The prolific architect and designer Sergio Rodrigues is often called the "father of modern Brazilian design," but it is the second adjective in that phrase that deserves emphasis: Rodrigues’s great achievement was to create furniture in a style that captured the spirit, character and personality of his country.
Modernity came slowly to 20th-century Brazil, politically and culturally. The nation finally realized genuine constitutional democracy in 1945, ushering in a new, progressive era in the arts. More often than not, the luxurious furnishings of that time and place, with their gleaming wood, soft leathers and inviting shapes, share a sensuous, uniquely Brazilian quality that distinguishes them from the more rectilinear output of American mid-century modernists and Scandinavian makers of the same era. Until that time in Brazil, heavy furniture based on historical European models had been the norm.
In the late 1940s, designer Joaquim Tenreiro introduced sleek, minimalist chairs and cabinets; José Zanine Caldas, now best known for his later artisanal work, created plywood furnishings for mass production; the Italian architect Lina Bo Bardi, a former editor for the Gio Ponti-founded magazine Domus — and a furniture designer with talent, imagination and a social conscience — set up shop in São Paulo, designing elegant, flexible chairs set on slim metal frames.
This was the heady scene into which Rodrigues, the son of an artistically prominent Rio de Janeiro family, arrived after graduating in 1952 from the national university. He moved to Curitiba and helped establish the furniture manufacturer Móveis Artesanal with Italian designer Carlo Hauner and Austrian architect Martin Eisler — as well as Carlo’s brother Ernesto Hauner — which eventually rebranded as Forma. Later, Rodrigues relocated to Rio de Janeiro where he founded Oca in 1955, a company that would become the preeminent maker and retailer of modernist furniture in Brazil.
When architects Lúcio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer were tasked in 1956 with the whirlwind project to plan, design and build the new capital, Brasília, in five years, they used Rodrigues’s early chairs, with their softly-contoured lines and caned seats and backrests, to furnish many of the buildings.
Rodrigues would realize the true expression of his talents in — and garner international awards and acclaim with — his Mole chair of 1957. The word mole means "soft" in Portuguese, but can be interpreted as "easygoing" or even "listless." The chair, which is also known as the Sheriff chair, features a sturdy, generously proportioned frame of the native South American hardwood jacaranda, upholstered with overstuffed leather pads that flap like saddlebags across the arms, seat, and backrest.
Rodrigues's Mole chair invites sprawling — perfect for the social milieu of the bossa nova and caipirinha cocktails; where a languorous afternoon spent chatting and joking is the apex of enjoyment. The seat won first prize at the IV Concorso Internazionale del Mobile in Cantù, Italy, in 1961, and ISA Bergamo acquired the rights to manufacture a modified version of Rodrigues’s original design.
In 1963, Rodrigues established a shop called Meia-Pataca, which sold simpler and more affordable furniture he had designed, such as his Tonico seating, which was intended for student housing.
Most of the estimated 1,200 armchairs, sofas, tables, storage cabinets and dining tables Rodrigues created in his long career are imbued, in one way or another, with the air of robust relaxation that defines the Mole chair. He was a designer who was true to the temperament of his people.
Find vintage Sergio Rodrigues furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Rare Sergio Rodrigues for ISA Bergamo 'Sheriff' Barstool in Solid Pine
By Sergio Rodrigues, ISA Bergamo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sergio Rodrigues for ISA Bergamo, barstool, pine, leather, Italy, 1960s Sergio Rodrigues stands as one of the most iconic figures in Brazilian design, with a remarkable career that ...
Leather, Pine
$2,915Sale Price / set|30% Off
Sergio Rodrigues Mid-century Modern Brazil Chairs, 1960s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Pair of modernist chairs by the pioneer of Carioca design Sérgio Rodrigues, in ebonized beech wood covered in velvet. The chairs synthesize a unique combination of Shaker, De Stijl a...
Velvet, Beech
Kilin Lounge Chair by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazil, 1970s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Designed by Sergio Rodrigues in 1973, the Kilin chair has become one of the most celebrated icons of Brazilian design. Combining a solid timber structure with a suspended leather sli...
Rosewood
Sergio Rodrigues, Franco armchair in wood, headrest brazillian modern design
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in São Paulo, SP
Pair of “Franco” Lounge Chairs by Sergio Rodrigues – Icons of Modern Brazilian Design (1963) We are pleased to offer an original pair of the iconic “Franco” lounge chairs, designed ...
