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.
Brazilian Agate Onyx and Wood Round Jewelry Trinket Box, Brazil, 1980s
Located in New York, NY
A round Brazilian agate onyx and wood trinket or jewelry box, in the Modern style Post-Modern period, circa-late 20th century, 1980s early 1990s, Brazil. Box has a rich brown wood wi...
Onyx, Agate
Sculptural Brazilian Wood Pendant Light, Midcentury, Rich Organic Form
Located in Lisse, NL
A sculptural midcentury pendant light, hand-turned from richly figured wood, likely originating from Brazil. The form is both simple and expressive. The wide, gently scalloped dome ...
Wire
Blue Agate Quartz Bookends or Decorative Objects, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial pair of cobalt blue agate bookends or decorative objects, circa late-20th century, Brazil. Great as bookends and equally great as standalone decorative ob...
Agate, Quartz
Leather Object Holder AVRA by ARIA HOME - Square Small - Color: Savannah
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Function that honors the eye. The AVRA Collection expresses organization through precise, contemporary design, with catchall trays created to structure everyday life in a clear and ...
Leather
Brazilian Modern Female Sculptural Vase or Pen Holder, 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Brazilian modern bronze vase or desk accessory / pen holder with a sculptural female bust circa 1960s.
Bronze
Leather Tray ALINEA by ARIA HOME - Square Small - Color: Vanilla
Located in Curitiba, Parana
A classic that endures. The ALINEA Collection embodies the essence of Aria Home: classic trays with refined finishes, designed to move effortlessly across spaces and styles. Its si...
Leather
Brazilian Modern Patinated Brass Astray or Catchall
Located in Miami, FL
Patinated brass sculpted insect ashtray or catchall. Brazil, 1950s.
Brass
Madagascan Fossil Tree Trunk Slice
Located in London, by appointment only
Madagascan fossil tree trunk slice. Measures: 25 cm. 29 cm. 5 cm.
Stone
$270 / item
Geometric Letter Holder
By Atelier BAM
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Bring a warm modern touch to your stationary with this geometric Desktop accessory. Named “Triângulo”, it showcases how small leftover materials can be turned into a new object: mass...
Copper
1970s Brazilian Natural Rock Exotic Stone
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Natural Rock from Brazil Exotic Stone Brown Black .63 thick x 12 w x 6 Bottom of brown felt. Original organic vintage condition Refer to listed images
Stone
Leather Object Holder AVRA by ARIA HOME - Square Medium - Color: Marine
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Function that honors the eye. The AVRA Collection expresses organization through precise, contemporary design, with catchall trays created to structure everyday life in a clear and ...
Leather
Leather Object Holder AVRA by ARIA HOME - Square Medium - Color: Caramel
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Function that honors the eye. The AVRA Collection expresses organization through precise, contemporary design, with catchall trays created to structure everyday life in a clear and ...
Leather
Leather Object Holder AVRA by ARIA HOME - Square Small - Color: Vanilla
Located in Curitiba, Parana
Function that honors the eye. The AVRA Collection expresses organization through precise, contemporary design, with catchall trays created to structure everyday life in a clear and ...
Leather
$1,001 / item
Pencil Holder I by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Pencil holder I by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: Ø 8.5 cm H 13 cm Materials: polished bronze. Also available in dark bronze. FAKASAKA is a design c...
Bronze
$3,459 / item
Libidonoso Object #1 by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Libidonoso object #1 by Mameluca Material: marble, gold-plated metal Dimensions: D 15 x H 5.5 cm In reference to Paul Nacke’s states about Narcissism, being an attitude of a per...
Marble
$975 / set
Joy Collection, Steel Organizer Duo
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
JOY COLLECTION A thing of beauty is a joy for ever. John Keats I am free for the silence of shapes and colors. Manoel de Barros It is better to be happy than sad Joy is the best thing there is It is like a light inside our hearts. Vinicius de Moraes - The boredom of trivial things offends creativity. It needs daily hugs, which flood life with energy and turn challenges into ideas. Without the necessary lightness, daily life consumes inspiration and pre-shaped responses fill the void. The Joy Collection by Iludi emerges as small windows for a horizon of satisfaction and style. It colors life with three sophisticated tones and features minimalist trays, organizers, baskets and magazine holders for those who are tired of the sameness and coldness of ordinary jobs. An excellent choice to fill the home office with delicacy and energy. A perfect combination of form, function and smiles. Measurements N4 Organizer (Short divider...
Steel
Ipêrulito, Zanini De Zanine, Contemporary Brazilian Design
By Zanini de Zanine
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Zanini de Zanine was born in Rio de Janeiro, in 1978. He worked with by Sergio Rodrigues and watched during his life the work of his father, José Zanine Caldas. Nowadays, he is one of the most awarded contemporary Brazilian...
$3,459 / item
Libidonoso Object #3 by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Libidonoso object #3 by Mameluca Material: corian, gold-plated metal. Dimensions: D 21 x W 18 x H 10cm. In reference to Paul Nacke’s states about Narcissism, being an attitude o...
Metal
$3,459 / item
Libidonoso Object #2 by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Libidonoso object #2 by Mameluca Material: gold-plated metal Dimensions: D 15 x H 10cm In reference to Paul Nacke’s states about Narcissism, being an attitude of a person who tr...
Metal
$1,213 / item
Apple Vase by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Apple vase by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 11 cm D 11 cm H 18.5 cm Materials: polished bronze. APPLE VASE / PEN CUP FAKASAKA is a design company focu...
Bronze
Turner Card and Pen Holder by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Turner card and pen holder by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 26.5 cm D 10.5 cm H 8 cm Materials: black/brown bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focuse...
Bronze
$1,001 / item
Taylor Pencil Holder I by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Taylor pencil holder by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: Ø 8.5 cm H 13 cm Materials: dark bronze. Also available in polished bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production o...
Bronze
$1,510 / set
Kyoto Collection, Aluminium and Wood 4 Pots Set
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
KYOTO COLLECTION Lift up your gaze and you will see no boundaries. (Japanese proverb) When we learn from our precepts, we are capable of writing new stories. Looking ahead and do...
Aluminum
$1,080 / set
Kobe Collection, Aluminium and Wood 3 Pots Set
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
KOBE COLLECTION "The distinction between past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion". We must not forget what we have lived, stories and traditions, so that w...
Aluminum
$840 / item
Babel Collection, PLA N2 Organizer
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
BABEL COLLECTION Nothing beats the way creativity molds itself to everyday needs, as well as the sudden abstract contour of fascination. Brazil's power to create unimaginable inve...
Steel
$1,605 / set
Joy Collection, Steel Organizer Trio
By Luiz Costa e Rodrigo Irffi
Located in Santa Edwiges, MG
JOY COLLECTION A thing of beauty is a joy for ever. John Keats I am free for the silence of shapes and colors. Manoel de Barros It is better to be happy than sad Joy is the best thing there is It is like a light inside our hearts. Vinicius de Moraes - The boredom of trivial things offends creativity. It needs daily hugs, which flood life with energy and turn challenges into ideas. Without the necessary lightness, daily life consumes inspiration and pre-shaped responses fill the void. The Joy Collection by Iludi emerges as small windows for a horizon of satisfaction and style. It colors life with three sophisticated tones and features minimalist trays, organizers, baskets and magazine holders for those who are tired of the sameness and coldness of ordinary jobs. An excellent choice to fill the home office with delicacy and energy. A perfect combination of form, function and smiles. Measurements N1 Organizer (Long divider): 15cm x 40cm x 9cm N2 Organizer (Short divider...
Steel
$500 / set
H 3 in Dm 2 in
Set of two Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Pen Holders in Hardwood, Jupanam, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
This pair of pen holders reflects the restrained utility and material integrity associated with Brazilian modern desk accessories of the mid-twentieth century. Modest in scale yet de...
Hardwood
Organic Modern Table Lamp Sculptural Parota Wood Base
By Isabel Moncada
Located in San Antonio, TX
Pata de Elefante Small Table Lamp — Atomic Collection by Isabel Moncada Named ""Elephant's Foot"" for its bold, bulbous base, the Pata de Elefante Sm...
Fiberglass, Linen, Fabric, Wood
Salta Medium Bordeaux Onyx Stone Pair of Bookends
By AIREDELSUR
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Salta province is called the beautiful, and this adjective introduces us to its profound beauty. Its fertile valleys, windy desert, colorful mountains and blue sky are the images tha...
Stone, Onyx, Metal
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3652 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3652 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each pie...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3846 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3846 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in polished brass. The Auböck #3846 booke...
Brass
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #1928 'Hands' Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #1928 'Hands' Brass Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. ...
Brass
Vintage wooden Trinket Jewelry Box
Located in Seattle, WA
This Vintage wooden box possibly oak is perfect for trinkets or Jewelry. It has slidable and removable compartments. This Piece has nice patina and character. Vintage Condition as p...
Wood
Pen Holder in Horn by Werkstätte Carl Auböck Austria 1960s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Pen holder made from polished natural horn, slightly tapering towards the base and retaining the organic curvature of the original material. The translucent surface shows characteris...
Horn
$789 / item
H 7.88 in W 7.88 in D 9.06 in
20th Century Bronze / Brass Industrial Flame Proof Ceiling Light / Desk Lamp
By Industrial Design
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Solid bronze desk lamp with braided cable and dimmer switch. Comes with vintage Edison filament lamp E27. Made in the 1980s by Kokosha - Osaka, Japan. ...
Brass, Bronze
Turquerie Ottoman Jewel small Tray
By Bertrando Di Renzo
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Stunning ottoman jewel small tray in a Turquerie style serving and decorative tray.
