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Arflex Loveseats

Italian

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.

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Creator: Arflex
Arflex Bonsai Sofa in Lama Grey Fabric by Claesson Koivisto Rune
Arflex Bonsai Sofa in Lama Grey Fabric by Claesson Koivisto Rune

Arflex Bonsai Sofa in Lama Grey Fabric by Claesson Koivisto Rune

By Claesson Koivisto Rune, Arflex

Located in Brooklyn, NY

The Bonsai seating collection is inspired by reflections upon Japanese aesthetics and culture. The seats are characterised by soft, curved forms. These inviting, friendly shapes are reminiscent of the bushes and shrubs, found in gardens all over Japan, that have been cultivated and trimmed in order to create beautiful soft, ‘organic’, cloud-like shapes. In stark contrast, rectilinear wooden platforms supported on low, wooden legs elevate these rounded, upholstered forms above the floor plane. Almost like tokonoma, the practice of placing selected, cherished items such as a bonsai tree, upon a horizontal surface in order to create an interior feature, the platforms create a kind of smaller, more dedicated frame within a larger context. Within this ‘frame’ is the presence of other elements such as an optional integrated lamp with a flowing fabric shade and a recessed stone or mirror plate, for arranging potted plants on or simply a stack of books. The upholstered seats in moulded polyurethane foam are also available with the platforms, realized in wood, painted wengé, oak or chocolate, or supported on simple legs, in black metal. Additional information: Materials: Upholstered seat with Metal Frame Color: Lama 9, T3 Structure: Metal Springing : Welded Steel Net Frame Upholstery : Moulded Polyurethane Foam / Polyester Slip Cover Metal Base : Black Lacquered and Protective Black Nylon Glides Top for Wooden Base : Marble, White Carrara or Emperador Cover : Fabric Dimensions: W. 172 x D. 108 x H. 79 cm Seat height: 40 cm Available in other upholstery option: Aran, Brest, Cabas, Etoile, Molly, York/Devon, Boucle, Cherie, Walls, Blog, Hero, Steelcut 2, Divina md Availablein other version: Sofa with Skirt

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Loveseats

Materials

Fabric

Arflex Hug Love Seat high back and armrest in Perla Leather by Roberto Menghi
Arflex Hug Love Seat high back and armrest in Perla Leather by Roberto Menghi

Arflex Hug Love Seat high back and armrest in Perla Leather by Roberto Menghi

By Roberto Menghi, Arflex

Located in Brooklyn, NY

“Arflex has had the audacity and the farsightedness, in the course of the years, to cooperate with some of the greatest and prize-awarded architects and designers. Some icons are sti...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Loveseats

Materials

Leather

Arflex Hug Love Seat Low Backrest & Armrest in Gun Metal Grey by Roberto Menghi
Arflex Hug Love Seat Low Backrest & Armrest in Gun Metal Grey by Roberto Menghi

Arflex Hug Love Seat Low Backrest & Armrest in Gun Metal Grey by Roberto Menghi

By Roberto Menghi, Arflex

Located in Brooklyn, NY

“Arflex has had the audacity and the farsightedness, in the course of the years, to cooperate with some of the greatest and prize-awarded architects and designers. Some icons are sti...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Loveseats

Materials

Fabric

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Kartell Bubble Club 2-Seat Sofa in Zinc White by Philippe Starck
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A veritable icon made by Kartell, the mass-tinted polypropylene Bubble Club sofa was a Pioneer of a new concept in furniture accessories: the Industrial sofa made entirely of plastic...

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Customizable Tacchini Isola Lounge Chair by Claesson Koivisto Rune
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Customizable Tacchini Isola Lounge Chair by Claesson Koivisto Rune

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H 33.46 in W 46.45 in D 34.05 in

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Wood Love Seat with Mocha Sheepskin
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Category

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Gerard van den Berg Natural Leather High Back Loveseat with Tufting
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By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg

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Category

1980s Dutch Vintage Arflex Loveseats

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Paolo Buffa Vintage Sofa in Wood and Floral Fabric 'Attr.'
Paolo Buffa Vintage Sofa in Wood and Floral Fabric 'Attr.'

