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.
Extending table by Marco Zanuso mod. Eton, Italy 1972
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Firenze, FI
Extendable table with lacquered wood frame and recessed glass top. Produced by the company Arflex , designed by Marco Zanuso mod. Eton. Bibliography Published in "Repertoire of Itali...
Crystal
$2,433
H 13.78 in W 29.53 in D 29.53 in
Marcuso Coffee Table by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, Glass Top, Italy
By Marco Zanuso, Zanotta
Located in London, England
Designed by Marco Zanuso between 1969 and 1970, Marcuso tables are now design icons, republished by the famous Zanotta brand. Their refined aesthetics are characterized by simple sha...
Stainless Steel
Marco Zanuso, Coffee Table, Wood, Glass, Italy, 1960s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and glass coffee table, model Square, designed by Marco Zanuso and produced by Arflex, Italy, c. 1960s. Water marks to one edge of tabletop. Minor scratches on glass; wear c...
Glass, Wood
Wooden Round Extendible Table, 60s
Located in Buzzò, Emilia-Romagna
Step back in time with this vintage wooden round extendible table, created in the 1960s, blending timeless charm with everyday functionality. Crafted with care, this table features a...
Wood
$4,510
H 16.93 in W 31.7 in D 31.7 in
Midcentury coffee table by Marco Zanuso for Techniform, Italy 1960s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Midcentury coffee table by Marco Zanuso for Techniform. Stunning square coffee or bar table, wood structure, central top and storage compartment. Perfect vintage condition Italy 1960s
Wood
Walnut Extending Drop Leaf Dining Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century American made dining table with two drop down leaves and hidden center leaf. Table opens from 30" to 72". Set on a lattice base, the top first extends with one or two lea...
Walnut
Table by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, Italy, 1960s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Manzano, IT
avolo by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, Italy, 1960s Coffee table "Zanuso," one of the BEST examples of industrial design, consists of two crystal shelves and 18/8 stainless steel legs. T...
Crystal, Steel
$2,374
H 15.75 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
Postmodern Italian Marcuso Coffee Glass Table by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Hamburg, DE
Heavy glass coffee table from the Italian manufacturer Zanotta based on a design by Marco Zanuso from the late 1960s. A classic of Italian design. The design impresses with its simp...
Stainless Steel
$2,400
H 28.5 in W 51.5 in D 51.5 in
Gianni Sorgia for Sormani, Extendable Italian Burlwood Dining Table, 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant Italian drop-leaf dining table from the 1960s, showcasing refined craftsmanship and architectural form. The square top features beautifully matched maple veneer with a subtle...
Wood
Marco Zanuso ‘Springtime’ Coffee Table for Arflex, Italy 1960s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Oirlo, LI
Discover the timeless elegance of Italian design with this original coffee table designed by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, part of the iconic Springtime collection from the 1960s. This ex...
Walnut
Georgian Style Extending Console Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Flip top antique style console table with sculpted detailing. Beautiful wood grain top folds open to create a dining table. Please confirm ...
Wood
Marco Zanuso, Table mod. TL58, prod. Poggi, 1974
By Marco Zanuso, Poggi
Located in Rivoli, IT
Walnut wood table model TL 58 designed by Marco Zanuso for Poggi Italy in 1974. Bibl.: Giuliana Gramigna Repertorio del Design Italiano1950-2000 Allemandi 2011 pag. 224 Some marks ...
Wood
Bar Table 'Square' by Marco Zanuso Production Arflex 1960s
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Milano, IT
Center table with bar compartment closed by a door and open side compartments. Furniture in excellent condition made of wood with exotic wood veneer, has benefited from a complete re...
Wood