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.
Minimalist Brazilian Shelf System 'Carlos' by Samuel Lamas
By Samuel Lamas
Located in Brasilia, DF
Carlos Shelf by Samuel Lamas, 2022 The Carlos Shelf by Samuel Lamas is a testament to the architectural finesse and modernist ethos of Brazilian design. This shelf unit, composed of...
Steel
$95,550Sale Price|25% Off
Bookshelf by Joaquim Tenreiro, Brazilian Midcentury, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
A prolific and gifted designer, Joaquim Tenreiro (1906–1992) masterfully laid the groundwork for modern living in Brazil through his furniture and interiors. Born in Portugal and tra...
Wood, Hardwood
$2,400 / set
Geraldo De Barros, Shelves, Wood, Brazil, 1970s
By Geraldo de Barros
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of small wall shelfs or wall-mounted console tables designed by Geraldo De Barros and produced by Hobjeto, Brazil, 1970s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimension...
Wood
Joaquim Tenreiro Bookshelf, Rosewood Veneers, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern, 1950
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Joaquim Tenreiro in the 1950s, this bookshelf is a rare example of his refined approach to proportion and material. Recently restored according to its original specificat...
Metal
$3,285 / item
Ju Shelf by Estudio Prosa
Located in Geneve, CH
Ju Shelf by Estudio Prosa Dimensions: W 90 x D 90 x H 25 cm Materials: Wood. Available in Cedro Arana, Jequitiba, Muiracatiara, or Cumaru wood options. Please contact us. The Prosa...
Wood
$3,104Sale Price / item|22% Off
Contemporary Book Shelf Stand in Brazilian Hardwood by Leo Strauss
Located in Atibaia, BR
The book shelf column is a piece of unique construction and design. Its geometric shapes, straight angles and simple lines, significant characteristics of the modernist movement in B...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Floor Shelf by Brazilian Designer, Brazil, 1960s
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Floor Shelf by Brazilian Designer, Brazil, 1960s Two-tier floor shelf with four tubular metal legs, painted black. The shelf has two levels, with 200 cm (78.74 i...
Metal
Brazilian Modern Bookshelf in Rosewood by Sergio Rodrigues for OCA, Brazil
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
An important large-scale Brazilian Modern bookshelf designed by Sergio Rodrigues and produced by OCA circa 1968, showcasing the designer’s celebrated ability to merge architecture, c...
Chrome
'Casulo' Scandinavian style Display Case in Brazilian Hardwood by Knót Artesanal
By Knót Artesanal
Located in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro
Casulo display case is both contemporary and organic, the shelves and drawer are embraced by elegant slats gently rising and enclosing the area within. Its minimalist form betrays its Scandinavian and mid-century modern inspiration, styles also shared by its sister pieces 'Nido' desk and 'Arca' shoe rack/bench the three together comprising Knót's Ripa Range of furniture. Its imposing yet delicate structure make it as much of a showpiece as any items displayed on its shelves. Handmade from Brazilian hardwoods Cumaru or Peroba Mica. Knót Artesanal...
Wood
Wooden Shelve, by Zanine Caldas, Brazilian 20th Mid-Century Design
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This wooden shelf is a fine example of Brazilian design from the mid-20th century, by Zanine Caldas, who was known for his use of organic materials and innovative approaches to woodw...
Hardwood
$9,259 / item
Cross Bookcase by Alva Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Cross Bookcase by Alva Design Materials: MDF veneered in natural wood, Tempered glass 12mm Dimensions: w 141 x h 182 x d 41,2 cm Finishing: Cristal glass Wood (availa...
Glass, Wood
$1,915 / item
Shelf Curva
By Cultivado em Casa
Located in Floresta, MG
The 180º bend is a common industrial feature found in steel factories. From this element, we developed a collection that incorporates softness into the rawness of the material.
Steel
$5,210
Shelve D33
By Cultivado em Casa
Located in Floresta, MG
The D33 collection is intended to enhance the foam, a material very present in furniture, yet always hidden. Abusing its main characteristic, absorption, the entire volume of the mat...
Steel
Scarce shelves by Joaquim Tenreiro
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rarissime bibliothèque par Joaquim Tenreiro.
Marble
$2,680 / item
Zinc Shelf Curva
By Cultivado em Casa
Located in Floresta, MG
A common item in steel houses, the 180º curve is the starting point for the development of the collection. Using this element of industrial origin and organic format, we seek to crea...
Steel, Zinc
$23,792 / item
Cafofo Shelves by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Cafofo shelves by Mameluca Material:Various Brazilian reclaimed wood & acrylic & carbon steel Dimensions: D125 x W60 x H195 cm Favela (slum) was a place of high inspiration for ...
