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.
"Sleep-o-Matic" Sofa by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy, 1950s
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Milan, IT
"Sleep-o-Matic" sofa by Marco Zanuso for Arflex. Evergreen shape and comfortable masterpiece of Italian 1950s design.
Metal
Velvet Deep Blue Three-Seat Sofa Model “Triennale”, Marco Zanuso, Arflex, 1956
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This three-seater "Triennale" sofa was designed by Marco Zanuso in the 1950s and manufactured by Arflex in Italy. The deep blue velvet cover of the upholstery contrasts beautifully with the patinated brass sleeves. The piece of furniture is in good overall condition. Do not hesitate to contact us for further details. Literatur: Giuliana Gramigna, Repertorio 1950-2000, Allemandi, Torino, 2003, p. 84 Mobili Tipo...
Brass
$13,600 / set
H 30.71 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in L 30.71 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
$20,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 86.62 in D 39.38 in
Superb Mohair 'Lady' Sitting Room Set Designed by Zanuso for Arflex, Italy, 1951
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Sumptuous and extremely rare 'lady' living room set designed by Marco Zanuso for Arflex ,Italy in 1961. The set consists of a super rare and extremely elegant , three seat elliptical form, 'Lady' sofa ,the largest size produced complete with a matching pair of very early (artisan wood frame) production 'Lady Chairs '. Please note the coffee table is not included with this set. This set has been recovered in an extremely elegant high quality 'Musco' 00 mohair fabric by the famous Dutch textile manufacturer 'De Ploeg' . The fabric creates a warm luxurious organic glow as the mohair pile...
Brass, Steel
$4,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 34 in W 75 in D 36 in
Italian Sofa after Marco Zanuso, circa 1960s Divano Sleep-o-Matic
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian sofa or daybed. New upholstery vintage Bordeaux wine color mohair, brass and metal legs, pule up mechanism handle on the back of the sofa converts the sofa in to the bed. US ...
Metal, Brass
Marco Zanuso Style Modern Sofa 1960s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in New York, NY
Chic Mid-Century Modern sofa with brass legs in the style of Marco Zanuso. Italy, 1960's. Newly upholstered in pebble color JAB indoor/outdoor fabric by Venfield.
Brass, Steel
Marco Zanuso "Square" Sofa for Arflex, 1962
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
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
$3,296Sale Price|40% Off
H 29.53 in W 76.78 in D 35.44 in
Rare Sleep-O-Matic Sofa / Daybed by Marco Zanuso
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Munich, DE
Made by arflex. Can be pulled out as bed.
Fabric
$22,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 32 in W 102 in D 40 in
Rare Important Original 4 Seater Lady Sofa, Marco Zanuso, Arlfex, 1951
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Culver City, CA
This sofa is a unicorn and may be one of only a few every produced. Hang on, because this is special! The Marco Zanuso “Lady” Sofa, designed in the early 1950s for Arflex, is one of...
Brass, Steel
$3,605Sale Price|30% Off
H 35.44 in W 55.91 in D 27.17 in
Marco Zanuso Style Mid-Century Modern Velvet Sofa "Lady", 50s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Lady Marco Zanuso style sofa. The sofa has been restored and upholstered in blue velvet, the feet are in beech wood. Immediately after the war, Marco Zanuso began a fruitful collabo...
Velvet, Beech, Fir
$4,807
H 28.75 in W 75.2 in D 35.44 in
Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Marco Zanuso, Italy, 1950s, New Beige Upholstery
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Marco Zanuso, Italy, 1950s - New Beige Upholstery.
Fabric
Marigold Marco Zanuso Sofa, Italy 1950's
By Marco Zanuso
Located in New York, NY
Regent Sofa by Marco Zanuso for Arflex shown here in its original marigold teddy upholstery. It could be cleaned with some inner refurbishment and used as is or reupholstered in COM....
Velvet
$7,900
H 32 in W 76.25 in D 30.25 in
Italian Mid-Century 'Sleep-o-Matic" Sofa in Leather by Marco Zanuso for Arflex
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in New York, NY
An Important Italian Midcentury Modern 'Sleep-o-Matic" model sofa / couch in Tan Calf Leather by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, 1951. The divan / canape is composed of a metal structure, s...
Brass, Steel
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
Strips Sofa Bed by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1970s
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in amstelveen, NL
Strips sofa bed designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex in the late 60s. Can be used as a sofa and can be converted into a single bed. Removable fabric cover...
Fabric
Strips Sofa Bed by Cini Boeri for Arflex, 1970s
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in amstelveen, NL
Strips sofa bed designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex in the late 60s. Can be used as a sofa and can be converted into a single bed. Removable fabric cover...
Fabric
Sold
H 24 in W 62 in D 48 in
Black Leather Articulating Corner Ribalta Daybed Sofa Forbicini for Arflex Italy
By Fabricio Ballardini, Arflex
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Fun designed black Leather articulating corner daybed sofa, Designed by Fabrizio Ballardini and Fulvio Forbicini, for Arflex circa 1980, made in It...
Aluminum
Sofa Midcentury by Marco Zanuso for Arflex in Brass and Leather, 1950
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Milano, IT
Extending sofa by Marco Zanuso from 1950 in brass and leather. The leather sofa becomes a square sofa bed thanks to an internal mechanism that extends ...
Brass
Sold
H 28.75 in W 76.78 in D 35.44 in
Arflex Sleep-O-Matic lounge sofa Daybed Sleep Bed by Marco Zanuso, Midcentury
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Telgte, DE
Sleep-O-Matic lounge sofa / daybed, 1950s, Marco Zanuso for Arflex Sofa with pull-out function for sleeping. Practical sofa or daybed by Marco Zanuso, 1951. Depth 90 cm/ 105 cm
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