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Jorge Zalszupin

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.

Average Sold Price
$17,909
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Iconic Designs from Jorge Zalszupin
Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.
Jorge Zalszupin Presidencial Lounge Armchair
Jorge Zalszupin Presidencial Lounge Armchair
Petalas Coffee Table
Petalas Coffee Table
Mid-Century Modern "Oxford" Lounge Chair by Brazilian Designer Jorge Zalszupin
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This is an outstanding lounge chair designed by Jorge Zalszupin during the Brazilian midcentury. The "Oxford" lounge chair is a great example of a design with perfect proportions. Th...
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Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jorge Zalszupin

Materials

Steel

Brazilian Modern "Paulistana" Armchair with Ottoman Jorge Zalszupin, c. 1959
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
The Paulistana lounge chair and ottoman were designed by Jorge Zalszupin and manufactured by his own company L’Atelier in 1959. After traveling...
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Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jorge Zalszupin

Materials

Metal

Jorge Zalszupin- L'atelier- 1960- Rare rosewood chest of drawers.
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Knokke-Heist, BE
Jorge Zalszupin- L'atelier- 1960- Rare rosewood chest of drawers. Base and drawers in solid rosewood, module in plywood veneered with beautiful rosewood. 50x40x68cm high.
Category

20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jorge Zalszupin

Materials

Rosewood

Two 1960s "Poltrona Del Rey" Lounge Chairs In Jacaranda By Jorge Zalszupin
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
An extremely rare pair of original "Poltrona Del Rey" lounge chairs by Brazilian designer Jorge Zalszupin, made circa 1960. This design is documented on page 100 of Maria Cecilia Lo...
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Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jorge Zalszupin

Materials

Hardwood

1960s Vintage Jorge Zalszupin T Invertido Oxford Lounge Chair
By Jorge Zalszupin, L'Atelier San Paulo
Located in Saint Paul, MN
An iconic design by one of the founding fathers of Brazilian Modernism, the T invertido Lounge chair or commonly known as the Oxford lounge chair (unmarked) by Jorge Zalszupin feels ...
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Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jorge Zalszupin

Materials

Chrome

Pair of Brasiliana armchairs
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in PARIS, FR
This pair of Brasiliana armchairs was designed by Jorge Zalszupin and edited by L'Atelier circa 1965, it was designed in a laminated folded rosewood and metal.
Category

1960s Brazilian Vintage Jorge Zalszupin

Materials

Metal

Pair of Brasiliana armchairs
Pair of Brasiliana armchairs
H 24.41 in W 36.62 in D 40.95 in
Jorge Zalszupin, Mirror, 1960
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Barra Funda, SP
Jorge Zalszupin's 1960s Mirror is a striking example of Brazilian mid-century modern design. Typically made from rosewood wood, the frame often features organic sculptural shapes wit...
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Jacaranda

Jorge Zalszupin, Mirror, 1960
Jorge Zalszupin, Mirror, 1960
H 1.97 in Dm 27.56 in
Commander Office Chair, Jorge Zalszupin, Brazilian Midcentury, 1970s
By L'Atelier San Paulo, Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
Created by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020) and his design team, the Commander chair was designed to attend to the growing market for office furniture. The first model was developed betwe...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

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Creators Similar to Jorge Zalszupin

More Jorge Zalszupin Designs
Jorge Zalszupin Presidencial Lounge Armchair
Jorge Zalszupin Presidencial Lounge Armchair
Average Price
$27,507
Number Available
4
Jorge Zalszupin Presidencial Lounge Armchair
By Jorge Zalszupin
Materials
Wood, Hardwood, Metal, Animal Skin
Styles
Mid Century Modern
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Petalas Coffee Table
Petalas Coffee Table
Average Price
$9,990
Number Available
1
Petalas Coffee Table
By Jorge Zalszupin
Materials
Rosewood, Wood
Styles
Mid Century Modern
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Jorge Zalszupin furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Jorge Zalszupin furniture 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 furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Jorge Zalszupin were created in the mid-century modern style in south america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Sergio Rodrigues, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, and Percival Lafer. Prices for Jorge Zalszupin furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $151 and can go as high as $80,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $20,561.

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