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Brazilian Side Table by Sergio Rodrigues for OCA, 1970's
By Sergio Rodrigues, OCA Brazil
Located in Lisboa, PT
This side table was designed by Sergio Rodrigues and produced by OCA, in Brazil during the 1970's. Is is made of mutenye wood, with a simple design that makes the beauty of the wood ...
Wood
$3,960Sale Price / item|44% Off
Sergio Rodrigues for Oca, Jacarandá Dining Chair, Brasil, circa 1955
By OCA Brazil, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sergio Rodrigues for Oca, Jacarandá Dining Chair Set of 4, Brasil, 1950s. Exceedingly rare set of 4. Appear to be all original. Original textile is faded and has some wear. Each chair with original label. Brazilian Rosewood (Jacaranda). Museum quality pieces by the father of Brazilian Modernism, Sergio Rodrigues. Stunning woodgrain. Original upholstery. Each chair Labelled with original Oca leather tag and paper label. See photos. Sergio Rodrigues is credited as the father of modern design in Brazil for having introduced a uniquely Brazilian formal vocabulary with his unique mix of thick and sturdy, “earthy” modernist style. Internationally recognized as one of Brazil's most influential modern designers, Rodrigues' most famous project is undoubtedly the Mole chair...
Textile, Jacaranda
Sergio Rodrigues 'Burton' Dining Table in Rosewood 1958 Brazil
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Sergio Rodrigues Rosewood 'Burton' Table 206cm / 256 cm (extended) Brazil, 1958
Hardwood
Sergio Rodrigues, Cavoina, Cowhide, Four Cuiabá Dining Chairs, Brazil, 1985
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Stamford, CT
Sergio Rodrigues, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern, Cavoina, Biege Cowhide, Four "Cuiabá" Dining or Side Chairs, Brazil, 1985 Set of four rare "Cuiabá" dining chairs designed by Sergio ...
Cowhide
Rosewood Dining table / Desk by Sergio Rodrigues, REDIG Brazil 1950's
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Modernist "Redig" dining table by Brazilian designer Sergio Rodrigues, 1950s. Table measures 55" W (closed) x 31"D. Retains it's original 16" "butterfly" self storing leaf. (...
Stainless Steel
Sergio Rodrigues, Pair of Vintage High-Back 'Cantu' Chairs, Brazil, 1960s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Sergio Rodrigues Pair of High-Back 'Cantu' Chairs Rosewood, Leather Brazil, 1960s
Leather, Hardwood
Set of 8 Beg Armchairs by Sérgio Rodrigues, Rosewood and Leather, Brazil, 1967
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Lisboa, PT
Set of Eight Beg Armchairs, designed by Sérgio Rodrigues in 1967 and produced by Oca, represents one of the designer's most refined executive seating designs. Originally conceived fo...
Leather, Wood
Sergio Rodrigues "Lucio Costa" Dining Chairs for Oca, 1956, Set of 2
By Sergio Rodrigues, OCA Brazil
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Sergio Rodrigues "Lucio Costa" dining chairs for Oca, wood and Vienna straw, Brazil, 1956, set of two. Sergio Rodrigues designed the "Lúcio Costa" dining chair in 1956 for Oca, the ...
Wood
Lounge chair with Ottoman "Sheriff" by Sergio Rodrigues for ISA Bergamo, 1960s
By ISA Bergamo, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in bruxelles, BE
Lounge chair with ottoman in black leather and wood by Sergio Rodrigues. Model: Sheriff. ISA stamped. Seat height: 37 cm. Ottoman dimensions: H: 38 cm W: 60 cm D: 60 cm. Wear due to ...
Leather, Wood
$17,000 / set
Pair of Beto Armchairs, Sergio Rodrigues
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Los angeles, CA
Designed in 1958, the 'Beto' armchair pays heed to the slender lines, geometry, and stainless steel materials of the 1950's. Common in many of Rodrigues' pieces, the "Beto" includes ...
Steel
Rare Sergio Rodrigues for ISA Bergamo 'Sheriff' Coffee Table in Solid Pine
By ISA Bergamo, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sergio Rodrigues for ISA Bergamo, coffee table, pine, Italy, 1960s Sergio Rodrigues stands as one of the most iconic figures in Brazilian design, with a remarkable career that spann...
Pine
"Tonico" Three-Seat Sofa by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazil, 1963
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Antwerp, BE
This Tonico three-seat sofa, designed by Sergio Rodrigues around 1963, is a masterpiece of Brazilian modernist design. Its stained freijó wood frame provides a strong yet elegant fou...
