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.
Rosewood and Lacquered Copper Side Table by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Lacquered copper patchwork mosaic side table designed by Percival Lafer. Base made of Brazilian Rosewood with exposed metal hardware. Two available, sold separately. Percival Lafer ...
Copper
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, Side Tables, Wood, Marble, Brazil, 1970
By Percival Lafer
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of wood and marble side tables designed and produced by Percival Lafer, Brazil, c. 1970. Light scratching present on wooden legs and one of the corners of one marble top is w...
Marble
Sculptural 1960s Brazilian Coffee Table by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Long Island City, NY
A mid-century Brutalist style coffee table with a staggered wooden block relief design, protected with a glass top.
Glass, Wood
Percival Lafer MP-091 Brazilian Jacaranda Rosewood and Smoked Glass Side Table
By Percival Lafer
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage 'MP-091' side table made from solid Brazilian jacaranda rosewood with a smoked glass top by Percival Lafer. *Currently 4 matching tables available. Buyer will receive tab...
Jacaranda
Percival Lafer, Side Tables, Fiberglass, Brazil, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of orange-lacquered fiberglass side tables produced by Percival Lafer, Brazil, c. 1970s. Scuffs, marks and wear as illustrated. Overall Dimensions (inches): 16.5"H x 23.5"W ...
Fiberglass
Percival Lafer, Side Tables, Wood, Marble, Brazil, 1985
By Percival Lafer
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of wood and marble side tables, model MP-85, designed and produced by Percival Lafer, Brazil, c. 1985. Dimensions: 13.75” H x 27.3” W x 25.125” D
Marble
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
Percival Lafer Cocktail Tables, Brazilian-Modern Parquet Wood, 1970s
By Paul Evans, Percival Lafer, Giuseppe Scapinelli
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Sold as a pair. Please consider and compare the quality of this set to similar offerings. You won't find a more beautifully restored example anywhere. These 1970's Mid-Century, Br...
Rosewood, Glass, Walnut
Brazilian Modern Side Table in Hardwood & Marble, Percival Lafer, 1970's
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Percival Lafer (1936–2024) in the 1970s, this side table reflects the designer’s exploration of structural expression and material contrast within Brazilian modernism. Kn...
Marble
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
'MP-85' Side Table, by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
By Percival Lafer
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This pair of MP-85 side tables embodies the essential qualities of mid-century modern Brazilian design, a period known for its innovative use of materials and clean, geometric lines....
Marble
$1,250
H 14 in W 49.5 in D 24 in
Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Rosewood Cocktail Table by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Beautiful rosewood cocktail table by Percival Lafer with original glass top. Solid rosewood with beautiful grain. Total hgt. of table is 15 in. In excellent vintage condition with mi...
Rosewood, Glass
$950
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
$5,100 / set
H 13.75 in W 30.5 in D 30 in
Percival Lafer Folding Rosewood Cocktail Tables, a Pair, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Culver City, CA
These cocktail tables are 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. 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...
Glass, Rosewood
$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
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
$1,655
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
Brazilian Modern Coffee Table, Brazil, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Mid-Century Modern coffee table crafted in Brazil during the 1960s, characterized by its minimalist yet sophisticated design. The table showcases a slatt...
Hardwood
Brazilian Modern Coffee Table by Jean Gillon, Brazil, 1960s
By Jean Gillon
Located in Antwerp, BE
Designed in the 1960s by Jean Gillon, this rare coffee table exemplifies the sculptural language that distinguishes Brazilian modern furniture of the period. The composition is defin...
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
$1,596Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 12.75 in W 22 in D 24 in
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
$5,000
H 14.15 in W 53.5 in D 30.25 in
Mid Century "MP-81" Brazilian Rosewood Coffee Table by Percival Lafer, c1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Chino Hills, CA
For sale is an exquisite "MP-81" Brazilian Mid Century Coffee Table, a stunning piece originally designed by the renowned Perciv...
Slate
Percival Lafer Green Marble Coffee Table, Brazil, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Göteborg, SE
Striking Brazilian Modernist coffee table by Percival Lafer, crafted in the 1970s. Featuring a rich green marble top with bold veining, supported by a sculptural wood frame. A rare a...
Marble
Percival Lafer MP-81 Side Table In Black Leather, Brazil 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful MP-81 side table with natural stone table top in black leather by Percival Lafer, Brazil 1970s A striking design which completes the seating area or your Percival Lafer se...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 13.25 in W 24 in D 22 in
Set of 2 End Tables w/ Smoked Glass Tops by Percival Lafer, Brazil, c. 1970s
By 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...
Jacaranda
Set of 2 Percival Lafer Green Marble Side Tables, Brazil, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Göteborg, SE
Elegant pair of side tables designed by Percival Lafer in Brazil, circa 1970. Featuring striking green marble tops and solid wood frames, these tables embody mid-century modern sophi...
Marble
Sold
H 17.5 in W 19.7 in D 22 in
Brazilian Modern Side Table in Hardwood & Travertine, Percival Lafer, 1970's
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the captivating mid-century Brazilian modern MP-79 side table, expertly crafted by Percival Lafer in the 1970s, and available for purchase today! This remarkable side t...
Marble
Pair of Rosewood Side Tables by Percival Lafer, 1960s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
Original 1960's Percival Lafer designed pair side tables in solid Jacaranda Rosewood with original smoke glass tops. Marked "Made in Brazil"
Glass, Rosewood
Side table By Percival Lafer, Brazil, 1960s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Brasília, BR
This beautiful side table designed by Percival Lafer in the 60s, combines design and functionality, offering a touch of elegance to your space. Composed of a marble top resting on a solid noble wood structure, it is perfect for placing next to a sofa. It is in very good condition, with minimal traces of use. Add a touch of vintage elegance to your space Dimensions: L66cm x W60cm x H50cm Percival Lafer's work as an industrial designer marked the segment of Brazilian modernist furniture...
Marble
Sold
H 12.5 in W 24 in D 22 in
Mid Century Pair Rosewood Smoked glass end tables by Percival Lafer Brazil
By Percival Lafer
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Pair of rosewood end tables designed by Percival Lafer. Made in Brazil. 1960s. Smoked glass and rosewood tables. Labeled Lafer Made in Brazil. Located in Brooklyn NYC. Sold as a pai...
Rosewood, Smoked Glass
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
Rosewood and Laminate Top Side Tables by Percival Lafer, a Pair
By Percival Lafer
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this vintage set of side tables made by Percival Lafer. One of the tables still has its original tag, also top is a textured lam...
Rosewood
1960s Percival Lafer Brazilian Rosewood Coffee Tables, Pair
By Percival Lafer
Located in Saint Paul, MN
Pair of Jacaranda Brazilian rosewood side tables by Percival Lafer. No label.
Rosewood
Coffee Table by Percival Lafer with Wood Relief Top
By Percival Lafer
Located in London, GB
Brazilian coffee table designed with a sculptural relief of various horizontal pieces of wood in different heights and lengths to create a Brutalist effect edged with a wooden border...
Glass, Wood
Percival Lafer Brazilian Table Set
By Percival Lafer
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
Iconic mixed tropical hardwood tables designed by Brazilian legend Percival Lafer. Beautiful combination of woods, form, and presence. Unique folding design makes these large tables ...
Hardwood