Set of Three Stools in Pequi Hardwood, Jose Zanine Caldas, 1970s

Designed by José Zanine Caldas in the 1970s, this set of three stools reflects the designer’s commitment to sculptural mass and material authenticity. A central figure in Brazilian modernism, Zanine Caldas is known for his engagement with native hardwoods and for works that honor the inherent character of the tree itself. These stools exemplify that philosophy, where form emerges directly from solid timber rather than imposed geometry.

Each stool is carved from a single block of pequi hardwood, retaining the density, irregularity, and expressive surface of the material. The silhouettes are defined by a subtle hourglass profile: flat planes at the top and base anchor the composition, while the central section is carved inward, creating a measured concavity that lightens the visual mass. Tool marks and natural variations remain visible, underscoring the dialogue between raw material and controlled intervention.

Pequi’s tonal range—warm ambers, deep browns, and organic surface fissures—animates each piece uniquely. Rather than concealing imperfections, the carving process integrates knots, voids, and grain shifts into the overall composition, reinforcing the work’s structural honesty. The stools present in excellent condition, with surfaces that preserve both texture and patina.

Function and sculpture are inseparable. While conceived as seating, the forms operate equally as monolithic objects within a space, capable of serving as stools or side tables. Their weight, proportion, and tactile presence articulate Zanine Caldas’s enduring exploration of Brazilian hardwood as both structure and expression.