Brazilian Modern Imbuia Chest of Drawers by Móveis Cimo, Brazil, 1950s

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An iconic Brazilian modern chest of drawers produced by Móveis Cimo during the 1950s as part of a playful furniture … Read more An iconic Brazilian modern chest of drawers produced by Móveis Cimo during the 1950s as part of a playful furniture line created for children, which included beds, armoires, chests, and nightstands.

Crafted entirely from imbuia hardwood, the chest displays the expressive beauty for which this native Brazilian timber is prized. Decades of natural aging have deepened the wood into a rich spectrum of amber, chestnut, and warm reddish-brown tones, animated by vibrant veins, swirling grain, and colorful tonal variations across the drawer fronts and curved side panels.

The compact rectangular body is softened by broad, rounded ends that extend slightly above the top, creating a protective, almost cradle-like profile. Three generous drawers provide practical storage, while fifteen circular yellow Formica pulls—five arranged rhythmically across each drawer—introduce a distinctly playful graphic element. Their saturated golden color forms a lively contrast with the dark imbuia, giving the piece its unmistakable character.

Slender, gently tapered legs lift the substantial cabinet from the floor and lend lightness to its silhouette. Rounded rails along the upper and lower edges reinforce the chest’s fluid geometry, balancing the straight horizontal divisions of the drawers with the sculptural curves of the frame.

The combination of richly figured Brazilian hardwood and colorful Formica captures the optimism of 1950s Brazilian design, when traditional cabinetmaking began to engage with modern materials and increasingly expressive forms. Cool, unconventional, and remarkably elegant, this rare Móveis Cimo chest transcends its original children’s-room context and works beautifully as a dresser, entry cabinet, or distinctive storage piece in a contemporary interior. See less