Description
This “Magna” dresser was delicately restored to preserve the original patina. The Brasilia line has elevated to a high-end status that has made these pieces very sought after and subsequently harder to find. We love this line and have never seen two pieces that look identical. Not only because of the variations in walnut grain, but the way that they age. We did our absolute best to recondition this armoir while preserving the rich, oily patina. The top was professionally refinished by our in-house cabinet shop to match the original and untouched sections. We’re certain you won’t be able to tell the difference. It’s a delicate balancing act to maintain originality while also recondition issues that need improvement. It’s a process we are continuing to perfect. Otherwise detailed top to bottom, inside and out. The metal tracks have been oiled to make sure the drawers open effortlessly. We’re certain you won’t find a more sublime example of this dresser anywhere.
Mid-Century Modern Broyhill Brasilia Magna Dresser chest of drawers. Vintage 1960s. One of the most sought after American furniture lines of the period. Walnut wood construction with Oscar Niemeyer’s iconic inverted inverted diamond arches. In addition to the plentiful drawers, the top left features open cabinet space. Open the sculpted, hinged, arch doors to reveal vertical dividers. All original brass hardware in excellent condition.
The Brasilia line by Broyhill was created in 1962. The signature lines and waves of Brasilia furniture were inspired by the distinct architecture of the city of Brasilia, the capital of Brazil. The city of Brasilia was planned and developed between 1956 and 1960. When viewed from above, the city’s shape resembles a plane or bird, which is mimicked on much of Broyhill’s original fabric and tiles. Most of the city’s architecture was the vision of a man named Oscar Niemeyer.
Some of his most notable works are the Palacio de Alvorada and the Cathedral of Brasilia. These both feature clean lines and simple, modern design. What stands out most about the architecture is the use of hyperboloid structures, as in the cathedral and it’s parabolic columns, which are said to represent two hands moving upwards towards heaven. This particular building is one of Brasilia’s most recognizable attractions, due to its unique design and grand scale. When viewing the architecture of Brasilia, it is clear to see the inspiration in the design of the Broyhill Brasilia line of furniture. This line was first featured at the Seattle World’s Fair in 1962 representing the city of Brasilia. These unique pieces were created throughout the 1960s in various forms similar to this Brasilia Magna Dresser.