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.
$4,527 / item
Balance 02 Sculpture by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Balance 02 Sculpture by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 4 x W 25 x H 50 cm. Materials: Ivory and lotus high temperature clay. Reproduction is en...
Clay
$328 / item
Crocodile Coaster 1 by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Crocodile Coaster 1 by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 14.5 cm D 14.5 cm H 0.7 cm Materials: polished bronze. Also available in black/brown bronze. Crocodile coaster 1 cup coaster...
Bronze
$258 / item
Brutalist Coaster 2 by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Brutalist coaster 2 by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 11.5 cm D 11.5 cm H 0.8 cm. Materials: polished bronze Also available in black/brown bronze....
Bronze
$2,582 / item
Bruma Sculptural Vessel in Ceramic by Julius Nobre
Located in Geneve, CH
Bruma Sculptural Vessel in Ceramic by Julius Nobre. Dimensions: W 15 x D 15 x H 30 cm. Materials: Ceramic. A lighter piece, with this idea of layers and breathing space between the...
Ceramic
Ueda Satoko Abstract Clay Sculpture, Brazil 1991
Located in Miami, FL
Abstract clay sculpture by Japanese-Brazilian artist and professor Ueda Satoko. Brazil 1991. Ueda Satoko was an artist, sculptor and professor residing in Baja de Tijuca, Rio de J...
Clay
Handcrafted Ceramic Sculpture, Cobalt Glazed, by Flávia Soares, Brazil
By Flávia Soares
Located in Belo Horizonte, BR
Shaped by hand from regional clay and fired at 1,300°C in a gas kiln, this sculpture by ceramic artist Flávia Soares carries the mark of its making. An original cobalt glaze — develo...
Ceramic
Handcrafted Ceramic Sculpture, Cobalt Glazed, by Flávia Soares, Brazil
By Flávia Soares
Located in Belo Horizonte, BR
Shaped by hand from regional clay and fired at 1,300°C in a gas kiln, this sculpture by ceramic artist Flávia Soares carries the mark of its making. An original cobalt glaze — develo...
Ceramic
Black Chain, by Rain, Wall Piece, Stainless Steel, Black
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Chains series represents a particular look into a rough object, which is often strictly associated to its functional purpose. The piece propose a reflection on mass production...
Stainless Steel
Brazilian Modern Black Steel Abstract Table Sculpture, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Modern black steel table sculpture. Artist unknown. Brazil circa 1980s.
Steel
Handcrafted Ceramic Sculpture, Tin Oxide Glazed, by Daniel Romeiro, Brazil
By Daniel Romeiro
Located in Belo Horizonte, BR
Shaped from regional clay and fired at 1,300°C, this piece by Daniel Romeiro bears the quiet intensity of a process built on material knowledge. The tin oxide glaze — developed throu...
Ceramic
Contemporary Brazilian Metal Flag Sculpture, 2012
Located in Miami, FL
Contemporary Brazilian modern steel flag sculpture on black acrylic box by unknown artist. Signed and dated.
Steel
Trípodes Deka Sculptural Object in Ceramic by Julius Nobre
Located in Geneve, CH
Trípodes Deka Sculptural Object in Ceramic by Julius Nobre. Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x H 36 cm. Materials: Ceramic. The series brings together larger-scale sculptures with more arch...
Ceramic
Handcrafted Ceramic Sculpture, Iron Glazed, by Flávia Soares, Brazil
By Flávia Soares
Located in Belo Horizonte, BR
Shaped by hand from regional clay and fired at 1,300°C in a gas kiln, this sculpture by ceramic artist Flávia Soares carries the mark of its making. An original iron glaze — develope...
Ceramic
Handcrafted Ceramic Sculpture, Iron Glazed, by Flávia Soares, Brazil
By Flávia Soares
Located in Belo Horizonte, BR
Shaped by hand from regional clay and fired at 1,300°C in a gas kiln, this sculpture by ceramic artist Flávia Soares carries the mark of its making. An original iron glaze — develope...
