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.
Kinu Sideboard by Motomi Kawakami for Arflex 1980 - Small Version
By Arflex, Motomi Kawakami
Located in Conversano, IT
Kinu sideboard by Arflex, designed by Motomi Kawakami around 1980, here presented in the smaller version. This model represents one of the most interesting examples of Kawakami's res...
Wood, Lacquer
$1,880
H 28.5 in W 69 in D 18 in
Midcentury Danish Modern Sideboard Credenza by Sannemannn Moble. Circa 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Midcentury Danish Modern Teak Credenza Sideboard by Sannemannn Mobler, Denmark. Circa 1980s Features a quintessential Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Design, with clean lines and a b...
Teak
$8,640Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.01 in W 86.62 in D 20.28 in
Sideboard by Vandenbulcke for De Coene, Belgium, 1950s
By De Coene Frères, Paul Vandenbulcke
Located in Antwerp, BE
Credenza for De Coene, crafted in 1958 by Belgian designer Paul Van Den Bulcke. This credenza features a captivating two-tone design in cherry wood and walnut, creating a harmonious ...
Cherry, Walnut
On Hold|$1,992
H 28.75 in W 49.22 in D 17.33 in
Black Parioli sideboard/credenza by Lodovico Acerbis, 1980 postmodern
By Lodovico Acerbis
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Mobile contenitore, singolo pezzo, Lodovico Acerbis, Acerbis, Italia, 1980, legno impiallacciato, metallo laccato, caratterizzato da un sistema di apertura con ante girevoli, usura c...
Metal
$5,755
H 63 in W 98.43 in D 19.69 in
Acerbis 1980s Sideboard Designed by Lodovico Acerbis and Giotto Stoppino
By Giotto Stoppino, Acerbis
Located in Antwerp, BE
Soffio di Vento was a creation penned by Lodovico Acerbis and Giotto Stoppino that went beyond the simple need to contain with free sliding doors to avoid any pre-defined open or clo...
Wood
Vintage red lacquered sideboard, 1980s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
High gloss red lacquered sideboard with brass hardware. Beautiful and luxurious piece. Good overall condition with normal age related wear. 1980s - France Dimensions: Height: 95...
Brass
$9,600
H 37.41 in W 96.46 in D 19.69 in
Italian "Pellicano" Sideboard by Vittorio Introini for Saporiti
By Vittorio Introini, Saporiti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian midcentury "Pellicano" wooden sideboard designed by Vittorio Introini for Saporiti / Made in Italy in 1960s Measures: length 96...
Wood
$3,586
H 33.47 in W 46.86 in D 18.51 in
Sideboard/Small sideboard in wood and Formica, Mid-Century 1960s
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Wood and formica sideboard in shades of green and yellow, Italy, 1960. Featuring an essential design typical of the 1960s, this piece of furniture combines functionality and vibrant ...
Formica, Wood
$3,071
H 26.78 in W 67.13 in D 19.1 in
Italian modern wood and metal sideboard by Vico Magistretti for De Padova, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern wood and metal sideboard by Vico Magistretti for De Padova, 1980s Rectangular base sideboard with wooden structure. On the front it features a pair of double metal doo...
Metal
$4,550
H 30 in W 70 in D 19 in
1980s Inlaid Wood Sideboard by Carlo Malnati Credenza Buffet, Postmodern
By Carlo Malnati
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
1980s Inlaid Wood Sideboard by Carlo Malnati Credenza Buffet, Postmodern A rare and eye-catching Carlo Malnati-designed credenza, featuring a striking front made from contrasting in...
Wood
$8,911 / item
H 19.69 in W 78.75 in D 20.87 in
Scandinavian Low Sideboard 'Bastone', Doors Version, Natural Oak
By Poiat, Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Paris, IDF
Low sideboard Bastone designed by Antrei Hartikainen Dimensions : H. 50 cm / W. 200 cm / D. 53 cm Model shown in the picture : - Color : Oak - With doors ---- Designed by the award-winning master cabinet maker and designer Antrei Hartikainen for Poiat Furniture, the Bastone Low Sideboard creates a natural continuum to the Bastone Collection. Standing at the forefront of art and design, the Bastone cabinets and sideboards showcase Hartikainen’s interest in studying light and shadow and his appreciation of craftsmanship. By expanding the collection with a lower-sized version, the Bastone Low Sideboard introduces the opportunity for media console use...
Oak
$7,033
H 38.19 in W 59.06 in D 18.12 in
Sideboard by Vittorio Valabrega for Valabrega Production, Italy
By Vittorio Valabrega
Located in Milan, Italy
An elegant sideboard in walnut colored aniline, polished wooden base and glass top designed and produced by Valabrega in circa 1930. Original label.
Glass, Wood
$10,056 / item
H 31.5 in W 78.75 in D 19.69 in
Scandinavian Modern Sideboard 'Bastone', Doors version, 200, Black Oak
By Poiat, Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Paris, IDF
Sideboard Bastone designed by Antrei Hartikainen for Poiat Studio Dimensions : H. 80 cm / W. 200 cm / D. 50 cm Model shown in the picture : - Color : Black Oak - With doors ---...
Oak
"Eton" Sideboard by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, 1960's
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Melbourne, VIC
1960's sideboard by Marco Zanuso for Arlfex with mirrored glass top & new Italian lacquer.
Lacquer