No other American mid-century furniture line has become as synonymous with a certain type of curvilinear decoration as Broyhill’s Brasilia group. While its revered cabinets, dressers, dining chairs and more were made in the United States, the inspiration for the distinguishing characteristics of vintage Broyhill Brasilia furniture can actually be found in Latin American architecture.
Broyhill Furniture Industries was launched in Lenoir, North Carolina by brothers Thomas H. and James Edgar “Ed” Broyhill. Ed had been working for his brother’s furniture manufacturing company, the Lenoir Furniture Corporation, which produced bedroom furnishings in the 1920s, when a nearby supplier’s factory, Bernhardt Chair Company, burned in a fire.
Ed founded Lenoir Chair Company and expanded its operations while remaining an employee at Lenoir Furniture Corporation. He subsequently partnered with Thomas and together they purchased Harper Furniture Company, a local producer of Colonial Revival-style furniture, in 1929.
By the 1940s, Broyhill Furniture Industries had absorbed more factories and gained footing as a strong competitor of Lenoir’s Kent-Coffey Manufacturing Company and a rebuilt Bernhardt Furniture.
In the mid-1950s, responding to changing tastes and to an appetite for what is now universally known as mid-century modern furnishings, the firm launched its Broyhill Premier line with the Sculptra series. Sculptra pieces featured a square-within-a-square motif and horizontal cat’s-eye-shaped drawer pulls. Later, in 1962, the Broyhill Brasilia furniture group debuted at the Seattle World’s Fair. The collection was heavily inspired by Oscar Niemeyer’s modernist buildings for the eponymous Brazilian capital.
Designed and built by Niemeyer between 1956 and 1960, the modernist architecture of Brasília’s state capitol buildings has since taken on iconic status. The elegant curves of Niemeyer's works — those that characterize the white concrete structures that encase Palácio do Planalto in addition to the fluid inverted arches of the Supreme Federal Court Building — can be seen in the pronounced decorative elements that adorn the Broyhill Brasilia group’s sleek walnut highboy dressers, specifically in their striking brass drawer-pull arches and carved moldings. While considerably popular during the 1960s, the production of the Brasilia line — with its beloved two-tiered bedside tables and tasteful credenzas — was discontinued in 1970.
On 1stDibs, browse vintage mid-century Broyhill Brasilia furniture, such as its walnut dressers, dining chairs, case pieces and more.
Broyhill "Brasilia" Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Make a bold statement with this rare set of six Broyhill “Brasilia” dining chairs, a celebrated icon of American mid-century modern design. Crafted in the 1960s as part of Broyhill’s...
Walnut
$2,495 / set
H 40.5 in W 23 in D 20 in
1960s Young Manufacturing Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Young Manufacturing Company, Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Charleston, SC
With American craftsmanship and worldly flare, these vintage modern Brasilia-style dining chairs are sure to make a big impression in your home! With a peaking silhouette, sculptural...
Upholstery, Walnut
$2,995 / set
H 36.25 in W 19 in D 21.25 in
Broyhill Brasilia Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Dining Chairs, Set of Six
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six Mid-Century Modern dining chairs By Broyhill Brasilia USA, 1960s Sculpted walnut frames, with upholstered seats. Measures: Side chairs - 19"W x 21.25"D x 36...
Upholstery, Walnut
$3,995 / set
H 41 in W 20.5 in D 19 in
Mid-Century Modern Broyhill Brasilia II Walnut & Cane Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
Elevate your dining space with this stunning set of six Mid-Century Modern Broyhill Brasilia II walnut dining chairs, circa 1960s. Showcasing the iconic Brasilia sculpted frames, eac...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood, Walnut
$2,295 / set
H 36.25 in W 19 in D 21.25 in
Broyhill Brasilia Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Dining Chairs, Set of Four
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of four Mid-Century Modern dining chairs By Broyhill Brasilia USA, 1960s Sculpted walnut frames, with upholstered seats. Measures: 19"W x 21.25"D x 36.25"H. Seat h...
Upholstery, Walnut
$3,750 / set
H 38 in W 20.5 in D 18.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Broyhill Brasilia Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
Make a statement with this stunning set of six mid-century modern Broyhill Brasilia walnut dining chairs, circa 1960s. Featuring the collection’s iconic sculptural backs, dramatic cu...
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
$4,450 / set
H 34 in W 19 in D 18 in
1960s MCM Broyhill Saga Walnut Paul McCobb Style Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By Broyhill
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Set of six stunning Mid-Century Modern walnut dining chairs from Broyhill Premier’s “Saga” collection, in the style of Paul McCobb. The solid walnut frames feature modern styling with a distinct beautiful design. Sculpturally carved bow-tie backrests with tapered legs. Rich warm walnut frames with new professionally, clean, beautiful, gray upholstered and foam seats lending comfort. The seats reupholstered, in a beautiful, new, gray fabric, easily blends with many Classic Mid-Century Modern tones, as the medium walnut grains contrast the fabric nicely. Crafted of walnut with bow-tie accent on the chair backs the lines and attention to detail are exquisite. Classic Mid-Century Modern styling with sturdy, solid construction. This set features two armchairs and four side chairs Condition report: In very good vintage condition. All joints are sturdy and tight, upholstered in a beautiful MCM fabric...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,995 / set
H 41.25 in W 20.25 in D 17.75 in
Drexel Heritage Mid-Century Modern Walnut High Back Dining Chairs, Set of Six
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six of Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency high back dining chairs By Drexel Heritage USA, Circa 1970s Sculpted walnut frames, with orange upholstered seats. D...
Upholstery, Walnut
$2,250 / set
H 38.5 in W 17.5 in D 16 in
French Mid-Century Modern 1960's Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6
Located in Carmine, TX
Set of 6 Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs featuring elegant walnut frames with tapered legs and brass-capped feet. Newly upholstered in a soft ivory fabric, these chairs showcase cle...
Bronze
$2,350 / set
H 45 in W 22 in D 17.5 in
Set of Six Mid-Century Upholstered Walnut Dining Chairs By Thomasville
By Thomasville
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful set of six (6) mid-century modern dining chairs crafted in warm walnut with tall, high-backed upholstered seats for added comfort and presence. Manufactured by Thomasville ...
Fabric, Walnut
Broyhill Brasilia Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Broyhill Brasilia Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6 Each armless chair measures: 20 wide x 19 deep x 38.25 high, with a seat height of 18.5 inches Each captains chair meas...
Upholstery, Walnut
Broyhill Brasilia Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Broyhill Brasilia Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6 Each armless chair measures: 20 wide x 22 deep x 38 high, with a seat height of 18.5 inches Each captains chair measure...
Upholstery, Walnut
Broyhill Brasilia Brutalist Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Broyhill Brasilia Brutalist mid century walnut dining chairs - set of 6 Each chair measures: 20 wide x 18.5 deep x 37.5 high, with a seat height of 18.5 inches and arm height of 23....
Upholstery, Walnut
Broyhill Brasilia Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 4
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Broyhill Brasilia Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 4 Each armless chair measures: 20.5 wide x 18.5 deep x 37 high, with a seat height of 19 inches Each captains chair measu...
Upholstery, Walnut
Romweber Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Romweber Furniture Co.
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Romweber Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6 Each chair measures: 20.5 wide x 21 deep x 29 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 16.75 inches All pieces of fur...
Upholstery, Walnut
Lane Tuxedo Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Lane Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Lane Tuxedo Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6 Each armless chair measures: 19 wide x 20.5 deep x 33.5 high, with a seat height of 18.5 inches Each captains chair measures:...
Upholstery, Walnut
