Móveis Artísticos Z co-founder José Zanine Caldas was one of the great Brazilian modern architects and designers. Móveis Artísticos Z’s captivating contributions to mid-century modern furniture design include seating with striking angular forms and tables with undulating plywood surfaces.
After his introduction to plywood at the Institute of Technological Research at the University of São Paulo, Zanine formed Móveis Artísticos Z with Sebastião Pontes and Paulo Mello. They were interested in producing affordable, high-quality furniture with a small eco-footprint on a large scale. Many of the most recognizable designs at Móveis Artísticos Z were designed by Zanine between the late 1940s and early 1950s, with Zanine leaving the company in 1953.
Furnishings like the Linha Z lounge chair, the Infinity coffee table and the Zeca armchair demonstrate Zanine’s remarkable skill as a designer by accenting the unique qualities of different types of wood. Zanine preferred Brazilian woods like jatoba and imbuia for their high workability and warm tones — a staple among much of Móveis Artísticos Z’s furniture. The sophisticated attention to detail and innovative forms of these pieces make Móveis Artísticos Z furniture popular with collectors today.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Móveis Artísticos Z seating and tables.
Brazilian Midcentury Modern - José Zanine Caldas Sculptural Armchair. 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in São Paulo, SP
Rare sculptural armchairs designed by José Zanine Caldas in Brazil in the early 1950s. Made in marine plywood, the piece is authentic period examples and represent one of the most im...
Plywood
José Zanine Caldas, Lounge Chair, Imbuia Plywood, Leather, Brazil, 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in High Point, NC
A lounge chair designed by José Zanine Caldas for Mòveis Artísticos Z, Brazil, in 1949. It features Imbuia plywood, brass, and black-dyed leather webbing. Wood frame presents with l...
Leather, Imbuia
Zeca Armchairs by José Zanine Caldas, Bouclé & Plywood, Brazil, 1960
By Mòveis Artisticos Z, José Zanine Caldas
Located in Madrid, ES
The "Zeca" chair was created in the early 1960s by a Brazilian designer José Zanine Caldas (1918-2001) for Móveis Artísticos Z, a factory he founded in São José dos Campos in 1948. T...
Bouclé, Hardwood, Plywood
Jose Zanine Caldas, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern, Lounge Chair, Leather, 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in Stamford, CT
Jose Zanine Caldas, Moveis Artisticos, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern, Lounge Chair, Leather, Brazil, 1950s Lounge chair designed by Jose Zanine Caldas for Moveis Artisticos Z in Braz...
Leather
José Zanine Caldas "Linha Z" Lounge Chair for Mòveis Artísticos Z, Brazil 1950s
By Mòveis Artisticos Z, José Zanine Caldas
Located in Utrecht, NL
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...
Leather, Plywood
José Zanine Caldas, Lounge Chair Imbuia Plywood Leather Mòveis Artísticos Z 1949
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in High Point, NC
A lounge chair designed by José Zanine Caldas for Mòveis Artísticos Z, Brazil, in 1949. It features Imbuia plywood, brass, and black-dyed leather w...
Leather, Imbuia
Sofa in wood and fabric, by Móveis Artísticos Z, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
By Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The sofa designed by H. Schnicker for Móveis Artísticos Z is a masterful representation of Brazilian mid-century modern design, seamlessly blending contemporary sensibilities with th...
Fabric, Hardwood
José Zanine Caldas, Side Chair, Wood, Fabric, Brazil, 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and yellow fabric "scissor" side chair designed and produced by José Zanine Caldas, Brazil, c. 1950s. Significant wear to wood consistent with age and use Vintage fabric in ...
Fabric, Wood
José Zanine Caldas easy chair for Móveis Artísticos Z
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in Tomi, Nagano
easy chair manufactured by Móveis Artísticos Z designed by José Zanine Caldas. plywood with wool fabric by Kvadrat. This chair gives a glimpse of the designer's intentions.
Hardwood, Wool, Pine, Plywood
$5,399 / set
H 28.55 in W 23.63 in D 63.78 in
PAIR OF JOSE ZANINE CALDAS STYLE DANISH WALNUT WOVEN LEATHER CHAISE LOUNGE CHAiR
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this pair of Jose Zanine Caldas style Danish Walnut & Woven Leather Reclined chaise lounge chairs Plea...
Leather, Walnut
´Namoradeira by José Zanine Caldas, Brazil, 1970s
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in PARIS, FR
José Zanine Caldas was entirely self-taught — born in Caravelas, Bahia, he began as a carpenter before becoming the defining voice of ecological design in Brazil. From the 1960s onwa...
Wood
$1,968Sale Price|35% Off
H 35.44 in W 19.69 in D 18.12 in
José Zanine Caldas - MÓVEIS ARTÍSTICOS Z Chair, Brazil, 1960s
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in Immenstaad am Bodensee, DE
This beautiful and very rare chair is attributed to José Zanine Caldas and his company Móveis Artisticos Z. Structure in solid noble wood, totally original, only cleaned and refinished. X-shaped backrest. Backrest and seat in tacheado fabric (upholstery in original condition). A self-taught artist, designer and architect, Jose Zanine Caldas (1919-2001) was born on the southern coast of Bahia in Brazil. At age twenty, he opened an architectural scale model...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Jose Zanine Caldas Armchair
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Brazilian hardwood armchair by José Zanine Caldas with paddle arms and his signature angular lines. The wood has been refinished and is in excellent condition. The upholstery is i...
