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.
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
"Marina" chairs by Jorge Zalszupin
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in London, England
Set of "Marina" dining chairs upholstered in suede
Iron
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
$9,500 / set
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
$85,800 / 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
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
$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 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...
Aluminum
$37,240Sale Price|30% Off
H 25.2 in W 78.75 in D 34.26 in
Mid-Century Modern "Cubo" Sofa by Brazilian Designer Jorge Zalszupin
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
This recently upholstered cubo (Cube) sofa was designed by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020) in the 1970s. The elegance, a feature of Zalszupin designs, on this piece does not come from ...
Velvet, Wood
$26,600
H 29.53 in W 25.99 in D 28.55 in
Ouro Preto Armchair by Jorge Zalszupin, Rosewood and Leather, L'atelier, 1960s
By Jorge Zalszupin, L'Atelier San Paulo
Located in New York, NY
Original Condition.
Leather, Wood, Rosewood
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
$21,845 / item
H 31 in W 49 in D 31 in
Jorge Zalszupin's Presidential Lounge Chair, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Design
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in São Paulo, SP
The "Presidencial" lounge armchair is a true icon of Brazilian modern design, created by the legendary Polish-Brazilian architect and designer Jorge Zalszupin in the 1960s. This rare...
Chrome
Commander Chair by Jorge Zalszupin, Brazil, 1970
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Lisboa, PT
An executive swivel armchair by Jorge Zalszupin for L'Atelier, with a tan leather seat set in a moulded shell and raised on a polished aluminium castor base.
Aluminum Alloy
$16,000 / set
H 31 in W 26 in D 24 in
Brazilian Modern Pair of "Fixed Commander" Armchairs, Jorge Zalszupin, 1970s
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
This pair of “Commander” armchairs was conceived to attend Brazil’s growing market of office furniture. The first model (with casters) was developed in 1973 and later, this fixed mod...
Metal
$10,080 / item
H 28.35 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
Lobby Armchair by Brazilian Designer Jorge Zalszupin, Mid-Century Modern Design
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in São Paulo, SP
This gorgeous "Lobby" lounge chair is a true masterpiece of mid-century Brazilian design, created by the renowned architect and designer Jorge Zalszupin in the 1970s. The chair's per...
Aluminum
$12,549
H 28.35 in W 37.41 in D 33.47 in
"Manhattan" armchair, designed by Jorge Zalszupin for "l'Atelier"
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Barcelona, ES
Fantastic "Manhattan" armchair designed by the Brazilian architect of Polish origin Jorge Zalszupin, produced by his own company “l’Atelier”, an authentic rarity. Perhaps “Manhattan”...
Iron
"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