Costela Armchair by Martin Eisler, Ebony-Finished Wood & Bouclé, 1953 - Lot 321

Description

Martin Eisler (1913–1977)
Brazil, 1953
Manufactured by Móveis Artesanal / Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte

The Costela armchair, designed by Martin Eisler in 1953, is one of the most celebrated icons of Brazilian Mid-Century Modern design. Eisler—an Austrian-born architect and designer who became a central figure in Brazil’s postwar modernist movement—created the chair as an exploration of structure, rhythm, and comfort, synthesizing European modernist principles with Brazilian material richness and craftsmanship.

The name Costela, meaning “rib” in Portuguese, is a direct reference to the chair’s defining feature: eight sculptural wooden slats that form the back and sides of the armchair. Crafted in Brazilian hardwood, these slats are rhythmically spaced and gently curved, creating an embracing shell that visually and physically supports the softly padded cushions. The form is both architectural and organic, embodying Eisler’s distinctive approach to furniture as inhabitable structure.

This example features an ebony-finished wooden frame, meticulously refinished to reveal the vivid, natural veining of the hardwood beneath. The seat and back cushions have been reupholstered in a thick, exceptionally soft boucle, chosen to enhance comfort while respecting the chair’s original proportions and spirit. The contrast between the dark, expressive wood and the tactile upholstery amplifies the sculptural presence of the piece.

The curved steel base with short legs remains in original condition, including the original leg sabots and all fastening screws as acquired—an important marker of authenticity and preservation. The steel structure provides both visual lightness and structural stability, completing the dialogue between softness and rigor that defines the Costela.

An enduring modernist icon, the Costela armchair exemplifies Brazilian design at its most confident and humanistic—where comfort, material intelligence, and sculptural clarity coexist seamlessly.

Condition:
Wood frame refinished. Upholstery newly upholstered in soft boucle. Metal structure, leg sabots, and hardware original and preserved in good vintage condition.