Paolo Buffa Vintage Sofa in Wood and Floral Fabric 'Attr.'

$2,409Sale Price|20% Off

H 33.47 in W 46.46 in D 26.78 in

Paolo Buffa Vintage Sofa in Wood and Floral Fabric 'Attr.'

By Paolo Buffa

Located in Milano, IT

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Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Loveseats

Materials

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Vladimir Kagan for American Leather 'Zoe' Sofa in Grey Alcantara, Signed
Vladimir Kagan for American Leather 'Zoe' Sofa in Grey Alcantara, Signed

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$7,500Sale Price|31% Off

H 31.25 in W 92 in D 48 in

Vladimir Kagan for American Leather 'Zoe' Sofa in Grey Alcantara, Signed

By American Leather, Vladimir Kagan

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This spectacular example of Vladimir Kagan design was produced by American Leather in 2012, in its original Alcantara (ultrasuede) in a medium grey color called 'Otter', signed under...

Category

2010s American Modern Arflex Loveseats

Materials

Ultrasuede

Pierre Chapo, S18Y “Love Seat” Bench in Elm and Patinated Leather, France, 1970s
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Pierre Chapo, S18Y “Love Seat” Bench in Elm and Patinated Leather, France, 1970s

By Pierre Chapo

Located in Almelo, NL

Pierre Chapo, S18Y “Love Seat” Bench in Elm and Patinated Leather, France, 1970s A rare and architecturally refined S18Y “Love Seat” bench by Pierre Chapo, crafted in his own worksh...

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Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Arflex Loveseats

Materials

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Rare Pair of Authentic 1950s Roberto Menghi Hall Chairs, Italy, New Pure Mohair
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Rare Pair of Authentic 1950s Roberto Menghi Hall Chairs, Italy, New Pure Mohair

By Roberto Menghi, Arflex

Located in Lewes, East Sussex

An original pair of Roberto Menghi Hall chairs, produced by Arflex, Italy, 1950s. Newly upholstered in a premium yellow gold pure mohair fabric. The metal frames have been restored ...

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Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Arflex Loveseats

Materials

Steel

Two-Seat Sofa, Denmark, 1950, New Upholstery Bouclé Fabric
Two-Seat Sofa, Denmark, 1950, New Upholstery Bouclé Fabric

Two-Seat Sofa, Denmark, 1950, New Upholstery Bouclé Fabric

Located in Paris, FR

Beautiful two-seat curved sofa manufactured in the 1950s. Lovely shape and curves. Very comfortable seat with two feather cushions covered of blue Kvadrat velvet. Perfect condition,...

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Materials

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Vladimir Kagan Zoe Sofa for American Leather in Curly Teddy Bear Camel Fabric
Vladimir Kagan Zoe Sofa for American Leather in Curly Teddy Bear Camel Fabric

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Materials

Upholstery

Basket Love Seat
Basket Love Seat

Basket Love Seat

$2,650

H 25.6 in W 35.44 in D 21.66 in

Basket Love Seat

By Georges Leleu

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

A basket love seat style Louis XVI.  

Category

1890s French Louis XVI Antique Arflex Loveseats

Materials

Mahogany

Ghidini 1961 Katana 2-Seat Sofa in Fabric by Paolo Rizzatto
Ghidini 1961 Katana 2-Seat Sofa in Fabric by Paolo Rizzatto

Ghidini 1961 Katana 2-Seat Sofa in Fabric by Paolo Rizzatto

By Ghidini 1961, Paolo Rizzatto

Located in Villa Carcina, IT

In the Katana sofa, Paolo Rizzatto, being the refined and expert designer he is, puts great care in the proportions of the structural elements of the produ...

