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.
Armchair "Fiorenza" designed by Franco Albini in 1952 for Arflex, Italy.
By Franco Albini, Arflex
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Armchair "Fiorenza," designed by Franco Albini in 1952 for Arflex, Italy. A highly collectible model produced for only one year by Arflex. This stunning pair of armchairs features sc...
Fabric, Wood
1960s Vintage Grand Prix Club Chairs by Maurice Calka for Arflex
By Arflex, Maurice Calka
Located in Taranto, IT
Elegant pair of armchairs designed by Maurice Calka for Arflex in the 1960s, model Grand Prix, one of the most iconic Italian design classics of the period. Le sedute presentano la...
Steel
Rare Pair of Mid-Century Modern Triennale Lounge Chairs, Marco Zanuso Italy 1951
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in New York, NY
A rare and important pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Triennale charis by Marco Zanuso circa 1951. Zanuso designed these Triennale lounge chairs...
Brass
Sessel "Delfino" - Entwurf von Erberto Carboni für Arflex, 1954.
By Arflex, Erberto Carboni
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This Italian "Delfino" armchair was designed by Erberto Carboni in the 1950s and manufactured by Arflex. The piece of furniture is upholstered in original dark blue cord velvet and h...
Brass
Carlo Bartoli Bicia Lounge Chair Arflex, Italy, 1969
By Arflex, Carlo Bartoli
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice Bicia lounge chair by Designer Carlo Bartoli for Arflex, Italy 1969. The chair itself is in very good and original condition, and a nice example of Italian design from the ...
Leather, Polyester
Fiorenza by Albini for Arflex
By Arflex, Franco Albini
Located in Milano, IT
An authentic Fiorenza armchair, designed by Franco Albini and manufactured by Arflex, represents a high-quality production exemplar dating back to the early 2000s. The piece features...
Fabric, Wool, Wood, Lacquer
2 Brown leather & brass Campanula Armchairs by C. Pagani for Arflex, 1952
By Arflex, Carlo Pagani
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Rare Campanula armchairs 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 leath...
Brass
Brown Leather & Brass "Campanula" Chairs by C. Pagani for Arflex, 1952, Set of 2
By Arflex, Carlo Pagani
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 ...
Brass
$5,200 / set
H 35.04 in W 27.96 in D 35.04 in
Erberto Carboni 'Delfino' Lounge Chair and Ottoman for Arflex
By Erberto Carboni, Arflex
Located in Tilburg, NL
Erberto Carboni 'Delfino' Lounge Chair + Ottoman 1954 for Arflex, Italy. New, Current production. Delfino armchair by Erberto Carboni is a significant example of the so-called "organic" furniture, which develops in the 1950s and draws inspiration from the forms of nature. The Delfino armchair has a strong personality, with a very evident graphic sign, that makes it perfect for both home and hospitality space. This wonderful chair and ottoman are available in a wide range of upholstery options. Please ask us about the possibilities. Designed by Erberto Carboni: Graphic designer, poster designer and illustrator (Parma 1899 - Milan 1984). Graduated in architecture at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Parma (in 1921, earning an honorary diploma), he immediately started working as a graphic designer, opening a studio in his hometown (he developed advertising material for some local companies). He also began to work as an illustrator, collaborating with some publishing houses in setting up the iconography of volumes of consumer fiction and beginning to work with some magazines, such as "Lidel", "Novella", "Dramma", "Emporium", "Le Grandi Firme". In 1932 he moved to Milan, where he came into contact with Studio Boggeri and Olivetti Advertising...
Metal
$50,000 / set
H 35.04 in W 33.86 in D 36.62 in
Superb 'Grand Prix' lounge chairs & sofa by Sculptor Maurice Calka, Arflex, 1960
By Maurice Calka, Arflex
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Fabulous, super rare, and monumental sculptural form 'Grand Prix' lounge set by prestigious French sculptor Maurice Calka (1921-1999) for Arflex, Italy, 1960. The upholstery on ...
Steel, Nickel
$6,500 / item
H 40.56 in W 28.75 in D 37.8 in
Franco Albini 'Fiorenza' Lounge Chair with Ottoman for Arflex 1952
By Franco Albini
Located in Tilburg, NL
Franco Albini 'Fiorenza' Lounge Chair with Ottoman for Arflex, designed in 1952. Italy. New, current production. Symbol of comfort, Fiorenza armchair appears in Pirelli's 1950s adv...
Fabric, Wood
$24,000 / set
H 25.6 in W 54.34 in D 32.68 in
Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate 'Blop' Lounge Set in Original Fabric
By Carlo Bartoli, Rossi di Albizzate
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate, pair of two-seat sofa with pair of lounge chairs and coffee table, model 'Blop', original ve...
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Located in Raleigh, NC
Low profile and extremely comfortable pair of Jens Risom style lounge chairs. Soft velvet upholstery with contrasting black wood frame.
