Brazilian Contemporary Art
BRAZILIAN FURNITURE
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.
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Place of Origin: Brazilian
Contemporary Handmade Tile Mosaic by Brazilian Artist Katharina Welper, 2015
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Contemporary Handmade Tile Mosaic by Brazilian Artist Katharina Welper, 2015
Using very small pieces of tiles (Tesseras ceramic), Welper creates mosaics that shine in the lights. Th...
Category
2010s Post-Modern Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Ceramic
Contemporary Wall Mounted Sculpture from 'Ripples' Series by James Rowland
By Knót Artesanal
Located in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro
A piece from the 'Ripples' abstract sculpture series by James Rowland made from Brazilian hard wood Ipê.
Scottish Artist and furniture Designer-Maker ...
Category
2010s Organic Modern Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Wood
Contemporary geometric artwork in leather by Miriam Loellmann, wood framed
By Miriam Loellmann
Located in Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Tapis du Rêve 3 is part of Brazil-based German artist Miriam Loellmann’s Illusion and Isness series which uses the visual language of optical illusion and is featured by the combinat...
Category
2010s Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Leather, Plaster
Self-Portrait with Salvator Rosa, Albano Alonso, Ed 1/3. 2002
Located in Madrid, ES
Alfonso Albano, Self-portrait with Salvator Rosa. Ed 1/3, 2002. Perforated RC paper.
São Paulo, Brasil, 1964.
In his photographs, installations, projections and objects, Albano Afo...
Category
Early 2000s Modern Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Canvas, Paper
Monumental Abstract Painting by Brazilian Artist Bb Schmitt, Signed Rio 2014-15
Located in Miami, FL
Monumental Abstract Painting by Brazilian Artist BB Schmitt, Signed Rio 2014-2015
Offered for sale is a mixed-media abstract painting o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Canvas
Conogó Partition Screen in Hardwood, Brazilian Contemporary Design
By Noemi Saga Atelier
Located in Sao Paulo, BR
This contemporary styled partition screen or room divider is made of sucupira hardwood. Named the Conogó, this partition screen is art–furniture.
The...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Wood
Contemporary Wall Mounted Sculpture from 'Delta' Series by James Rowland
By Knót Artesanal
Located in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro
A piece from the 'Delta' abstract sculpture series by James Rowland made from Brazilian wood Caxeta dyed with watercolor paint.
Scottish Artist and fu...
Category
2010s Modern Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Wood
Contemporary Wall Mounted Sculpture from 'Ripples' Series by James Rowland
By Knót Artesanal
Located in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro
A piece from the 'Ripples' abstract sculpture series by James Rowland made from solid hard wood Sucupira.
Scottish Artist and furniture Designer-Maker J...
Category
2010s Modern Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Wood
One-of-a-Kind Contemporary Mosaic ML1701 by Brazilian Artist Mariana Lloyd, 2020
By Mariana Lloyd
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
One-of-a-kind ML1701 mosaic part of the collection “Voos” (flights) by contemporary artist Mariana Lloyd.
About the collection:
"In early 2020, the Covid-19 (SARS-Cov-2) began t...
Category
2010s Other Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Ceramic, Glass
Contemporary Wall Mounted Sculpture from 'Ripples' Series by James Rowland
By Knót Artesanal
Located in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro
The first piece in the 'Ripples' abstract sculpture series by James Rowland.
Scottish Artist and furniture Designer-Maker James Rowland of Knót Artesana...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Wood
Contemporary Wall Mounted Sculpture from 'Ripples' Series by James Rowland
By Knót Artesanal
Located in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro
A piece from the 'Ripples' abstract sculpture series by James Rowland made from solid hard wood Cumaru.
Scottish Artist and furniture Designer-Maker Jam...
Category
2010s Modern Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Wood
Abstract Blue and Green Modernist Lithograph
By Liana D'Urso
Located in Atlanta, GA
Abstract Blue and Green Modernist Lithograph, by Liana D'Urso, circa 1980's. It has been professionally framed in a black lacquered wooden frame u...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Paper, Glass
Contemporary Wall Mounted Sculpture from 'Delta' Series by James Rowland
By Knót Artesanal
Located in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro
A piece from the 'Delta' abstract sculpture series by James Rowland made from Brazilian hard wood with brass inlay.
Scottish Artist and furniture Design...
Category
2010s Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Wood
Contemporary Wall Mounted Sculpture from 'Delta' Series by James Rowland
By Knót Artesanal
Located in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro
A piece from the 'Delta' abstract sculpture series by James Rowland made from Brazilian wood Caxeta.
Scottish Artist and furniture Designer-Maker James ...
Category
2010s Modern Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Wood
One-of-a-Kind Contemporary Mosaic ML2909 by Brazilian Artist Mariana Lloyd, 2020
By Mariana Lloyd
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
One-of-a-kind ML2909 mosaic part of the collection “Voos” (flights) by contemporary artist Mariana Lloyd.
About the collection:
"In early 2020, the Covid-19 (SARS-Cov-2) began to s...
Category
2010s Other Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Ceramic, Glass
Selma Daffre, Brazilian Artist, Collography Printing Plate, "Linhas"
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Selma Daffre (b. 1951), Brazilian artist.
