Brazilian Modern Chest in Hardwood & Brass by Geraldo de Barros, 1950s, Brazil

The chest is entirely made in Brazilian Rosewood, known as Jacaranda and features three drawers with brass handles, one door, one shelf and four square shaped legs. Unilabor’s manufacturing seal is under the chest.
This chest was designed by Geraldo de Barros during his time at Unilabor in the fifties and follows the same iconic aesthetic he is renowned for: straight lines, modular boxes and the use of hardwood, metal and formica. The last images showcase Unilabor’s manufacture manuals showcasing this and other iconic designs.

The quality of the Rosewood is outstanding and has colorful veins that make the piece standout more. The joinery is excellent also and is in perfect condition. Fun fact: Although pieces like this were produced during Brazil’s industrialization decades (40-70s), furniture was done at an artisanal scale in small badges, hence are very difficult to find today.

We have the chest displayed in our gallery next to a Scapinelli armchair and a magazine rack from Carlo Hauner and the convo looks spectacular. This piece would look great in any mid century modern, or postmodern type environment and the iconic design and size will make this desk an absolute must in everyone’s mid modern century collection.

Geraldo de Barros (1923-1998) was one of the key players of the Modernist movement in Brazil in the 1950’s. Originally a painter close to the European avant-garde and the pioneer of abstract photography in Brazil in the 1940’s (his works are part of the MoMa collection), Geraldo de Barros went to furniture-making in the 1950’s, seeking a more popular art form that would make his work available to a larger audience.

In 1954, he founded the company Unilabor with a Dominican priest and skilled tradesmen. Unilabor was run by its employees and all benefits shared between them, thus becoming the first communitarian business in Modern Brazil history. Unilabor grew quickly to become one of the most important furniture companies in the country, but internal disputes led to the end of the company in 1967.

In 1964, De Barros founded another furniture design company called Hobjeto which had a more capitalistic approach but without losing his constructive characteristics. Until his retirement in 1989, de Barros designed in-numerous furniture lines in this industrial manner. Nowadays, De Barros’ pieces are rare, and few have been preserved.

Size: H29.1, W40.9, D15.4 (in) H74, W104, D39 (cm).