Broyhill’s Brasilia Line

_{Above: Chest of drawers with storage from Broyhill’s Brasilia line. Photo: flickr/kinzco}

Introduced at the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair the Brasilia line by Broyhill took its styling cues from the architecture of the city of Brasilia – the newly created capital of Brazil designed by Oscar Niemeyer between 1956 and 1961. Several of Niemeyer’s buildings featured supporting columns of sweeping parabolic shapes – forms that would become the signature of the modernist architecture of Brasilia and well as Broyhill’s namesake furniture series.

For the Brasilia line Broyhill took its styling cues from structures like this one, the Palacio Do Planalto designed by Oscar Niemeyer in 1958. Photo: Dmitri Kessel

Showing the inspiration for Broyhill’s Brasilia line the Palacio da Alvorada, the official residence of of the president of Brazil, designed by Oscar Niemeyer in 1958.

Founded in 1926 by James Edgar Broyhill the company, like so many American companies in the 1950’s and 1960’s, introduced modern lines of furniture to keep up with public demand. Sold as part of the Broyhill’s ‘Premier’ series the Brasilia pieces were all constructed from solid walnut and were well-made, sturdy pieces of furniture. A success with the public the pieces sold well but production stopped in 1970 when Broyhill Furniture was sold. off.

Designed in the 1950’s Oscar Niemeyer’s Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida located in Brasilia, Brazil.

The Broyhill Brasilia ‘Cathedral’ coffee table styled after the framework of Oscar Niemeyer’s Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida. Photo: pinterest.com

As far as the designer’s names associated with the Brasilia line these are not easily found and credit generally goes to Broyhill’s in-house design team. Today Brasilia is very popular with collectors and given that so many of the pieces were produced they are a relatively affordable American classic.

If anyone could shed any more light of these wonderful pieces please leave it in the comments!

Unless otherwise stated, images courtesy of All Day Kenny K

Brochure image showing the extensive Brasilia range.

Advert image for Broyhill’s Brasilia line of furniture.

A couple of Brasilia pieces in the lovely home o photographer Darren Bradley. Photo: Darren Bradley

Click here to learn more about the city of Brasilia

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