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 Cradle Two-Seater Sofa in Cherie Fabric with Black Legs by Neri & Hu
By Neri & Hu, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cradle's characteristic is based on the structure: a classical triangular construction, that is repeated several times around the models.
Additional information:
Materials: Uphol...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating
Materials
Fabric
Arflex Algon Low Back Armchair in Brown Perla Leather by Luca Nichetto
By Arflex, Luca Nichetto
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 Armchair in Denver Fabric and Black Fur Corners 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 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
1 of 2 Newly Upholstered Regent Sofa by Marco Zanuso for Arflex in Petrol Color
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Berlin, DE
Marco Zanuso Regent 3-seater for Arflex, Italy, 1960s. The piece is on walnut glides and newly upholstered in Kvadrat steelcut fabric. The price is for one sofa. We also have a two-s...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Seating
Materials
Fabric
Arflex Gloria Armchair Low Backrest in Grey Fabric by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Claesson Koivisto Rune, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Arflex Gloria Low Version Chair in Cabas 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 Cabas 49, T2
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
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
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
Arflex Mojo Armchair in Green 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
Arflex Bonsai Sofa in Lama Grey Fabric by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Claesson Koivisto Rune, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Bonsai seating collection is inspired by reflections upon Japanese aesthetics and culture. The seats are characterised by soft, curved forms. These inviting, friendly shapes are reminiscent of the bushes and shrubs, found in gardens all over Japan, that have been cultivated and trimmed in order to create beautiful soft, ‘organic’, cloud-like shapes. In stark contrast, rectilinear wooden platforms supported on low, wooden legs elevate these rounded, upholstered forms above the floor plane. Almost like tokonoma, the practice of placing selected, cherished items such as a bonsai tree, upon a horizontal surface in order to create an interior feature, the platforms create a kind of smaller, more dedicated frame within a larger context. Within this ‘frame’ is the presence of other elements such as an optional integrated lamp with a flowing fabric shade and a recessed stone or mirror plate, for arranging potted plants on or simply a stack of books. The upholstered seats in moulded polyurethane foam are also available with the platforms, realized in wood, painted wengé, oak or chocolate, or supported on simple legs, in black metal.
Additional information:
Materials: Upholstered seat with Metal Frame
Color: Lama 9, T3
Structure: Metal
Springing : Welded Steel Net
Frame Upholstery : Moulded Polyurethane Foam / Polyester Slip Cover
Metal Base : Black Lacquered and Protective Black Nylon Glides
Top for Wooden Base : Marble, White Carrara or Emperador
Cover : Fabric
Dimensions: W. 172 x D. 108 x H. 79 cm
Seat height: 40 cm
Available in other upholstery option: Aran, Brest, Cabas, Etoile, Molly, York/Devon, Boucle, Cherie, Walls, Blog, Hero, Steelcut 2, Divina md
Availablein other version: Sofa with Skirt
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 Cousy Pouf in Grey Oxford Fabric & Beech Wood by Vincent Van Duysen
By Arflex, Vincent Van Duysen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Arflex Cousy pouf in oxford fabric with beech wood structure by Vincent Van Duysen
Additional information:
Materials: Upholstered seat with Beech Wood...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating
Materials
Fabric
Arflex Algon Low Back Armchair in Pink Boucle Fabric by Luca Nichetto
By Arflex, Luca Nichetto
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
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 Cloud Armchair in Black Straps by Carlo Colombo
By Carlo Colombo, Arflex
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
Brown Leather & Brass "Campanula" Chairs by C. Pagani for Arflex, 1952, Set of 2
By Carlo Pagani, Arflex
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Rare Campanula chairs designed by Carlo Pagani and produced by Arflex in the 1952. The 2 chairs are made from a brass leg frame with their original plastic foam stuffing and leather ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Arflex Seating
Materials
Brass
Arflex Jules Armchair in Leather & Gun Metal Grey Legs by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Arflex, Claesson Koivisto Rune
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Jules & Jim are two simple armchairs, with a high seating comfort. Jules is the small version and Jim the larger version.
Additional Information:
Materials: Upholstered seat with...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Seating
Materials
Leather
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 Arflex, Luca Nichetto
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 Gloria Armchair High Backrest in Grey Fabric by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Arflex, Claesson Koivisto Rune
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Arflex Gloria High Version Chair in Cabas 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 Outside Leather Giada 189 - Inside Cabas 44
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 Armchair in Hero 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 Mojo Armchair in Aqua Green Fabric 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
Arflex Gloria Armchair High Backrest in Leather Fabric by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Claesson Koivisto Rune, Arflex
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 Serena Armchair in Lama Fabric with Oak 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
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
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
Marco Zanuso for Arflex 'Martingala' Easy Chair in Coral Red Upholstery
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Marco Zanuso for Arflex, easy chair, model 'Martingala', fabric, chromium metal, Italy, 1950s.
This eccentric easy chair, designed by Italian designer Marco Zanuso in the 1950s, is...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Seating
Materials
Metal, Chrome
1980s Burkhard Vogtherr T-Line Armchair for Arflex
By Arflex, Burkhard Vogtherr
Located in Marbella, ES
1980s Burkhard Vogtherr T-Line Armchair for Arflex.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Arflex Seating
Materials
Leather
Marco Zanuso "IX Triennale" Sofa for Arflex, Italy 1950s
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Utrecht, NL
“There is no border between craftsmanship and design. What we do on the model, which will then be reproduced a thousand times, is an activity in which we bring all our experience.” s...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Seating
Materials
Metal
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
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
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 Seating
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Marco Zanuso for Arflex 'Fourline' Chair in Black Leather
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Marco Zanuso for Arflex, lounge chair, black leather, steel, Italy, 1964
This lounge chair by Zanuso remains among the best examples of armchairs designed by the architect. It is no...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Seating
Materials
Steel
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
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
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 Leafo Chair in Hero 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 Penta Ottoman in Cabas 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 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.