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.
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...
Suede
Raphael Raffel Croissant Sofa in Brown Leather, Honoré Paris, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Honoré Paris
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Raphael Raffel (1912-2000) and produced by Honore Paris in the 1970s, the Croissant Sofa takes a fully sculptural crescent form upholstered in natural leather. Low-slung ...
Leather
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...
Fabric, Plastic
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 ...
Alpaca
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 ...
Velvet
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...
Metal, Stainless Steel
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...
Leather, Acrylic
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
Walnut, Upholstery
Set of Two Croissant Sofas by Raphael Raffel Leather and Bouclé 1970s
By Maison Honoré, Raphael Raffel
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...
Leather, Bouclé
Scarce pair pf armchairs by Raphael Raffel for Anthony universty
By Raphael Raffel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rare paire de fauteuils par Raphael Raffel
Metal
$38,000 / set
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.
Leather, Lacquer
$14,000 / set
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
Ash
$9,500 / set
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.
Stainless Steel
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...
Acrylic
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.
Stainless Steel
$3,040Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 35.44 in W 37.41 in D 39.38 in
Space Age Mohair “Orchidée” Lounge Chairs Michel Cadestin, Airborne, France 1968
By Michel Cadestin, Airborne International
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Luxurious Mohair velvet upholstered Orchidée "lady & senior" lounge chairs by Michel Cadestin for Airborne International, France, 1968 “Orchidée” was one of the Cadestin models that were ordered by the Centre Pompidou Museum in Paris We fully restored these chairs with high quality 100% mohair wool velvet fabric "Musco" by De Ploeg In this process we preserved the old and original Airborne marked old upholstery from under the cushions and used it again The large model has 4 caster wheels to move the chair around in a space About the designer: Michel Cadestin was born in France in 1942. He is an interior designer and architect and through his work, he wishes to offer a functional and fun design accessible to the majority. A prolific designer, he has experienced with diverse forms and materials during his career. His creations are varied as evidenced by the furniture intended for the Center Georges Pompidou, such as the Karate armchair...
Mohair, Foam, Fiberglass
Space Age Italian Chrome and Velvet Lounge Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Space age Italian armchair upholstered in red velvet corduroy with tubular chrome accent wrapping around the frame. Excellent candidate for reupholstery but could still be enjoyed as...
Chrome
Maralunga sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in bruxelles, BE
Sofa in creamy white fabric designed by Vico Magistretti, Model: Maralunga. Seat height: 44 cm. Wear due to time and age. For shipping, request us for receive the best price.
Fabric
American Designer, Sectional Sofa, Rattan, Velvet, USA, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A rattan and yellow velvet sectional sofa designed and produced in the US, c. 1970s. Dimensions: 25.25” H x 98” W x 98” D Seat Height: 17”
Velvet, Rattan
$14,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 35.5 in W 40 in D 36 in
Suzanne Geismar Swan Leda Lounge Chairs in Mink Velvet and Ivory Parchment Swans
By Suzanne Geismar, Vermillion
Located in Saint Louis, MO
These glamorous, and so beautifully delicate, Leda Swan lounge chairs were inspired by Eileen Gray's "Dragon Armchair" for Yves Saint Laurent and are transformed from dragons into swans by designer Suzanne Geismar. Art Deco revival style upholstered in mink velvet fabric that's soft and luxurious to the touch and captures and contrasts light beautifully. Like an antique artisan frame on a celebrated work of art, these swan chairs frame and inspire elegance, warmth, and a one-of-a-kind look that only a few will ever enjoy. Wooden Swans artisan finished in ivory parchment hug the body of the chairs. Geismar was also inspired by the mythological representation of Leda & the Swan, often presented in an erotic manner in Classical Greek Art. Zeus took the form of a swan & seduced Leda. Geismar titled them as such, "Leda Chairs...
Velvet, Parchment Paper
Sofa "Anfibio" by Alessandro Becchi for Giovanetti, 1970s
By Alessandro Becchi, Giovanetti
Located in bruxelles, BE
Fabric sofa that can be opened as a bed by Alessandro Becchi, Anfibio model. Bed dimensions: Height: 40 cm Width: 245 cm Length: 200 cm. Wear due to time and age FOR SHIPPING, REQUE...
Fabric, Canvas
George Smith Mohair Velvet Ottoman Sofa Banquette
By George Smith
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Monumental bespoke mohair velvet tufted sectional banquette sofa custom designed by George Smith, London UK. The grand "ottoman sofa" was commi...
Mohair, Hardwood
$1,880 / set
H 28 in W 30 in D 28 in
A Pair of Vintage Hollywood Regency Upholstered Lounge Chairs. Circa 1970s
Located in Miami, FL
A Pair of Vintage Mid Century / Hollywood Regency Upholstered Lounge Chairs. Circa 1970s Features the original Paisley upholstery and Removable seats and back cushions. In good, sol...
Wood, Upholstery
California Studio Craft Walnut and Velvet Sofa, 1970s
By Gerald McCabe, Jim Sweeney
Located in Coronado, CA
A unique and impressive California studio craft sofa circa 1970s. The sofa features a thick, solid claro walnut frame with exposed lap joints and dowels on the front and back sides. ...
Walnut, Cashmere
De Sede DS31 Sofa in Brown Leather, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful dark brown leather sofa model DS31 designed and produced by De Sede. One of our personal favorites from De Sede. Well designed polished aluminum legs. The sofa has been ...
