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.
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Server Bar Cart By White Furniture Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Mid-Century Modern server (also referred to as a credenza, bar cart, or console table) embodies the classic design principles of the 1950s and 60s, combining elegant aesthetics ...
Brass
$700Sale Price|36% Off
H 32 in W 40 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Walnut Bar Cart by Thomasville with Drop-Down Leaves
By Thomasville
Located in Trenton, NJ
This Mid-Century Walnut Bar Cart is a stylish and versatile piece that's ready to elevate your style and service game to the next level. Combining versatile storage, display, and ser...
Wood
MCM Walnut Rolling Sideboard Bar Cart by Kroehler
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering one of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of a vintage MCM walnut rolling...
Walnut
$2,600
H 32.5 in W 42 in D 20.1 in
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Bar Cart / Cabinet on Casters by Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This walnut bar cabinet was manufactured by Directional in the 1960s and attributed to both Milo Baughman and Kipp Stewart due to stylistic attributes associated with both designers,...
Brass
$595
H 30.5 in W 44 in D 20 in
Vintage Mid Century Modern Walnut Laminate Top Rolling Drop Leaf Bar Cart Server
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid Century Modern Walnut Laminate Top Rolling Drop Leaf Bar Cart Server. Item features a drop leaf laminate top, lower shelf, rolling casters, beautiful wood grain, finished...
Laminate, Walnut
Modernist Walnut Bar Cart / Cabinet on Casters by Milo Baughman
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Buffalo, NY
This walnut bar cabinet was manufactured by Directional in the 1960s and attributed to both Milo Baughman and Kipp Stewart due to stylistic attributes associated with both designers,...
Brass, Steel
Mid Century Modern Walnut Bar Cart by John Kapel for Jon Stuart
By John Stuart, John Kapel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Modern John Kapel for Glenn of California Drop Leaf Expandable Bar Cart by John Stuart. Walnut with black formica top surface. The cart has two cabinet doors and one top ...
Brass
Sculpted Mid-Century Rolling Drop-Leaf Walnut Bar Cart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bring timeless Mid-Century Modern style to your home with this sculpted rolling walnut bar cart. Crafted with beautiful walnut veneers and featuring clean, organic lines, this versat...
Walnut
$1,695
H 31 in W 61 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Henkel Harris Cherry Two-Tier Drop-Leaf Rolling Bar Cart Server
By Henkel Harris
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid-Century Henkel Harris Cherry Two-Tier Drop-Leaf Rolling Bar Cart / Server. Measures 61" wide open, 38.5" wide closed, 18" in depth and 31" in height. Features Two drawers wi...
Cherry
$4,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.5 in W 36 in D 16 in
Dunbar Edward Wormley Bar Serving Cart Mid-Century Modern
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Mid-Century Modern bar, tea or buffet serving cart by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Marked with metal Dunabr tag in drawer. Finished on the back, this cart can be placed anywhere in the...
Walnut
Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Coffee Table by American of Martinsville
By American of Martinsville
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage low storage coffee table in mahogany manufactured by American of Martinsville, circa 1960's. Features a natural warm wood grain pattern accented wi...
Brass
Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall “Declaration” Walnut End Table for Drexel
By Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, Drexel
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid century modern side table in walnut from the Declaration collection designed by Kipp Stewart & Stewart McDougall for Drexel Furniture Company, circa 1960's. This piece featur...
Walnut
Mid Century Modern Scandinavian Teak Secretary Desk
By Egon Ostergaard
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage secretary desk in teak circa 1970's, made in Sweden. This piece is equipped with three deep storage drawers accessorized with sculpted wood handles. Features a roll top door ...
Birch, Teak
Mid Century Modern Solid Walnut Stereo Console Cabinet by Ace-Hi Furniture
By ACE-HI
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage record console credenza manufactured by Ace-Hi Furniture of California, circa 1960's. This unique media cabinet is made of solid planked walnut featuring sliding doors accent...
Walnut
Danish Teak Arne Vodder Drop-Leaf Extendable Sliding Desk
By Arne Vodder
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid Century Modern drop leaf desk in teak designed by Arne Vodder, circa 1960s. This versatile piece features a sliding adjustable bank that includes three dovetailed drawers with si...
Teak
Vintage Walnut and Rosewood Directional Dining Table by Kipp Stewart for Calvin
By Kipp Stewart, Calvin Furniture
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid Century Modern Directional dining table designed by Kipp Stewart for Calvin Furniture in walnut, circa 1960's. Features rosewood inlay and a unique shaped top that expands with f...
Rosewood, Walnut
