Arflex Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

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.

Creator: Arflex

Vintage 1950s Studio BBPR Design Chairs for Arflex with Iron Frame

$750 / item

Vintage 1950s Studio BBPR Design Chairs for Arflex with Iron Frame

By Arflex, Studio BBPR

Located in Rome, IT

Presenting iconic vintage chair designed by the renowned studio BBPR for Arflex, originating from the enchanting 1950s. These timeless classics radiate a unique charm that promises t...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Iron

Neptunia chair 20th century metal legs by Arflex B.B.P.R. studio from 1953

$5,844

Neptunia chair 20th century metal legs by Arflex B.B.P.R. studio from 1953

By Studio BBPR, Arflex

Located in Palermo, IT

Directly from the University of Palermo, with the collaboration of the 'Office of the President of the Region of Palermo. Sofas Armchairs Chairs. Arflex chair. Belgiojoso, Peresutti,...

Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Arflex Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal, Iron

Outstanding rare Albenga office chair by Gustavo Pulitzer

$4,238Sale Price|20% Off

Outstanding rare Albenga office chair by Gustavo Pulitzer

By Arflex, Gustavo Pulitzer Finali

Located in Munich, DE

Amazing Pulitzer Albenga chair in a very uncommon and impossible to find - all original office version. It is high adjustable, tilts and swivels. using the same construction like old...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Bount Office Chair

$6,136 / item

H 35.44 in W 26.38 in D 24.41 in

Bount Office Chair

Located in Paris, FR

Office chair Bount with solid wood structure upholstered and covered with camel leather. Swivel desk chair with blackened iron base. Also available wi...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Arflex Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Iron

20th Century Vintage Gray Swivel Armchair, 1960s

$2,200

H 33.47 in W 29.53 in D 21.66 in

20th Century Vintage Gray Swivel Armchair, 1960s

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

Swivel armchair from the 1960s, produced in the Silesian furniture factory in Swiebodzin - at the moment they are unique. Due to their dimensions, they perfectly blend in even in sma...

Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Arflex Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Vittorio Chiaia and Massimo Napolitano Chair for Arflex, Italy 1950s

$1,753

H 29.53 in W 22.84 in D 18.51 in

Vittorio Chiaia and Massimo Napolitano Chair for Arflex, Italy 1950s

By Chiaia and Napolitano, Arflex

Located in Milan, IT

Vittorio Chiaia and Massimo Napolitano chair for Arflex, Italy 1950s.

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Office Chair, International Style Wooden Adjustable Office Chair

$2,616 / item

H 33.47 in W 26.38 in D 25.2 in

Office Chair, International Style Wooden Adjustable Office Chair

By kontra

Located in İstanbul, İstanbul

Darwin added wheels to the office chair in 19th century. In the 1970s ergonomics was added to design criteria. Today, it is the key element for whom spends long hours in the office. ...

Category

2010s Turkish International Style Arflex Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

Office Chair, International Style Wooden Office Chair

$2,598 / item

H 33.47 in W 26.38 in D 25.2 in

Office Chair, International Style Wooden Office Chair

By kontra

Located in İstanbul, İstanbul

Darwin added wheels to the office chair in 19th century. In the 1970s ergonomics was added to design criteria. Today, it is the key element for whom sp...

Category

2010s Turkish International Style Arflex Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak, Walnut

Mid-Century Hannah Morrison for Knoll Suede Office Chair, 1950s

$2,571

H 32.68 in W 24.81 in D 24.02 in

Mid-Century Hannah Morrison for Knoll Suede Office Chair, 1950s

By Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison, Knoll

Located in Paris, FR

Superb desk chair designed in the USA by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll in the 1950s-1960s composed of a meticulously polished aluminium structure with swivel base on rol...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

'Albenga' Armchair by Gustavo Pulitzer Finali for Arflex, 1955

$2,542

H 32.29 in W 23.63 in D 24.81 in

'Albenga' Armchair by Gustavo Pulitzer Finali for Arflex, 1955

By Gustavo Pulitzer Finali

Located in Brussels, BE

'Albenga' Armchair by Gustavo Pulitzer Finali for Arflex, 1955

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Arflex Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

Office Chair by Jacob & Josef Kohn

$701

H 37.41 in W 23.63 in D 18.9 in

Office Chair by Jacob & Josef Kohn

By Jacob & Josef Kohn

Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj

Office chair by Jacob & Josef Kohn.

Category

Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Arflex Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Bentwood

Arflex Neptunia Chair Divina Green Fabric and Metal Legs by B.B.P.R.

$3,376 / item

H 31.89 in W 31.11 in D 24.02 in

Arflex Neptunia Chair Divina Green Fabric and Metal Legs by B.B.P.R.

