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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, Lafer 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 Lafer 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 vintage Percival Lafer furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Percival Lafer Brazilian Modern Sofa
By Percival Lafer
Located in Raleigh, NC
A stunning and rare example designed by Percival Lafer. This sofa has been fully restored with new leather and refinished Jacaranda frame. The leather straps are in good original c...
Category

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

Materials

Leather

Percival Lafer Brazilian Modern Sofa
Percival Lafer Brazilian Modern Sofa
$12,500
H 28 in W 84 in D 40 in
Brazilian Modern Rosewood and Copper Mosaic Coffee Table by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sculptural coffee table designed by Percival Lafer composed of a visually striking copper patchwork/mosaic surface supported by deeply carved Brazilian Rosewood bases with exposed me...
Category

1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Percival Lafer

Materials

Metal, Copper

Brazilian Modern Sofa, Percival Lafer 1960's
By Percival Lafer
Located in Uccle, BE
Percival Lafer Mid-Century Modern sofa made of Walnut wood and still with the original faux leather upholstery. Dimensions: L219cm/ 7ft Seat Depth 50cm/19.7 inches H69cm/26.75 inch...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Brazilian Modern Sofa, Percival Lafer 1960's
Brazilian Modern Sofa, Percival Lafer 1960's
$8,638
H 27.17 in W 86.23 in D 31.5 in
Percival Lafer Model MP-091 Lounge Chair
By Percival Lafer
Located in Round Rock, TX
Model MP-091 lounge chair by Percival Lafer in original Brazilian Jacaranda and upholstered in original dark brown leather. Nice patina to the leather and in overall very good vint...
Category

1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Percival Lafer

Materials

Leather, Cocobolo

Percival Lafer Model MP-091 Lounge Chair
Percival Lafer Model MP-091 Lounge Chair
$5,400
H 28 in W 34 in D 34 in
Rosewood and Suede MP-091 Sofa by Percival Lafer for Lafer MP
By Percival Lafer, Lafer
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed by Brazilian modernist Percival Lafer, this bold sofa, model MP-091, is deeply inviting. The comfortable tufted cushion sits on sturdy straps, attac...
Category

1970s Brazilian Modern Vintage Percival Lafer

Materials

Suede, Rosewood

Percival Lafer MP-131 Lounge Chair
By Percival Lafer
Located in Oakland, CA
Uncommon MP-131 lounge chair, designed by celebrated Brazilian designer, Percival Lafer. Made in Brazil in the 1970s, the chair features a sculptural leather seat rests upon a leath...
Category

1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Percival Lafer

Materials

Leather, Jacaranda

Percival Lafer MP-131 Lounge Chair
Percival Lafer MP-131 Lounge Chair
$6,950
H 28 in W 35 in D 34 in
Mid Century Brutalist Sofa by Percival Lafer made in Brazil c 1970's
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
Rare Brutalist Mid Century sofa, designed by Percival Lafer, made in Brazil, circa 1970's. The sofa features a frame constructed of rare hardwood, with original and extremely comfort...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Brutalist Percival Lafer

Materials

Leather

Percival Lafer "MP-79" Rosewood Lounge Chairs Pair
By Percival Lafer
Located in Portland, OR
Percival Lafer MP-079 lounge chairs - Gorgeous original suede upholstered seats sit upon leather straps forming a sling, that is attached to the Brazilian rosewood frame by dowels. T...
Category

1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Percival Lafer

Materials

Suede, Rosewood

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Percival Lafer Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2025$810Side TablesGlass, Rosewood, Chrome1970s
2025$3,400SofasLeather, Canvas, PineCirca 1970’s
2025$1,401Coffee and Cocktail TablesMahogany1960
2025$56,700Lounge Chairs, ArmchairsLeather, Fiberglass, Wood1976
2025$7,324SofasLeather, Wood1960s
2025$40,500SofasMetal, Upholstery, Hardwood1960
2025$3,254SofasLeather, Wood1970s
2025$3,400LoveseatsLeather1970s
2025$1,360Coffee and Cocktail TablesLaminate, Wood1970’s
2025$3,700Lounge ChairsLeather, Oak1970's
2025$2,074Coffee and Cocktail TablesCeramic, Copper, Iron1950s
2025$1,000Tables, Dining Room TablesCoppercirca 1970s
2025$23,520Lounge Chairs, ArmchairsChrome, Wood1963
2025$11,250Lounge ChairsLeather, WalnutContemporary
2025$7,000ArmchairsMetal, Upholstery, Woodca. 1960
2025$1,600Lounge ChairsSuede, Oakcirca 1965
2025$13,644SofasMetal, Upholstery, Hardwood1961
2025$6,500Lounge Chairs, Club ChairsLeather, Rosewoodcirca 1976
2024$7,650Lounge ChairsLeather, Wood1970/80’s
2024$2,550ArmchairsLeather, Wood1970s
$8,058
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$810-$56,700
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Percival Lafer

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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