Forma began in São Paulo, under the leadership of Italian designer Carlo Hauner and Austrian architect and interior designer Martin Eisler. Hauner studied drawing and technical drawing at the Brera Academy in Milan. After participating in the Venice Biennale, he emigrated to São Paulo, where he established the furniture manufacturer Móveis Artesanal, for which Carlo and Martin — as well as Carlo’s brother Ernesto Hauner — would create a range of pieces for the home.
In 1936, Eisler earned a degree in architecture from the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, where he studied under Oskar Strnad and Clemens Holzmeister. With World War II looming, he left Austria immediately after graduating. He first went to Czechoslovakia, to which some of his family had already fled. In 1938, he moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and opened his interior design firm Interieur Forma.
Eisler relocated to Brazil in the early 1950s, where he met Hauner. At the time, Eisler had been looking for help producing furniture for his brother-in-law, Ernesto Wolf, and contacted Hauner. The two found that they had a shared vision, and with financial help from Wolf, they opened Galeria Artesanal as a storefront for Móveis Artesanal.
Looking to expand into international sales, the duo rebranded the company Forma. Sérgio Rodrigues, who helped launch a branch of Artesanal in Curitiba, was put in charge of interiors at Forma. That company soon became one of the biggest names in Brazilian furniture — it sold its own sculptural rattan lounge chairs, bookcases and other case pieces crafted with rosewood or jacaranda, and Forma was eventually distributing furniture licensed from iconic American manufacturer Knoll, thereby bringing works by noted designers such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Charles Eames and Harry Bertoia to the Brazilian market.
Forma stands at the forefront of a revival of Brazilian modern furniture. Fashioned from high-grade regionally sourced hardwoods, leather and iron, even Forma's earliest creations have stood the test of time. The company’s alluring mid-century modern works appealed to homeowners at its peak, from the 1950s through the ’70s, and given the broadening interest in Brazilian furniture and the likes of designers such as Rodrigues, vintage Forma is making a major comeback today.
The Forma furniture company continued producing masterfully crafted furniture into the 1970s, until Eisler's death in 1977. Forma folded soon after, but Eisler's company in Argentina, Interieur Forma, is still in business today.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler furniture for sale.
Mid-Century Brazilian Modern- Costela Armchairs by Hauner & Eisler, Forma, 1950s
By Carlo Hauner, Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil, Martin Eisler
Located in São Paulo, SP
**Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler Costela Armchair for Forma, Brazil, 1953** Exceptional and highly rare original Costela armchair, designed by C...
Stainless Steel
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Costela Armchairs by Hauner & Eisler, 1960s
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
The Costela armchair is an important Brazilian Mid-Century Modern piece. It was designed by Martin Eisler (1913 - 1977) in 1953 and manufactured by the companies Móveis Artesanal and...
Stainless Steel
Mid-Century Modern Costela Armchair by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, 1953
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
The Costela armchair is an important Brazilian Mid-Century Modern piece. It was designed by Martin Eisler in 1953 and manufactured by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte, where he wa...
Steel
Pair of Rattan Armchairs by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner for Forma, 1950
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma
Located in New York, NY
Rattan and black-painted iron lounge chair designed by by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner for Forma, produced in Brazil, c. 1950s.
Iron
Brazilian Lounge Chair Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner - "Costela" Forma, 1950s
By Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Rosendahl, DE
This rare Costela Lounge Chair by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, produced by Forma in the 1950s, features solid wood ribs paired with a vintage leopard-patterned teddy fabric. A tru...
Steel
Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner "Costela" Lounge Chair, Brazil, 1953
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
The Costela armchair is an iconic Brazilian Mid-Century Modern piece. It was designed by Martin Eisler (1913 - 1977) in 1953 and manufactured by the c...
Steel
Martin Eisler Carlo Hauner, Lounge Chairs, Rattan, Steel, Forma, Brazil, c. 1955
By Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of rattan and steel lounge chairs designed by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner and produced by Forma, Brazil, c. 1955. Seat Height (inches): 15" All items ship from High Poin...
