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.
Pair of Percival Lafer Midcentury Brazilian "MP-97" Stools Foot Rests Ottomans
By Percival Lafer
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Brazilian rosewood tan leather upholstery foot stools benches.
Leather, Rosewood
Pair of MP-91 armchairs by Percival Lafer, Brazil, 1970
By Percival Lafer
Located in Vigevano, PV
The MP-91 armchair, designed by Brazilian designer Percival Lafer, features a solid Jatoba wood frame and cognac-colored leather upholstery.
Leather, Wood
$12,200
H 27.56 in W 78.75 in D 31.5 in
MP-97 Sofa by Percival Lafer, Brazil, 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
By Percival Lafer
Located in Curitiba, PR
This MP-97 sofa, designed by Percival Lafer and produced in Brazil during the 1960s, is an iconic example of Brazilian modern design. The model reflects Lafer’s approach to comfort-d...
Hardwood
Pair of "MP-97" armchairs by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in São Paulo, BR
In the world of design, Percival Lafer was a visionary dedicated to enhancing both comfort and aesthetics. His innovation led to the creation of the dual MP-97 lounge chairs, which e...
Wood
$1,996Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 15.25 in W 35.5 in D 18.5 in
Pair of Rare Walnut American Victorian Foot Stools Attributed to Belter
By John Henry Belter
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite pair of rare walnut American Victorian footstools, attributed to the renowned cabinetmaker John Henry Belter, showcases the opulence and craftsmanship of mid-19th cent...
Walnut
$12,960Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.38 in W 83.86 in D 33.86 in
Mp-97 Sofa Midcentury Brazilian Design by Percival Lafer, Cedar Wood, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
Original condition.
Metal
Percival Lafer MP-13 Chair and Ottoman, Brazilian Design
By Percival Lafer
Located in Toledo, OH
This beautiful chair and ottoman were designed by Percival Lafer. Percival Lafer(1936-) is a Brazilian artist who was a pioneer pf the modernist movement. This set, model MP-13, is m...
Wood
$28,500 / set
H 27.17 in W 33.08 in D 32.29 in
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...
Leather, Foam, Cedar
$2,190 / set
H 17.33 in W 19.69 in D 12.33 in
Pair of Foot Stools in Walnut and Leather Seat with Tacks
Located in Miami, FL
The structure forms a rectangular form with both sides of the base intersecting and supporting each other. The seats are natural cowhide and attached to the frame by large round bron...
Bronze
Rare MP-61 Sofa, Percival Lafer, Brazil, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The MP-61 series from 1972 were the first designs in which Percival Lafer used a fully visible fiberglass shell. The molded shell allowed greater freedom in shaping the form while si...
Leather, Fiberglass, Hardwood
$32,000
H 29.34 in W 38.47 in D 37.8 in
Vintage MP-111 Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Percival Lafer, 1970s, Brazil
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
This model was loosely based on the formal concept of the MP-81, with a more brutish shape. The feet, which incilne towards the inside, resemble the supports for a hammock. The cover...
Leather
$26,600
H 26.38 in W 32.49 in D 29.53 in
MP-71 Armchair with ottoman by Percival Lafer, 1970s, Brazilian Midcentury
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
In his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. The MP-71 armchair, from 1973/1974, is a derivative from MP-61 – his first piece with a visible fiberglass shell structure. The MP-71 comprises a visible fiberglass shell that swives on a base also made of fiberglass. The upholstery follows the same principle as the MP-61, with laminated foam applied directly to the shell. Móveis Lafer...
Leather, Cedar
$12,075 / item
H 29.93 in W 35.44 in D 33.47 in
Pair of Midcentury Brazilian Armchairs by Percival Lafer, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This pair of armchairs, created in the 1970s by the designer Percival Lafer is extremely comfortable and is capable of bringing a sense of personality and style to any decor. The str...
Wood, Foam
Brazilian Leather MP-81 Ottoman by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Voorburg, NL
A beautiful 1970s Brazilian ottoman, model MP-81 designed by Percival Lafer. This amazing comfortable ottoman has a solid wooden frame and a soft Brazilian chocolate brown leather cu...
Leather, Wood