José Zanine Caldas, Armchairs, Mohair, Pau Marfim, Brazil, 1950s

Móveis Artísticos Z co-founder José Zanine Caldas was one of the great Brazilian modern architects and designers. Móveis Artísticos Z’s captivating contributions to mid-century modern furniture design include seating with striking angular forms and tables with undulating plywood surfaces.

After his introduction to plywood at the Institute of Technological Research at the University of São Paulo, Zanine formed Móveis Artísticos Z with Sebastião Pontes and Paulo Mello. They were interested in producing affordable, high-quality furniture with a small eco-footprint on a large scale. Many of the most recognizable designs at Móveis Artísticos Z were designed by Zanine between the late 1940s and early 1950s, with Zanine leaving the company in 1953.

Furnishings like the Linha Z lounge chair, the Infinity coffee table and the Zeca armchair demonstrate Zanine’s remarkable skill as a designer by accenting the unique qualities of different types of wood. Zanine preferred Brazilian woods like jatoba and imbuia for their high workability and warm tones — a staple among much of Móveis Artísticos Z’s furniture. The sophisticated attention to detail and innovative forms of these pieces make Móveis Artísticos Z furniture popular with collectors today. 

On 1stDibs, find a collection of Móveis Artísticos Z seating and tables.