Rare Pair of Armchairs by Sergio Rodrigues, 1960s
View Similar Items
Rare Pair of Armchairs by Sergio Rodrigues, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Sergio Rodrigues (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31.3 in (79.5 cm)Width: 24.02 in (61 cm)Depth: 24.02 in (61 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1965
- Condition:Good. Minor damage on the back of one leg.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:Seller: 621stDibs: U0803138404358
Sergio Rodrigues
The prolific architect and designer Sergio Rodrigues is often called the "father of modern Brazilian design," but it is the second adjective in that phrase that deserves emphasis: Rodrigues’s great achievement was to create furniture in a style that captured the spirit, character and personality of his country.
Modernity came slowly to 20th-century Brazil, politically and culturally. The nation finally realized genuine constitutional democracy in 1945, ushering in a new, progressive era in the arts. Until that time, heavy furniture based on historical European models had been the norm. In the late 1940s, designer Joaquim Tenreiro introduced sleek, minimalist chairs and cabinets; José Zanine Caldas, now best known for his later artisanal work, created plywood furnishings for mass-production; the Italian architect Lina Bo Bardi, a former editor for the Gio Ponti-founded magazine Domus, set up shop in São Paulo, designing elegant, flexible chairs set on slim metal frames.
This was the heady scene into which Rodrigues, the son of an artistically prominent Rio de Janeiro family, arrived after graduating in 1952 from the national university. He established Oca Industries in 1955, a company that would become the preeminent maker of modernist furniture in Brazil. When architects Lúcio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer were tasked in 1956 with the whirlwind project to plan, design and build the new capital, Brasília, in five years, they used Rodrigues’s early chairs, with their softly-contoured lines and caned seats and backrests, to furnish many of the buildings.
Rodrigues would realize the true expression of his talents in — and garner international awards and acclaim with — his Mole chair of 1957. The word mole means "soft" in Portuguese, but can be interpreted as "easygoing" or even "listless." Rodrigues's chair features a sturdy, generously proportioned frame of the native South American hardwood jacaranda, upholstered with overstuffed leather pads that flap like saddlebags across the arms, seat, and backrest. It is a chair that invites sprawling — perfect for the social milieu of the bossa nova and caipirinha cocktails; where a languorous afternoon spent chatting and joking is the apex of enjoyment.
Most of the estimated 1,200 armchairs, sofas, tables, storage cabinets and dining tables Rodrigues designed in his long career are imbued, in one way or another, with this air of robust relaxation. Sergio Rodrigues was a designer true to the temperament of his people.
- Pair of Metal "Tear Cut" Wall Sconces from Raak Amsterdam, 1960sLocated in London, GBPair of Metal "Tear Cut" Wall Sconces from Raak AmsterdamCategory
Vintage 1960s Dutch Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of French 1960s Glass Topped Tables with Lion Motif LegsLocated in London, GBStriking pair of tables with lion motif legs in white metal. Brass details and thick glass tops, French.Category
Vintage 1960s French Console Tables
MaterialsBrass, Metal
- Collection of 15 'Bottletop' Dolls, circa 1960sLocated in London, GBUnusual collection of 15 'Bottletop' dolls. Although we purchased these dolls in France, we believe they originated in America.Category
Vintage 1960s American Toys
MaterialsMetal
$5,250 / set - "Cadre" ChairBy Stephane DucatteauLocated in London, GBBrutalist chair in steel with a smooth waxed finish. Stephane Ducatteau's pieces are sculptural and yet ergonomic and functional. He uses a range of metal treatments to achieve a glossy soft finish. Please note that this particular Cadre chair...Category
2010s French Brutalist Chairs
MaterialsSteel
$4,575 / item - 1960s Aluminium Chromcraft 'Sculpta' Chair Re-Upholstered in Black LeatherBy ChromcraftLocated in London, GBThis model of Chromcraft chair featured in the original Star Trek series. Recently reupholstered in soft black leather we have seven chairs available. We also have four Sculpta chairs...Category
Vintage 1960s American Space Age Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Low Chair on Castors in Black Vinyl, Italy, 1950s-1960sLocated in London, GBLow chair on Castors in Black Vinyl, Italy, 1950s-1960sCategory
Vintage 1960s Italian Lounge Chairs
MaterialsPVC
- Armchair by Sérgio RodriguesBy Sergio RodriguesLocated in Barcelona, ESArmchair designed by Sérgio Rodrigues in iron structure, solid wood arms and new black leather upholstery. Brazil, 1950.Category
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsIron
- Vintage "Kiko" Rosewood Armchair by Sergio Rodrigues, 1960s, Midcentury BrazilBy Sergio RodriguesLocated in New York, NYMade in Jacarandá rosewood, this Sergio Rodrigues piece has originally upholstered in yellow leather, circular chrome accents, and chrome casters. This chair was created to furnish t...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Oscar Armchairs by Sergio RodriguesBy Sergio RodriguesLocated in London, GBProbably one of the most iconic designs by Sergio Rodrigues, the "Oscar" chair was made in tribute to Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer. This set still has the tags of Furnas, a re...Category
Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsCane, Wood
Price Upon Request - Sergio Rodrigues Pair of Moleca Armchair, Circa 1963By Sergio RodriguesLocated in São Paulo, SPPair of Moleca armchair made in jacaranda and leather. Both wood and leather have beautiful time patina. The leather condition is very good. The wo...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
$28,800 Sale Price / set20% Off - Lia Armchair Design by Sergio Rodrigues, Rosewood, Mid-Century Modern, Oca 1960sBy Oca, Sergio RodriguesLocated in New York, NYOriginal Condition.Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsGlass, Wood, Imbuia
- "Kilin" Single Armchair by Sergio RodriguesBy Sergio RodriguesLocated in New York, NYDesigned by Sergio Rodrigues (1927-2014) in 1973 and produced by Oca, the Kilin armchair is composed of two sides and two crosspieces, with the back and...Category
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
$7,500 / item