Credenza “Componível” by Jorge Zalszupin for L’Atelier, Brazil, 1964

Sideboard "Componível" by Jorge Zalszupin for L’Atelier, circa 1964, a timeless piece of Brazilian Modernist design. This piece, acquired at an auction in Guarulhos, São Paulo, in 2023, is constructed from plywood and adorned with patterned inlaid wood veneer panels. Notably, the wood panel veneers are slightly thicker than in later versions. These veneers wrap seamlessly around all sides, allowing the sideboard to be showcased as a stunning centerpiece, not just relegated to the edges of a room. This sideboard features one closed module with double doors, one niche, and one single module with a red acrylic-painted door. Decorative chromed brass hinges and carved hollow door handles enhance its beautiful finish. The original factory label and color specification tag are found underneath the top. The restoration process included disassembling and polishing the surfaces and feet. The top, which had discreet scratches and water stains, was polished, flipped over, and reassembled, while damaged veneers on the double doors were replaced using panels from the base. The red original melamine finish, with age-consistent scratches and fragments, was preserved for authenticity.

Jorge Zalszupin, recognised as one of Brazil’s most significant designers of the twentieth century, skillfully blended European influences with a unique Brazilian aesthetic. His designs, marked by sensual yet geometrical lines, organic shapes, and the use of precious woods and fine leathers, exemplify impeccable woodworking. Founded in the fifties, his brand L’Atelier is a benchmark for Brazilian Modernism. Zalszupin’s passion for Brazilian woods led him to create remarkable designs that adapted form and materials organically, showcasing the beauty of jacaranda, rosewood, and ironwood.