Practical guide to modernariato and collectible design in Brazil

The modernariato fits into a territory where design goes beyond its utilitarian function and comes to be understood as a document of its time. In Brazil, this movement is directly linked to the modern production that flourished between the 1940s and 1970s, a period when architects and designers began to investigate new ways of living, reconciling aesthetics, technique and local identity.

Tufi Mousse Arquitetura - Casa Rumo. Projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2025. (Denilson Machado/CASACOR)

More than rescuing objects from the past, modernariato proposes a contemporary reading of these creations, recognizing in them values that remain relevant. Observing this universe, one can see how Brazilian design built its own language, marked by the use of wood, organic design and a sensitive relationship with the territory. This repertoire remains present, whether in collections, galleries, or in residential projects that incorporate these pieces into everyday life.

What is modernariato

The term modernariato originates in Italian and refers to modern objects that, over time, come to be valued as collectible pieces. Unlike traditional antiques, which hark back to more distant periods, modernariato encompasses 20th-century productions that already carry historical, aesthetic and cultural relevance. It is a way of recognizing design as an expression of an era.

Liana Lamare Arquitetura e Interiores - Apartamento do Comandante. Projeto da CASACOR Rio Grande do Sul 2025. (Cristiano Bauce/CASACOR)

In the Brazilian context, modernariato is strongly associated with modernist furniture, which stood out for its formal innovation and the use of local materials. These pieces, often produced in limited runs, present solutions that combine ergonomics, lightness and sophistication. Over time, they cease to be merely everyday objects and become witnesses to an important phase in the history of design in the country.

The construction of modern design in Brazil

The consolidation of modernariato in Brazil is directly linked to the development of modern design, driven by cultural transformations in the 20th century. During this period, architects and designers began to rethink furniture from a perspective more closely aligned with the Brazilian context, considering climate, available materials and ways of living. The result was the creation of pieces that reconciled functionality and aesthetic expression.

Tahinara Sanferry - Gabinete D'Ella. Projeto da CASACOR Sergipe 2025. (Gabriela Daltro/CASACOR)

Names such as Sergio Rodrigues, Joaquim Tenreiro and Lina Bo Bardi were fundamental in this process, developing furniture that became benchmarks. Their creations explored wood in innovative ways, with designs that emphasized structure and ergonomics. Today, these pieces occupy a central position in the universe of modernariato and are widely recognized for their relevance.

Design as a collectible piece

As the decades passed, many of these creations began to be seen from a new perspective. Furniture and decorative objects became collectible items, shifting them from strictly functional use to a field that dialogues with art, memory and the market.

Izabela Pagani - Ambiente VOLTA. Projeto da CASACOR Rio Grande do Sul 2025. (Cristiano Bauce/CASACOR)

In Brazil, interest in collectible design has grown, driven by galleries, fairs and a public more attuned to the history of national furniture. Pieces that once formed part of everyday life have come to be contested at auctions and exhibitions, highlighting how modernariato is establishing itself as a relevant segment.

Criteria for valuation

Valuation in modernariato involves multiple factors that help define the importance and the value of each piece on the market. Among them are:

Authorship and historical relevance

The signature of a recognized designer is one of the main criteria within modernariato. Pieces created by important names tend to attract greater interest, especially when they represent significant moments in their trajectory or in the history of Brazilian design.

Rarity and production

The number of available examples directly influences the value of a piece. Furniture produced on a small scale or no longer in production becomes rarer, increasing its relevance.

Condition

The integrity of the object is also decisive. Well-preserved pieces, with their original structure preserved, tend to be more valued. On the other hand, interventions and restorations directly impact the item’s value.

Modernariato and contemporary living

Even when situated within the field of collecting, modernariato maintains a close relationship with everyday life. Many of these pieces continue to be used in domestic contexts, balancing past and present. Their presence brings a layer of meaning that goes beyond aesthetics, connecting the project to a historical narrative.

Gabriel Fernandes - Casa de Novela. Projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2025. (Denilson Machado/CASACOR)

By integrating modernariato into decoration, interiors gain density and identity. The pieces dialogue with contemporary elements, creating compositions that highlight contrasts. Thus, design comes to act as an element of memory and expression, revealing new decorative possibilities.

Roberto Franco - Estudio 7. Projeto da CASACOR Bolívia 2025. (Alvaro Mier/CASACOR)