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.
Arflex 'Goya' Dining Table in Lacquered Metal and Red Travertine
By Arflex
Located in Tilburg, NL
Arflex 'Goya' Dining Table in Lacquered Metal and Red Travertine. New, current production. 160 cm version with top in red travertine / travertino rosso. Goya is a table with round,...
Travertine, Metal
$3,241Sale Price|20% Off
Sculptural Dining Table by Sergio Mazza for Arflex, Italy, 20th Century
By Sergio Mazza, Arflex
Located in Milano, IT
Sculptural Dining Table - Italian Collectible Design - Sergio Mazza Stainless Steel Table Beautiful and timeless dining table designed by Sergio Mazza for Italian furniture brand Ar...
Stainless Steel
$4,160Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in W 35 in D 75 in
Travertine Dining Table - Travertine Stone Table - Marble Dining Room Table
Located in İnegöl, TR
TRAVERTINE MARBLE TABLE Type of Marble: Travertine Dimensions: 75" x 35" (190 x 90 cm) Leg Model: Travertine Customizable: Available! Production Time: 3-4 Weeks Shipping Cost: Free!...
Travertine, Marble
$14,900
H 29.5 in Dm 50.5 in
20th Century Italian Modern Vintage Polished Rosewood Dining, Center Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A round, vintage Mid-Century modern Italian dining room table made of hand crafted polished Rosewood, in good condition. The small center table is co...
Rosewood
Made To Order Red Travertine Dining Table
Located in London, London
Dining table Made to order in Italy Red travertine Oval top Tapering oval shaped column base Size can be customised Contemporary.
Travertine
Round Red Marble Dining Table - Red Travertine Kitchen Table
Located in İnegöl, TR
Material: Red Travertine Stone (High-grade selection) Dimensions: 40 Inches Diameter (100 cm) x 30 Inches Height (75 cm) Custom sizes available Base Design: Mobolith Red Travertin...
Marble
20th Century, Angelo Mangiarotti for Bernini Dining Table mod. 302
By Bernini, Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Angelo Mangiarotti was an Italian architect and industrial designer, born in Milan in 1921. He studied architecture at the Politecnico in Milan and graduated in 1948. His designs wer...
Bronze
LC6 Dining Table by Le Corbusier for Cassina, 20th Century
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in NICE, FR
Originally designed in 1928 by the legendary trio Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand, this LC6 dining table is a 1980 production by Cassina, the exclusive authorized manufacturer of Le Corbusier’s furniture designs. With its sleek glass top and industrial black enameled steel base, the LC6 reflects the machine-age aesthetics and rational functionality that defined modernist architecture and design. The frame, inspired by airplane fuselages...
Aluminum
$947Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 52.76 in D 52.76 in
Smoked Glass & Chromed Steel Square Dining Table by Sergio Mazza for Cinova
By Sergio Mazza
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Modern Italian Design Smoked Glass & Chromed Steel Large Square Dining Table. Designed by Sergio Mazza for Cinova. Made in Italy...
Metal, Chrome
$11,000
H 29.53 in W 59.06 in D 51.19 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia 'Tobio' Dining Table in Red Travertine
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, 'Tobio' dining table, leather, red travertine, Italy, design 1974 Gorgeous dining table designed by the iconic duo Afra and Tobia Scarpa....
Travertine
$17,500
H 30.7 in W 47 in D 47 in
Sculptural Center/Dining Table by Melchiorre Bega, Italy, Mid-20th Century
By Melchiorre Bega
Located in New York, NY
Round sculptural dining/center table made of wood and beige marble, featuring four splayed legs and a concave central column.
Marble
Round Dining Table by Osvaldo Borsani , 20th Century
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in NAVILLY, FR
Round dining table that can also be used as a coffee table by Osvaldo Borsani. Height 53/78 cm. Additional information: Period: 20th century Style: 1950s-60s Design Condition: Good...
Wood
20th Century French Dining Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite 20th Century French extension dining table combines functionality with the timeless elegance of traditional French design, making it an exceptional centerpiece for any...
Walnut
Large table by Sergio Mazza for Aflex – Italy 1962
By Sergio Mazza
Located in Girona, Girona
Large table with brushed nickel-plated steel legs finished with brass adjustment bolts. Solid wood top with walnut veneer, satiny finishing. Design: Sergio Mazza for Arflex Italy 1...
Brass, Steel
Sold
H 28.35 in W 64.97 in D 47.25 in
1960s Sergio Mazza Midcentury Italian Dining Rosewood Oval Table for Arflex
By Arflex, Sergio Mazza
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian dining table designed by Segio Mazza and manufactured by Arflex in 1962. Curved stainless steel, adjustable feet, and rosewood veneered top, midcentury design. Literature s...
Steel