Steel
Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, Lounge Chair, Iron, Rattan, Brazil, 1950s
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in High Point, NC
An iron and rattan lounge chair designed by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler and produced by Forma S.A., Brazil, 1950s. Heavy oxidation to metal legs. Overall Dimensions (inches): 31” ...
Iron
Set of Two Costela Lounge Chairs by M. Eisler and C. Hauner, Brazil, 1950's
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Set of Two Costela Lounge Chairs bij M. Eisler and C. Hauner, Brazil, 1950's The Costela chair by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner is a well-known piece of Brazilian modernist design,...
Metal
Carlo Hauner Martin Eisler Concha lounge chairs Brazil 1955
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare Pair of ‘Concha’ Lounge Chairs by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler for Forma Móveis, Brazil, 1955. Authentic Frames, Expertly Reupholstered in Sand Bouclé. A masterful balance of sculptural elegance and tactile comfort, this exceptional pair of Concha (Portuguese for “shell”) lounge chairs was designed in 1955 by the influential Brazilian-Italian duo Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler for Forma Móveis, a defining name in the modernist design movement of mid-century Brazil. The Concha chair...
Iron
Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler Rattan Lounge Chairs Brazil 1955
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
A beautiful pair of lounge chairs in rattan by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, made by Forma Móveis in Brazil in 1955. The chairs are in fully original condition and have never been ...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Armchairs by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, 1950s
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
Produced by the Brazilian Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte in the 1950s, this pair of armchair has an iron structure with upholstered seat and backrest. The design consists of a ...
Iron
Mid-Century Modern Single Armchair by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, 1955
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner
Located in New York, NY
An armchair designed by Martin Eisler and produced by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte in 1955. Featuring an iron structure with brass tips, the piece is composed of two independ...
Iron
Lounge Chair by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler Mod. PL22 for OCA Brazil, 1960s
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, OCA Brazil
Located in Berlin, DE
PL22 folding chair, designed by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler for OCA in 1960s Brazil. The frame, crafted from solid tropical hardwood, shows a rich patina and light age-related wear,...
Leather, Nutwood
Set of two Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler Lounge Chairs, Brazil 1960's
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Set of two Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler Lounge Chairs, Brazil 1960's This elegant set of lounge chairs perfectly balances minimalist design and exceptional comfort. Featuring a li...
Metal
Pair of "Concha" Armchairs by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, Brasil, 1955
By Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Echt, NL
Set of beautiful ‘Concha’ chairs in very good condition. Designed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler in 1955 Manufactured by Forma Moveis, Brazil The ch...
Metal
Mid-Century 1950s Vintage Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler Pair of Lounge Chairs
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in London, GB
Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler were two Europeans who came to Brazil in the 1940s and founded the prominent furniture company Forma. This pair of lounge chairs, designed by Carlo Ha...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Concha Armchairs by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler 1953
By Carlo Hauner, Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
A pair of armchairs, a version of Concha, one of the most popular pieces designed by Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner, with a single seat and backrests made of wicker. Concha is the ...
Iron
Martin Eisler, Rare Armchair, Forma S.A. Mid-Century Modern Brazilian, 1955
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
This comfortable armchair was designed by Martin Eisler (1913-1977) in 1955 and manufactured by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte. Its structure is composed of solid wood, supporte...
Fabric, Hardwood
$12,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Conchas by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Brazilian Midcentury Design
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
Concha armchair is one of the most iconic pieces designed by Martin Eisler (1913-1977). The armchair was created in 1953 and produced by Móveis Artesanal and then Forma S.A. Móveis e...
Iron
Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler Concha Armchairs, Brazilian MidCentury Modern, 1953
By Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
This pair of Concha armchairs was designed in the 1950s by Carlo Hauner (1927-1997) and Martin Eisler (1913-1977). They were manufactured by Móveis Artesanal and later by Forma S.A. ...
Iron
High Armchair by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Brazilian Midcentury Design
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler for Forma S.A Móveis e Objetos de Arte in circa 1960. A modern Brazilian armchair made in curved iron structure and recently upholstery in...
