Rare Set of Six Dining Chairs by Joaquim Tenreiro in Caviúna Wood, Brazil, 1950s

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This rare set of six dining chairs, designed by Joaquim Tenreiro in the 1950s, exemplifies the designer’s pivotal role in … Read more This rare set of six dining chairs, designed by Joaquim Tenreiro in the 1950s, exemplifies the designer’s pivotal role in shaping Brazilian modernism through clarity of structure, material honesty, and architectural rigor. Crafted in solid Caviúna wood, the chairs embody Tenreiro’s pursuit of visual lightness—an approach that redefined furniture design in Brazil during the mid-century period.

The slender, tapered legs and vertically articulated backs recall the rhythm of modernist architectural brise-soleil and colonnades, translating architectural principles of proportion and balance into furniture at a domestic scale. Tenreiro’s mastery is evident in the precise joinery, refined profiles, and the way the structure appears both grounded and effortlessly elevated from the floor.

Upholstered seats introduce warmth and tactility, softening the linear framework while reinforcing the dialogue between comfort and discipline that defines Tenreiro’s work. The original upholstery remains in fair condition, while the wooden structures have been professionally reinforced and refinished, preserving their authenticity and structural integrity. Each chair is individually numbered, underscoring the set’s rarity and cohesion.

Sourced in Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, this ensemble reflects the cultural and architectural optimism of postwar Brazil, when furniture design closely mirrored the ambitions of modern Brazilian architecture. A matching dining table is available separately (Lot 761). Provenance documentation can be provided upon request.

Sold as a set of six. See less