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Three-Panel Screen in Rosewood & Upholstered Fabrics by Sergio Rodrigues, 1960s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
A rare and visually commanding Brazilian modern screen designed by Sergio Rodrigues in the 1960s, exemplifying the designer’s ability to merge architectural presence with tactile ric...
Hardwood, Ultrasuede, Cotton
Set of Six “Tião” Dining Chairs in Rosewood by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazil, 1959
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
Designed in 1959, the “Tião” dining chair represents an early and highly disciplined expression of Sergio Rodrigues’ approach to Brazilian Modernism—where structural clarity, materia...
Faux Leather, Hardwood
$10,014 / set
Pair of Odilon Chairs by Sergio Rodrigues
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in London, England
Sergio Roberto Santos Rodrigues was a Brazilian carioca architect and designer. Along with Joaquim Tenreiro and José Zanine Caldas, Rodrigues was the Pio...
Fabric, Wood
Dining Chairs in Hardwood & Leather, Sergio Rodrigues for Bloch, 1960s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Sergio Rodrigues and Joaquim Tenreiro for Bloch Editors, São Paulo, c. 1950s. Commissioned for the broadcaster’s headquarters, this suite exemplifies the utilitarian refi...
Leather, Hardwood
Pair of Armchairs by Sergio Rodrigues, Mid-Century Modern Brazilian, 1960s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A bold and architectural pair that captures Sergio Rodrigues’ command of volume, proportion, and comfort. The solid jacarandá uprights frame a generous upholstered seat and backrest,...
Upholstery, Rosewood
"Tonico" Sofa in Hardwood by Sergio Rodrigues — Brazil, 1960's
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The Tonico sofa, designed by Sérgio Rodrigues in 1962, exemplifies the harmonious blend of traditional craftsmanship and modernist innovation that defines mid-century Brazilian desig...
Leather, Hardwood, Suede
$9,945Sale Price|25% Off
Mid-Century Modern Luciana Dresser by Sergio Rodrigues, 1965
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
The Luciana Buffet constructed with eight drawers was designed in 1965 by Sergio Rodrigues for Oca. The top is laminated in Rosewood, with solid Rosewood edging and chromed buttons. ...
Formica, Wood
Sergio Rodrigues Merbella Stool
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in London, GB
The Merbella Stool by Sergio Rodrigues is a striking example of mid-century Brazilian design, embodying both sculptural boldness and ergonomic ingenuity. Designed in the 1960s, this ...
Wood
'Mole' Lounge Chair by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazil, 1950s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Antwerp, BE
Designed by Sergio Rodrigues in 1957, this iconic Mole lounge chair embodies the essence of Brazilian mid-century modernism. Featuring a solid rounded jaca...
Leather, Wood
$10,708 / set
Rare Sergio Rodrigues Cantu Dining Chairs
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Oosterbeek, NL
Set of 4 Brazilian rosewood dining chairs design 1959 by Sergio Rodrigues The chairs are in good vintage condition.
Wood
"Vronka" Armchair by Sergio Rodrigues — Brazil, 1952
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Part of the furniture line of the company "Meia Pataca", created by Sérgio Rodrigues with the intention of producing Brazilian industrial furniture, the Vronka armchair was conceived...
Wood
Sergio Rodrigues Round Wooden Dining Table "Stella" Oca mid-century Brazil 1956
By Oca, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Barcelona, ES
Sergio Rodrigues (1927-2014) Round dining table model “Stella” Manufactured by Oca Brazil, 1956 Jacaranda wood, brass, iron Measurements 122 cm diameter x 73 height cm 48 in diamet...
Brass, Iron
Lucio Chair by Sérgio Rodrigues, Rosewood and Cane, Brazil, 1956
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mole armchair designed by Sérgio Rodrigues in 1957 and produced by Oca, a defining lounge chair of Brazilian modern design in solid rosewood and thick saddle leather. The Mole armcha...
Wood, Cane
Mid-Century Modern set of 6 dining Bloch Chairs by Sergio Rodrigues, 1965
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
This is a gorgeous set of 6 dining chairs designed in 1964 by Sergio Rodrigues for the headquarters of Bloch Editores S.A. A particular characteristic of Brazilian mid-century furni...
Leather, Rosewood
Bloch Chairs by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazilian Midcentury Design, 1964
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
A particular characteristic in Brazilian mid-century furniture making was the practice of furnishing houses and commercial buildings in exchange for a special commission. This chair ...
