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.
Modern Hanger Storage and Shelf in Hardwood and Nautical Rope
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Multifunctional hanger, storage and shelf in solid wood and exotic rope pattern, packs may functions in one solution to organize the outdoor and indoor space, this object is part of ...
Metal
$2,350 / item
Tray by Rafael Triboli
Located in São Paulo, BR
Rafael Triboli’s new collection synthesizes the foundational aspects of his practice, bringing together techniques and resources that have long inhabited his repertoire, but now achi...
Resin
Early 18th Century Brazil Colonial Chest
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Early 18th-Century Brazilian Colonial Chest - A Rare and Authentic Masterpiece A striking example of early 18th-century Brazilian Colonial craftsmanship, this magnificent chest embo...
Wrought Iron
19th Century South American Chest
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
This 19th-century Brazilian chest, crafted from vinhático wood, exemplifies the robust craftsmanship and elegant simplicity of Brazilian colonial furniture...
Wood
$36,700 / item
Trunk by Rafael Triboli
Located in São Paulo, BR
Rafael Triboli’s new collection synthesizes the foundational aspects of his practice, bringing together techniques and resources that have long inhabited his repertoire, but now achi...
Stainless Steel
A Fine Late 19th / Early 20th Century German-Brazilian Chest in Peroba do Campo
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
A Fine Late 19th / Early 20th Century German-Brazilian Chest in Peroba do Campo — Pomerode, Santa Catarina Crafted in the quiet valleys of Santa Catarina, in the German immigrant tow...
Wood
Danish Modern Floating Teak, Brass and Steel Coat Hanger, 1960s
By Torben Orskov
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Simplistically composed teak rack and stainless bend wire hanger with brass 'socks'. Manufactured and designed in Denmark by Torben Orskov. Hidden sockets for mounting to the backsid...
Brass, Steel
Queen Anne Cedar Hope Chest by Lane Furniture
By Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Simple yet ornate, this traditional cedar hope chest has all the features that made Virginia’s Lane Furniture one of the biggest names in 20th century American woodworking. Built in ...
Wood, Hardwood, Mahogany, Cedar
Mid 18th Century Floral Painted Blanket Chest
Located in Vo', Veneto
Tyrolean painted chest H. 81 – W. 147 – P. 69 Ancient Tyrolean chest, entirely built in fir wood. The surface has been decorated with a dark brown background color, semi-covering, ...
Fir
Wonderful Early 18th Century Chest in Oak and Wrought Iron
Located in Meer, VAN
A wonderful late 17th to early 18th century chest in solid oak and hand wrought iron. Northern Europe. A great provincial vernacular piece with a beautiful carved apron and feet, ha...
Wrought Iron
Antique Early 18th Century Carved Oak Coffer/Chest
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique early 18th century carved oak coffer/chest having finely carved detail to the panels and frieze, panelled sides, standing on stile feet. A fantastic example in original con...
Oak
$25,000
H 11.03 in W 27.56 in D 14.18 in
19th Century, Traditional Mexican Lacquered and Hand-Painted Blanket Chest
Located in Mexico City, MX
Created in the 19th century, this hand-painted piece is the product of one of the richest artistic traditions in Mexico: the technique of lacquer known as “Maque”. A typical example ...
Wood
Early 19th century hand painted Swedish marriage chest
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century hand painted Swedish marriage chest circa 1807. During our travels around Scandinavia we come across numerous folk art and rustic coffers of this era, but this is...
Pine, Paint
Primitive Travail Populaire Chest, France, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
19th century French chest that doubles as a versatile bench. Adorned with intricate detailing and boasting a rich historical allure, this chest serves as a stunning focal point in an...
Wood
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Chest
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine 19th century Swedish folk art chest in painted pine wood & wrought iron. Polychrome painted decoration with clouds and a cartouche decorated with flowers. Dated 1802 on the lid....
Pine
19th Century American Six Board Blanket Chest
Located in High Point, NC
Early 19th century American pine blanket chest made from six boards. The color is a brick reddish brown and is original to the piece. The hinges appear to be original to the piece ...
Pine
Walnut Cedar Lined Mid-Century Modern Hope Chest by Lane
By Lane Acclaim
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern walnut cedar lined hope chest.
Walnut, Cedar
Pair of Custom Paint Decorated Trunks by Graham Carr
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Custom painted by UK artist Graham Carr and signed. His furniture has been featured in Interiors and British House and Garden. Suitable as paired coffee ta...
Wood
Tray by Rafael Triboli
Located in São Paulo, BR
TRAY Rafael Triboli’s new collection synthesizes the foundational aspects of his practice, bringing together techniques and resources that have long inhabited his repertoire, but now...
Resin, Hardwood
Vintage Brazilian Walnut ‘Sabara’ Trunk by Sergio Rodrigues
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in London, GB
A stunning and very rare vintage Brazilian walnut ‘Sabara’ trunk by Sergio Rodrigues. This was made in Brazil, it dates from the 1970’s. This is of outstanding quality, it is extrem...
Walnut
Colonial Portugese Chest on Stand
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular hinged top and case with brass mountings , later barley twist base.
Mahogany
Brazilian Portuguese Colonial Carved Wood Chest
Located in Essex, MA
With rectangular hinged top over a case with two panels with diamond carved centers, elaborate wrought iron hinged latch and lock plate, side handles with carved diamond shape panels...
Wood
Sergio Rodrigues Rosewood Chest or Trunk
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in San Francisco, CA
Sergio Rodrigues design blanket chest or storage chest made from Brazilian rosewood. Excellent original condition, stamped.
Rosewood
19th Century Sacristy Chest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th c. cedro wood sacristy chest with original carvings. Traces of old red paint. Dove tailed. All original
Lidded chest by Jose Zanine
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in New York, NY
Rectangular, lidded chest carved from a single piece of solid wood. Designed by Jose Zanine, Brazil, circa 1968.
Lidded chest by Jose Zanine
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in New York, NY
Rectangular, lidded chest carved from one solid piece of wood. Designed by Jose Zanine for Z-Moveis Denuncia, Brazil, circa 1970.
Storage Chest by Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Rectangular storage chest in jacaranda with detailing on the front. Designed by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazil, 1950s.
Antique Brazilian Blanket Chest
Located in Sheffield, MA
Wooden chest with wrought hardware,
"Sabara" storage chest by Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
"Sabara" storage chest in jacaranda with polished brass trim. Designed by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazil, circa 1965.
19th Century Brasilian Sacristy Chest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sacristy chest with original carvings and hardware. FOR OUR COMPLETE INVENTORY PLEASE VISIT www.dosgallos.com
Cedar