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
$1,028
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
Marco Comolli, Bookcase, Wood, Metal, Italy, 1950s
By Marco Comolli
Located in High Point, NC
A wall mounted wood and metal bookcase or library designed and produced by Marco Comolli, Italy, 1950s. Model documented in the archives of Lombardia Beni Culturali. Wear consisten...
Metal
$2,227
H 36.03 in W 27.96 in D 12.41 in
Vivai del Sud Italian Bookcase Etagere in Rattan and Red Laminate, 1970s
By Vivai del Sud, Franca Helg
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful and unique Mid-Century organic étagère or bookcase entirely handcrafted in a gorgeous combination of curved rattan, handwoven wicker and vibrant red laminate shelves. This ...
Bamboo, Cane, Rattan, Wicker, Laminate
$2,180
H 60 in W 60 in D 18 in
Mid Century Modern Metal Bookcase in the Adrian Dekker for Tomado Style. C 1970s
By Tomado
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Mid Century Modern Metal Bookcase / Shelves in the Adrian Dekker for Tomado Style. C 1970s Features a black metal frame, with three adjustable wood shelves painted in the Mon...
Iron
Lou Hodges California Modern Bookcase, 1970s
By Lou Hodges
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bookcase by Lou Hodges, designed and produced in California in the 1970s through early 1980s. Lou Hodges has become such a collectible designer in the past decade, as 1970s Californi...
Oak
$1,827 / set
H 88.59 in W 78.75 in D 22.45 in
Mid-Century Modern Bookcase in Red Metal, Lips Vago Style, Italy, 1974
By Lips Vago
Located in bari, IT
Early 1970s red-colored metal industrial shelf. Red lacquered metal frame. I cinque ripiani sono regolabili in altezza. The shelving system in the Lips Vago style. Made entirely of ...
Metal
$7,128Sale Price|20% Off
H 59.85 in W 59.85 in D 14.97 in
Derk Jan De Vries for Maisa White and Natural Oak Wood Bookcase, Italy 1970s
By Maisa, Derk Jan De Vries
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Stackable and modular bookcase, Samara series, designed by Derk Jan De Vries for Maisa, composed of 9 modular elements: 3 in ash wood and 6 in white-stained ash. The bookcase featur...
Oak
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
$8,139Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 102.37 in W 114.18 in D 18.51 in
Vintage Art Deco Bookcase, Flamed Maple & Ebonized Wood, Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage bookcase realized in Art Déco style by an italian manufacture in 1970s. Flamed maple veneer, ebonized wood detailing, and lacquered finish, totally handcrafted. This striki...
Metal
$3,655
H 55.12 in W 59.06 in D 14.18 in
Vintage Italian Chrome and Smoked Glass Room Divider Bookcase, 1970s
Located in Tresbœuf, FR
Striking vintage Italian bookcase / room divider from the 1970s, featuring a sleek chromed steel structure with elegant smoked glass shelves. With its clean architectural lines and b...
Chrome
$1,405
H 26.78 in W 21.66 in D 13.59 in
Midcentury Bamboo, Rattan and Wicker Bookcase or Etagere, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury bookcase or etagere in bamboo, rattan and wicker with three-levels. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Perfect to the house as a small display for plants, books, decorative obj...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
"MTP" Bookcase by Marian Grabinski, 1970s
Located in Brescia, IT
An oak bookcase with a spacious open-shelf design, adjustable shelves, and two drawers at the bottom. Designed by Marian Grabinski, Sweden, 1970s. Designed by Marian Grabinski, the ...
Oak
Italian Modular Oak Bookcase, 1970s
Located in Chicago, IL
An Italian modular bookcase from the 1970s that leans toward architecture as much as furniture. Crafted in warm-toned oak, the structure is defined by its upright supports and evenl...
Oak
$875Sale Price|20% Off
H 70.08 in W 47.05 in D 14.18 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Bookcase with Smoked Glass, Italy, 1970s
Located in Milano, IT
Cabinet with hinged doors in smoked glass and exotic wood veneer, chromed aluminium band.
Aluminum
$2,186Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 71.66 in W 35.44 in D 7.88 in
Booktree Bookcase by Interna8, Solid Wood, Modern Italian Design
By Interna8
Located in Pordenone, IT
Booktree is a bookcase for your home, a natural presence growing on the wall. It can live alone but prefers to host on its branches books, varius objects and memories, with silency d...
Wood
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