Rosewood, Leather
'Mole' Sofa in Leather, By Sergio Rodrigues, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The 'Mole' sofa, designed by Sergio Rodrigues, is not only an iconic piece of mid-20th century Brazilian furniture but also a crowning achievement in the designer's illustrious caree...
Leather, Hardwood
Alex Side Table in Freijo wood by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazilian Modernism, 1960s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
Designed in the 1960s by Sergio Rodrigues, the Alex side table is a distilled expression of Brazilian modernism at its most architectural and humanistic. Compact in scale yet rich in...
Hardwood
$26,000 / set
Pair of Tonico Rosewood Chairs by Sergio Rodrigues
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of vintage rosewood lounge chairs designed by Sergio Rodrigues, made by Oca for Meia Pateca in Brazil, circa 1963. Modeled as "Tonico", these chairs were constructed with soli...
Fabric, Rosewood
Mid-Century Modern Kilin Armchairs by Sergio Rodrigues, 1973
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Sergio Rodrigues (1927-2014) in 1973 and produced by Oca, the Kilin armchair is composed of two sides and two crosspieces, with the back and seat made from a unique piece...
Leather, Wood
3 Dining Chairs in Hardwood & Leather, Sergio Rodrigues for Bloch, 1960s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
Each of these chairs features a solid rosewood frame paired with light brown leather upholstery, presenting a clean, almost brutalist aesthetic. Originally designed for Bloch Editors...
Leather, Hardwood
Vintage 'Mole' Sofa by Sergio Rodrigues, 1960s, Midcentury Brazilian
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
The iconic Mole sofa is Sergio Rodrigues' signature piece designed between 1956 and 1957, giving rise to the famous and award-winning Mole armchair. In Portu...
Leather, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Bookcase by Sergio Rodrigues, 1960s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
A solid bookshelf produced by Oca in the mid-1960s, designed by Sergio Rodrigues. This piece features mid-century design with clean lines and a focus on functionality. Made of solid ...
Wood, Rosewood
Kiko Armchair by BSergio Rodrigues, Mid-Century Modern Brazilian, 1960s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A rare model from Rodrigues’ 1960s production, the Kiko armchair combines the warmth of Brazilian jacarandá with an industrial sensibility expressed through its visible metal fitting...
Metal
$11,305Sale Price|37% Off
Sergio Rodrigues Brazilian Modern Rosewood Executive Desk, c 1960s, Brazil
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exotic Brazilian Rosewood 'Clara' executive desk by Sergio Rodrigues, circa 1960s, features beautifully grained Jacaranda Rosewood, signature trestle base with four drawers. The...
Rosewood
Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart in Hardwood, Sergio Rodrigues, 1960s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
Crafted in solid jacarandá (Brazilian rosewood), this bar cart reflects the measured functionality and material refinement characteristic of Brazilian mid-century design. Its rectili...
Hardwood
1950's Set of Four Mid-Century Brazilian Modern Sergio Rodrigues Dining Chairs
By Sergio Rodrigues, OCA Brazil
Located in Burbank, CA
Set of four original vintage Mid Century Modern dining chairs for sale. Designed by famed designed Sergio Rodrigues, and were manufactured in 1957. These are made of solid hardwood j...
Leather, Jacaranda
Beg Armchair by Sérgio Rodrigues, Rosewood and Sage Green Leather, Brazil, 1967
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Lisboa, PT
Beg Armchair, designed by Sérgio Rodrigues in 1967 and produced by Oca, is one of the designer's most refined executive lounge chairs. Originally conceived for the conference room of...
Leather, Wood
Brazilian Midcentury - Sergio Rodrigues, Oca - Eleh Bench or Coffee Table, 1960s
By OCA Brazil, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in São Paulo, SP
Rare “Eleh” bench / coffee table designed by Sergio Rodrigues in 1965 and produced by OCA, Brazil. A refined and versatile example of Brazilian modern furniture, the piece reflects R...
Metal
Vintage 'Mole' Solid Rosewood Sofa by Sergio Rodrigues, 1960s, Brazil
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
The iconic Mole sofa is Sergio Rodrigues' signature piece designed between 1956 and 1957, giving rise to the famous and award-winning Mole armchair. In Portu...
Leather, Rosewood
'Vronka' Armchair by Sergio Rodrigues in Wood and Fabric, Brazil, 1962
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Uithoorn, NL
The 'Vronka' chair by Sergio Rodrigues from the 1960s showcases a straightforward, structured design. Its frame is constructed from wood, with broad, flat arms that extend outward fr...
