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Arflex Seating

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
Arflex Mojo Armchair in Brown Fabric and Swivel Base by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Claesson Koivisto Rune, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Mojo" is a type of magic charm, the word originates from Africa, where it means "soul" or "life-force", on which the design of this armchair is based. Additional information: Ma...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Metal

Set of 2 sofas and 1 armchair model "Square" by Marco Zanuso for Arflex
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Correggio, IT
"Square" living room set, designed by Marco Zanuso for Arflex in 1962. The set consists of a 3-seater sofa (193 cm x 90 cm x h 70 cm), a 2-seater sofa (142 cm x 90 cm x h 70 cm) and ...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Seating

Materials

Iron

Arflex Hug Armchair High Backrest in Giada Leather by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Arflex, Claesson Koivisto Rune
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Armchair is designed with a high level of seating comfort coupled with the very best quality upholstery solutions. In fact, each and every part of the Hug Armchair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Leather

Arflex Hug Love Seat high back and armrest in Perla Leather by Roberto Menghi
By Arflex, Roberto Menghi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“Arflex has had the audacity and the farsightedness, in the course of the years, to cooperate with some of the greatest and prize-awarded architects and designers. Some icons are sti...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Leather

Arflex Butterfly Armchair in Grey and Black Etoile Fabric by Mauro Lipparini
By Arflex, Mauro Lipparini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The design of Butterfly armchair plays on the combination of the shapes and materials that compose it. Additional information: Materials: Uphols...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Fabric

Arflex Leafo Armchair in Grey Fabric with Black Stained Wood Base by Jaime Hayon
By Jaime Hayon, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With the Leafo lounger, Hayon set out to make something that uniquely brings softness and lightness together. A simple chair that can be placed in spaces both small and large. The sp...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Fabric

Arflex Ladle Armchair with High Backrest in Giada Leather by Luca Nichetto
By Luca Nichetto, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Arflex Ladle Armchair with High Backrest in Giada Leather by Luca Nichetto. It is possible to create a very large possibility of proposals with a person...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Leather

Arflex Soft Beat Sofa SB03 in Blue Lama Fabric by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Claesson Koivisto Rune, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Slow waves. Rolling hills. Soothing pulse. Kind. Soft. Iconic – Soft Beat. Structure in wood covered with shaped polyurethane in differentiated density and polyester slip cover. Spri...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Metal

Lady Armchair by Marco Zanusso for Arflex, Italy
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Barcelona, ES
Lady armchair designed by Marco Zanuso in 1951 for Arflex, Italy. Early edition with original velvet fabric and brass bases.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Seating

Materials

Metal, Brass

Arflex Penta Ottoman in Divina Vega Fabric by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Claesson Koivisto Rune, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The pentagon is the best shape to combine a certain geometrical integrity without having to adapt to the surrounding order : in other words it has a distinct shape. For the version w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Fabric

Arflex Algon Low Back Armchair in Brown Perla Leather by Luca Nichetto
By Luca Nichetto, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Algon lounge Chair was developed together with the Algon Chair, melding Scandinavian simplicity with a patterned quilted upholstery. Contrary to the Algon Chair, that has a strict formality, the Algon lounge chair has high sides, that allow for a sense of privacy, perfect for hushed late-night conversations or a solitary moment...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Leather

Arflex Pecorelle Sofa in Denver Fabric with Black Metal Legs by Cini Boeri
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The architect Cini Boeri tells that she was inspired by Christo Vladimirov Javasev's and Jeanne-Claude Denat de Guillebon's works, masters in the art of landscape painting. Nature pr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Metal

Arflex Mojo Armchair in Green Fabric and Swivel Base by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Arflex, Claesson Koivisto Rune
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Mojo" is a type of magic charm, the word originates from Africa, where it means "soul" or "life-force", on which the design of this armchair is based. Additional information: Ma...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Metal

Arflex Cloud Small Sofa in Black Straps by Carlo Colombo
By Arflex, Carlo Colombo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cloud collection, developed to find a lifestyle more in line with nature and the visual cheerfulness, with soft and comfortable shapes. Materials: Upholstered Fabric (Black Strap)...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Fabric

Arflex Gloria Armchair High Backrest in Leather Fabric by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Arflex, Claesson Koivisto Rune
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Arflex Gloria High Version Chair in Divina MD by Claesson Koivisto Rune. She can look smart for when she goes to work, dressed up when going to a party, or put on something cosy when staying in. Dress her as you want her to be! Additional Information: Materials: Upholstered seat with black lacquered metal & black protective nylon glides Color: Fabric Outside Leather Giada 189 - Inside Divina MD Col 213, Cat Leather ""N"" Structure: Trademark low energy consumption material with recyclable technology and poplar multiply wood Springing: Elstic straps Seat Upholstery: Shaped polyurethane with differentiated density / polyester slip cover Armrest and Backrest Upholstery: Shaped polyurethane with differentiated density / polyester slip cover Base: Black lacquered metal & black protective nylon glides Cover: Fabric or leather. Not removable cover, except for version wih skirt Cover in leather not available for armchair with skirt...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Fabric

