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.
Jacarandá and Leather Stool, Jorge Zalszupin, Brazilian Midcentury
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Originally born in Poland, Jorge Zalszupin built his entire career in Brazil, where he's absorbed many influences for his design, specially the care and attention for the treatment o...
Leather, Jacaranda
Price Upon Request
Side Table by Jorge Zalszupin
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in London, England
Side Table/ Stool by Jorge Zalszupin
Hardwood
Price Upon Request
"Manhattan" Sofa by Jorge Zalszupin
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in London, England
"Manhattan" Sofa by Jorge Zalszupin
Fabric
Price Upon Request
Pair of "Manhattan" easy chairs by Jorge Zalszupin
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in London, England
Pair of "Manhattan" easy chairs by Jorge Zalszupin
Fabric
Price Upon Request
"Marina" chairs by Jorge Zalszupin
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in London, England
Set of "Marina" dining chairs upholstered in suede
Iron
Price Upon Request
"Manhattan" easy chairs by Jorge Zalszupin
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in London, England
Pair of "Cubo" easy chairs by Jorge Zalszupin reupholstered in off-white Boucle.
Fabric
Price Upon Request
"Presidencial" armchair by Jorge Zalszupin
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in London, England
Rare "Presidencial" chair by Jorge Zalszupin created in 1959.
Hardwood, Fabric
$78,400 / set
H 36.62 in W 40.95 in D 26.97 in
Pair of Brasiliana Armchairs by Jorge Zalszupin, 1965, Brazilian Midcentury
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
The iconic Brasiliana is a series composed of a sofa and armchair designed by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020) in 1965 and produced by his company, L'atelier. These rare pieces have molded laminate wood structures and were part of the first line of furniture from L’atelier. Designed for the launch of the store, this collection still had the execution and details of artisanal woodwork but already introduced some techniques and materials considered innovative. Brasiliana armchairs...
Rosewood, Fabric
$45,000 / set
H 38.6 in W 30.3 in D 32 in
“Paulistana” Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Jorge Zalszupin, Rosewood & Suede, 1959
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
A foundational work in the evolution of Brazilian Modern design, the “Paulistana” lounge chair and ottoman by Jorge Zalszupin embodies the technical innovation and material sophistic...
Metal
Sectional Sofa by Jorge Zalszupin for L'Atelier
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in San Francisco, CA
Amazing nine-piece sectional sofa by Jorge Zalszupin for L'Atelier. Seven of the pieces are similar shaped, much like slipper chairs on their own and two are triangularly-shaped, ser...
Leather, Rosewood
$16,000 / set
H 24.02 in W 26.78 in D 33.86 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of "Cubo" Armchairs by Jorge Zalszupin, Brazil, 1960s
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Pair of "Cubo" Armchairs by Jorge Zalszupin, Brazil, 1960s Created by renowned Brazilian designer Jorge Zalszupin circa 1960, the "Cubo" - or Cube - armchair is s...
Fabric, Plywood
$21,000 / set
H 25.2 in W 33.86 in D 33.86 in
Mid-Century Modern Cube Armchair and Side table by Jorge Zalszupin, 1970s
By L'Atelier San Paulo, Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous set, composed of a Cube armchair and coffee table, is a statement for itself. The Cube collection is a creation by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020), designed c. 1970, and it...
Velvet, Wood
Brazilian Rosewood Lounge Chair by Jorge Zalszupin
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare piece of Brazilian modern design, the "presidencial" lounge chair with arms was designed by Jorge Zalszupin (b. 1922) for L'Atelier, circa 1960s. Constructed with Brazilian ro...
Steel, Chrome
$7,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.89 in W 18.51 in D 19.69 in
Novo Rumo Jorge Zalszupin (Attributed) Set of 6 Dining Chairs
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Washington, DC
Rare set of 6 dining chairs in rich colored wood and metal. Attributed to Brazilian master Jorge Zalszupin.
Upholstery, Wood
$10,400
H 34.45 in W 30.71 in D 30.71 in
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...
Aluminum
$8,400Sale Price|50% Off
H 30.71 in W 26.78 in D 27.56 in
Commander Office Chair, Jorge Zalszupin, Brazilian Midcentury, 1970s
By Jorge Zalszupin, L'Atelier San Paulo
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...
Aluminum
Jorge Zalszupin Lounge Chair in Black Leather and Brazilian Rosewood
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare Jorge Zalszupin Presidential Lounge Chair. Brazilian Rosewood frame with expertly reupholstered black leather cushions...
Steel, Chrome
Jorge Zalszupin Presidencial Armchairs
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Washington, DC
Beautiful pair of iconic Presidencial lounge armchairs by Brazilian design master Jorge Zalszupin. Produced in the 1960's, these uniquely ...
Metal
Jorge Zalszupin, Lounge Chairs, Leatherette, Fabric, Brazil, 1969
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of red leatherette and pink fabric "Cubo" lounge chairs designed by Jorge Zalszupin and produced by L'Atelier, Brazil, c. 1969. Several tears of various sizes in leather on ...
Fabric, Faux Leather
"Cubo" easy chairs by Jorge Zalszupin
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in London, England
Pair of "Cubo" easy chairs by Jorge Zalszupin reupholstered in off-white Boucle.
Fabric