Pair of Paulistano Armchairs in Leather & Stainless Steel by Paulo Mendes da Rocha, Brazil, 1957- Lot 678B

Description

Designed in 1957 by Paulo Mendes da Rocha, the Paulistano armchair stands as one of the most influential objects of Brazilian modern design. Conceived during the formative years of São Paulo’s Brutalist architectural movement, the chair embodies Mendes da Rocha’s belief that furniture should be an extension of structural logic and civic thinking.

The design is radically reduced: a single, continuous stainless-steel rod bent into a self-supporting frame, paired with a suspended leather sling that adapts to the body. This constructivist approach produces both visual lightness and exceptional comfort, eliminating traditional upholstery in favor of tension, balance, and material honesty.

Originally designed for the Athletic Club of São Paulo, the Paulistano became an icon of modern Brazilian living and was later recognized internationally. The chair is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York (MoMA), underscoring its significance within global design history.

Offered here as a matching pair, entirely in stainless steel with original leather seats, preserved in original condition. A foundational work of twentieth-century design—where architecture, industry, and everyday life converge.