José Zanine Caldas Sculptural Pau Marfim Armchair, Brazil, 1950s — Lot 147C

Description

Designed by José Zanine Caldas in the 1950s, this Brazilian modernist armchair balances expressive geometry with an inviting, leisurely posture. Its pau marfim frame forms a striking arrangement of intersecting diagonals: tapered, splayed legs meet angled supports beneath long, softly rounded armrests. Visible wooden plugs punctuate the construction, while open spaces between the frame, seat, and back give the silhouette lightness. The generous upholstered seat and gently reclining back make comfort integral to its sculptural form.

The restored pau marfim reveals warm honey tones and fine grain beneath a restrained satin finish. Newly upholstered in a subtly patterned sage-greige fabric, the cushions introduce softness and luminous texture. The textile’s directional pile catches light as the viewer moves, shifting between pale silvery sage, warm stone, and deeper olive-gray. This delicate shimmer gives the upholstery depth while complementing the wood’s warmth.

Zanine’s early contribution to Brazilian Modernism joined inventive construction with a commitment to everyday living. Through Móveis Artísticos Z, he helped advance economical, serially produced furniture for Brazil’s expanding urban middle class, emphasizing functionality, efficient material use, and accessible modern design. His work brought architectural thinking into the domestic interior, establishing an approach in which proportion and comfort carried the design. This armchair expresses that early modernist spirit through an elegant, distinctly relaxed composition.