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.
Vintage Abstract Oil Painting by Brazilian Artist Antonio Vitor, 1987
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Abstract Oil Painting by Brazilian Artist Antonio Vitor, 1987 Offered for sale is a striking abstract painting by the listed Brazilian artist, Antonio Vitor ( 1942-). Vitor...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
$16,298Sale Price|33% Off
A large painting by Moacir Andrade, Brazil, 1960s "A Lenda Do Pacu"
By Moacir Andrade
Located in London, GB
A large stunning painting from the legendary Amazonian artist Moacir Andrade "A Lenda Do Pacu" (The legend of the Pacu) Acrylic on canvas depicting a central Pacu which is a lar...
Canvas, Acrylic, Wood
Brazilian Figurative Painting by Carlínio França, Salvador Bahia
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Original figurative painting by Brazilian artist Carlínio França, presenting a layered symbolic composition exploring love, conflict and choice. At the center, a seated woman is fla...
Wood, Paint
Untitled Contemporary Painting by Heiko Roschke, Brazil, 2017
By Heiko Roschke
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Untitled Contemporary Painting by Heiko Roschke, Brazil, Itaipava, 2017 Heiko Roschke was born in Bautzen (East Germany) and became interested in art during childhood. Painting was ...
Canvas, Paint
Untitled Contemporary Painting by Heiko Roschke, Brazil, 2025
By Heiko Roschke
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Untitled Contemporary Painting by Heiko Roschke, Brazil, Itaipava, 2025 Heiko Roschke was born in Bautzen (East Germany) and became interested in art during childhood. Painting was ...
Canvas, Paint
Folk Art Painting of a Villa Hacienda with Soldiers in Costume by Alayde Lacerda
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Wonderful painting on wood by Brazilian artist Alayde Lacerda. The painting features a villa set back in a valley with the mountains in the background. In front of the house is a gro...
Wood, Paint
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...
Walnut, Paint
Tadashi Kaminagai, Paint. Casario do Rio de Janeiro, 1958. Oil on panel
By Tadashi Kaminagai
Located in PARIS, FR
Tadashi Kaminagai (1899–1982) Casario do Rio de Janeiro, 1958 Oil on panel Signed lower right and on the reverse This rare painting by Tadashi Kaminagai, titled Casario do Rio de Jan...
Plywood, Paint
Artist Abelardo Zaluar, Geometric Abstract Painting
Located in St. Louis, MO
Abelardo Zaluar (Brazilian, 1924–1987) Mid-Century Modern artist. This gem of a painting is titled "Arca" and is signed and dated 1973. Zaluar incorporation of the lines of the Baroq...
Acrylic
Abstract Gouache Painting by Hércules Barsotti
Located in Wiscasset, ME
"Sem Titulo" gouache on paper. Illustrated Barsotti book page 146 Hércules Rubens Barsotti (born July 20, 1914 – December 21, 2010) was a Brazilian painter, graphic designer, s...
"Crepúsculo" Contemporary Painting by Heiko Roschke, 2017
By Heiko Roschke
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
"Crepúsculo" (Twilight) Contemporary Painting by Heiko Roschke, 2017 Heiko Roschke was born in Bautzen (East Germany) and became interested in art during childhood. Painting was an ...
Canvas, Paint
Modernist Oil Painting on Canvas of a Bird or Dove
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Exciting oil painting on canvas of a colorful dove on a wheel with geometric implications under a half moon and over a landscape. Executed in a modern surrealist style. Signed by noted Brazilian artist Braz Dias...
Paint
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...
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...
Acrylic
1969 Aragão Abstract Black & White Watercolor on Board Gilt Frame Stick Figures
Located in Miami, FL
Brazilian Art by R. Aragão this Watercolor on Cardboard Painting, Abstract Stick Figures in Black and White and framed in Giltwood behind glass. Artist is ...
Glass, Giltwood, Scrap Wood, Paint
The painting "March of soldiers". signed
Located in Chorzów, PL
The painting "March of soldiers". Origin : Denmark, early XX century Paintor : signed Dimensions: Frame: height 50 cm / width 74 cm image: height 43 cm / width 63 cm
Canvas
$548
H 27.17 in W 36.23 in D 2.76 in
19th Century English Folk Art Painting of a Hunting Fox with Ducks
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
Impressive antique painting from England, signed by Matthews. The work depicts an atmospheric hunting scene with a fox and ducks. The canvas exhibits beautiful, distinctive signs of ...
Canvas, Paint
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 48 in D 0.25 in
American Folk Art paintings of Chickens in Farm Landscape, signed 'Horiz'
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
American folk art painting of chickens in a farm landscape, signed 'Horiz' USA, 20th century A captivating American folk art painting depicting chickens in a picturesque farm lands...
Wood
$1,223
H 22.05 in W 19.69 in D 0.79 in
Danish Artist Otto Petersen, Mid-Century Modern Painting, 1960's
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Otto Petersen (1938 - 2003) was active/lived in Denmark, Germany. Otto Petersen is known for Cubist and abstract figurative nude women sculpture, ...
Canvas
$800
H 32.5 in W 44 in D 2 in
Original oilpainting inspired painting by Italian artist Antonio Di Vicarro
Located in Birmingham, AL
Original oil on canvas painting inspired painting by Italian artist Antonio Di Viccaro (1935-) depicts a vivid scene of a seascape along a Tuscan shore, with villas occupying the b...
Canvas
$1,528Sale Price|20% Off
H 18.9 in W 34.85 in D 1.19 in
Midcentury Abstract Art Acrylic Oil On Canvas Painting Artwork 1960s 1970s
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A striking, energetic piece of original abstract artwork dating from the 1960s/70s. Acrylic and oil have been used to create bold lines and brushwork on the canvas giving the piece a...
