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.
Cini Boeri Double-sided Rotating Bookcase / Cabinet in Red Lacquer by Arflex, 1980
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Conversano, IT
Overview An extraordinary double-sided rotating bookcase/display cabinet designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex, produced in Italy during the 1980s. This remarkable piece is one of the mo...
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
$160Sale Price|76% Off
H 31 in W 32.25 in D 19.5 in
Boho Chic Henry Link Pencil Reed Cabinet/Dry Bar With Rotating Top
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elevate your entertaining space with this Boho Chic Henry Link Pencil Reed Dry Bar. Featuring a unique rotating top and crafted in the 1980s, this piece offers both style and functio...
Reed
1980s Karl Springer Lacquered Goatskin Dry Bar Cabinet
By Karl Springer
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents 1980s Vintage Karl Springer Ltd Modern Dry Bar Service Cabinet Lacquered Leather Goatskin Creamy Parchment Wood and Brass 36 h x 53 w...
Leather, Wood, Parchment Paper, Goatskin
$4,436 / item
H 51.58 in W 48.04 in D 17.72 in
Art Deco Inspired Bar Cabinet Jazz in Lacquered Wood and Polished Brass
By Mambo Unlimited Ideas
Located in Lisbon, PT
Jazz bar cabinet is a high quality product by Mambo Unlimited Ideas, crafted in polished or matte lacquered wood structure and feet, brass applications and lacquered doors. It featur...
Brass
A Rotating Art Deco Style Bar Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
This extraordinary bar cabinet has a glossy case made from walnut veneers and a rotating door covered in book-matched walnut burl. The door is opened by pressing on one side. The action is smooth and polished as the door swings open to reveal three glass-covered shelves and various holders for round and square bottles. The light-colored interior is made from birch. The upper shelf holds the wine or liquor bottles and has room for serving utensils and an ice tray. The two lower shelves are ideal for glassware. This is a fine example of "Budapest Deco"; the simplified form of Art Deco design that was prevalent in Budapest, Hungary in the 1930's and 40's. Hungarian Deco...
Mirror, Walnut
$4,258Sale Price|40% Off
H 74 in W 120 in D 40 in
Dry Bar Set by Willy Rizzo in Chrome and lacquered Wood, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo, Sabot
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare and extraordinary lacquered wood and metal bar designed by Willy Rizzo for Sabot, 1970s. A sophisticated, elegant, versatile work, which will add a touch of style and glamour t...
Metal
French Midcentury black Lacquered Bar Cabinet
Located in Kent, Dover
A French Mid-Century bar cabinet in black lacquer, comprising a central glazed area for glassware and a plate glass top for bottles. The two lockable cupboards with curved doors and ...
Chrome
Giorgio Cabinet in Lacquer and Bronze Finish
By Casa Casati
Located in Milan, MI
A family of lacquered containers inspired by Louis XV pieces with Chinese lacquered panels. Giorgio I and Giorgio II are tall containers, ideal for use...
Brass
French Art Deco Rotating Cocktail Cabinet, c.1940
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
Art Deco Cocktail Cabinet A stylish French Art Deco rotating cocktail cabinet dating from the 1940s, fully restored and ready for use. The compact mahogany cabinet features a revo...
Santos Rosewood
$4,816Sale Price|30% Off
H 63 in W 31.5 in D 17.8 in
Sculptural Contemporary Drinks Cabinet by Gustavo Martini, Lacquered MDF & Wood
By Gustavo Martini
Located in Roma, IT
Drinks Cabinet by Gustavo Martini, contemporary Brazilian design, launched at Milan Design Week 2017. Designed by award-winning Brazilian designer Gustavo Martini, this exceptional ...
Metal
$27,800
H 35.25 in W 62 in D 20 in
Tommi Parzinger Bar Cabinet Lacquered in White Chocolate with Polished Brass
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Glamorous Hollywood Regency Bar Cabinet attributed to Tommi Parzinger newly lacquered in white chocolate with polished original adorning brass hardware. Fully restored from top to bo...
Brass
$3,912
H 35.44 in W 70.87 in D 17.72 in
Danish folding Bar With Rotating Cabinet by Reno Wahl for Dyrlund 1960s
By Reno Wahl Iversen, Drylund
Located in Cork, IE
What better place to look for clever space saving solutions than on a ship! This captain's bar was designed by Reno Wahl Iversen for the Danish manufacturer Dyrlund. It comes with ...
Brass
$43,400 / item
H 58.27 in W 28.35 in D 26.38 in
Coffee Station Cabinet in Custom Leather and Lacquer Finishes By Jacobo Ventura
Located in New York, NY
A piece of furniture created for lovers of coffee and design. This coffee station is a creation by Jacobo Ventura with the aim of providing an elegant s...
Leather, Lacquer
"Cubotto" Multi-Use Piece by Cini Boeri for Arflex
By Cini Boeri, Arflex
Located in Milan, IT
Rare "Cubotto" (big cube) multi-use piece of furniture by Cini Boeri for Arflex. Compact shape, It can be used as bar cart with its functional p...
Wood