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.
Mucki Bench by Sergio Rodrigues for OCA, Brazil, 1960s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Antwerp, BE
Originally designed circa 1958 and produced around 1965 by OCA Industrias Reunidas, the Mucki Bench by Sergio Rodrigues is a rare and versatile piece crafted in massive Brazilian woo...
Wood
Bench by Anonymous, Mid-Century Modern Brazilian, 1950s
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This slatted jacarandá bench from the 1950s distills the essence of Brazilian modernism—clarity of form, integrity of material, and a deep respect for craftsmanship. Its horizontal r...
Rosewood
$20,847
H 11.82 in W 70.87 in D 19.69 in
Eleh Bench by Sérgio Rodrigues, Rosewood and Metal Bolts, Brazil, 1960s
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Lisboa, PT
Eleh Bench, designed by Sérgio Rodrigues and produced by Oca in the 1960s, is a Brazilian modernist bench crafted from solid rosewood with exposed metal bolts. Its long, low profile ...
Wood
$30,800
H 14.77 in W 86.62 in D 23.63 in
Rosewood Bench by Celina Decorações, 1960s, Brazilian Midcentury Design
By Celina Decoracoes
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous bench was produced in the 1960s by Celina Decorações, which signed one of the most modern lines of Brazilian furniture at the period. It consists of a very well-constructed piece in solid Rosewood, with slats rhythmically positioned supported by two boards working as lateral feet. One of the most beautiful details to pay attention to is the slats' perfect straight finish on the edges that contrast and highlight the organic curves on Rosewood veins. Ideal for indoor uses, this bench offers statement seating in any space. Based in Rio de Janeiro, the Celina Decorações factory imposed high-quality standards, maintaining handcrafted characteristics. The company was created in 1951 when Munis Zilberberg takes over the family business - a small upholstery workshop that worked on refurbishing sofa beds and antique furniture. The name is a tribute to her mother, Celina Zilberberg...
Rosewood
Sculptural bench by Jose Zanine Caldas
By José Zanine Caldas
Located in London, England
Sculptural bench by Jose Zanine Caldas made in Pequi wood.
Hardwood
Sergio Rodrigues, 'Slatted 'Mucki' Bench, LinBrasil
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Sergio Rodrigues Mucki Bench Model created in 1959 LinBrasil edition
Hardwood
Outdoors bench, attributed to Jorge Zalszupin. Brazil, 1960s.
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Barcelona, ES
Outdoors bench, probably designed by Jorge Zalszupin and produced by l’Atelier in 1960s, made of fiber glass and plastic. The bench is perfect for outdoor garden area, with two seats...
Fabric, Fiberglass
$46,000
H 11.82 in W 113 in D 23.63 in
Vintage Mucki Bench in Rosewood by Sergio Rodrigues, 1958, Brazilian Midcentury
By Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
Designed in 1958 by Sergio Rodrigues (1927-2014) and manufactured by Oca, the Mucki bench is an incredible and versatile piece – ideal for different kinds ...
Hardwood
$9,000
H 30.32 in W 78.75 in D 15.36 in
Contemporary Búzios Bench by Guto Indio da Costa, Brazil, 2015
By Índio da Costa
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
The Buzios Bench is a unique and elegant piece of furniture designed by Brazilian industrial designer Guto Indio da Costa. The bench draws its inspirati...
Wood
$30,520
H 13.98 in W 59.06 in D 26.97 in
Vintage Eleh Bench by Sergio Rodrigues, Rosewood, 1960s, Brazilian Midcentury
By OCA Brazil, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in New York, NY
The Eleh bench is a furniture piece from the 1960s designed by Sergio Rodrigues (1914-2012). Its structure is composed of a veneered wood box covered with R...
Rosewood
