Born in Belmonte, Bahia, Zanine Caldas was a truly complete artist. A model maker, architect, landscaper, ceramicist, sculptor, and designer, he carefully forged his path step by step. In his first job as a model maker, he conducted extensive research involving laminated wood. Gradually, he realized that plywood was more effective, as it could more faithfully reproduce an architect’s vision.

One of his first pieces, created in 1948, was for his own personal use. Shortly thereafter, he opened a factory known as Móveis Artísticos Z. This “technological” innovation in furniture greatly appealed to the middle class. The pieces featured vibrant colors and popular materials in smaller dimensions, easily adapting to the most common living spaces of the time: apartments.

Zanine was a pioneer in industrialization; seeking better pricing, he moved away from artisanal methods and implemented principles of modulation and full utilization of plywood sheets in his production line. The modules were bolted together, and upholstery was generally made from seamless fabrics such as canvas, striped duck cloth, and plastics secured with tacks.

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