Percival Lafer MP-97 Sofa
By Percival Lafer
Located in Washington, DC
A stunning example of Brazilian modernism, this **MP-97 sofa by Percival Lafer** features the
Upholstery, Wood
Percival Lafer MP-97 Leather Sofa
By Percival Lafer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Leather sofa by Percival Lafer c.1960's, Brazil. The sofa features the original mustard yellow
Leather, Upholstery, Hardwood
Percival Lafer MP-97 Leather Sofa with Extended Headrest
By Percival Lafer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Leather sofa by Percival Lafer c.1960's, Brazil. The sofa features the original burnt rust leather
Leather, Upholstery, Hardwood
Pair of "MP-97" armchairs by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in São Paulo, BR
aesthetics. His innovation led to the creation of the dual MP-97 lounge chairs, which exhibit a robust wooden
Wood
Mp-97 Tufted Leather Sofa by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Modernist tufted sofa in brown aniline leather designed by Percival Lafer. Constructed with molded
Leather, Wood, Rosewood
$1,318Sale Price|20% Off
H 13.19 in W 50.01 in D 25.01 in
Percival Lafer Exotic Wood and Glass Coffee Table MP 97, 1970's
By Lafer, Percival Lafer
Located in Lisboa, PT
This coffee table, model, MP 97, was designed and produced by Percival Lafer, in Brazil, during the
Glass, Smoked Glass, Wood
$22,000 / set
H 67 in W 85 in D 83 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of MP-97 armchairs by Percival Lafer, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Mid-Century Modern Pair of MP-97 armchairs by Percival Lafer, 1970s The MP-97 chair by Percival
Leather, Wood
$28,500 / set
H 27.17 in W 33.08 in D 32.29 in
Pair of MP-97 Lounge Chairs by Percival Lafer, Midcentury, Brazil, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
In his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. This pair of MP-97 lounge chairs by
Leather, Foam, Cedar
$28,500 / set
H 27.17 in W 33.08 in D 32.29 in
Pair of MP-97 Lounge Chairs by Percival Lafer, Midcentury, Brazil, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
In his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. This pair of MP-97 lounge chairs by
Leather, Foam, Cedar
$28,500 / set
H 26.38 in W 27.76 in D 29.41 in
Pair of MP-97 Lounge Chairs by Percival Lafer, Midcentury, Brazil, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
In his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. This pair of MP-97 lounge chairs by
Leather, Foam, Wood
$28,500 / set
H 27.17 in W 33.08 in D 32.29 in
Pair of MP-97 Lounge Chairs by Percival Lafer, Midcentury, Brazil, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
In his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. This pair of MP-97 lounge chairs by
Leather, Foam, Cedar
$30,800 / set
H 26.38 in W 27.76 in D 29.41 in
Pair of MP-97 Lounge Chairs by Percival Lafer, Midcentury, Brazil, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
In his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. This pair of MP-97 lounge chairs by
Leather, Foam, Wood
$12,960Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.38 in W 83.86 in D 33.86 in
Mp-97 Sofa Midcentury Brazilian Design by Percival Lafer, Cedar Wood, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
Original condition.
Metal
$4,000 / set
H 16 in W 24 in D 22 in
Pair of Percival Lafer Midcentury Brazilian "MP-97" Stools Foot Rests Ottomans
By Percival Lafer
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Brazilian rosewood tan leather upholstery foot stools benches.