Leather
1970s Stilwood 'Lara' Sofa Reupholstered in ink blue Velvet
By Stilwood
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A superb 1970s Stilwood 'Lara' Sofa reupholstered in ink blue Velvet. This iconic 1970s sofa was designed by Roberto Pamio and Renato Toso and manufactured by Stilwood, Italy. The so...
Canvas, Cotton, Silk, Velvet
Tito Agnoli for Cinova Daybed Sofa in Cognac Leather
By Tito Agnoli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tito Agnoli for Cinova, sofa or daybed, model '711', leather, laminated wood, copper, Italy, 1968 A cubic sofa designed by Italian designer Tito Agnoli for Cinova, which can be tran...
Copper
$28,000
H 28.3 in W 88.6 in D 33.1 in
Pullman Sofa by Jorge Zalszupin in Olive Mohair Velvet and Rosewood
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
A refined expression of late Brazilian modernism, the “Pullman” sofa by Jorge Zalszupin captures the designer’s signature balance between architectural clarity, material sophisticati...
Mohair, Rosewood
1970s Danish Brown Leather 3-Seater Sofa
Located in Praha, CZ
- good/very good condition with minor signs of use - sturdy and stable.
Leather
Argentine Designer, Sofa, Wood, Velvet, Argentina, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A dark-stained wood and gold velvet sofa or settee designed and produced in Argentina, c. 1970s. In vintage condition, with visible wear consistent w...
Velvet, Wood
Sold
H 30.71 in W 43.31 in D 102.37 in
Post-Modern Sofa by Raphael Raffel, Cowhide, France, Circa 1970
By Raphael Raffel
Located in TOURS, FR
Raphael Raffel sofa, France, 1970's
Cowhide
Sold
H 30.71 in W 102.37 in D 39.38 in
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...
Leather
Pair of armchairs by Raphael Raffel
By Raphael Raffel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Jolie paire de fauteuils par Raphael Raffel en plexiglas fumé et assise refaites. Le plexiglass présente quelques traces du temps : griffures. Raphaël Raffel était un designer et ...
Fabric, Plastic
Raphael Raffel Leather Lounge Sofa Honore Paris 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Honoré Paris
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Amazing lounge sofa in original burgundy full grain leather with two poofs, designed by Raphael Raffel and produced by Honoré Paris in France in 1970. A bespoke piece, which was mad...
Leather
Sold
H 23.23 in W 94.49 in D 49.22 in
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...
Leather
Fauteuil vintage Raphaël Raffel en cuir et acier des années 70
By Raphael Raffel
Located in BESANÇON, FR
Fauteuil lounge vintage des années 70, de Raphaël Raffel, dossier, assise et accoudoirs en cuir fauve, structure et piétement Y en acier, joli design,...
Metal
Sold
H 27.75 in W 66 in D 46 in
Raphael Raffel Cognac Leather Mini Croissant Sofa for Honore Paris, 1970's
By Honoré Paris, Raphael Raffel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Raphael Raffel cognac leather mini Croissant sofa for Honore Paris, 1970's. This piece is a soft form sofa filled with bean bag material for a comfortable and cozy seat. Innovative a...
Leather
1970's Space age armchair by Raphael Rafael
By Raphael Raffel
Located in London, Lambeth
Ivory plastic club chair designed by Rachel Raffel produced in France in 1970's in tulip style rounded seat
Plastic
Raphael Raffel Croissant sofa for Maison Honoré, Paris 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Maison Honoré
Located in London, GB
Raphaël Raffel (1912-2000) studied at the École des Beaux Arts and became a renown interior designer from the 1940s to the end of the twentieth century. His shop in Paris attracted a...
Leather
Sold
H 27 in W 31 in D 28.5 in
Pair of 1960s Space Age Modern Molded Plastic Lounge Chairs by Raphaël Raffel
By Herman Miller, Raphael Raffel, Eero Aarnio
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of 1960s Space Age Modern molded plastic lounge chairs by mid-century modern french designer Raphaël Raffel for Herman Miller. Raphaé...
Upholstery, Plastic, Faux Leather
Raphael Raffel Cognac Leather Croissant Sofa for Honore Paris, 1970's
By Honoré Paris, Raphael Raffel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Mid century, Raphael Raffel designed, 1970's, beautiful cognac leather Croissant Sofa for Honore Paris. Raphael Raffel (1912-2000), who trained at the École des Beaux Arts, was a w...
Leather
Sold
H 27 in W 29 in D 29 in
Mid-Century Modern Space Age Vintage Plastic Club Chairs Raphael Raffel 1970s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Buffalo, NY
Mid-Century Modern / Space Age vintage plastic club chairs, designed by Raphael Raffel (Rafael), France, 1970s The club chair features a tulip form with a rounded seat, which is reu...
Fabric, Plastic
Croissant Sofa in Suede by Raphael Raffel for Honore Paris, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Honoré Paris
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Incredible and rare croissant sofa in suede by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris, 1970s. This sofa, which was made to order from the 1970-1980s is besides its iconic design famo...
Suede
Sold
H 25.6 in W 110.24 in D 63 in
Cognac Leather Croissant Sofa 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 sofa, which was m...
Leather
Leather Croissant Sofa by Raphael Raffel for Honoré Paris, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Honoré Paris
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Incredible and rare croissant sofa in original light brown leather by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris, 1970s. This sofa, which was made to order fr...
Leather