Joaquim Tenreiro Curva chairs set of 8 Brazil 1961

Joaquim Tenreiro

Brazil, 1906 – 1992
Designer, artist

Highly rare and sought after ‘Curva’ chairs designed by Joaquim Tenreiro and manufactures by his own company Tenreiro Movèis & Decorações, Brazil 1961. Tenreiro was a sculptor, painter, engraver and designer, born into a family of joiners. By the late 1940s, the modern movement had taken hold in Brazil, and Tenreiro’s pieces with a more modern sensibility became increasingly popular. These chairs one of the most recognizable designs from his hand, are called ‘Cadeira Curva’, in English translated to Curved chair which obviously relates to the curved back of the design. The curved back rest supported by sixteen spines is a fantastic work of art. The delicate looking but firm construction of the chairs is truly astonishing. These chairs were conceived according to Tenreiro’s principle that Brazilian furniture should be light, in his words, “lightness, has nothing to do with the weight itself, but with grace and functionality”. Tenreiro’s deep knowledge of wood is illustrated through the poetic features in his lines. In these chairs’ seats, the designer explored the weaving of cane, which evokes indigenous braiding and basketry. The use of wood and natural fibres is generally associated with the need to adapt furniture to a tropical climate; however, the aesthetic became popular in the mid-century all over Europe as well. These chairs are composed very organic and present straight lines and geometric elements, creating a structure that is simple, but exquisite. The chairs are in very good original condition and the solid rosewood structure has an amazing patina. The chairs has original old rubber feet which are also shown in some references by Tenreiro, they can be removed if wanted. We are not 100% sure if the cane seating is the original one, it surely is very old, at least 30 years. To protect this ‘original’ and old cane, we advise the chairs being used with a cushion. The chairs are priced and sold in a set of 8.