Set of Twelve Giuseppe Scapinelli Dining Armchairs in Caviúna with Deep Olive Mohair Velvet, Brazil, 1950s – Lot 407.467.837

Description:

A rare and architecturally composed set of twelve armchairs by the celebrated Italian-Brazilian designer Giuseppe Scapinelli, produced in Brazil during the 1950s. Monumental in presence yet refined in line, the chairs exemplify Scapinelli’s masterful balance between sculptural elegance and structural clarity—an approach that helped define the language of Brazilian mid-century design.

Each chair is crafted in richly figured Brazilian caviúna, a prized tropical hardwood closely associated with the golden era of Brazilian modernism. The frames display a warm honey-amber tone with subtle reddish undertones, revealing the naturally expressive grain that gives caviúna its distinctive depth and character. The finish is satin-matte, allowing the wood to read with an understated glow rather than gloss, while maintaining the appearance of carefully restored surfaces with a gentle natural patina—faithful to the spirit of the period.

The silhouettes demonstrate Scapinelli’s signature sense of movement: gently tapered legs, sculpted arm supports, and subtly arched back rails that give the chairs a poised, almost architectural rhythm when viewed together. Brass sabots complete the composition, adding a refined accent at the base while protecting the legs.

Newly upholstered in deep olive green cotton mohair velvet, the seats and backs introduce a luxurious tactile contrast to the warmth of the wood. The textile features a dense short pile with directional nap and matte sheen, creating nuanced tonal shifts across the surface—ranging from forest olive to darker moss hues depending on the light. This restrained yet sophisticated palette reinforces the sculptural quality of the frames while remaining faithful to the refined material sensibilities of mid-century Brazilian interiors.

When arranged together, the chairs create an impressive visual field—an ensemble that reads almost as a sculptural installation. Sets of this scale by Scapinelli are exceedingly uncommon; the survival of twelve matching examples in such harmonious condition is particularly noteworthy.

Elegant, monumental, and unmistakably Brazilian, this set represents the height of 1950s design from one of the most quietly influential figures of the period. Works by Scapinelli remain highly sought after by collectors and designers alike, and complete dining or conference sets of this caliber are exceptionally rare to encounter today.

A museum-quality ensemble that captures the warmth, craftsmanship, and modernist optimism of Brazil’s design golden age.