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Mid-Century Modern Paulistana Armchair with Ottoman by Jorge Zalszupin, c. 1959

About the Item

The Paulistana lounge chair and ottoman were designed by Jorge Zalszupin and manufactured by his own company L’Atelier in 1959. After traveling to Europe in the early sixties, Zalszupin learned how to use plywood, which was still a relatively new material for that time. The first design that came from this trip to europe was the Paulistana lounge chair (named after the citizens of Sao Paulo, known as “paulistanos”).The design consisted of moulded Brazilian rosewood (Jacaranda) outer shells, leather upholstery, and a chrome plated metal base. This particular chair was purchased from a private residence in Sao Paulo. The wood and metal are original and are in excellent condition. The set has been reupholstered in suede by Manuelzinho, our expert upholsterer who worked with Sergio Rodrigues in the 80s. This iconic and emblematic chair is very comfortable and would elevate any interior with a touch of Brazilian mid-century sophistication. Jorge Zalszupin was a Brazilian architect and furniture designer who was born in Poland in 1922. He moved to Brazil in the 1950s and quickly became known for his innovative furniture designs that blended elements of European modernism with Brazilian warmth and tropical materials. Finally, Zalszupin's influence on the Brazilian design community has helped to shape a unique design aesthetic that continues to inspire designers around the world. Zalszupin's work was characterized by clean lines, bold shapes, and a playful use of color, and he created many iconic pieces of furniture that are still popular today. In addition, his furniture is known for its high quality craftsmanship and attention to detail, which results in pieces that are both beautiful and durable. Zalszupin's furniture continues to be highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts around the world, and his influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary designers who continue to draw inspiration from his innovative and playful approach to modern design. Zalszupin passed away in 2020 at the age of 98.

Creator:

Jorge Zalszupin (Designer)

Dimensions:

Height: 38.6 in (98.05 cm)Width: 30.3 in (76.97 cm)Depth: 32 in (81.28 cm)

Sold As:

Set of 2

Style:

Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Hardwood,Metal,Suede,Hand-Knotted,Hand-Painted,Woodwork

Place of Origin:

Brazil

Period:

Mid-20th Century

Date of Manufacture:

1959

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use. Good. Wood has been refinished and upholstery is new.

Seller Location:

New York, NY

Reference Number:

Seller: 445- 5821stDibs: LU7095236772992

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Shop All Jorge Zalszupin

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.

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