José Zanine Caldas Pilao chair Brazil 1978

José Zanine Caldas (1919-2001) was a self-taught artist, designer, and architect from Belmonte, Brazil. For over a decade, he managed a workshop specializing in architectural scale models, producing over 500 models for renowned Brazilian architects like Oscar Niemeyer and Lucio Costa. In 1949, he founded Fábrica Moveis Artísticos Z to create standardized plywood furniture for a broader audience. Feeling disillusioned with the company’s capitalist approach, Caldas closed the venture and relocated to the coastal suburb of Nova Viçosa. There, he started crafting furniture known as Móveis Denúncia, or protest furniture.

Drawing inspiration from local craftsmanship and natural resources, he often created large wooden pieces from a single tree trunk, showcasing the richness of the forest. Caldas was a radical creator, always striving to uncover essential aspects in each project, whether exploring the natural environment or conceptualising indoor spaces to engage the senses. His commitment to Brazilian craftsmanship and natural materials defined the character of his entire body of work.