Ceramic
Trípodes Sentinela Sculptural Object in Ceramic by Julius Nobre
Located in Geneve, CH
Trípodes Sentinela Sculptural Object in Ceramic by Julius Nobre. Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x H 40 cm. Materials: Ceramic. The series brings together larger-scale sculptures with more...
Ceramic
Handcrafted Ceramic Sculpture, Satin Glazed, by Flávia Soares, Brazil
By Flávia Soares
Located in Belo Horizonte, BR
Handcrafted by ceramic artist Flávia Soares, this sculpture was shaped from locally sourced clay and fired at 1,300°C in a high-temperature gas kiln. Its satin glazed surface — born ...
Ceramic
Sculpture by Luiza Miller, 1970
By Luiza Miller 1
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture by Luiza Miller Carrara marble from 1970.
Carrara Marble
$14,088Sale Price|20% Off
Born Again from Amazonia Disenchanted Forest series by Elvio Becheroni
By Elvio Becheroni
Located in Milano, IT
The work **Being Born Again** by Elvio Becheroni is a unique and extraordinary sculpture, part of the "Amazonia - Disenchanted Forest" series. This piece captures the essence of the ...
Wood
$620Sale Price|20% Off
Modernist South American Rosewood Candlesticks Hourglass Studio Craft Woodwork
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful South American turned wood candlestick holders.
Rosewood
Sculpture by Joaquim Tenreiro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Sculpture par Joaquim Tenreiro pour une villa à Jardim, Suite à ses créations mobilières Joaquim Tenreiro s’intéressa aux arts graphiques, peinture et sculptures.
Metal
“Achego” Decorative Felted Wool "Necklace" by Inês Schertel, Brazil, 2019
By Inês Schertel
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Contemporary “Achego” Decorative Felted Wool "Necklace" in natural colors by Inês Schertel, Brazil 2019 Ines Schertel's primary material is sheep's wool. As a practitioner of slow...
Wool
Brazilian Mid-Century Rosewood Leaf #24
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Decorative leaf carving crafted from Jacaranda da Bahia (Brazilian rosewood), showcasing the rich grain and warm coloration that have made this wood one of Brazil’s most prized mater...
Rosewood
Brazilian Mid-Century Rosewood Leaf #30
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Decorative leaf carving crafted from Jacaranda da Bahia (Brazilian rosewood), showcasing the rich grain and warm coloration that have made this wood one of Brazil’s most prized mater...
Rosewood
Brazilian Mid-Century Rosewood Leaf 30
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Decorative leaf carving crafted from Jacaranda da Bahia (Brazilian rosewood), showcasing the rich grain and warm coloration that have made this wood one of Brazil’s most prized mater...
Rosewood
Handcrafted Ceramic Sculpture, Iron Glazed, by Flávia Soares, Brazil
By Flávia Soares
Located in Belo Horizonte, BR
Shaped by hand from regional clay and fired at 1,300°C in a gas kiln, this sculpture by ceramic artist Flávia Soares carries the mark of its making. An original iron glaze — develope...
Ceramic
Domingos Tótora "Escultura Âmago Model 04", Brazil 21st Century
By Domingos Tótora
Located in Utrecht, NL
This organic sculpture by contemporary artist Domingos Tótora is a visual expression of the artist’s view of design. Tótora creates objects and sculptures where beauty is inseparable...
Paper
Franz Weissmann Brazilian Abstract Sculpture steel !979
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible abstract sculpture in steel by Franz Weissmann 1979
Steel
Trípodes Hexa Sculptural Object in Ceramic by Julius Nobre
Located in Geneve, CH
Trípodes Hexa Sculptural Object in Ceramic by Julius Nobre. Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 40 cm. Materials: Ceramic. The series brings together larger-scale sculptures with more arch...
Ceramic
Oscar Vase by Decarvalho Atelier, Brazilian Contemporary Design
By Decarvalho Atelier
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Decarvalho Atelier, the "Oscar" vase is made of brass, but it can be made of Copper or Onyx too. The vase embraces the foliage with its structure.
