Jorge Zalszupin Office Chairs and Desk 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
Jorge Zalszupin Commander Office Chair
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Washington, DC
Handsome vintage Commander Chair designed by Brazilian master Jorge Zalsuzpin. Features a rare gray color way with leather, fiberglass, and aluminum materials.
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jorge Zalszupin Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Armchair in Black Leather & Metal by Jorge Zalszupin, Brazil
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this Mid-Century Modern swivel armchair in metal & black leather was designed by Jorge Zalszupin and manufactured by L’Atelier Moveis in 1970 and is stunning!
The name of the model is “Low Commander” and has become an icon of Brazilian Modernism recently. This armchair was conceived to attend Brazil’s growing market of office furniture. The first model (with casters) was developed in 1973 and latter then, a fixed model.
The armchair consists of a seat/back made of fiberglass where the black leather rest. The armrests and feet are in well-made cast aluminum pieces. Not only beautiful but well designed, this piece is also known for its comfort, with a reclining mechanism and a swivel base. The piece has the heritage plaque under the seat.
The armchair has been reupholstered in black leather with some of the finest upholsters in Rio de Janeiro and the aluminum polished. Besides the marks of age, the piece is in excellent condition. A beauty like this will look awesome in any Mid-Century Modern, Modern or contemporary office or home office.
Literature (attached images)
• Jorge Zalszupin book, p.217
• L’Atelier spec sheet from the 70s
• Product catalogue from the 70s
• Vintage publications
About 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 or the “Brasiliana” sofa...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jorge Zalszupin Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
L'Atelier Commander Office Chair, Jorge Zalszupin, Brazil, 1972-1973
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...
Category
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jorge Zalszupin Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
L'Atelier Commander Office Chair, Jorge Zalszupin, Brazil, 1972-1973
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...
Category
1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jorge Zalszupin Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Commander Office Chair, Jorge Zalszupin, Brazilian Midcentury, 1960
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
Created by Zalszupin and his design team, Commander chair was conceived to attend the growing market of office furniture. The first model (with casters) was developed in 1973 and la...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Jorge Zalszupin Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
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Jorge Zalszupin office chairs and desk chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Jorge Zalszupin office chairs and desk chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Jorge Zalszupin office chairs and desk chairs, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original office chairs and desk chairs by Jorge Zalszupin were created in the mid-century modern style in south america during the 20th century. Prices for Jorge Zalszupin office chairs and desk chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $6,500 and can go as high as $12,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $7,500.
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