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Price category: 15,000 - 20,000 usd / eur

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This beloved José Zanine Caldas lounge chair from the “Linha Z” or “Z Line” is an exceptional example of Brazilian design of the 1950s. The design dates to 1949, The woven leather straps and the organic shape is unmatched.

This chair model is made of plywood and features a distinctive shape, distinguished by its legs. The legs and arms are connected and form one unit and their shape inspired the name of the line, “Linea Z”. The edges are softly rounded, which matches the versatile curvature of the body, which enhances the organic feel of the chair. Besides the plywood frame, the original leather upholstery is the stand-out element of this chair both in terms of visual and technical terms. The leather strap seat and back are tightly secured to the plywood, completing the great graphic expression this is widely known for. The bolts of the joinery are left visible, a detail that adds to the rawness of the design. The bent seat is perfectly angled for lounging, supporting the sitter’s whole body.

The pioneering Brazilian designer, José Zanine Caldas’s present design was created by Mòveis Artisticos Z, the factory Zanine Caldas founded in São José dos Campos in 1948. Most of Zanine Caldas’s designs - especially this armchair - tap into the modernist aesthetic while bearing exceptionally unique shapes: form and function revisited with a twist.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Some scratches and discoloration on the wood. This chair comes with its original leather or has been reupholstered by a previous owner.

Dimensions:

24.21 in W x 40.94 in D x 32.48 in H; Seat height 12.4 in

61.5 cm W x 104 cm D x 82.5 cm H; Seat height 31.5 cm

Literature:
Movel Moderno Brasileiro, published by Olhares editores, São Paulo 2017 by Alberto Vicente and Marcelo Vasconcellos
Aric Chen, Brazil Modern, Monaclli Press, New York City 2016
Ruy Teixeira e Jayme Vargas, Desenho da Utopia, Olhares, São Paulo 2016

About the designer:

José Zanine Caldas was born in Belmonte, at the southern coast of Bahia, in 1919. Son of a doctor, Zanine was an autodidact who, from a young age, was fascinated with his environment, especially with trees.

While most architects of his generation studied extensively, Zanine developed his own style through doing and making, and at the age of 20 decided to exchange Bahia for Rio de Janeiro. There he opened up a workshop for architectural scale-models and had the chance to work with pioneering modern architects like Lucio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer.

Large scale furniture with modern design and affordable prices. This was the great advantage of the joinery Móveis Artístico Z founded in 1948 by the architect Zanine Caldas, in partnership with Sebastião Pontes and Paulo Mello, was a great success at the time. Headquartered in São José dos Campos (SP), it maintained its production for almost two decades. The form of creation, idealized by Zanine, was opposed to the market of the time, which was either based on the production of handmade furniture, in solid wood, or in pieces produced in series with an unattractive design. Breaking these paradigms, Móveis Artísticas Z revolutionized manufacturing pieces with improved design and great popular appeal.

Inspired by the local craftsmen who carved boats and furniture from fallen trees, Zanine began experimenting with chiselling and carving large, sculptural works, which became the focus of his later career. Zanine became a big advocate for preservation and in the 1980s, he established the Foundation Center for the Development of the Application of Brazilian Woods (DAM), in an effort to educate and attempt to reverse the rampant destruction of Brazilian rainforests.

Up until his death in 2001, Zanine kept his natural visions alive, and would plant a new tree in place of any tree that was taken down for one of his projects. ~H.

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Price category: 5,000 - 7,500 usd / eur

Celina Decorações, a Rio de Janeiro-based manufacturer, founded in 1938 by Celina Zilberberg, was most active in the mid-20th century era until the 1980s. The company began as an upholstery studio though once Munis Zilberberg, Celina’s son, took over it transformed into a place that emphasized quality, artisanal craftsmanship, and functionality. This armchair is a perfect example of the craftsmanship created at Celina Decorações.