Collography printing plate.
"Linhas".
Dated 1997.
Visible dimensions: 22 x 17 cm.
Total dimensions: 36...
Category
1990s Modern Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Other
One-of-a-Kind Contemporary Mosaic ML0106 by Brazilian Artist Mariana Lloyd, 2020
By Mariana Lloyd
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
One-of-a-kind ML0106 mosaic part of the collection “Voos” (flights) by contemporary artist Mariana Lloyd
About the collection:
"In early 2020, the Covid-19 (SARS-Cov-2) began to spr...
Category
2010s Other Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Glass, Ceramic
One-of-a-kind Contemporary Mosaic ML7048 by Brazilian Artist Mariana Lloyd, 2020
By Mariana Lloyd
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
One-of-a-kind ML7048 mosaic part of the collection “Voos” (flights) by contemporary artist Mariana Lloyd
About the collection:
"In early 2020, the Covid-19 (SARS-Cov-2) began to spr...
Category
2010s Other Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Ceramic, Glass
Yohannah de Oliveira ‘Trama’ Contemporary Abstract Painting 2021
By Yohannah de Oliveira
Located in Montreal, QC
“Trama” is an original, one of a kind contemporary abstract painting, acrylic on linen worked with natural pigments, tin and acrylic mass. Subtle pops of color work in harmony to cre...
Category
2010s Organic Modern Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Acrylic
Yohannah de Oliveira ‘Nous’ Contemporary Abstract Painting, 2021
By Yohannah de Oliveira
Located in Montreal, QC
“Nous” is an original, one of a kind contemporary, acrylic on linen Abstract Painting. Vibrant pops of color work in harmony to create this unique, contemporary work of art by Yohann...
Category
2010s Modern Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Acrylic
Contemporary Composition with Limited Edition Tiles by Brazilian Designer
By Mariana Lloyd
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Unique composition with sixteen tiles from the collection "130 azulejos" by Mariana Lloyd. The collection comes from a collage of pictures of broken tiles. There are four models of t...
Category
2010s Post-Modern Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Ceramic
Brazilian Contemporary Wall Sculpture by Armarinhos Teixeira
By Armarinhos Teixeira
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Artist: Armarinhos Teixeira
Nebulares series (no title)
Unique piece
Brazil
2018
Materials: polyester, copper and leather
The sculpture is hanging on by a leather cord
Dimensions Variable
Exhibited - São Paulo, Brazil, Legado Arte...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Other Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Copper
Contemporary Spiral Mosaic 02 by Brazilian artist Mariana Lloyd
By Mariana Lloyd
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
One of a kind mosaic done in tiles and ceramic by Mariana Lloyd.
Inspired by galaxies and the currents of the sea this mosaic combines different materials to translate the idea of m...
Category
2010s Post-Modern Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Ceramic
Mario Cravo Neto, "Voodoo Figure" Photography Signed, Dated
By Mário Cravo Neto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mario Cravo Neto, one of the most important Brazilian artist, well known and internationally acclaimed, for his black and white photography. We have t...
Category
1980s Post-Modern Vintage Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Paper
Joao Galvao Red Wood Artwork
By Joao Galvao
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Joao Galvao red wood artwork, signed by the artist, 1995, Rio.
Category
1990s Kinetic Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Wood
Light Sculpture by Armarinhos Teixeira - Brazilian Contemporary Art
By Armarinhos Teixeira
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Artist: Armarinhos Teixeira
Nebulares series (no title)
ed. 1/2
Brazil
2018
materials: Metal, rubber, latex, aluminum and light
Exhibited - São Paulo, Brazil, Legado Arte...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Other Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Aluminum, Metal
Painting by Julian Burgos
By Julian Burgos
Located in San Francisco, CA
An oil and pastel painting on canvas in a custom walnut frame. "Everything that is solid dissipates in the air"
The painting is a sneak preview of an exclusive upcoming exhibit at A...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Walnut, Paint
"Terrão", Artwork by Domingos Tótora
By Domingos Tótora
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Domingos Tótora has elected the recycled cardboard as the main material and medium of his work, creating textures that reflect the interplay between sh...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Earthenware
Form 3, Artwork by José Zanine Caldas
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
One of a kind, this is the mold used by José Zanine Caldas for the production of his famous Tronco furniture line. The piece presents the working process of the artist during the cre...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Contemporary Art
Pair of Marino Marini Lithographs
By Marino Marini
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of horse and rider lithographs by Marino Marini, from the Marino Marini portfolio, printed by Carl Schunemann, Germany, circa 1968. They have been framed in clean lined black la...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Brazilian Contemporary Art
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Form 4, Artwork by José Zanine Caldas
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
One of a kind, this is the mold used by José Zanine Caldas for the production of his famous Tronco furniture line. The piece presents the working process of the artist during the cre...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Contemporary Art
Form 5, Artwork by José Zanine Caldas
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
One of a kind, this is the mold used by José Zanine Caldas for the production of his famous Tronco furniture line. The piece presents the working process of the artist during the cre...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Contemporary Art
Form 2, Artwork by José Zanine Caldas
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
One of a kind, this is the mold used by José Zanine Caldas for the production of his famous Tronco furniture line. The piece presents the working process of the artist during the cre...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Contemporary Art
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