By Arflex

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Neptunia collection, that includes armchair and chair, was designed in the ’50s, as a continuation of the Elettra collection, for giving choice to design offices and public spaces. N...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Arflex Elettra Chair in Divina Fabric with Black Metal Base by B.B.P.R

$2,915 / item

H 29.53 in W 18.51 in D 22.84 in

Arflex Elettra Chair in Divina Fabric with Black Metal Base by B.B.P.R

By Arflex

Located in Brooklyn, NY

A classic of the '50s office, Elettra is the seating you can't do without. Thanks to its timeless style and its elegant proportions, it adapts perfectly to...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Arflex Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Office Chair, International Style Leather Office Chair

$3,004 / item

H 33.47 in W 26.38 in D 25.2 in

Office Chair, International Style Leather Office Chair

By kontra

Located in İstanbul, İstanbul

Darwin added wheels to the office chair in 19th century. In the 1970s ergonomics was added to design criteria. Today, it is the key element for whom spends long hours in the office...

Category

2010s Turkish International Style Arflex Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

1960s Herman Miller Eames Swivel Office Desk Chair / rare green fiberglass

$999

H 31 in W 18 in D 18 in

1960s Herman Miller Eames Swivel Office Desk Chair / rare green fiberglass

By Charles Eames, Herman Miller

Located in Buffalo, NY

Vintage 1960s Herman Miller Eames fiberglass shell office or desk chair. Swivel base with wheels. Seldom seen / green fiberglass Shell in good condition with wonderful exposed fiber...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Previously Available Items

Pair of Office Chairs by André Vandenbeuck for Arflex, Italy, 1960's

Sold

H 34.65 in W 25.6 in D 27.17 in

Pair of Office Chairs by André Vandenbeuck for Arflex, Italy, 1960's

By Arflex, Andre Vandenbeuck

Located in Barcelona, ES

Pair of office armchairs designed by André Vandenbeuck in 1960's and produced by Arflex, Italy. Rare swivel desk version in original tan leather, wood arms and polished steel bases.

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

Italian mid-century modern office chair Gustavo Pulitzer-Finali for Arflex 1960s

Sold

H 33.08 in W 25.2 in D 23.63 in

Italian mid-century modern office chair Gustavo Pulitzer-Finali for Arflex 1960s

By Arflex, Gustavo Pulitzer Finali

Located in MIlano, IT

Italian mid-century modern office chair Gustavo Pulitzer-Finali for Arflex 1960s Swivel office chair with padded seat and backrest covered in orange fabric. The profiles of the chair are composed of two side panels covered in brown leather with stitching, these panels also form the two armrests that curve outwards. The central stem and the four spokes are in black painted metal, the round feet are in brass. Produced by Arflex in about 1960 and designed by Gustavo Pulitzer-Finali. Fair conditions, signs of use and time on the leather, oxidations and stains and halos on the fabric. Measurements in cm 64x60x84h 66h armrest 51h seat This beautiful and iconic desk chair...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal

Oxford Chair by British Designer Martin Grierson for Arflex, 1963

Sold

H 27.56 in W 23.63 in D 21.26 in

Oxford Chair by British Designer Martin Grierson for Arflex, 1963

By Arflex, Martin Grierson

Located in Barcelona, ES

Oxford chair designed in 1963 by British designer Martin Grierson for Arflex, Italy. Hardwood molded shell upholstered in black leather. Swi...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Metal, Steel

Rare Leather Swivel Chair "Epoca" by Marco Zanuso Produced by Arflex, Italy

Sold

H 36.23 in W 28.35 in D 27.56 in

Rare Leather Swivel Chair "Epoca" by Marco Zanuso Produced by Arflex, Italy

By Arflex, Marco Zanuso

Located in Bresso, Lombardy

Made in Italy, 1970. It is a swivel chair on wheels designed by Marco Zanuso and manufactured by ARFLEX. It is made in cast aluminum, fiberglass, and le...

Category

1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Arflex Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Gio Ponti & Alberto Roselli for Arflex, Pair of "Airone" Model Office Chairs

Sold

H 30 in W 26.5 in D 21 in

Gio Ponti & Alberto Roselli for Arflex, Pair of "Airone" Model Office Chairs

By Arflex, Alberto Rosselli Saporiti, Gio Ponti

Located in New York, NY

Upholstered form seat and back over chrome-plated and enameled steel swivel base. Manufacturers label to underside.

Category

1950s Italian Modern Vintage Arflex Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Italian Velvet and Brass Legs Armchair from Arflex, 1960s

Sold

H 33.47 in W 24.81 in D 21.66 in

Mid-Century Italian Velvet and Brass Legs Armchair from Arflex, 1960s

By Arflex

Located in Rome, IT

This Italian armchair from Arflex features solid brass legs, new velvet upholstery, and curved teak armrests, and was produced in the 1960s.

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Brass

Arflex office chairs and desk chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Arflex office chairs and desk chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Arflex office chairs and desk chairs, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original office chairs and desk chairs by Arflex were created in the mid-century modern style in italy during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider office chairs and desk chairs by Gio Ponti, Mario Bellini, and Vittorio Nobili. Prices for Arflex office chairs and desk chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $750 and can go as high as $9,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,043.