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Percival Lafer Sectional Sofas

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.

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Creator: Percival Lafer
Percival Lafer MP-116 Modular Lounge Chair, Brazil 1970s Rare Set of 4 available
Percival Lafer MP-116 Modular Lounge Chair, Brazil 1970s Rare Set of 4 available

Percival Lafer MP-116 Modular Lounge Chair, Brazil 1970s Rare Set of 4 available

By Percival Lafer, De Sede, Sergio Rodrigues

Located in Chattanooga, TN

An exceptional and increasingly scarce example of the Percival Lafer MP-116 modular lounge system, produced in Brazil in the 1970s and offered here as an individual seating unit. A total of four matching modules are available, an extremely rare occurrence for this model. Sets of this size, in this level of preservation, almost never reach the market. The MP-116 represents one of Lafer’s most sculptural and architecturally ambitious seating designs, defined by its distinctive pillow-block construction, deeply gathered leather upholstery, and the refined engineering that characterizes his most collectible work. Each module is crafted from four generously padded, individually upholstered leather blocks that create the sensuous, soft geometry that has made the MP-116 one of the most coveted designs of Lafer’s career. Upholstered in a rich, dark-chocolate leather, the cushions retain their fullness and tactile depth, presenting in very good original condition with the kind of surface character and luster that collectors seek. The frames are executed in solid Brazilian Jatobá hardwood, a dense, high-value tropical species noted for its strength and warm, glowing tonality. The timber displays exceptional grain clarity and remains in outstanding condition, underscoring the longevity and craftsmanship of this early production. The MP-116 was conceived as a genuinely forward-thinking modular system—far more sophisticated than most mid-century modular seating. A single unit makes a striking lounge chair with its sculptural massing and enveloping comfort, while multiple units can be combined into expansive sofas, balanced loveseats, long chaises, or asymmetrical compositions suited to contemporary architectural interiors. The ability to acquire four identical modules offers a level of design freedom, visual coherence, and spatial flexibility that is virtually impossible to source today. For designers and collectors working at a high level, this is an opportunity to build a complete, historically correct MP-116 suite. This listing is for one MP-116 lounge seat, though up to four matching pieces are available. The set comes directly from the original owner and is accompanied by photocopies of the 1973 Brazil Contempo...

Category

1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Percival Lafer Sectional Sofas

Materials

Leather, Fruitwood

Percival Lafer MP-116 Modular Lounge Unit Set, Dark Leather, Brazil, 1973
Percival Lafer MP-116 Modular Lounge Unit Set, Dark Leather, Brazil, 1973

Percival Lafer MP-116 Modular Lounge Unit Set, Dark Leather, Brazil, 1973

By Percival Lafer, Sergio Rodrigues, De Sede

Located in Chattanooga, TN

A rare and beautifully preserved pair of Percival Lafer MP-116 modular lounge units, produced in Brazil in the 1970s. The MP-116 is one of Lafer’s most sculptural and technically sophisticated seating designs, celebrated for its distinctive pillow-block construction, deep gathered leather, and the refined engineering that defines his most collectible work. Pairs of MP-116 modules in matching condition are increasingly difficult to source, making this offering especially desirable for collectors and designers seeking original Lafer pieces. Each module is formed from four generously padded leather cushions that create the soft, architectural geometry characteristic of the MP-116 series. Upholstered in rich dark-chocolate leather, the cushions maintain their fullness and supple texture, presenting in very good original condition with the surface character and patina that only decades of careful stewardship can produce. The frames are crafted from solid Brazilian Jatobá hardwood, a dense and highly valued tropical species chosen by Lafer for its structural strength and warm, glowing tonality. The timber shows exceptional grain clarity and remains in outstanding condition. The MP-116 was conceived as a forward-thinking modular system, far more sophisticated than most mid-century modular seating. Each unit functions beautifully as an individual lounge chair, yet two modules together can create a sculptural loveseat, a low chaise-like configuration, or a striking asymmetrical arrangement suited to contemporary interiors. This pair offers the rare opportunity to acquire two perfectly matching modules from the same original owner, preserving the visual continuity and design intent of Lafer’s modular philosophy. The pair is accompanied by photocopies of the original 1973 Brazil Contempo...

Category

1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Percival Lafer Sectional Sofas

Materials

Leather, Fruitwood

Scarce MP 123 sofa by Percival Lafer
Scarce MP 123 sofa by Percival Lafer

Scarce MP 123 sofa by Percival Lafer

By Percival Lafer

Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

Très tare canapé modulable par Pericval Lafer.

Category

1970s Brazilian Modern Vintage Percival Lafer Sectional Sofas

Materials

Stainless Steel

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Percival Lafer “MP-41” armchairs for Lafer MP, wood and cognac leather, Brazil, 1972 The “MP-41” armchairs by Percival Lafer embrace fluidity with a structure that appears weightless despite their solid wood frames. The absence of visible crossbars beneath the seat enhances this effect, allowing the thick, tufted cushions to seemingly float. The upholstery drapes over the structure like silk fabric on a sculpted form, a harmonious integration of material and frame. The butterfly-shaped joints refine the frame’s construction, tapering toward the center for a softened profile. The lateral tufting on the seat is not merely decorative—it creates a structured geometry that follows the contours of the body. The armrests, backrest, and seat merge into a single, uninterrupted form, maximizing ergonomic support. Leather straps secure the cushions to the frame, a signature Lafer detail that blends artisanal technique with industrial efficiency. The MP-41 prioritizes organic curves over strict geometric lines. The deep cognac leather, aged to a rich patina, enhances the warmth of the wood. The absence of ornamentation shifts focus to the raw materials, celebrating their natural textures and variations. Unlike Jean Gillon...

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Original condition.

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Percival Lafer for Brazil Industries Distressed Leather Lounge Chair Sectional

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Leather

Percival Lafer sectional sofas for sale on 1stDibs.

Percival Lafer sectional sofas are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of leather and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Percival Lafer sectional sofas, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Prices for Percival Lafer sectional sofas can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $10,500 and can go as high as $33,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $21,750.
Questions About Percival Lafer Sectional Sofas
  • 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.