José Zanine Caldas Cowhide Sofa
Price on request
Historical Design
1970
Pequi Wood, Cowhide
170.2 x 78.7 x 94 cm
67 x 31 x 37 in
Carved from a single trunk, this sofa designed by Zanine Caldas is an ode to the majesty of nature, demonstrating the scale of trees found in the Brazilian forest. Caldas highlights the precious skills of the artisans experienced in carving and building canoes, who worked alongside the designer. The leather cowhide that makes up the seat and back is fastened to three support points, with all other areas wholly carved out. With its raw materials and impressive scale, this sofa symbolizes Brazil’s wealth of natural resources and craftsmanship.
Literature:
S. F. da Silva, Livraria Agir Editora (ed.), Zanine, Sentir e Fazer : Feeling and Doing, Rio de Janeiro 1988, fig. 38.
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.
Exhibitions
Turning Tides: Designing a Modern Brazil Joaquim Tenreiro | José Zanine Caldas
New York
|7 Mar – 26 Jun 2024
