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 Ladle Swivel Armchair with Medium Backrest in Fabric by Luca Nichetto
By Luca Nichetto, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Arflex Ladle Swivel Armchair with Medium Backrest in Lama Fabric by Luca Nichetto. It is possible to create a very large possibility of proposals with a personal character, maintaini...
Fabric
$3,876Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 32.29 in W 27.56 in D 29.93 in
Swivel Armchair In Cotton Velvet with Seaming Details on the Back
By Munna Design Studio
Located in NEW YORK, NY
The front of this swivel armchair is composed as a verse, with a smooth seat, backrest and legs. The scene is set for the explosion of the chorus, bursting from its quilted back, inf...
Velvet, Wood
$3,196 / item
H 27.96 in W 31.89 in D 25.99 in
"Wind" Swivel Armchair in Velvet with Silk Fringes Green
By Studio Marta Manente
Located in Centro, RS
The wind swivel armchair is elegantly upholstered in velvet: Green, black, or offwhite colors options. The breeze is identified with the lightnes...
Velvet
Ingrid Swivel Armchair
By Marioni
Located in Milan, IT
This elegant black and grey swivel armchair, designed by Studio 63 for Marioni, features a metal structure and is available in different fabric or leather upholstery.
Metal
$5,685 / item
H 31.5 in W 35.83 in D 31.5 in
Customizable Wittmann Andes Armchair Designed by Luca Nichetto
By Luca Nichetto, Wittmann
Located in New York, NY
Andes is a new interpretation of classically elegant salon furniture – bearing all the hallmarks of a great Viennese tradition. The individual elements in this family can be position...
Textile, Leather
$6,866 / item
H 31.11 in W 37.01 in D 31.11 in
Customizable Wittmann Paradise Bird Armchair by Luca Nichetto
By Wittmann, Luca Nichetto
Located in New York, NY
Many different upholstery materials available. Standard: black grey fine powder coated On request: brass satin matt finish. Standard piping. Paradise Bird is a collection of unus...
Leather, Fabric, Velvet
$6,054 / item
H 23.63 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
Moooi Bart Swivel Armchair in Foam Seat with Solis, Dawn Upholstery
By Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Bart armchair brings a friendly sort of grandeur to your home. This single-seater does the rounded shapes of the Bart family even more justice, especially with the optional swive...
Upholstery
$8,354 / item
H 47.25 in W 37.01 in D 31.11 in
Customizable Wittmann Paradise Bird High Back Armchair Designed by Luca Nichetto
By Wittmann, Luca Nichetto
Located in New York, NY
Many different upholstery materials available. Standard: black grey fine powder coated On request: brass satin matte finish. Standard piping. Paradise Bird is a collection of unu...
Leather, Fabric, Velvet
$2,012Sale Price / item|26% Off
H 30.32 in W 27.56 in D 24.81 in
"Jasmin" Swivel Armchair in Black Wood and Linen Fabric
By Studio Marta Manente
Located in Centro, RS
The Jasmine armchair has feminine and sophisticate shapes. It's delicate and practical by the rotating movement. Jasmine armchair has sinuous lines, translating the essence of well-...
Hardwood
$7,563 / item
H 30.32 in W 33.47 in D 37.8 in
Hand-Crafted Modern Swivel Armchair by Creart with Metallic Base
By Creart
Located in NEW YORK, NY
This armchair is the perfect piece to complement for your vintage-style living room or bedroom. High quality design that provides ultimate comfort with swivel metallic base and a wid...
Fabric, Wood
$2,289Sale Price / item|26% Off
H 30.32 in W 27.56 in D 24.81 in
"Jasmin" Swivel Armchair in Natural Wood Cotton Straw and Linen Fabric
By Studio Marta Manente
Located in Centro, RS
A pice is delicate and practical. The Jasmin armchair has sinuous lines, translating the essence of well-being and wellness to the piece. It has 4 feet in natural wood swivel that ma...
Fabric, Straw, Hardwood
Swivel Armchair with Leather Fringe Detail, Gray
By MORADA Haute Furniture Boutique LLC
Located in Miami, FL
The TAGLIA swivel armchair introduces the timeless fashion element of leather fringes to haute furniture design. The swung armrest and the oversized backrest are surrounded by a dens...
Leather
$6,849 / item
H 23.63 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
Moooi Bart Swivel Armchair in Foam Seat with Justo, Muse Upholstery
By Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Bart Armchair brings a friendly sort of grandeur to your home. This single-seater does the rounded shapes of the Bart family even more justice, especially with the optional swive...
Upholstery
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...
Aluminum
Sold
H 40.95 in W 34.26 in D 33.47 in
Vintage Red Armchair "Armilla Revolving" by Burkhard Voghterr for Arflex, 1990s
By Arflex, Burkhard Vogtherr
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
A beautiful iconic revolving 'Armilla' armchair. Manufactured by Arflex in Italy in the 1990s and designed by Burkhard Vogtherr. Very comfortable armchair thanks to the high back and...
Steel
Martin Grierson Swivel Lounge Chair for Artflex, Italy, 1960s
By Arflex, Martin Grierson
Located in New York, NY
Iconic lounge chair designed by English designer, Martin Grierson, for Italian seating manufacturer, Artflex. This piece was ahead of its time with a bold modern look defined by its ...
Leather, Rosewood
Armilla Armchairs and Ottoman for Arflex
By Arflex, Burkhard Vogtherr
Located in Denton, TX
Pair of swivel chairs and ottoman in textured black Italian leather. The ottoman dimensions: 20 L x 18.5 D x 16 H.
Metal
Sold
H 30 in W 26.5 in D 21 in
Gio Ponti & Alberto Roselli for Arflex, Pair of "Airone" Model Office Chairs
By Gio Ponti, Arflex, Alberto Rosselli Saporiti
Located in New York, NY
Upholstered form seat and back over chrome-plated and enameled steel swivel base. Manufacturers label to underside.
Steel
Sold
H 29.14 in W 19.69 in D 16.54 in
Two Chrome Plated Metal and Black Fabric Soft Chairs Botolo by Boeri for Arflex
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This pair of vintage Botolo chair was designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex in 1973. They are made from three chrome-plated metal wheeled legs and a soft seat...
Metal, Chrome