Leather, Rosewood
$13,000
H 27.56 in W 33.86 in D 31.5 in
Percival Lafer - Lafer - MP-91 armchair in solid wood and original cushion
By Lafer, Percival Lafer
Located in São Paulo, SP
no different in this rare armchair MP-9115, more comfortable than the MP-97, Lafer's historic best
Leather, Hardwood
Percival Lafer, MP-97 Sofa, 1970's
By Percival Lafer
Located in Barra Funda, SP
Comfortable and sleek sofa designed by Percival Lafer, circa 1970s. beige leather cushion sits atop
Leather, Hardwood
Percival Lafer, MP-97 Lounge Chair, 1960's
By Percival Lafer
Located in Barra Funda, SP
The MP-97 armchair from Percival Lafer offers a very distinctive style, yet is also very
Upholstery, Hardwood
MP-97 Percival Lafer Sofa
By Percival Lafer
Located in Dallas, TX
A timeless piece, this MP-97 Percival Lafer sofa has been restored in a beautiful Premium Semi
Leather, Rosewood
Percival Lafer "MP-97" Lounge Chair
By Percival Lafer
Located in Long Island City, NY
Percival Lafer MP-97 lounge chair with lush grey shearling upholstery. The chair is composed of
Fur, Rosewood
Percival Lafer ‘MP-97’ Rosewood and Leather Sofa
By Percival Lafer
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Beautiful color-way of the iconic Percival Lafer MP-97 Model. Dark Brown leather & rosewood with
Leather, Rosewood
Percival Lafer MP-97 Sofa
By Lafer, Percival Lafer
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s, Brazil. This piece has been fully restored in Spinneybeck leather and features new straps. The wood frame has been left original to preserve its’ patina. There are small bl...
Leather, Wood
Percival Lafer MP-97 Chairs, a pair
By Percival Lafer
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s, Brazil featuring their original leather. There is wear consistent with use on the frames including minor scuffs, a crack on one chair, and losses to the finish. The leather...
Leather, Wood
Percival Lafer MP-97 Chairs, a pair
By Percival Lafer
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s, Brazil. Both chairs have been fully reupholstered but feature the original finish on the wood. There is wear consistent with use on the frames including minor scuffs and lo...
Leather, Wood
Percival Lafer ‘MP-97’ Rosewood and Bouclé Sofa
By Percival Lafer
Located in Raleigh, NC
Incredible MP-97 sofa designed by Percival Lafer of Brazil, circa 1970s. Rosewood carved legs form
Leather, Upholstery, Wood, Rosewood
Percival Lafer ‘MP-97’ Rosewood and Leather Sofa
By Percival Lafer
Located in Raleigh, NC
Comfortable and sleek sofa designed by Percival Lafer of Brazil, circa 1970s. Dark chocolate brown
Leather, Fabric, Upholstery, Foam, Rosewood
Percival Lafer MP-97 Chair in New Black Leather
By Percival Lafer
Located in San Diego, CA
This Brazilian leather and wood lounge chair could not be more comfortable! The MP-97 chair was
Leather, Jacaranda
Percival Lafer MP-97 Chair freshly upholstered in black leather
By Percival Lafer
Located in San Diego, CA
This lounge chair could not be more comfortable! The MP-97 was designed by Percival Lafer with
Leather, Jacaranda
1970s Percival Lafer “MP-97” Chair in Wood and Leather
By Percival Lafer
Located in Victoria, BC
We are delighted to unveil our newest addition: a rare high-back rendition of Percival Lafer's MP97
Leather
Sold
H 27.5 in W 84.5 in D 33.5 in
Midcentury Brazilian Modern Percival Lafer MP-97 Sofa in Cognac Leather
By Percival Lafer
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Superb cognac leather 3 seater sofa by Percival Lafer - model MP-97. This beautiful sofa is made of
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 29.14 in W 84.65 in D 33.47 in
Percival Lafer MP-97 Sofa Lounge Chair Set in Dark Brown Leather, 1960s
By Percival Lafer
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Lafer, model MP-97. The set is made of a Brazilian hardwood frame with saddle leather straps and
Alabaster
Percival Lafer Chocolate Brown Leather Sofa MP-97
By Percival Lafer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The MP-97 3-seat sofa designed by Percival Lafer ((Brazilian, b. 1936). This rare gorgeous
Steel
MP-97 Midcentury Lounge Chair by Percival Lafer, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
In his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. This pair of MP-97 lounge chairs by
