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.
Senior" Chair, Design by Marco Zanuso, Italy, 1951
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This "Senior" armchair model was designed by Marco Zanuso in the 1950s. The beautifully shaped armchair was marketed under the Arflex Italia label. It is upholstered in its original ...
Brass
Original SENIOR Armchair by Marco ZANUSO, Arflex Italy
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Berlin, Berlin
The 'Senior' lounge chair, upholstered in blue wool. Metal frame with metal leg fittings and wooden construction. Literature: Repertorio del Design Italiano 1950-2000, p. 25, illust...
Metal
$4,615 / set
H 33.47 in W 25.6 in D 29.53 in
Pair of Italian Midcentury Lounge Chairs Marco Zanuso Style
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Echt, NL
Pair of elegant midcentury Italian lounge chairs in excellent condition. The chairs are redone in a fresh light blue wool and provided with new foam. The metal frame is lacquered ...
Brass, Metal
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...
Chrome
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...
Velvet
$17,753 / set
H 31.11 in W 31.11 in D 28.75 in
Set/2 Marco Zanuso Lady Armchairs, 1950s Full Restoration by Greenapple
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso, Greenapple, Dedar
Located in Lisboa, PT
Pair of Collectible Vintage Italian Lady Armchairs designed by Marco Zanuso for the Casa e Arflex manufacturing company in the 1950s. This iconic design piece has been completely re...
Brass
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.
Brass
$21,900 / set
H 39.4 in W 28 in D 31.5 in
Vintage Pair of Italian 'Senior Chairs' / Lounge Chairs, Marco Zanuso Style
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in New York, NY
Rare, Elegant and comfortable pair of vintage Italian Mid-Century Modern "Senior Chairs" Attributed to Marco Zanuso, circa 1953. These armchairs / lounge chairs have high backs and are modern wing back...
Brass
Original SENIOR Armchair by Marco ZANUSO, Arflex Italy
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Berlin, Berlin
An early original 'Senior' lounge chair, upholstered in new burnt orange English velvet. Metal frame with brass leg fittings and wooden construction. Literature: Repertorio del Desi...
Velvet
Marco Zanuso Pair of Milord armchairs for Arflex
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Milano, IT
This splendid pair of Milord armchairs, designed by Marco Zanuso for Arflex in the 1950s, represents a masterpiece of mid-century Italian design, perfectly balanced between elegance...
Brass
Original SENIOR Armchair by Marco ZANUSO, Arflex Italy
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Berlin, Berlin
An early original 'Senior' lounge chair, upholstered in new green English velvet. Metal frame with brass leg fittings and wooden construction. Literature: Repertorio del Design Ital...
Velvet
Pair of Marco Zanuso “Lady” armchairs
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Beautiful pair of Italian armchairs Model Lady, fully restored fabric and high-end finishes. Design by Marco Zanuso - Original edition by Arflex. Italy circa 1960. Width : 79 cm - 3...
Brass
$8,284 / set
H 28.75 in W 31.5 in D 33.47 in
Marco Zanuso 'Square' White Velvet Chairs with Teak Feet, Italy, circa 1962
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Argelato, BO
Splendid pair of armchairs designed by the Italian architect and designer Marco Zanuso for Arflex. The chairs are in excellent condition, and have recently been reupholstered in whit...
Velvet, Wood
Franco Albini Armchairs
By Arflex, Franco Albini
Located in New York, NY
"Fiorenza" armchairs by Franco Albini for Arflex. Walnut, brass, velvet upholstery. Early variant wing chairs with x-cross sides and brass caps. One of the earliest versions of this ...
Velvet, Walnut
Marco Zanuso Senior Lounge Chairs Arflex, Italy, 1951
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Fantastic iconic lounge chair pair designed by world known designer Marco Zanuso and manufactured by Arflex, Italy 1951. These two lounge chairs have thei...
Brass