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.
Brazilian Modern Dresser with Stool in Rosewood, Carlo Hauner for Forma, 1950s
By Carlo Hauner
Located in New York, NY
Designed in the 1950s by Carlo Hauner for Forma, this dresser and stool form part of a rare and cohesive Brazilian Modern bedroom suite conceived as an integrated domestic environmen...
Fabric, Hardwood, Mirror
End Tables by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazilian Midcentury, 1965
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Joaquim Albuquerque Tenreiro was born in 1906 in the small village of Melo, Portugal, which at the time had 1500 inhabitants. His father and grandfather were woodworkers, and some ac...
Rosewood
Pair of Solid Mahogany Raised Panel Heavy Built 4 Drawer Bachelor Chests Dresser
By Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Solid Mahogany Raised Panel Heavy Built 4 Drawer Bachelor Chests Dresser MINT
Mahogany
$9,945Sale Price|25% Off
Mid-Century Modern Luciana Dresser by Sergio Rodrigues, 1965
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
The Luciana Buffet constructed with eight drawers was designed in 1965 by Sergio Rodrigues for Oca. The top is laminated in Rosewood, with solid Rosewood edging and chromed buttons. ...
Formica, Wood
$28,800Sale Price|20% Off
Rosewood Dresser by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazilian Midcentury, 1950s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
A 1950s dresser designed by Joaquim Tenreiro in solid rosewood and rosewood veneers, showing the maker’s focus on clean lines and joinery. The six drawers emphasize the natural grain...
Rosewood
Brazilian Modern Desk in Cerejera Hardwood, Geraldo de Barros, 1970s Brazil
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Geraldo de Barros for Hobjeto in the 1970s, this desk reflects the designer’s enduring commitment to rational construction and democratic modern design. De Barros—an infl...
Hardwood
The Square Dresser. Brazilian Solid Wood and Natural Straw
By Amilcar Oliveira
Located in São Paulo, SP
The dresser from the Square Series - Your sophisticated choice. Combining practicality, contemporary style, and elegance, this dresser is meticulously crafted in solid wood and avail...
Wood
$4,000 / item
Floating Square Dresser
By Amilcar Oliveira
Located in São Paulo, SP
The Floating Square Dresser embodies the perfect balance between visual lightness and material strength. In this version, the classic design of the Square line gains a new gesture: w...
Brass
Brazilian Rosewood 8-Drawer Dresser Sideboard by Westnofa Sweden
By Westnofa Furniture
Located in Stamford, CT
Scandinavian Modernism represents a body of work that has had a tremendous impact on the furniture industry. Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian designers and manufacturers placed great i...
Rosewood
Dresser from S.A.F.F.A, 1950s
By Saffa
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Set of maple and myrtle briar dressers and nightstands. Brass tips and handles. Retro-treated glass top from the Gris company of Varedo. Very interesting; under the top there are mar...
Brass
Teak Mid-Century Modern Tall Dresser
Located in Baltimore, MD
Mid-Century Modern teak high boy dresser, chest of drawers, made in Denmark. Minimalist Danish Modern inspired profile and extremely well-made dr...
Teak
$4,110
H 22.84 in W 23.63 in D 14.18 in
Pair of Italian Midcentury Nightstands in the Style of Paolo Buffa, circa 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of remarkable bedsides rosewood in the style of Paolo Buffa, 1950s.
Rosewood
$3,187Sale Price|25% Off
H 36 in W 40 in D 17 in
Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Desk Magic Box Made in Brazil with Key
By Jean Gillon
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning closable and lockable rosewood writing desk. The piece closes completely and can be key-locked to protect all your documents. Opened, it has a large teak writing top that ex...
Rosewood
Mid-Century Modern High Dresser
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning Mid-Century Modern highboy dresser. Six spacious dovetail-jointed drawers line the center of the case and are flanked by leather front cabinet...
Leather, Wood
$3,675
H 29.34 in W 39.38 in D 22.05 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Bamboo, Cane and Rattan Console Desk, 1970s
By Vivai del Sud
Located in Roma, IT
We are pleased to offer this exceptional Italian Mid-Century Modern console desk, handcrafted in the 1970s from bamboo, rattan, reed, and plywood. Featuring an elegant architectural ...
Brass
1970s Rosewood Dresser
By Reoval
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A Classic Danish dresser from the 1970s. Simple and functional.
Rosewood
$9,200
H 32 in W 72 in D 20 in
1950s Paul Frankl Moroccan Red Lacquered Double Dresser / Chest of Drawers
By Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Iconic Paul Frankl 10-drawer chest with freshly polished brass X pulls, refinished and shown in Moroccan Red Lacquer from Frankl's Debonair Collection for Johnson Furniture. Pair Available. Please note buyer has the option to select any color for professional refinishing to match the desired interior. Certainly one of Paul Frankl's most celebrated designs, the chest is timeless and pairs well with contemporary, eclectic and mid century decor. Paul Frankl was known in the Art Deco period for his architectural skyscraper...
