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Raphael Raffel Furniture

French, 1912-2000

Best known in the world of design as simply Raphaël, Raphaël Raffel was one of the most influential French mid-century modern designers and decorators. His style inspirations ranged from 18th-century Parisian design to 1960s American and Italian Space Age chic.

Born in 1912 in Paris, Raffel studied design at the École des Beaux-Arts. In 1934, he began an interior decorating business, counting legendary French-American dancer Josephine Baker among his first clients.

During the 1930s and throughout the 1940s, Raffel was regarded as one of France’s illustrious “ensembliers-décorateurs,” designers who not only created furniture but focused on every element of interior space, from wall decorations to lighting.

By the 1950s, Raffel’s decorating and design talents had gained the attention of the French public service. Several commissions were awarded to Raffel to decorate embassies, university residences, post offices, the National Assembly and the ground floor and a wing of the Hôtel de Ville de Paris. Additionally, in 1952, Raffel worked with French designer, sculptor and architect André Arbus to decorate a section of the luxury ocean liner Bretagne. That same year, Raffel’s work was shown with designs by French ceramist Georges Jouve at the Salon des Arts Ménagers. In 1958, Raffel exhibited at the Brussels World’s Fair.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Raffel was inspired by the era’s popular Space Age style, evident in his plush, croissant-shaped sofas and pod-shaped lounge chairs, club chairs and armchairs, which he designed for furniture makers such as Maison Honoré and Herman Miller. Raffel also combined lacquer, glasswork, distinct colors and gilt bronze in his elegant, French neoclassical coffee and cocktail tables, side tables and desks.

Towards the end of the 1970s, Raffel’s business began to wane, finally closing in 1983. Raffel continued to work on design and decorating commissions until he died in 2000.

On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Raphaël Raffel seating and tables.

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Creator: Raphael Raffel
Raphael Raffel Designed Cognac Leather Croissant Sofa in Suede
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a 1970's, made-to-order, suede upholstered, Croissant Sofa for Honore Paris. Design is attributed to the famous Raphael Raffel (1912-2000). Raffel, who trained at the École d...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Suede

Pair of Fine French 1950s Armchairs by Raphael
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Long Island City, NY
Raphael (1912-2000) - A pair of fine French Mid-century solid ash armchairs - living room or office chairs - Bibliography: Mobilier et Decoration, April 1952, page 17
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Ash

Raphael Raffel Brown Natural Leather Croissant Sofa for Honore Paris, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Honoré Paris
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Raphael Raffel designed, 1970's, made-to-order natural leather Croissant Sofa for Honore Paris. Raphael Raffel (1912-2000), who trained at the École des Beaux Arts, was a well-know...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Leather

Raphaël Raffel croissant sofa in Mohair velvet 1970s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful sofa by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris produced in the mid-1970s. The sofa has been fully restored and newly upholstered with a beautiful light beige mohair velvet ...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Velvet

Croissant Sofa by Raphael Raffel for Honore Paris, Pure Alpaca, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Rare croissant sofa by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris and produced in the mid 1970s. The sofa has been restored and is newly ...
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Mid-20th Century French Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Alpaca

Space Age Vintage Green Ivory Plastic Lounge Chair Raphael Raffel 1970 France
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage green and ivory lounge chair from plastic and upholstery by Raphael Raffel (Rafael), France, 1970s An amazing freestanding lo...
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1970s French Space Age Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Plastic

Set of Four Raphael "Wishbone" Chairs in Leather & Stainless Steel, France 1950s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in New York, NY
Set of four Raphael dining or side chairs on stainless steel bases.
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Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel

Raphael Walnut Armchairs, France 1950's
By Raphael Raffel
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Architectural armchairs by Raphael with walnut frames finished in a nuanced brown lacquer 32x24x35 Seat height 16, Seat 20x20, Arm 20
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Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Upholstery

Space Age Lounge Chair by Raphaël Raffel, France 1960s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare 1960s Space Age lounge chair by French designer Raphaël Raffel. This Modernist chair features a molded smoked acrylic shell that graceful...
Category

1960s French Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Leather, Acrylic

Raphael Raffel “Croissant” Sofa, 1970
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Raphael Raffel “Croissant” sofa, leather, France, 1970. This exceptional "Croissant" lounge sofa, designed by the avant-gardist Raphael ...
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1970s French Post-Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Leather

Raphael Raffel “Croissant” Sofa, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Raphael Raffel “Croissant” sofa, black leather, France 1970s. This exceptional "Croissant" lounge sofa, designed by the avant-gardist Ra...
Category

1970s French Post-Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Leather

Croissant Sofa in Cognac Leather by Raphael Raffel for Honore Paris, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Honoré Paris
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Incredible and rare croissant sofa in original cognac leather by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris, 1970s. This bespoke piece, which was made to order between the 1970s and 198...
Category

1970s Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Leather

Vintage Space Age-Style Smoked Opaque Acrylic Lounge Chair by Raphael Raffel
By Raphael Raffel
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Beautiful lounge chair designed by French designer Raphel Raffel circa 1970s. Chair is fabricated from smoked opaque acrylic and has a seat cushion and back cushion for increased com...
Category

