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.
$15,709 / item
Brazilian Contemporary Design, Nouveau Rug
By Noemi Saga Atelier
Located in Sao Paulo, BR
New chromatic composition: brown+rose+bordeaux. Nouveau is inspired by nature’s organic shapes. The gestural lines alternate in cut stitch and boucle stitch in different thicknesses ...
Nylon
Genuine Brazilian Brindle Cowhide
Located in Praha, CZ
Genuine Brazilian cowhide leather of beautiful brindle colour in very good condition. A great way to add personality to your interior.
Cowhide
Pure Exotic Zebu Patchwork Cowhide Rug
Located in New York, NY
This Pure Exotic Zebu patchwork cowhide rug is sewn together by Brazilian craftsman. Pure's cowhides originate from the Pampas Grasslands of Braz...
Cowhide
"Espiral 1" Large Rug by Juliana Vasconcellos and Matheus Barreto
By Juliana Vasconcellos and Matheus Barreto
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Juliana Vasconcellos and Matheus Barreto, "Espiral 1" has unique patterns, carpets are handcrafted with the purest wool and dyed with vegetable pigments. "The inspirat...
Wool
Brazilian Contemporary Design, Nouveau Rug by Guto Lacaz
By Noemi Saga Atelier
Located in Sao Paulo, BR
The new version of the Nouveau rug is a collaboration between Noemi Saga and renowned multimedia artist Guto Lacaz. The shape created by Noemi Saga in the 1995s was creatively interv...
Nylon
"Espiral 2" Large Rug by Juliana Vasconcellos and Matheus Barreto
By Juliana Vasconcellos and Matheus Barreto
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Juliana Vasconcellos and Matheus Barreto, "Espiral 2" has unique patterns, carpets are handcrafted with the purest wool and dyed with vegetable pigments. Created in 2018....
Wool
"Espiral 1" Medium Rug by Juliana Vasconcellos and Matheus Barreto
By Juliana Vasconcellos and Matheus Barreto
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Juliana Vasconcellos and Matheus Barreto, "Espiral 1" has unique patterns, carpets are handcrafted with the purest wool and dyed with vegetable pigments. "The inspirat...
Wool
"Espiral 1" Small Rug by Juliana Vasconcellos and Matheus Barreto
By Juliana Vasconcellos and Matheus Barreto
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Juliana Vasconcellos and Matheus Barreto, "Espiral 1" has unique patterns, carpets are handcrafted with the purest wool and dyed with vegetable pigments. "The inspirat...
Wool
Brindle Cow Hide Rug
Located in Highland, IN
This cow hide rug is not only beautiful with it's brindle color and markings, it is in great condition.
Cowhide
Vintage Navajo Rug in Gray, Ivory, Black, Brown, & Red 4'4 x 6'3
Located in Atlanta, GA
Vintage Large hand Woven Navajo Rug in Gray, Ivory, Black, Brown's, and Red. Keivan Woven Arts rug X23-0107, country of origin / type: America / ...
Wool
Cocoon Large Rug by Art & Loom
Located in Geneve, CH
Cocoon large rug by Art & Loom Dimensions: D 304.8 x H 426.7 cm Materials: 100% New Zealand wool Quality (Knots per Inch): 80 Also available in differ...
Wool
Pictorial Antique American Hooked Rug Of A American Bald Eagle Hooked Rug
Located in Atlanta, GA
Creams and Gold, tan antique American hooked rug with a bald eagle on a tree , Keivan Woven Arts / rug J10-1201, country of origin / type: United States / Hooked, circa 1950 This ...
Wool
Brown, Black and White Cowhide Patchwork Carpet, 9' 8" x 6' 9"
Located in Astoria, NY
Cowhide Patchwork Carpet, with leather stitching in brown, black, and white. 9' 8" L x 6' 9" W. Provenance: From a 320 Central Park West Collection.
Cowhide
Premium Natural Cowhide Rug, Brazil
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Sourced from premium Brazilian cattle, our exceptional cowhide rugs capture the raw elegance and organic geometry that have long made natural hides coveted in interiors both rustic a...
Cowhide
Contemporary Viennese Design Flat Woven Rug by Doris Leslie Blau
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary Viennese Design Flat Woven Rug by Doris Leslie Blau Size: 3'10" × 6'1" (116 × 185 cm). Scandinavian weaving craft has a long tradition, which inspired countless designer...
