1950's Brazilian Set of 6 Chairs by Geraldo de Barros
About the Item
- Creator:Geraldo de Barros (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 18.51 in (47 cm)Width: 30.32 in (77 cm)Depth: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:CIRCA 1950
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU9498238815672
Geraldo de Barros
Although best known for his photography, Geraldo de Barros was an important contributor to the canon of mid-century modern furniture design and was one of Brazil’s most influential multidisciplinary artists.
Born in 1923 in Chavantes, São Paulo, de Barros began his artistic career as a painter before discovering a passion for photography in the 1940s. In 1950, he found fame with his successful “Fotoformas” exhibition held at the Museu de Arte de São Paulo, which led to a scholarship from the French government to study in that country.
In the early 1950s, de Barros traveled throughout Europe, including Switzerland, where he met Bauhaus graduate Max Bill. At the time, Bill was collaborating with the Scholl Foundation on developing a design institute in Ulm, Germany, that combined Bauhaus tradition with emerging technical elements in design practice. Bill invited de Barros to visit the institute, where he became influenced by Bill’s philosophy of Gute Form — the belief that carefully designed objects could bring artistic values into homes.
Upon his return to São Paulo, de Barros delved into furniture design. Along with engineer Justino Cardoso, metalworker Antônio Thereza, and a Dominican priest, Friar João Batista Pereira dos Santos, he founded the furniture company and Christian cooperative Unilabor, in 1954, on the outskirts of São Paulo.
As the firm’s chief designer, de Barros incorporated the concept of Concrete art into many of his pieces, particularly his armchairs. His dining room chairs, bookcases, coffee tables, cabinets and desks were also designed with straight lines, sobriety and functionality in mind and made with natural materials such as rosewood, jacaranda and iron. Given that it was more of a cooperative with a social mission than it was a manufacturer, Unilabor paid well and offered innovative modular furniture by way of de Barros-designed components that were produced serially to be used in the construction of complete furnishings.
Despite Unilabor’s success, the company ran into economic difficulties and eventually closed. Undaunted, de Barros founded another furniture company in 1964 — Hobjeto Indústria e Comércio de Móveis — where he focused on progressive furniture design with more geometric shapes.
During the 1960s, de Barros continued with furniture design and, as a painter, became interested in Pop art and abstract movements, founding influential groups such as Grupo 15, Galeria Rex and Grupo Ruptura.
In the 1990s, de Barros returned to his career as a photographer until his death in 1998. De Barros’s furniture was shown at several exhibitions during the 1950s and 1960s, including the Exposição Nacional de Arte Concreta in São Paulo in 1956 and the Konkrete Kunst exhibition in Zurich in 1960. His photographs and paintings have also been exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage Geraldo de Barros seating, tables, case pieces and storage cabinets.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- 1960's Brazilian Desk Model « 1015 » by Geraldo de Barros Manufactured by UnilabBy Geraldo de BarrosLocated in New York, NYThe Model 1015 desk by Geraldo de Barros is a unique and special piece of furniture, distinguished by its innovative use of materials, minimalist design, and the artistic vision of ...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- 1950's Brazilian bench by Liceu de ArteBy Liceu de Artes e OfíciosLocated in New York, NYThe Liceu de Arte bench is unique and special due to its exceptional blend of natural materials and artistic design, deeply rooted in the educational and cultural ethos of the Liceu ...Category
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Benches
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- 1950's Brazilian "Boomerang" Lounge Chair by Jose Zanine CaldasBy José Zanine CaldasLocated in New York, NYThe Boomerang lounge chair by Jose Zanine Caldas is a special and unique piece of furniture, notable for its innovative use of materials, its elegant design, and the rich history of ...Category
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Plywood
- 1950's Brazilian "Linea Z" Lounge Chair by Jose Zanine CaldasBy José Zanine CaldasLocated in New York, NYThe "Linea Z" Lounge Chair by José Zanine Caldas, manufactured by Moveis Artisticos Z, is a remarkable piece of furniture that exemplifies the innovative and artistic approach of its...Category
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Plywood
- 1950's Brazilian Bookshelf by Jorge ZalszupinBy Jorge ZalszupinLocated in New York, NYThe bookshelf by Jorge Zalszupin is unique and special due to its sophisticated use of materials, functional design, and the distinguished craftsmanship that characterizes Zalszupin'...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Bookcases
MaterialsJacaranda
- 1950's Brazilian SideboardBy Carlo HaunerLocated in New York, NYThe 1950s sideboard, an attribution to Carlo Hauner stands as a testament to the visionary collaboration between Carlo Hauner (1927 — 1997) and Martin Eisler (1913 — 1977), primary d...Category
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Sideboards
MaterialsRosewood, Plywood
- Pair of chairs by Geraldo De BarrosBy Geraldo de BarrosLocated in Barcelona, ESPair of chairs Manufactured by Unilabor Brazil, 1955 Iron, fabric upholstered Measurements 40 cm x 43 cm x 82h cm 15,78 in x 16,9 in x 32,28h in Literature Unilabor, by Mauro Claro...Category
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Pair of chairs by Geraldo de Barros for Hobjeto, Brazil, 1970sBy Geraldo de BarrosLocated in Brasília, BRPair of chairs designed by Geraldo de Barros for Hobjeto in the 70s. Made from black lacquered veneer plywood. Fully restored and upholstered in a beige bouclé fabric. SEATING PAI...Category
Mid-20th Century South American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- 14 Chairs by Geraldo de BarrosBy Geraldo de BarrosLocated in Milano, LombardiaBrazil, 1954 Manufactured by Unilabor Iron tubular structure, fabric upholstery Literature: Mo´vel Brasileiro Moderno, FGV Projetos, Rio de Janeiro, 2012, p. 186-187; Nadia Simo...Category
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Set of 8 Unilabor Chairs MT 552, Geraldo de Barros, 1960s, Brazilian DesignBy Geraldo de Barros, UnilaborLocated in New York, NYThis incredible set of eight MT 552 chairs designed by Geraldo de Barros (1923-1998) and manufactured by Unilabor has a frame in solid rosewood with cane backrests and seats. Because...Category
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsCane, Rosewood
- Set of 6 Unilabor Chairs MT 552, Geraldo de Barros, 1960s, Brazilian DesignBy Geraldo de BarrosLocated in New York, NYThis incredible set of six chairs designed by Geraldo de Barros (1923-1998) and manufactured by Unilabor has a frame in solid rosewood with cane backrests and seats. Because it is a ...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsCane, Rosewood
- Set of six MT 552 by Geraldo de BarrosBy Geraldo de BarrosLocated in São Paulo, BRGeraldo de Barros (1923-1998), a multifaceted artist hailing from Brazil, embodied a diverse range of creative disciplines, including painting, photography, furniture design, and pla...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Chairs
MaterialsCane, Rosewood