Presidential Chair by Jorge Zalszupin
About the Item
- Creator:Jorge Zalszupin (Maker)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 25.25 in (64.14 cm)Width: 37 in (93.98 cm)Depth: 29 in (73.66 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1959-1965
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
Jorge Zalszupin
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Desk ChairLocated in New York, NYEnglish Georgian desk chair The English Georgian desk chair having a frame intricately inlaid on all sides with multiple exotic woods and pen wo...Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Armchairs
MaterialsSatinwood
- Pair of Silver Gilt Arm Chairs by Tommi Parzinger for Charak ModernLocated in New York, NYPair of silver gilt high back arm chairs with new upholster, the out swept arms carved with arrow detail.Category
Mid-20th Century Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- Black Lacquered ChairLocated in New York, NYFrench Empire style black lacquer chair The scroll topped rounded back on saber legs.Category
Late 20th Century Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- A Pair of XVI Arm ChairsBy Maison JansenLocated in New York, NYPossibly JansenCategory
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- President John F. and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s White House Bedroom ChairsBy Maison JansenLocated in New York, NYThe Louis XVI Style chairs, painted in Cream and Robin's Egg Blue and covered in their original upholstery. First used by the Kennedys at their Georgetown house (at least 1 photo sho...Category
20th Century Italian Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- Pair of ArmchairsLocated in New York, NYPair of Russian neoclassical parcel-gilt mahogany armchairs Each armchair made during the Empire period in Russia. The mahogany veneered frame with gilded details. With unusual tu...Category
Antique 19th Century Russian Empire Armchairs
MaterialsGiltwood
- Presidential Armchairs, Brazilian Design by Jorge Zalszupin, Rosewood, c.1959By Jorge Zalszupin, L'Atelier San PauloLocated in New York, NYThe iconic pair was designed in 1959 and is part of a series consisting of armchairs and a sofa. Made from molded Rosewood laminated wood, the wide armchairs offer a throne-like comf...Category
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Jorge Zalszupin's Presidential Lounge Chair, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern DesignBy Jorge ZalszupinLocated in Sao Paulo, SPThe "Presidencial" lounge 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 and coveted piece showcases the fusion of two cultures, with its base made of tubular steel and black lacquered metal slats, topped with Brazilian Jacaranda Rosewood veneers in an unusual bentwood design. Zalszupin's innovative use of molded laminate wood allowed him to create the curves he desired, without the need for costly manual processes. This resulted in a beautifully unique armchair, part of a series composed of a sofa and armchair, that has become a must-have for collectors and enthusiasts of Brazilian modern design. The lounge armchair's backrest is composed of profiled hardwood veneer slats, giving the piece a light and organic structure that elegantly accommodates voluminous cushions. Its "U" form seat rests on chrome-plated steel legs with tubular feet, while the armchair's rosewood-reinforced slat back adds a touch of elegance and sophistication. The Presidencial lounge chair is in very good vintage condition and has received new upholsteries in suede. Its sleek and modern design makes it a perfect addition to any space, whether in a home or office setting. While the armchair can be displayed without its original cushions, it also comes with a custom cushion for added comfort and style. Overall, the Presidencial armchair...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Pair of Jorge Zalszupin Presidential Armchairs of Hardwood and SuedeBy Jorge ZalszupinLocated in Madrid, ESPair of 'Presidencial' lounge armchairs, circa 1959-1965, by Polish-Brazilian architect and designer Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020). These lounge chairs can be displayed with or without their original mustard colored nubuck leather cushions. Base formed of tubular steel and black lacquered metal slats, large thermoformed seat in a shape of an arc of hardwood veneer, backrest of profiled hardwood veneer slats. Manufacturered by L'Atelier, labeled. Literature: Jorge Zalszupin - Design Moderno No Brazil, Maria Cecilia Loschiavo des Santos...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Brazilian Rosewood Lounge Chair by Jorge ZalszupinBy Jorge ZalszupinLocated in Atlanta, GAA 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...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Jorge Zalszupin Paulistana Lounge Chair with original OttomanBy Jorge ZalszupinLocated in São Paulo, SPPaulistana Armchair with ottoman in jacaranda. Original leather upholstery. Original screws, original jacaranda buttons, original metal parts. We...Category
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Mid-Century Modern "Oxford" Lounge Chair by Brazilian Designer Jorge ZalszupinBy Jorge ZalszupinLocated in Sao Paulo, SPThis is an outstanding lounge chair designed by Jorge Zalszupin during the Brazilian midcentury. The "Oxford" lounge chair is a great example of a design with perfect proportions. Th...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSteel