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.
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
$6,720Sale Price|20% Off
"MP-29" Coffee Table, by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
By Percival Lafer
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The MP-29 coffee table, created by renowned architect and designer Percival Lafer in the 1960s, is a stunning piece that was initially designed for whole a set including a three-seat...
Iron
$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
$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
$1,687
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
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
$1,600
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
$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
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
$2,404
H 13.78 in W 58.86 in D 29.93 in
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Folding Coffee Table by Percifal Lafer, 1960s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and iconic Mid-Century Modern Brutalist folding coffee table. Design by Percifal Lafer. Striking Brazilian design from the 1970s. The Brutalist coffee table is made out of t...
Hardwood
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
$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
$2,900
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
$8,820
H 15.75 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
"MP-79" Coffee Table, by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
By Percival Lafer
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
This beautiful MP-97 coffee table, made of solid Jatobá wood, is another great example of the imaginative and innovative mind of designer and architect Percival Lafer. With its iconi...
Wood
Percival Lafer sculptural coffee table mixed wood Brazil 1960
By Percival Lafer
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Beautiful sculptural coffee table designed and manufactured by Percival Lafer, Brazil 1960. This amazing piece is made of high quality different tropical hardwood that is very well c...
Glass, Jacaranda, Rosewood, Teak
XL Percival Lafer in Wooden Coffee Table
By Percival Lafer
Located in BE
XL Percival Lafer in Wooden Coffee Table Stunning Brutalist wooden coffee table by Brazilian designer Percival Lafer. This table was m...
Wood
Sold
H 14.57 in W 53.15 in D 27.56 in
Rare "MP-81" Brazilian Hardwood Midcentury Coffee Table, by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The Mp-81 coffee table is capable of bringing a sense of personality and style to any decor. The Brazilian hardwood structure is sculpted beautifully and it is a great example of the way Percival Lafer use to treat the wood in his creations. The piece was restored but kept its original aura and attraction. The acronym MP stands for Moveis Patenteados or “Patented Furniture...
Glass, Rosewood
Mid-Century Modern Percival Lafer Brazilian Rosewood Cocktail Table
By Percival Lafer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A classic Brazilian design by Percival Lafer. It features mixed wood blocks with rosewood edges and glass top. Excellent well cared for condition.
Wood