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.
Me 508 Side Table by Jorge Zalszupin, Rosewood and Glass, Brazil, circa 1959
By L'Atelier San Paulo, Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
The "me 508" side table was designed by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020) and produced by his company L'Atelier in 1959 – the year of its inauguration. The works of the first phase of L'At...
Glass, Rosewood
Jorge Zalszupin, Coffee Table Model “Romana”, Jacaranda, Marble, Brazil, 1960s
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Barcelona, ES
Jorge Zalszupin Coffee table model “Romana” Manufactured by L’Atelier Brazil, 1960s Jacaranda, marble From the archives of Side Gallery, Barcelona Measurements: 137.16 cm x 68.58 cm x 30.48 H cm 54 in x 27 in x 12 H in Literature Maria Cecilia Loschiavo dos Santos, Jorge Zalszupin, Design Moderno no Brasil, Éditions Olhares, São Paulo 2014 Concept Jorge Zalszupin collaboration with Oscar Niemeyer, a legend of Brazilian modernism, had a great influence on his aesthetics. He made his way to Brazil at the precise moment when the Brazilian form of modernistic architecture was being shaped by Niemeyer, Le Corbusier, and Lucio Costa. Zalszupin’s furniture fits perfectly with the style of this period in design. In his designs, Zalszupin blends simplicity of form with sensuality. Materials of the highest quality are the essence of his design practice. With a marble top affixed on thin, exquisitely curved wooden bases, the Romana coffee table...
Marble
Jorge Zalszupin Guaruja 140 Table L'Atelier Brazil, 1959
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Brutalist so called Guaruja round pedestal table designed by Jorge Zalszupin and manufactured by his own company l’Atelier, Brazil 1959. This stunning large dining table has a rosewo...
Concrete, Metal
Me 508 Side Tables by Jorge Zalszupin, Rosewood and Glass, Brazil, circa 1959
By Jorge Zalszupin, L'Atelier San Paulo
Located in New York, NY
The "me 508" side table was designed by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020) and produced by his company L'Atelier in 1959 – the year of its inauguration. The works of the first phase of L'At...
Rosewood, Glass
Jorge Zalszupin, Side Table, Cavuina, Formica, Brazil, 1960s
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in High Point, NC
A caviuna wood, metal and white formica side table designed by Jorge Zalszupin and produced for Hotel Nacional, 1960s. With a metal plate indicating the commission. Dimensions: 29...
Formica, Wood
$69,000
H 29.5 in W 159 in D 63 in
Jorge Zalszupin, Large Dining Table, Imbuia, Leather, Concrete, Brazil, 1960s
By Jorge Zalszupin, L'Atelier San Paulo
Located in High Point, NC
A large Imbuia and leather over concrete 'Guanabara' dining or conference table designed by Jorge Zalszupin and produced by L'Atelier, Brazil, c. 1960s.
Concrete, Metal
$16,800
H 12.41 in Dm 39.38 in
Rosewood and marble Coffee Table by Unknown designer, Brazilian Midentury, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
The iconic Brazilian designs inspired many other craftsmen and small manufacturers with their vanguard production concerning Brazilian materiality and the "modern values" of the form...
Marble
$14,714Sale Price|30% Off
H 11.82 in Dm 51.19 in
Jorge Zalszupin - rare Pétala table L'Atelier, Brazil 1959, original label
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Immenstaad am Bodensee, DE
Delicate and sophisticated, the Pétala CoffeeTable is one of Jorge Zalszupin's most famous pieces. The curvature, which defies wood structures, is brilliantly reminiscent of the peta...
Iron
$60,200
H 29.53 in W 49.22 in D 76.78 in
Jorge Zalszupin 'Guanabara' Rosewood Vintage Dining Table, 1960s, Brazil
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
The iconic Guanabara is a table designed by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020) in 1959 and produced by his company, L'atelier. A rosewood patchwork top rests over one concrete base finished...
Leather, Wood
Round Dining Table in Hardwood and Metal by Jorge Zalszupin, c.1960s
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Jorge Zalszupin (1922–2020) in the 1960s, this round dining table exemplifies the designer’s refined negotiation between material richness and structural restraint. A cen...
Metal
Jorge Zalszupin, Console Table, Rosewood, Brazil, 1975
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in High Point, NC
A rosewood console table designed by Jorge Zalszupin and produced by L'Atelier, Brazil, 1975. Overall Dimensions (inches): 27.5"H x 44.375"W x 17.875"D All items ship from High Poi...