Wool
Outstanding Antique American Hooked Rug with All-Over Floral Design
Located in Atlanta, GA
Antique American Hooked rug with floral design, Keivan Woven Arts / rug L11-0607, country of origin / type: United States / Hooked, circa 1930 Ingenious in style, color and compos...
Cotton
Large Beautiful Cowhide/Fur
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a beautiful swirled fur cowhide. Its 88"w x 90"L. It will make a great addition to any home or workspace.
Cowhide
$840Sale Price|20% Off
W 49 in L 88 in
Dark Green Vintage Turkish Sivas Rug, Art Nouveau Meets Biophilic Design
By Zeki Müren
Located in Dallas, TX
51945 Distressed Green Vintage Turkish Sivas Rug, 04'01 x 07'04. Nestled within an Urban Jungle sanctuary, where Biophilic Design seamlessly intertwines with the grace of French Art ...
Wool
American Hooked Rug
Located in Ferrara, IT
This is a pair of American hooked rugs woven during the beginning of the 20th century circa 1900 and measures 108 x 60 CM in size. These oval-shaped rugs have...
Wool
Large Cabuya Rug by Sebastian Herkner
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Cabuya rug by Sebastian Herkner. Materials: 100% Fique fibres from Furcraea leaves. Technique: naturally dyed fibers. Hand-woven in Colombia. Dimensions: W 200 x L 283 cm ...
Natural Fiber
The Sunlit Harvest Reverie: A Signed Brazilian Masterpiece of Cultural Prestige
Located in Dallas, TX
79381 Vintage Brazilian Tapestry, 02'09 x 07'00. Step into a world where art, culture, and craft converge with disarming elegance—this handwoven vintag...
Wool, Cotton
Contemporary Cowhide Leather Rug Light Brown Caramel Beige Black Tricolor
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
Large cowhide rug tricolor beige brown black. Our premium cowhides are of excellent quality, all hand selected. They go great with many decor styles such as South Western, Industr...
Cowhide
Genuine Brazilian Light Brown & White Cowhide
Located in Praha, CZ
Genuine Brazilian cowhide leather in very good condition.
Leather
Sold
H 0.4 in W 66.93 in D 27.56 in
Contemporary “Nevoeiro” Felted Wool Blanket or Rug by Inês Schertel, Brazil 2019
By Inês Schertel
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Contemporary “Nevoeiro” felted wool blanket or rug by Inês Schertel, Brazil, 2019 Ines Schertel's primary material is sheep's wool. As a practitioner of slow design, the artist ta...
Wool
Leather Carpet Crocodile Printed
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
For leaving room, study, any room. Unusual for crocodile print, but in elegant black color! Edges adhere perfectly to the floor - Particular import fr...
Animal Skin
Leather Carpet Red Colored
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Natural red colored leather carpet for a modern home: living room, study, any room. Edges adhere perfectly to the floor. I set one next to a simple blac...
Animal Skin
Rug, Cow Hide, Vintage
Located in New York, NY
Cow hide, slightly used. If you measure from leg to leg, it measures 110 inches in one direction and 108 inches in the other direction.
Cowhide
Champagne Brazilian Cowhide Rug
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Cowhides are produced in many countries but it is universally known that the finest hair-on cowhides come from Brazil. Our cowhide rugs are produced in Brazil by one of the finest ta...
Cowhide
Palomino Brazilian Cowhide Rug
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Cowhides are produced in many countries but it is universally known that the finest hair-on cowhides come from Brazil. Our cowhide rugs are produced in Brazil by one of the finest tanneries on earth. Using an expensive, time honoured tanning process Forsyth hides obtain the highest level of softness while the beautiful cow hair...
Cowhide
Palomino Brazilian Cowhide Rug
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Cowhides are produced in many countries but it is universally known that the finest hair-on cowhides come from Brazil. Our cowhide rugs are produced in Brazil by one of the finest tanneries on earth. Using an expensive, time honoured tanning process our hides obtain the highest level of softness while the beautiful cow hair...
Cowhide
Palomino Brazilian Cowhide Rug
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Cowhides are produced in many countries but it is universally known that the finest hair-on cowhides come from Brazil. Our cowhide rugs are produced in Brazil by one of the finest ta...
Cowhide
Rare Ivory Brazilian Cowhide Rug
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Cowhides are produced in many countries but it is universally known that the finest hair-on cowhides come from Brazil. Our cowhide rugs are produced in Brazil by one of the finest ta...
Cowhide