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.
$1,000Sale Price|83% Off
Benefits of Progress Painting by Artfux, 1992
By Arflex
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A great image by the collaborative group Artfux founded in 1990. This work was most likely influenced by one of the founders Ray Arcadio. From his website the following; To artist R...
Paper
Headless Leader Painting by Artfux
By Arflex
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A great image by the collaborative group Artfux founded in 1990. This work was most likely influenced by one of the founders Ray Arcadio. From his website the following; To artist R...
$16,397Sale Price|33% Off
H 58.08 in W 82.68 in D 1.19 in
A large painting by Moacir Andrade, Brazil, 1960s "A Lenda Do Pacu"
By Moacir Andrade
Located in London, GB
A large stunning painting from the legendary Amazonian artist Moacir Andrade "A Lenda Do Pacu" (The legend of the Pacu) Acrylic on canvas depicting a central Pacu which is a lar...
Canvas, Acrylic, Wood
$2,000
H 30 in W 30 in D 0.001 in
Large Midcentury Oversize Oil on Canvas Painting of Tigers by Peter Colby
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Oil on canvas painting by artist Peter Colby. Large oversize canvas featuring two lions resting upon a patch of green grass. The background of this piece i...
Canvas, Paint
$3,200
H 43 in W 50 in D 2 in
Large Oil Painting on Canvas, Modernist Abstract, by Jim Bray, circa 1963
By Jim Bray
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large oil painting on canvas. Modernist Abstract, by Jim Bray, circa 1963. Charming image. Child-like. Great use of color, texture, space.
Canvas, Paint
$1,500
H 8.7 in W 10.3 in D 0.4 in
19th Century Painting by Francis Philip Stephanoff of Pious Maidens
By Francis Philip Stephanoff
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful antique painting of "Pious Maidens" attributed to British Artist Francis Philip Stephanoff (1787-1860). Masterfully painted of two...
Canvas, Paint
$2,190
H 27.25 in W 22.25 in D 1.75 in
19th Century Figurative Oil on Canvas Painting, Painting of a Bearded Man
Located in Miami, FL
19th Century FIgurative Oil on Canvas Painting, Signed 19th Century Oil on Canvas Portrait of a Bearded Man A finely executed 19th century oil on canvas portrait depicting a bearde...
Canvas, Paint
$1,365
H 20.28 in W 27.56 in D 2.37 in
Antique Oil Painting Farm Girl on a Flower Meadow by M. E. Ummenhofer
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique oil painting farm girl on a flower meadow by M. E. Ummenhofer An impressive antique oil painting depicting a farm girl on a summerly flower ...
Canvas, Wood
$12,000
H 48 in W 48 in D 1 in
Contemporary Australian Aboriginal Painting by Kenny Williams Tjampitjinpa
Located in Atlanta, GA
Entitled "Two Kuniya (Pythons) During Tingari Cycle", this mesmerizing painting was painted by Australian aboriginal artist Kenny Williams Tjampitjinpa...
Linen, Acrylic
French Framed Oil Painting of Seaside Village by Maurice Barle
Located in Austin, TX
A fine French oil painting on canvas of a harbor scene, featuring a view of a sailboat and a picturesque town, signed M. Barle in bottom left facing corner, mounted in a rectangular painted wooden frame. Maurice Barle...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
$3,000Sale Price|40% Off
H 19.5 in W 27.5 in D 0.1 in
Painting on Canvas, "La Cuisine Aux Fleurs" by Gerard Economos
By Gerard Economos 1
Located in New York, NY
Painting. Acrylic on canvas by Gerard Economos (French,1935-) Gerard Economos is known for his passionate, intensely colored abstract compositions and large acrylic paintings that have been performed live in front of audiences in 12 countries. Economos has had over 88 events over the last 57 years and his work is now in collections in over 34 countries. He started Live Performances with the Greek avante-garde composer and architect, Iannis Xenakis during a Sound Festival; Subsequently he developed the "Une Musique a Voir" (A music to see) concept. 'La Cuisine aux Fleurs' (Cooking with Flowers) was a series of paintings initiated at the request of the renowned French Chef, Raymond Oliver in 1975 who wished to have his recipes illustrated. They have been rarely shown in public. For an illustrated 15 page biography of Economos please contact Thomas Gallery Ltd...
Canvas, Acrylic
$2,225Sale Price|65% Off
H 20 in W 35 in D 1 in
Signed Norman Rockwell Style Painting of Golfers by Victor Olson
Located in Redding, CT
Signed Norman Rockwell Style Painting of Golfers by Victor Olson. Possibly of the famous Golfer Sam Snead and company, Unframed. Victor Olson (1924-2007) of Fanton Meadows, West Red...
Canvas
Painting 'October in the Cantina' by Sergio Agostini, Italy, 1960
By Sergio Agostini
Located in New York, NY
"Ottobre in Cantina" Painting, oil on canvas by Italian artist Sergio Agostini, Rome, 1960. Signed on lower left with sticker from original exhibition at Galleria L'88 on Via M...
Canvas
Small Profile Portrait Painting of a Blonde Girl on Green
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A small portrait painting on card by artist Clair Seglem. Painted on card, the subject of this painting is painted in profile, and appears to ...
Paint, Paper