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.
Sofa MP-163, by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Design
By Percival Lafer
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Crafted by the renowned master Percival Lafer in 1970, this exceptional piece of furniture boasts a striking and comfortable design. Its clean lines and unique details, such as elega...
Steel
Brazilian Modern Sofa, Percival Lafer 1960's
By Percival Lafer
Located in Uccle, BE
Sofa Mod. MP-13, 1960's Made by Lafer S. e Co, Sao Paulo Rosewood, chrome and faux leather H 70 x L219 x W80 x Seat Height 41Percival Lafer Mid-Century Brazilian sofa made of Walnut ...
Chrome
Percival Lafer MP-97 Leather Sofa
By Percival Lafer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Leather sofa by Percival Lafer c.1960's, Brazil. The sofa features the original mustard yellow leather seat with a beautiful Brazilian hardwood frame. The back of the sofa showcases ...
Leather, Upholstery, Hardwood
$10,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 22 in W 80 in D 24 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...
Leather
$2,750
H 36 in W 78 in D 31 in
1970s MP-91 / MP-163 Earth Sofa by Percival Lafer in leather and hardwood
By Percival Lafer
Located in Victoria, BC
Designed by Percival Lafer during the 1970s, the MP-91 / MP-163 “Earth” sofa remains one of the most recognizable and comfortable seating designs produced during the golden era of Br...
Leather, Hardwood
1970s Percival Lafer MP-167 Sofa
By Percival Lafer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
We are pleased to present this authentic Brazilian sofa by Percival Lafer, circa 1970s. Recently reupholstered in premium yellow leather. Ships from Philadelphia.
Leather
$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
$8,800
H 30 in W 82 in D 36 in
Rare Mid Century Modern Cube Leather sofa by Percival Lafer Brazil 1970
By Percival Lafer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare Amazing Mid Century Modern Cube Leather sofa Designed by Percival Lafer Made in Brazil. Cube designed Shaped 3 seat fully upholstered Burnt saffron yellow color Soft leather sof...
Leather, Wood
Mp-97 Tufted Leather Sofa by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Modernist tufted sofa in brown aniline leather designed by Percival Lafer. Constructed with molded foam, rosewood, and nylon straps. Some original straps have been replaced or repair...
Leather, Wood, Rosewood
Percival Lafer “MP-41” Sofa for Lafer MP, 1972
By Percival Lafer
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Percival Lafer “MP-41” Sofa for Lafer MP, wood and cognac leather, Brazil, 1972 The “MP-41” sofa by Percival Lafer embraces fluidity with a structure that appears weightless despite its solid wood frame. 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...
Leather, Wood
1960s Percival Lafer Large Sofa Frame Jacaranda Rosewood Brazil
By Percival Lafer
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Percival Lafer Large Jacaranda Rosewood Sofa Frame made in Brazil Unmarked. Attribution Percival Lafer 25.5 tall x 73 wide front 71.5 back, 37 d, Seat without cushion, 10 tall....
Rosewood
MP-81 2-seater Sofa by Percival Lafer for Lafer MP
By Lafer, Percival Lafer
Located in Wien, AT
The MP-81 sofa by Percival Lafer, designed in the 1970s, is an exceptional and incredibly rare two-seater example of Brazilian mid-century modern design - nearly all surviving pieces...
Leather, Wood
$4,796Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.2 in W 82.3 in D 37.8 in
Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Leather, 1970
By Percival Lafer
Located in High Point, NC
This 1970s Brazilian leather sofa by Percival Lafer is a striking example of bold mid-century modern design blended with comfort and craftsmans...
Leather
Percival Lafer Sofa in Moss Green Leather
By Percival Lafer
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Percival Lafer, settee, leather, Brazilian hardwood and metal, Brazil, late 1960s Bulky and voluptuous sofa by Brazilian designer Percival Lafer. This two-seat sofa features a sol...
Leather, Hardwood
Percival Lafer Settee
By Percival Lafer
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Settee by Percival Lafer with rosewood frame and black leather. Signature sling shape with headrest and straps. Matching sofa and chairs avai...
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 27 in W 80 in D 32 in
Modern Percival Lafer Brown Suede and Rosewood Lounge Sofa w/ Leather Strapping
By Percival Lafer
Located in Houston, TX
Unique Percival Lafer brown suede and rosewood sofa with leather strapping. The fabric is in it's original condition and needs to be recovered.
Rosewood, Suede
Percival Lafer Lounge Sofa in Rosewood, 1960
By Percival Lafer
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Fantastic lounge sofa with great green leather seating cushion which is hanging in rubber singles fur super comfort, all still very strong and fi...
Rosewood, Leather
Mid-Century Modern Leather With Rosewood Two-Seat Sofa by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Beautiful and iconic design by Percival Lafer. Rosewood frame with leather seat. Created in the mid-1960s for comfort and style. In very good condition with normal wear.
Leather, Rosewood