José Zanine Caldas Coffee Table
Price on request
Historical Design
1970
Pequi Wood, Glass
104 x 34 x 104 cm
40.9 x 13.4 x 40.9 in
This coffee table was carved by hand out of a pequi tree trunk. Traces of the tool used are still visible, showing Caldas’ rejection of mass-produced furniture and love for traditional Brazilian woodworking. His respect for craftsmen is shown in his willingness to let their handiwork be seen, instead of it being polished away. The table has a solid curved wooden structure, typical of this period of the designer’s career, and a glass top with an unusual form. The table is elegant and noble, while also being concise and practical.
Artist
José Zanine Caldas
José Zanine Caldas (1919-2001) was a self-taught artist, designer and architect from Belmonte, Brazil.
For over 10 years he ran a workshop specialising in architectural scale models, where he developed over 500 models for top Brazilian architects including Oscar Niemeyer and Lucio Costa. In 1949, Caldas created the Fábrica Moveis Artísticos Z to produce standardised plywood furniture for a wider public.
