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Arflex

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.

Average Sold Price
$7,738
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Arflex Marenco Sofa in Fabric Heidi and Candy by Mario Marenco
By Mario Marenco, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Marenco Sofa is designed by Mario Marenco for Arflex. This sofa features the system with making the armrest and seat as the base portion. There is a metal...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex

Materials

Metal

Fabrizio Ballardini Ribalta Sofa and Daybed red-brown leather for Arflex Italy
By Arflex
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Ribalta sofa and daybed was designed by Fabrizio Ballardini for Arflex in the eighties. The hinged corners of the sofa are adjustable, creating a versatile and playful whole from...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Arflex

Materials

Steel

Set of two 'Pecorelle Armchiars' designed by Cini Boeri for Artflex, 1968
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Milan, IT
Set of two 'Pecorelle Armchiars' designed by Cini Boeri for Artflex, 1968 . The original armchairs in their shape have been reupholstered with an ocher fabric. The feet are made of w...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Marco Zanuso for Arflex 'Fourline' Chair in Black Leather
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Marco Zanuso for Arflex, leather and chrome-plated steel, Italy, 1964. This lounge chair by Zanuso remains among the best examples of armchairs designed by the architect. It is not ...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Italian Mid-Century Modern Triennale Sofa by Marco Zanuso for Arflex circa 1951
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in New York, NY
An Original Marco Zanuso Triennale Sofa , 3 seat model, made for Arflex, Italy, circa 1951. "This model was first presented by Marco Zanuso at the IX Triennale di Milano in 1951, hen...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Arflex

Materials

Brass, Steel

Set of Six Oxford Chairs by Martin Grierson for Arflex, 1963
By Arflex, Martin Grierson
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of six Oxford chairs designed in 1963 by British designer Martin Grierson for Arflex, Italy. Plywood molded shell upholstered in original black vinyl and polished steel bases.
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex

Materials

Steel

Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Pair of Woodline Armchairs, 1960 approx.
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Baranzate, IT
Pair of 722 Woodline armchairs by Marco Zanuso. Bent plywood frame and lacquatp, upholstery covered in white corduroy. Prod. Arflex, Italy, ca 1960
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Marco Zanuso Lady armchair 1960s
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in bari, IT
A timeless must still in production this vintage armchair named Lady by master designer Marco Zanuso for Arflex 1960s production. Marco Zanuso (Milan, May 14, 1916 - Milan, July 11,...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex

Materials

Brass

Marco Zanuso Lady armchair 1960s
Marco Zanuso Lady armchair 1960s
H 31.89 in W 31.5 in D 30.32 in
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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.

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