Armchair in Hardwood & Faux Leather, Giuseppe Scapinelli, 1950s - Lot 313A

Description

Designed by Giuseppe Scapinelli in the 1950s, this armchair stands as one of the designer’s most recognized and widely published works. The chair remains in its original condition, retaining its period faux leather upholstery with no alterations or reupholstering since its creation—an increasingly rare circumstance for seating of this era.

The design is defined by a high, winged back and generously proportioned seat, articulated through deep button tufting that lends both structure and visual rhythm to the surface. Nailhead detailing traces the chair’s silhouette, emphasizing its architectural outline while reinforcing the dialogue between upholstery and form. Tapered wooden legs introduce a sense of lightness, grounding the composition without excess.

This model has been extensively documented in period publications, most notably appearing on the cover of Casa e Jardim, 1956, no. 30 (Brazil House & Garden), and in Giuseppe Scapinelli’s own book. Its presence in these sources underscores the chair’s importance within the broader context of Brazilian mid-century modern design and Scapinelli’s influential body of work.

A well-preserved and historically significant example, the armchair reflects the designer’s ability to merge European-trained refinement with the material and cultural sensibilities of postwar Brazil, offering a clear illustration of why Scapinelli remains a central figure in the movement.