Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Brazilian

Six young architects joined forces in the 1950s to create Branco & Preto in São Paulo. Together, they created high-end modern furniture inspired by the spirited reinvigoration of art and architecture in Brazil.

The six founders — Miguel Forte, Jacob Ruchti, Plínio Croce, Roberto Aflalo, Carlos Millan and Chen Y Hwa — all attended Mackenzie Architecture University, a school led by architect and modernist critic Cristiano Stockler das Neves who prioritized neoclassicism. As progressive students, the founders rebelled against this status quo in their work.

During the 1950s, there were few designers of modern furniture based in Brazil aside from Brazilian furniture firm Mòveis Artisticos Z and Portuguese-born furniture designer Joaquim Tenreiro. Branco & Preto helped fill a wide gap in the market.

Brazilian modernist pioneers Rino Levi and Gregori Warchavchik were important early connections. Through them, Ruchti and Forte met American architect Philip Johnson and German-American architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe; meanwhile, Croce, Alfalo and Millan drew inspiration from the works of Austrian-American architect Richard Neutra and Hungarian-American architect and furniture designer Marcel Breuer.

As a proponent of “Rio modernism,” Branco & Preto often combined glass, iron and calacatta marble with Brazilian woods like jacaranda and caviuna to make its handcrafted furnishings. Free from plywood and screws, this furniture required the expertise of skilled woodworkers, especially for the MF5 armchair and slatted coffee table. Both designed by Millan, they are among Branco & Preto’s most recognized works.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of Branco & Preto tables, seating and case pieces and storage cabinets.

Creator: Branco & Preto

Mid-Century Modern Duas Cores Coffee Table by Branco & Preto, 1952

$20,930Sale Price|30% Off

Mid-Century Modern Duas Cores Coffee Table by Branco & Preto, 1952

By Branco & Preto

Located in New York, NY

The Duas Cores Coffee Table, designed 1952 by Branco & Preto, embodies the pioneering spirit that redefined Brazilian interiors in the mid-20th century. Made of solid Pau-Marfi...

Category

1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Hardwood

Round “Spider” Coffee Table, Roberto Aflalo for Blanco e Preto, 1952

$24,000

Round “Spider” Coffee Table, Roberto Aflalo for Blanco e Preto, 1952

By Branco & Preto

Located in New York, NY

Designed in 1952 by Roberto Aflalo for Branco & Preto, this iconic “Spider” coffee table is an early and expressive example of Brazilian Modern experimentation. Executed in solid...

Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Hardwood

Coffee table by Branco e Preto

$41,102

Coffee table by Branco e Preto

By Branco & Preto

Located in Barcelona, ES

Coffee table Manufactured by Mahlmeister & Cia Brazil, 1950s Wood, ebonized wooden structure Measurements 180 cm x 90 cm x 33h cm 70,86 in x 35,43 in x 13h in Literature Branco e ...

Category

1950s Vintage Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Branco & Preto 'Coffee table'

$37,579

Branco & Preto 'Coffee table'

By Branco & Preto

Located in Barcelona, ES

Branco & Preto Coffee table Measurements 180 cm x 90 cm x 33h cm 70,86 in x 35,43 in x 13h in

Category

1950s Brazilian Vintage Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Jacaranda

Branco e Preto 'Carlos Milan' Brazilian mid-century coffee table jacaranda, 1950

$21,725

Branco e Preto 'Carlos Milan' Brazilian mid-century coffee table jacaranda, 1950

By Branco & Preto, Carlos Milan

Located in Barcelona, ES

Branco e Preto (Carlos Milan). Coffee table. Manufactured by Mahlmeister & Cia, Brazil, 1950s. Solid jacaranda, ebonized wooden structure. Measurement...

Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Jacaranda

Mid-20th Century Spider Folding Coffee Table

$1,227

H 15 in W 24 in D 24 in

Mid-20th Century Spider Folding Coffee Table

Located in London, GB

Mid-20th Century Spider Folding Coffee Table A sculptural example of a mid-20th century folding teak wood and brass glass topped table. Dimensions Height:15inches Width: 24 inches ...

Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Roberto Aloi wooden coffee table

$5,284

H 17.72 in Dm 33.47 in

Roberto Aloi wooden coffee table

By Roberto Aloy

Located in Milano, IT

COD-XX5 Roberto Aloi (1897-1981) Wooden coffee table with hand-carved geometric design and iron structure. Italian manufacture, ca. 1960. diam 85 h 45 cm

Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Italian Coffee Table with Marble Top, 'circa 1950s'

$1,531Sale Price|59% Off

H 19.69 in W 33.47 in D 18.9 in

Mid-Century Italian Coffee Table with Marble Top, 'circa 1950s'

By Ico Parisi

Located in London, GB

Mid-century Italian coffee table with marble top in the style of Ico Parisi (1950s). A tan with white highlights, rectangular (with curved ends) marble top sits upon a very stylish b...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble

Tulip Round Coffee Table by Saarinen for Knoll

$2,500Sale Price|30% Off

H 15.5 in Dm 36 in

Tulip Round Coffee Table by Saarinen for Knoll

By Eero Saarinen, Knoll

Located in New York, NY

Tulip coffee table by Saarinen for Knoll. USA, cira 1960 to 1970. Signed with early Knoll red/white label. Features a 36 inch round top in matte white laminate with matte white...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal

Coffee Table

$3,500

H 15 in Dm 42 in

Coffee Table

Located in Middlesex, NJ

Coffee Table

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Walnut

1950s Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table

$3,850

H 16.93 in W 42.13 in D 42.13 in

1950s Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Coffee table, wood, Italy, 1950s This 1950s Italian coffee table is a striking example of mid-century modern design, distinguished by its clear constructivist vocabulary and emphas...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Coffee Table by Lane

$1,600

H 15 in W 59 in D 24 in

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Coffee Table by Lane

By Lane Furniture

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This striking walnut finish coffee table features a glass top and stylish Mid-Century Modern design. Simple yet unique design by Lane Furniture makes an impressive centre table for h...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

Danish Spider Leg Coffee Table

$4,250

H 15.5 in Dm 45 in

Danish Spider Leg Coffee Table

Located in North Hollywood, CA

Danish teak spider leg coffee table with clear glass top and patinated brass sabot legs. Base folds for easy transportation and storage. Similar to designs ...

Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Modern Round Walnut Spider Leg and Bronze Moroccan Tray Coffee Table

$2,400

H 17.5 in Dm 30.25 in

Mid-Century Modern Round Walnut Spider Leg and Bronze Moroccan Tray Coffee Table

Located in Miami, FL

Vintage Mid-Century Modern walnut spider leg round coffee table with a Moroccan bronze scalloped design tray. The base folds up for easy storage and th...

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Paolo Buffa Coffee Table for Galdino Maspero, 1952

$8,500

H 23.63 in W 47.25 in D 27.56 in

Paolo Buffa Coffee Table for Galdino Maspero, 1952

By Galdino Maspero, Paolo Buffa

Located in Lonigo, Veneto

Paolo Buffa coffee table for Galdino Maspero, wood, Italy, 1952 Designed by Paolo Buffa in 1952 for the Milanese craftsman Galdino Maspero, this sculptural table combines neoclassic...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Coffee Table Spider by Jindrich Halabala, 1950's

$681

H 25.6 in W 25.6 in D 25.6 in

Coffee Table Spider by Jindrich Halabala, 1950's

By Jindřich Halabala

Located in Praha, CZ

Made in Czechoslovakia. Made of wood. Re-polished. Good original condition.

Category

1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Wood Center Table by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazil, 1960s

$3,500

H 13.78 in W 40.56 in D 20.08 in

Mid-Century Modern Wood Center Table by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazil, 1960s

By Sergio Rodrigues

Located in Deerfield Beach, FL

Mid-Century Modern wood center table by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazil, 1960s Center table created in the 1960s by the acclaimed Brazilian designer...