Brass
$199 / item
Stringray Coaster 2 by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Stringray coaster 2 by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 10.7 cm D 10.7 cm H 0.5 cm Materials: dark bronze. Also available in polished bronze. Stringray coaster 2 Cup coaster...
Bronze
Domingos Tótora "Escultura Âmago Model 05", Brazil 21st Century
By Domingos Tótora
Located in Utrecht, NL
This organic sculpture by contemporary artist Domingos Tótora is a visual expression of the artist’s view of design. Tótora creates objects and sculptures where beauty is inseparable...
Paper
$9,569 / item
Verdaço, Bench Sculpture by Cultivado Em Casa
Located in Geneve, CH
Verdaço - Bench sculpture by Cultivado Em Casa Dimensions: 197 x 79 x 133 cm Materials: Stainless steel and wood A tangle chaotic and, at the same time, systematic, meticulous. ...
Stainless Steel
Emanoel Araujo brazilian sculpture in fiberglass and wood polychrome circa 1980
By Emanoel Araújo 1
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible EMANOEL ARAUJO abstract sculpture in fiberglass and wood signed and polychrome circa 1980.
Fiberglass, Wood
João De Barro Nest Wall Separating + Sculpture by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
João de Barro nest wall separating by Mameluca Material: clay, carboard, others Dimensions: D 300x H 250 cm Scientific Name - Rufous Hornero (Gmelin, 1788) The couple builds t...
Clay, Paper
Set of 3 Nest Wall Separatings + Sculptures by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 nest wall separatings + sculptures by Mameluca Material: Vime Branches, pallets, paper, fishing net, coconut fiber, clay & carboard others Dimensions: D 300x H 250 cm "...
Other
$4,520 / item
Balance 01 Sculpture by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Balance 01 Sculpture by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 19 x W 20 x H 80 cm. Materials: Ivory and lotus high temperature clay. Reproduction is e...
Clay
$2,019 / item
Medium Quartz Sculptural Vase by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Quartz sculptural vase by Aver Dimensions: D 20 x H 28 cm Materials: Quartz, steel, polyvinyl chloride, resin.
Quartz, Steel
$34,366 / item
João Do Pau Nest Wall Separating + Sculpture by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
João do Pau Nest wall separating + sculpture by Mameluca Material: Vime Branches, Pallets, others Dimensions: D 300x H 250 cm Birds build huge nests with twigs (reason of common...
Other
$18,326 / item
Vertigem Wall Separating + Sculpture by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Vertigem wall separating + Sculpture by Mameluca Material: Stainless Steel & Acrylic, Guitar strings Dimensions: D 130 x W 190 x H 50 cm The introduction of electric guitar in t...
Stainless Steel, Other
Infinito Soapstone and Nickel Sculpture by Alva Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Infinito Soapstone and Nickel Sculpture by Alva Design Materials: Soapstone and nickel. Dimensions: Ø 18 x H 45 cm. One counter stool, one screen, one coffee table, two wall sco...
Soapstone, Nickel
Pitaya Sculpture by Pedro Ávila
Located in São Paulo, BR
In the collection Delicadeza e Brutalidade, the sculptural furniture explores the essential duality between romance and violence, beauty and aggression. Materials such as marble, sta...
Brass, Aluminum, Stainless Steel
$482 / item
Brutalist Coaster 1 by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Brutalist Coaster 1 by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 17 cm D 17 cm H 0.9 cm. Materials: polished bronze Also available in black/brown bronze. BRUTALIST COASTER 1 CUP COASTER / BOTTLE COASTER / CANDLE...
Bronze
$199 / item
Stringray Coaster 2 by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Stringray coaster 2 by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 10.7 cm D 10.7 cm H 0.5 cm Materials: polished bronze. Also available in dark bronze. Stringray coaster 2 Cup coaster...
Bronze
$1,984 / item
Page Vase by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Page vase by Fakasaka design. Dimensions: W 16 cm D 16 cm H 35.5 cm. Materials: dark bronze. Fakasaka is a design company focused on product...
