Joaquim Tenreiro was born in 1906 in Portugal into a family of craftsmen. He moved to Brazil, to Rio de Janeiro, in 1928 to pursue studies in design and cabinetry at the Portuguese Literary Lyceum, and then at the Lyceum of Arts and Crafts. Starting in 1933, he began working for Laubish and Hirth, an interior decoration company. He continued there until 1936 and returned in 1942 and 1943. In the meantime, he offered his services to Leandro Martins stores, creating stylish furniture that was very fashionable in Brazil at the time.

In 1941, architect Oscar Niemeyer called on Tenreiro to decorate the interior of Francisco Inacio Peixoto's residence in Cataguases, Minas Gerais. This project resulted in a number of resolutely modern pieces with fluid lines. The young designer combined materials such as glass and wood, creating a sense of space and lightness. One piece stands out: the Leve chair, which Tenreiro would later say marked the true beginning of his career as a designer. He continued to collaborate with Niemeyer for several years.

In 1943, Tenreiro opened his own workshop in Rio de Janeiro, Langenbach & Tenreiro Ltd., followed by his first store in 1947. It was during this period that he created some of his most iconic pieces, including the Estrutural chair (1947), the emblematic tripod chair (1947), and the rocking chair (1948). Known for the modernity, refinement, and simplicity of his designs, he also became renowned for his craftsmanship.

Tenreiro's training as a cabinetmaker allowed him to utilize advanced techniques, such as wood bending, referencing Michael Thonet. This enabled him to create pieces with fluid, light lines, reflective of the new lifestyles fostered by Oscar Niemeyer. After opening a store in São Paulo in 1953, and another in Rio in 1962, he went on to contribute to major projects like furnishing the banquet hall of the Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia and the headquarters of the Bloch publishing house in Rio de Janeiro.

In 1968, Tenreiro closed his workshop and stores to focus on sculpture and painting. His works were incorporated into significant architectural projects, and he participated in numerous exhibitions, winning prestigious awards such as the Golden Dolphin Prize in 1977 and the Best Sculptor Award in 1978.

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