Rosewood
Jorge Zalszupin, Console Table, Rosewood, Brazil, 1970s
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in High Point, NC
A rosewood console table designed by Jorge Zalszupin and produced by L'Atelier, Brazil, 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 27.75"H x 33.125"W x 17.75"D All items ship from High Po...
Rosewood
Rare 1970's Jorge Zalszupin L'atelier Space-Age Plastic Desk
By L'Atelier San Paulo, Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Norwalk, CT
Rarely seen and even more rarely available Space-Age molded plastic desk manufactured by L'atelier, São Paulo, Brazil. Design attributed to Jorge Z...
Metal
$25,000
H 11.4 in W 39.4 in D 39.4 in
Limestone Coffee Table by Jorge Zalszupin in Rosewood & Marble, Brazil, 1959
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
The Limestone coffee table stands among Jorge Zalszupin's most intellectually sophisticated and architecturally resolved early designs, embodying the designer's relentless pursuit of...
Marble
$10,200 / set
H 23.63 in W 22.05 in D 17.92 in
Pair of End Tables by Jorge Zalszupin, Brazilian Midcentury Design, 1960s
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Jorge Zalszupin, a pair of end tables, Rosewood, and leather. Brazil, circa the 1960s. Pair of end tables made in Brazilian rosewood patchwork (Jacaranda), black leat...
Chrome
Jorge Zalszupin 'Guaruja' Rosewood Vintage Dining Table, 1960s, Brazil
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
The iconic Guarujá is a table designed by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020) in 1959 and produced by his company, L'atelier. A rosewood patchwork top rests over one concrete base finished with leather. This patchwork solution is present in other pieces designed by Zalszupin. Modern design taught us about using the material rationally, having the design as a tool to avoid waste. Aesthetically, the patchwork explores the different tones of the Brazilian rosewood beautifully, achieving a unique result. At the time, the Guanabara table was presented as a dynamic piece that could be used in the corporate spaces (as a meeting...
Concrete
Sold
H 11.82 in W 50.79 in D 50.79 in
Mid-Century Modern Petala Center Table by Jorge Zalszupin, Brazil, 1960s
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Petala Center Table by Jorge Zalszupin, Brazil, 1960s Created in the 1960s by Polish-Brazilian architect and designer Jorge Zalszupin, the iconic Petala center ta...
Wood, Plywood
Sold
H 17.13 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Side Tables by Jorge Zalszupin, Molded Rosewood and Mable, Brazil, 1964
By Jorge Zalszupin, L'Atelier San Paulo
Located in New York, NY
This fantastic side table was designed by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020) and produced by his company L'Atelier in circa 1960. The table presents an iron structure with chromed feet and...
Marble
Sold
H 20.6 in W 20.24 in D 19.93 in
Pair of Rosewood Petalas Side Table Jorge Zalszupin Midcentury Brazil circa 1959
By Jorge Zalszupin, L'Atelier San Paulo
Located in New York, NY
The iconic Petala is a coffee table designed by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020) in 1959 and produced by his company, L'atelier. The piece is made of molded laminate wood with a petal shape. Much more than rationalizing design, Zalszupin focused mainly on acquiring and using new technologies and materials to make series production viable. The molded laminated rosewood allowed the designer to execute the longed-for curves without necessarily requiring lengthy and expensive manual processes. The Petalas tables...
Rosewood
Jorge Zalszupin Guaruja 180 table L'Atelier Brazil 1960
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Monumental so called Guaruja round pedestal table designed by Jorge Zalszupin and manufactured by his own company l’Atelier, Brazil 1959. This stunning large dining table has a rosew...
Concrete, Metal
Sold
H 15 in W 27.2 in D 27.2 in
Midcentury Coffee Table in Hardwood & Chrome by Jorge Zalszuspin, Brazil, 1963
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table model “Chanceler” in Hardwood & Chrome designed by Jorge Zalszuspin is stunning! The tabletop is made of Brazilian Rosewood, ...
Chrome
Sold
H 12.6 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Petalas Coffee Table in Rosewood, Jorge Zalszupin, Brazilian Midcentury, C. 1959
By Jorge Zalszupin, L'Atelier San Paulo
Located in New York, NY
The iconic Petala is a coffee table designed by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020) in 1959 and produced by his company, L'atelier. The piece is made of molded l...
Rosewood
Jorge Zalszupin Guaruja Dining Table L'Atelier Brazil 1959
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Stunning so called Guaruja dining table designed by Jorge Zalszupin and manufactured by l’Atelier, Brazil 1959. This stunning rare round table has a rosewood patchwork top supported ...
Concrete