Mid-Century Brazilian Armchairs by Rino Levi, Hardwood & Boucle, 1960s - Lot 394A

Description

This rare pair of armchairs, designed by Rino Levi in the 1950s, exemplifies the refined intersection of Brazilian modernism, architecture, and craftsmanship. Best known as one of Brazil’s most influential modern architects, Levi brought a distinctly architectural sensibility to furniture design—prioritizing clarity of structure, elegant proportions, and material honesty.

The chairs feature sculptural solid wood frames, carefully shaped to create a light yet architectural silhouette. Slender, angled legs and gently curved armrests lend the composition both visual tension and balance, while the exposed joinery underscores the rigor and precision of Levi’s design approach. Newly upholstered cushions introduce softness and comfort, offering a tactile contrast to the warm, expressive wood grain.

The design reflects the broader ideals of Brazilian modernism in the postwar period: furniture conceived as an extension of architectural space, where form, function, and material coexist in quiet harmony. Rarely encountered on the market, seating designs by Rino Levi are highly sought after by collectors for their historical significance and understated elegance.

A sophisticated and timeless pair, ideal for collectors of important Brazilian modern design or for anchoring refined residential or institutional interiors.

Brazil, circa 1950s.
Sold as a pair.