Brazilian Design 101

We’ll start with the captain: Sergio Rodrigues, who was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1927, sits in his Mole chair, designed in 1961 and identifiable by its generous arm padding.

Still designing strong at age 86, Rodrigues has just re-released the Tajá line from 1978. Photo courtesy Espasso.

In 2009 Rodrigues reproduced a limited edition of 40 Aspas, also known as the Chifruda, of imbuia and freijó wood frame and leather, through Espasso.

Designed in 1959, and the most recognized and iconic piece from Polish-born design master Jorge Zalszupin, the Dinamarquesa chair takes cues from Danish design (dinamarquesa meaning Danish in Portuguese), with its elegant and clean lines.

Jose Zanine Caldas is said to have attempted to plant a new tree every time one was taken down for one of his projects—a good thing, considering the amount of wood used for this exotic, one-of-a-kind bench.

Zanini de Zanine Caldas is indeed a chip off the old block: The son of Jose Zanine Caldas works mainly in wood, and occasionally in metal, such as in the steel Moeda chair.

The Havaianas dining chair is the result of Motta’s recent collaboration with the popular Brazilian flip-flop company, which commissioned the chair, in freijó wood covered in the same grippy rubber used for the shoes, with a rubber handle in the back. It makes its United States debut at the Espasso exhibition. Photo courtesy Espasso.

Bo Bardi designed the Tripé, or Tripod, armchair, around 1948. Made of painted tubular metal and hand-stitched leather and possessing the same design principles as the hammock, several examples existed throughout the Glass House. Photo courtesy Espasso.

The 1947 three-legged chair by Joaquim Tenreiro, who was born in Portugal, was produced by Tenreiro Móveis e Decorações, Brazil.

The Camareiro bench was designed by Etel Carmona in 1993. Carmona is the head of Etel Marcenaria in Brazil. Photo courtesy Espasso.

This is one of the very few prototypes of Oscar Niemeyer's Rio chaise longue made in imbuia wood.