With a clear preoccupation with geometry, this chair’s outstanding architectural frame speaks of the mastery of the designer and of the producer. Material quality was also critical to many mid-century design pieces. Next to a very early emphasis on wood, the fabric choice was just as important in the case of upholstered chairs like this armchair. The upholstery is made of a soft, textured earthy-toned green fabric, which brings further visual interest to the piece. The maker of this chair paid attention to its soft elegance and functionality, making it timeless in every sense of the word. The body has effortlessly flowing lines with a squared yet open profile. The arms curve outwards highlighting the shape. It is evident from every single angle that the body was designed with the sitter in mind, offering a great ergonomic design. This model is built in a slightly reclined position, which is a key feature; the reclined backrest and raised seat provide ultimate comfort both for the eyes and the body. The softly round edges create a nice balance by contrasting with the solid wood legs’ tapered shape.

In general, qualities of mid-20th century furniture include simple clean lines without excess decoration, made with utmost care and knowledge. With gentle, rounded edges and a warmth expressed through the design, this armchair shows how moving into the machine age, life became somewhat easier, and functionalism evolved into also meeting the emotional needs of people.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The chair has been reupholstered recently in a premium fabric. Each of our items can be reupholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.

Dimensions:

30.71 in W x 34.65 in D x 38.98 in H; Seat height 18.11 in; Seat depth 22.05 in; Arm height 21.26 in

78 cm W x 88 cm D x 99 cm H; Seat height 46 cm; Seat depth 56 cm; Arm height 54 cm

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Price category: 15,000 - 20,000 usd / eur

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This characteristic “Zeca” armchair was designed by the pioneering Brazilian designer, Jose Zanine Caldas. Made of solid wood, this armchair was named after the childhood nickname of the designer.

Zanine Caldas is often referred to as the “Master of Wood” for the promotion and integration of traditional Brazilian crafts and modernism in a unique way, which is very visible in this lounge chair. Designed in the early 1960s for Móveis Artísticas Z, a factory he founded in São José dos Campos in 1948, the “Zeca” chair brings some of the unmistakable marks of the work of the master of wood.

The beautiful plywood frame (Móveis Artísticas Z specialised in the material) has an organic shape, characterised by the distinctive curve of the armrests that extend into the legs. The sinuous structural curves and apparent screws provide lightness to this piece. The design is complemented by the light upholstery in a premium bouclé fabric.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. The legs and armrests have minor scratches and marks. Item has been re-upholstered in a premium fabric. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.

Dimensions:

24. 60 in W x 34.25 in D x 31.88 in H; seat height 16.53 in

62.5 cm W x 87 cm D x 81 cm H; seat height 42 cm

Literature:

Movel Moderno Brasileiro by Alberto Vicente and Marcelo Vasconcellos, published by Olhares editores, Sao Paulo 2017.

Aric Chen, Brazil Modern, Monaclli Press, New York city 2016.

Ruy Teixeira e Jayme Vargas, Desenho da Utopia, Olhares, Sao Paulo 2016.

About the designer:

José Zanine Caldas was born in Belmonte, at the southern coast of Bahia, in 1919. Son to a doctor, Zanine was an autodidact who, from a young age, was fascinated with his environment, especially with trees.

While most architects of his generation studied extensively, Zanine developed his own style through doing and making, and at the age of 20 decided to exchange Bahia for Rio de Janeiro. There he opened up a workshop for architectural scale-models and had the chance to work with pioneering modern architects like Lucio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer.

Large scale furniture with modern design and affordable prices. This was the great advantage of the joinery Móveis Artístico Z founded in 1948 by the architect Zanine Caldas, in partnership with Sebastião Pontes and Paulo Mello, was a great success at the time. Headquartered in São José dos Campos (SP), it maintained its production for almost two decades. The form of creation, idealized by Zanine, was opposed to the market of the time, which was either based on the production of handmade furniture, in solid wood, or in pieces produced in series with an unattractive design. Breaking these paradigms, Móveis Artísticas Z revolutionized manufacturing pieces with improved design and great popular appeal.

Inspired by the local craftsmen who carved boats and furniture from fallen trees, Zanine began experimenting with chiselling and carving large, sculptural works, which became the focus of his later career. Zanine became a big advocate for preservation and in the 1980's, he established the Foundation Center for the Development of the Application of Brazilian Woods (DAM), in an effort to educate and attempt to reverse the rampant destruction of Brazilian rainforests.

Up until his death in 2001, Zanine kept his natural visions alive, and would plant a new tree in place of any tree that was taken down for one of his projects. ~H.