant countryside town. The amazing patina and marks of the passage of time create the unique ...
Hardwood
Sold
H 15.75 in W 30.32 in D 16.93 in
1960s Side Table in Wrought Iron, Brass and Teak, Brazil Mid Century Modern
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Beautiful petite side table with wrought iron structure and amazing brass spheres. The top is veneered in oil treated Asian Teak.
Brass, Wrought Iron
Sergio Rodrigues Bar Cart
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Astoria, NY
A 1960s two-tier bar cart by designer Sergio Rodrigues, entirely in rich Brazilian wood, on metal caster wheels. Top tray is removable. Excellent vintage condition, with minuscule pa...
Metal
Rosewood Butler's Tray and Stand
By Moveis Tijuca Ltd.
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A handsome rosewood butler's tray and stand. The tray top lifts off and the base folds for storage. The sides of the tray can be folded in or out (see Images 3 & 5). Retains the original Brazilian...
Rosewood