Pair of Early Solid Imbuia Benches by Sergio Rodrigues for Oca
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Pair of Early Solid Imbuia Benches by Sergio Rodrigues for Oca
About the Item
- Creator:Sergio Rodrigues (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)Width: 71 in (180.34 cm)Depth: 15.5 in (39.37 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Materials and Techniques:Imbuia
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Good restored vintage condition; newly refinished with waterproof oil finish, retains some blemishes and marks consistent with age and as shown in photos.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: Newin Storage - TH1976 (1 of 2)1stDibs: LU88851051976
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.
- Daybed "Luxor" by Sergio Rodrigues for OCA, Brazil, 1965By Sergio RodriguesLocated in Antwerp, BEDaybed; Luxor; Sergio Rodrigues; OCA; Brazil; 1965; 1960s Design; Bench; Brazilian Design; Wood; Furniture designer; Architect; Rio de Janeiro; Daybed "Luxor" designed by Sergio Rodrigues for OCA in Brazil, 1965. This well-designed daybed shows a solid construction of straight lines and round edges, which gives this piece a peaceful yet strong expression. A minimalistic frame with slats to support the mattress. The mattress is upholstered with high-quality off-white fabric, which looks great in contrast with the wooden frame featuring a warm colour and patina. This design is characterized by a minimal, clean approach that seeks to combine functionality with beauty. This Brazilian daybed is in excellent condition and would be a great addition to each mid-century modern interior. Sergio Rodrigues (Rio de Janeiro, 1927 - Rio de Janeiro, 2014) was a furniture designer and architect who broke away from paradigms to invent his own language in search of the Brazilian identity and harmoniously integrated the three areas in which he worked: architecture, design, and drawing. He joined the National School of Architecture of the University of Brazil (FNA) in 1947. In 1949, he worked as assistant professor for David Xavier de Azambuja, who, in 1951, invited him to participate in the elaboration of the project of the Civic Center of Curitiba, with the architects Olavo Redig de Campos (1906-1984) and Flávio Regis do Nascimento, through who he met, Lucio Costa (1902-1998). Rodrigues graduated in architecture in 1951. He moved to Curitiba, where he founded Móveis Artesanal Paranaense, in partnership with the Hauner brothers, who in 1954 hired him to lead the interior architecture section of the new company, Forma S.A, in São Paulo. It was during this tenure that he came into contact with other renowned designers such as Gregori...Category
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Price Upon Request - Mid-Century Modern "Mocho" Stool by Sergio Rodrigues for OCA, Brazil, 1950sBy Sergio Rodrigues, OCA BrazilLocated in Deerfield Beach, FLMid-Century Modern "Mocho" Stool by Sergio Rodrigues for OCA, Brazil, 1950s Inspired by the traditional cow-milking stools used in Brazil, the three-legged Mocho is a 1954 creation...Category
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$28,900 Sale Price / set23% Off - Set of 8 Rosewood Cantu Dining Chairs, Sergio Rodrigues, OCA Brazil, 1950'sBy OCA Brazil, Sergio RodriguesLocated in Culver City, CAStep into the world of luxury and style with the Cantu dining chairs, a true masterpiece born from the brilliant mind of Sergio Rodrigues and crafted by the renowned Oca in Brazil in 1958. These chairs aren't just seating; they're an experience; a nod to mid-century modern design with a Brazilian twist. Imagine dining like a boss on these Cantu chairs, each boasting sculpted solid rosewood frames that are nothing short of breathtaking. The frames soar upward on the top sides, like the spires of a futuristic church designed by the architectural legend, Oscar Niemeyer. It's not just furniture; it's a piece of artistry that bridges the gap between past and present. What truly sets these chairs apart is the original white leatherette (vegan leather) upholstery, a nod to sustainable values, offering you the height of comfort and style. The seating design is nothing short of innovative; it's like sitting in a chic sling, cradling you in comfort as you nibble your avocado toast and sip on cold brew. Speaking of design legends, Sergio Rodrigues, the mastermind behind the Cantu chairs, isn't just any designer. He's a Brazilian design icon, known for revolutionizing the world of furniture design. The Cantu chairs, similar in styling to his award winning Mole and Sheriff sofa, capture the essence of Brazilian culture and aesthetics, echoing the same spirit as his contemporaries, Oscar Niemeyer and Percival Lafer. Whether you're a design aficionado or a trendsetting maximalist with an eye for luxurious, sustainable living, the Cantu Dining Chairs are the perfect addition to your world. Elevate your dining experience, embrace the legacy of Sergio Rodrigues, and channel the vibes of Brazilian design icons like Niemeyer and Lafer in a way that only you can. These chairs would look incredible in an any mid century modern, contemporary or Danish modern home. They would look excellent paired with a rosewood dining table, or even something a little more far-out like a sculptural Paul Evans brutalist table...Category
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