Jorge Zalszupin, "Ambassador" Armchair, circa 1965
View Similar Items
Jorge Zalszupin, "Ambassador" Armchair, circa 1965
About the Item
- Creator:Jorge Zalszupin (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 46.5 in (118.11 cm)Width: 32 in (81.28 cm)Depth: 29 in (73.66 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1965
- Condition:
- Seller Location:LAGUNA BEACH, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2295311117061
Jorge Zalszupin
Just as emigrant Europeans — from Kem Weber and Paul Frankl to Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe — helped establish modernist design and architecture in the United States, so too did many of their peers foster the new design aesthetic in Brazil in the middle decades of the 20th century. Along with architect Lina Bo Bardi (from Italy) and Joaquim Tenreiro (from Portugal) — both of whom helped popularize Brazilian modern design and influenced today's generation of Brazilian designers — there was Jorge Zalszupin, who arrived from Poland in 1949 and created consistently sleek and elegant chairs, tables and case pieces using the South American country’s vibrantly grained tropical hardwoods.
Zalszupin was born in Warsaw (his given first name is Jerzy) and went on to study architecture at the École des Beaux Arts in Bucharest, Romania, graduating in 1945. Zalszupin moved to Paris but found few opportunities in the postwar City of Light. He was impressed by articles on the work of Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer that he saw in the André Bloc–edited magazine L’Architecture d’Aujourd’hui (Architecture Today). And after sailing to South America, Zalszupin went to work with his fellow Pole and architect Luciano Korngold in São Paulo. Zalszupin began designing furniture as part of his architectural commissions and created several pieces for Niemeyer for use in the new capital city, Brasília. He opened his own design and manufacturing firm, L’Atelier, in 1959.
While Zalszupin cannot be said to have had a signature style, his furniture designs all share a characteristic simplicity and purity of line and form. His work is often compared to that of Danish designers, most especially in their shared commitment to quality construction. He was a master of many materials: travertine marble for tabletops, slung leather for seating, man-made fabrics for upholstery and — his forte — highly figured woods such as jacaranda and rosewood. The latter plays prominently in two of Zalszupin’s best-known lounge chairs: the Brasiliana, with its austere, angular wood frame, and the Presidencial, with its curved seating shell and slatted backrest. Both chairs feature deep cushions and generous proportions in deference to the Brazilian proclivity for long and languid conversations. Yet both pieces — like all Zalszupin designs — possess a striking, tailored grace that would be perfect in any environment.
Find vintage Jorge Zalszupin furniture on 1stDibs.
- Antoine Philippon and Jacqueline Lecoq 'Comfort' ArmchairBy Antoine Philippon and Jacqueline le CoqLocated in LAGUNA BEACH, CAAntoine Philippon and Jacqueline Lecoq ‘Comfort’ Armchair France, c. 1950 Meticulously restored and reupholstered in luxurious Holland & Sherry White Chamonix Boiled Wool. Molded Ma...Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Norman Cherner Rare Prototype Armchair for PlycraftBy Norman ChernerLocated in LAGUNA BEACH, CARare Norman Cherner prototype armchair for Plycraft.Category
Vintage 1960s American Armchairs
MaterialsRosewood
- ETTORE SOTTSASS Flying Carpet Armchair for Bedding BrevettiBy Ettore SottsassLocated in LAGUNA BEACH, CAETTORE SOTTSASS "Tappeto Volante" (Flying Carpet) Armchair for Bedding Brevetti The "Flying Carpet" armchair is a testament to Sottsass's avant-garde...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Textile, Velvet, Foam, Wood, Fruitwood
- Midcentury Rosewood Cube ChairLocated in LAGUNA BEACH, CARosewood, leather, brass-plated steel Upholstered in luxurious Dedar Milano 'Artemidor' soft alpaca bouclé wool (Col. 001 / Agnello) Measures: 24.5 H x 30.5 W x 32 D inches Meti...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBrass
- Oscar Torlasco Midcentury Desk Lamp, circa 1950sBy Oscar TorlascoLocated in LAGUNA BEACH, CABrass-plated steel, plastic and frosted glass Measures: 21.5 H x 20 W x 12.5 D inches Meticulously restored and in excellent condition Domed base holds a cylindrical shaft with ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Pierre Jeanneret Teak Conference Chair from the City of Chandigarh, IndiaBy Pierre JeanneretLocated in LAGUNA BEACH, CAA single teak office chair by Pierre Jeanneret (1896-1967) from Chandigarh, India. Cane seat and back, circa 1952. Signs of use and ...Category
Vintage 1950s Indian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsCane, Teak
- Jorge Zalszupin ArmchairBy Jorge ZalszupinLocated in Washington, DCRare armchair design by Brazilian master Jorge Zalszupin.Category
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
$8,500 - Jorge Zalszupin Presidencial ArmchairsBy Jorge ZalszupinLocated in Washington, DCBeautiful pair of iconic Presidencial lounge armchairs by Brazilian design master Jorge Zalszupin. Produced in the 1960's, these uniquely ...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
$38,500 / set - Pair of Brasiliana Armchairs by Jorge Zalszupin, 1965, Brazilian MidcenturyBy Jorge ZalszupinLocated in New York, NYThe iconic Brasiliana is a series composed of a sofa and armchair designed by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020) in 1965 and produced by his company, L'atelier. These rare pieces have molded laminate wood structures and were part of the first line of furniture from L’atelier. Designed for the launch of the store, this collection still had the execution and details of artisanal woodwork but already introduced some techniques and materials considered innovative. Brasiliana armchairs...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsRosewood, Fabric
- Jorge Zalszupin 720 armchairs in jacaranda Circa 1960By Jorge ZalszupinLocated in São Paulo, SPAmazing set of Jorge Zalszupin "720" armchair in beautiful jacaranda. Original leather upholstery in great condition. Both wood and leather show time patina. All screws and parts are...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Jorge Zalszupin Dinamarquesa Pair of ArmchairsBy Jorge ZalszupinLocated in New York, NYJorge Zalszupin, a renowned Brazilian designer, left an indelible mark on the world of furniture with his distinctive style, characterized by a harmonious fusion of organic shapes an...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
$40,000 / set - JORGE ZALSZUPIN - Ouro Preto Armchair, 1960sBy Jorge ZalszupinLocated in Immenstaad am Bodensee, DEJorge Zalszupin, a Polish-born architect and designer, played a significant role in the Brazilian Modernist movement during the mid-20th century. His innovative approach to design, c...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Hardwood
$6,481 Sale Price30% Off
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The One-of-a-Kind Design Coming Out of Brazil Is Game Changing
Move over classic mid-century mod. Contemporary designers and dealers from São Paulo and beyond are redefining Brazilian furniture while honoring the legacy of local legends.
How to Reupholster a Chair
Want to update an old chair that still has good bones? We spoke to experts to find out how they approach reupholstering antique furniture.