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.
Sleepy Rocking Chair in Brazilian Solid Wood with a rocking footstool
By Amilcar Oliveira
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Sleepy is the smaller version of the Laziness rocking chair and is just as comfortable, perfect for moments of rest and relaxation. The low seat height is inspired by Japanese rocking chairs...
Linen, Wood, Hardwood
Brazilian Designer, Rocking Chair, Wood, Fabric, Brazil, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and beige fabric rocking chair or lounge chair designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1970s. Wear consistent with age and use. Vintage fabric ideally replaced. Overall Dimensio...
Fabric, Wood
Móveis Cimo, Rocking Chair, Wood, Brazil, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood rocking lounge chair produced by Móveis Cimo, Brazil, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 41.75"H x 28.0"W x 39.0"D Seat Height (inches): 17.5" Arm Height (inches): 25.8...
Wood
Brazilian Designer, Rocking Chaise Longue, Iron, Leather, Brazil, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A black-painted iron and leather rocking chaise longue designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1950s. Heavy oxidation present throughout metal frame. Leather likely replaced at some po...
Iron
Cane and Exotic Wood Brazilian Rocking Chair
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Buffalo, NY
Sculptural Brazilian rocking chair in the style of Joaquim Tenriero. Amazing quality and design. Original cane seat in need of restoration. (see photo). Hand delivery avail to New Yo...
Cane, Wood
"Revoar" Hanging Swing Chair in Natural Leather Handmade in Caramel
By Studio Marta Manente
Located in Centro, RS
The Revoar swing is crafted from natural leather threads, celebrating artisanal craftsmanship through techniques such as braiding, cords, chains, and fringes. The chains are expresse...
Leather
"Revoar" Hanging Swing Chair in Natural Leather Handmade Light Pink Color
By Studio Marta Manente
Located in Centro, RS
The swing is crafted from natural leather threads, celebrating artisanal craftsmanship through techniques such as braiding, cords, chains, and fringes. The chains are expressed in a...
Leather
"Revoar" Hanging Swing Chair in Natural Leather Handmade in Pearl Color
By Studio Marta Manente
Located in Centro, RS
The swing is crafted from natural leather threads, celebrating artisanal craftsmanship through techniques such as braiding, cords, chains, and fringes. The chains are expressed in a...
Leather
Móveis Cimo, Rocking Chair, Wood, Brazil, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood rocking lounge chair produced by Móveis Cimo, Brazil, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 41.75"H x 28.0"W x 39.0"D Seat Height (inches): 17.5" Arm Height (inches): 25.8...
Wood
Brazilian Designer, Rocking Chair, Iron, Rattan, Brazil, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A black-painted iron and cane rocking lounge chair designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1950s. Heavy oxidation to iron legs and frame. Overall Dimensions (inches): 33.625” H x 31.5”...
Iron
'Caverna' contemporary wooden rocking chair by Brazilian Studio Knót Artesanal
By Knót Artesanal
Located in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro
Cavernas are the arched structures that, when combined, form the skeleton of a vessel. These delicately sculpted pieces are the pure embodiment of design, blending the strength and...
Wood
$50,700Sale Price / item|35% Off
Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chair by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1947
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
This rocking chair was one of the first pieces produced by Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992) when his Langenbach & Tenreiro store opened in 1947. Far beyond a designer and artist, Te...
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
"Revoar" Hanging Swing Chair in Natural Leather Handmade in Black
By Studio Marta Manente
Located in Centro, RS
The Revoar swing is crafted from natural leather threads, celebrating artisanal craftsmanship through techniques such as braiding, cords, chains, and fringes. The chains are expresse...
Leather
Contemporary "Feijão" Rocking Chair by Rodrigo Simão in Corten Steel
By Rodrigo Simão
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Designed in 2015 by Rodrigo Simão, the “Feijão” chair pays homage to the award-winning designer’s country of origin not only in its name, “Feijão” – a la...
Steel
Brazilian Modern Rocking Chair in Hardwood & Leather, Liceu de Artes, 1960s
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in New York, NY
This rocking chair by Liceu de Artes e Ofícios is a strong example of Brazilian modern design from the 1960s. The chair is constructed with a solid rosewood frame and features a susp...
Leather, Hardwood
Tenreiro Rocking Chair by Joaquim Tenreiro, Rosewood and Cane, Brazil, 1950
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Lisboa, PT
Rocking chair designed by Joaquim Tenreiro in the 1950s, a lounge rocker in solid rosewood with a hand woven cane seat and back. The rocking chair pairs a slender, sculptural solid r...
Cane, Wood
$20,692 / item
Supra Chair by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Supra chair by Mameluca Material:Copper plated steel, leather, Assorted fabrics Dimensions: D110x W90 x H90 cm Hélio Oiticica’s Parangolés inspired the creation of a rocking cha...
