Arflex Furniture
Italian
From its unorthodox beginnings, Italian manufacturer Arflex grew into one of the leaders of 20th-century furniture design. Its furniture came to be known for its integration of new materials and bold appeal, and today a variety of vintage Arflex chairs, sofas and tables are emblems of mid-century modernism.
Arflex was established in Milan in 1947 by Pirelli employees Carlo Barassi, Pio Reggiani, Renato Teani and Aldo Bai. Barassi, a Milan Polytechnic graduate and visionary engineer at the Italian tire manufacturer, explored innovative technology and new uses for synthetic materials in domestic products (for Kartell, he codeveloped a ski rack for automobiles). The four founders partnered with a young architect named Marco Zanuso, who also desired to create furniture that featured an application of novel materials such as elastic tape and polyurethane foam.
One of Arflex’s inaugural pieces was Zanuso’s Lady armchair, a seat made of polyurethane foam that was manufactured in pieces and assembled at the very end of the production process. It won a gold medal at the 1951 Milan Triennale. A couple of years later, Arflex collaborated with Studio BBPR to create the office-chic Elettra and Neptunia chairs. The flourishing furniture company quickly established a reputation for compelling products and attracting and working with up-and-coming designers such as Roberto Menghi, who created Hall, a luxurious line of seating that would earn the Compasso d’Oro – Honorable Mention in 1959.
In the 1960s, Arflex continued to welcome the use of new and cutting-edge materials. Popular designs from this decade include Carlo Bartoli's fiberglass and polyester resin Gaia lounge chair and Cini Boer’s Bobo Relax lounger, one of history’s first seating pieces made of polyurethane foam (it has no internal frame). Boer, a pioneer of furniture design in Italy, also created the Strips sofa for the brand in 1972. Part of a plush modular seating system, the Strips sofa became an Arflex icon and was awarded the Compasso d'Oro in 1979.
Arflex continues to work with innovative designers to this day. Among their more recent collaborations is with Swedish design studio Claesson Koivisto Rune. The company's legendary creations are also on display at museums worldwide. The Lady chair, for example, is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
On 1stDibs, you can find a collection of vintage Arflex lounge chairs, armchairs, coffee tables and other furniture.
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Creator: Arflex
Dealer: Artbrokerdesign BV
Zanuso Mohair 'Baby' Lounge Chairs, Early Wood Frames, Brass Legs, Arflex, 1951
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Rare pair of elegant 1951 'Baby' lounge chairs by Marco Zanuso for 'Arflex', Italy . These are early , sought after examples with the artisan handcrafted wood seating frames. Please refer to the images where you can see nice detail photos of the bare wood frames prior to applying the new upholstery.
Zanuso's elegant 'baby' chairs were designed to complement both his 'lady' and 'senior' chairs and these examples have been freshly reupholstered in beautiful 70% mohair, 30% silk mix fabric which complements the brass finish legs . Both chairs retain their original early period 'Arflex' manufacturer's metal labels which we managed to retain from the old worn fabric during the reupholstery process
Both chairs have been fully renovated and reupholstered in our in-house workshops, including new rubber seat...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
12 Brass & Mohair Campanula Chairs by Pagani (Partner of Gio Ponti) Arflex 1952
By Arflex, Carlo Pagani
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Amazing set of eight restored 'Campanula' dining chairs designed by Italian architect Carlo Pagani (architectural partner of both Gio Ponti and Lina Bo Bardi) for Arflex, Italy in 19...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Superb 'Grand Prix' lounge chairs & sofa by Sculptor Maurice Calka, Arflex, 1960
By Arflex, Maurice Calka
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Fabulous, super rare, and monumental sculptural form 'Grand Prix' lounge set by prestigious French sculptor Maurice Calka (1921-1999) for Arflex, Italy, 1960.
The upholstery on ...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
Materials
Steel, Nickel
Pair of Marco Zanuso 'Senior' Chairs Mohair Velvet + Ottoman Arflex, Italy, 1951
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
These rare, very early examples ,of Zanuso's 'Senior' chair are identified by their artisan crafted wood frames which were soon replaced by a more cost effective pressed steel constr...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
Superb Mohair 'Lady' Sitting Room Set Designed by Zanuso for Arflex, Italy, 1951
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Sumptuous and extremely rare 'lady' living room set designed by Marco Zanuso for Arflex ,Italy in 1961. The set consists of a super rare and extremely elegant , three seat elliptical form, 'Lady' sofa ,the largest size produced complete with a matching pair of very early (artisan wood frame) production 'Lady Chairs '. Please note the coffee table is not included with this set.
