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.
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
$10,000Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
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
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
MP-81 2-seater Sofa by Percival Lafer for Lafer MP
By Percival Lafer, 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
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
Percival Lafer, Vintage MP-81 Sofa, 1970s, Brazil, Original Black Leather
By Percival Lafer
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Percival Lafer MP-81 Sofa Original Leather 1970s The MP-81 lounge sofa combines fiberglass shells with solid Jatoba feet, creating a sturdy yet refined structure. Its design allows ...
Leather, Wood
$6,796Sale Price / item|20% Off
Rosewood & Butterscotch Leather MP-163 "Earth" 3-Seater Sofa by Percival Lafer
By Jean Gillon, Sergio Rodrigues, Percival Lafer
Located in Chattanooga, TN
We've had several Percival Lafer sofas and chairs over the years, and this MP-163 "Earth" model sofa is by far the most comfortable. The scoop style and high-back design cradles and ...
Leather, Rosewood, Upholstery
$4,875Sale Price|35% Off
1960 Sofa Mp129 Leather tufted by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Surrey, BC
Very nicely shaped lounge sofa designed and manufactured by Percival Lafer, Brazil, 1970. This sofa has a solid rosewood wooden frame and leather upholstery, chrome connections and l...
Steel
Percival Later Three Seat Sofa
By Percival Lafer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Percival Later three seat sofa in black leather. This beautiful piece of Brazilian Mid century is in good vintage condition with minimal wear and scuffing throughout. The foam interi...
Steel
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
Rare MP-81 Sofa In Original Leather by Percival Lafer, 1970
By Percival Lafer
Located in São Paulo, BR
This artwork embodies Percival's unique artistic essence. It presents innovative formal and structural solutions, while its symbolic significance seamlessly harmonizes with what can ...
Leather, Fiberglass, Foam, Wood
$12,960Sale Price|20% Off
Mp-97 Sofa Midcentury Brazilian Design by Percival Lafer, Cedar Wood, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
Original condition.
Metal
1970s Brazilian Leather Sofa By Percival Lafer
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 MP-81 three seater sofa in yellow leather, Brazil 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Incredible MP-81 three seater sofa in original yellow leather by Percival Lafer, Brazil 1970s A highly comfortable an striking design. The structure of the seats is composed of two ...
Leather, Wood
Percival Lafer MP-163 Brazilian Leather ‘Earth’ Loveseat Sofa
By Percival Lafer
Located in Lutz, FL
Vintage 1970’s Brazilian Modernist Loveseat designed by Percival Lafer, pioneer of the Brazilian Modernist movement. This is the model MP-163 Earth loveseat in original butterscotch ...
Leather, Jacaranda
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
Wonderful Percival Lafer Rosewood 3 Seater Cognac leather "S-1" Sofa Mid-Century
By Percival Lafer
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful Percival Lafer rosewood and leather 3-seater S-1 sofa. The S-1 design features Brazilian exoticness paired with Scandinavian sensibility. Of Lafer's designs, the S-1 is a...
Leather, Rosewood
$14,500
Percival Lafer MP-97 Sofa
By Percival Lafer
Located in Washington, DC
A stunning example of Brazilian modernism, this **MP-97 sofa by Percival Lafer** features the designer’s signature combination of comfort, craftsmanship, and sculptural form. The so...
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-Century MP-211 Leather and Rosewood Sofa by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century leather and rosewood model no. MP-211 by Percival Lafer. Made circa 1970s, Brazil. A gorgeous mix of materials and incredible design showcase why Lafer is one of our favo...
Leather, Fiberglass, Foam, Rosewood
Percival Lafer MP-13 Ivory Leather Sofa
By Percival Lafer
Located in Weesp, NL
Introducing the MP-13 Four-Seat Sofa by Brazilian designer Percival Lafer, a true masterpiece of mid-century modern design. This stunning sofa, designed in 1967, features a gorgeous ...
Chrome
Percival Lafer MP-97 Leather Sofa with Extended Headrest
By Percival Lafer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Leather sofa by Percival Lafer c.1960's, Brazil. The sofa features the original burnt rust leather with a beautiful Brazilian hardwood frame. The top of the seat back has an extended...
Leather, Upholstery, Hardwood
$15,124 / item
Vintage MP-25 Sofa by Percival Lafer, Brazil, 1950s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Percival Lafer Vintage MP-25 Sofa Brazil, 1967 *Matching Armchairs Available* The MP-25 model, designed by Percival Lafer in 1967, combines elements from earlier models: the MP-13 ...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Brazilian Modern Sofa in Hardwood & Beige Leather, Percival Lafer, 1967, Brasil
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
Available today, this Brazilian Modern sofa, model MP-13, designed by Percival Lafer in Hardwood and Beige Italian leather, 1960s is nothing less...
Chrome
1970s Brazilian Leather Sofa By Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in High Point, NC
This 1970s Brazilian leather sofa by Percival Lafer exemplifies the designer's innovative approach to modern furniture. Upholstered in rich bro...
Leather
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
1970s Brazilian Wood and Leather Sofa by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Victoria, BC
One of the most comfortable sofas we’ve ever had the pleasure of offering, this stunning piece was designed by Percival Lafer in the 1970s. It features a solid Brazilian hardwood fra...
Leather
$5,925Sale Price / set|25% Off
Pair of Percival Lafer Leather lounge chairs (Sofa and Loveseat also available)
By Percival Lafer
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a rare pair of Percival Lafer Lounge chairs. The set is upholstered in a brown leather fabric and was made in Brazil. 3 seat sofa and 2 seat loveseat also available. Need...
Leather
Sofa 'MP-13', by Percival Lafer, Mid-Century Brazilian Design
By Percival Lafer
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The MP-13 Sofa, designed by Percival Lafer, is a quintessential piece reflecting the Brazilian mid-century modern style, renowned for its emphasis on form, fun...
Leather, Hardwood
Percival Lafer Leather Patchwork Modular Sofas ca' 1960's Living Room
By Percival Lafer
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare set of six (6) seats and six (6) back rests by Percival Lafer. Brazil, ca' 1960's imported to New York. Made of patchwork brown leather where the pieces can be arranged in dif...
Leather
1970s Brazilian Wood and Leather Sofa by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Victoria, BC
One of the most comfortable sofas we’ve ever had the pleasure of offering, this stunning piece was designed by Percival Lafer in the 1970s. It features a solid Brazilian hardwood fr...
Wood