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
$8,800
H 16.75 in W 58 in D 42 in
Large Rectangular Mid-Century Brazilian Modern Mixed Hardwood Cocktail Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very large & impressive rectangular coffee table from Brazil. Solid wood top consisting of mixed hardwoods shoeing their natural organic form. Extremely heavy & well made.
Wood
$1,339Sale 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
$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
$2,175Sale Price|25% Off
H 13.75 in W 30.5 in D 30 in
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
$2,383
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 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
$3,825Sale Price / set|25% Off
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
Giuseppe Scapinelli Brazilian Modern Coffee Table
By Giuseppe Scapinelli
Located in New York, NY
1950's round ebonized Giuseppe Scapinelli cofffee table with glass top and natural wood raised lower shelf. Beautiful curved "J" shaped legs. Downward taper to wooden edge to flat gl...
Glass, Wood
Rosewood and Lacquered Copper Coffee Table by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Lacquered copper patchwork mosaic coffee table designed by Percival Lafer. Base made of Brazilian Rosewood with exposed metal hardware. Percival Lafer is a Brazilian industrial desi...
Copper
Danish Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Cocktail Table
By Johannes Andersen
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Book matched rosewood cocktail table with cerused oak base. Tapered legs. Floating edge top subtle design feature. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear, does have a minor...
Rosewood, Oak
$1,250
H 14 in W 23 in D 40 in
Mid-Century Brazilian Modern Percival Lafer Exotic Wood Coffee Table Brazil
By Percival Lafer
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage Percival Lafer coffee table in a rectangular shape. Exotic wood jacaranda rosewood (solid wood) glass top. No ...
Rosewood, Glass
$1,499
H 13.5 in W 23.5 in D 22 in
1970's Mid-Century Brazilian Modern Percival Lafer Rosewood Side Table
By OCA Brazil, Sergio Rodrigues, Percival Lafer
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
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