Mid-Century Modern Armchairs in Leather & Wood by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1955, Brazil

Available today, this Mid-Century Modern armchair set in beige leather & hardwood designed by Joaquim Tenreiro in 1955 is a showstopper. Full stop.

The stately pair consists of a hardwood structure with ebonized feet, spring seat and backrest in leather. Both pieces have the "Tenreiro Arquitetura de Interiores SA" seal under the seat which can be seen by opening the zipper underneath the seat (as seen in the pics). The armchairs are very wide, making them not only super rare but very comfortable.

These Brazilian Modern gems effortlessly flex into any Mid-Century Modern, modern, Danish modern or contemporary environment. This piece would also look wonderful in a boho chic, or Hollywood Regency styled home or office as well.

During the restoration process, both armchairs where dissembled to understand their condition and to restore them following Tenreiro’s technique. Part of the process is shown in the last few images.

Back in the fifties, most of the high-end furniture was created as special requests by wealthy patrons. As such, this is the case of this set that belonged to a private residence in Teresopolis, a well-known city for modernist architecture, two hours away from Rio de Janeiro.

The mastery of the work is seen throughout the entire piece: The curved arms, joints and back sitting on a wide comfortable seat resting on Tenreiro’s iconic wood legs. The piece has been restored and reupholstered by one of the best upholsters in Brazil. Photographs of the original state of the pieces are available upon request. Sold as set of two.

Joaquim Tenreiro (1906–1992) was among the leading furniture designers and visual artists in mid-20th century Brazil. Tenreiro was born in Melo, Gouveia Municipality, Portugal into a family of woodworkers and carpenters. In the late 1920s, he emigrated to Rio de Janeiro and began working for the firm of Laubisch & Hirth.

In the early 1940s, Tenreiro was among the first designers in the Brazilian furniture industry to adopt a European modernist vernacular. His initial efforts, including the 1942 "Poltrona Leve," met with considerable success, and in 1943 he established his own firm with factories in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. However, it was not until the 1950s that he began to be recognized as a master furniture designer in Brazil. His design philosophy was greatly revered by by architects who supported modernism.

A forerunner in the use of rediscovered raw materials (like cane and jacaranda wood) as well as the creator of a new formal language in 20th century Brazilian furniture design, he drew on the lessons of past furniture-making as a vital source, not only in the mastery of technical and constructive solutions but also in the aesthetic experience, craftsmanship, and the cultural meaning of his production. As a result, his exquisitely crafted pieces evoke a refined coexistence of traditional values and modern aesthetics, firmly bound to the Brazilian cultural milieu.

Dimensions: H80, W72, D80, 41.9 (cm) H31.5, W28.3, D31.5, 16.5 (in).