Leather, Cedar
Pair of MP-97 Midcentury Lounge Chairs by Percival Lafer, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
In his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. This pair of MP-97 lounge chairs by
Cedar, Leather
Sold
H 26.38 in W 32.49 in D 29.53 in
Vintage MP-97 Lounge Chair by Percival Lafer, 1970s, Brazilian Midcentury
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
In his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. This pair of MP-97 lounge chairs by
Faux Leather, Cedar
Sold
H 27.56 in W 31.5 in D 33.47 in
Two 1970s "MP-97" Lounge Chairs in Butterscotch Leather by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Shepperton, Surrey
A wonderful pair of 1970s modernist "MP-97" chairs in leather and rosewood by Brazilian designer
Leather, Hardwood
Table basse Percival Lafer mod. MP-97, Móveis Lafer circa 1970
Located in SAINT-SEVER, FR
DESCRIPTION Table basse de Percival Lafer mod. MP-97 Édition Móveis Lafer circa 1970 Piètement en
Wood
Sold
H 27 in W 32 in D 32 in
Mid-Century Modern Percival Lafer Lounge Chairs, Ottoman, Brazilian Rosewood
By Percival Lafer
Located in Manhasset, NY
leather and Brazillian rosewood arm/lounge chairs by Percival Lafer. Model MP-97, designed and produced in
Leather, Rosewood
Percival Lafer MP-97 Armchair
By Percival Lafer
Located in Washington, DC
The MP-97 armchair from Percival Lafer offers a very distinctive style, yet is also very
Metal
Percival Lafer MP-97 Leather Sofa
By Percival Lafer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Leather sofa by Percival Lafer c.1960's, Brazil. The sofa features the original cognac brown
Leather, Upholstery, Hardwood
Percival Lafer MP-97 Leather Lounge Chair
By Percival Lafer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Leather lounge chair by Percival Lafer c.1960's, Brazil. The chair features the original cognac
Leather, Upholstery, Hardwood
Percival Lafer MP-97 Sofa in cognac leather, 1960s
By Percival Lafer
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Incredible cognac leather three seater sofa by Percival Lafer, model MP-97. This beautiful sofa is
Leather, Hardwood
Percival Lafer 'MP-97' Rosewood Three-Seat Sofa, Brazil, c. 1970
By Percival Lafer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This gorgeous MP-97 three-seat sofa by Brazilian designer Percival Lafer for Lafer MP was designed
Rosewood, Faux Leather
Sold
H 27.5 in W 32 in D 34 in
Percival Lafer, MP-97 Lounge Chairs, Brazilian Rosewood, Brown Leather, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Manhasset, NY
distressed leather and Brazillian rosewood arm/lounge chairs by Percival Lafer. Model MP-97, designed and
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 20 in W 32 in D 31 in
Percival Lafer MP-97 Chair with Headrest freshly upholstered in green leather
By Percival Lafer
Located in San Diego, CA
This Brazilian Modern Lounge chair could not be more comfortable! The MP-97 was designed by
Leather, Jacaranda, Canvas
Sold
H 27.5 in W 32.5 in D 33.5 in
Midcentury Brazilian Modern Percival Lafer MP-97 in cognac Leather lounge chair
By Percival Lafer
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Superb cognac all original leather lounge chair by Percival Lafer - model MP-97. This beautiful
Leather, Rosewood
'MP-97' Sofa, by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Modern
By Percival Lafer
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The MP-97 sofa designed by Percival Lafer is a truly exceptional piece of furniture. This sofa is
Leather, Fruitwood
MP-97 Midcentury Lounge Chair by Percival Lafer, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
In his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. This pair of MP-97 lounge chairs by
Faux Leather, Cedar
Sold
H 35.44 in W 78.75 in D 33.86 in
Sofa "MP-97", Design by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
By Percival Lafer
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The MP-97 sofa by Percival Lafer is a stunning piece that showcases the designer's imaginative and
Wood
Sold
H 26.78 in W 32.29 in D 32.29 in
Lounge Chair MP-97, by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Design
By Percival Lafer
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The MP-97 lounge chairs designed by Percival Lafer are truly exceptional pieces of furniture. Each
