Móveis Drago ‘Novelty’ Armchair in Blue Velvet and Brazilian Hardwood

Móveis Drago, lounge chair, model ‘Novelty’, velvet Kvadrat – Harald 182, hardwood, coated steel, brass, Brazil, 1950s

This 'novelty' lounge chair is created in the 1950s by Móveis Drago, a Brazilian furniture company specialized in the creation of furniture pieces that serve multiple functions throughout the day. During that era, the urban development of Rio de Janeiro's southern region, notably Copacabana, which was the hub of the city's modernization since the 1940s, was marked by the construction of numerous small apartments in residential buildings. As a result, families were forced to share limited space, and this had diverse effects on their daily lives. However, furniture manufacturers such as Móveis Drago recognized the unsuitability of traditional Brazilian furniture for these new apartments, and thus began producing multifunctional and practical furniture pieces. This rational approach towards living space proved successful, and furniture companies like Móveis Drago experienced significant growth during this period. The concept of multifunctionality was associated with modernity and became an attractive feature for consumers. The ‘poltrona cama’ or chair bed has a clever mechanism that enables the user to adjust the position of the backrest and extend the footrest, creating a daybed. The stylistic trait that defines this piece are the “tridente” shaped armrests which can be interpreted as the three-headed spear of Neptune, the God of the sea, and Shiva, the Hindu God of creation. The chair is newly reupholstered in a delicate blue velvet by Kvadrat. The sleek, constructive lines and clear shapes of the reclining chair bear a striking resemblance to the designs of Lina Bo Bardi.

VAT within the EU: When buying or delivering an item within the EU, VAT usually applies and will be added.