The Portugese-born furniture designer Joaquim Tenreiro was a pioneer of modernism in Brazil, where his work paved the way for the successes of such mid-20th-century design greats as Sergio Rodrigues, Jorge Zalszupin, and Lina Bo Bardi, an Italian-Brazilian architect whose futuristic São Paulo buildings are only part of her legacy.
Tenreiro’s vintage tables, chairs and storage cabinets are known for their simplicity of line and an elegance that is enhanced by the use of richly grained South American hardwoods such as jacaranda and imbuia.
Tenreiro’s father and grandfather were both master woodworkers, under whom he trained in the craft. He had artistic leanings and in the late 1920s enrolled as a university student at the School of Arts and Crafts in Rio de Janeiro, where he joined a group of upstart modernists protesting the staid, retrograde curriculum at the college. At the time, Brazil was culturally mired in a 19th-century mindset that was reflected in an upper-class preference for academic painting and reproduction furnishings in antique European styles. But the progressive spirit that Tenreiro and his colleagues fostered slowly gained force.
With the terms “lightness” and “functionality” as his bywords, Tenreiro opened a furniture-design business in 1943, where one of his first clients was the legendary architect Oscar Niemeyer. The arrival of Brazil’s first democratically elected government, in 1945, lent modernism official sanction, which culminated in the construction of the new capital, Brasília. Tenreiro eventually stepped away from design in the late 1960s to devote his time to sculpture and painting.
To appreciate how revolutionary Tenreiro’s work seemed, one must imagine the heavy, ornately carved, deeply varnished furniture that was the standard for top-end Brazilian interior design in the 1930s. Tenreiro’s chairs and sofas employed slender, softly angular frames that were only lightly stained to highlight the grains of the local woods. He preferred chairs and chaises with caned seats and backrests that “breathe” in the tropical climate, and as a carpenter and joiner he wanted to show off the beauty of Brazilian wood.
Two versions of a three-legged side chair introduced in 1947 serve as a veritable manifesto for a new age in Brazilian design: Using the stack-lamination technique, Tenreiro bonded together a gently contoured seat made of alternating layers of different-colored native woods to produce a magnificent stripe effect. These chairs, like all Tenreiro works, demonstrate the enduring power of simple design and superb construction — with a teaspoon of flair.
Find vintage Joaquim Tenreiro furniture on 1stDibs.
Ten Brazilian Modern Chairs in Brazilian Rosewood & Mohair, Joaquim Tenreiro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
An exceptionally rare and historically significant set of ten dining chairs designed by Joaquim Tenreiro, one of the founding figures of Brazilian Modernism. Created during the 1960s...
Mohair, Rosewood
Mid-Century Modern set of 6 dining chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1950s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful set of chairs crafted in cabreúva wood with leather seats, designed by Joaquim Tenreiro, one of the pioneers of Brazilian modernism. Elegant and finely balanced, the chair...
Hardwood, Upholstery, Leather
Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1950s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
This set of eight exquisitely crafted Cane Chairs in Amendoim Wood, designed by Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992) in the 1960s, is a gorgeous example of his mastery of technical and const...
Cane, Hardwood
$19,248 / set
Cadeira curva
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Collonge-Bellerive, GE
Bring timeless sophistication to any interior with these rare Cadeira Curva chairs by the renowned Joaquim Tenreiro, a key figure in Brazilian mid-century design. Known for his metic...
Wood, Imbuia
Joaquim Tenreiro, Set of Eight Dining Room Chairs, Brasil, 1950
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Barcelona, ES
Joaquim Tenreiro Pair of dining chairs Manufactured by Tenreiro Moveis e Decoraçoes Brasil, 1950 Jacaranda wood, cane From the archives of Side Gallery, Barcelona Measureme...
Cane, Jacaranda
Joaquim Tenreiro Wood Dining Chair Manufactured by Tenreiro Movèis, Brazil, 1960
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of dining chairs (14 available) (Price is per chair) Manufactured by Tenreiro Movèis & Decorações Brasil, 1960 Jacaranda wood and cane Modern Br...
Jacaranda
Pair of Curva Dining Chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro. Two pairs available.
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Soho, London, GB
Set of 4 Curva dining chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro manufactured by Tenreiro Movèis & Decorações (circa 1960). The set can be split and ...
Cane, Wood
Joaquim Tenreiro, Set of Eight Bloch Dining Chairs, 1966s, Brazil, Rosewood
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Joaquim Tenreiro / Set of Eight Dining Chairs Rosewood, Cane / Brazil, 1966 / From The Bloch Editores Offices This set of eight rosewood chairs, created for Bloch Editores in the 19...
