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.
$435 / item
NU Candle Holder
Located in Gamboa, RJ
Candle holder for four candles made from crushed recycled ceramic bricks, glass and recycled beige Bahia marble aggregates. *Comes with 4 NU CANDLES (hydrogenated soy-based vegetable...
Terrazzo
$400 / item
Debbie Candlestick by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Debbie candlestick by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 6 cm D 5 cm H 24 cm each. Materials: dark bronze. Also available in polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused o...
Bronze
$482 / item
Leo Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Leo candleholder by Fakasaka Design. Dimensions: W 11 cm D 10 cm H 30.5 cm. Materials: dark bronze. Also available in polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on ...
Bronze
$1,598 / item
Alexia Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Alexia candleholder by Fakasaka Design. Dimensions: W 20 cm D 19 cm H 30.5 cm. Materials: dark bronze. Also available in polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused ...
Bronze
$2,056 / item
Alexia Bar Tray by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Alexia bar tray by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 42.5 cm D 29 cm H 4 cm Materials: polished bronze. Alexia tray / bar tray / centerpiece / candle tray...
Bronze
$1,163 / item
Hun Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Hun Candleholder by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 9 cm D 6 cm H 33 cm. Materials: dark bronze. Also available in polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a desig...
Bronze
$1,821 / item
Apple Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Apple candleholder by Fakasaka design Dimensions: W 13.5 cm D 13.5 cm H 41.5. Materials: dark bronze. Also available in polished bronze. Fakasaka is a design company focused on pr...
Bronze
$599 / item
Gui Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Gui Candleholder by Fakasaka Design. Dimensions: W 14 cm D 10.5 cm H 40.5 cm. Materials: dark bronze. Also available in polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on pr...
Bronze
$599 / item
Gui Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Gui candleholder by Fakasaka Design. Dimensions: W 14 cm D 10.5 cm H 40.5 cm. Materials: polished bronze. Fakasaka is a design company focused on production of high-end furniture, ...
Bronze
Set of 2 Debbie Candlesticks by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Debbie candlesticks by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 6 cm D 5 cm H 24 cm each. Materials: polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production of high-e...
Bronze
$1,821 / item
Apple Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Apple candleholder by Fakasaka design Dimensions: W 13.5 cm D 13.5 cm H 41.5. Materials: polished bronze. Also available in dark bronze. Fakasaka is a design company focused ...
Bronze
$564 / item
Adri Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Adri candleholder by Fakasaka Design. Dimensions: W 12.5 cm, D 10 cm, H 36.5 cm. Materials: dark bronze. Also available in polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on ...
Bronze
$10,010Sale Price|35% Off
Rock Crystal Candleholder Lavender Stone
Located in Dallas, TX
Rock crystal candleholder lavender stone, beautiful designed, unique piece.
Rock Crystal
$2,056 / item
Alexia Bar Tray by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Alexia bar tray by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 42.5 cm D 29 cm H 4 cm Materials: black/brown bronze. Alexia tray / bar tray / centerpiece / candle tray ...
Bronze
$399 / item
Debbie Candlestick by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Debbie candlestick by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 6 cm D 5 cm H 24 cm each. Materials: polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production of high-end furnitu...
Bronze
$1,598 / item
Alexia Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Alexia candleholder by Fakasaka design. Dimensions: W 20 cm D 19 cm H 30.5 cm. Materials: polished bronze. Fakasaka is a design company focused on production of high-end furnit...
Bronze
$1,422 / item
Heather Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Heather candleholder by Fakasaka Design. Dimensions: W 9.5 cm D 5.5 cm H 29.5 cm. Materials: dark bronze. Also available in polished bronze. Fakasaka is a design company focus...
Bronze
$1,222 / item
Janis Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Janis candleholder by Fakasaka design. Dimensions: W 8 cm D 8 cm H 41 cm. Materials: polished bronze. Fakasaka is a design company focused on production of high-end furniture, ...
