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.
Two-Seat Triennale Sofa, Marco Zanuso, Arflex, Italy, 1950s
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This two-seater "Triennale" sofa was designed by Marco Zanuso in the 1950s and manufactured by Arflex in Italy. The upholstery is covered in pink velvet fabric, which shows slight si...
Brass
Marco Zanuso "Square" Sofa for Arflex, 1962
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Marco Zanuso "Square" Sofa for Arflex, camel velvet, Italy, 1962 The design of Marco Zanuso's "Square" sofa, produced for Arflex in 1960s, reflects his commitment to modernist desig...
Velvet
Marco Zanuso Lady Chair Arflex, Italy, 1951
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Iconic so called 'Lady chair' designed by Marco Zanuso and manufactured by Arflex, Italy, 1951. This lady chair has chrome-plated legs and original upholstery in grey. The upholstery...
Chrome
Postmodern Italian 1980s Sofa, Two-Seat
By Memphis Milano
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage 1980s Postmodern two-seat sofa. Sculpted beech frame with aluminum accents. Original warm yellow cream leather cushions. Very good condition, comfortable seat. Dimensions: 1...
Leather, Plywood
$4,615
H 29.14 in W 76.78 in D 35.44 in
Italian mid-century modern cream white sofa Square Marco Zanuso for Arflex 1960s
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century modern cream white sofa Square Marco Zanuso for Arflex 1960s Three-seater sofa mod. Square covered with cream-white linen fabric. The backrest has two round butto...
Metal
rare marco zanuso lady sofa by arflex
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Munich, DE
rare and elegant lady sofa by marco zanuso. only produced for a short period by arflex / italy.
Metal, Brass
$13,600 / set
H 30.71 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Marco Zanuso "Square" Armchairs for Arflex, 1962, Set of 2
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Marco Zanuso "Square" Armchairs for Arflex, camel velvet, Italy, 1962, set of two. The design of Marco Zanuso's "Square" armchairs, produced for Arflex in 1960s, reflects his commit...
Velvet
$8,500
H 32.29 in W 76.78 in D 32.29 in
Marco Zanuso "Regent" Sofa for Arflex, Sage Green Velvet, 1960
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Marco Zanuso "Regent" Sofa for Arflex, sage green velvet, Italy, 1960. In the realm of luxury design, few pieces evoke the essence of mid-century Italian style as eloquently as the ...
Velvet
$7,200
H 29.5 in W 75.5 in D 34 in
Italian Mid-Century Modern Triennale Sofa by Marco Zanuso for Arflex circa 1951
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
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 t...
Brass, Steel
Marco Zanuso, Sofa, Velvet, Brass, Italy, 1950s
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in High Point, NC
A curved velvet and brass sofa designed by Marco Zanuso and produced by Arflex, Italy, c. 1950s. Seat Height: 15.5" All upholstered furniture can be reupholstered upon request for ...
Brass
$11,124
H 29.53 in W 27.56 in D 33.47 in
Marco Zanuso Pair of Martingala armchairs for Arflex, Italy, 1950s
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
An elegant pair of early Martingala armchairs by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, designed in the 1950s and reupholstered in high-quality grey fabric, are now in excellent vintage condition....
Brass
Sold|$9,218
H 33.08 in W 72.84 in D 32.29 in
Mid Century Triennale Sofa by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy, 1950s
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
A very beautiful sofa model "Triennale", designed by Marco Zanuso and edited by Arflex, Italy 1950's. Made of a solid structure and polished legs. This stunning piece is just re...
Metal
$9,349
H 31.5 in W 80.71 in D 32.68 in
Lady model sofa, Marco Zanuso for Arflex Italia 50's velvet Pierre Frey
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Catania, IT
Beautiful and authentic sofa model Lady by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy 1950s. It has recently been upholstered with a fine velvet "OPERA" burnt orange/earth color produced by Mai...
Brass, Iron