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.
$7,393Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of armchairs fabric Italian vintage 60s design "Elettra" Studio BBPR
By Arflex, Studio BBPR
Located in Milano, MI
The Elettra armchair was designed in the 1950s by the historic Italian design team B.B.P.R. for the manufacturer Arflex. It has a black-painted tubular metal frame, padded shaped wo...
Iron
Three Piece Italian "Dolphin" Lounge Suite by Ernesto Carboni for Arflex
By Arflex
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning lounge suite. "Dolphin" featuring matching pair of original black leather lounge chairs and ottoman, seldom seen arm-less version. Brass bases have been painted (white) stun...
Brass
$5,284 / set
H 35.04 in W 27.96 in D 35.04 in
Erberto Carboni 'Delfino' Lounge Chair and Ottoman for Arflex
By Arflex, Erberto Carboni
Located in Tilburg, NL
Erberto Carboni 'Delfino' Lounge Chair + Ottoman 1954 for Arflex, Italy. New, Current production. Delfino armchair by Erberto Carboni is a significant example of the so-called "organic" furniture, which develops in the 1950s and draws inspiration from the forms of nature. The Delfino armchair has a strong personality, with a very evident graphic sign, that makes it perfect for both home and hospitality space. This wonderful chair and ottoman are available in a wide range of upholstery options. Please ask us about the possibilities. Designed by Erberto Carboni: Graphic designer, poster designer and illustrator (Parma 1899 - Milan 1984). Graduated in architecture at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Parma (in 1921, earning an honorary diploma), he immediately started working as a graphic designer, opening a studio in his hometown (he developed advertising material for some local companies). He also began to work as an illustrator, collaborating with some publishing houses in setting up the iconography of volumes of consumer fiction and beginning to work with some magazines, such as "Lidel", "Novella", "Dramma", "Emporium", "Le Grandi Firme". In 1932 he moved to Milan, where he came into contact with Studio Boggeri and Olivetti Advertising...
Metal
$4,028 / set
H 27.56 in W 22.05 in D 27.56 in
Set of 2 Model 141 Lounge Chairs by Joseph Andre Motte for Artifort, 1950's
By Artifort, Joseph-André Motte
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This rare model 141 lounge chair was designed by Joseph-André Motte for Steiner (in France) in the 1950's. It was produced, under licence, by Dutch furniture manufacturer Artifort fr...
Metal
Studio BBPR Urania Armchair for Arflex, Italy, 1954
By Studio BBPR, Arflex
Located in Milan, IT
Studio BBPR "Urania" Armchair for Arflex, Italy, 1954 reupholstered in bright curry yellow fabric.
Metal
Lounge Chair by Florence Knoll for Knoll
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A lounge chair formed by an armless button-tufted upholstered seat resting on a matte steel, rectilinear architectural frame.
Steel
$7,109 / set
H 27.96 in W 24.41 in D 28.35 in
Pair of 'Elettra' Lounge Chairs by BBPR, Arflex, Italy 1953, Compasso D'Oro 1954
By Studio BBPR
Located in Rovereta, Repubblica di San Marino
Rare pair of original period 'Elettra' lounge chairs by the famous ground breaking architect studio partnership BBPR, Gianluigi Banfi, Lodovico Barbian...
Iron
$805Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.88 in W 21.65 in D 23.62 in
Ico Parisi swivel office chair for Mim Roma of the 60s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Catania, IT
Ico Parisi swivel office chair for Mim Roma of the 60s. Product n good condition with wear caused by years and use. Please carefully view the attache...
Metal
Erberto Carboni 'Delfino' Lounge Chair for Arflex
By Erberto Carboni, Arflex
Located in Tilburg, NL
Erberto Carboni 'Delfino' Lounge Chair designed in 1954 for Arflex, Italy. New, Current production. Delfino armchair by Erberto Carboni is a significant example of the so-called "organic" furniture, which develops in the 1950s and draws inspiration from the forms of nature. The Delfino armchair has a strong personality, with a very evident graphic sign, that makes it perfect for both home and hospitality space. This wonderful chair is available in a wide range of upholstery options. Please ask us about the possibilities. Designed by Erberto Carboni: Graphic designer, poster designer and illustrator (Parma 1899 - Milan 1984). Graduated in architecture at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Parma (in 1921, earning an honorary diploma), he immediately started working as a graphic designer, opening a studio in his hometown (he developed advertising material for some local companies). He also began to work as an illustrator, collaborating with some publishing houses in setting up the iconography of volumes of consumer fiction and beginning to work with some magazines, such as "Lidel", "Novella", "Dramma", "Emporium", "Le Grandi Firme". In 1932 he moved to Milan, where he came into contact with Studio Boggeri and Olivetti Advertising...
Metal
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Lounge Chair in Teak
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Florence Knoll for Knoll International, lounge chair, model '51', teak, fabric, United States, 1955 This slipper chair model 51 is designed by Florence Knoll. The teak frame of the chair is sleek in form. The angled seat is placed upon the squared-off frame. Maximum seating comfort is ensured by the wide seat and tilted backrest. Florence Knoll (1917-) was trained as an architect and had a sense of style from a very young age. In 1936 she met Alvar Aalto and was trained by Marcel Breuer, Walter Gropius and Mies van der Rohe. This meant that although she was barely out of her teens, she was educated by the best of the European modernists. When she arrived in New York Knoll worked on interior projects (being the only female) which is how she came to know Hans Knoll. When Florence joined Knoll, the planning unit started. Florence also made sure that the designs where more 'American Modernist' instead of Scandinavian, When Hans Knoll died she...
Fabric, Teak
$2,962
H 29.14 in W 21.26 in D 18.51 in
Studio BBPR Single Elettra Chair in Curry Yellow Fabric for Arflex 1954
By Arflex, Studio BBPR
Located in Milan, IT
Studio BBPR Single Elettra Chair in Curry Yellow Fabric for Arflex 1954
Metal
Erberto Carboni Delfino lounge chairs Arflex Italy 1955
By Erberto Carboni, Arflex
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
The iconic Delfino lounge chairs, designed by Erberto Carboni for Artflex in 1955, stand as iconic pieces of furniture. The original early versions of these chairs showcase beautiful...
Brass
Early Elettra Chair by Studio BBPR for Arflex, Italy, 1950s
By Studio BBPR, Arflex
Located in Berlin, DE
Iconic Elettra chair by Studio BBPR for Arflex with a black metal tubular base which is intersected below the seat. The chair has been newly upholstered in a delicate, light pink fab...
Metal
Carlo Bartoli Bicia Lounge Chair For Arflex Italy 1969
By Carlo Bartoli, Arflex
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful Bicia lounge chair designed by Carlo Bartoli for Arflex in 1969. A fine example of Italian design from the late 1960s, reflecting Bartoli’s experimental approach and use of...
Velvet, Plastic
Pair of Jules Slipper Chairs by Claesson Koivisto Rune for Artflex
By Claesson Koivisto Rune, Arflex
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Christened after the famous French movie by Francois Truffaut Jules is an easy chair that combines comfort and chic. The chair feature intersecting rounds, which make it incredibly c...
Metal