This set has been recovered in an extremely elegant high quality 'Musco' 00 mohair fabric by the famous Dutch textile manufacturer 'De Ploeg' . The fabric creates a warm luxurious organic glow as the mohair pile...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
Materials
Steel, Brass
Pair of 'Elettra' Lounge Chairs by BBPR, Arflex, Italy 1953, Compasso D'Oro 1954
By Studio BBPR, Arflex
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Stunning and rare pair of original period 'Elettra' lounge chairs by the famous ground breaking architect studio partnership BBPR (Gianluigi Banfi (1910-1945), Lodovico Barbiano di Belgiojoso (1909-2004), Enrico Peressutti (1908-1976) and Ernesto Nathan Rogers (1909-1969)).
The 'Elettra' lounge chair won the Gold Medal prize for design, the 'compasso d'oro', at the 1954 Triennale exhibition in Milan and was a big hit featuring on the cover pages of both the esteemed Italian design journals of the period 'Domus' and 'RIVISTA DELL' ARREDAMENTO'
BBPR's best known architectural project is the iconic 109 meter tall 'Torre Velasca...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
Materials
Steel
Related Items
2 Elettra Armchairs by BBPR Studio From Arflex, 1955s
By Arflex, Studio BBPR
Located in Lucca, IT
Pair of Elettra armchairs by BBPR Studio from Arflex Italy 1956s, original and first Edition.
fabric is original, original label :ARFLEX. The Elettr...
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1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
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Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy, Pair of ''Lady'' Armchairs in Blue Cotton Velvet
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
An exquisite pair of Lady lounge chairs, originally designed by the renowned Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy in 1951. These remarkable chairs have undergone meticulous reupholstering,...
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H 31.5 in W 30.71 in D 30.32 in
Italian modern red living room Marenco by Mario Marenco for Arflex, 1970s
By Mario Marenco, Arflex
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern red living room Marenco by Mario Marenco for Arflex, 1970s
Living room composed of two two-seater sofas and an armchair mod. Ma...
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1970s Italian Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
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H 23.63 in W 66.93 in D 39.38 in
"Confidential" Leather Sofa & Lounge Chair by Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti
By Alberto Rosselli Saporiti
Located in Hanover, MA
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Price shown is for the sofa and the chair together.
An import...
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Strips Sofa by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in amstelveen, NL
Strips sofa designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex in the late 1960s. One of the most famous products of Arflex. Designed in 1968, it was awarded the price Comp...
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1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
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Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1952, Set of 14
By Cassina, Gio Ponti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" dining chairs for Cassina, black ash-wood and rope seat, Italy, 1952, set of fourteen.
The model 646 "Leggera" is an icon of chair design and of Cassina’s...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
Materials
Rope, Ash
Desk Sculptural Chair, Superleggera by Gio Ponti, 1960s, Iconic
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Milano, IT
Giò Ponti probably needs no introduction: he's been arguably the most influential personality in italian design and architecture for almost three decades, from the Fifties throughout...
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1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
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Italian Modern Dining Chairs after Gio Ponti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This set of six elegant dining chairs features unique sculpted seat frames, upholstered seats, and uniquely stylized tapered legs. Unique mix of vintage style and comfort, this match...
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1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
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Authentic Marco Zanuso Lady Chair, Arflex, in Pure Mohair, Italy, 1950s
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in London, GB
An original and authentic Marco Zanuso lady chair, Arflex, Italy, 1950s. In good structural condition and newly upholstered in a luxurious, grey (with a hint of brown) 100% mohair fa...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Arflex Furniture
Materials
Brass
H 31.11 in W 30.71 in D 32.29 in
Mid-Century Set of 3 Lounge Chairs/Modular sofa, Italy 1970s
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Set of three lounge chairs/modular sofa, Italy 1970s, entirely renovated and newly reupholstered
in a velvet by Sanderson.
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
Materials
Velvet
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1952, Set of 4
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" dining chairs for Cassina, black ash-wood and rope seat, Italy, 1952, set of four.
