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
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
Mirror Vanity
Located in København, København
French vintage mirror vanity with wing mirrors and a drawer. The vanity has a lovely curved table top and is in very good condition - it has patina but no nicks or cuts.
Mirror, Wood
$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
Wall-mounted salon vanity set from the 1950s comprising a frameless mirror and a coordinating wooden shelf with drawer. The mirror features scalloped concave notches at each corner, ...
Mirror, Wood
$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
$2,330
H 55.12 in W 35.44 in D 17.33 in
Bamboo and Rattan Vanity / Dressing Table with Drawer and Mirror, 1970's Mid-cen
Located in Cork, IE
With an arched bamboo frame and rounded corners this vanity table is a great example of organic modernism often found in European furniture designs from the 1970's. Well crafted and...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Vanity Dressing Table w/ Mirror & Drawer
Located in San Francisco, CA
C. 19th century Vanity dressing table w/ mirror & drawer.
Glass, Wood
Galileo Lux Leather & Eucalyptus Vanity Desk
By Carpanelli
Located in Milan, IT
Minimalism and luxury are the contrasting yet harmonious influences characterizing this sophisticated two-drawer vanity desk by G. Carpanelli. The wide rectangular mirror integrated ...
Wood
Breathtaking Diamantina Vanity
By Gio Ponti
Located in Munich, DE
we are very happy and proud to present this outstanding rare and wonderful - possibly unique - piece of furniture. purchase from an italien estate at lake como - full of wonderful pi...
Brass
Mirrored Flip-Top Vanity Desk
By Venfield
Located in New York, NY
Mirrored flip-top vanity desk with three drawers. Customization is available in different sizes, finish and hardware.
Mirror, Wood
$6,500
H 29.5 in W 22.4 in D 16.9 in
Brazilian Modern Side Table in Metal, Hardwood & Formica, Geraldo de Barros 1950
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in New York, NY
A refined study in contrast and proportion, this side table balances a warm timber volume within a slender blackened metal frame. The composition is architecturally resolved: a recti...
Metal
oak vanity
Located in Brooklyn, NY
french oak coiffeuse from the 1950's with mirrored top original condition
Oak, Mirror
Modern Flip-Top Mirrored Vanity Desk
By Venfield
Located in New York, NY
Custom modern flip-top mirrored vanity desk with glass shelves. Currently out of stock but available for custom order. Customization is available ...
Mirror, Wood
1903 Marvel Bevelled Three Mirror Oak Vanity
By Marvel Furniture Company
Located in Asheville, NC
Marvel Furniture company oak vanity, circa 1903. With three-bevelled mirrors and three drawers. Solid oak and brass casters. Jamestown, NY.
Oak
Sold
H 29.14 in W 46.86 in D 14.97 in
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
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 Unilabor, Geraldo de Barros
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.