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.
Arflex Penta Ottoman in Divina Vega Fabric by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Arflex, Claesson Koivisto Rune
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The pentagon is the best shape to combine a certain geometrical integrity without having to adapt to the surrounding order : in other words it has a distinct shape. For the version w...
Fabric
Marco Zanuso Ottoman, Brass tubular, fabric. Arflex, 1950, Italy.
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Wolfurt, AT
Footstool, Ottoman matching to Lady and Senior Chairs by Marco Zanuso, Arflex Italy, 1951 Feel free to ask for more images or a quote for shipping.
Brass
Arflex Penta Ottoman in Cabas Fabric by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Arflex, Claesson Koivisto Rune
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The pentagon is the best shape to combine a certain geometrical integrity without having to adapt to the surrounding order : in other words it has a distinct shape. For the version w...
Fabric
Arflex Cousy Pouf in Grey Oxford Fabric & Beech Wood by Vincent Van Duysen
By Arflex, Vincent Van Duysen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Arflex Cousy pouf in oxford fabric with beech wood structure by Vincent Van Duysen Additional information: Materials: Upholstered seat with Beech Wood...
Fabric
Mushroom Ottoman in "Oxido-Honey" Specialty Fabric
Located in Fairfield, CA
A handmade mushroom shaped ottoman, upholstered in "Oxido-Honey" specialty fabric. Oxido-Honey is a woven fabric with multiple textures in taupe, dark brown, ivory, and muted yellow....
Fabric
$3,351
H 14.97 in Dm 15.56 in
Art Deco Vintage Beech Pouf Stool Tabouret Josef Frank Fabric 1930s Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage pouf or stool or ottoman with three beech wood feet designed and manufactured 1930s Austria. An amazing stool covered with fresh and colorful textile fabric designed...
Beech
Mushroom Ottoman in "Parlay" Specialty Fabric
Located in Fairfield, CA
A handmade mushroom shaped ottoman, upholstered in "Parlay" specialty fabric. Parlay is a woven black and white fabric with the white part having a velvet texture. Perfect for using ...
Fabric
Marco Zanuso "Square" Sofa for Arflex, 1962
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
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
$3,608 / item
H 33.46 in W 46.45 in D 34.05 in
Customizable Tacchini Isola Lounge Chair by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Claesson Koivisto Rune, Tacchini
Located in New York, NY
In waiting spaces, people naturally tend to assume a relaxed posture, particularly while using their computer, laptop or smartphone for work or to pass the time. This consideration w...
Leather, Fabric
$3,351 / set
H 13.78 in W 22.84 in D 14.97 in
Pair of Mid-Century Italian Stools/Poufs in Wood and Bouclé Fabric
By Gio Ponti
Located in Argelato, BO
Pair of elegant Mid-Century Italian stools, in wood and Bouclé fabric
Fabric, Wood
"Pietra" Curved Ottoman Upholsterd in Bouclé Fabric
By Studio Marta Manente
Located in Centro, RS
From Italian: Stone The designer Marta Manente is of Italian descent, her great-grandparents migrated from Italy over 100 years ago and lived in the region of Bento Gonçalves – Brazi...
Bouclé
Marco Zanuso "Square" Armchair for Arflex, 1962
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Marco Zanuso "Square" Armchair for Arflex, camel velvet, Italy, 1962. The design of Marco Zanuso's "Square" armchair, produced for Arflex in 1960s, reflects his commitment to modern...
Velvet
$676 / item
H 16.34 in W 25.6 in D 17.33 in
Baleri Italia Tato Pouf in White Fabric by Denis Santachiara
By Denis Santachiara, Baleri Italia
Located in Milano, Lombardia
To make pure, elementary, ideal form into something comfortable. Beneath these spheroidal forms, visually striking, but apparently uncomfortable, seemingly useless, the technology of...
Fabric
$676 / item
H 16.34 in W 25.6 in D 17.33 in
Baleri Italia Tato Pouf in Blueberry Fabric by Denis Santachiara
By Denis Santachiara, Baleri Italia
Located in Milano, Lombardia
To make pure, elementary, ideal form into something comfortable. Beneath these spheroidal forms, visually striking, but apparently uncomfortable, seemingly useless, the technology of...
Fabric
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
Forsyth Ottoman in Pierre Frey Wokabi Fabric
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
The Forsyth Ottoman is designed and handcrafted in a beautiful Pierre Frey Wokabi fabric. This is a versatile piece for any room. The perfect coffee ta...
Fabric
Sold
H 39.38 in W 29.93 in D 34.85 in
Pair of Marco Zanuso 'Senior' Chairs Mohair Velvet + Ottoman Arflex, Italy, 1951
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
These rare, very early examples ,of Zanuso's 'Senior' chair are identified by their artisan crafted wood frames which were soon replaced by a more cost effective pressed steel constr...
Brass, Steel
Marco Zanuso Brown Ottoman Model Regent for Arflex Italy 1960
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Miami, FL
Exceptional ottoman designed by Marco Zanuso made by Arflex, Italy. Original brown leather ottoman on casters. Ottoman: 22 inches x 22 inche...
Leather
Sold
H 33.25 in W 33 in D 27 in
Marco Zanuso Brown Leather Lounge Chair Model Regent for Arflex Italy 1960
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Miami, FL
Exceptional chair designed by Marco Zanuso made by Arflex, Italy. Original brown leather, chair on casters. Measures: Chair 33.25 H, 33 W, 33 D,15.5 seat height, 21 W seat interio...
Metal
Pair of Delfino Armchairs with Ottoman by Erberto Carboni for Arflex
By Erberto Carboni, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of delfino armchairs with ottoman by Erberto Carboni for Arflex. Located in NY.
Sold
H 32.68 in W 32.68 in D 36.23 in
Rare Marco Zanuso Regent Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Arflex, Italy, 1960
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
A rare Regent Lounge Chair with the super rare original ottoman on castors by Marco Zanuso for Arflex Italy. This set comes in original vintage ...
Brass