Armchair in Hardwood With Ebony Finish & Boucle, Unknown, 1960s

Details

Description

Unattributed, Brazil, c. 1960s. This armchair distills mid-century Brazilian restraint into a single, quietly sculptural idea: a tall, shell-like back … Read more Unattributed, Brazil, c. 1960s. This armchair distills mid-century Brazilian restraint into a single, quietly sculptural idea: a tall, shell-like back that flows into low, curved armrests, producing a continuous, architectural silhouette that reads as both support and form.

Formally, the design is spare and purposeful. The back rises with a subtle recline and meets the arms in a seamless, taut transition; the seat is generously proportioned and lifted on a compact frame whose tapered legs establish a poised verticality. The overall geometry privileges line and curvature, the careful relationship of back, arm, and seat generating an enveloping, lounge-forward posture that reads as considered support rather than indulgent plushness.

Crafted in pau marfim (ivorywood), the frame has been finished in a deep ebony tone that presents as a sober, satin field, allowing the hardwood’s shaping and edge work to remain the primary expressive devices. The armchair is fitted with loose seat and back cushions newly made in an off-white bouclé; the textured cloth functions as a desaturated, tactile counterpoint to the dark frame. Execution favors honest joinery and clear, economical detail—material integrity and proportion are foregrounded over ornament.

Function is integrated with form: the enveloping back and well-scaled seat produce a composed, supportive sit suitable for both domestic interiors and more formal settings. Provenance: acquired in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro. Condition: in excellent vintage condition — the frame has been repainted to an ebony finish and the cushions renewed; restoration has been conservative and transparent with any age-appropriate marks confined to feet and discreet edges. See less