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Sergio Rodrigues Mole / Sheriff Chair and Ottoman, Jacaranda, Leather, 1960's

Creator: Sergio Rodrigues
Offered by: Habitat-Gallery

Description
This chair and ottoman set is pure Brazilian modern magic — the kind of duo that doesn’t just complete a room, it defines it. With its sculptural Jacaranda frame, deep tufted cushions, and those signature leather straps, this is a true heir to one of Sergio Rodrigues’ most iconic designs.

Sergio Rodrigues, lovingly called the father of modern Brazilian design, created furniture with real life in mind. He’d bring a new piece home to test it out with his inner circle — the cook, his wife, even the cat. If everyone approved, the design stayed. Comfort and adjustability were non-negotiable for him, and you can feel that philosophy alive and well in this chair and ottoman. The leather straps beneath the cushions can be tightened for a firmer, more supportive sit, or loosened for that classic, laid-back Mole / Sheriff sprawl.

The origin of this design traces back to the Mole chair, created in 1957 and produced in 1958. Rodrigues truly believed this was one of the first postmodern furniture designs — and perhaps that radical shift is why it had such a rocky start. When the original Mole debuted in the Oca shop window, it was met with “a bitter discouraging lack of interest.” Passersby mocked it as an “expensive dog bed” or said it looked like a “fried egg.” Rodrigues’ partners wanted it out of sight, but he refused; he knew that people with a certain cultural sensibility were beginning to understand what he’d created.

Eventually, even Governor Carlos Lacerda took notice and urged Sergio to send the piece to a major competition in Italy. At first, Sergio was told the chair couldn’t compete because its design was already “known” and a few years old. So he made a tiny adjustment — just enough to qualify.

What happened next changed design history.

“Mole ended up taking first place in the 4th international furniture competition, in Cantu, Italy, in 1961. The European press highlighted, in various publications, as the casual atmosphere generated by the loose cushions thrown on the Sheriff chair structure, as it became known abroad. The award put Brazil in a prominent position in design on the world stage. The Sheriff name was given by the licensed manufacturer in Italy which went on to produce the chair.” — excerpts respectfully referenced from Instituto Sergio Rodrigues Biography.

From that moment on, the Mole — or the Sheriff, depending on which chapter you’re reading — became a symbol of Brazilian design identity: bold, comfortable, grounded, and impossibly inviting.

This chair and ottoman set captures all of that spirit. Handmade from Jacaranda, also known as Brazilian Rosewood, the frame shows the same warm, luxurious presence that made the design so celebrated. The black Italian leather upholstery adds a rich, contemporary depth, creating a beautiful contrast against the sculpted wood. Like the original Mole, the cushions are meant to drape, settle, and envelop. It’s all about ease, softness, and that indulgent, sink-in feel.

Rodrigues’ early factory workers gave the design its name — “Mole,” meaning soft or limp in Portuguese — and the variations followed: the stiffer original Mole of 1957, the Mole Sheriff of 1961 (the competition winner), and the Moleca, which introduced flat-pack capability. Each version kept the same DNA: curved timber, leather straps, generous cushions, and a posture that feels almost regal in its comfort.

This particular chair and ottoman are an absolute showstopper in person. They work beautifully in mid-century modern, Brazilian modern, Scandinavian modern, or contemporary interiors. Currently, we have it paired near a Finn Juhl cabinet and some Gio Ponti lounge chairs — and while everything looks harmonious, this set absolutely steals the show.

It’s sculptural, it’s iconic, it’s wildly comfortable, and it carries the full legacy of one of Brazilian design’s most important figures. A true collectible and an absolute joy to live with.

More Information

Documentation:	Ample Provenance
Origin:	Italy
Period:	1950-1979
Materials:	Leather, Rosewood
Condition:	Good. Minimal wear consistent with age and use.
Creation Date:	C. 1960's
Styles / Movements:	Modern
Incollect Reference #:	836108