Cane, Hardwood
Brazilian Modern Set of Ten Chairs in Rosewood & Cane, Joaquim Tenreiro, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Among the rarest opportunities to acquire one of Joaquim Tenreiro's most celebrated dining chair designs, this exceptional set of ten exemplifies the architect-designer's lifelong pu...
Cane, Rosewood
Set of 6 Chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1947, Midcentury Design
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
This exquisitely crafted chair made of Perobinha-do-campo Wood, designed by Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992), evokes a refined coexistence of traditional values and modern aesthetics. It...
Leather, Hardwood
Mid-Century Modern Set of Eight Dining Chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1950s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Made of solid rosewood with slatted backs and cane seats, these chairs were designed in the 1950s. As in many of Tenreiro’s works, lightness is not only a matter of weight but of gra...
Cane, Rosewood
Set of Four Dining Chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro, Rosewood and Cane, circa 1960
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
These exquisitely crafted dining chairs designed in the 1950s by Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992), known as the “father” of Brazilian modernism, are co...
Rosewood, Cane
Joaquim Tenreiro Dining Chairs, Solid Wood and Fabric, MidCentury, Brazil, 1950s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Available in eight units, this set of dining chairs was designed by Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992) in the 1950s. Much like Tenreiro's other creations, this sense of lightness transcend...
Fabric, Wood
Mid-Century Modern set of 6 dining chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1942
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful set of six dining chairs in rosewood, upholstered in a noble fabric, designed by Joaquim Tenreiro, one of the pioneers of Brazilian modernism. Elegant and finely crafted, ...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Set of 2 Brazilian Modern Chairs in Hardwood & Cane, Joaquim Tenreiro, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
This stunning set of 2 chairs in Brazilian Hardwood, known as Jacaranda, and caning were designed by Joaquim Tenreiro in the 1960’s. The “Chair with Curved Seat" (or “Cadeira com Ass...
Rattan, Hardwood
Set of Six Rosewood Estrutural Chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro. Mid Century, Brazil
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
To compose light seats, Tenreiro used thin wooden sticks in some of his chairs. One of these pieces, which became well known, was the Structural Chair...
Leather, Rosewood
Brazilian Modern 4 Chair Set in Hardwood & Cane, Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil, 1950s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Executed in Brazilian rosewood (jacarandá), this set of four dining chairs reflects the restrained structural language of mid-century Brazilian design. The composition is disciplined...
Cane, Hardwood
Price Upon Request
"Leve" Armchair by Joaquim Tenreiro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in London, England
"Leve" armchair by Joaquim Tenreiro made in "Perobinha do Campo" wood.
Fabric, Hardwood
Price Upon Request
Set of 4 Slatted Dining Chair by Joaquim Tenreiro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in London, England
Set of four slatted chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro.
Hardwood
Price Upon Request
Set of 8 "U" Dining Chair, Rarest Version
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in London, England
Probably one of the most iconic creations by Joaquim Tenreiro, this set of 8 "U" is a modified version of its original design, with thicker wood and rounder edges (arms/backrest) Th...
Fabric, Hardwood
Price Upon Request
Set of 12 "U" Chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in London, England
Probably one of the most iconic creations my Joaquim Tenreiro, this set of 12 "U" dining chairs is made in "Perobinha do Campo", a wood widely used by Tenreiro throughout his career....
Cane, Hardwood
$48,000 / set
H 39.5 in W 28 in D 19.75 in
Set of Eight English Chippendale Mahogany Upholstered Dining Room Chairs, C 1760
Located in Charleston, SC
Set of Eight English Chippendale mahogany dining room chairs with a serpentine carved acanthus ribbon cresting rail, scrolled foliage ears, molded edge stiles, ornate ribbon medallio...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$4,409Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 39.38 in W 18.9 in D 18.9 in
Six Vittorio Dassi Mid-Century Modern Italian Mahogany Dining Chairs, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Six dining chairs designed by the famous Italian architect Vittorio Dassi, solid mahogany chairs and original eco-leather upholstery, in excellen...
Faux Leather, Walnut
$18,000 / set
H 32.09 in W 17.33 in D 17.33 in
Set of Brazilian Rosewood and Straw Dining Chairs. Brazilian Midcentury Design
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
The set of six Brazilian Mid-Century Modern dining chairs are made of rosewood (Jacaranda) and cane seat. The structure has a square section design with four feet, made in solid ros...
Straw, Rosewood
$4,666 / set
H 30.71 in W 19.49 in D 17.13 in
Green Mid-Century Modern Six Vintage Dining Chairs, 1950s, Vienna, Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern set of six green vintage dining chairs or chairs, which were designed and manufactured in Vienna, Austria, 1950s. The stable and comfortable dining chairs stand ou...
