Forma began in São Paulo, under the leadership of Italian designer Carlo Hauner and Austrian architect and interior designer Martin Eisler. Hauner studied drawing and technical drawing at the Brera Academy in Milan. After participating in the Venice Biennale, he emigrated to São Paulo, where he established the furniture manufacturer Móveis Artesanal, for which Carlo and Martin — as well as Carlo’s brother Ernesto Hauner — would create a range of pieces for the home.
In 1936, Eisler earned a degree in architecture from the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, where he studied under Oskar Strnad and Clemens Holzmeister. With World War II looming, he left Austria immediately after graduating. He first went to Czechoslovakia, to which some of his family had already fled. In 1938, he moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and opened his interior design firm Interieur Forma.
Eisler relocated to Brazil in the early 1950s, where he met Hauner. At the time, Eisler had been looking for help producing furniture for his brother-in-law, Ernesto Wolf, and contacted Hauner. The two found that they had a shared vision, and with financial help from Wolf, they opened Galeria Artesanal as a storefront for Móveis Artesanal.
Looking to expand into international sales, the duo rebranded the company Forma. Sérgio Rodrigues, who helped launch a branch of Artesanal in Curitiba, was put in charge of interiors at Forma. That company soon became one of the biggest names in Brazilian furniture — it sold its own sculptural rattan lounge chairs, bookcases and other case pieces crafted with rosewood or jacaranda, and Forma was eventually distributing furniture licensed from iconic American manufacturer Knoll, thereby bringing works by noted designers such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Charles Eames and Harry Bertoia to the Brazilian market.
Forma stands at the forefront of a revival of Brazilian modern furniture. Fashioned from high-grade regionally sourced hardwoods, leather and iron, even Forma's earliest creations have stood the test of time. The company’s alluring mid-century modern works appealed to homeowners at its peak, from the 1950s through the ’70s, and given the broadening interest in Brazilian furniture and the likes of designers such as Rodrigues, vintage Forma is making a major comeback today.
The Forma furniture company continued producing masterfully crafted furniture into the 1970s, until Eisler's death in 1977. Forma folded soon after, but Eisler's company in Argentina, Interieur Forma, is still in business today.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler furniture for sale.
$58,800 / item
Credenza, Unknown, Caviuna and Cane, c. 1955
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
This Credenza was produced by the Brazilian company Tapeçaria Schulz S.A in the 1950s, capturing the eye. Made of solid Caviuna and cane, it has fou...
Wood, Cane
Carlos Hauner & Martin Eisler, Buffet, Caviuna Wood, Cane, Brazil, 1950
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Barcelona, ES
Carlos Hauner & Martin Eisler Buffet with five doors Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1950 Caviuna wood, cane From the archives of Side Gallery, Barcelona Measurements 268 cm x 43 cm x 81 H cm 105.52 in x 16.92 in x 31.88 H in Literature Brasilian modern: The rediscovery of 20th century Brazilian furniture. Aric Chen. Brasil, 2016 Bio Beside Carlos Hauner, Martin Eisler (1913-1977) was the founder for the iconic Brazilian furniture company Forma. He was born in Vienna, Austria, and studied architecture in his country. In 1938 he moved to Buenos Aires. After meeting Carlos Hauner in Brazil, he started traveling there frequently to collaborate on designs and, they founded Forma to sell their own designs as well as pieces licensed from Knoll International. Eisler also opened Forma in Buenos Aires, along with partners Arnold Hakel and Susi Aczel...
Wood
Reform Hammered Brass Credenza
By Jonathan Adler
Located in New York, NY
The Reform credenza is inspired by the Brutalist architecture of modernist temples and churches from Le Corbusier's Ronchamp to Miami's Temple Israel t...
Brass
Regency Mahogany Credenza
Located in Westwood, NJ
A fine Regency style mahogany veneered and yew burl banded buffet, the break bowfront top with an ebony and brass inlaid edge, above an arrangement of four frieze drawers above centr...
Wood
Bleached Oak Credenza, France, 1940s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Unearthed in Normandy, this piece of furniture in solid oak will bring a touch of authenticity to an interior. The sideboard consists of three compartments with shelves whose doors ...
Oak
$13,260
H 35.44 in W 36.82 in D 19.3 in
Mid-Century Modern Record Player Cabinet by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, 1955
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner, Forma, Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
A Caviúna record player produced by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte in the 1950s, with designs by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler. This record player has two hanging doors...
Hardwood
$6,471
H 45.28 in W 35.44 in D 19.69 in
Mid-Century Semainier Dresser by Hauner & Eisler for Forma, 1950s
By Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Roma, RM
A refined mid-century semainier dresser designed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler for their influential furniture company Forma, dating from the 1950s–1960s. Hauner and Eisler play...
Brass
Credenza in Parchment and Bronze-Patina Brass by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Brass
French Mid-Century Buffet, Inlaid Rosewood & Ebonized Wood, 1950s
Located in Austin, TX
Buffet or enfilade from France with an inlaid rosewood façade and ebonized rosewood body. The piece is supported by four tapered legs, the front two feet are capped in brass. The fou...
Rosewood
$32,830
H 34.26 in W 86.62 in D 16.93 in
Sideboard - Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler Forma Moveis, Brazil, 1950s
By Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Rosendahl, DE
A rare and exquisite four-door buffet designed by Martin Eisler and Carlos Hauner, founders of the iconic Brazilian furniture company Forma Móveis. Crafted in Brazil in the 1950s, th...
Cane, Wood
Mirror-Clad Buffet 1950s
Located in Nice, FR
Sideboard two doors in engraved mirrors, from the 50s, French, flower decorations, there is a lack of glass plate on the front of the cabinet and on a foot, some chips. Furniture to ...
Mirror
Delphine Mirrored Credenza
By Jonathan Adler
Located in New York, NY
Reflectology. Minimalist forms meet Maximalist glamour. Antiqued mirror with a polished brass base. Two double-door compartments open to reveal a bright robin's egg blue interior fitted with two adjustable shelves. Quatrefoil handles and escutcheons add a decorative flourish to the simple form. Use our reflective Delphine credenza...
Brass
Art Deco Buffet in Brazilian Rosewood & Burled Amboyna, 1930
Located in Austin, TX
Buffet from the Art Deco period in France. This impressive piece is made of solid wood construction, Brazilian rosewood, burled Amboyna. It sits atop an ebonized base with brass deta...
Brass, Chrome
18th Century Italian Credenza
Located in Round Top, TX
A very charming 18th century Credenza from the Florence region of Italy. Wonderfully constructed from painted wood in the scantonata form, with the conforming top, four doors with in...
Wood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 98.82 in D 16.15 in
Caviuna and Cane Credenza, Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, Modern Brazilian, 1950
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler are most known by well-shaped armchairs made in iron, but the production it's away more complex, handcrafted and extensive. The wood pieces produced ...
Brass
Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner, Buffet 5 Doors, Brazil, 1950
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Barcelona, ES
Martin Eisler (1913-1977) & Carlo Hauner (1927-1997) Buffet with five doors Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1950 Caviuna wood, cane Measurements 268 cm x 43 cm x 81h c...
Cane, Wood
Sold
H 31.89 in W 84.65 in D 16.93 in
Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner Buffet with Four Doors, Brazil 1950
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Barcelona, ES
Martin Eisler (1913-1977) & Carlo Hauner (1927-1997) Buffet with four doors Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1950 Caviuna wood, cane Measurements 215 cm x 43 cm x 81 H ...
Cane, Wood