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.
$7,196Sale Price / item|20% Off
Arflex Sigmund Writing Desk in White Carrara Top with Metal Base by Studio Asai
By Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Arflex Sigmund Writing Desk in White Carrara Top with Metal Base by Studio Asai. To remain faithful to this search for interior honesty, the design of t...
Marble
Italian Style Carved Writing Desk With Red Leather Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian style writing desk with red leather top. Each drawer is lined with leather. Amazing quality hand carving details, finish, craftsmanship, and hardware. Add some Italian style ...
Other
$2,049
H 31.89 in W 47.25 in D 28.35 in
Bagutta writing desk by Annig Sarian for Arflex - Italy - 1960s
By Annig Sarian
Located in Milano, IT
Small desk with three drawers, wooden frame and chromed and curved tubular metal supports. The desk has a slight defect on one side, as shown in the photo. Manufactured by Arlex, It...
Steel, Chrome
$325
H 29 in W 34 in D 18 in
Vintage Industrial Adjustable Height Metal School Writing Desk With Laminate Top
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Industrial Modern Adjustable Height Metal School Writing Desk With Laminate T...
Metal
Art Deco 7 Drawer Writing Desk with Waterfall Top
Located in Freehold, NJ
This antique art deco vanity features hardwood construction, walnut veneer with original finish, seven dovetailed drawers with unique bentwood ...
Wood
$9,640
H 30 in W 48.5 in D 24.5 in
Custom Farmhouse Style Writing Desk with Pencil Drawer by Dos Gallos Studio
By Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom farm house style writing desk with pencil drawer. Can be made in any size and finish. As shown here in a light walnut with light to medi...
Walnut, Oak
$4,950
H 31 in W 40 in D 24 in
Modern White Blossom Glass Mosaic Desk with Modern Metal Base by Ercole Home
By Ercole Home
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Pavia Blossom desk/vanity by Ercole Home has a 2-drawer, with a painted white wood finish on oak. Handcut glass mosaics in white and silver decorate the drawer fronts in blossom...
Metal
Oslo Writing Desk in Ash by Studio Moe
Located in Portland, OR
Look to the clean lines and natural keep-it-simple design of the Oslo Writing Desk, to bring inspiration to your next idea or project. A single spacious dovetailed drawer provides ut...
Ash
Small Wooden Writing Desk with Metal Structure, Italy, 1960s
Located in Madrid, ES
Small writing desk of wood and metal, Formica table top. Front of the two drawers painted in black and white. Made in Italy in the 1960s. Please note some marks on the top and wear o...
Metal
Writing Desk with Walnut, Maple, Brass and Glass Top
By Chris Earl
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand-turned 48" base with exposed solid wood drawers. Polished 52" tempered glass top. Fine metal accents. Handmade in Los Angeles, California. Shown in walnut and maple with solid ...
Aluminum, Brass, Copper
Rare Angelo Mangiarotti Writing Desk in Birch from Own Studio
By Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Angelo Mangiarotti for Piero Frigerio, writing desk, birch, Italy, late 20th century A highly rare and valuable piece of furniture that has been used for Angelo Mangiarotti's design...
Birch
Warren Platner Writing Desk in Oak with Black Leather Top
By Warren Platner, Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll International, writing desk from the Executive Collection, leather, chromed metal, oak, United States, design 1973, production 1974-1980. In 1973, Warren Platner designed a collection of executive office furniture...
Metal, Chrome
Donkey, White Writing Desk with LEDs, Made in France
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (2) The Maturin donkey, an animal perceived as labor-emblematic in the countryside, preserves its function while taking on an eminently contemporary dimension. Connected and equipped with luminous LEDs, the very distinctive writing desk is powered by an electric bridle. Stubborn and secretive, it conceals sliding storage space and secret drawers for letters and pending files. Once your work is complete, the finely crafted sliding screen...
Laminate, Wood