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 Mid-Century Red Murano Bottle
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Red opaline glass bottle, commonly known in Brazil as a “clown nose” or "ball bottle". Produced during the 1970s, the piece features a vibrant red exterior with a milky white interio...
Murano Glass
$10,800 / set
Pair of Polished Rock Crystal Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
These polished rock crystal vases are a sophisticated addition to any home décor. They have a beautiful polished finish and provide sleek and elegant look. A stunning accessory that ...
Rock Crystal
Brazilian Mid-Century Ceramic Jug by Cerâmica Itaipava
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Glazed ceramic water jug produced by Cerâmica Itaipava during the 1960s. The piece features an almost cylindrical form, softened by gentle contours and enhanced by a richly glazed su...
Ceramic
Pair of Hawkes Crystal and Sterling Vases
By Hawkes and Son Makers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Presenting a pair of Hawkes vases; crystal with sterling silver bases. The crystal is in the "diamond cut" pattern with slight curves alon...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Pair of Art Deco Style Smokey Cut Rock Crystal Ball Form Ornaments
Located in New York, NY
A exquisite pair of art deco style smokey cut rock crystal ball form ornaments. Each ornament consists of a spherical smokey rock crystal ball resting atop a faceted rock crystal bas...
Rock Crystal
$464
H 11.82 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in
Italian Craftsmanship Hand-Cut and Hand-Polished Beveled Crystal Vase
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as we aim to provide detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. This exceptio...
Crystal
$542Sale Price|30% Off
H 13 in Dm 9.06 in
Mid-Century Ceramic Jug Vase by Ceramano, Blue Glaze, West Germany
By Ceramano, West German Pottery
Located in Valencia, VC
Ultra Modern Mid-Century Large Ceramic Jug Vase by Ceramano, c. 1960s, West Germany A striking and rare large ceramic handled jug vase by cult German ceramics workshop Ceramano, han...
Ceramic, Clay, Earthenware
Vintage Murano Red & Opalescent Glass Perfume Bottle with Stopper
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite vintage Murano glass perfume bottle features a striking combination of deep ruby red glass framed by clear ribbed layers, creating a captivating optical depth. Its ele...
Glass, Art Glass
Cenedese Red Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano Glass Bowl or Vase
By Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Wonderful vintage Mid-Century Modern glass bowl or vase in green by Cenedese of Murano, Italy. This can be used as a bowl or as a vase when turned upside down - perfect for displ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$3,406 / set
H 13.39 in Dm 7.88 in
Atelier Oball Mid-Century Modern Two of Murano Glass Bottles Sommerso, 1994s
By Atelier Oball
Located in Murano, Venezia
Pair of Murano blown glass bottles, handmade with Sommersa work, amethyst, blue, pink and crystal color. Works performed by the famous Vetreia Oball Murano...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
20th Century Red/ Amber Murano Sommerso Glass Vase - Mid Century, IT ca. 1960
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Lovely mid century modern red/ amber colored Murano glass vase out of the renowned glass workshops of Sommerso on the little island of Murano/ Italy. Artfully made around the late 19...
Murano Glass
Rock Crystal Vase II by Phoenix
Located in New York, NY
Finely carved rock crystal vase with natural gemstone decoration. Created by Phoenix Gallery, NYC.
Rock Crystal
Mid-Century Modern Murano Blue & Rust Art Glass Bottle with Stopper
By Angelo Seguso
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This heavy art glass bottle is unsigned and not labeled, but consistent with the style of the Italian Murano artist Angelo Seguso. This substantial art glass bottle is done in a thic...
Art Glass
Cenedese Dark Red Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano Glass Bowl or Vase
By Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Wonderful vintage Mid-Century Modern glass bowl or vase in dark red by Cenedese of Murano, Italy. This can be used as a bowl or as a vase when turned upside down - perfect for displaying short stemmed decorative flowers. A fun, funky and bright way to add a touch of bold colour / color to your interior - imagine glass like this on open, white shelving...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Mid Century Chianti Bottle Fish Motif
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
A unique vintage Chianti bottle in the shape of graduating fish. Standing at an impressive 44.2" tall, it features vibrant green glass and is in...
Glass