Canvas, Acrylic, Paint
Unknown Artist, Oil on Board, Abstract Composition, Dated 1987
Located in København, Copenhagen
Unknown artist. Oil on board. Abstract composition. Dated 1987. The board measures: 65 x 50 cm. The frame measures: 5 mm. In excellent condition. Signed and dated.
Other
$1,595
H 36.5 in W 60 in D 1 in
Large Vintage Tribal Folk Art Batik Fabric Painting Art with Mid Century Modern
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage African Folk Art Batik Fabric Painting Art with Mid Century Modern Influence and wooden outer Framing. In good vintage condition and no ...
Textile
$2,000
H 30 in W 30 in D 0.001 in
Large Midcentury Oversize Oil on Canvas Painting of Tigers by Peter Colby
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Oil on canvas painting by artist Peter Colby. Large oversize canvas featuring two lions resting upon a patch of green grass. The background of this piece i...
Canvas, Paint
$6,000
H 29 in W 35 in D 2 in
19th Century Painting of " Harbor with the Villa Medici" after Claude Lorraine
By Claude Lorrain
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A 19th century copy of a painting by Claude Lorrain titled, " Harbor with the Villa Medici". Early morning light filters over a wholly imaginary scene, an exquisite example of the ...
Canvas
Folk Art Tropical Painting on Canvas
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming acrylic painting on canvas of a group of colorful figures in a tropical setting executed in a naive style. Signed Osnel in the lower right and presented in the original wood...
Paint
Figurative Painting of a African Nude Woman by Rob Francken
Located in Antwerp, BE
Painting by a nude African woman in Congo made by the Dutch painter Rob Francken. 49 x 69 cm unframed, 61 x 81 x 4 inches in white painted wood frame.
Wood
Francisco Galeno "Vale do amanhecer" Oil on Board
Located in Astoria, NY
Francisco Galeno (Brazilian, b. 1957), "Vale do amanhecer" [Dawn Valley], Oil on Wood Board, 1985, signed, dated, and titled to verso, ebonized and giltwood frame. Image: 62.75" H x ...
Other
Sold
H 63 in W 78.75 in D 4 in
Painting by Paulo Laport (b. 1951), "Saxto", Oil on Linen, Signed on Verso, 2012
Located in Chicago, IL
Painting by Paulo Laport (b. 1951). "Saxto", oil on linen, 2012, signed, titled and dated on verso. 79 x 63 in., unframed.
Linen, Paint
Oil on Canvas by Italian-Brazilian Painter Maria Polo
By Maria Polo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oil on Canvas by Maria Polo Signed MARIA POLO and dated 1968 Maria Polo (Venice, Italy, 1937 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1983). Painter, designer, engraver and vitralista. Studied at...
Canvas, Paint
Contemporary Painting by Heiko Roschke, 2023
By Heiko Roschke
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Heiko Roschke was born in Bautzen (East Germany) and became interested in art during childhood. Painting was an instrument of liberation, however, the political pressures of the regi...
Canvas, Paint
Joaquim Tenreiro abstract modern painting Brazil 1972
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
A beautiful abstract painting by furniture designer and artist; Joaquim Tenreiro. Made in his own atelier in Rio de Janeiro in 1972. Tenreiro was mainly known as a furniture designer...
Plywood
Sold
H 39.75 in W 20 in D 2.34 in
3D Modern Hand Painted Cubes Dimensional Art by Brazilian Artist Silva
By Cicero Silva
Located in Palm Springs, CA
We are in love with this artists work. Based and working in his studio in Brazil., Cícero Silva created this limited edition piece with wood cubes painted...
Wood
Paulo Rossi Osir Brazilian Hand Painted Tile Wall Plaques
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of hand painted tile wall plaques by Paolo Rossi Osir, Brazilian, circa 1950s. His work is included in numerous museums, including the Museum of ...
Stoneware, Wood
Three Modernist Oil Paintings on Canvas of Birds, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Three dazzling oil paintings on canvas, one of a parrot on a trapeze under a crescent moon and over a distant circus tent, one of a magical dove on a trapeze with flags under a full moon, and one of a bird on a cage...
Paint
Tadashi Kaminagai, paint: “Casario do Rio de Janeiro, 1958”
By Tadashi Kaminagai
Located in PARIS, FR
“Casario do Rio de Janeiro, 1958”. Oil s/ duratex. Signed and dated at the bottom right. The painting represents an urban landscape of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thi...
Plywood, Paint
Sold
H 43.75 in W 35.5 in D 0.5 in
Mid 20th Century "Dove of Peace" Surrealist Oil Painting on Canvas by Braz Dias
Located in Morristown, NJ
Braz Dias (Brazilian, 1936-2012), Dove of Peace, oil on canvas, signed lower right "Braz Dias". A vibrant surrealist painting featuring a Dove of Peace. Note...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Sold
H 0.4 in W 20.28 in L 0.4 in
Pair of Chromolithographs of Brazilian Palms by Joao Barbosa Rodrigues
By João Barbosa Rodrigues
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Beautiful set of chromolithographs by Brazilian Palms by Joao Barbosa Rodrigues. These prints are original 1st editions that are dated 1903. ...
Paper
Fernando Vignoli (Brazilian, 1960-2016) "Chicken or the Egg" Painting
Located in Philadelphia, PA
What did come first? The Chicken or the Egg? This vertical canvas draws the eye of the viewer from the large cracked egg in the foreground through several dimensional doorways to a b...
Paint