Mp-97 Tufted Leather Sofa by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
In 1961, Lafer founded Percival Lafer Indústria Brasileira de Móveis, which became one of Brazil’s most influential furniture manufacturers.
Leather, Wood, Rosewood
Rare MP-61 Sofa, Percival Lafer, Brazil, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The MP-61 series from 1972 were the first designs in which Percival Lafer used a fully visible fiberglass shell.
Leather, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Rosewood and Lacquered Copper Coffee Table by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
In 1961, Lafer founded Percival Lafer Indústria Brasileira de Móveis, which became one of Brazil’s most influential furniture manufacturers.
Copper
$9,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Percival Lafer MP-Series Lounge Chairs, Brazil
By Percival Lafer
Located in Oceanside, US
A rare and exceptional pair of lounge chairs designed by Percival Lafer for Lafer S.A. Indústria de Móveis, Brazil, circa 1970s.
Suede, Jacaranda
Mp 81 Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Percival Lafer, Brazil, 1970s
By Percival Lafer, Lafer
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Percival Lafer MP-81 Lounge Chair and Ottoman Brazil, circa 1970s An iconic MP-81 lounge chair with matching ottoman designed by Percival Lafer and produced by Móveis Lafer, Brazil,...
Leather, Imbuia
Vintage MP-61 Pair of Armchairs, Percival Lafer, Brazil, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The MP-61 series from 1972 were the first designs in which Percival Lafer used a fully visible fiberglass shell.
Leather, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Brazilian Modern Sofa in Hardwood & Beige Leather, Percival Lafer, 1967
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
After graduating, his father passed away, and he and his brothers took over Móveis Lafer, his father's furniture company. Móveis Lafer, where Percival designed a wide range of produ...
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern MP-91 Lounge Chair by Percival Lafer, 1960s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
Produced by Móveis Lafer and designed by Percival Lafer, the MP 91 lounge chair dates to 1972 and is presented here as a pair.
Leather, Wood
Brazilian Modern Side Table in Hardwood & Marble, Percival Lafer, 1970's
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
After graduating, his father passed away, and he and his brothers took over Móveis Lafer, his father's furniture company. Móveis Lafer, where Percival designed a wide range of produc...
Marble
Lounge Chairs 'MP-81' by Percival Lafer, Brazil, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
MP-81 lounge chairs by Percival Lafer, designed in the 1970s, exemplary pieces of Brazilian mid-century modern design.
Leather, Walnut
$26,800Sale Price|21% Off
'Mole' Brazilian Rosewood Sofa by Sergio Rodrigues for OCA Brazil, 1960s, Signed
By OCA Brazil, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Los Angeles, CA
We also have a large collection of other Brazilian Modern pieces from Sergio Rodrigues such as seating in the 'Tonico', 'Macedo, 'Cantu', 'Kilin', 'Moleca', and 'Franco' collections ...
Rosewood, Leather
MP-51 Brazilian Lounge Chair by Percival Lafer for Móveis Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in TORONTO, CA
Stunning MP-51 lounge chair by Percival Lafer. In great original vintage condition with original upholstery that has great patina and wear. Bottom slings have been replaced with a ri...
Jacaranda
Unavailable
H 33.47 in W 28.75 in D 28.75 in
Brazilian Earth Chair and Ottoman by Percival Lafer for Lafer MP, 1970s
By Lafer, Percival Lafer
Located in Warsaw, PL
Brazilian furniture maker Percival Lafer has produced some of the most coveted South American furniture.
Steel
Side table by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in London, GB
After concluding his degree in Architecture at the Mackenzie University in São Paulo, Percival Lafer took over his father’s furniture company The Lafer Co.
Unavailable
H 31.89 in W 31.5 in D 35.44 in
Pair of Brazilian Wood & Beige Wool Bouclè MP-163 Earth Chairs by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Firenze, Tuscany
Born in Brazil in 1936, architect, product and furniture designer Percival Lafer managed to design pieces that were categorised as fine design for affordable prices.
