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.
Italian modern wood and red metal self-supporting bookcase by Arflex, 1970s
By Arflex
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern wood and red metal self-supporting bookcase by Arflex, 1970s. Self-supporting bookcase with curved metal structure and glossy red enamel, with solid wood shelves and c...
Metal
Danish Modern Large Rosewood Bookcase, 1970s.
By Svend Ellekær, Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern large rosewood bookcase, 1960s. Large and impressive Scandinavian Modern 2 bay bookcase in stunning bookmatched Rosewood/Palisander veneer. This two part Danish librar...
Rosewood
$852Sale Price|20% Off
H 48.04 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in
Mid-Century Triangular Bamboo and Rattan Italian Corner Bookcase, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing mid-century bamboo and Rattan triangular corner bookshelf. Franco Albini inspired the design of this piece, produced in Italy during the 1970s. This piece is fantastic thank...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood, Wicker, Cane
$1,104Sale Price|20% Off
H 64 in W 36 in D 12.5 in
Vintage Mid Century Modern Danish Bookcase. Circa 1970s
Located in Miami, FL
Features a modern Scandinavian minimalist design with a beautiful teak wood grain. Offers plenty of storage space with three adjustable floating shelves edged with solid teak profile...
Teak
$2,133 / set
H 20.28 in W 39.77 in D 14.18 in
Danish Modern Modular Oak and Hessian bookcases by HG, 1970s. Set of 6.
By Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen, Hansen & Guldborg Møbler
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Modern Modular Oak Bookcases by HG Furniture, 1970s. Set of 6. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern set of six bookcase modules in oak. Designed by Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sørense...
Oak
$7,703
H 70.87 in W 114.18 in D 19.69 in
Mid-century modern wooden bookcase cabinet modular by Jan De Vries, Italy, 1970s
By Maisa
Located in Nicolosi, IT
A true exemplar of 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern design, this modular bookcase system was created by Jan De Vries for Maisa di Seveso. Its playful yet refined composition consists...
Rattan, Wood
Modern by Carpanelli Gae Bookcase in wood and leather
By Carpanelli
Located in Desio, IT
"Gae" modular bookcase is inspired by the volumes of Piazza Gae Aulenti in Milan. The materials used for the compositions are precious woods such as light Tay, Dark Tay, Canaletto Wa...
Metal
$5,650
H 35.44 in W 84.26 in D 13.19 in
Postmodern Bookcase by Roberto Pamio and Renato Toso for Stilwood, Italy, 1970s
By Roberto Pamio & Renato Toso, Stilwood
Located in Antwerp, BE
Designed by Roberto Pamio and Renato Toso for Stilwood in 1972, this exceptional sideboard combines post-modern aesthetics with refined Italian craftsmanship. The piece features a dy...
Formica, Wood
Pair of Italian Small Bamboo Bookcases, 1970s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Beautiful pair of bookcases from the 1970s. The bookcases have four shelves, bamboo mosaic workmanship.
Bamboo, Wicker
$3,403Sale Price|20% Off
H 74.81 in W 94.49 in D 17.72 in
Mid-Century Modern Modular Bookcase, Wood & Metal, Italy, 1960s
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage Mid-Century Modern modular bookcase in wood with metal main structure. Designed and mady in Italy during the 1960s, this anonymous modular bookcase is a beautiful piece to bring immediate life and character to any interior. It consists of six elements arranged in three modules. It boxes...
Metal
Italian Open Bookcase with Wood Veneer, Italy 1970s
Located in Utrecht, NL
This bookcase is a lovely example of mid-century design, blending form and function. The Italian design language of the 1970s looks just as attractive and fresh today as it did decad...
Wood
Henredon Mid-Century Modern Oak Bookcase, Circa 1970s
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern oak bookcase By Henredon USA, Circa 1970s Measures: 33"W x 12"D x 54.5"H. Very good original vintage condition.
Oak
Modular plastic and glass bookcase/bar, Italy, 1970s
Located in Parma, IT
Modular plastic and glass bookcase/bar, made in Italy in the 1970s. The bookcase is composed of semicircular plastic modules that can be combined with glass holders. The bar is compo...
Glass, Plastic
Sold
H 69.3 in W 69.3 in D 14.97 in
Valiant bookcase from Carla Venosta & Guido Zimmerman for Arflex, 1970s Italy.
By Carla Venosta, Arflex, Guido Zimmerman
Located in Landgraaf, NL
Rare Valiant bookcase from Carla Venosta & Guido Zimmerman for Arflex, 1970s Italy. This is a modular free standing system, that also can be used as room devider. 4 stainless steel s...
Stainless Steel
Carla Venosta for Arflex Bookcase Mod. Valiant, Italy 1970s
By Carla Venosta, Arflex
Located in Naples, IT
Italian modern freestanding bookcase designed by Carla Venosta for the company Arflex, with curved metal frame and glossy black enamel, with solid wood shelves and central pull-out ...
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 69.3 in W 69.3 in D 14.97 in
Minimalist Postmodern Steel Bookcase by Venosta and Zimmerman for Arflex, 1971
By Carla Venosta, Arflex
Located in Antwerp, BE
Arflex is a company that marked the history of Italian design employing great designers such as Marco Zanuso, Carlo Mollino, Joe Colombo. Carla Venosta and Guido Zimmerman designed ...
Stainless Steel