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 Brutalist Style End Table
By Percival Lafer, Lafer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This impressive Brazilian hardwood coffee table features a brutalist style sculpted top with a mix of woods for a sculptural design with a protective glass top. By Lafer Design of Brazil, this Percival Lafer design...
Jacaranda
1970's Mid-Century Brazilian Modern Percival Lafer Rosewood Side Table
By OCA Brazil, Percival Lafer, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage original Midcentury Modern side table for sale. Designed by Percival Lafer in the 1970's, and is an original Brazilian Modern table with the original foil label still intact....
Chrome
Pair of Mid-Century Brazilian Rosewood End Tables by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in North Miami, FL
Pair of rosewood end tables with smoked glass plateaus designed by Percival Lafer - Brazil 1960's. Original label on this piece is visible in detail pics and video.
Smoked Glass, Rosewood
$1,596Sale Price / set|20% Off
Percival Lafer Smoked Glass Top Brazilian Modern Rosewood End Tables
By Percival Lafer
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Pair of vintage 1970s Percival Lafer, Brazilian Modern side tables. The deep red hue rosewood bases support a rich smoked glass table top. Both of the tables bear the “Lafer” label. ...
Smoked Glass, Rosewood
Pair of Percival Lafer Coffee Table Brazilian Rosewood Exotic Wood Mosaic
By Percival Lafer
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Percival Lafer coffee tables with glass tops over rosewood hardwood mosaic.
Hardwood, Rosewood
Percival Lafer MCM Brazilian Rosewood and Smoked Glass Side End Table - Pair
By Percival Lafer
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Percival Lafer Mid Century Brazilian Rosewood and Smoked Glass Side End Table - Pair Each table measures: 21.5 wide x 23.5 deep x 12.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be ha...
Smoked Glass, Rosewood
$665Sale Price|30% Off
H 12.5 in W 22.5 in D 23.75 in
Percival Lafer Rosewood and Smoked Glass Coffee or Side Table, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Miami, FL
Rosewood and smoked glass top coffee or side table by Percival Later. Brazil, 1970s; maintains original label.
Smoked Glass, Rosewood
$5,475
H 13.75 in W 30 in D 30.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Mahogany & Glass Cocktail Table by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Mid-Century Modern mosaic cocktail table was realized by the esteemed Brazilian designer Percival Lafer circa 1970. It features an austere waterfall form- like a volume...
Glass, Mahogany
$1,600
H 13 in W 49.5 in D 23 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...
Metal, Copper
Lane Vintage MCM Walnut and Burl Side End Table
By Lane Furniture
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering one of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of A Vintage Lane MCM...
Brass
$1,332Sale Price|20% Off
H 13.19 in W 50.01 in D 25.01 in
Percival Lafer Exotic Wood and Glass Coffee Table MP 97, 1970's
By Percival Lafer, Lafer
Located in Lisboa, PT
This coffee table, model, MP 97, was designed and produced by Percival Lafer, in Brazil, during the 1970's. It has a simple structure in solid exotic wood and the top in smoked glass...
Glass, Smoked Glass, Wood
Pair of 3 Drawers Rosewood and Walnut End Side Table
By Kent-Coffey
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of rosewood and walnut cube shape Mid-Century Modern three drawers side end tables.
Rosewood, Walnut
$4,500 / set
H 18 in W 24 in D 16 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Brass Nightstands or End Tables by Rougier
By Roger Rougier, Milo Baughman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A super handsome and sophisticated pair of night stands made by Rougier. They feature well made laminate cases, with beautiful rosewood drawers, and brass plinth bases. Very much in ...
Brass
Percival Lafer Side Table
By Percival Lafer
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful wood, please see all pictures. Table has a smoke glass top.
Glass, Wood
Percival Lafer Folding Rosewood Coffee Table, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Culver City, CA
This coffee table is fabulous! Designed by Percival Lafer a Brazilian furniture designer known for his innovative and modern designs. One of his most iconic creations is the Percival Lafer folding table, which was first introduced in the 1970s. Coming in a number of sizes, this is the large coffee table. The Percival Lafer folding tables are versatile functional pieces of furniture that can be used in a variety of settings. It is designed to be lightweight and easy to move, with a simple folding mechanism that allows it to be set up or stored away quickly and easily. The table features a sleek and minimalist design, with a rosewood parquette type design that featured different pieces of rosewood arranged at different heights, creating an uneven, heavily textured, almost brutalist look-- topped with glass. This eye catching design is one of his most iconic designs. A wonderful piece that can be easily folded and stored away if necessary. This table would look incredible in any mid century modern, Brazilian modern, or contemporary home. Place both tables together to have a larger functional coffee table. We currently have this table in the gallery alongside a Sergio Rodrigues sofa as well as a Jorge Zalszupin mesa...
Steel
Pair of Mid Century End Tables
Located in Westwood, NJ
Featuring a smooth top and a sculpted apron adorned with a sleek brass accent. Made from Acacia to ensure durability and a rich, luxurious espresso finish. The tapered, slightly fla...
Brass
Percival Lafer Folding Coffee Table
By Percival Lafer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Percival Lafer brutalist coffee table is made out of teak, jacaranda, and rosewood in different heights and lengths. It is designed to be lightweight and easy to move and has a s...