Bouclé, Wood
Percival Lafer, Rosewood, Leather, MP-41 Lounge Chairs, Brazil, 1960s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Stamford, CT
Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern, Leather, Rosewood, Chromed Steel, MP-41 Lounge Chairs, Brazil, 1960s Rare pair of MP-41 lounge chairs by Percival Lafer for Móveis Lafe...
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 26.5 in W 31 in D 33.5 in
Percival Lafer's Lounge Chair model MP-61 in Maharam Leather and Rosewood, 1973
By Percival Lafer
Located in Seattle, WA
A rare lounge chair designed by Percival Lafer for Móveis Lafer, Model MP-61, with fiberglass shell, rosewood plywood base.
Leather, Fiberglass, Rosewood
Sold
H 13.78 in W 30.12 in D 30.32 in
Brazilian Brutalist Mixed Tropical Wood Coffee Table by Percival Lafer for MP
By Percival Lafer, Lafer
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
After concluding his degree in architecture at the Mackenzie University in São Paolo, Percival Lafer took over his father's furniture company The Lafer Co.
1970s Brazilian Leather MP97 Sofa by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Victoria, BC
We are delighted to unveil the newest addition to our esteemed vintage Brazilian collection: an exceptionally rare high-back variation of Percival Lafer's iconic MP97 sofa for Móveis...
Leather
Rosewood and Lacquered Copper Side Table by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
In 1961, Lafer founded Percival Lafer Indústria Brasileira de Móveis, which became one of Brazil’s most influential furniture manufacturers.
Copper
Sold
H 14.57 in W 48.82 in D 25.2 in
Pair Of Coffee Tables Designed By Percival Lafer, Brazil Circa 1960s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Paris, FR
The factory was named Lafer MP, the initials MP meaning Moveis Patenteados, Portuguese for Patented Furniture.
Marble
Sold
H 17.5 in W 19.7 in D 22 in
Brazilian Modern Side Table in Hardwood & Travertine, Percival Lafer, 1970's
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
After graduating, his father passed away, and he and his brothers took over Móveis Lafer, his father's furniture company. Móveis Lafer, where Percival designed a wide range of produc...
Marble
Sold
H 27.6 in W 39.4 in D 31.5 in
Midcentury Armchairs MP-13 by Percival Lafer in Hardwood & Beige Leather, Brazil
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
After graduating, his father passed away, and he and his brothers took over Móveis Lafer, his father's furniture company. Móveis Lafer, where Percival designed a wide range of produ...
Chrome
Sold
H 27.6 in W 29.1 in D 30.3 in
Brazilian Modern "MP-01" 2 Chair Set in Wood and Leather by Percival Lafer, 1963
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
After graduating, his father passed away, and he and his brothers took over Móveis Lafer, his father's furniture company. Móveis Lafer, where Percival designed a wide range of produc...
Iron
'Presidencial' Sofa by Jorge Zalszupin for L'Atelier Brazil, c. 1960, Signed
By Jorge Zalszupin, L'Atelier San Paulo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Would pair well with other Brazilian Modern pieces from designers such as Sergio Rodrigues, Joaquim Tenreiro, Giuseppe Scapinelli, Novo Rumo, Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner, Percival La...
Steel
Sold
H 25.79 in W 29.93 in D 32.29 in
Armchair MP-61 in Brazilian Rosewood by Percival Lafer, Móveis Lafer, 1973
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
The foam upholstery was applied directly onto the fiberglass shell, resting over a cross base made of plywood plates covered in Rosewood veneers. Móveis Lafer, where Percival design...
Leather, Fiberglass, Rosewood
Sold
H 26.38 in W 30.91 in D 33.27 in
Armchair MP-61 in Brazilian Rosewood by Percival Lafer, Móveis Lafer, 1973
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
The foam upholstery was applied directly onto the fiberglass shell, resting over a cross base made of plywood plates covered in Rosewood veneers. Móveis Lafer, where Percival desi...
Leather, Fiberglass, Rosewood
Sold
H 14.57 in W 53.15 in D 27.56 in
Rare "MP-81" Brazilian Hardwood Midcentury Coffee Table, by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Percival Lafer was undoubtedly one of the most prolific designers of the Brazilian midcentury period.