Leather, Hardwood
Sold
H 27.17 in W 33.08 in D 32.29 in
Pair of MP-97 Lounge Chairs by Percival Lafer, Midcentury, Brazil, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
In his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. This pair of MP-97 lounge chairs by
Leather, Foam, Cedar
Sold
H 26.38 in W 32.49 in D 29.53 in
Single MP-97 Midcentury Lounge Chair by Percival Lafer, 1970s, Brazilian Design
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
In his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. This pair of MP-97 lounge chairs by
Faux Leather, Cedar
Sold
H 26.38 in W 32.49 in D 29.53 in
Pair of MP-97 Lounge Chairs by Percival Lafer, 1970s, Brazilian Midcentury
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
In his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. This pair of MP-97 lounge chairs by
Cedar, Leather
Sold
H 28.35 in W 33.08 in D 33.47 in
Pair of Brazilian Mp-97 Midcentury Lounge Chairs by Percival Lafer, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
In his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. This pair of MP-97 lounge chairs by
Cedar, Leather
Sold
H 27.56 in W 78.75 in D 31.5 in
MP-97 Sofa by Percival Lafer, Brazil, 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
By Percival Lafer
Located in Curitiba, PR
This MP-97 sofa, designed by Percival Lafer and produced in Brazil during the 1960s, is an iconic
Hardwood
Mp-97 Armchair Attributed to Percival Lafer, 'Uni.1'
By Percival Lafer
Located in SAO PAULO, BR
MP-97 armchair attributed to Percival Lafer in solid Jatobá, firm and resistant structure
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage MP-97 Percival Lafer Loveseat 2-Seater Sofa
By Percival Lafer
Located in Charlotte, NC
Percival Lafer. This is the MP-97 model and the much rarer loveseat version. This piece is in excellent
Leather, Rosewood
MP-97 Armchair Attributed to Percival Lafer 'Uni.2'
By Percival Lafer
Located in SAO PAULO, BR
MP-97 armchair attributed to Percival Lafer in solid Jatobá, firm and resistant structure
Upholstery, Wood
Sofa MP-97 Attributed to Percival Lafer in Solid Jatobá
By Percival Lafer
Located in SAO PAULO, BR
Sofa MP-97 attributed to Percival Lafer in solid Jatobá, firm and resistant structure, comfortable
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 26.78 in W 33.47 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Brazilian Midcentury Lounge Chairs MP-97 by Percival Lafer, 1970s
By Percival Pernet
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
collection a pair of the iconic MP-97 armchairs, one of the best sellers in the brand's history, made up of a
Leather, Upholstery, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Percival Lafer Lounge Chair, New Leather Upholstery
By Percival Lafer
Located in Asheville, NC
Mid-Century Modern lounge chair designed by Percival Lafer - model MP-97. The wooden frame has a
Leather, Upholstery
Sold
H 31.89 in W 25.99 in D 35.44 in
Midcentury Brazilian Lounge Chair by Percival Lafer, 1960s Model MP-97
By Percival Lafer
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Mid-Century Modern lounge chair by Percival Lafer in ebonized and new upholstery. Really
Faux Leather, Cherry
$82,000 / set
H 26.78 in W 35.44 in D 61.03 in
Ubald Klug DS-1025 "Terrazza" Sofa for De Sede, Brown Leather, 1974, Set of 4
By De Sede, Ubald Klug
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Ubald Klug DS-1025 "Terrazza" sofas for De Sede, brown leather, Switzerland, 1974, set of four. Ubald Klug designed this rare modular DS-1025 "Terrazza" sofa as a real living landsc...
Leather
$80,065 / set
H 25.6 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
Camaleonda Sofa 8 modules + Ottoman by M. Bellini for C&B Italia, Italy 1970s
By Mario Bellini, C&B Italia
Located in Roma, IT
Mario Bellini, Camaleonda Sofa Set 8 modules+ottoman, realized for C&B, first series 1970 ca. Original C&B Label. Wood, Metal and Leather Height: 65cm Width: 95cm Depth: 95 cm ...
Leather
Hans Weiss Custom Headboard for King Bed
By Hans Weiss
Located in Hanover, MA
BG GALLERIES WINTER SALE ends March 31 Custom L shaped headboard cabinet wall with floating nightstands and bookshelves designed by Hans Weiss in 1960 for the master bedroom of an U...