Steel
$2,885 / item
Wood Balanço Viga by Atelier Andre Ferri
Located in Geneve, CH
Wood Balanço Viga by Atelier Andre Ferri Dimensions: W 71.5 x D 13 x H 43.5 cm. Materials: Wood. ANDRÉ FERRI André Ferri is from Belo Horizonte, born in 1990, graduated in Archi...
Wood
Rocking Chair with Ottoman in Hardwood & Leather, Liceu de Artes, 1960s
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in New York, NY
This Brazilian modern rocking chair and ottoman set dates to the 1960s and reflects the refined craftsmanship associated with mid-century production from the Liceu de Artes e Ofícios...
Leather, Hardwood
$8,000Sale Price|20% Off
Brazilian Modern Rocking Chair in Bentwood by Moveis Cimo, 1950, Brazil
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
A masterful exercise in economy and material intelligence, this bentwood rocking chair by Moveis Cimo (c. 1950s) exemplifies mid-century Brazilian approaches to seating, where struct...
Bentwood
Vintage Rocking Chair by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1947, Brazilian Midcentury Design
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
This rocking chair was one of the first pieces produced by Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992) when his Langenbach & Tenreiro store opened in 1947. Far beyond a designer and artist, Tenreiro was an intellectual and thinker of the Brazilian culture. The rocking chairs were part of the interior spaces in most Brazilian colonial...
Rosewood, Leather
Brazilian Modern Rocking Chair in Metal & Wicker by Carlo Hauner, c. 1950s
By Carlo Hauner
Located in New York, NY
A refined study in movement and line, this rocking chair by Carlo Hauner captures the designer’s enduring pursuit of structural lightness and organic continuity. Conceived as a singl...
Iron
$1,260 / item
minimalist rocking chair "marcelo" by samuel lamas
By Samuel Lamas
Located in Brasilia, DF
Marcelo Rocking Chair by Samuel Lamas, 2022 This minimalist rocking chair, crafted from stainless steel, nautical rope, wood, and tapestry, is designed with an architectonic and geo...
Stainless Steel
Rare “Cadeira de Embalo” Rocking Chair in Solid Rosewood & Caning, Joaquim Tenre
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
An exceptionally rare and historically important "Cadeira de Embalo" (Rocking Chair) designed by Joaquim Tenreiro in 1948—one of the earliest and most celebrated seating de...
Cane, Rosewood
"Gunga" Outdoor Hanging Swing Chair, Aluminium, Naval Rope Handmade
By Studio Marta Manente
Located in Centro, RS
The Gunga swing can be used in both indoor and outdoor areas. Inspired by one of the most beautiful postcards in Brazil, Gunga beach in Alagoas. The swing represents Brazilianness t...
Aluminum
Brazilian Modern Rocking Chair in Metal and Acrylic, Unknown, 1970
Located in New York, NY
Departing from the material vocabulary typically associated with Brazilian modernism, this rocking chair is conceived in metal and acrylic—an exploration of line, transparency, and s...
Metal
"Revoar" Swing Hanging Chair with Fringes in Natural Leather Coffee Color
By Studio Marta Manente
Located in Centro, RS
The swing is crafted from natural leather threads, celebrating artisanal craftsmanship through techniques such as braiding, cords, chains, and fringes. The chains are expressed in a...
Leather
Rare Rocking chair par Joaquim Tenreiro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rare rocking chair par Joaquim Tenreiro, vers 1947.
Leather, Rosewood
Brazilian Modern Ottoman in hardwood & Leather, Liceu de Artes, 1960s
By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios
Located in New York, NY
This mid-century ottoman by Liceu de Artes e Ofícios is crafted in solid rosewood and upholstered in its original black leather, which remains in good condition for its age. The piec...
Leather, Hardwood
Mid-Century Walnut Brazilian Rocking Chair
Located in London, GB
Mid-century Brazilian rocking chair, circa 1950s, in walnut wood, exotic wood and leather. Dimensions: H101 x W71 x D84 cm.
Walnut
Brazilian Modern Rocking Chairs in Bentwood, Cimo, c. 1950s
By Moveis Cimo
Located in New York, NY
Produced by Cimo in Brazil during the 1950s, this pair of rocking chairs reflects the manufacturer’s disciplined approach to bentwood construction and mid-century Brazilian modernism...
Bentwood
Contemporary Leather and Wood Rocking Chair
By Pedro Useche
Located in Boston, MA
Flexus plywood rocking chair. One of a kind. Leather and wood.
Leather
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The noted design historian explores the origins of the rocking chair, a quintessentially American piece of furniture that is still going strong after 300 years.