Branco & Preto Chairs
Brazilian
Six young architects joined forces in the 1950s to create Branco & Preto in São Paulo. Together, they created high-end modern furniture inspired by the spirited reinvigoration of art and architecture in Brazil.
The six founders — Miguel Forte, Jacob Ruchti, Plínio Croce, Roberto Aflalo, Carlos Millan and Chen Y Hwa — all attended Mackenzie Architecture University, a school led by architect and modernist critic Cristiano Stockler das Neves who prioritized neoclassicism. As progressive students, the founders rebelled against this status quo in their work.
During the 1950s, there were few designers of modern furniture based in Brazil aside from Brazilian furniture firm Mòveis Artisticos Z and Portuguese-born furniture designer Joaquim Tenreiro. Branco & Preto helped fill a wide gap in the market.
Brazilian modernist pioneers Rino Levi and Gregori Warchavchik were important early connections. Through them, Ruchti and Forte met American architect Philip Johnson and German-American architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe; meanwhile, Croce, Alfalo and Millan drew inspiration from the works of Austrian-American architect Richard Neutra and Hungarian-American architect and furniture designer Marcel Breuer.
As a proponent of “Rio modernism,” Branco & Preto often combined glass, iron and calacatta marble with Brazilian woods like jacaranda and caviuna to make its handcrafted furnishings. Free from plywood and screws, this furniture required the expertise of skilled woodworkers, especially for the MF5 armchair and slatted coffee table. Both designed by Millan, they are among Branco & Preto’s most recognized works.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Branco & Preto tables, seating and case pieces and storage cabinets.
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Creator: Branco & Preto
Set of 8 Rosewood Cane Chairs, Branco & Preto, 1952, Brazilian Midcentury
By Luiz Pássaro, Branco & Preto
Located in New York, NY
The Cane Chair was designed in 1952 by Jacob Ruchti and produced by Branco & Preto, an architecture and design firm that opened in 1952 in São Paulo.
Branco & Preto was one of Brazi...
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1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Branco & Preto Chairs
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Pair of Mid-Century Chairs by Branco & Preto 'Attr.', Brazil, 1950s
By Branco & Preto
Located in Utrecht, NL
This rare pair of mid-century Brazilian armchairs is attributed to the design collective Branco and Preto. Made in a rational and geometric way, they present lightness and simplicity...
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Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Branco & Preto Chairs
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Leather, Wood
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Branco & Preto chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Branco & Preto chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Branco & Preto chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original chairs by Branco & Preto were created in the mid-century modern style in south america during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider chairs by Geraldo de Barros, Sergio Rodrigues, and José Zanine Caldas. Prices for Branco & Preto chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $5,000 and can go as high as $65,950, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $11,000.