Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler Sideboard with Extendable Top in Caviúna, Brazil, 1950s – Lot 396

Description:

A masterwork from the formative years of Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler’s collaboration, this important sideboard was produced for Móveis Artesanais, the designers’ first enterprise and the precursor to the widely celebrated Forma. Created in the 1950s, the piece reflects a pivotal moment in Brazilian Modernism—where European rationalism met the sensual richness of native hardwoods.

Executed in exceptional caviúna, the façade presents a striking, flame-like grain pattern that reads almost painterly in its symmetry. The wood has been finished to a refined satin matte, allowing the depth and movement of the grain to remain the visual focal point—never glossy, never overstated. The cabinet’s subtly inclined sliding doors—an iconic Hauner & Eisler gesture—introduce a quiet architectural dynamism, enhancing both ergonomics and visual rhythm.

Resting on elegantly tapered legs characteristic of Hauner’s vocabulary, the sideboard appears to float with remarkable lightness despite its substantial presence. A discreet pull-out tray extends the top surface, transforming the piece from a formal credenza into a fully functional bar—an intelligent nod to the sociable spirit of 1950s Brazilian interiors.

Versatile in scale and uncompromising in craftsmanship, this example embodies the clarity, material intelligence, and sculptural restraint that define early Hauner & Eisler production. A rare and highly collectible work from the origins of one of Brazil’s most influential design partnerships.