RIO ROCKING CHAISE

Oscar Niemeyer

YEAR: 1977/2013
DIMENSIONS W x D x H (cm): 60 x 170 x 90cm
FINISH: Black Lacquered Timber. Leather and Cane
WARRANTY: 1 Year
LEAD TIME: Approx. 16-18 weeks (1 in stock now)

Handmade to order. Re-edited by ETEL. Embedded with a seal certifying its authenticity by Fundação Oscar Niemeyer and part of the ETEL collection

The Rio Rocking Chaise, with its dramatic and unexpected curves, was born from the architect’s dissatisfaction with the standard of furniture design in Brazil, a view shared by his daughter Anna Maria, who collaborated with her father to design this iconic piece. Niemeyer believed the furniture of the 1970s did not match the architecture that was being created at the time.

The Rio Rocking Chaise presents as a dramatic L-shaped cane seat, positioned atop a curved sheet of bent lacquered wood, which provides the rocking motion. There are two further curves under the seat and under the back rest for support.

The Niemeyers’ most important design, the Rio was designed for Oscar Niemeyer’s personal use. The curves are reminiscent of the coastline of Brazil as well as the figure of a woman.

The cylindrical headrest, affixed by two cords is made of black leather. Tensioned wicker of woven natural cane stretches over the frame to form the seat.

OSCAR NIEMEYER

1905 - 2012

Famous for designing several landmark buildings in Brasília, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and around the world, Niemeyer also created sculptural pieces of furniture. 

The desire to create his own furniture was born out of frustration; he often thought furniture would detract from modernist and contemporary architecture. So he decided to design his own. 

Together with his daughter, Anna Maria, he designed the iconic Rio rocking chair, the Marquesa bench and the Alta armchair. He would later create the ON line: a desk, a sofa and an armchair that reflected the famous curves of his architecture. 

niemeyer.org.br