Móveis Artísticos Z co-founder José Zanine Caldas was one of the great Brazilian modern architects and designers. Móveis Artísticos Z’s captivating contributions to mid-century modern furniture design include seating with striking angular forms and tables with undulating plywood surfaces.
After his introduction to plywood at the Institute of Technological Research at the University of São Paulo, Zanine formed Móveis Artísticos Z with Sebastião Pontes and Paulo Mello. They were interested in producing affordable, high-quality furniture with a small eco-footprint on a large scale. Many of the most recognizable designs at Móveis Artísticos Z were designed by Zanine between the late 1940s and early 1950s, with Zanine leaving the company in 1953.
Furnishings like the Linha Z lounge chair, the Infinity coffee table and the Zeca armchair demonstrate Zanine’s remarkable skill as a designer by accenting the unique qualities of different types of wood. Zanine preferred Brazilian woods like jatoba and imbuia for their high workability and warm tones — a staple among much of Móveis Artísticos Z’s furniture. The sophisticated attention to detail and innovative forms of these pieces make Móveis Artísticos Z furniture popular with collectors today.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Móveis Artísticos Z seating and tables.
José Zanine Caldas, Lounge Chair, Imbuia Plywood, Leather, Brazil, 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in High Point, NC
A lounge chair designed by José Zanine Caldas for Mòveis Artísticos Z, Brazil, in 1949. It features Imbuia plywood, brass, and black-dyed leather webbing. Wood frame presents with l...
Leather, Imbuia
José Zanine Caldas "Linha Z" Lounge Chair for Mòveis Artísticos Z, Brazil 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in Utrecht, NL
This beloved José Zanine Caldas lounge chair from the “Linha Z” or “Z Line” is an exceptional example of Brazilian design of the 1950s. The design dates to 1949, The woven leather straps and the organic shape is unmatched. This chair model is made of plywood and features a distinctive shape, distinguished by its legs. The legs and arms are connected and form one unit and their shape inspired the name of the line, “Linea Z...
Leather, Plywood
$45,237 / set
Pair of José Zanine Caldas Zeca Armchairs
By Mòveis Artisticos Z, José Zanine Caldas
Located in Madrid, ES
The "Zeca" chair was created in the early 1960s by a Brazilian designer José Zanine Caldas (1918-2001) for Móveis Artísticos Z, a factory he founded in São José dos Campos in 1948. T...
Bouclé, Hardwood, Plywood
José Zanine Caldas, Bar Cabinet, Naval Plywood, Moveis Z, c. 1950
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in PARIS, FR
José Zanine Caldas (1919-2001) Bar Cabinet, c. 1950 Edition "Moveis Artisticos Z" Naval Plywood Dimensions: 94 x 66 x 43 cm (37 1/100 x 25 49/50 x 16 93/100 in) This rare piece, si...
Wood, Plywood
Jose Zanine Caldas, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern, Lounge Chair, Leather, 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in Manhasset, NY
Jose Zanine Caldas, Moveis Artisticos, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern, Lounge Chair, Leather, Brazil, 1950s Lounge chair designed by Jose Zanine Caldas for Moveis Artisticos Z in Braz...
Leather
Mid-Century Modern Table Designed by Zanine Caldas, Brazil, 1950s
By Mòveis Artisticos Z, José Zanine Caldas
Located in Barcelona, ES
Amazing table designed by José Zanine Caldas, manufactured by “Móveis Artísticos Z” in Brazil, 1950s. Three inclined legs support the table top with an organic shape. The table has t...
Hardwood
Sofa in wood and fabric, by Móveis Artísticos Z, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
By Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The sofa designed by H. Schnicker for Móveis Artísticos Z is a masterful representation of Brazilian mid-century modern design, seamlessly blending contemporary sensibilities with th...
Fabric, Hardwood
Bar Cabinet Veneered Wood Brass Maple, Italy, 1950s
Located in Milano, IT
Cabinet with swing doors with bar equipment inside, veneered wood, brass details, important decoration on the doors, maple and brass inlays.
Brass
Danish Viking Bar Cabinet
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A very unusual, hand painted bar cabinet, as a Danish Viking, made in Italy. Striking naive/modern style, humorous and direct. The back is finished and ...
Wood
Mid-Century Folding Bar Cabinet, Italy circa 1950s
Located in New York, NY
An Italian modernist folding bar cabinet. Bar folds open in the middle and is finished on all sides to be free standing. Mahogany, teak, patinated...
Mahogany
José Zanine Caldas, Side Chair, Wood, Fabric, Brazil, 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and yellow fabric "scissor" side chair designed and produced by José Zanine Caldas, Brazil, c. 1950s. Significant wear to wood consistent with age and use Vintage fabric in ...
Fabric, Wood
1950s English Modern Bar Cabinet + Secretary Desk in Mahogany
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: England Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Lebus Era: 1950s Materials: Mahogany, Glass Measurements: 54" wide x 15" deep x 42.5" tall
Glass, Mahogany
Italian Mid-Century Dark Wood Coffee Table, 1950s
By Gianfranco Frattini, Gian Franco Frattini
Located in Milan, IT
Italian mid-century dark wood coffee table 1950s Mid century incredible wooden coffee table with a warm dark colour. Extremely sturdy an...
Wood
$3,500
H 13.78 in W 40.56 in D 20.08 in
Mid-Century Modern Wood Center Table by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazil, 1960s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern wood center table by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazil, 1960s Center table created in the 1960s by the acclaimed Brazilian designer...
Plywood, Hardwood
$9,000
H 23.5 in W 23.5 in D 22.5 in
Brazilian Modern Accent Table in Marine Plywood, Jose Zanine Caldas, 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in New York, NY
Designed by José Zanine Caldas (1919–2001), Brazil, circa 1950s, this accent or telephone table reflects the designer’s early exploration of plywood as a primary material within Braz...
Plywood
$30,951
H 13.39 in W 33.86 in D 29.53 in
José Zanine Caldas (attributed). Center Table. Hardwood Vinhatico. c. 1970
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in PARIS, FR
José Zanine Caldas (attributed) (1919–2001) Coffee Table, c. 1970 Attributed to renowned Brazilian designer and architect José Zanine Caldas, this unique coffee table was crafted cir...
Hardwood
$4,285Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.41 in W 29.53 in D 15.75 in
Midcentury Extravagant Bar Cabinet by Umberto Mascagni, 1950s
By Umberto Mascagni
Located in Rome, IT
This fancy bar cabinet designed in Italy by Umberto Mascagni .This piece features a cream colored vinyl with anodized aluminium and centered by colorful Italian landscape prints. An ...
Wood
Vintage Mid Century Bar Cabinet by Ernst Behr, Germany 1950s
By Behr
Located in Halle, DE
Mid Century two piece bar cabinet consists of chest of drawers and bar cabinet on top in nutwood veneer. Both pieces are stamped on the back with...
Nutwood
Unusual 1940s Bar Cabinet
Located in Bridgewater, CT
1940s bar cabinet in Renaissance Revival style, with polychrome hand-painted decoration on black lacquered wood, depicting a naval scene with coat of arms ...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 31.25 in W 25.75 in D 24 in
José Zanine Caldas, Lounge Chairs, Pau Marfim, Fabric, Brazil, 1950s
By Mòveis Artisticos Z, José Zanine Caldas
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of green velvet and pau marfim wood "Kid" lounge chairs designed by José Zanine Caldas and produced by Móveis Artisticos Z, Brazil, 1950s. 17“ seat height
Fabric, Velvet, Hardwood
José Zanine Caldas, Armchairs, Mohair, Pau Marfim, Brazil, 1950s
By Mòveis Artisticos Z, José Zanine Caldas
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of Pau Marfim wood and brown beige mohair "Kid" armchairs designed by José Zanine Caldas and produced by Móveis Artisticos Z, Brazil, 1950s. Seat Height (inches): 17" Arm He...
Mohair, Wood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 17.13 in D 19.69 in
Set of 5 Solid Brazilian Wood & Rope by José Zanine Caldas, ca, 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in Geneva, CH
Set of 5 dining chairs model "I" Manufactured by Mòveis Artísticos Z Brazil, 1950 Solid Brazilian wood, rope Good condition, see pictures.
Rope, Wood
Sold
H 30.71 in W 24.02 in D 31.11 in
José Zanine Caldas H Armchairs, Pair, Móveis Artísticos Z, Brazil, 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Armchairs called 'H Armchair' designed by Brazilian architect and designer José Zanine Caldas for Mòveis Artisticos Z in 1950s. Reupholstered with...
Upholstery, Plywood
Sold
H 16 in W 38 in D 38 in
José Zanine Caldas, "Infinity" Coffee Table, Peroba Plywood, Glass, Brazil 1955
By Mòveis Artisticos Z, José Zanine Caldas
Located in High Point, NC
An organic "Infinity" coffee table. Designed by José Zanine Caldas for Móveis Artisticos Z, the firm Zanine Caldas co-founded in 1948. Features organically shaped Jacoba plywood b...
Glass, Plywood
Sold
H 28.5 in W 25.75 in D 27 in
José Zanine Caldas, Lounge Chairs, Imbuia Wood Fabric, Mòveis Artisticos Z 1950s
By Mòveis Artisticos Z, José Zanine Caldas
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of lounge chairs / armchairs. Designed by José Zanine Caldas, produced by Mòveis Artisticos Z, Brazil, 1950s. In Imbuia wood, in white fa...
Fabric, Wood, Imbuia
Lounge Chair by José Zanine Caldas, Brazil, 1950s
By Mòveis Artisticos Z, José Zanine Caldas
Located in Utrecht, NL
This rare José Zanine Caldas lounge chair is an exceptional example of Brazilian design of the 1950s. The woven leather straps and the ...
Leather, Plywood
José Zanine Caldas Armchair for Mòveis Artisticos Z, 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Armchair designed by José Zanine Caldas in 1950s. Plywood frames. Recently reupholstered.
Upholstery, Plywood
H Armchairs by Jose Zanine Caldas, 1950s, Brazil
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
A set of two armchair called 'H Armchair' designed by José Zanine Caldas for Mòveis Artisticos Z in 1950s. Reupholstered with gray colored leather.
Plywood
Jose Zanine Caldas 1949 Chaise Longue
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in Barcelona, ES
Jose Zanine de Caldas (1919-2001). Chaise longue. Manufactured by Mòveis Artísticos Z, Brazil, 1949. Marine plywood, fabric upholstery. ...
Upholstery, Plywood