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.
Geraldo de Barros Vanity desk, 1955
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in Barcelona, ES
Vanity Desk by Geraldo de Barros Manufactured by Unilabor Brasil, 1955 Iron, jacaranda, mirror Measurements 128 cm x 43 cm x 83h cm (149h cm mirror included) 50,39 in x 16,92 in x ...
Iron
50's Dressing table with drawers, Móveis Cimo, Brazilian Mid-Century Design
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This exquisite chest of dressing table was expertly crafted in the 1950s by the esteemed Brazilian manufacturer, Móveis Cimo. Renowned for their meticulous attention to detail and ex...
Wood
Price Upon Request
Brazilian Three-Drawer Vanity
Located in New York, NY
Rare three-drawer vanity in rosewood with reverse-painted glass top and mirror. Brazil. (Tabletop: 27.5")
Glass, Mirror, Wood
Danish Design Teak Dressing Table, 1960s
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Danish Design Dressing Table What a showpiece! This Danish dressing table is made of teak and is in very good vintage condition. Expertly crafted from high-quality teak and designed ...
Teak
Mid Century Teak Dressing Table from White & Newton, 1960s
By White & Newton
Located in South Shields, GB
A mid century teak dressing table from White and Newton, circa 1960's Complete with a mirror There are six drawers in total - The handles are solid teak The piece stands on solid te...
Teak
Vintage Oval Wicker Dressing Table with Stool, 20th Century Design
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage wicker dressing table / writing table with stool. It is oval shaped with a raised galleried back. There is one center drawer. This very ...
Wicker
French 1940s mirrored vanity
Located in Miami, FL
French Mirrored Vanity, Art Deco period. Beautiful patina.
Mirror, Wood
$5,681
H 30.32 in W 33.47 in D 17.72 in
Mid Century Modern 'Positano 1306' Dressing Table by Ico & Luisa Parisi, 1950s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid Century Modern 'Positano 1306' Dressing Table by Ico & Luisa Parisi, 1958.
Wood
Mid-Century Teak Vanity
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant Mid-Century teak dressing table featuring a beautifully grained surface and a distinctive three-part adjustable mirror — a large central panel that folds back, flanked by two...
Brass
$3,074
H 65.36 in W 50.01 in D 22.45 in
ANTIQUE 1920'S BURR WALNUT ART DECO DRESSING TABLE WiTH PLENTY OF DRAWERS
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London We are delighted to offer for sale This Exquisite Antique 1920s Burr Walnut Art Deco Dressing Table. Is a stunning example of the craftsmanship and design aes...
Walnut
$3,250
H 70.5 in W 45 in D 19 in
Antique Dressing Table/ Chest of Drawers with Gustavian Grey Paint & Oval Mirror
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A late 19th century pine chest of drawers or dressing table with newly-painted Gustavian grey/white or driftwood color paint. Offers an oval dressing mirror that pivots and rests over a table surface that is flanked on each side by a pedestal housing a drawer for toiletries, below which are two long...
Mirror, Pine
$495
H 5.625 in W 31.75 in D 12 in
1950s Retro Wall Mounted Salon Vanity with Mirror and Wooden Shelf with Drawer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1950s Retro wall mounted salon vanity with mirror and wooden shelf with drawer. The mirror has scalloped corners. The shelf has gold trim, and matching, period drawer pulls with two ...
Mirror, Wood
$1,091
H 28.75 in W 46.86 in D 18.51 in
Mid Century Dressing Table in Walnut by Alfred COX for Heals, 1950s
By Alfred Cox
Located in South Shields, GB
A mid-century walnut dressing table from Alfred Cox, circa 1950s. These pieces were usually retailed through Heals . The dressing table includes six drawers and a mirror which tilt...
Walnut
$1,344Sale Price|36% Off
H 64.57 in W 37.01 in D 16.93 in
French Midcentury Oak Marble Dressing Table Vanity Unit with Three Panel Mirror
Located in Labrit, Landes
Vanity dressing table with three-sided mirror and little two-doors cabinet circa 1960 Adornated floral motif, very stylish Height of the marble-top: 30.71 in. (78 cm) Good vintage c...
Marble, Chrome
Shape Leather & Canaletto Walnut Vanity Desk
By Carpanelli
Located in Milan, IT
Owing its sculptural appeal to the pair of curved legs, this vanity desk by Giuseppe Carpanelli seduces with its warm Canaletto walnut finish accented with precious leather inserts. ...
Wood
Sold
H 32.3 in W 73.6 in D 25.2 in
Midcentury Modern Desk in Hardwood & White Top by Jorge Zalszupin, 1970
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this Brazilian Modern desk in Light hardwood designed by Jorge Zalszupin for L’Atelier, is gorgeous! The desk is made of Caviuna hardwood and Formica finishes. It has 6 floating drawers and 2 more in the left side. The top of the desk is very spacious as well as the drawers. It has been refinished and besides the marks of age, the piece is in wonderful condition. The last images showcase the desk in L’Atelier’s product catalogue and spec sheet. This piece belonged to the Hotel...
Formica, Hardwood
Set of Three Nesting Tables by Geraldo de Barros, Brazil, 1955
By Geraldo de Barros, Unilabor
Located in Barcelona, ES
Geraldo de Barros (1923-1998) Dressing table Manufactured by Unilabor Brasil, 1956 Black painted metal, formica, jacaranda, brass details Measurements 155cm x 40 cm x 77h c...
Brass
To make a bathroom feel warm, serene and composed, adding feminine elements is the way to go. Featuring furry furniture, pops of pink and curated antiques, these sumptuous spaces are idyllic retreats in which to while away a few hours.
Once seen as fussy furniture relics from the past, vanities have made a big comeback. Here's why.