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.
Mid-Century Modern Table Designed by Zanine Caldas, Brazil, 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
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
$7,418
H 7.09 in W 43.31 in D 28.75 in
A Low Free Form Table, in the Manner of José Zanine Caldas, Brazil c. 1960s
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in Hønefoss, 30
Two irregular slabs of solid tropical hardwood, book-matched and joined along their live edges with an exposed butterfly key, raised on low cylindrical turned feet. The naturally und...
Hardwood
José Zanine Caldas Rare Console in Brazilian Hardwood
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in Waalwijk, NL
José Zanine Caldas, hand-carved console, Brazilian hardwood, Brazil, 1980s This beautifully sculpted console was made during a time in which Caldas abandoned the rigid design aesthe...
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
$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
$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
$14,100
H 13.78 in W 40.75 in D 19.1 in
Mid-Century Modern Móveis Z Ameba Side Table by José Zanine Caldas, 1940s
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in Saudade, MG
Ameba side table, designed by José Zanine Caldas in the 1940s for Móveis Z. Constructed from plywood, it features an organically contoured tabletop and splayed legs that form triangu...
Plywood
$25,700
H 18.12 in W 47.25 in D 33.47 in
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by José Zanine Caldas, Brazil, 1970
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in Antwerp, BE
This stunning coffee table, designed by José Zanine Caldas in the 1970s, is a masterwork of Brazilian modernist design. Crafted from tropical wood with a richly textured live edge, t...
Wood
$65,000
H 27.6 in W 63 in D 28.7 in
“Denúncia” Dining Table in Solid Pequi Wood by José Zanine Caldas, Brazil, 1970s
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in New York, NY
An important and exceptionally sculptural “Denúncia” dining table by José Zanine Caldas (1919–2001), executed in solid Pequi wood in Brazil during the 1970s. Monumental in presence a...
Hardwood
$29,675
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 (1919–2001) Coffee Table, c. 1970 Attributed to the renowned Brazilian designer and architect José Zanine Caldas, this unique coffee table was crafted circa 1970...
Hardwood
$10,386
H 16.54 in W 18.12 in D 29.93 in
Jose Zanine Caldas Mid-century modern Brazilian Side Table marine plywood 1950
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in Barcelona, ES
Jose Zanine de Caldas (1919-2001). Side table. Manufactured by Mòveis Artísticos Z, Brazil, 1950. Marine plywood. Measuremenents: 70 cm x 46 c...
Plywood
Mid-Century Walnut Occasional Table by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, 1950s
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century (1950s) walnut occasional / side table with a square top supported by a crossed trestle base with curved sabre feet. (T.H. ROBSJOHN-GIBBINGS FOR WIDDICOMB FURNIT...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Italian Dining Table, Marbled Glass, 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Italian Dining Table, Marbled Glass, 1950s
Glass, Wood
$12,000
H 15.75 in W 56.3 in D 45.67 in
Mid-Century Modern Center Table by Bertomeu & Cia, Brazil, 1960s
By Bertomeu & Cia
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Center Table by Bertomeu & Cia, Brazil, 1960s Center table made of solid wood, with nested glass top. Refinished using natural varnish, maintaining the origi...
Glass, Wood
$7,000
H 16.15 in W 25.2 in D 35.44 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 structured in solid wood, with marble top. The top features a solid wood slat on one side, and sm...
Marble
$3,195
H 27.96 in W 45.28 in D 45.28 in
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Cherry Teal Dining Table Franz Schuster Vienna 1950s
By Franz Schuster
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern vintage cherrywood dining table or center table from cherrywood and teal green formica plate design attributed to Franz Schuster Vienna, 1950s. An outstanding dini...
Formica, Cherry
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