Brazilian Modern Bench in Hardwood, by Carlo Hauner for Forma, Brazil, c. 1950

The bench features two legs, a module for storage and one seat with a reupholstered yellow fabric. The piece is made with Brazilian hardwood and it has a beautiful color and pattern to it. The wood has also been refinished and is in excellent condition.

The bench is part of a room set consisting of a dresser, double bed with headrest and a wall module as is showcased in one of the images (pieces sold separately). We purchased this set from a house in Teresopolis, a known Modernist city two hours away from the city of Rio de Janeiro.

The piece has all the elements of Carlo Hauner work during the fifties: abundant use of rosewood, clean lines with soft curves on the edges.

Carlo Hauner (1927-1997) and Martin Eisler (1913-1977) were the primary designers for the iconic Brazilian furniture company Forma.

Their designs were characterized by their use of unusual materials such as steel, reed, and wicker, as well as their incorporation of Brazilian motifs and cultural influences. They are most known for well-shaped armchairs made in iron, but the production is far more complex, handcrafted, and extensive.

The wood pieces produced by Forma Móveis e Objetos de Arte during 1950 in Brazil are highly designed and well-executed. The fantastic construction details are in the level of Joaquim Tenreiro, very distinctive of any production of the time in Brazil.

The pair remained active in the industry until the early 1970s, leaving behind an enduring legacy in the world of modernist furniture design. .