Iron
Pair of High Armchair by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Brazilian Design
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler for Forma S.A Móveis e Objetos de Arte in circa 1960. A modern Brazilian armchair made in the curved iron structure and recently upholster...
Iron
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Armchairs by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler, 1955
By Carlo Hauner, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
This stunning armchair was produced by the Brazilian Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte in the 1950s, a company directed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler. The piece is made of an i...
Iron
Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner Modern Brazilian Lounge Chair Model "Shell" White
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma Brazil
Located in Barcelona, ES
Martin Eisler (1913-1977) & Carlo Hauner (1927-1997) Armchair model “Shell” Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1955 Black painted metal, white fabric upholstery. A Mid-Century modern Brazilian Armchair by Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner designed in 1955. The chairs are upholstered in a cream/white fabric with black painted metal legs. Measurements 74 cm x 77,5 cm x 78h cm. 29,1 in x 30,5 in x 30,7h in. Literature Móvel moderno Brasileiro, Marcelo Vasconcellos, Aeroplano, P. 201 Desenho da Utopia, Brazilian Modern Furnitures...
Metal
$18,816 / item
Reversivel chair by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
By Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Fauteuil Reversibel par Carlo Hauner et Martin Eisler pour Forma. Métal, laiton et textile Édition Forma Modèle créé vers 1955 H 68×L 103×P 71 cm Bibliographie : - M. Vasconcellos, ...
Metal, Brass
Set of 3 Lounge Chairs by Eisler and Hauner in Wood and Steel, Brazil, 1960's
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Martin Eisler (1913–1977) and Carlo Hauner (1927–1997) were influential figures in mid-20th-century furniture design. Eisler, born in Vienna, Austria, studied architecture before relocating to Argentina in 1938, where he established his interior design firm, Interieur Forma. Hauner, born in Brescia, Italy, studied technical drawing and design at the Brera Academy in Milan. In 1948, he moved to Brazil and founded Móveis Artesanal, a furniture production company. The two met in 1953 and formed a partnership, leading to the creation of Forma, a company that became a cornerstone of Brazilian modernist furniture...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Reversivel Armchair by Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler. 1950's
By Carlo Hauner, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler in the 50's, this armchair is considered one of the most important armchairs of Brazilian modern design. The moving seat rests on an iron...
Brass, Iron
Martin Eisler and Carlo Hauner "Costela" Lounge Chair, Midcentury Brazil, 1953
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
The Costela armchair is an iconic Brazilian Mid-Century Modern piece. It was designed by Martin Eisler (1913 - 1977) in 1953 and manufactured by the companies Móveis Artesanal and Fo...
Fabric, Hardwood
Low Armchair by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Brazilian Midcentury Design
By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler for Forma S.A Móveis e Objetos de Arte in circa 1960. A modern Brazilian armchair made in the curved iron structure and recently upholster...
Iron
Concha by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Brazilian Midcentury Design, 1953
By Carlo Hauner, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Martin Eisler
Located in New York, NY
This armchair is a rare version of Concha, one of the most iconic pieces designed by Martin Eisler (1913-1977), with a single seat and backrests made with braided leather strips. ...
Iron
Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner Pair of Midcentury Brazilian White Lounge Chairs
By Forma Brazil, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Barcelona, ES
Martin Eisler (1913-1977) & Carlos Hauner (1927-1997) Pair of lounge chairs Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1950s Black painted metal, fabric upholstery Measurements 65 cm x 64 cm x 90 H cm. 25.5 in x 25 in x 35.4 H in. Literature Brazil Modern, the rediscovery of 20th century Brazilian furniture – Aric Chen, 2016. Beside Carlos Hauner, Martin Eisler(19131977) was the founder for the iconic Brazilian furniture company Forma. He was born in Vienna, Austria, and studied architecture in his country. In 1938 he moved to Buenos Aires. After meeting Carlos Hauner in Brazil, he started traveling there frequently to collaborate on designs and, they founded Forma to sell their own designs as well as pieces licensed from Knoll International. Eisler also opened Forma in Buenos Aires, along with partners Arnold Hakel and Susi Aczel...
Metal