Set of Eight Brazilian Modern Dining Chairs in Caviúna & Warm Ivory Mohair, Giuseppe Scapinelli, 1950s — Lot 1160

Description

An exceptional set of eight Brazilian Modern dining chairs by Giuseppe Scapinelli, crafted in São Paulo in the 1950s and distinguished by their sculptural lines, elegant proportions, and expressive use of Brazilian hardwood.

Executed in richly figured solid caviúna, the chairs display a particularly beautiful natural patina developed over decades. The wood has matured into nuanced amber and deep reddish-brown tones, revealing the dramatic grain and tonal variation for which caviúna is prized. This natural aging gives each chair individual character while creating a remarkably cohesive set.

The defining feature is the tall, sculpted back, composed of three shaped horizontal elements with distinctive open cutouts. Their fluid, almost carved quality brings movement and lightness to the architectural frame, creating a silhouette that is immediately recognizable as Scapinelli. The elongated back gives the chairs an elegant vertical presence, while the gently shaped structure and generously upholstered seat make them exceptionally comfortable for dining.

The tapered legs terminate in polished brass sabots, an elegant original design detail that introduces a restrained metallic accent against the warmth and depth of the caviúna.

The seats have been newly upholstered in a luxurious warm ivory mohair, chosen to complement rather than compete with the expressive wood. The fabric has a soft, dense pile and subtle natural luster, with a creamy ivory tone warmed by delicate beige undertones. Its quiet luminosity creates a sophisticated contrast with the richly aged caviúna while emphasizing the sculptural quality of the frames.

Coming from a private residence in São Paulo, Brazil, the set represents one of Scapinelli’s iconic chair models. The design is documented in vintage period publications, examples of which are reproduced in the final images of the carousel, placing the model within the vocabulary of sophisticated Brazilian interiors of the period.

With their soaring sculpted backs, beautifully aged caviúna, warm ivory mohair upholstery, and refined brass sabots, these chairs embody the elegance of 1950s Brazilian Modernism and Scapinelli’s distinctive ability to combine architectural discipline with sensual, organic form.

Brazil, 1950s. Set of eight.