Hand-sculpted from a single block of oiticica wood, this rare Pilão chair exemplifies José Zanine Caldas’ profound dialogue with material, form, and nature. The cylindrical body is hollowed with remarkable precision, its gently tapering backrest carved to follow the natural flow of the timber, creating a form that feels both monumental and intimate

The surface bears a rich spectrum of warm browns, revealing the organic memory of the wood itself—its grain, density, and quiet imperfections left intentionally visible. Each mark speaks to the hand of the maker rather than the intervention of machinery

Produced after Zanine’s return to Bahia, the chair reflects his deep engagement with local craftsmanship and his reverence for fallen or salvaged trees. Rejecting industrial excess, he worked directly with natural forms, carving furniture that feels grown rather than constructed. His philosophy extended beyond design: a committed environmentalist, he advocated for forest preservation and often replanted trees to replace those used in his work

The Pilão chair stands as a sculptural meditation on balance, restraint, and respect for material—an object where form, ecology, and human touch exist in quiet harmony