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Arflex Settees

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
Marco Zanuso for Arflex Mid Century Lady Lounge Settee Sofa
Marco Zanuso for Arflex Mid Century Lady Lounge Settee Sofa

Marco Zanuso for Arflex Mid Century Lady Lounge Settee Sofa

By Marco Zanuso, Arflex

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Marco Zanuso for Arflex Mid Century Lady Lounge Settee Sofa This settee measures: 61 wide x 36 deep x 35.5 inches high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height of 22.25 inches Grea...

Category

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

Materials

Upholstery

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Marco Zanuso for Arflex Pair of Lounge Chairs in Black Leather
Marco Zanuso for Arflex Pair of Lounge Chairs in Black Leather

Marco Zanuso for Arflex Pair of Lounge Chairs in Black Leather

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H 31.89 in W 32.68 in D 31.5 in

Marco Zanuso for Arflex Pair of Lounge Chairs in Black Leather

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Located in Waalwijk, NL

Marco Zanuso for Arflex, pair of lounge chairs, model 'Regent', leather, metal, Italy, designed in 1960 This admirable lounge chair named ‘Regent’ is designed by the talented Italia...

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Marco Zanuso for Arflex  ‘Square’ Lounge Chair
Marco Zanuso for Arflex  ‘Square’ Lounge Chair

Marco Zanuso for Arflex ‘Square’ Lounge Chair

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H 27.17 in W 32.49 in D 35.44 in

Marco Zanuso for Arflex ‘Square’ Lounge Chair

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Marco Zanuso for Arflex, 'Square' lounge chair, fabric, metal, wood, Italy, 1962 This eccentric chair by Marco Zanuso is well-executed embodying a so...

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Marco Zanuso for Arflex 'Regent' Lounge Chair in Patterned Upholstery
Marco Zanuso for Arflex 'Regent' Lounge Chair in Patterned Upholstery

Marco Zanuso for Arflex 'Regent' Lounge Chair in Patterned Upholstery

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Located in Waalwijk, NL

Marco Zanuso for Arflex, lounge chair model 'Regent', fabric, metal, wood, Italy, 1960 Admirable ‘Regent’ lounge chair designed by Marco Zanuso in...

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1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Settees

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Marco Zanuso Lady Chair Arflex, Italy, 1951
Marco Zanuso Lady Chair Arflex, Italy, 1951

Marco Zanuso Lady Chair Arflex, Italy, 1951

$4,782

H 31.5 in W 29.93 in D 33.86 in

Marco Zanuso Lady Chair Arflex, Italy, 1951

By Marco Zanuso, Arflex

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...

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rare marco zanuso lady sofa by arflex
rare marco zanuso lady sofa by arflex

rare marco zanuso lady sofa by arflex

$4,745Sale Price|30% Off

H 31.5 in W 78.75 in D 35.44 in

rare marco zanuso lady sofa by arflex

By Arflex, Marco Zanuso

Located in Munich, DE

rare and elegant lady sofa by marco zanuso. only produced for a short period by arflex / italy.

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Settees

Materials

Metal, Brass

Marco Zanuso "Square" Armchair for Arflex, 1962
Marco Zanuso "Square" Armchair for Arflex, 1962

Marco Zanuso "Square" Armchair for Arflex, 1962

$6,800

H 27.17 in W 76.78 in D 35.44 in

Marco Zanuso "Square" Armchair for Arflex, 1962

By Marco Zanuso, Arflex

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...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Settees

Materials

Velvet

Pair of Marco Zanuso Lady Chair Arflex Old Edition
Pair of Marco Zanuso Lady Chair Arflex Old Edition

Pair of Marco Zanuso Lady Chair Arflex Old Edition

$14,520 / set

H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 32.29 in

Pair of Marco Zanuso Lady Chair Arflex Old Edition

By Arflex, Marco Zanuso

Located in Saint Ouen, FR

Pair of old edition Marco Zanuso lady chair for Arflex 1950's. Brass legs. Newly reupholstered in a luxurious, premium, Ivory, 100% wool velvet fabric.

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Marco Zanuso Style Modern Sofa 1960s
Marco Zanuso Style Modern Sofa 1960s

Marco Zanuso Style Modern Sofa 1960s

$8,800

H 34 in W 70 in D 32 in

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.