Upholstery, Hardwood
$16,800 / set
H 33 in W 21 in D 33 in
José Zanine Caldas, Lounge Chairs, Wood, Steel, Fabric, Brazil, 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of plywood, stainless steel and white bouclé fabric lounge chairs or slipper chairs designed José Zanine Caldas by and produced by Móveis Artísticos Z Brazil, 1950s. Armless ...
Steel
$5,474
H 31.5 in W 66.93 in D 37.8 in
Zanine José Caldas Style off Articulated Bench in Teak Wood and Rope
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in Grenoble, FR
Folding and articulated bench in teak wood and rope, production of the 1960s from Brazil in the style of Zanine Caldas' creations.
Cord, Teak
$16,200 / set
H 33 in W 21 in D 30 in
José Zanine Caldas, Lounge Chairs, Wood, Steel, Fabric, Brazil, 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of plywood, stainless steel and brown fabric lounge chairs or slipper chairs designed José Zanine Caldas by and produced by Móveis Artísticos Z, Brazil, 1950s. Armless versio...
Steel
$3,450 / item
H 34.26 in W 14.57 in D 16.54 in
Hotel Chair - 2024 Reissue, Wood - by José Zanine Caldas
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in Belo Horizonte, BR
The Hotel Chair by José Zanine Caldas (1919–2001) is a timeless piece designed in the 1980s for a hotel in Serra Capixaba, Brazil. Originally crafted usin...
Wood
Midcentury Sofa by José Zanine Caldas, Brazilian Design
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This midcentury sofa, in wood and grey fabric, was produced in the 1950s in São Paulo by Zanine's studio, is a good example of his earlier pieces. José Zanine Caldas was a designer,...
'H' Armchair by Zanine Caldas — Brazil, 1948
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The "Armchair H" by Zanine Caldas is an exemplary piece of Brazilian mid-century modern design, crafted in the 1950s. These armchairs embody the innovative spirit and meticulous craf...
Velvet, Natural Fiber, Wood
Sold
H 31.25 in W 25.75 in D 24 in
José Zanine Caldas, Lounge Chairs, Pau Marfim, Fabric, Brazil, 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of green velvet and pau marfim wood "Kid" lounge chairs designed by José Zanine Caldas and produced by Móveis Artisticos Z, Brazil, 1950s. 17“ seat height
Fabric, Velvet, Hardwood
José Zanine Caldas, Armchairs, Mohair, Pau Marfim, Brazil, 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of Pau Marfim wood and brown beige mohair "Kid" armchairs designed by José Zanine Caldas and produced by Móveis Artisticos Z, Brazil, 1950s. Seat Height (inches): 17" Arm He...
Mohair, Wood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 17.13 in D 19.69 in
Set of 5 Solid Brazilian Wood & Rope by José Zanine Caldas, ca, 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in Geneva, CH
Set of 5 dining chairs model "I" Manufactured by Mòveis Artísticos Z Brazil, 1950 Solid Brazilian wood, rope Good condition, see pictures.
Rope, Wood
Sold
H 30.71 in W 24.02 in D 31.11 in
José Zanine Caldas H Armchairs, Pair, Móveis Artísticos Z, Brazil, 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Armchairs called 'H Armchair' designed by Brazilian architect and designer José Zanine Caldas for Mòveis Artisticos Z in 1950s. Reupholstered with...
Upholstery, Plywood
Sold
H 28.5 in W 25.75 in D 27 in
José Zanine Caldas, Lounge Chairs, Imbuia Wood Fabric, Mòveis Artisticos Z 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of lounge chairs / armchairs. Designed by José Zanine Caldas, produced by Mòveis Artisticos Z, Brazil, 1950s. In Imbuia wood, in white fa...
Fabric, Wood, Imbuia
Lounge Chair by José Zanine Caldas, Brazil, 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in Utrecht, NL
This rare José Zanine Caldas lounge chair is an exceptional example of Brazilian design of the 1950s. The woven leather straps and the ...
Leather, Plywood
José Zanine Caldas Armchair for Mòveis Artisticos Z, 1950s
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Armchair designed by José Zanine Caldas in 1950s. Plywood frames. Recently reupholstered.
Upholstery, Plywood
H Armchairs by Jose Zanine Caldas, 1950s, Brazil
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
A set of two armchair called 'H Armchair' designed by José Zanine Caldas for Mòveis Artisticos Z in 1950s. Reupholstered with gray colored leather.
Plywood
Jose Zanine Caldas 1949 Chaise Longue
By José Zanine Caldas, Mòveis Artisticos Z
Located in Barcelona, ES
Jose Zanine de Caldas (1919-2001). Chaise longue. Manufactured by Mòveis Artísticos Z, Brazil, 1949. Marine plywood, fabric upholstery. ...
Upholstery, Plywood