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.
$270 / item
Brass Vase, Brazilian Contemporary Style
By Tiago Curioni
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Yugen means a deep inner feeling, an expression of depth, the untranslated mystery, the incomprehensible and the abstract in all artistic activities. According to the Japanese, Yugen...
Brass
Set of 3 Danse Wall Hangers
By Estúdio Mais Alma, Gabriela Campos
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
The Danse Wall Hanger is part of a collection of pieces that reinterprets the work "La Danse" by Henri Matisse, one of the most innovative artists of the 20th century. It is believed...
Wood
Contemporary Golden Solid Brass Gio Hook by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Gio Hook by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 2 x D 8 x H 12 cm Materials: Brass Note: Hooks come with matching screws. The Gio Hook is sand cast in solid bra...
Brass
$1,690 / set
H 3.94 in W 3.15 in D 1.97 in
Set of 5 Mid-Century Modern Brass Wall Hooks, Austria, Polished
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of five #4086 wall hooks by Carl Auböck. (Other quantity also available.)
Brass
$2,925 / item
H 7.88 in W 9.85 in D 6.3 in
Tiffany Contemporary Wall Lamp 25, Creamy Gauze, Silvered Glass, Brass
By Sabrina Landini
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
TIFFANY The first one, Audrey inspired the iconic Introducing Sabrina's breathtaking collection of Tiffany lamps. Year after year Sabrina Landini perpetuates its exceptional exp...
Brass
$5,500 / item
H 5 in W 48 in D 3 in
Brass Coat Rack Wall Mount Custom Hand Made Sliding Hooks Bronze Patina
Located in East Hampton, NY
Custom site specific sizes available (length and quantity of hooks) Stainless steel, brass, bronze, aluminum Hand applied patina finishes Hooks slide along a 1" diameter rod.
Brass, Stainless Steel
Unusual Jacques Adnet Coat Hanger
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Montreal, QC
Unusual stitched beige leather coat hanger by Jacques Adnet in the form of three horse shoe hooks.
Metal
$3,511 / item
H 15.75 in W 11.03 in D 3.55 in
“Rainbow” Contemporary Wall Sconce, Silvered Glass, Brass, Silk tail
By Sabrina Landini
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
RAINBOW The waterfall kite The ancestral silver method has never been rivaled, having symbolized the Sabrina Landini's greatest love story since the beginning of her work-life. The...
Brass
Set of 4 Chrome & Polished Stainless Bamboo Wall Shelves
Located in Hanover, MA
Set of four wall mounted bracket shelves clad is chrome faux bamboo on four sides and mirror polished stainless on top. Mounting holes on backside for flush mounting to wall. Secured...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Chrome
$8,192 / item
H 9.85 in W 9.85 in D 4.34 in
“Two Be” Contemporary Wall Sconce, Rock Crystal, Cast melted Brass
By Sabrina Landini
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
TWO-BE The harmony of feeling as one For over 22 years, we have been committed to offering unique collections in terms of design and quality. We continue to honor the hand-made by ...
Rock Crystal, Brass
$1,690 / set
H 5.91 in W 3.55 in D 3.15 in
Set of 5 Mid-Century Modern Brass Wall Hooks, Austria, Polished
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of five #4994 wall hooks by Carl Auböck.
Brass
$280 / set
H 3.94 in W 2.37 in D 1.97 in
Set of 2 Contemporary Golden Brass F.ACE Wall Hooks by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Brass F.ACE Wall Hooks by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 6 x D 5 x H 10 cm Materials: Brass The F.ACE Hook is a riff on our popular compass Hook. It is sand cast in solid brass...
Brass
Cast Brass Curtain Tiebacks
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Intricate Victorian cast brass tiebacks. Can also be used as hooks.
Brass
$6,788 / item
H 11.82 in W 9.06 in D 5.52 in
“Two-Free” Contemporary Wall Lamp, Rock Crystal, Onyx Stone, Cast Melted Brass
By Sabrina Landini
Located in Pietrasanta, IT
TWO-FREE The greatest love of all For more than 22 years the art of “hand-made in Italy” has given life to the Maison Sabrina Landini, who’s brilliant spirit leads to the foundatio...
Rock Crystal, Onyx, Brass