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Percival Lafer

Brazilian, b. 1936

When it comes to mid-century furniture, the innovative work of the Brazilian Modernists has often been overlooked, including the designs of prolific maker Percival Lafer. Lafer studied architecture at São Paulo’s Universidade Mackenzie. After he graduated, his father passed away suddenly, leaving a furniture business that Lafer took over with his brothers.

Taking up the mantle, Lafer made the jump from architecture to furniture design in 1961, putting a focus on thoughtfully designed pieces available at affordable prices. That year, he introduced his supremely popular MP-1 chair, a plush piece of furniture made with iron and wood that he has riffed on throughout his entire career. The silhouettes of his lounge chairs, armchairs and other seating were distinct from streamlined American and European mid-century modernism, taking on casual, puffed forms thanks to his use of polyurethane layers as padding. He combined such contemporary industrial materials with local natural ones, namely Brazilian hardwoods, which delighted customers around the world as Lafer became one of the country’s leading exporters of furniture.

Lafer has continued to design furniture throughout his career, branching into sofas, tables and lighting. He was at the forefront of mechanical furniture movements, debuting the MP-7 sofa, which could turn into a twin bed, in 1965, the first such piece on the market. One of his most intriguing projects was the MP Lafer, a two-seat fiberglass roadster designed to emulate British sports cars. Some 4,300 units were produced over its 16-year manufacturing run in the ’70s and ’80s, with several ending up in the collections of major car museums.

Still, Lafer’s biggest claim to fame is his seating, which he continues to design, drawing inspiration from modern shapes and local materials. In 2017, a retrospective of his work was organized as part of the São Paulo Design Weekend.

Find a collection of authentic Percival Lafer furniture on 1stDibs.

1970s Brazilian Hardwood and Leather MP131 Sofa by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Victoria, BC
We're excited to unveil our latest addition: an esteemed Brazilian sofa designed by Percival Lafer in the 1970s. Meet the "MP131 Sofa"! Featuring a solid Jatobá arm/leg structure and...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Percival Lafer

Materials

Leather

Vintage MP-97 Lounge Chair by Percival Lafer, 1970s, Brazilian Midcentury
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
In his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. This pair of MP-97 lounge chairs by Percival Lafer comprises a solid wood structure with a single piece of a loose foam se...
Category

1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Percival Lafer

Materials

Faux Leather, Cedar

Sofa Mp-61 in Rosewood by Brazilian Designer Percival Lafer, 1973
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
In his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. The MP-61 sofa and armchair, from 1973, was the first two pieces designed by Percival Lafer that used a visible fiberglass...
Category

1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Percival Lafer

Materials

Rosewood, Leather, Fiberglass

Side table By Percival Lafer, Brazil, 1960s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Brasília, BR
This beautiful side table designed by Percival Lafer in the 60s, combines design and functionality, offering a touch of elegance to your space. Composed of a marble top resting on a solid noble wood structure, it is perfect for placing next to a sofa. It is in very good condition, with minimal traces of use. Add a touch of vintage elegance to your space Dimensions: L66cm x W60cm x H50cm Percival Lafer's work as an industrial designer marked the segment of Brazilian modernist furniture...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Percival Lafer

Materials

Marble

Side table By Percival Lafer, Brazil, 1960s
Side table By Percival Lafer, Brazil, 1960s
H 19.69 in W 23.63 in D 25.99 in
Percival Lafer MP-41 Lounge Chairs for Craft Associates
By Percival Lafer, Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Percival Lafer Manufacturer: Craft Associates® Furniture Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern Specs: Walnut, leather These Percival Lafer MP-41 loun...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Percival Lafer

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Pair of MP-97 Lounge Chairs by Percival Lafer, Midcentury, Brazil, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
In his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. This pair of MP-97 lounge chairs by Percival Lafer comprises a solid wood structure with a single piece of a loose foam se...
Category

1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Percival Lafer

Materials

Leather, Foam, Cedar

1970s Brutalist Copper Patchwork Pedestal by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer, Lafer
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Great 1970s pedestal in lacquered patchwork copper by Brazilian furniture designer, Percival Lafer. Pedestal is in great shape overall. The only imperfection to note is one small ar...
Category

20th Century Percival Lafer

Materials

Copper

Percival Lafer's Lounge Chair model MP-61 in Maharam Leather and Rosewood, 1973
By Percival Lafer
Located in Seattle, WA
A rare lounge chair designed by Percival Lafer for Móveis Lafer, Model MP-61, with fiberglass shell, rosewood plywood base. Restored and reupholstered in Maharam Brown leather. In gr...
Category

1970s South American Post-Modern Vintage Percival Lafer

Materials

Leather, Fiberglass, Rosewood

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Percival Lafer furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Percival Lafer furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Percival Lafer furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 167 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 4 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Percival Lafer were created in the mid-century modern style in south america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Sergio Rodrigues, Móveis Cimo, and Geraldo de Barros. Prices for Percival Lafer furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $595 and can go as high as $36,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,423.
Questions About Percival Lafer
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Percival Lafer is a leading contemporary Brazilian furniture designer most famous for his Mid-Century Modern sofas and chairs constructed with hardwood and luxurious leather. Lafer is a pioneer of the Brazilian Modernist movement. On 1stDibs, find authentic Percival Lafer furniture from top sellers.

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