Arflex Leafo Chair in Hero Fabric with Black Stained Wood Base by Jaime Hayon
By Arflex, Jaime Hayon
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With the Leafo lounger, Hayon set out to make something that uniquely brings softness and lightness together. A simple chair that can be placed in spaces both small and large. The sp...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Fabric

Arflex Mojo Armchair in Aqua Green Fabric Swivel Base by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Arflex, Claesson Koivisto Rune
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Mojo" is a type of magic charm, the word originates from Africa, where it means "soul" or "life-force", on which the design of this armchair is based. Additional information: Ma...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Metal

Arflex Gloria Quilted Armchair High Backrest in Blue by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Arflex, Claesson Koivisto Rune
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Arflex Gloria Quilted High Version Chair in Mistral Fabric by Claesson Koivisto Rune. She can look smart for when she goes to work, dressed up when going to a party, or put on something cosy when staying in. Dress her as you want her to be! Additional Information: Materials: Upholstered seat with black lacquered metal & black protective nylon glides Color: Fabric Mistral 44, T4 Structure: Trademark low energy consumption material with recyclable technology and poplar multiply wood Springing: Elstic straps Seat Upholstery: Shaped polyurethane with differentiated density / polyester slip cover Armrest and Backrest Upholstery: Shaped polyurethane with differentiated density / polyester slip cover Base: Black lacquered metal & black protective nylon glides Cover: Fabric or leather. Not removable cover, except for version wih skirt Cover in leather not available for armchair with skirt...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Fabric

Arflex Ladle Swivel Armchair with Medium Backrest in Fabric by Luca Nichetto
By Luca Nichetto, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Arflex Ladle Swivel Armchair with Medium Backrest in Lama Fabric by Luca Nichetto. It is possible to create a very large possibility of proposals with a personal character, maintaini...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Fabric

Arflex Brianza Chair with Armrest in Fabric and Metal by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Arflex, Claesson Koivisto Rune
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Its feature is the extra width. In fact, it is slightly wider than most chairs, making it feel more luxurious than other chairs in this typology, without using more floor space than ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Fabric

Arflex Algon Low Back Armchair in Pink Boucle Fabric by Luca Nichetto
By Luca Nichetto, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Algon lounge Chair was developed together with the Algon Chair, melding Scandinavian simplicity with a patterned quilted upholstery. Contrary to the Algon Chair, that has a strict formality, the Algon lounge chair has high sides, that allow for a sense of privacy, perfect for hushed late-night conversations or a solitary moment...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Fabric

Post-Modern Italian Fabric and Metal Armchairs by Arflex, 70s
By Arflex
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Three 1970s design armchairs in black lacquered iron and seat in removable blue fabric. Produced by the famous Italian company Artflex. Three armchairs available, the price refers t...
Category

1970s European Post-Modern Vintage Arflex Seating

Materials

Metal

Arflex L Shape Black Lacquered Sofa with Light Suede Orange Cushions
By Arflex
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Arflex black lacquered L shape design sofa with newly professionally reupholstered suede cushions from Italy. Arflex is a well-known Italian furniture manufacturer that has been i...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Seating

Materials

Velvet, Wood, Lacquer

Marcello Cuneo High Backrest Cross Armchair in Steel and Brown Fabric by Arflex
By Arflex, Marcello Cuneo
Located in Montecatini Terme, IT
High backrest Cross armchair designed by Marcello Cuneo in 1974 and produced by Arflex in the late 1970s. The Cross armchair presents a very simple structure in black lacquered metal...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Seating

Materials

Metal

Pair of armchairs fabric Italian vintage 60s design "Elettra" Studio BBPR
By Studio BBPR, Arflex
Located in Milano, MI
The Elettra armchair was designed in the 1950s by the historic Italian design team B.B.P.R. for the manufacturer Arflex. It has a black-painted tubular metal frame, padded shaped wo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Iron

Sofa Two-Seat, Model 'Delfino' by Erberto Carboni, Arflex, 1954
By Arflex, Erberto Carboni
Located in Berlin, DE
Sofa two-seat, model 'Delfino' by Erberto Carboni, Arflex, 1954. Complete new upholstery true to the 1954's orginal. High quality woolen Danish fabric.
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Seating

