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.
"Olav" Floor Mirror and Coat Rack, Modern Design in Wood and Leather Details
By Studio Marta Manente
Located in Centro, RS
The "Olav" floor mirror has modern and organic features. Its shape suggests the visualization of the person in full body. In addition to being a decorative piece, it is a multifuncti...
Metal
Customizable Full-Length Teak Mirror with Soft Corners – Duomo Collection
By Uultis Design
Located in Miami, FL
A sculptural full-length mirror framed in solid teak, the Duomo brings refined simplicity and architectural presence to any space. *Please check availability prior to purchase*. Def...
Wood, Teak, Mirror
Full-Length Off-White Wooden Mirror for Home or Commercial Use - Duomo Line
By Uultis Design
Located in Miami, FL
A Duomo full-length mirror designed by Sérgio Batista for Uultis with off white wooden frame. *Please check availability prior to purchase*. The Duomo full-length mirror is a striking blend of refinement and functionality, designed to bring a sense of openness and sophistication to any space. Featuring an off-white solid wood frame with subtly rounded edges, this mirror embodies soft elegance, seamlessly complementing modern, minimalist, and contemporary interiors. Its sleek silhouette and neutral finish make it an ideal choice for both residential and commercial settings, enhancing bedrooms, dressing rooms, living areas, and boutique spaces. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Duomo mirror...
Wood, Mirror
$6,118 / item
Wood Espelho Vela by Atelier Andre Ferri
Located in Geneve, CH
Wood Espelho Vela by Atelier Andre Ferri Dimensions: W 68 x D 25 x H 188 cm Materials: Wood. ANDRÉ FERRI André Ferri is from Belo Horizonte, born in 1990, graduated in Architectu...
Wood
Pelle mirror by Danilo Vale – size G – with a leather upholstered frame
By danilo vale Design
Located in Brasilia, Distrito Federal
Pelle Mirror The Pelle Mirror is born from the intention to give new meaning to leather remnants from our furniture production, applied to its upholstered frame. By reusing this nob...
Leather, Mirror, Foam
Brazilian Mid-Century Rosewood Large Rectangular Mirror
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Robust rectangular mirror framed in solid Jacaranda da Bahia (Brazilian rosewood), complemented by a laminated rosewood backing that reinforces its substantial construction. The piec...
Mirror, Rosewood
$20,685 / item
Monolith Mirror by Atelier Dutré
Located in Geneve, CH
Monolith Mirror by Atelier Dutré Dimensions: W 80 × D 20 × H 190 cm Materials: Black Smoke Soapstone The Monolith Mirror is conceived as a void carved from mass. Rather than functio...
Soapstone
$5,260 / item
Mirror Murundu
By Cultivado em Casa
Located in Floresta, MG
Inspired by quite common natural elements in our region, Murundu speaks of affective landscapes, our rural nature and our profound connection with the countryside. At the same time...
Stainless Steel
$3,176 / item
H 47.25 in W 24.22 in D 3.94 in
Floor Mirror 'TRN Triple' by Pani Jurek, Wood '+ colors'
By Pani Jurek
Located in Paris, IDF
TRN Triple Floor mirror Signed by Pani Jurek Dimensions: H 120 x 61.5 x10 Materials: Solid ashwood, hand stained Colors: Red, blue, green and natu...
Wood
$1,553 / item
H 47.25 in W 24.22 in D 1.97 in
Contemporary Floor Mirror 'TRN L' by Pani Jurek, Wood (natural)
By Pani Jurek
Located in Paris, IDF
TRN M Floor mirror Signed by Pani Jurek Dimensions: H120 x 61,5 x 5 Materials: Solid ash wood, hand stained Colors: red, blue, green, natural _________________________________ Pan...
Wood
Floor Mirror 'TRN S' by Pani Jurek, Wood (red)
By Pani Jurek
Located in Paris, IDF
TRN S Floor mirror Signed by Pani Jurek Dimensions: H100 x 41,5 x 5 Materials: Solid ash wood, hand stained Colors: red, blue, green, natural _________________________________ Pan...
Wood
Contemporary Upholstered Iris Floor Mirror
By Merve Kahraman
Located in Istanbul, TR
The floor version of the “Iris Mirror” has pink and mustard color upholstery wrapped around the arched shape. It can be hanged on the wall or stand by itself. It can be customized in...
Mirror
$2,900
H 84 in W 71 in D 24 in
Large Asian Standing Carved and Ebonized Floor Mirror with Gilt Details
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large scale square frame with staggered panels surrounding the center mirror. A top and bottom panel on the front are decorated with gilt foliate scrolled motifs. The back with thr...
Wood
$1,721
H 47.05 in W 30.12 in D 2.37 in
Rare Vintage Snakeskin Mirror Upholstered on Solid Wood Antique Timber Frame
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely handmade Snakeskin covered antique timber framed mirror This sold to me as being purchas...
$2,499 / item
H 57.48 in W 27.55 in D 0.98 in
Gio Ponti 'F.A. 33' Full Length Mirror in Brass for GUBI
By Gubi, Gio Ponti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gio Ponti 'F.A. 33' Full Length Mirror in Brass for GUBI The 'F.A. 33' mirror was originally designed by Gio Ponti in 1933 for Fontana Arte, the period’s most prominent lamp, glass...
Brass
Rare Mid Century Large Mirror in Mahogany, 1940's
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Rare Large Mirror in Mahogany, 1940's Additional Information: Material: Mahogany Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced in Sweden Dimensions (W x D x H): 100 x 9 x 175 cm Conditi...
Mahogany
Strike Full Length Mirror by Matteo Cibic
By Matteo Cibic, Scarlet Splendour
Located in Kolkata, IN
Strike Full Length Mirror by Matteo Cibic is a tall mirror with a Classic vanilla noir border. India's handicrafts are as multifarious as its cultures, and as rich as its history. T...
Resin
Floor Mirror 'TRN S' by Pani Jurek, Wood (natural)
By Pani Jurek
Located in Paris, IDF
TRN S Floor mirror Signed by Pani Jurek Dimensions: H100 x 41,5 x 5 Materials: Solid ash wood, hand stained Colors: red, blue, green, natural _________________________________ Pani...
Wood
$2,000
H 65.04 in W 28.35 in D 15.44 in
Showa Period Japanese Wooden Stand Mirror / Mulberry Veneer Full-Length Mirror
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a wooden full-length mirror crafted in Japan during the Showa era. Following the Meiji era, when new Western culture began to permeate Japan, Japanese lifestyles underwent ma...
Mirror, Wood
$3,857
H 47.25 in W 23.63 in D 0.79 in
Mid-Century Italian Wall Mirror with Brass Frame (circa 1950s) - Large
Located in London, GB
Mid-Century Italian wall mirror with brass frame (circa 1950s). The large mirror is classically-shaped and distinctive in a Modern style. It is in good overall condition with the exc...
Brass