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
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
$5,478 / set
H 35.44 in W 29.14 in D 28.75 in
Pair of Armchairs Model "Woodline" by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy 1964
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Roma, IT
Curved lacquered plywood with leather-covered padding. Manufacturer's label. Very good condition. Rare and striking pair of lounge armchairs from the celebrated “Woodline” series ...
Leather, Wood
Marco Zanuso 'Regent' Armchair, Arflex, Italy, 1960s
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare 'Regent' armchair was designed by Marco Zanuso and produced by Arflex in Italy in the 1960s. Characteristic for this iconic model are the generous, outward placed armrests ...
Metal
$10,842
H 39.38 in W 29.93 in D 34.85 in
Marco Zanuso Senior Armchair for Arflex in Dedar Milano Fabric, Italy, c.1960
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Dublin, IE
Details Senior Armchair by Marco Zanuso for Arflex Dedar Milano Fandango 002 upholstery with professionally polished brass legs Italy, c.1960 Height 100 cm (39.4 in) Width 76 cm ...
Brass
$9,500 / set
H 35 in W 20 in D 30 in
Rare Pair of Mid-Century Modern Triennale Lounge Chairs, Marco Zanuso Italy 1951
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in New York, NY
A rare and important pair of Italian Mid-Century Modern Triennale charis by Marco Zanuso circa 1951. Zanuso designed these Triennale lounge chairs...
Brass
$4,451 / set
H 33.47 in W 25.6 in D 29.53 in
Pair of Italian Midcentury Lounge Chairs Marco Zanuso Style
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
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
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
$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
"Senior" armchair by Marco Zanuso 1960
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
"Senior" armchair by designer Marco Zanuso, original Arflex edition. Fully restored with fabric and high-end finishes. Italy circa 1960. Width : 76 cm – 29,92" Depth : 88.5 cm – 34...
Brass
$4,500
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 31 in
Vintage Marco Zanuso Lady Armchair, Steel & Upholstery, Italy, 1951
By Marco Zanuso
Located in San Francisco, CA
Designed in 1951 by Marco Zanuso, the iconic “Lady” chair is a landmark of Italian mid-century modern design. Its sculptural, curved silhouette is paired with elegant brass-wrapped l...
Steel
$4,827
H 37.8 in W 27.96 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Italian 'Senior Chairs' / Lounge Chairs, Marco Zanuso Style, 1950s
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Argelato, BO
Extraordinary pair of Italian "Senior" armchairs, in the style of the great architect and designer Marco Zanuso. These armchairs / lounge chairs have high backs and are modern wing back chairs...
Brass
Woodline Chair by Marco Zanuso, Italy, 1970's
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Austin, TX
Woodline black calf leather lounge chair by Marco Zanuso for Arflex. Supple original black leather upholstery sits within a bent plywood matte black frame. Very comfortable. Italy...
Leather, Bentwood
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 for Arflex 'Fourline' Chair in Black Leather
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Marco Zanuso for Arflex, lounge chair, black leather, steel, Italy, 1964 This lounge chair by Zanuso remains among the best examples of armchairs designed by the architect. It is no...
Steel
Marco Zanuso for Arflex 'Fourline' Chair in Black Leather
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Marco Zanuso for Arflex, leather and chrome-plated steel, Italy, 1964. This lounge chair by Zanuso remains among the best examples of armchairs designed by the architect. It is not ...
Steel, Chrome
Franco Albini Armchairs
By Franco Albini, Arflex
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