Wood
Turquerie Persian Jewel Small Tray
By Bertrando Di Renzo
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Stunning Persian jewel small tray in a Turquerie style serving and decorative tray.
Wood
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3654 Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3654 Brass Bookends Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Each piec...
Brass
Brazilian Wood and Black Agate Onyx Round Box, Brazil 1980s
Located in New York, NY
A Brazilian hardwood and black and white agate onyx round jewelry or trinket box, in the Modern style Post-Modern period, circa, late-20th century, Brazil, 1980s, early 1990s. A hardwood round box with a black and white agate onyx lid. A great piece for a desk, vanity, nightstand table area to hold small items or jewelry, etc. Dimensions: 4.38" Diameter White German porcelain tray...
Onyx, Agate
Blue Agate Onyx Bookends or Decorative Objects, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of cobalt blue natural agate bookends or decorative objects, circa 20th century, Brazil. These agate bookends may work well on a bookshelf or equally well as standal...
Agate, Onyx
Brazilian Agate Onyx and Wood Round Jewelry or Trinket Box, Brazil, 1980s
Located in New York, NY
A Brazilian wood and agate onyx round jewelry or trinket box, in the Modern style/Post-Modern period, circa late 20th century, 1980s, Brazil. Agate is a light grey hue. Piece would s...
Agate, Onyx
Agate Onyx Geode and Wood Round Jewelry or Trinket Box, Brazil, 1990s
Located in New York, NY
A wood and agate geode round jewelry or trinket box, circa late 20th century, Brazil. Agate is a red burgundy hue, with white. Piece would suffice for a desk, vanity, nightstand tabl...
Agate, Onyx
Pietrina Checcacci Cast Bronze Hand Letter Holder with Granite Base
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Pietrina Checcacci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast bronze hand letter holder by Italian-Brazilian artist Pietrina Checcacci. The small weighted object features a patinated bronze set of fingers th...
Granite, Bronze
Modern Op-Art Owl Sculpture by Brazilian Artist Abraham Palatnik
By Abraham Palatnik
Located in New York, NY
A Mid-Century Modern Lucite op-art resin owl in black and white by Brazilian artist Abraham Palatnik, circa mid-20th century, Brazil. Abraham Palatnik was a Brazilian visionary artis...
Resin
Sold
H 12.25 in Dm 8.7 in
Mid-Century Modern Organic Table Desk Lamp Wood with Stunning Tree Knots Pattern
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful shape, organic wooden table lamp with all natural colors and nice scalloped edge shade. This midcentury era, mushroom shape table lamp has some of the most beautiful, natural colors you will ever see. We don't know what type of wood this lamp is made of, but this shape and these great colors will combine beautifully with all kinds of styles and materials. The design, the warm colors and the wonderful tree knot pattern in both the shade and base are an absolute joy to look at. And with the light switched on, the cores of the tree knots turn into a beautiful, deep red and almost purple color. A little bit like the eyes of nocturnal animals...
Wood
Sold
H 12.2 in Dm 7.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Organic Table Desk Lamp Wood with Stunning Tree Knots Pattern
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and beautiful shape, wooden table lamp with all unique colors. This midcentury era, mushroom shape table lamp has some of the most beautiful, natural colors ever. We don't know what type of wood this lamp is made of, but this shape and these great colors will combine beautifully with all kinds of styles and materials. The design, the warm colors and the wonderful tree knot...
Wood
Brazilian Butterfly Wing Inlaid Wooden Tray
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Inlaid butterfly wing serving tray by Formanek, Brazil, circa 1950s. Featuring a stunning vibrant display of butterfly wings underneath a protective pie...
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 11 in Dm 8.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Organic Table Desk Lamp Wood with Stunning Tree Knots Pattern
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and beautiful shape, wooden table lamp with all natural colors. This midcentury era, mushroom shape table lamp has some of the most beautiful, natural colors you will ever see. We don't know what type of wood this lamp is made of, but this shape and these great colors will combine beautifully with all kinds of styles and materials. The design, the warm colors and the wonderful tree knot pattern in both the shade and base are an absolute joy to look at. And with the light switched on, the cores of the tree knots turn into a beautiful, deep red and almost purple color. A little bit like the eyes of nocturnal animals...
Wood
Sold
H 2.25 in W 5.5 in D 6.5 in
Vintage Jean Gillon Pipe Stand in Jacaranda for Wood Art Midcentury, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in San Antonio, TX
This vintage Jacaranda pipe stand by Jean Gillon for Wood Art midcentury is in overall good condition with minor veneer loss on the bottom. (See photos) Brazil, circa 1960s Dimensi...
Jacaranda
Sold
H 7 in W 6 in D 2.5 in
Brass, Amethyst and Quartz Hand Forged Picture Frame Desk Accessory Vintage
Located in North Miami, FL
This fabulous hand forged Brazilian vintage picture frame is from the 1970s and is one of a kind. The brass has dimensional designs and jutting stones o...
Amethyst, Quartz, Brass, Copper