Brass
Murano Sputnik Spherical Green Glass and Brass Chandelier
Located in Roma, Lazio
A fantastic emerald green sputnik, with a surprising design and for its very low height, which allows it to fit in both high and low ceilings. Very elegant, it will furnish and decor...
Brass
$5,180 / item
H 27.56 in Dm 55.91 in
Orbitale Brass Chandelier 5 Rotating Balanced Arms, All Brass and Natural Patina
By Silvio Piattelli
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
After many requests of customization in all brass and patina of the orbitale chandelier I decided to go ahead with a separate listing. This all brass version is possible as the orbi...
Brass
$9,878 / item
H 19.69 in W 70.87 in D 27.56 in
Custom Oak & Cream Bouclé Daybed by Fosfeen Handcrafted, Made to Order
Located in Plymouth, GB
A handcrafted oak and cream bouclé daybed from Fosfeen’s Sunday Collection. Made to order with full customisation available, including COM, finishes, and dimensions. The Sunday Dayb...
Hardwood, Wood, Upholstery, Textile, Fabric, Bouclé, Oak
Paul Matter, Tryst Six Chandelier, Aged brass (in stock)
By Paul Matter
Located in Pireaus-Athens, Greece
Tryst chandelier explores the relationship between interlocked forms in perfect union and balance. A study of form and function that evokes the grace and strength of the contributor ...
Brass
$14,600
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 39.38 in
Alessandro Becchi Grey Leather “Anfibio” Three Seater Sofa for Giovannetti, 1972
By Giovannetti, Alessandro Becchi
Located in Vicenza, IT
Anfibio sofa-bed by Alessandro Becchi for Giovannetti, 1972. Fully restored and upholstered with high-quality grey Italian natural leather. Mattress upholstered with soft sheep...
Cotton, Foam, Leather, Sheepskin
White Turtle Bookcase, by Marcantonio, Made in Italy
By MARCANTONIO
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (2.2) A multipurpose turtle: its carapace acts as a support for a series of accessories. Onc...
Metal
Large Bamboo Pair of Table Lamps with Brass Bases
Located in New York, NY
large bamboo pair of table lamps with brass bases. Beautiful and chic table lamps. Lovely brass bases and bamboo tops held by brass top.
Brass
Capiz Shell Table Lamp, Model Cornelia
By Dusty Deco
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cornelia Table Lamp is a lamp that is made from capiz shells which gives the material an irregular structure. This makes each lamp unique, something that adds to its character and pe...
Brass
$34,000 / set
H 26 in W 48 in D 36 in
Pair of Adrian Pearsall Attributed Swivel Lounge Chairs in Ivory Bouclé
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Saint Louis, MO
So sculptural so fresh, this pair of 1970s modern Adrian Pearsall attributed throne swivel chairs were professionally reupholstered in soft ivory bouclé and swivel atop walnut bases ...
Bouclé, Walnut
$11,158
H 27.56 in W 74.81 in D 41.34 in
Burgundy red "Piumino" sofa by De Pas, D'Urbino and Lomazzi for Dall'Oca, 1970s
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in amstelveen, NL
Fantastic and very comfortable ‘Dall’Occa’ sofa that was designed by De Pas, D’urbino, and Lomazzi and manufactured in Italy by Dall’Oca in 1975. The sofa is in a stunning original...
Leather
$150,000 / set
H 31.25 in W 22.5 in D 19.25 in
Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Set of Twelve Africa Walnut Dining Chairs 1975
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto extraordinary set of twelve dining chairs model 'Africa' with sculptural frames in walnut including ebony with seats in saddle or cogn...
Brass
Lounge chair 'Inca' by Arne Norell, Sweden, 1970s
By Arne Norell
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Exclusive lounge chair designed by renowned Swedish designer Arne Norell for his own company during the 1970s. The “Inca” model is spacious and exceptionally comfortable, featuring ...
Leather, Beech
Moroso MARK Side table by Marc Thorpe
By Moroso, Marc Thorpe
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The cantilevered table is designed as a highly flexible and universal pull up surface to accompany low lounge seating. The table’s minimal design is an exercise in pure function dic...
Steel
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, Lafer 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 Lafer 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 vintage Percival Lafer furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.