Category

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Materials

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Marco Zanuso "Regent" Sofa for Arflex, Sage Green Velvet, 1960
Marco Zanuso "Regent" Sofa for Arflex, Sage Green Velvet, 1960

Marco Zanuso "Regent" Sofa for Arflex, Sage Green Velvet, 1960

By Arflex, Marco Zanuso

Located in Lonigo, Veneto

Marco Zanuso "Regent" Sofa for Arflex, sage green velvet, Italy, 1960. In the realm of luxury design, few pieces evoke the essence of mid-century Italian style as eloquently as the ...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Settees

Materials

Velvet

Mid-Century Italian 'Lady' Armchair by Marco Zanuso for Arflex
Mid-Century Italian 'Lady' Armchair by Marco Zanuso for Arflex

Mid-Century Italian 'Lady' Armchair by Marco Zanuso for Arflex

By Marco Zanuso

Located in Gloucestershire, GB

Mid-Century Italian 'Lady' armchair designed by Marco Zanuso for Arflex. A comfortable design featuring splayed polished brass legs. Fully reupholstered with new foam seat padding i...

Category

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

Materials

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Previously Available Items
Rare Two-Seat Marco Zanuso Lady Sofa, Arflex, Italy, 1950s/60s, New Mohair
Rare Two-Seat Marco Zanuso Lady Sofa, Arflex, Italy, 1950s/60s, New Mohair

Rare Two-Seat Marco Zanuso Lady Sofa, Arflex, Italy, 1950s/60s, New Mohair

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Located in Lewes, East Sussex

Rare authentic two-seat Marco Zanuso lady sofa, Arflex, France/Italy, 1950s/60s. Newly upholtsered in a premium, ivory, pure mohair fabric. Fast shipping worldwide.

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Materials

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Original Marco Zanuso Lady Sofa, Arflex, Italy, 1960s
Original Marco Zanuso Lady Sofa, Arflex, Italy, 1960s

Original Marco Zanuso Lady Sofa, Arflex, Italy, 1960s

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Located in Lewes, East Sussex

A very rare authentic early Marco Zanuso Lady sofa, Arflex, France/Italy, 1960s. Newly reupholstered in premium ivory Larsen / Cowtan and Tout fabric....

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Marco Zanuso Square Sofa Arflex Italy, 1962
Marco Zanuso Square Sofa Arflex Italy, 1962

Marco Zanuso Square Sofa Arflex Italy, 1962

Sold

H 29.53 in W 78.75 in D 31.5 in

Marco Zanuso Square Sofa Arflex Italy, 1962

By Marco Zanuso, Arflex

Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant

Rare 'square' sofa designed by Marco Zanuso and manufactured by Arflex, Italy 1962. This sofa is upholstered in high quality black leather which is the original upholstery. The legs are made of black painted metal and the feet are in solid teak. This rare sofa is in super original condition with very nice patina from age and usage. Comfortable low lounge sofa...

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1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Settees

Materials

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Rare Three-Seat Marco Zanuso Lady Sofa, Arflex, Italy, 1960s
Rare Three-Seat Marco Zanuso Lady Sofa, Arflex, Italy, 1960s

Rare Three-Seat Marco Zanuso Lady Sofa, Arflex, Italy, 1960s

By Marco Zanuso, Arflex

Located in Lewes, East Sussex

Complimentary recovering offered. Rare three-seat Marco Zanuso lady sofa, arflex, France/Italy, 1960s. The fabric is a little bit dirty so the price h...

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

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Rare "Martingala" Sofa by Marco Zanuso
Rare "Martingala" Sofa by Marco Zanuso

Rare "Martingala" Sofa by Marco Zanuso

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Rare "Martingala" Sofa by Marco Zanuso

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Located in New York, NY

Sculptural settee on tapering brass legs with black ball feet. Newly upholstered in moss-green velvet. This sofa is a variation of the more commonly seen "Martingala" chair. Illustra...

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1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Settees

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 Marco Zanuso, Arflex

Located in Milan, IT

Marco Zanuso 2 Seater Sofa for Arflex

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arflex Settees

Materials

Brass, Metal

Arflex settees for sale on 1stDibs.

Arflex settees 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 settees, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original settees by Arflex were created in the mid-century modern style in italy during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider settees by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Paolo Buffa, and Casa e Giardino. Prices for Arflex settees can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $8,424 and can go as high as $16,199, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $12,311.