Jorge Zalszupin Arraia lounge chair L’Atelier Brazil 1959

Jorge Zalszupin

Poland, 1922 – 2020
Architect and designer

Ultra-rare and fully original so-called ‘Arraia’ lounge chair designed by Jorge Zalszupin and manufactured in his own company L’Atelier, Brazil 1959. As only a few original of the ‘Arraia’ or ‘Manta Ray’ models were produced, its design originates to the early days of L’Atelier, where furniture still was being hand crafted by a small group of artisans in small lots. Underneath the seating thin but massive iron sections are joined together and seem to connect into three different directions, so it can provide the necessary support to the hanging triangular shaped hanging seat. Wooden ball shaped end caps in solid Jacaranda rosewood make sure the thick leather is held into place, whereas the headrest is made to fold over the iron support in the back. The leather seat itself is created from three separate pieces and are connected in the same pattern as the three-legged base. All the seams and edges are finished with thick and striking stitching. This chair is in fully original condition, comes directly like this from the previous owner who had purchased it in the early 1960s. The frame has an iron, chrome plated frame which is heavily patinated. Since there are only copies of this chair on the market, we left it in fully untouched and original condition, for the new owner to decide what to do with it. But for me the chair in this condition has a fantastic appearance and a lot of character. The leather can either way easily be freshened up if wanted.

Have a look at the 360* video tour from the Jorge Zalszupin exhibition >   Video tour