Bronze
Remo Bernucci 1970 set of 9 totens in plaster and wood polychrome sculpture.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible RENO BERNUCCI group of sculptures in plaster, wood polychrome with 9 pieces.
Plaster, Wood
Yutaka Toyota brazilian steel and wood wall sculpture 1982
By Yutaka Toyota
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Incredible YUTAKA TOYOTA steel wall sculpture polychromed in blue in perfect conditions signed and dated 1982.
Steel
Handmade geometric sand ceramic and brass table lamp, minimalist styled. Brazil
By Atelier BAM
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Minimalist-styled sand ceramic table lamp reveals the textures and colors gradian of its materials, handmade movements, and unexpected organic form. Slowly air-dried for more than 30 days, until it reaches a few hours into a low temperature hoven, to reach its final color and form. During all this process, the clay disc will take an unexpected organics movement in its form, almost like a living material, making each object unique in its details and colors. The brass part would be added at the end and tailored for each piece. The sculpture results in a process of hand modeling and details carving of grey...
Brass
$2,195 / item
Ori 02 Sculpture by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Ori 02 Sculpture by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 13 x W 10 x H 17 cm. Materials: Black low temperature clay with white grog. Reproduction is entirely manual, therefore i...
Clay
$2,430 / item
Ori 01 Sculpture by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Ori 01 Sculpture by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 16 x W 11 x H 15 cm. Materials: White high temperature clay. Reproduction is entirely manual...
Clay
$34,424 / item
Guacho Nest Wall Separating + Sculpture by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Guacho nest wall separating + sculpture by Mameluca Material: fishing net. coconut fiber, others Dimensions: D 300x H 250 cm Only the female constructs the nest in the form of a...
Other
$763 / item
Finito Soapstone Sculpture by Alva Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Finito Soapstone Sculpture by Alva Design Materials: Soapstone. Dimensions: Ø 18 x H 45 cm. One counter stool, one screen, one coffee table, two wall sconces, sculptures: furnit...
Soapstone
Infinito Soapstone and Brass Sculpture by Alva Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Finito Soapstone Sculpture by Alva Design Materials: Soapstone and nickel. Dimensions: Ø 18 x H 45 cm. One counter stool, one screen, one coffee table, two wall sconces, sculptu...
Soapstone, Nickel
Pequi Sculpture by Pedro Ávila
Located in São Paulo, BR
In the collection Delicadeza e Brutalidade, the sculptural furniture explores the essential duality between romance and violence, beauty and aggression. Materials such as marble, sta...
Brass
$2,277 / item
Bowie Vase by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Bowie vase by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 34 cm D 8 cm H 17.5 cm Materials: dark bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on production of high-end furniture, lighting, d...
Bronze
$234 / item
Horn 1 Sculpture by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Horn 1 sculpture by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 8 cm D 6 cm H 7 cm Materials: polished bronze. Horn 1 Paper weight / sculpture FAKASAKA is a de...
Bronze
$481 / item
Brutalist Coaster 1 by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Brutalist coaster 1 by Fakasaka design. Dimensions: W 17 cm D 17 cm H 0.9 cm. Materials: black/brown bronze. Also available in polished bronze. Bru...
Bronze
$258 / item
Brutalist Coaster 2 by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Brutalist coaster 2 by Fakasaka Design. Dimensions: W 11.5 cm D 11.5 cm H 0.8 cm. Materials: black/brown bronze Also available in polished bronze. ...
Bronze
$5,835 / item
Supert Vase by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Supert vase by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 35.5 cm D 15cm H 41 cm. Materials: Dark bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on product...
Bronze
$2,418 / item
Garrym Vase by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Garrym vase by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 19 cm D 12 cm H 41.5 cm. Materials: Dark Bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on produc...
Bronze
Bruno Giorgi Bronze Sculpture
By Bruno Giorgi 1
Located in Houston, TX
20th Century bronze sculpture created and signed by the artist Bruno Giorgi (1905-1993). Sculpture is detachable from granite base. International Orders:...
Granite, Bronze