Metal
Brazilian Modern “Kilin” Armchairs in Rosewood & Leather, Sergio Rodrigues
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
Among the most celebrated and instantly recognizable designs of Brazilian Modernism, the Kilin armchair embodies Sergio Rodrigues’ unique ability to unite sculptural form, exceptiona...
Leather, Rosewood
$21,600Sale Price|25% Off
Sergio Rodrigues Eleh Jacaronda Coffee Table or Bench, Brazil, 1960s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sergio Rodrigues Eleh Jacaronda coffee table or bench, Brazil, 1965. "Eleh" model from the "Arcos" series, Made by Oca, Brazil, 1965. Jacaranda (Brazili...
Jacaranda
Brazilian Modern Bookshelf in Rosewood by Sergio Rodrigues for OCA, Brazil
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
An important large-scale Brazilian Modern bookshelf designed by Sergio Rodrigues and produced by OCA circa 1968, showcasing the designer’s celebrated ability to merge architecture, c...
Chrome
Vintage Mucki Bench in Rosewood by Sergio Rodrigues, 1958, Brazilian Midcentury
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
Designed in 1958 by Sergio Rodrigues (1927-2014) and manufactured by Oca, the Mucki bench is an incredible and versatile piece – ideal for different kinds ...
Hardwood
“Arimelo” Side Tables in Brazilian Rosewood by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazil, 1958
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
Designed in 1958, the Arimelo side tables represent one of the earliest and most architecturally disciplined expressions of Sergio Rodrigues’ design philosophy. Conceived during the ...
Rosewood
Brazilian Midcentury - Sérgio Rodrigues OCA: rare 1956 Paola Stool in solid wood
By OCA Brazil, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in São Paulo, SP
Super rare “Paola” stool designed by Sergio Rodrigues in 1956, one of the most uncommon and collectible pieces from the designer’s early production. The piece reflects the beginning ...
Cowhide, Wood, Hardwood
Alex Coffee Table by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazil, 1960s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Antwerp, BE
Designed in 1960, the Alex coffee table is among the most refined expressions of Sergio Rodrigues’ contribution to twentieth-century design. The sculptural base is composed of inters...
Glass, Wood
Sergio Rodrigues "Marquesa" Chest of Drawers in Rosewood with Marble Top, Brazil
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional example of Brazilian Mid-Century Modern design, this rare Marquesa chest of drawers was designed by renowned Brazilian master Sergio Rodrigues and produced by Oca in B...
Marble
Mid-Century Modern Viana Coffee Table by Sergio Rodrigues, 1960s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
A low rectangular coffee table by Sergio Rodrigues, produced by Oca, Brazil, 1960s. The piece is constructed in rosewood with hardwood and rosewood veneer, presenting a thick slab to...
Wood, Rosewood
Sergio Rodrigues Dining Chairs, Rosewood veneers, Leather, Brazil, 1950s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
Original Condition
Leather, Rosewood
Sergio Rodrigues “Tonico” Lounge Chairs for Meia Pataca, 1963, Set of 2
By Sergio Rodrigues, Meia Pataca
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Sergio Rodrigues “Tonico” Lounge Chairs for Meia Pataca, 1963, Set of 2 Designed in 1963 for Meia Pataca, the “Tonico” is Sergio Rodrigues at his most direct: a low wooden rig that ...
Leather, Wood
Brazilian Mid Century Modern - Sergio Rodrigues OCA - “Luciana” Dresser, 1965
By OCA Brazil, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in São Paulo, SP
Rare “Luciana” dresser designed by Sergio Rodrigues in 1965 and produced by OCA, Brazil. The piece is an important example of Rodrigues’ mid-century production and reflects the desig...
Wood, Hardwood
Sergio Rodrigues, 'Bloch Editores' Wardrobe, Rosewood, Brazil, 1965
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Sergio Rodrigues Wardrobe for 'Bloch Editores' Rosewood, Brazil, 1965 Offered by RAFA gallery
Rosewood
Brazilian Modern “Stella” Three-Seat Sofa in Wood & Bouclé by Sergio Rodrigues
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
Designed in 1965 by Sergio Rodrigues (1924–2014) and produced by OCA, the Stella sofa stands as a mature expression of Brazilian modern design at its most confident and culturally gr...
Bouclé, Hardwood