Lacquer
Vintage 1970s Danish Peter Lovig Mid Century Modern Desk in White Oak
By Peter Løvig Nielsen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The iconic Løvig teak flip top desk designed by Peter Løvig Nielsen, 1960s, Denmark. It’s versatile in that the back shelf can flip down on its brass hinges to create a larger work s...
Oak
$2,500
H 42 in W 38 in D 20 in
Barney Flagg for Drexel Parallel Carved Walnut 5-Drawer Tall Dresser or Chest
By Barney Flagg, Drexel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Barney Flagg, this dresser was made in the 1960s by Drexel, who was the manufacturer for other high-end designers at the time. This line is made in a unique way: the main...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Dresser
Located in Pasadena, TX
This unique American walnut dresser features stunning vintage craftsmanship, evident in it's simple yet elegant details. From rounded corner tapered legs to sculpted cabinet front, t...
Walnut
Sold
H 32.3 in W 73.6 in D 25.2 in
Jorge Zalszupin “Hotel Nacional” Executive Desk in Caviúna, Rio de Janeiro, 1970
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
A documented example from the iconic Hotel Nacional in São Conrado, Rio de Janeiro, this executive desk embodies the architectural discipline and material authority that defined Braz...
Formica, Hardwood
Sold
H 29.1 in W 53.9 in D 21.7 in
1950's Brazilian Modern Three Legged Desk in Hardwood by Moveis Fratte
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this mid-century Brazilian modern desk, designed by Moveis Fratte in the fifties, is absolutely magnificent! This desk is made with naval plywood and features three ...
Hardwood
Sold
H 35 in W 88.25 in D 18.25 in
Midcentury Sideboard, Dresser by Guiseppe Scapinelli, Brazilian, Zebrawood
By Giuseppe Scapinelli
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century Modern Guiseppe Scapinelli, Brazilian Zebrawood Sideboard, Dresser Large Brazilin modernist cabinet or sideboard having comprised of ...
Metal
Martin Eisler Rosewood Chest for Forma, Brazil, circa 1955
By Martin Eisler, Forma
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Martin Eisler Rosewood Pair of Chest for Forma, Brazil, circa 1955. This pair has been expertly restored.
Rosewood
Rococo Dresser in Cedar Wood
By Maria Fernanda Paes de Barros
Located in Jundiaí, SP
This chest of drawers is made in solid pink cedar wood carved by the craftsman Rondinelly Santos (Tiradentes, MG) specialized in sacred art. The flowing de...
Wood, Cedar
Sold
H 39.75 in W 45.25 in D 23.25 in
Pair of Painted Wood Three-Drawer Brazilian Chests in Soft Blue-Grey
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of painted wood three-drawer Brazilian chests. This pair of custom dressers, of old reclaimed wood, each feature three graduated drawers with cur...
Metal
Midcentury Brazilian Nightstands in Caviuna Wood
Located in Astoria, NY
Midcentury dressers in Brazilian caviuna wood from the 1950s. Each has recently upholstered drawers with shagreen leatherette. Each has four drawers with ...
Faux Leather, Wood
Pair of Scapinelli 1960s Dressers in Brazilian Wood
By Giuseppe Scapinelli
Located in Astoria, NY
A pair of Giuseppe Scapinelli dressers, produced circa 1960s, crafted of Brazilian wood, with asymmetrical bookmatched front, either with single rounded corners and raised on tapered...
Wood
Brazilian Caviuna 1960s Sideboard / Dresser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brazilian 1960s sideboard in caviuna wood with brass details and four drawers. Can also be used as a dresser
Brass
Cimo 1960s Brazilian Jacaranda Wood Sideboard or Dresser
By Moveis Cimo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cimo sideboard from the 1960s made of Brazilian jacaranda wood with four drawers with jacaranda handles. Could also be used as a dresser.
Jacaranda
A Brazilian Midcentury Caviuna Wood Dresser
Located in Astoria, NY
A vintage, modernistic Brazilian dresser, produced circa 1960s, in caviuna wood, with three drawers and triangular pulls, on angled and tapered legs. Very...
Wood
Brazilian Midcentury Jacaranda Veneer Dresser
Located in Astoria, NY
A vintage, circa 1950s four drawer dresser, in Brazilian jacaranda veneer against caviuna wood, with brass handle details, on gracefully angled tapered legs. Very good condition, con...
Brass