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.
strips sofa by cini boeri for arflex reupholstered
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Ghedi, IT
The Strips two-seater sofa, designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex in 1968, is an iconic piece of Italian design that revolutionized modern seating with its innovative modular concept. Th...
Velvet
Arflex Botolo Chair in Heidi Fabric by Cini Boeri
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Botolo Chair is designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex. An innovative upholstered rolling chair with three large tubular legs. Botolo is an ideal place to sit,...
Metal
Cini Boeri for Arflex Strips Sofa in velvet, Italy 1968
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Cini Boeri for Arflex, two seater strips sofa in aubergine velvet, Italy 1968 The iconic Strips sofa, a comfortable and versatile design. Reupholstered in a beautiful high quality b...
Velvet
$6,716 / item
H 29.53 in W 20.87 in D 20.87 in
Arflex Botolo High Back Armchair in Natural Fur & Black Metal Legs by Cini Boeri
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An innovative upholstered rolling chair with three large tubular legs. Botolo is an ideal place to sit, relax and be creative.Cini Boeri designed Botolo in 1973, giving life to a new design style, where you could choose the height of the legs to have a dining chair in the high version or a style, at that time modern, "the living at a low level", a way of living...
Fur
$11,370Sale Price|25% Off
H 23.63 in W 36.62 in D 90.56 in
Vintage Sofa "Gradual Lounge" by Cini Boeri for Knoll Gavina, Italy, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Knoll, Gavina
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Sofa "Gradual Lounge" is an original design item realized it Italy in 1970s. Top Rare sofa, designed by Cini Boeri for Knowll Gavina. A totally innovative modular syste...
Leather
$6,716 / item
H 29.53 in W 20.87 in D 20.87 in
Arflex Botolo High Back Armchair in Black Fur and Black Metal Legs by Cini Boeri
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An innovative upholstered rolling chair with three large tubular legs. Botolo is an ideal place to sit, relax and be creative.Cini Boeri designed Botolo in 1973, giving life to a new design style, where you could choose the height of the legs to have a dining chair in the high version or a style, at that time modern, "the living at a low level", a way of living...
Fur
$2,890
H 28.74 in W 31.5 in D 33.85 in
Boborelax Chair Cini Boeri For Arflex Red Velvet, Italy, circa 1955
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Vienna, AT
Boborelax lounge chair, designed by Cini Boeri, Italy circa 1965 Measures: 33.85" x 21.5" x 28.74" - seat height is circa 16.5". Very stylish chaise-lounge Boborelax upholstered in alcantara faux leather fabric, which resembles suede leather but is more durable and resilient. It has been designed by Cini Boeri and is a modern take on traditional seating...
Steel
$19,914 / item
H 37.41 in W 122.05 in D 49.22 in
Arflex Strips Modular Sofa S3 in White Fabric and Aluminium Feet by Cini Boeri
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Brooklyn, NY
At the end of the 60s, the architect Cini Boeri revolutionizes the furniture market with her model, that is now an ""evergreen"": the seat system Strips. Additional information: ...
Aluminum
$15,500
H 24.81 in W 90.56 in D 36.23 in
Cini Boeri "Gradual System" Sofa for Gavina, Camel Velvet, 1970
By Cini Boeri, Gavina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Cini Boeri “Gradual System” two-seater sofa for Gavina, camel velvet, Italy, 1970 Designed in 1970 for Gavina, the “Gradual System” by Cini Boeri i...
Velvet
$6,716 / item
H 19.69 in W 20.87 in D 20.87 in
Arflex Botolo Low Back Armchair in Natural Fur & Black Metal Legs by Cini Boeri
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An innovative upholstered rolling chair with three large tubular legs. Botolo is an ideal place to sit, relax and be creative.Cini Boeri designed Botolo in 1973, giving life to a new design style, where you could choose the height of the legs to have a dining chair in the high version or a style, at that time modern, "the living at a low level", a way of living...
Fur
$8,539
H 24.41 in W 90.56 in D 36.23 in
Cini Boeri - Leather Sofa "Gradual" for Knoll International, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Knoll
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Cini Boeri “Gradual” Sofa for Knoll International, Italy, 1972 Rare “Gradual” sofa designed by Cini Boeri for Knoll International in 1972. Upholste...
Leather
Arflex Strips Sofa By Cini Boeri In Velvet, Italy 1968
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Cini Boeri for Arflex, modular strips sofa in mustard/golden velvet, Italy 1968 The iconic Strips sofa, a comfortable and versatile design. This modular sofa features four seating e...
Velvet
$17,174 / set
H 25.99 in W 122.05 in D 112.21 in
Modular Strips Sofa in brown velvet by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1970s
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in amstelveen, NL
Strips 5-piece modular sofa by Cini Boeri for Arflex, Italy, 1970s An iconic modular design by Cini Boeri, defined by its soft, quilted construction and low, horizontal profile. Ove...
Velvet
Marco Zanuso, Pair of Sofas Model Baronet for Arflex, 1964
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Paris, FR
Lovely Pair of "Baronet" lounge sofas designed by Marco Zanuso and edited by Arflex in Italy, 1964. The side panels are made of rosewood plywood. The frames have been entirely refin...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery
Sold
H 38.98 in W 81.5 in D 33.08 in
Large Sofa Marco Zanuso Arflex "Senior" Velvet by Pierre Frey Brass 1951 Italy
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Catania, IT
Elegant "Senior" sofa designed by Marzo Zanuso for Arflex in Italy, 1951. This sofa has been restored, it has been upholstered in a precious light green velvet from the prestigious ...
Brass
Senior Sofa by Marco Zanuso for Arflex
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Paris, FR
Senior sofa by Marco Zanuso for Arflex.
Brass, Iron