South American Armchairs

JOSE ZANINE DE CALDAS (1919-2001). Pair of armchairs model “H.” Manufactured by Moveis Artísticos Z. Brazil, 1949. Marine plywood, fabric upholstery. Measuremenents 58 cm x 50 cm x 80 H cm. Literature: Habitat, nº9, Sao Paulo 1952. José Zanine Caldas (Belmonte, Bahia, 1918 - Vitória, Espírito Santo, 2001) was an architect and designer. Caldas stands out on the national architecture in Brazil for his exploration of the constructive qualities of Brazilian woods, defining his work with a warm rustic ambience, working on both high-end residential projects and also popular constructions. Never actually training as an architect, he starting working in the 1940s as a designer at Severo & Villares and as a member of the National Artistic Historical Heritage Service (Sphan). He opens a maquet studio in Rio de Janeiro, where he worked between 1941 and 1948, and, at the suggestion of Oswaldo Bratke (1907-1997), moved the studio to São Paulo, from 1949 to 1955. The studio served important modern architects of the two cities, and was responsible for most of the models presented in the book Modern Architecture in Brazil, 1956, by Henrique E. Mindlin (1911-1971).. During the 1940s, he also began developing and researching at the Institute of Technological Research of the University of São Paulo (IPT/USP), and was first introduced to plywood. In 1949, he founded the Fábrica Móveis Artísticos Z, with the objective of producing large-scale industrialized furniture, good quaility and afforable, the furniture was to be materialized using plywood sheets. This method minimized material waste and the need for artisan skills, as the parts were mechanically produced and the use of labor was only needed for the assembling of the furniture. His time at Móveis Artísticos Z, in 1953 was rather short lived and left the company in 1953 and instead worked on landscape projects until 1958 in São Paulo, when he moved to Brasília, where he built his first house, also in 1958, and coordinated the construction of others until 1964. Appointed by Rocha Miranda to Darcy Ribeiro (1922-1997), he joined the University of Brasília (UnB) in 1962 and taught modeling classes until 1964, when he lost his position due to the military coup. He set off and travelled through Latin America and Africa, an experience that had a remarkable effect on his work. On return to Brazil he built his second house, the first of a series of projects in the Joatinga region of Rio de Janeiro. In 1968, he moved to Nova Viçosa, Bahia, and opened a workshop, which ran up until 1980. His experience in the Bahian city was shaped by his renewed love and contact with nature, and he began working closely with environmentalists. In one of these collaborations, he participated in the project of an environmental reserve with the artist Frans Krajcberg (1921-2017) for whom he also designed a studio in 1971. The furniture he designed during this period, is reflective of his ecological sensitivity, his works were constructed with crude logs of wood, whose twisted lines inspire his drawings. It is also in Nova Viçosa that the architect builds the Casa dos Triângulos (1970) and casa da Beira do Rio (1970), in which he adopted a very artisanal construction system with typical woods of the region. According to the historian and architecture critic Roberto Conduru, Caldas' performance was relevant for the diffusion of environmental values in architectural projects: a "taste for the alternative and the rustic was disseminated throughout the Brazilian territory [...], encouraged by environmental preservation campaigns, by the wear and tear of the current models in reinforced concrete and by the re-emergence of the regionalist ideal in the international panorama"1. Between 1970 and 1978, he kept an office in Rio de Janeiro, where he returned in 1982. In 1975, the filmmaker Antonio Carlos da Fontoura made the film Arquitetura de Morar, about the houses of Joatinga, with a soundtrack by Tom Jobim (1927-1993), for whom Caldas designed a house. Two years later, the architect's work was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art of Rio de Janeiro (MAM/RJ), at the São Paulo Museum of Art Assis Chateaubriand (Masp) in Belo Horizonte, and the following year at Solar do Unhão, in Salvador. Between 1980 and 1982 The Helium House Olga Jr was designed and built in São Paulo. Caldas outlined the plans for the construction sourcing the all the wood, the actual assembly of the house was carried out by the owner. The house, is defined by wooden structure that stands out from the fence walls, the clay tile roof of wide eaves and the demolition materials that give the building the feeling of rusticity, warmth and nostalgia. The house was similar to those built in the 1970s for Eurico Ficher and Pedro Valente, in Joatinga. In 1983, Calders founded the Center for the Development of Applications of The Woods of Brazil (DAM), and gave it to UnB in 1985. During this period, he proposed the creation of the Escola do Fazer, a teaching center focused on the use of wood for the construction of houses, furniture and utilitarian objects for the low-income population. Despite the fact that much of Calders early work was centered around building houses for the elite, in the 1980s the designer dedicates himself the DAM where he rigorously researches popular housing based on artisan construction processes and whereby the users participate in the construction process. At the Brasília unit, he developed prototypes of popular houses with eucalyptus logs as a structure and sealing in soil-cement, betting on an ideal of self-construction already tested at Casa do Nilo, in São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro. From that moment on, as occurred with his the furniture designs, Caldas adopts the use of crude wood logs rolled...

