Brazilian Mid-Century Foldable Desk in Hardwood by Jorge Zalszupin, c. 1970s
About the Item
- Creator:Jorge Zalszupin (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.7 in (72.9 cm)Width: 67.3 in (170.95 cm)Depth: 31.5 in (80.01 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 4041stDibs: LU7095241097262
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...Shipping from: New York, NY
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllMid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
Metal
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Hardwood, Formica
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Granite, Steel
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Hardwood
You May Also Like
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Rosewood
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Faux Leather, Rosewood
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Concrete
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Jacaranda
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
Imbuia
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The One-of-a-Kind Design Coming Out of Brazil Is Game Changing
Move over classic mid-century mod. Contemporary designers and dealers from São Paulo and beyond are redefining Brazilian furniture while honoring the legacy of local legends.
Brazilian Mid-Century Masterworks Abound at Rodrigo Salem’s Found Collectibles
The new Manhattan gallery showcases furniture from Brazil’s mid-century-modern heyday, meticulously restored by skilled artisans who once worked for the original makers.