Steel
Teteia Contemporary Wall Shelf
By Cultivado em Casa
Located in Floresta, MG
Graceful and delicate, the Teteia wall shelf is a suspended shelf that behaves well in any Habitat, allowing several possibilities of use. Its colors a...
Steel
Glass Shelves "Cross" by Alva Design, Contemporary Brazilian Design
By Alva Design
Located in New York, NY
This furniture came from the inversion of an idea, which was to create a shelf that reminds us of a "drusas", typical formations of some mineral crystals in which the contrast betwee...
Glass, Wood
Set of 3 Da Pa Vermelha, Shelves by Cultivado Em Casa
Located in Geneve, CH
A set of 3 Da Pa Vermelha - Shelves by Cultivado Em Casa Dimensions: 80 x 30 x 205 cm Materials: Digger, carbon steel and concrete Shelf built from an articulated shovel, a hand...
Concrete, Steel
Sergio Rodrigues, ‘Nelson’ Wall Shelving System, Rosewood, Brazil, 1965
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Sergio Rodrigues ‘Nelson’ Wall Shelving System The ‘Nelson’ wall shelving system, designed by Sergio Rodrigues, combines richly figured rosewood shelves with slender metal supports ...
Leather, Rosewood
Rosewood Wall Bookshelf by Celina Decorações, Brazilian Mid-Century, 1960s
By Celina Decoracoes
Located in New York, NY
This charming bookshelf, manufactured by Celina Decorações in the 1960s, is composed of a solid wood structure with Rosewood veneers. The piece is co...
Rosewood
$3,200 / item
'Da Pá Vermelha' Shelve
By Cultivado em Casa
Located in Floresta, MG
Created from a digger, a working tool widely used in Brazil. In this project it is fixed in concrete, the shelves and the base are made in steel with oxidized finish.
Steel
Modular Shelving Unit by Jorge Zalszupin for l'Atelier, Brazil, 1960's
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Modular shelving rounded corner unit designed by Jorge Zalszupin in the 1950s, made from Brazilian Rosewood, also known as Jacaranda. The wood displays rich, natural patterns with da...
Wood
$7,534 / item
Ivory Simbiose Glass Cabinet by Andreas Anwander
Located in Geneve, CH
Ivory Simbiose Glass Cabinet by Andreas Anwander Dimensions: W 110 x D 49 x H 180 cm Materials: Solid Wood, Glass, Brass. Weight: 85 kg. A shelf which design is inspired by the sym...
Brass
Rosewood Wall Bookshelf by Celina Decorações, Brazilian Mid-Century, 1960s
By Celina Decoracoes
Located in New York, NY
Produced in the 1960s by Celina Decorações, this wall bookshelf has a minimalist design, enhanced by its beautiful rosewood veneers. It has three shelves with “T”-shaped lateral deta...
Rosewood
Brazilian Handcrafted Clothes Rail "Cumuru" by Dimitrih Correa
By Dimitrih Correa
Located in Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro
Recently launched at Collectible, in Brussels, it’s part of the Bahia, de Todos os Santos’ Collection. Inspired in the beautiful destinations in the Northeast, each piece of the c...
Steel, Stainless Steel
$4,597 / item
Da Pa Vermelha, Shelve by Cultivado Em Casa
Located in Geneve, CH
Da Pa Vermelha - shelve by Cultivado Em Casa Dimensions: 80 x 30 x 205 cm Materials: Digger, carbon steel and concrete. Shelf built from an articulated shovel, a hand tool widel...
Concrete, Steel
$1,857 / item
Teteia, Wall Shelve by Cultivado Em Casa
Located in Geneve, CH
Thethea - wall shelve by Cultivado Em Casa Dimensions: 50 x 38 x 140 cm Materials: MDF, carbon steel. Painting in Duco paint Teteia is a suspended bookcase...
Steel
$30,139 / set
Set of 2 Symbiotic Shelves by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Symbiotic shelves by Mameluca Material: Brazilian Wood: Cedro marinheiro, Jequitibá Rosa, Vinhático,Roxinho, Braúna aço inoxidável ; stainless steel. Dimensions: D40 x W10...
Stainless Steel
$15,861 / item
Symbiotic Shelf by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Symbiotic shelf by Mameluca Material: brazilian wood: Cedro marinheiro, Jequitibá Rosa, Vinhático, Roxinho, Braúna aço inoxidável; stainless steel. Dimensions: D 40 x W 100 x H 200...
Stainless Steel
$11,700 / item
Shelve Murundu
By Cultivado em Casa
Located in Floresta, MG
Inspired by quite common natural elements in our region, Murundu speaks of affective landscapes, our rural nature and our profound connection with the countryside. At the same time...
Stainless Steel
Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.
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