Teak, Jacaranda, Rosewood
$2,120Sale Price|20% Off
H 14 in W 30.5 in D 30 in
Brazilian MCM Brutalist Folding Coffee Table by Percival Lafer, 1960s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning and iconic Mid-Century Modern Brutalist folding coffee table designed by Percival Lafer. Striking Brazilian design from the 1970s. The Brutalist coffee table is made out of...
Rosewood, Teak, Jacaranda
Sold
H 13.25 in W 24 in D 22 in
Brutalist End Table w/ Glass Top in Jacaranda, Percival Lafer, Brazil, c. 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Deland, FL
Attention collectors! This alluring end table, designed by the incomparable Percival Lafer, is the epitome of Brazilian minimalism for which Lafer and his furniture company are regar...
Jacaranda
Percival Lafer Smoked Glass Rosewood Brazilian Modern Side Tables
By Percival Lafer, Jean Gillon, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Nineteen-Laties Percival Lafer smoked glass end table set. Vintage 1970s. Stamped “Made in Brazil” on each piece. Sculpted solid Brazilian rosewood base with deep rich, red patina. T...
Smoked Glass, Rosewood
Percival Lafer Smoked Glass Top Rosewood Coffee Table
By Percival Lafer, Sergio Rodrigues, Jean Gillon
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This listing is for the coffee table alone. Other items are NOT included Brazilian Modern Percival Lafer rosewood coffee table with smoked glass top. Vintage 1970s. Stamped “Made in Brazil.” Sculpted solid Brazilian rosewood base with deep rich, red patina. The smoked glass looks great and only has a few faint scratches (see pics). The frames are tastefully complimented by the chrome metal hardware. The lower height perfectly compliments vintage Mid-Century Modern era sofas. We also have matching side tables and Percival Lafer Earth...
Smoked Glass, Rosewood
Vintage Percival Lafer Side Tables - a Pair
By Percival Lafer, Adrian Pearsall, Lane Furniture, Milo Baughman, Craft Associates
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century square shaped side tables designed by Percival Lafer, circa 1970s. The base of the tables are made from sculpted Brazilian rosewood. Rosewood known for being especially r...
Metal
Sold
H 13.25 in W 25 in D 23 in
Set of Two '2' End Tables in Jacaranda by Percival Lafer, Brazil, circa 1970s
By Lafer, Percival Lafer
Located in Deland, FL
Attention collectors! This alluring set of end tables, designed by the incomparable Percival Lafer, is the epitome of Brazilian minimalism for which Lafer and his furniture company a...
Glass, Wood, Jacaranda
Sold
H 13 in W 22 in D 25 in
Percival Lafer Side Tables, Midcentury Brazilian Modern Rosewood + Smoked Glass
By Lafer, Percival Lafer
Located in Decatur, GA
Pair of end or side table by Percival Lafer, Brazil, circa 1970s. Stout and modern Jacaranda wood frames with smoked glass tops and exposed chrome hardware. Frames are in excelle...
Smoked Glass, Wood
Sold
H 13.25 in W 50 in D 23.5 in
Percival Lafer Smoked Glass Top Rosewood Base 3-Piece End Table Coffee Table Set
By Percival Lafer, Jean Gillon, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Very good condition Mid-Century Modern Percival Lafer end table and coffee table set. Vintage 1970s. Stamped "Made in Brazil" on each piece. Sculpted solid Brazilian rosewood base wi...
Smoked Glass, Rosewood
Sold
H 13.25 in W 22 in D 23.5 in
Mid-Century Modern End Table in Jacaranda by Percival Lafer, Brazil, c. 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Deland, FL
Attention collectors! This alluring end table, designed by the incomparable Percival Lafer, is the epitome of Brazilian minimalism for which Lafer and his furniture company are regar...
Jacaranda
Sold
H 25 in W 26 in D 17 in
Paul Evans Style Mid-Century Modern Tessellated Night Stand End Table, 1970s
By Percival Lafer, Paul Evans
Located in Basel, BS
Absolutely awesome, unique and stunningly made Brutalist end table, hand carved details unique to the 70s era. Lane Furniture with stamp. This can be used as a magazine holder, bedsi...
Oak
Percival Lafer End Tables
By Percival Lafer
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Pair of Percival Lafer end tables with Brazilian rosewood and black slate tops. Thick wood frame with great joinery. Simple design Brazil circa 1970s
Slate
Sold
H 12.5 in W 25 in D 23 in
Brazilian Rosewood and Smoked Glass Side Table by Percival Lafer, 1960s, Signed
By Percival Lafer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful Brazilian Rosewood and smoked glass side table by coveted designer Percival Lafer. This 1960s end table was made in Brazil and is signed with Lafer sticker label as seen ...
Glass, Rosewood
Percival Lafer Rosewood Coffee & Side / End Table Set Made in Brazil
By Percival Lafer
Located in Wayne, NJ
1 Percival Lafer coffee and 1 side table. Measurements in listing are for the coffee table. The side table measures 23 1/2" x 22 5/8" x 12 5/8" high.
Wood