Gonzalo Córdoba, Mid century “Turiguano” Mahogany Sofa, DUJO Havana, Cuba, 1959–1960

This iconic and extremely rare “Turiguanó” sofa is one of the defining pieces of Cuban modernism. Designed by Gonzalo Córdoba, chief designer of DUJO, it was created around 1959–1960 for Fidel Castro’s Palace of the Revolution in Havana.

Crafted from solid Cuban mahogany, the sofa symbolizes the transition between pre-revolutionary luxury design and the aesthetic of the new socialist state. The Turiguanó series embodied both the organic spirit of the Caribbean and the disciplined geometry of functional modernism. Córdoba’s work stood at the intersection of craftsmanship, national identity, and ideology – making this piece not merely a design object, but a document of Cuban cultural history.

The model was documented in the 2024 Cranbrook Art Museum (USA) exhibition “A Modernist Regime: Cuban Mid-Century Design”, where only the Turiguanó Chair was displayed. No sofa example was included, making this configuration significantly rarer.

This particular piece has been faithfully restored with authentic cowhide upholstery in the original reddish hue, preserving its material honesty and historical integrity. Complete with provenance documentation and museum-grade restoration, it stands as a unique surviving artifact of Cuban modernism and Fidel Castro’s era of design diplomacy.

• 220 cm x 75 cm x 80cm / Price for request

Gonzalo Córdoba (1928–1988)

Gonzalo Córdoba was one of the leading figures of Cuban modernism, serving as chief designer for DUJO and later EMPROVA, bridging the worlds of pre-revolutionary luxury furniture and post-revolutionary state design. He consistantly used local materials — including the now protected and forbidden Cuban mahogany, woven cane, natural leather, and organic fibers — crafting pieces that reflected both national identity and modernist refinement. Córdoba’s style drew on tropical functionalism and the “safari” aesthetic, closely related to the Brazilian modernist movement of designers such as Sergio Rodrigues and Jorge Zalszupin. His mission was to merge modern form with local craftsmanship and materials, creating a distinctly Cuban modern style that remains a rare and powerful expression of design, culture, and ideology.