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Price category: 50,000+ usd / eur

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"I can't live well with too much rigidity. The 90-degree angle, for example, is something I love, but I can't do it. The things I do end up being a little lyrical, a little sensual, in short, there is always an element that does not come from purity or cleanliness."

This beautiful pedestal table visualizes the above quote from Jorge Zalszupin. It was designed in 1959 and produced by his own company, L'atelier. Essentially, the sizeable top rests on one concrete base finished with soft leather. The solid wood patchwork on the tabletop is mesmerizing, showcasing the many shades of Brazilian hardwood. This was not a purely aesthetic choice, but also an initiative for the rationalization and use of leftover scraps of wood available at the factory, allowing at the same time a combination of their different colourings. The way the large top is supported by the thick metal structure shows architectural precision and the use of materials of the highest quality. At the time of its creation, this table was presented as a dynamic piece that could be used in both the corporate and the domestic places thanks to its casual elegance. Today, its versatility is still recognized, a mark of good design. Zalszupin’s L’Atelier was a design collective comprised of architects, engineers, craftsmen and a full-scale team of professionals who did everything from researching materials to finalizing the product. Therefore, the quality of L’Atelier furniture has transcended time and his pieces have become timeless.

The name is said to be a reference to the famous Baia de Guanabara, a traditional postcard image of Rio de Janeiro. Zalszupin's production established a dialogue very close to the artisanal traditions of working with wood, ensuring quality in the aesthetics and manufacturing of his work.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Some minor scratches on the wooden tabletop. The leather covering on the base is a later replacement.

Dimensions:

98.82 in W x 49.21 in D x 29.13 in H

251 cm W x 125 cm D x 74 cm H

Literature :

Jorge Zalszupin, Design Moderno no Brasil – Maria Cecilia Loschiavo dos Santos, Olhares Edition, São Paulo, 2014, p. 142

About the designer:

Jorge Zalszupin was born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1922. He graduated as an architect in Romania in 1945. His importance for Brazilian design has been articulated in several publications so far. In addition to being the owner of the l'Atelier furniture factory of modern furniture, Zalszupin led a unique initiative: he coordinated a team of designers working for four different factories in the same business group, the Forsa Group.
Zalszupin immigrated to Brazil in 1949 and after a brief stay in the capital, he settled in São Paulo, a city that was then entering a cycle of great industrial growth and great cultural transformations. In the first half of the 1950s, he opened an architecture office, having José Gugliota as a partner. When he got tired of designing exclusive furniture manufactured for his clients' homes, he decided to join a group of woodworkers and started to produce smaller series. This was how l'Atelier came into being, which eventually began to manufacture office furniture and went from a carpentry shop with handcrafted products to an industry with serial production. The first piece in this series was an armchair nicknamed 'Danish' by employees. It was first created in 1959.

After the crisis of the 1980s, Jorge Zalszupin dedicated himself exclusively to architecture, an activity he had never abandoned. From 2005, the company Etel Marcenaria started to produce several of the items designed by Zalszupin for l'Atelier - among them the 'Danish' armchair -, privileging the objects of the company's artisanal phase. ~H.

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Price category: 7,500 - 10,000 usd / eur

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Giuseppe Scapinelli was known as a designer who successfully combined “the classic” with “the modern”, and this table stands as evidence. Scapinelli was a Brazilian designer from São Paulo who did not use any means of mass production. His furniture alternated and combined elements from Italian classicism, innovative aerodynamic lines, and biomorphic shapes.

This rare circular table has an amazing construction that praises the firm, Angelini & Delneri. Upon first sight, this model is an elegant circular table made of beautifully grained wood. However, when the table is extended, the elaborate system is revealed by which the extra wooden leaves can be added to extend the length. The artisanal level craftsmanship is as stunning as the design itself, with traditional joinery techniques such as pegs and so-called ‘biscuit’ joints. Besides the extension system, the craftsmanship is also evident in every edge and angle, such as the legs’ curve and the ring strengthening them. This table is very successful at balancing large volumes with clean lines. The legs have rounded edges and are slightly splayed below the wooden ring.

This memorable design is from a designer committed to pushing the boundaries of modernist design in Brazil. The form is functional and elegant with subtle flourishes like intricate wooden details and the evident emphasis on functionality. This dining table is a grand piece that will stand out and add character to any interior.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use.

Dimensions:

47.24 in Ø x 28.34 in H

120 cm Ø x 72 cm H

About the designer: ⁣

⁣Giuseppe Scapinelli was born in Reggio Emilia in Italy on the 2nd of July 1911 and was the 6th of thirteen sons. He graduated after studying architecture in 1941. However, just as his career was starting, it was abruptly interrupted by WW2, and he was forced to live in seclusion in an antique furniture shop, where he further studied the styles and production methods of old furniture. After the devastations of the war, the promise of a better life in South America oriented Scapinelli towards the continent. Finally, in 1948, Scapinelli decided to leave for Brazil, more specifically to the metropolis of São Paulo.

At first Scapinelli worked for the architect and well-known “Paulista” Francesco Matarazzo, who opened many doors for him and other Italian refugees. Later, in 1950, Scapinelli opened his own studio. Because of his modern and complete style in interior decoration, he soon settled as an architect / decorator backed by a great team of skilled Italian woodworkers.

Scapinelli was constantly studying all forms of visual arts and frequently integrated ceramics in his works. He was described in Brazil’s Casa e Jardim magazine at the time as: "{…} a classic who does not forget to be modern - or if you prefer - a modernist who does not forget to be classic". After a fruitful life, Giuseppe Scapinelli died in São Paulo in 1982, at the age of 71.

Today Scapinelli's style is still easily recognizable because of the curvy lines and soft sensual shapes, very much away from the mainstream works of his fellow designers at the time. With works beautifully crafted from traditional Brazilian woods like caviuna and jacaranda, he is remembered for his unique works combining the classic with the modern. ~H.