Joaquim Tenreiro
Solid Rosewood, Cane and Mohair Upholstery by Rogers & Goffigon
H 80 cm x W 54.5 cm x D 135 cm | SH 24 cm
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Originally commissioned for a family home in Ipanema, this chaise exemplifies the radical spirit of early Brazilian modernism. The piece arose from Joaquim Tenreiro’s close collaboration with Carlos Gondin, founder of Gemaco, a major construction firm behind several landmark buildings in Rio’s South Zone, often in partnership with architect Álvaro Vital Brazil. Tenreiro frequently furnished Gemaco’s model apartments, and this private commission reflects the trust and creative alignment between artist and client.
Defined by its organic silhouette and material clarity, the chaise combines wood, cane, and blue mohair upholstery by Rogers & Goffigon. Sculptural rosewood legs and woven cane panels at the headrest and footrest frame its fluid, reclining form. The sharply angled body introduces a sense of motion, while the overall composition remains serene and balanced — a hallmark of Tenreiro’s work, uniting structure and lightness.
A unique piece, it has only one known counterpart: a similar model made in 1954 for Oscar Niemeyer’s Edmundo Cavanelas house, with gardens by Roberto Burle Marx. Acquired directly from Gondin’s family in 2008, this chaise remains a rare embodiment of Tenreiro’s architectural sensibility — sculptural yet restrained, technically exacting yet effortlessly elegant, and deeply attuned to the modern Brazilian way of living.
Exhibitions
Joaquim Tenreiro: Inventing a Modern Tropical Living, Bossa Furniture, 555 West 25th Street, 3rd Floor, Chelsea, New York, USA (May 7 – June 30, 2025)Design Miami 2023, Miami Beach, USA (December 3–7, 2023)