Plywood Chest of Drawers by José Zanine Caldas, Z Móveis Artísticos, Brazil, 1950s - Lot 638

Description

Designed in Brazil during the 1950s by José Zanine Caldas for his pioneering workshop Z Móveis Artísticos, this sculptural chest of drawers exemplifies the designer’s radical vision of accessible modern design. Executed entirely in molded plywood, the piece reflects Zanine’s belief that refined form, craftsmanship, and social responsibility could coexist—an ethos that defined his early production before his later turn to solid Brazilian hardwoods.

The chest features five generously proportioned drawers, articulated through gently stepped horizontal planes that create a rhythmic and almost architectural façade. The lower drawer is fitted with two circular wooden pulls, reinforcing the playful, humanistic character of the design. The case rests on four organically shaped legs, lending the piece a sense of lightness and movement despite its robust construction.

Produced at a time when Zanine sought to democratize good design for Brazil’s emerging middle class, the use of plywood was both an economic and ideological choice—allowing complex forms to be achieved efficiently while maintaining structural integrity and visual warmth. The original manufacturer’s seal remains intact on the reverse, confirming its production by Z Móveis Artísticos.

The chest has been expertly refinished and is presented in very good condition, with the wood grain and construction details carefully preserved. A rare and historically significant work, this piece stands as a testament to Zanine Caldas’s enduring influence on Brazilian modernism and socially conscious design.