Bronze
$564 / item
Adri Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Adri candleholder by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 12.5 cm D 10 cm H 36.5 cm. Materials: polished bronze. Also available in dark bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused o...
Bronze
$481 / item
Leo Candleholder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Leo candleholder by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 11 cm D 10 cm H 30.5 cm. Materials: polished bronze. Also available in dark bronze. Fakasaka is a design company focused on produc...
Bronze
Luna Handmade Blown Glass Candleholder Designed by Aldo Cibic
By Aldo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Luna is a handmade transparent candle stick in mouth blown glass designed by Aldo Cibic, it is available in three different sizes. This piece is a timeless object whose curvy Silhoue...
Blown Glass
$220Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 3 in W 1.5 in D 1.5 in
Design by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Pair of Teardrop Candleholders
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of Dansk tilting silver-plated teardrop candleholders in great vintage condition. This piece was designed by Jens Quistgaard and is true to ...
Metal, Silver Plate
Crocodile Candle Holder
Located in Paris, FR
Candle Holder Crocodile with metal structure in brass vintage finish, for 1 candle, candle not included.
Metal, Brass
$348 / item
H 4.33 in W 1.97 in D 8.86 in
Folio Candleholders Designed by Antigone Acconci in Copper, Brass or Inox
By Riccardo Bastiani, Antigone Acconci
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Folio candleholders are available in copper, brass or stainless steel. Its spontaneous oxidation will appear with time and is due to its natural finishings. The structure is made by...
Metal
$1,317Sale Price|20% Off
H 17.72 in Dm 14.97 in
Large Silver Plated Candlestick Designed by Borek Sipek for Driade
By B. Sipek
Located in London, GB
Silver plated candlestick, decorated with seven candleholders and a removable central area. The conical shaped base is decorated with holes. Hallmark to the base. Circa 1989, Prague. Biography. Boris...
Silver Plate
Tête-à-tête Set of Two Candleholder in Metal Designed by Aldo Cibic
By Aldo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Tête-à-tête is a set of two metallic candleholder available in two materials: silver plate metal and brass. It is a small object which gives the illusion that the candles are floati...
Silver Plate, Brass
Fiamma High Blown Glass Candlestick Designed by Aldo Cibic
By Aldo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Fiamma is an elegant candle holder in blown glass consisting of two elements: a tapered and slim base on which a cylindrical lampshade lays. Fiamma, designed by Aldo Cibic, is availa...
Blown Glass
Fiamma Low Blown Glass Candlestick Designed by Aldo Cibic
By Aldo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Fiamma is an elegant candle holder in blown glass consisting of two elements: a tapered and slim base on which a cylindrical lampshade lays. Fiamma, designed by Aldo Cibic, is availa...
Blown Glass
$185 / item
H 1.58 in W 1.58 in D 1.58 in
Six Brass Star Candleholders Designed by Pierre Forssell for Skultuna, 1960s
By Skultuna, Pierre Forssell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Six candleholders, brass stars, designed by Pierre Forssell for Skultuna, Sweden, 1960s. Bottom with maker's mark and signature.
Brass
Knot candlesticks, brutalist design, bronze, Italy, 1970
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Beautiful brutalist candlestick in the shape of a knot, designed and produced in italy in the 1970s. Bronze candlestick. Magnificent decorative object that will bring a real design t...
Bronze
Candelabra Sculpture Centerpiece by Jacques Jarrige "Waves"
By Jacques Jarrige
Located in New York, NY
Unique sculpture / candelabra in aluminum hand hammered by Jacques Jarrige. This tabletop, centerpiece can be commissioned to custom size.
Aluminum
Tube Glass Candle Holder
By Casarialto
Located in Milan, IT
Handcrafted in Venice, this candle holder is a signature product by Casarialto. Entirely made of transparent glass, this diaphanous candle holder shaped like a tube strikes for its l...
Glass