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 Honoré Paris, Raphael Raffel
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...
Leather
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
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
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
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
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...
Leather, Bouclé
$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
Pair of Raphael Raffel poufs for Honore Paris, 1970's, France
By Raphael Raffel, Honoré Paris
Located in TOURS, FR
Pair of large Raphael Raffel poufs / ottomans
Leather
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
$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
$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
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
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
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.
Foam
$2,551Sale Price|40% Off
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...
Leather, Plastic
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
Arne Vodder Sofa in Patinated Cognac Leather
By Arne Vodder
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Arne Vodder for Ivan Schlechter, sofa, patinated leather, teak, Denmark, design 1953, manufactured late 1950s-1960s. Elegant two-seat settee in admirable cognac leather and teak by ...
Leather, Teak
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
$2,038Sale Price|20% Off
H 38.59 in W 31.5 in D 35.44 in
1970's Fiberglass Lounge / Easy Chair Model "Tina" by Risto Halme for Peem Oy
By PEEM Finland, Risto Halme
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Wonderful Space Age lounge chair by Risto Halme for Peem Oy ,Finland. Frame made of fiberglass, upholstered with dark purple leather. Named "Tina". The seat can be adjusted to any ...
Leather, Fiberglass
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
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
Art Deco Lounge Chairs in Green Olive Velvet Upholstery
Located in Antwerp, BE
The soft and sensuous green olive velvet upholstery is in absolutely outstanding original condition. Rippled waterfall style pleated tailoring is punct...
Upholstery, Wood
$6,045
H 28.35 in W 70.08 in D 38.59 in
Le Bambole sofa in velvet By Mario Bellini For B&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful Le Bambole sofa in coral/pink coloured velvet designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in the 1970s. This beautiful edition is reupholstered in a high quality cotton velve...
Velvet
Vladimir Kagan, Sofa, Velvet, Lucite, USA, 1970s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in High Point, NC
A green velvet and lucite "Omnibus" sofa designed and produced by Vladimir Kagan, USA, 1970s. Seat height 18”
Velvet, Lucite
Space Age Leather Cantilever Lounge Chair, 1960's
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
This 1960's lounge chair embodies the sleek, futuristic aesthetics of space-age design. Upholstered in premium grey eco-leather, it features a sculptural, ergonomic form that offers ...
Metal
Modernist Space Age 1970s Polished Chrome Sling Lounge Chair
By Milo Baughman
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist Space Age 1970s polished chrome sling lounge chair, amazing design, Classic 1960s.. 1970s styling, exceptional quality and construc...
Chrome
$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
Set Of Two Space Age Longue Chair 1960s
By Space Age Products
Located in Čelinac, BA
Space Age Longue Chair 1960s
Fabric, 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 Honoré Paris, Raphael Raffel
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 Honoré Paris, Raphael Raffel
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 Eero Aarnio, Herman Miller, Raphael Raffel
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 Raphael Raffel, Honoré Paris
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