Upholstery, Hardwood
The virgola chair by Yaacov Kaufman for Arflex
By Yaacov Kaufman, Arflex
Located in Toronto, ON
The ‘virgola’ chair was designed by Yaacov Kaufman for Arflex and made in 1991. This chair is named after its shape ‘virgola’ which translates to ‘comma’. This iconic shape is both b...
Chrome
$4,549 / set
H 33.47 in W 25.6 in D 29.53 in
Pair of Italian Midcentury Lounge Chairs Marco Zanuso Style
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Echt, NL
Pair of elegant midcentury Italian lounge chairs in excellent condition. The chairs are redone in a fresh light blue wool and provided with new foam. The metal frame is lacquered ...
Brass, Metal
Maurice Dufrene Single Club/Arm Chair
By Maurice Dufrêne
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Classic French Art Deco swooping round-backed club/arm/relaxing chair by Maurice Dufrene, circa 1925. 25” wide x 29” deep x 32” high. MAURICE DUFRENE (1876 - 1955) One of the ...
Wood
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
$7,940
H 31.5 in W 35.44 in D 30.71 in
Mid-Century Modern Rattan Lounge Chair by Giancarlo De Carlo, Italy, 1954
By Giancarlo De Carlo
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Rare lounge chair model by the well-known architect Giancarlo De Carlo. The design was part of a shop fitting that De Carlo and Massimo Vignelli implemented in Bari in 1954. Very goo...
Steel
$9,161 / item
H 30.71 in W 32.29 in D 33.08 in
Arflex Katrin Armchair in Natural Fur with White Metal Legs by Carlo Colombo
By Arflex, Carlo Colombo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The continuous search for elegance and simplicity has brought the architect Carlo Colombo to the realization of Katrin Armchair, conceived as a body to be dressed with an elegant and luxurious dress...
Fur
$4,083Sale Price|30% Off
H 35.44 in W 25.99 in D 38.59 in
Italian Rationalist Adjustable Wooden Lounge Chair, Italy 1940s
Located in Milan, IT
Italian Rationalist adjustable wooden lounge chair, Italy 1940s Measurements when opened 125 x 66 x H 70 cm.
Upholstery, Oak
Sold
H 31.5 in W 29.5 in D 32 in
Pair of 'Lady' Lounge Chairs by Marco Zanuso for Arflex Italy, Signed
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso, Seven Salotti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pair of laid-back and deep seated lounge chairs are the 'Lady' chairs by Marco Zanuso for Arflex. Originally designed in the early 1950s, this pair produced in circa 1990s, one ...
Metal
Marco Zanuso, “Regent” Armchair for Arflex
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Munster, NRW
Armchair model “Regent”, designed by Marco Zanuso for Arflex in 1960. This exemple has been fully and faithfully reupholstered as original, with high-end cognac leather ans is perhap...
Steel
BBPR Pair of Armchairs "Elettra" for Arflex in Italian Sheep Hair
By Arflex, Studio BBPR
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant pair of armchairs by BBPR studio from the 1950s. The pair of armchairs have been refreshed in a warm, soft Italian sheepskin. Its frame is made of black painted iron. In the ...
Iron
Martin Grierson Swivel Lounge Chair for Artflex, Italy, 1960s
By Arflex, Martin Grierson
Located in New York, NY
Iconic lounge chair designed by English designer, Martin Grierson, for Italian seating manufacturer, Artflex. This piece was ahead of its time with a bold modern look defined by its ...
Leather, Rosewood
"Senior Chair", Design by Marco Zanuso, 1951
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Wolfurt, AT
"Senior Chair", design by Marco Zanuso, 1951. The armchair was sold under the label Arflex. It is freshly upholstered with "Tabularasa" by Dedar Milano which is the exact copy of th...
Brass
Marco Zanuso Lounge Chairs
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in New York, NY
Marco Zanuso rare pair of “Regent” lounge chairs. Elegant, sculptural lounge chair of unusual form. Black metal legs, wood feet and pale-gold velvet upholstery.
Metal
Virgola Lounge Chair by Arflex, Italy
By Arflex, Yaakov Kaufman 1
Located in Danville, CA
A wonderful whimsical and sculptural lounge chair by Arflex- Italy, one of the oldest and most venerable of all the great Italian furniture comp...
Steel
Sold
H 40.56 in W 36.23 in D 28.75 in
Franco Albini Mid-century Italian Armchair Model "Fiorenza" walnut cream fabric
By Franco Albini, Arflex
Located in Barcelona, ES
Franco Albini (1905-1977). Armchair model "Fiorenza," Manufactured by Arflex, Italy, 1952. Mid-century Italian furniture Mid-century modern Italian furniture...
Upholstery, Wood
A Pair Of Arflex Armchairs
By Arflex
Located in Kent, Dover
A pair of Italian armchairs by Arflex. With buttoned backs and on angular metal & brass legs. Newly upholstered in grey/blue velvet.
Pair of Delfino Armchairs with Ottoman by Erberto Carboni for Arflex
By Arflex, Erberto Carboni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of delfino armchairs with ottoman by Erberto Carboni for Arflex. Located in NY.