Architectural Pair of Brazilian Modern Side Tables with Drawers in Ivory Wood, 1950s - Lot 727a

Description

This refined pair of nightstands, attributed to an unknown Brazilian designer and dating to the late 1950s–early 1960s, exemplifies the architectural restraint and material clarity that defined Brazilian modern furniture in the postwar period. Crafted entirely in solid ivory wood with ivory wood veneer, the pieces reflect a moment when furniture design closely followed architectural logic—favoring structure, proportion, and honest materials over ornament.

Each table is conceived as a compact architectural volume: a rectilinear cabinet body housing three recessed drawers. This lifted composition recalls the language of Brazilian modern architecture, where buildings were often raised on pilotis to create visual lightness and spatial continuity. Shadow lines created by the inset drawers further reinforce this architectural reading, replacing applied decoration with rhythm and depth.

The warm tonality and expressive grain of the ivory wood soften the strict geometry, embodying a hallmark of Brazilian modernism—rational form tempered by material warmth and craftsmanship. The balance between mass and elevation gives the tables a poised presence, allowing them to feel substantial yet visually light.

Recently refinished, the wood surfaces present beautifully, revealing natural grain variation while preserving the integrity of the original design. Elegant and versatile, these pieces function seamlessly as nightstands or side tables, standing as understated yet architecturally expressive examples of mid-century Brazilian modern design.