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Jorge Zalszupin Chairs

Brazilian, Polish, 1922-2020

Just as emigrant Europeans — from Kem Weber and Paul Frankl to Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe — helped establish modernist design and architecture in the United States, so too did many of their peers foster the new design aesthetic in Brazil in the middle decades of the 20th century. Along with architect Lina Bo Bardi (from Italy) and Joaquim Tenreiro (from Portugal) — both of whom helped popularize Brazilian modern design and influenced today's generation of Brazilian designers — there was Jorge Zalszupin, who arrived from Poland in 1949 and created consistently sleek and elegant chairs, tables and case pieces using the South American country’s vibrantly grained tropical hardwoods.

Zalszupin was born in Warsaw (his given first name is Jerzy) and went on to study architecture at the École des Beaux Arts in Bucharest, Romania, graduating in 1945. Zalszupin moved to Paris but found few opportunities in the postwar City of Light. He was impressed by articles on the work of Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer that he saw in the André Bloc–edited magazine L’Architecture d’Aujourd’hui (Architecture Today). And after sailing to South America, Zalszupin went to work with his fellow Pole and architect Luciano Korngold in São Paulo. Zalszupin began designing furniture as part of his architectural commissions and created several pieces for Niemeyer for use in the new capital city, Brasília. He opened his own design and manufacturing firm, L’Atelier, in 1959.

While Zalszupin cannot be said to have had a signature style, his furniture designs all share a characteristic simplicity and purity of line and form. His work is often compared to that of Danish designers, most especially in their shared commitment to quality construction. He was a master of many materials: travertine marble for tabletops, slung leather for seating, man-made fabrics for upholstery and — his forte — highly figured woods such as jacaranda and rosewood. The latter plays prominently in two of Zalszupin’s best-known lounge chairs: the Brasiliana, with its austere, angular wood frame, and the Presidencial, with its curved seating shell and slatted backrest. Both chairs feature deep cushions and generous proportions in deference to the Brazilian proclivity for long and languid conversations. Yet both pieces — like all Zalszupin designs — possess a striking, tailored grace that would be perfect in any environment.

Find vintage Jorge Zalszupin furniture on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Jorge Zalszupin
Daybed in Tropical Hardwood and Iron, Jorge Zalszupin, Brazilian Modern Design
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This exquisite platform bed, a creation of the renowned designer Jorge Zalszupin, seamlessly merges minimalistic elegance with functionality, encapsulating his signature style and se...
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Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jorge Zalszupin Chairs

Materials

Iron

Set of 12 'Del Rey' Dining Chairs, by Jorge Zalszupin, Brazilian Modern
By Jorge Zalszupin
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Jorge Zalszupin, a name that resonates profoundly within the world of Brazilian modernist design, has a legacy that extends beyond just beautiful furniture. Born in Poland, Zalszupin...
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Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jorge Zalszupin Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Set of 7 Itamaraty Dining Chairs in Original Condition By Jorge Zalszupin, 1959
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in São Paulo, SP
In 1959, Jorge Zalszupin conceived a piece, for L'atelier that encapsulates comfort and elegance. Crafted with a wood foundation, this creation boasts a graceful leather back and sea...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jorge Zalszupin Chairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Brazilian Modern Chairs in Chrome & Red Velvet by Jorge Zalszupin, 1965 Brazil
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this Mid-Century Modern Chairs in Chrome & Red Velvet by Jorge Zalszupin, 1965 Brazil are a showstopper! These gorgeous chairs feature a super sleek design composed of two chrome legs and a curved body structure consisting of a seat and backrest in red velvet. Sold as a set of three. These beauties are showcased in our showroom next to a Jorge Zalszupin credenza and a Giuseppe Scapinelli armchair and the convo is stunning! Attached image. The last image is a vintage publication featuring the same chairs. Equally as practical as beautiful, these chairs will add a touch of mid-century swagger to any home but will also fit into a Modern, Contemporary, or even Eclectic environment. Dimensions: H31.5, W18.5, D19.7 (in) H80, W47, D50 (cm) In regards to the creator, Jorge Zalszupin (1 June 1922 – 17 August 2020) was a Polish-born Brazilian architect and designer, who founded L’Atelier, in São Paulo. He began in the 1950s decade with craftwork and soon after, to the production in series. Jorge Zalszupin a native of Warsaw, Poland, studied architecture at Bucharest’s Ecole des Beaux Arts. While working as an architect in Paris, he found inspiration in articles about Brazilians Oscar Niemeyer and Roberto Burle Marx and immigrated to Brazil. His work as an architect created a demand for decoration and furniture proposals that suited the style of his projects and, for many years, Zalszupin designed and executed them for his clients. The demand was as great as the desire to grow and expand his business, and he then decided to found Atelier Móveis in November 1959. A significant part of Zalszupin's furniture production is tributary to his architecture. He used new design language and tendencies, while maintaining a functional view of Ambience for internal spaces. L’Atelier was a design collective of architects, engineers, craftsmen, and a full-scale team of professionals that did everything from researching materials to finalizing the product. Jorge Zalszupin has developed some of the most iconic models in Brazilian Modern furniture and has grown a lot in popularity in the last few years. The “Petala” Coffee table, “Paulistana” armchair...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jorge Zalszupin Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Chair "Itamaraty" in Brazilian Wood, by L'atelier - Jorge Zalszupin
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
We work with artisans who masterfully restore typical pieces from each period of our history, valuing their different preservation techniques. Teamwork has built this pioneering comp...
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Mid-20th Century Brazilian Jorge Zalszupin Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Pair of Chairs "Marina" in Freijó and Aluminum by Jorge Zalszupin, Brazil
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Pair of chairs "Marina" in Freijó and aluminum by Jorge Zalszupin, Brazil - Year 1959 For the last 20 years, Teo has dedicated his life to antiques and that is why he became a ref...
Category

1950s Brazilian Vintage Jorge Zalszupin Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

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Jorge Zalszupin chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Jorge Zalszupin chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Jorge Zalszupin chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original chairs by Jorge Zalszupin were created in the mid-century modern style in south america during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider chairs by Giuseppe Scapinelli, Martin Eisler, and Carlo Hauner. Prices for Jorge Zalszupin chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,900 and can go as high as $37,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $9,550.

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