Materials

Steel

Rare Curved Italian Mid-Century Triennale Sofa by Marco Zanuso, 1951
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in New York, NY
A Rare and Important Italian Mid-Century Modern Triennale Sofa / Divan/ Couch by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy, circa 1951. The piece is in it's original Ultra-marine faux leather / vinyl upholstery and Features a rare, subtle, curved form and recessed cushions. The slightly curved form sets it apart from other Zanuso Triennale sofa...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Brass, Steel

Arflex Lounge Chair in Patterned Fabric Upholstery
By Arflex
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Arflex, lounge chair, metal, brass, fabric, metal, Italy, 1960s Admirable lounge chair manufactured by Arflex. Characteristic for the chair are the outwards pointing armrests and the dynamic lines of the seat. Thanks to the shape and overall curves of the chairs, they are really unique but elegantly looking. Backrest, armrests and seat are currently upholstered in a patterned fabric...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Seating

Materials

Metal

Italian postmodern padded blue and white cubes chaise longue by Arflex, 1990s
By Arflex
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian postmodern padded blue and white cubes chaise longue by Arflex, 1990s Padded chaise longue with rectangular seat. The backrest, armrest and seat are made up of eighteen padde...
Category

1990s Italian Post-Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Fabric

Two 'Carmina' Carlo Santi Armchairs for Arflex, 1970s
By Arflex
Located in Milano, IT
Pair of vintage armchairs with ash wood frame and original checked fabric in brick tones model 'Carmina', designed by Carlo Santi and produced by Arflex from 1975.
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Seating

Materials

Fabric, Ash

Italian mid-century modern Armchair Carmina by Carlo Santi for Arflex, 1970s
By Arflex
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern wood and fabric armchair Carmina by Carlo Santi for Arflex, 1970s Armchair mod. Carmina in wood and original fabric of the period. The seat and backrest ar...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Three Piece Italian "Dolphin" Lounge Suite by Ernesto Carboni for Arflex
By Arflex
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning lounge suite. "Dolphin" featuring matching pair of original black leather lounge chairs and ottoman, seldom seen arm-less version. Brass bases have been painted (white) stun...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Seating

Materials

Brass

Italian modern Blu fabric Armchair Felix by Burkhard Vogtherr for Arflex, 1980s
By Burkhard Vogtherr, Arflex
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Blu fabric Armchair Felix by Burkhard Vogtherr for Arflex, 1980s Armchair mod. Felix with squared seat and backrest, padded and covered in blue fabric with abstract fl...
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Arflex Seating

Materials

Metal

1980s Burkhard Vogtherr T-Line Armchair for Arflex
By Burkhard Vogtherr, Arflex
Located in Marbella, ES
1980s Burkhard Vogtherr T-Line Armchair for Arflex.
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Arflex Seating

Materials

Leather

1970s Arflex Italian Brass Base Two-Tone Pepper Cream and Taupe Gray Armchair
By Arflex
Located in New York, NY
A very elegant and comfortable vintage Italian armchair of great execution by Arflex with large cozy seat, the design is superb with a curved back and the side edges protruding to sm...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Seating

Materials

Brass

Arflex Serena Armchair in Lama Fabric with Wenge Stained Legs by Luca Nichetto
By Luca Nichetto, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With Serena armchair and Doge pouf, Luca Nichetto has gone further, arriving to the archetype of the Venetian bergère and of its ottoman, both with wooden frame and textile cover, re...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Ash

Arflex Cradle "Love Cushion" Armchair in Grey Boucle Fabric Neri & Hu
By Neri & Hu, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Its characteristic is based on the structure: a classic triangular construction, which is repeated several times around the model, so that you can admire it from each point of view. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Fabric

Arflex Penta Ottoman in Cabas Fabric by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Arflex, Claesson Koivisto Rune
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The pentagon is the best shape to combine a certain geometrical integrity without having to adapt to the surrounding order : in other words it has a distinct shape. For the version w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating

Materials

Fabric

Divano Triennale 3 Seater Sofa Design by Marco Zanuso for Arflex 50s, 60s
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Padova, IT
Triennale Three seat sofa designed by Marco Zanuso and produced by Arflex in 1951. Original fabric and upholstery. Architect, designer and university lecturer, Marco Zanuso (1916...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Seating

Materials

Fabric

Privè Sofa by Paolo Nava for Arflex
By Arflex, Paolo Nava
Located in Ravenna, IT
Privè sofa designed by Paolo Nava for Arflex in 1987. The structure of the sofa is an aluminum mesh and tube covered in black leather. The armrests are made of plastic material, whil...
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Arflex Seating

Materials

Metal

Arflex seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Arflex seating 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 seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 196 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 75 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original seating 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 seating by Gio Ponti, Marco Zanuso, and Vico Magistretti. Prices for Arflex seating 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 $6,326.

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