Sergio Rodrigues Mucki Bench in Jacaranda, Circa 1958
About the Item
- Creator:Sergio Rodrigues (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 11.82 in (30 cm)Width: 76.78 in (195 cm)Depth: 23.63 in (60 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1958
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:São Paulo, BR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6930229048092
Sergio Rodrigues
The prolific architect and designer Sergio Rodrigues is often called the "father of modern Brazilian design," but it is the second adjective in that phrase that deserves emphasis: Rodrigues’s great achievement was to create furniture in a style that captured the spirit, character and personality of his country.
Modernity came slowly to 20th-century Brazil, politically and culturally. The nation finally realized genuine constitutional democracy in 1945, ushering in a new, progressive era in the arts. Until that time, heavy furniture based on historical European models had been the norm. In the late 1940s, designer Joaquim Tenreiro introduced sleek, minimalist chairs and cabinets; José Zanine Caldas, now best known for his later artisanal work, created plywood furnishings for mass-production; the Italian architect Lina Bo Bardi, a former editor for the Gio Ponti-founded magazine Domus, set up shop in São Paulo, designing elegant, flexible chairs set on slim metal frames.
This was the heady scene into which Rodrigues, the son of an artistically prominent Rio de Janeiro family, arrived after graduating in 1952 from the national university. He established Oca Industries in 1955, a company that would become the preeminent maker of modernist furniture in Brazil. When architects Lúcio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer were tasked in 1956 with the whirlwind project to plan, design and build the new capital, Brasília, in five years, they used Rodrigues’s early chairs, with their softly-contoured lines and caned seats and backrests, to furnish many of the buildings.
Rodrigues would realize the true expression of his talents in — and garner international awards and acclaim with — his Mole chair of 1957. The word mole means "soft" in Portuguese, but can be interpreted as "easygoing" or even "listless." Rodrigues's chair features a sturdy, generously proportioned frame of the native South American hardwood jacaranda, upholstered with overstuffed leather pads that flap like saddlebags across the arms, seat, and backrest. It is a chair that invites sprawling — perfect for the social milieu of the bossa nova and caipirinha cocktails; where a languorous afternoon spent chatting and joking is the apex of enjoyment.
Most of the estimated 1,200 armchairs, sofas, tables, storage cabinets and dining tables Rodrigues designed in his long career are imbued, in one way or another, with this air of robust relaxation. Sergio Rodrigues was a designer true to the temperament of his people.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: São Paulo, Brazil
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Eleh Side Table / Bench by Sérgio Rodrigues, Circa 1965By Sergio RodriguesLocated in São Paulo, SPOriginally designed for Bloch Company in 1965 this exquisite bench, that also play as a side board has time patina waiting for the customers definition on how the restoration work should be done. Hardwood veneer rectangular box with shaped corners, solid hardwood legs, chrome-plated brass trim. The pice is made in jacarandá wood. Literature: Soraia Cals, Sérgio Rodrigues, ed. Icatu, 2000 Aric Chen, Brazilian Modern, ed. The Monacelli Press, 2016. Sergio Roberto Santos...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsMetal
- Sergio Rodrigues Bar Cart in JacarandáBy Sergio RodriguesLocated in São Paulo, SPBar cart in jacaranda and formica with two removable trays. All originals parts, including the wheels. Everything in excelente condition. The pice has the time patina as supposed.Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
MaterialsFormica, Rosewood
- Sergio Rodrigues Sofa Parati, Circa 1963By Sergio RodriguesLocated in São Paulo, SPSolid jacarandá square frame, plywood sides and back. Upholstery is not new. Overall condition is really good. Very elegant, modern, minimalist and comfortable. Literature: Soraia Cals, Sérgio Rodrigues, ed. Icatu, 2000 Aric Chen, Brazilian Modern, ed. The Monacelli Press, 2016. Sergio Roberto Santos...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Rosewood
- Sergio Rodrigues Pair of Moleca Armchair, Circa 1963By Sergio RodriguesLocated in São Paulo, SPPair of Moleca armchair made in jacaranda and leather. Both wood and leather have beautiful time patina. The leather condition is very good. The wo...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Jorge Zalszupin 720 armchairs in jacaranda Circa 1960By Jorge ZalszupinLocated in São Paulo, SPAmazing set of Jorge Zalszupin "720" armchair in beautiful jacaranda. Original leather upholstery in great condition. Both wood and leather show time patina. All screws and parts are...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Rosewood
- Jorge Zalszupin Brasiliana Sofa, circa 1959By Jorge ZalszupinLocated in São Paulo, SPBrasiliana sofá by Jorge Zalszupin in jacarandá. Wood shows time patina as supposed. Amazing condition. The upholstery was generic made, can be redone ...Category
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Rosewood
- Mucki Bench by Sergio RodriguesBy Sergio RodriguesLocated in London, EnglandIconic "Mucki" bench designed by Sergio Rodrigues. Provence: private collection in the South of Brazil.Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsHardwood
- Vintage Mucki Bench in Rosewood by Sergio Rodrigues, 1958, Brazilian MidcenturyBy Sergio RodriguesLocated in New York, NYDesigned in 1958 by Sergio Rodrigues (1927-2014) and manufactured by Oca, the Mucki bench is an incredible and versatile piece – ideal for different kinds ...Category
Antique 1650s Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsHardwood
- Mid-Century Modern Mucki Bench in Hardwood by Sergio Rodrigues, c. 1960By Sergio RodriguesLocated in New York, NYThe Mucki bench, designed by Sergio Rodrigues in 1958 and manufactured by Oca, is a versatile and stunning piece suitable for both indoor and outdoor settings. Featuring a low rect...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsHardwood
- Rare Vintage Mucki Bench in Rosewood by Sergio Rodrigues, 1958, 80cm depthBy OcaLocated in Knokke-Heist, BECrafted by Sergio Rodrigues (1927-2014) in 1958 and produced by Oca, the Mucki bench is a versatile and remarkable piece suitable for various settings, both indoors and outdoors. Th...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Benches
MaterialsRosewood
- "Mucki" bench by Sergio RodriguesBy Sergio RodriguesLocated in London, EnglandIconic "Mucki" bench created by Sergio Rodrigues in 1959.Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsHardwood
- "Mucki" bench by Sergio RodriguesBy Sergio RodriguesLocated in London, EnglandIconic "Mucki" bench created by Sergio Rodrigues in 1959.Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsHardwood