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.
Cini Boeri Strips Daybed for Arflex Italy
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in Skokie, IL
Cini Boeri Strips Daybed for Arflex Italy. "arflex / Made in Italy" label to underside. Dimensions: 25" H x 57" W x 30" D
Steel
Strips Long Lounger by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1960s
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in amstelveen, NL
Very rare strips lounger by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1960s, It is reupholstered in a sand color recycled fabric. The upholstery can be zipped off so you can snuggle under a blanket. On...
Fabric
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...
Fabric
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
$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
Arflex Botolo Chair in Heidi Fabric by Cini Boeri
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
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
$1,624
H 35.04 in W 56.7 in D 27.56 in
Vintage IKEA Karlskrona Wicker Chaise Longue by Carl Öjerstam, 1990s
By IKEA, Carl Öjerstam
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning Mid-Century Modern style chaise longue or lounge chair. Design by Carl Öjerstam for Ikea. Striking Swedish design from the 1990s. Executed in wicker and rattan, an idyllic p...
Wicker, Rattan
Post-Modern Chaise Longue By Weiman
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman, Weiman, Directional
Located in Houston, TX
Post-Modern Chaise Longue By Weiman. This stunning postmodern chaise made by Weiman and was inspired by the designs of cloud series. Great size that could be used as a sofa, chaise ...
Bouclé, Wood
$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
$8,427
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
'Brigadier' Loveseats by Cini Boeri for Knoll, Italy, 1980s
By Knoll, Cini Boeri
Located in Antwerp, BE
Exceptional sofa from the award-winning Brigadier Series by renowned Italian architect and designer, Cini Boeri (1924–2020). Crafted in the 1980s for Knoll, these sofas feature a sle...
Leather, Lacquer
$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
Chaise longue in rattan and bamboo by Bonacina, Italy, 1950s
By Bonacina
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Chaise longue in rattan and bamboo by Bonacina, Italy, circa 1950s This sculptural chaise longue features a curved bamboo structure with an open woven rattan seat and backrest. The fluid lines and lightweight construction reflect the relaxed elegance characteristic of Bonacina’s production during the period. The generous proportions and reclining form combine comfort with a strong architectural presence, while the natural materials give the piece a warm and timeless character. Suitable for both indoor and covered outdoor environments, this chaise longue embodies the refined craftsmanship and organic modernism associated with Italian rattan furniture...
Bamboo, Rattan
Chaise Longue
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1950s chaise longue, mix of leather, sky and pony hair upholstery.
Wood
$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
Cini Boeri x Arflex Linen Chaise Longue
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in Astoria, NY
Cini Boeri for Arflex Linen Upholstered Chaise Longue, on wheels, "arflex / Made in Italy" label to underside. 25" H x 57" W x 30" D. Provenance: From a Long Island Estate.
Linen, Upholstery
Bobo Relax Lounge Chair by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1960s
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Rare chaise longue lounge chair armchair by the italian designer Cini Boeri for the editor Arflex. New upholstery in bouclé fabric. Famous design like Gio Ponti, Gianfranco Frattini,...
Fabric, Bouclé, Foam
Sold
H 32.29 in W 27.56 in D 72.84 in
Bobo Relax Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1960s
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Rare chaise longue lounge chair armchair with his pouf ottoman footstool by the italian designer Cini Boeri for the editor Arflex. New upholstery in bouclé fabric. Famous design like...
Fabric, Bouclé, Foam
Bobo Chair with Ottoman by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1960s
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in amstelveen, NL
Rare Bobo easy chair designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex in the 1960s. Reupholstered in a creme bouclé by Bisson Bruneel. This original example represents one of the first attempts...
Bouclé
Sold
H 24.81 in W 49.61 in D 49.61 in
1980, Fabrizio Ballardini, 2 (3?) Couches Ribcalta in Original Soft Terra Fabric
By Arflex
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
Arflex couch Ribalta from designer Fabrizio Ballardini in the original very soft, suede like, terra colored fabric. The height of the corners of th...
Steel