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 Contemporary Set of Appetizer Ceramic Bowls by Rodrigo Almeida
By Rodrigo Almeida
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Set of three appetizer ceramic bowls, Brazil, 2014 Brazilian contemporary design by Rodrigo Almeida Measurement Units Centimeters 22cm D x 9.5cm H 21.5cm x 21cm x 6cm H 21.5cm x 21...
Jacaranda, Ceramic
Piero Fornasetti Ceramic Appetizer Set and Tray
By Piero Fornasetti
Located in Downingtown, PA
"The Vegetable Garden": Rare Fornasetti "Ceramiche di Bollate" Appetizer Set, Circa 1950s A charming and rare mid-century ceramic appetizer set by Atelier Fornasetti, produced in Mi...
Ceramic
$2,944 / set
H 1.97 in Dm 4.53 in
Antonio da Ros for Cenedese Murano Glass Set of Vibrantly Colored Glass Bowls
By Cenedese, Antonio da Ros
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
One of four sets or ensemble of five 'Opalino' Murano glass bowls designed by Antonio da Ros (1936-2012) for Cenedese, circa 1970-1990. Wonderful translucent colors of vibrant blues, aubergine and pink. Simplistic yet elegant forms - almost futuristic. Very fun to dine with the vibrant Murano glassware...
Murano Glass
Vintage Polish Hand Painted Ceramic Bowls - Set of 2
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your everyday dining with this exquisite pair of authentic hand-painted ceramic bowls from the renowned Bolesławiec tradition of Poland. Signed by artist Anna Unikat Jonczyk,...
Ceramic
FORNASETTI Set of 6 Ceramic Appetizer Bowls by Fornasetti
By Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage set of six bar snack or appetizer bowls, decorated in black and white with images and letters to form the contents and a wide gilt band to the foot and inner rim. The subject...
Ceramic
$194 / item
H 1.97 in Dm 3.55 in
Rock Handmade Ceramic Dipping Bowls - Set of 4 - Black & White Splatterware
By OWO Ceramics
Located in Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, AR
Beautiful handcrafted small ceramic dipping bowls. These highly functional pottery bowls are perfect for serving dips, nuts, seeds, condiments, sea salt,...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery
$881
H 2.37 in W 7.09 in D 3.94 in
Black and Brown Design Set of 6 Ceramic Coffee Mugs or Bowls by Pierre Digan
By Pierre Digan
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Pierre Digan Realised circa 1970 Set of 6 ceramics mugs or coffee cup by French designer Original perfect condition Black ceramic glaze color Measures: Height : 6 cm ...
Ceramic
$2,674
H 9.85 in Dm 8.67 in
Set of Aubergine Eggplant Majolica Ceramic Tureen Centerpiece, 6 Bowls & Shakers
Located in Barcelona, ES
Stunning Tableware serving set eggplant design. Italy, 1960s. One of a kind majolica ceramic tableware set of pieces. The set is comprised by: 1 large eggplant tureen...
Majolica, Pottery, Ceramic
Midcentury Hand Painted Ceramic Set of Bowls / Dessert Serving Set
Located in Barcelona, ES
A colorful set of ceramic bowls with hand painted stripes in red, orange and black color over white. Manufactured by Vargas, Spain, 1960-1970. Six small bowls and a big centerpiece ...
Ceramic
Hall’s Orange Poppy Ceramic Bowls, Set of 3
Located in Bradenton, FL
A set of three 1940’s ‘Orange Poppy’ ceramic bowls made by Hall China Company. Each bowl is decorated with a vibrant floral spray of orange poppies, set on an ivory background. Marke...
Ceramic
$4,480 / set
H 6.25 in W 16.25 in D 16.25 in
A Set of Antique Spanish Ceramic Bowls in Foliate & Bird Motif
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Spanish pair of hand-painted ceramic bowls from the early 20th century. These antique bowls from Spain are round in shape, with widest part being at the top lip, and gradually tape...
Ceramic
Set of bowls by Felix Frères
Located in MADRID, ES
Silver bowls, made in Toulouse by Felix Frères, 20th century. Comprising; 1 large, 2 medium and 1 small. Height: 7cm - 5cm - 4cm Ø: 18cm - 13cm - 10cm
Silver
Set of 2 Helice Fruit Bowls by Studio Cúze
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Helice fruit bowl by Studio Cúze Dimensions: W 27 x H 6.5 cm Materials: ceramic The Helice Fruit Bowl is an all-white bowl with a special quality and a unique handmade ...
Ceramic