'MP-79' Center Table, by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Design
About the Item
- Creator:Percival Lafer (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 15.75 in (40 cm)Width: 23.63 in (60 cm)Depth: 47.25 in (120 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960´s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Sao Paulo, BR
- Reference Number:
Percival Lafer
When it comes to mid-century furniture, the innovative work of the Brazilian Modernists has often been overlooked, including the designs of prolific maker Percival Lafer. Lafer studied architecture at São Paulo’s Universidade Mackenzie. After he graduated, his father passed away suddenly, leaving a furniture business that Lafer took over with his brothers.
Taking up the mantle, Lafer made the jump from architecture to furniture design in 1961, putting a focus on thoughtfully designed pieces available at affordable prices. That year, he introduced his supremely popular MP-1 chair, a plush piece of furniture made with iron and wood that he has riffed on throughout his entire career. The silhouettes of his lounge chairs, armchairs and other seating were distinct from streamlined American and European mid-century modernism, taking on casual, puffed forms thanks to his use of polyurethane layers as padding. He combined such contemporary industrial materials with local natural ones, namely Brazilian hardwoods, which delighted customers around the world as Lafer became one of the country’s leading exporters of furniture.
Lafer has continued to design furniture throughout his career, branching into sofas, tables and lighting. He was at the forefront of mechanical furniture movements, debuting the MP-7 sofa, which could turn into a twin bed, in 1965, the first such piece on the market. One of his most intriguing projects was the MP Lafer, a two-seat fiberglass roadster designed to emulate British sports cars. Some 4,300 units were produced over its 16-year manufacturing run in the ’70s and ’80s, with several ending up in the collections of major car museums.
Still, Lafer’s biggest claim to fame is his seating, which he continues to design, drawing inspiration from modern shapes and local materials. In 2017, a retrospective of his work was organized as part of the São Paulo Design Weekend.
Find a collection of authentic Percival Lafer furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Lapa de Baixo, Brazil
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- "MP-79" Coffee Table, by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century ModernBy Percival LaferLocated in Sao Paulo, SPThis beautiful MP-97 coffee table, made of solid Jatobá wood, is another great example of the imaginative and innovative mind of designer and architect Percival Lafer. With its iconi...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood
- Sofa MP-163, by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern DesignBy Percival LaferLocated in Sao Paulo, SPCrafted by the renowned master Percival Lafer in 1970, this exceptional piece of furniture boasts a striking and comfortable design. Its clean lines and unique details, such as elega...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- Sofa 'MP-13', by Percival Lafer, Mid-Century Brazilian DesignBy Percival LaferLocated in Sao Paulo, SPThe MP-13 Sofa, designed by Percival Lafer, is a quintessential piece reflecting the Brazilian mid-century modern style, renowned for its emphasis on form, function, and the beauty o...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Hardwood
- "MP-29" Coffee Table, by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century ModernBy Percival LaferLocated in Sao Paulo, SPThe MP-29 coffee table, created by renowned architect and designer Percival Lafer in the 1960s, is a stunning piece that was initially designed for whole a set including a three-seat...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsIron
- 'MP-85' Side Table, by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century ModernBy Percival LaferLocated in Sao Paulo, SPThis pair of MP-85 side tables embodies the essential qualities of mid-century modern Brazilian design, a period known for its innovative use of materials and clean, geometric lines....Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsMarble
- 'MP-105' Coffee Table, by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century ModernBy Percival LaferLocated in Sao Paulo, SPThe center table by Percival Lafer, a renowned Brazilian furniture designer, is a classic example of mid-20th-century design. It features a minimalist and functional aesthetic, characteristic of Lafer's work, which often blends modern design with the warmth of traditional materials. The table's structure is composed of a solid wood frame, displaying a rich dark tone that speaks of the quality and durability of the material. The wood grain is visible, adding texture and depth to the simple yet elegant design. This wood frame supports a rectangular glass top, providing a transparent surface that adds a light and airy quality to the piece. The design of the table is straightforward, with a focus on clean lines and usability. The glass is recessed into the frame, giving a sleek look and preventing any sharp edges from protruding. The legs of the table are thick and sturdy, ensuring stability, and are connected by a lower wooden beam that also serves as a shelf, adding to the table's functionality. In the context of Brazilian furniture design, this table is an embodiment of the innovative spirit that defined the mid-century period. It combines the natural beauty of the wood with the modernity of the glass, creating a piece that is both timeless and reflective of the era's design principles. It is a piece that would have been at home in a variety of settings, from a casual living room to a formal business environment, demonstrating Lafer's talent for creating versatile and enduring furniture. About the designer: Percival Lafer is a renowned Brazilian furniture designer whose work significantly contributed to the modernist movement in Brazil. Born in 1936, Lafer was originally trained as an architect at São Paulo’s Universidade Mackenzie. However, the unexpected passing of his father led him to take over the family furniture business with his brothers, which catalyzed his shift to furniture design in 1961. His first notable design, the MP-1 Armchair, was launched the same year and became a hit for its innovative use of materials and design. This chair featured a steel base wrapped in rosewood and was upholstered with foam rather than traditional springs. This design approach epitomized Lafer's principle of creating fine design that was accessible and affordable. Lafer also pioneered in the mechanical furniture movements, creating the MP-7 sofa...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsGlass, Hardwood
- Percival Lafer Coffee Table / Side Table Produced by Lafer MP in BrazilBy Percival LaferLocated in Limhamn, Skåne länRare coffee / side table designed by Percival Lafer. Produced by Lafer MP in Brazil.Category
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsSlate
- Percival Lafer, Coffee Table, Patchwork Wood, c. 1970By Percival LaferLocated in PARIS, FRPercival Lafer's table is a remarkable piece of design that embodies the aesthetics of the 1970s. This coffee table in patchwork wood and glass is a harmonious mix of natural materia...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Center Tables
MaterialsGlass, Hardwood
- Percival Lafer, Coffee Table, Patchwork Wood, c. 1970By Percival LaferLocated in PARIS, FRPercival Lafer's table is a remarkable piece of design that embodies the aesthetics of the 1970s. This coffee table in patchwork wood and glass is a harmonious mix of natural materia...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Center Tables
MaterialsGlass, Hardwood
- Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Mahogany & Glass Cocktail Table by Percival LaferBy Percival LaferLocated in New York, NYThis stunning Mid-Century Modern mosaic cocktail table was realized by the esteemed Brazilian designer Percival Lafer circa 1970. It features an austere waterfall form- like a volume...Category
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsGlass, Mahogany
- Brazilian Coffee Table Design by Percival Lafer, 1960sBy Percival LaferLocated in Oostrum-Venray, NLBrazilian Coffee Table design by Percival Lafer,1960s A beautiful Brutalist coffee table by Brazilian top designer Percival Lafer Made in the 60s. A tropical mix of Jacara...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsJacaranda, Glass
- Mid-Century Modern Center Table by Brazilian Designer, 1960sLocated in Deerfield Beach, FLMid-Century Modern Center Table by Brazilian Designer, 1970s Center table structured with solid wooden slats, with metal details and marble top, manufactured by Unknown Brazilian Designer...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Center Tables
MaterialsMarble, Metal