The model 646 "Leggera" is an icon of chai...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
Materials
Rope, Ash
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" Dining Chairs for Cassina, 1952, Set of 12
By Gio Ponti, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Gio Ponti 646 "Leggera" dining chairs for Cassina, black ash-wood and rope seat, Italy, 1952, set of twelve.
The model 646 "Leggera" is an icon of ch...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
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Previously Available Items
8 Brass Leg Chairs by Pagani, Partner of Gio Ponti & Lina Bo Bardi, 1952, Arflex
By Arflex, Carlo Pagani
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Amazing set of eight restored 'Campanula' dining chairs designed by Italian architect Carlo Pagani (architectural partner of both Gio Ponti and Lina Bo Bardi) for Arflex, Italy in 1952. These chairs have had their upholstery completely restored and are finished in elegant special order mohair fabric and feature beautiful tapered form brass legs which are exquisite . The mohair finish is exquisite and creates a beautiful organic interplay of
subtle tones that are affected by the way the light reacts to the direction you choose to brush the deep mohair pile. A very luxurrious effect. Please note the fabric on all the chairs is exactly the same color, any tone differences you notice are purely down to the direction that the pile is brushed affecting the way it captures the light.
We have photographic documentation of the entire restoration processt to illustrate the anount of work and care taken to fully restore the upholstery from the ground up.
Restoration details:
These chairs have had their upholstery completely restored in our upholstery shop , stripping each chair right back to its bare wood frame and then applying new high quality rubber seat and backrest support webbing by the original Italian manufacturer 'Pirelli', then new high quality 'Pantera' foam has been applied throughout replacing the old, dry and crumbling original foam and finally the chairs have been finished in beautiful, high quality special order 'Musco' Mohair Velvet fabric by famous Dutch textile manufacturer 'De Ploeg'.
The beautiful elegant tapered form brass legs have been sympathetically hand polished and may still exhibit some small signs of user wear commensurate with originality age and use. We did not want to machine polish the legs as it can take away at lot of the original vintage appeal.
Carlo Pagani worked in the offices of Gio Ponti and collaborated and partnered Gio Ponti on several important projects which were documented in the Italian design journals of the period such as the August 1940 issue of Domus. In 1940, see scan attached as IMAGE 2. Carlo Pagani started up his own architectural practice "Studio Bo and Pagani" in Via Gesu , Milan in partnership with modernist icon Lina Bo Bardi . In 1943 Pagani and Linda Bo became joint deputy editors of the famous Domus and Quaderni di Domus design...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
H 32.88 in W 21.66 in D 22.84 in
New Upholstery, T-Line Lounge Chair by Burkhard Vogtherr for Arflex, Italy, 1984
By Arflex, Burkhard Vogtherr
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
A Post Memphis 80's Design Classic T-line armchair designed by Burkhard Vogtherr in 1984 for Arflex Italy.
We newly upholstered this chair with Dedar Mi...
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
Materials
Metal
H 32.29 in W 27.17 in D 29.53 in
12 Brass Leg Dining Chairs by Louis Sognot for Arflex, Italy 1959, Published
By Arflex, Louis Sognot
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Fabulous set of twelve dining chairs designed by famed French artist, decorator and designer Louis Sognot (1892-1970) in 1959 for Arflex, Italy.
The seating on this set of twelve c...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
H 31.7 in W 18.31 in D 22.64 in
8 Brass Leg Chairs by Pagani, Partner of Gio Ponti & Lina Bo Bardi, 1952, Arflex
By Arflex, Carlo Pagani
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Amazing set of eight restored 'Campanula' dining chairs designed by Italian architect Carlo Pagani (architectural partner of both Gio Ponti and Lina Bo Bardi) for Arflex, Italy in 19...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
H 32.88 in W 21.66 in D 22.84 in
12 Brass Leg Chairs by Pagani Partner of Gio Ponti & Lina Bo Bardi, 1952, Arflex
By Arflex, Carlo Pagani
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Amazing set of twelve restored 'Campanula' dining chairs with beautiful tapered form brass legs by Italian architect Carlo Pagani (architectural partner of both Gio Ponti and Lina Bo...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
H 32.88 in W 21.66 in D 22.84 in
First Edition Michel Kin Elliptical Marble Coffee Table, Brass Base Arflex, 1960
By Arflex, Michel Kin
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Stunning and rare first edition elliptical form marble top coffee table by French designer Michel Kin for Arflex, Italy, 1960.