1970s German Space Age Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Acrylic

Mid-Century Modern Red Leather Space Age Club Chair Raphael Raffel, France, 1965
By Raphael Raffel
Located in London, GB
A Mid-Century Modern space age club chair by Raphael Raffel, France 1965. The club chair features a tulip form with a rounded seat, covered in its original red leather upholstery.  The plastic base in very good condition, and the leather covered tulip seat...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Leather, Plastic

Raphael Raffel Croissant Sofa - Maison Honoré, Paris, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Raphael Raffel Sofa, 1970s Newly reupholstered in an ivory wool bouclé by Pierre Frey.
Category

Mid-20th Century Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Foam

Set of Two Croissant Sofas by Raphael Raffel Leather and Bouclé 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Maison Honoré
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare set of two small croissant sofas by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris made in the mid 1970s. The sofas have been fully resto...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Leather, Bouclé

Raphael Raphel Bookcase in Lacquered Wood & Glass, France 1950's
By Raphael Raffel
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional triple floating bookcase in beka lacquer with bronze accents on saint gobain glass legs.
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Bronze

French brown leather couch sofa Croissant by Raphael Raffel, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in MIlano, IT
French brown leather couch or sofa Croissant by Raphael Raffel, 1970s Vintage and fantastic sofa model Croissant with soft and rounded silhouette, fully padded and upholstered in bro...
Category

1970s French Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Leather

Mid Century French Brown Leather Lounge Chairs by Raphael Raffel 1970s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Detroit, MI
This stunning pair of vintage mid century modern lounge chairs were designed by Raphael Raffel and made in France circa 1970. These matching arm chairs are exceptionally well-made wi...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Metal, Stainless Steel

Raphael Raffel Armchair from the 70s for Herman Miller
By Raphael Raffel, Herman Miller
Located in bari, IT
Plastic club chair designed by Raphael Raffel produced in France in the 70s in tulip style with rounded seat, covered with black leather.
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Leather, Plastic

Raphael Raffel leather armchair
By Raphael Raffel
Located in PARIS, FR
Designer Raphael Raffel chair from the 1970s. The seat and backrest are in white leather, and the base is made of metal. In very good condition. LP974-LP975-LP976
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Leather

Solid Oak Desk by Raphael Raffel, France, c. 1955
By Raphael Raffel
Located in New York City, NY
Solid Oak Desk by Raphael Raffel for Maison Internationale Paris, France, c. 1955. This elegant desk consists of a solid oak construction, dark for...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Metal

Sycamore Desk by Raphael Raffel with Gilt Bronze Rope Mounts
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Stamford, CT
This striking desk is part of a large group of Sycamore furniture designed by Raphael and feature in the 1939 Salon Des Arts Mengers. This show was seen as solidifying Raphaels place...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Raphaël Raffel (1912-2000) Green & Black Lacquer Bar Cabinet circa 1950
By Raphael Raffel
Located in CA, CA
A very rare and unique dry bar by Maison Raphaël, circa 1950. Finished in dark green Béka lacquer to the front and black lacquer to the sides, with two sliding glass doors, a pull do...
Category

1650s French Mid-Century Modern Antique Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

Personnal diabolo coffee table by Raphaël Raffel
By Raphael Raffel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Très rare table basse par Raphael Raffel, crée pour son l’intérieur de son appartement à Paris vers 1975.
Category

1970s French Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Metal

Raphael Raffel Game Table in Green & Black Beka Lacquer, France 1950's
By Raphael Raffel
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional game table by Raphael, the legs are black lacquered with brass sabots, and the top is done in Raphael's signature Beka green ombré lacquer with the chessboard design embe...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Brass

French Neoclassical Raphael Brass and Opaline Coffee Table, 1960s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Paris, IDF
The black opaline surface of this coffee table appears reflective, calling to mind a still POOL of deep water, the result being a luxurious, timeless piece that, coupled with the int...
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Brass

Set of 6 Fine French 1950s Dining Chairs by Raphael
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Long Island City, NY
RAPHAËL Raffel (1912-2000) - A set of six fine French Mid-Century side chairs in Beka lacquer, with original leather upholstery and bronze sabots on tapered legs.
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Leather, Lacquer

Pair of 1974 Raphael Raffel Armchairs
By Raphael Raffel
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 1974 Raphael Raffel armchairs. The chairs have an off-white linen blend upholstery with a stainless steel tripod shaped frame.
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel

Fine French Mid-Century Lacquered Desk by Raphael
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Long Island City, NY
Raphael (Raphael Raffel, 1912-2000) Rare Beka lacquer pedestal desk with three drawers, a black lacquered base and bronze details.
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Raphael Raffel furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Raphael Raffel furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of fabric and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Raphael Raffel furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Raphael Raffel were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Roger Tallon, Annie Hiéronimus, and Marc Held. Prices for Raphael Raffel furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $650 and can go as high as $31,138, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $9,548.

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