Helena Armchair by Samuel Lamas, 2022 Introducing the Helena Armchair, an award-winning minimalist masterpiece designed by Samuel Lamas. This chair is crafted with an architectural ...

Bo Armchair by Giacomo Tomazzi Studio Dimensions: W 97 x D 95 x H 75 cm Materials: Structure made of metal tube with electrostatic painting in b...

Available now, this Mid-Century Modern armchairs in hardwood & chenille by Joaquim Tenreiro are gorgeous! These elegant low armchairs consist of a hardwood structure with re-upholstered loose cushions. Besides the small marks of time, the piece is in excellent condition. Also, very comfortable. Owning a piece designed by Joaquim Tenreiro is not just about acquiring a beautiful piece of furniture; it's also about possessing a part of Brazilian design history and culture. These set is a testament to Tenreiro's futuristic vision about Modernism and it would make an excellent addition to any interior space that values and appreciates the significance of this design. This model is called “L-shape” and is a great example of Tenreiro’s modernistic approach towards simplifying shapes, contrary to elaborate European standards, still in fashion during the fifties in Brazil. He achieves this by using rectangular shapes and no armrest...

Information: The chair comes without the seat cushion! Featuring gentle curves and an intricate webbing, the Circo Dining Chair adds a touch of colourful ...

Available now, this beautiful pair of Brazilian Modern armchairs are made of ebonized Pau Marfim hardwood & white leather in buttone style. The structure is composed of curved arms & feet, and were designed by Joaquim Tenreiro in the 1940’s. The wood joints are composed of delicate wood pins in Pau Marfim also, which were typically used by the artist at the time. Sold as set of two. For the restoration process, both armchairs where dissembled to understand their condition and to restore them following Tenreiro’s technique. This is shown in the last 3 images. The set comes from a private residence in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro. This mid-century modern pair would look incredible in any modern, mid-century modern, boho chic or contemporary environment. Joaquim Tenreiro (1906–1992) was among the leading furniture designers and visual artists in mid-20th century Brazil. Tenreiro was born in Melo, Gouveia Municipality, Portugal into a family of woodworkers and carpenters. In the late 1920s, he emigrated to Rio de Janeiro and began working for the firm of Laubisch & Hirth. In the early 1940s, Tenreiro was among the first designers in the Brazilian furniture industry to adopt a European modernist vernacular. His initial efforts, including the 1942 "Poltrona Leve," met with considerable success, and in 1943 he established his own firm with factories in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. However, it was not until the 1950s that he began to be recognized as a master furniture designer in Brazil. His design philosophy found a great response with architects who supported modernism. A forerunner in the use of rediscovered raw materials (like cane and jacaranda -Brazilian Roswood) as well as the creator of a new formal language in 20th-century Brazilian furniture design, he drew on the lessons of past furniture-making as a vital source, not only in the mastery of technical and constructive solutions but also in the aesthetic experience, craftsmanship, and the cultural meaning of his production. As a result, his exquisitely crafted pieces evoke a refined coexistence of traditional values and modern aesthetics, firmly bound to the Brazilian cultural milieu. Literature: • Arquitetura e Decoracao, no. 12, Jul-Aug 1955 • Tenreiro book...

Available today, this sculptural Mid-Century Modern armchair in hardwood and grey fabric by Giuseppe Scapinelli made in the fifties is absolutely gorgeous! The vintage armchair is m...

Available today, with domestic shipping in NYC metro area included, this Brazilian Modern Pair of Armchairs in Hardwood by Geraldo de Barros, c. 1970s is nothing less than gorgeous! ...

The Bergere lounge chair and ottoman, designed by Jorge Zalszupin and manufactured by his company L’Atelier in the fifties, exemplifies the merge between European mid-century with Br...

Contemporary armchair made with reclaimed tropical hardwood, upholstered seat and head cushion in linen. The backrest is made with rami cord, a vegetable...

Pair of lounge armchairs designed in 1960s by Angel I. Pazmino and manufactured by Muebles de Estilo in Ecuador. A stunning and rare pair of vintage safari chairs in solid rosewood ...

A total of six custom "Onassis" -style chairs in olive goatskin with a light dusting of shimmery gold in the lacquer. Priced at $3600 per pair.

This gorgeous set, composed of a Cube armchair and coffee table, is a statement for itself. The Cube collection is a creation by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020), designed c. 1970, and it...

This beautiful pair of round armchairs was manufactured in the 1960s, and the authorship is still unidentified by our team. Pieces were reuphol...

Available today, with domestic shipping in NYC metro area included, this Mid Century Modern Armchair in Red Rope & Iron by Forma, 1950s is nothing less than gorgeous! This armchai...

Rare armchair design by Brazilian master Jorge Zalszupin.

Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler Forma Pair of High Back Armchairs Wood, Upholstery 1955

These armchairs by Joaquim Tenreiro are nothing less than specatcular. The structure of these two chairs is made with painted tubular metal. It features a mustard suede upholstery. ...

The Punto armchair or chair has an elegant and versatile design. Easy to match, transitions into many interior decor styles. Its finishes are impeccable, with a harmonious mix of ...

Available today, with domestic shipping in the NYC metro area included, this Brazilian Mid-Century “Dinamarquesa” Armchair by Carlo Fongaro, c. 1970s is nothing less than gorgeous! ...

The Leve armchair is one of the fundamental pieces in Brazilian Modern design history. Designed by Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992) in 1942, it is considered...

19th century pair of Bolivian hand carved wooden armchairs, decorated with geometric motifs and animals on arm and backrest.

Cavernas are the arched structures that, when combined, form the skeleton of a vessel. These delicately sculpted pieces are the pure embodiment of design, blending the strength and...

Carlo Hauner & Martin Eisler Pair of 'Shell' Armchairs Forma S/A Brazil, 1950s

This elegant set of armchairs was designed by Jorge Jabour Mauad and carefully crafted by Cantù Móveis e Interiores Ltda. in the 1960s. Each chair features a cubic frame made entirel...

A Lirio accent chair designed by Uultis Studio in teak wood, cane and off-white fabric. Inspired by the delicate beauty of the lily flower, the Lirio accent chair designed by Uultis ...

Single Dinamarquesa chair, designed by Italian-born architect Carlo Fongaro (1915-1986) and produced by Probjeto, who signed one of the most popular lines of modern Brazilian furnitu...

This beautiful pair of armchairs with slatted structure was manufactured in the 1960s. Pieces are made of solid Brazilian Rosewood and were reupholstered in a bouclé fabric by our ex...

These Armchairs were produced in the 1950s by the Brazilian company Móveis Cimo, a pioneer in Brazilian furniture industrialization. Cimo's history starts in 1921 with a wood boxes...

Available immediately, these Mid-Century Modern Armchairs in Hardwood & Faux Leather, are stunning! The armchair structure has straight lines and is made entirely of Caviuna wood,...

Joaquim Tenreiro Pair of armchairs model “Leve” Manufactured by Langenbach & Tenreiro Ltda Brasil, 1942 Jacaranda, upholstery From the archives of Side Gallery, Barcelona M...

We have a pair of chairs with armrests made in solid wood by Cantù Móveis e Interiores Ltda, in the 1960s, Brasil. Architects Jorge Jabour Mauad and Osires Cunha Meale were responsi...

This elegant pair of 1970s Chinese-style armchairs exudes timeless sophistication and craftsmanship. Constructed from rich, darkned hardwood, these chairs showcase a harmonious balan...

A pice is delicate and practical. The Jasmin armchair has sinuous lines, translating the essence of well-being and wellness to the piece. It has 4 feet in natural wood swivel that ma...

This is a very rare and well-preserved MP-113 armchair with an ottoman, designed by Percival Lafer in Brazil during the 1970s. The set is crafted from two solid blocks of injected fo...

The Caetano armchair draws strong inspiration from the craftsmanship of master Joaquim Tenreiro. My goal was to accentuate the beauty of the rare woods utilized in its crafting, harm...

This beautiful pair of armchairs designed by L'Atelier is a great example of the style of Brazilian midcentury furniture. The materials...

Available today, this Brazilian modern armchair made in Hardwood, Leather and Bouclé by Giuseppe Scapinelli, in the fifties is nothing less than spectacular! This vintage armchair is made in Caviuna hardwood and has a funky green fabric with patterns in a very midcentury style. It has curved arms and four toothpick legs. The sculpted back looks like the tail of a whale and is also upholstered giving a striking though very delicate look. Attached an image of the armchair in its original state for reference. The armchair is showcased in our gallery next to a Jorge Zalszupin Credenza and two accent chairs...

Dagon chair - by Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez Dimensions: D 55 x W 50 x H 76 cm Material: Wood This piece takes its name from Dagon, the Babylonian G...

Joaquim Tenreiro Pair of armchairs model “Leve” Manufactured by Langenbach & Tenreiro Ltda Brasil, 1942 Jacaranda, upholstery From the archives of Side Gallery, Barcelona M...

Model “201” armchair designed and produced by “Móveis Cimo” in 1940s, made of plywood and solid “imbuia” wood. Very strong and comfortable chair.

This furniture was designed following extensive research, experimentation and the study of ergonomics. The structure contrasts with the Fine lattice of the backrest and the seating. ...

A rare pair of inlaid chairs by Enriqué Garcel, covered in their original grey leather upholstery, circa 1980. Like his contemporaries Karl Springer and Ron Seff, Enrique Garcel exce...

Original Condition

This armchair is made out of steel and solid Cumaru wood, a typical hardwood from the northern part of Brazil. Arthur Casas is surely one of the most prominent contemporary Brazi...

Available today, this Brazilian Modern armchair in brown leather & iron, by Carlo Hauner, in Brazil during the 1950s is one of a kind! The popular design (at the time) follows the same pattern as the also popular “Concha” armchairs from Carlo Hauner and features an intricate steel base with a soft curved, re-upholstered brown leather seat which is very comfortable. This model was produced indoors, being upholstered in leather or outdoors using either a woven cotton fiber called “Sinzal” or colorful spaghetti chords. The piece is showcased in our gallery next to a Gelli Loveseat, a marble and wood coffee table and a Jose Zanine Caldas armchair...

Martin Eisler (1913-1977) & Carlos Hauner (1927-1997) Pair of armchairs Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1955 Caviuna wood legs, velvet and cotton upholstery Measurements: 77 cm x 77 cm x 72 H cm. 30.3 in x 30.3 in x 28.3 H in. Literature: Casa & Jardim, 1956. Nº 92 Details: Belonging to a three pieces set of sofa and two armchairs.

Designed by Rino Levi, the pair of armchairs its made of caviuna wood, a type of Jacaranda Rosewood. The chair has a unique manufacturing stamp and recently upholstered in Fine white...

This armchair made in solid Brazilian wood was designed by Ricardo Arrastia and produced by Arredamento Móveis Ltda., a company founded by Cesar Wasserfirer in 1960 that stood out fo...

The mid-century modern “Holperin” armchair was designed in 1962 by Sergio Rodrigues during his time at Oca. The base is made with solid Brazilian rosewood. The wood has been refinish...

The Amélia chair was created during a constant search by the designer for the direct transposition of form into matter. The warmth of the wood and the str...

This beautiful pair of solid Imbuia (Brazilian Walnut) armchairs were manufactured in the 1960s by the Brazilian company Casulo, and the authorship is still unidentified by our team....

Born in Paris, Michel Arnoult found his creative expression on the Brazilian scene. Today considered one of the great names representing design in the country, his pieces reflect his eternal search for the minimization of production costs and industrial processes, offering quality, cheap and easy-to-assemble furniture for the middle class at the time. His attention to wood materiality, comfort, and simple but very elegant lines can be recognized in his extensive legacy. The Ouro Preto...

This stunning armchair was produced by the Brazilian Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte in the 1950s, a company directed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler. The piece is made of an iron structure and upholstered seats and backrests. This singular design consists of upholstered geometrical backs and armrests with shapes that embrace the body. Indeed, a very comfortable and elegant piece. Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte was one of the pioneer companies and manufactured a few icons of Brazilian design history, such as the Costela Armchair designed by Eisler and the iconic chair that illustrates Móveis Artesanal's logotype designed by Hauner. The piece is in its original condition. Restoration...

The Jasmine armchair has feminine and sophisticate shapes. It's delicate and practical by the rotating movement. Jasmine armchair has sinuous lines, translating the essence of well-...

The Punto armchair or chair has an elegant and versatile design. Easy to match, transitions into many interior decor styles. Its finishes are impeccable, with a harmonious mix of ...

This pair of armchairs was produced by the Brazilian company Móveis Gerdau in the 1930s. The restored pieces were made of bent wood and plastic cane, whi...

This armchair in solid Caviuna with high backrests was designed by Giuseppe Scapinelli (1911-1982) in the 1950s. The piece has slatted backrests with thin vertical rods and comfortab...

Carlos Hauner & Martin Eisler Pair of armchairs Manufactured by Forma Moveis Brazil, 1950 Iron, velvet upholstery Orange Velvet Upholstery Measurements 63 cm x 53 cm x 76h cm 24,8 in x 20,86 in x 29,92h in Bio Beside Carlos Hauner, Martin Eisler (1913­-1977) was the founder for the iconic Brazilian furniture company Forma. He was born in Vienna, Austria, and studied architecture in his country. In 1938 he moved to Buenos Aires. After meeting Carlos Hauner in Brazil, he started traveling there frequently to collaborate on designs and, they founded Forma to sell their own designs as well as pieces licensed from Knoll International. Eisler also opened Forma in Buenos Aires, along with partners Arnold Hakel and Susi Aczel...

The design of the Pétrea armchair pays a tribute to the Mid-Century Modern tradition of Brazilian architecture by the alluding to one of its most use materials, namely concrete. But ...