Beech, Plywood
$3,967 / set
H 29.14 in W 20.87 in D 22.84 in
Harry Bertoia Mid-Century Modern Vintage Four White Dining Chairs, 1950s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Vienna, AT
Bertoia Mid-Century Modern vintage set of 4 dining chair or side chair, which show a white coated metal construction. This iconic design by Harry Bertoia was designed in the 1950s an...
Metal
Mid century italian dining chairs, set of 6 - 1950s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century modern 'boomerang' design dining chairs with new beige skai upholstery. Beautiful elegant design. 1950s - Italy Good overall condition, newly upholstered Dimensions H...
Faux Leather, Wood
$850 / item
H 31.5 in W 19.69 in D 21.26 in
Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs in New Bouclé Fabric by Spahn, Germany 1950s
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs in New Bouclé Fabric by Spahn, Germany 1950s Mid-Century Modern dining chairs by Spahn, Germany 1950s. Newly reupholstered in a of white bouclé fabr...
Bouclé, Beech
$7,500
H 31 in W 21 in D 19 in
Brazilian Modern "Curva" Chair in Rosewood & Caning, Joaquim Tenreiro, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Joaquim Tenreiro (1906–1992) in 1961–1962, the Curva chair is one of the designer’s most refined and recognizable seating designs. It exemplifies Tenreiro’s ability to un...
Hardwood, Cane
Joaquim Tenreiro, Lounge Chair, Wood, Leatherette, Brazil, 1942
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in High Point, NC
A dark-stained wood and beige leatherette lounge chair, model Leve, designed by Joaquim Tenreiro in 1942, produced c. 1950s, Brazil. Light staining to leather and a jagged tear uppe...
Faux Leather, Wood
Daybed by Joaquim Tenreiro, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This daybed distills Tenreiro’s philosophy of weightlessness and purity of form. Reduced to its essential planes—a linear platform resting on discreet block supports—it embodies his ...
Upholstery, Rosewood
$10,500 / set
H 32.5 in W 16.125 in D 20.2 in
Joaquim Tenreiro Attribution, Dining Chairs, Metal, Leather, Brazil, 1950s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in High Point, NC
A set of six dining room chairs attributed to Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil, c. 1950s. Moderate oxidation to metal legs and backrest and discoloration to leather seats. Two seats missing...
Metal
$9,800 / set
H 36 in W 17.3 in D 24 in
Joaquim Tenreiro Attribution, Dining Room Chairs, Iron, Fabric, Brazil, 1950s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in High Point, NC
A set of 7 black-lacquered iron and light grey fabric dining room chairs designed and produced in Brazil, c. 1950s. Dramatic patina on iron consistent with age and use. Fabric in fa...
Iron
Sold
H 31.5 in W 17.7 in D 18.5 in
Set of 10 Chairs in Hardwood & Cane, Joaquim Tenreiro, 1960s - Lot 589-749-753-8
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
This stunning set of ten Brazilian modern chairs in Hardwood and cane was designed by Joaquim Tenreiro in the 1960s. The “Chair with Curved Seat" (or “Cadeira com Assento Curvo” in P...
Cane, Hardwood
Sold
H 32 in W 17 in D 18 in
Set of 6 Dining Chairs in Rosewood & Caning, Att. to Joaquim Tenreiro, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this set of 6 Dining Chairs in Rosewood & Caning, attributed to Joaquim Tenreiro made in the 1960s is absolutely magnificent! This set of six dining chairs showcase...
Cane, Hardwood
Sold
H 17.72 in W 17.72 in D 31.5 in
Three Mid-Century Modern Hardwood & Cane Chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1950 Brazil
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this exquisite Mid-Century Modern Armchairs in Hardwood & Cane, designed by Joaquim Tenreiro are exquisite! The boldness of the high-quality Jacaranda wood is eased ...
Straw, Hardwood
Pair of Curva Dining Chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Soho, London, GB
Pair of Curva dining chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro manufactured by Tenreiro Movèis & Decorações (circa 1960). Literature Soraia Cals, T...
Cane, Walnut
Sold
H 31.89 in W 20.48 in D 19.69 in
Four Brazilian Midcentury Dining Chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Utrecht, NL
4 beautiful 'curved' chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro. The chairs have a wooden frame with a D-shaped cane seat and a curved back with sixteen thin spindles. They are slender, light and the craftsmanship is almost flawless. Condition: In very good vintage condition. The grain of the wood has come out beautifully over the years. The cane has most likely been redone 5 - 10 years ago. We suspect that one of the item has been repaired in the past, but this is nearly invisible. Dimensions: 20.48 in. W x 19.69 in. D x 31.89 in. H; seat height 15.94 in. 52 cm W x 50 cm D x 81 cm H; seat height 40.5 cm About the designer: Living in a society where perfect execution is not everybody's primary concern, you can feel the amount of love, perfectionism and quality control that went into these chairs. Joaquim Tenreiro was born on 26 april 1906 in Melo, Portugal. After having lived in as well Portugal as Brazil, Tenreiro decided at the age of 22 to move to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for good. Following the trade of his Portuguese father and grandfather, who worked as joiner and carpenter, Tenreiro went into furniture making. In the beginning he worked for various furniture companies like Francisco Gomes, Leandro Martins and Laubisch & Hirth, where he had to copy traditional European designs for their wealthy but conservative clientele. An occupation that was very much disliked by Tenreiro. Until on a sunny day in 1943, life showed it’s bright side and handed him a shining opportunity. Read more about Joaquim Tenreiro. Literature: - Tenreiro, Soraia Cals, Bolsa de Arte do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 1998, p. 127 and 212 (ill.) - Móvel moderno no Brasil, Maria Cecilia Loschiavo dos Santos, Olhares, 2015, p. 87 and 121. - Móvel moderno Brasileiro, Marcelo Vasconcellos, Aeroplano, P. 92 - Brazil Modern, Aric Chen, Monacelli Press, New York 2016, p. 76 and 77 - Desenho da Utopia, Brazilian Modern Furnitures, Éditions Olhares, São Paulo 2016, p 115. Shipping: These four Brazilian Midecentiru dining chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro...
Cane, Wood
Sold
H 29.5 in W 22.75 in D 21 in
Joaquim Tenreiro Jacaranda Rosewood and Cane 'U' Armchairs, Brazil, c. 1960
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredible set of 'U' chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro crafted in gorgeous Jacaranda Rosewood with caned seats were sourced from a large luxury yacht in Brazil. These rare and sought after Brazilian Modern arm chairs are popular for their wide, luxurious caned seats with light, open frames. Optional custom seat and back cushions included. *Note, this listing is for 6 chairs priced individually. We also have an additional 2 chairs which require restoration if you wish to make a set of 8. See below for condition details. Tenreiro said about this design: 'So I created lighter, more functional, and more comfortable furniture. After all, furniture, like so many other things that humans use, had to adapt to the times, take new directions.' These Joaquim Tenreiro Jacaranda...
Cane, Rosewood
Joaquim Tenreiro Cadeiras Curva Dining Chairs
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Antwerp, BE
Brazilian modern 'curva' chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil, 1960s. Would fit well in a Mid-Century Modern interior inspired by Brazilian designers such as Jorge Zalszupin, Sergi...
Cane, Jacaranda
Sold
H 29.49 in W 22.52 in D 20.99 in
1960s Joaquim Tenreiro Brazilian Dining Chairs in Rosewood Set of Nine
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais
Ships from New York, NY. Set of nine 1960s Brazilian jacaranda dining chairs with curved back by Joaquim Tenreiro. Chairs have cane seat and measure 22 1/2 x 21 x 29 1/2 high. Chair shown on page 120 of Tenreiro book...
Rosewood
Set of Eight Dining Chairs in Rosewood with Cane Seat and Back
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Set of eight (8) dining chairs in rosewood with cane seat and back. Designed by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil, circa 1949 (seat: 17.75" H).
Sold
H 31.5 in W 18.31 in D 19.69 in
1960s Pair of "Curved Seat" Chairs in Rosewood by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
A pair of Joaquim Tenreiro "Assento Curvo" chairs. Original caning in the backs. Caning in the seat will be changed for natural once sold. Pieces are in great shape.
Cane, Rosewood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 20.87 in D 19.69 in
Joaquim Tenreiro Chair Manufactured by Tenreiro Movèis, Brazil, 1960
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Barcelona, ES
Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992) Single chair Manufactured by Tenreiro Movèis & Decorações Brazil, 1960 Jacaranda, cane Measurements 50 cm x 53 cm x 80 H cm 19.7 in x 20.7 in ...
Cane, Jacaranda
Sold
H 28.25 in W 22.75 in D 16 in
Set of Four Joaquim Tenreiro Dining Chairs in Jacaranda with Leather Seats
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Astoria, NY
A set of four circa 1950s dining chairs designed by Joaquim Tenreiro, each in Brazilian jacaranda wood with curved back and arms, seats upholstered in red leather. Excellent vintage ...
Jacaranda, Leather