Category

1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Plywood, Hardwood

Previously Available Items

"Two Colors" Coffee Table by Branco & Preto, Brazilian Midcentury, circa 1950

Sold

H 11.46 in W 47.25 in D 25.99 in

"Two Colors" Coffee Table by Branco & Preto, Brazilian Midcentury, circa 1950

By Branco & Preto

Located in New York, NY

The "Two Colors" coffee table was designed in circa 1950 and produced by Branco & Preto, an architecture and design firm that opened in 1952 in São Paulo. Branco & Preto was one ...

Category

1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble

A Pair of Rectangular Branco and Preto Side Tables in Caviuna Wood, Brazil 1960s

Sold

H 20.99 in W 25.99 in D 39.38 in

A Pair of Rectangular Branco and Preto Side Tables in Caviuna Wood, Brazil 1960s

By Branco & Preto

Located in Utrecht, NL

Designed in a rational and geometric way, this pair of handmade Branco and Preto side tables have an open and elegant appearance. Both tables are made of a combination of solid and veneer caviuna wood with a beautiful grain. Caviuna is a Brazilian timber tree yielding a heavy, hard dark-coloured wood streaked with black play that is also visible on this pair. These tables feature glass tops that are effortlessly embedded in the wooden frame adding modernism to the design. Underneath the glass tops are wooden shelves, which have a somewhat floating appearance thanks to the extending shelves that align with the tops. In combination with the recessed legs, these tables have a simple, refined look. The strong lines and proportions are light and simple at the same time, which is a returning characteristic of the work of the Brazilian design duo, Branco and Preto. ⁣Condition: In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The wooden veneer has some cracks / marks on one of the bottom plates. Dimensions: 25.99 in W x 39.38 in D x 21.07 in H 66 cm W x 100 cm D x 53.3 cm H Literature: Branco e...

Category

1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood, Glass

Rectangular Branco and Preto Wooden Coffee Table, Brazil, 1960s

Sold

H 21.07 in W 25.99 in D 39.38 in

Rectangular Branco and Preto Wooden Coffee Table, Brazil, 1960s

By Branco & Preto

Located in Utrecht, NL

Designed in a rational and geometric way, this pair of handmade Branco and Preto side tables have an open and elegant appearance. Both tables are mad...

Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Wood

Rectangular Branco and Preto Wooden Coffee Table, Brazil, 1960s

Sold

H 21.07 in W 25.99 in D 39.38 in

Rectangular Branco and Preto Wooden Coffee Table, Brazil, 1960s

By Branco & Preto

Located in Utrecht, NL

Designed in a rational and geometric way, this pair of handmade Branco and Preto side tables have an open and elegant appearance. Both tables...

Category

1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Wood

Low table by Branco & Preto

Sold

H 13.78 in W 59.06 in D 23.63 in

Low table by Branco & Preto

By Branco & Preto

Located in Milano, Lombardia

Low table by Branco & Preto. Brazil, 1958. Unique example, manufactured for a private house designed by Rino Levi, Sao Paulo. Solid wood, gla...

Category

1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Wood

Ivory and Glass Center Table, by Branco & Preto, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern

Sold

H 14.57 in W 23.63 in D 51.19 in

Ivory and Glass Center Table, by Branco & Preto, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern

By Branco & Preto

Located in Sao Paulo, SP

Branco & Preto was a design studio created in 1952 by a group of recently graduated architects. Young modernist enthusiasts, they needed the right furniture for their projects and so...

Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Ivory

Branco & Preto 'Duas Cores' Glass Top Bicolored Coffee Table

Sold

H 13.78 in W 63 in D 31.5 in

Branco & Preto 'Duas Cores' Glass Top Bicolored Coffee Table

By Branco & Preto

Located in Astoria, NY

A 'Duas Cores' (two colors) coffee table, produced circa 1950s in Brazil by furniture company Branco & Preto, with glass top against moder...

Category

1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Branco & Preto Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Wood

Branco & Preto coffee and cocktail tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Branco & Preto coffee and cocktail tables are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Branco & Preto coffee and cocktail tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original coffee and cocktail tables by Branco & Preto were created in the mid-century modern style in south america during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider coffee and cocktail tables by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Joaquim Tenreiro, and Sergio Rodrigues. Prices for Branco & Preto coffee and cocktail tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $4,400 and can go as high as $21,150, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $14,082.