This sculptural Namoradeira by José Zanine Caldas is carved from a single, monumental block of reclaimed Pequi wood. Designed in the mid-1970s and produced by Atelier Zanine in Nova Viçosa, Bahia, the piece embodies the designer’s deep respect for material, form, and the natural world

The composition features two opposing seats joined by a continuous wooden mass, subtly articulated by a central connection and integrated armrests. The form encourages intimacy and dialogue, its geometry softened by the organic rhythm of the wood’s grain. Variations in tone and surface bear witness to the material’s former life, enhancing the sculptural presence of the piece

Hand-carved using traditional tools, the chair reflects Zanine’s rejection of industrial processes in favor of direct craftsmanship. Discovered in Nova Viçosa, the piece underwent a sensitive conservation process—cleaned, stabilised, and finished with successive hand-applied layers of matte varnish to preserve both patina and structure

A rare and expressive example of Brazilian modernism, the Namoradeira stands as a meditation on intimacy, material honesty, and the enduring relationship between design and nature