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
$45,459 / 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 Mòveis Artisticos Z, José Zanine Caldas
Located in Stamford, CT
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
Dining Table, Design by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This dining table was designed by Vittorio Dassi in Italy in the 1950s. The table frame is made of rosewood and an antique pink glass top is set i...
Brass
$22,170
H 13 in W 35.44 in D 70.87 in
Branco e Preto 'Carlos Milan' Brazilian mid-century coffee table jacaranda, 1950
By Branco & Preto, Carlos Milan
Located in Barcelona, ES
Branco e Preto (Carlos Milan). Coffee table. Manufactured by Mahlmeister & Cia, Brazil, 1950s. Solid jacaranda, ebonized wooden structure. Measurement...
Jacaranda
$7,500
H 14.18 in W 23.63 in D 43.31 in
Mid-Century Modern Center Table by Giuseppe Scapinelli, Brazil, 1960s
By Giuseppe Scapinelli
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Center Table by Giuseppe Scapinelli, Brazil, 1960s Center table in the shape of a reed made of solid wood, in the 60s in Brazil. It has a top made of a solid piec...
Wood
Móveis Teperman, Lounge Chair, Wood, Fabric, Brazil, 1950s
By Móveis Teperman
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and off-white fabric lounge chair produced by Móveis Teperman, Brazil, c. 1950s. Reupholstered at some point in recent history. Overall Dimensions (inches): 35.5” H x 29” W ...
Fabric, Wood
$7,500
H 28.7 in W 23.6 in D 29.1 in
“Z” Armchair in Pau Marfim Wood & Bouclé by José Zanine Caldas, Brazil, 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in New York, NY
Designed in the 1950s by José Zanine Caldas, this rare “Z” armchair is an early and highly expressive example of Brazilian modernism, originally produced by Fábrica de Móveis Artísti...
Bouclé, Hardwood
$5,000
H 45.75 in W 56.25 in D 18.75 in
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller Cabinet Series Three-Door Cabinet Bar
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Three-Door Basic Cabinet Series bar in walnut, initially designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1946. This particular piece was produced ca.1950. Three cabinet door...
Steel
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
$184,000
H 32.09 in W 41.74 in D 36.23 in
José Zanine Caldas Tête-à-Tête Conversadeira Namoradeira Rocker Lounge Chair
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in Waalwijk, NL
José Zanine Caldas, 'Namoradeira' - 'Conversadeira' - Tête-à-Tête - lounge chair, Vinhatico hardwood, Brazil, ca. 1980 José Zanine Caldas’s sculptural rocker, which goes by several...
Hardwood
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
Bar Cabinet by Erik Matsson, 1950's
By Erik Mattsson 1
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Bar Cabinet by Erik Matsson, 1950's Additional Information: Style: Mid century, Scandinavia Produced by Mjölby Intarsia in Sweden Dimensions (W x D x H): 101.5 x 40.5 x 134.5 cm
Wood
Sold
H 31.25 in W 25.75 in D 24 in
José Zanine Caldas, Lounge Chairs, Pau Marfim, Fabric, Brazil, 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
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 José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
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 Mòveis Artisticos Z, José Zanine Caldas
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 José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
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 Mòveis Artisticos Z, José Zanine Caldas
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