Filing Cabinet/ Side Table in Rosewood, Jorge Zalszupin, 1960’s - Lot 91A

Description

Designed by Jorge Zalszupin (1922–2020) in the 1960s, this two-drawer filing cabinet reflects the designer’s rational and materially inventive approach to Brazilian modernism. Produced during a period of rapid administrative expansion in Brazil—particularly with the development of Brasília—such office furnishings were conceived to meet new institutional demands while maintaining architectural clarity and refined craftsmanship.

The cabinet is executed in Brazilian rosewood (jacarandá), composed in Zalszupin’s characteristic patchwork configuration. Carefully assembled offcuts of varying tone and grain create a collage-like surface that distills his commitment to material efficiency and formal experimentation. Rather than concealing the variation, the composition celebrates it, allowing tonal shifts to animate the rectilinear volume.

The form is defined by a compact, cubic body elevated on four cylindrical wooden legs. Exposed metal fasteners along the side panels articulate the construction, reinforcing structural legibility. Two drawers are fitted with leather-wrapped pulls, introducing a measured tactile contrast to the density of the rosewood. The hardware remains understated, aligned with the disciplined geometry of the piece.

The rosewood has been professionally refinished to revive its depth and grain definition, and the cabinet presents in excellent vintage condition. The drawers operate smoothly, preserving functional integrity alongside visual coherence.

As an example of Zalszupin’s office furniture production, this cabinet exemplifies the intersection of industrial pragmatism and artisanal sensitivity. It reflects a moment when Brazilian modern design responded to new civic realities with forms defined by structural clarity, resourcefulness, and enduring material presence.