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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Loveseats

Materials

Fabric

Previously Available Items
Marco Zanuso Armchairs "Milord" in White Bouclé for Arflex, 1957 Published
Marco Zanuso Armchairs "Milord" in White Bouclé for Arflex, 1957 Published

Marco Zanuso Armchairs "Milord" in White Bouclé for Arflex, 1957 Published

By Arflex, Marco Zanuso

Located in Milano, IT

Beautiful pair of Mid-Century armchairs, model "Milord" designed by Marco Zanuso for the fine Italian manufacturer Arflex in 1957. The armchairs have a base made entirely of preciou...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Loveseats

Materials

Bouclé, Wood

Pair of Armchairs in Red Fabric by Cini Boeri for Arflex
Pair of Armchairs in Red Fabric by Cini Boeri for Arflex

Pair of Armchairs in Red Fabric by Cini Boeri for Arflex

By Arflex, Cini Boeri

Located in Milano, IT

Extravagant pair of vintage fabric armchairs designed by Cini Boeri for the fine Italian manufacture Arflex in the 1960s. The armchairs have v...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Loveseats

Materials

Fabric

Pair of Marco Zanuso  'Milord ' Loveseats in Mohair Velvet, 1957, Arflex Italy
Pair of Marco Zanuso  'Milord ' Loveseats in Mohair Velvet, 1957, Arflex Italy

Pair of Marco Zanuso 'Milord ' Loveseats in Mohair Velvet, 1957, Arflex Italy

By Arflex, Marco Zanuso

Located in bergen op zoom, NL

Lovely pair of restored 'Milord' loveseats by Marco Zanuso for Arflex,Italy finished in Mohair fabric with mahogany veneer side panels. Both chairs are signed with original early fabric 'Arflex' manufacturer's labels. Zanuso's presitgious 'Milord' seating series was first unveiled at the prestigious 1957 ' IX Triennale' design exhibition in Milan, please refer to the black and white photos in IMAGE 2 which document this exhibition . This model proved to be incredibly popular with both architects and design journalists of the time and featured twice on the front cover of the prestigious design magazine 'Rivista dell Arredamento' in both August and November 1961...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Loveseats

Materials

Mohair, Foam, Latex, Rubber, Birch, Plywood, Mahogany

Marco Zanuso Lady Sofa by Arflex, Italy, 1950s
Marco Zanuso Lady Sofa by Arflex, Italy, 1950s

Marco Zanuso Lady Sofa by Arflex, Italy, 1950s

Sold

H 31.11 in W 57.49 in D 32.29 in

Marco Zanuso Lady Sofa by Arflex, Italy, 1950s

By Arflex, Marco Zanuso

Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland

Marco Zanuso lady sofa for Arflex, Italy, 1950s. Rare and absolutely gorgeous model with the rare brass legs. The sofa has been completely reupholst...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Loveseats

Materials

Brass

Marco Zanuso Two-Seater Sofa for Arflex
Marco Zanuso Two-Seater Sofa for Arflex

Marco Zanuso Two-Seater Sofa for Arflex

Sold

H 34.65 in W 46.86 in D 31.5 in

Marco Zanuso Two-Seater Sofa for Arflex

By Arflex, Marco Zanuso

Located in Milan, IT

Marco Zanuso 2 Seater Sofa for Arflex

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Loveseats

Materials

Brass, Metal

Marco Zanuso Senior Lounge Sofa for Arflex, 1951
Marco Zanuso Senior Lounge Sofa for Arflex, 1951

Marco Zanuso Senior Lounge Sofa for Arflex, 1951

Sold

H 39.38 in W 59.06 in D 31.5 in

Marco Zanuso Senior Lounge Sofa for Arflex, 1951

By Arflex, Marco Zanuso

Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant

Super rare loveseat sofa designed by world known designed Marco Zanuso for Arflext, Italy 1951. This two seater sofa is newly upholstered with Tonica 751 fabric by Kvadrat and is uph...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Loveseats

Materials

Brass

Arflex loveseats for sale on 1stDibs.

Arflex loveseats are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of fabric and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Arflex loveseats, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 1 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 3 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original loveseats by Arflex were created in the modern style in italy during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider loveseats by Paola Navone, Gervasoni, and Dale Italia. Prices for Arflex loveseats can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $7,515 and can go as high as $14,150, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $9,365.