Glass, Rosewood
Sold
H 33.86 in W 36.03 in D 31.3 in
Pair of MP-81 Lounge Chairs by Percival Lafer, 1970, Brazilian Design
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
The upholstery is made with injected foam. Móveis Lafer, where Percival designed a wide range of products, played a substantial role in Brazilian furniture in the second half of the...
Leather, Fiberglass, Wood
Sold
H 33.47 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
MP-81 Lounge Chair, by Percival Lafer, Late Mid-Century Modern Brazilian, 1970
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
The upholstery is made with injected foam. Móveis Lafer, where Percival designed a wide range of products, played a substantial role in Brazilian furniture in the second half of ...
Leather, Wood, Fiberglass
Percival Lafer Leather and Chrome Earth Lounge Chair with Ottoman
By Percival Lafer, Forma Brazil
Located in New York, NY
The company na.e was changed to Lafer MP, the initials MP meaning moveis patenteados, which is Portuguese for patented furniture.
Chrome
Sold
H 37.41 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Percival Lafer MP‑41 Lounge Chair in wood and leather, Brazil, 1970s
By Percival Lafer, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Argelato, BO
Originally produced by Móveis Lafer (Lafer's family company, which he took over after graduating with a degree in architecture from Mackenzie University in São Paulo in 1961), this a...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 21 in D 21.5 in
Set Six Rosewood and Suede Dining Chairs by Percival Lafer / Brazil / Modernist
By Percival Lafer, J.D. Moveis e Decoracoes
Located in Buffalo, NY
The Brazilian furniture designer Percival Lafer, Rosewood frame dining chairs featuring floating seats with well worn and distressed original suede upholstery , Also retain original...
Suede, Rosewood
Sold
H 29 in W 71 in D 19 in
Jorge Zalszupin Jacaranda Rosewood Credenza, Jd Móveis E Decorações, 1960s
By J.D. Moveis e Decoracoes, Jorge Zalszupin
Located in Culver City, CA
The sideboard's sleigh legs not only lend a touch of sophistication but also pay homage to other renowned Brazilian designers. Percival Lafer, an esteemed name in Brazilian furniture...
Rosewood
Sold
H 28.5 in W 84 in D 36 in
Brazilian Rosewood Case Sofa w Tufted Bouclé by J.D. Móveis, Brazil, c. 1960s
By J.D. Moveis e Decoracoes
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed and produced in the spirit of the 1950s–1970s Brazilian Modern movement, this piece feels right at home alongside icons from Sergio Rodrigues, Jorge Zalszupin, Percival Lafe...
Rosewood, Fabric
Sold
H 31 in W 80.25 in D 46.25 in
'Macedo' Brazilian Rosewood Sofa by Sergio Rodrigues for OCA Brazil, 1960s
By OCA Brazil, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Los Angeles, CA
We also have a large collection of other Brazilian Modern pieces from Sergio Rodrigues such as seating in the 'Tonico', 'Macedo, 'Cantu', 'Kilin', 'Moleca', and 'Franco' collections ...
Rosewood, Fabric
MP-41 Sofa by Brazilian Designer Percival Lafer for Móveis Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in TORONTO, CA
Three seater sofa designed by Percival Lafer reupholstered at some point in it's life, identical and beautifully as per the original design in an extremely high quality vinyl. This p...
Jacaranda
MP-41 Sofa by Brazilian Designer Percival Lafer for Móveis Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in TORONTO, CA
Three seater sofa designed by Percival Lafer reupholstered at some point in it's life, identical and beautifully as per the original design in an extremely high quality vinyl. This p...
Jacaranda
Sold
H 27.5 in W 38 in L 27.5 in
MP-41 Lounge Chair by Brazilian Designer Percival Lafer for Móveis Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in TORONTO, CA
Lounge chair designed by Percival Lafer reupholstered at some point in it's life, identical and beautifully as per the original design in an extremely high quality vinyl. Both the MP...
Jacaranda
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.