The elegant elliptical form...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
Materials
Marble, Brass
H 14.38 in W 32.09 in D 64.38 in
Super Rare Four-Seat Elliptical 'Triennale' Sofa by Zanuso for Arflex, 1951
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Extremely rare four-seat model of Marco Zanuso's 1951 elliptical ' IX Triennale' sofa with brass legs. The design was named after the 9th Triennale design exhibition held in Milan in 1i951 where the design was first exhibited.
The sofa's upholstery has been completely restored (photo 5,6,7) including new high quality rubber seat support webbing from the original italian manufacturer 'Pirelli' and new foam throughout. The sofa is finished in new 'Musco' ,color code ' 01 / 00' 100% mohair pile fabric by high quality Dutch manufacturer DE PLOEG.
The elliptical 'triennale' sofa was manufactured by Arflex, Italy and offered in either two, three or four seat variants, the three seater is the more commonly seen model, we have not seen a four seater in the flesh before, we only knew of its existence through an original period Arflex catalog that we are lucky to have in our library. As stated in Baroni's 1981 tome on the history of the company 'ARFLEX 51-81' the 'triennale' sofa was often seen complementing Zanuso's 'lady' and 'senior' lounge chairs, we can see this stunning combination in many original period Arflex advertisments.
This 'triennale' elliptical sofa was produced with two further seating options either with fixed ie sewn in attached cushions or loose cushions, this sofa has the more practical option with loose cushions.
Zanuso's elliptical form 'Triennale' sofa combines beautifully with his 'lady' and 'senior' lounge chairs as well as Michel Kin...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
H 32.68 in W 98.43 in D 37.8 in
Pair of Restored 'SQUARE' Lounge Chairs by Zanuso for Arflex, Italy, 1962, Signed
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Lovely pair of restored 'square' lounge chairs designed by Marco Zanuso for Arflex,Italy in 1962. Both chairs are signed wirh original early fabric 'Arflex' manufacturer's labels.
...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
Materials
Steel
H 28.35 in W 31.5 in D 35.44 in
Pair of Marco Zanuso 'Milord ' Loveseats in Mohair Velvet, 1957, Arflex Italy
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Lovely pair of restored 'Milord' loveseats by Marco Zanuso for Arflex,Italy finished in Mohair fabric with mahogany veneer side panels. Both chairs are signed with original early fabric 'Arflex' manufacturer's labels.
Zanuso's presitgious 'Milord' seating series was first unveiled at the prestigious 1957 ' IX Triennale' design exhibition in Milan, please refer to the black and white photos in IMAGE 2 which document this exhibition . This model proved to be incredibly popular with both architects and design journalists of the time and featured twice on the front cover of the prestigious design magazine 'Rivista dell Arredamento' in both August and November 1961...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
Materials
Mohair, Foam, Latex, Rubber, Birch, Plywood, Mahogany
H 31.5 in W 53.75 in D 33.86 in
12 Brass leg Chairs by Pagani, Partner of Gio Ponti & Linda Bo Bardi, 1952 Arflex
By Arflex, Carlo Pagani
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Amazing set of 12 restored 'Campanula' dining chairs by italian architect Carlo Pagani ( architectural partner of both Gio Ponti and Lina Bo Bardi) for Arflex, Italy, 1952.
These ar...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
H 33.27 in W 22.64 in D 23.04 in
Adjustable Angle 'Lady' Chair for Arflex, Italy, Rare Early Wood Frame, 1951
By Arflex
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Lovely and rare, adjustable angle, reclining 'Lady' chair manufactured by Arflex in the early 1950s, the very early production 'Lady' chairs had artisan made wood frames which were q...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
Materials
Brass, Steel
H 35.04 in W 31.11 in D 59.06 in
Fully Restored Zanuso Regent Chairs Pair Finished in Nappa Leather, Arflex, 1960
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Beautiful pair of Zanuso 'Regent' chairs designed by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy in 1960. This pair have been fully restored from the bare frames up including new Pirelli rubber w...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Furniture
Materials
Brass, Metal
H 31.89 in W 32.29 in D 35.44 in
Arflex furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Arflex furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of fabric and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Arflex furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 207 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 101 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Arflex were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Cappellini, Fratelli Boffi, and Franco Albini. Prices for Arflex furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $377 and can go as high as $58,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,101.