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.
$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
$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
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
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
1950's American Design Sculptural Walnut Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
1950's American design sculptural walnut armchairs, fully restored and re-upholstered in Kravet fabric, with minor wear and patina due to age and use.
Walnut, Fabric
Pair of Jacob Kjaer UN Armchairs
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of United Nations armchairs attributed to Jacob Kjaer in original black vinyl upholstery. One arm shows a sign of repair ( last photo ) otherwise structurally strong with minima...
Wood
Pair of French Oak Armchairs, France, 1950s
Located in ŁÓDŹ, PL
This refined pair of French armchairs from the 1950s showcases the understated elegance of mid-century design. Crafted from solid oak, the chairs feature beautifully sculpted armrest...
Straw, Oak
$18,500
H 20.5 in W 111 in D 63 in
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
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
French Modernist Armchair, 1950s
Located in Aartselaar, BE
Step into the refined charm of mid-century France with this exquisite French armchair. A masterclass in design and proportion, this piece seamlessly blends functional simplicity with...
Wood, Oak, Fabric, Mohair
$3,734
H 37.8 in W 29.53 in D 25.99 in
French Leather Executive Chair Attributed to Raphaël Raffel for Apelbaum, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Paris, FR
A French executive chair attributed to Raphaël Raffel for Apelbaum, dating to the 1970s. Upholstered in warm camel leather and set on a polished five-star swivel base with castors, t...
Chrome
$2,542Sale Price|40% Off
H 26.38 in W 29.14 in D 27.56 in
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
$3,734
H 26.38 in W 29.14 in D 27.56 in
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
Raphael Raffel “Croissant” Sofa, 1970
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Raphael Raffel “Croissant” sofa, leather, France, 1970. This iconic “Croissant” lounge sofa, originally conceived by French designer Rap...
Leather
Raphael Raffel “Croissant” Sofa, 1970
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Raphael Raffel “Croissant” sofa, leather, France, 1970. This iconic “Croissant” lounge sofa, originally conceived by French designer Rap...
Leather
$6,456Sale Price|70% Off
H 29.14 in W 19.69 in D 25.2 in
1950s Arne Hovmand-Olsen Solid Wood Armchair, Original Black Leather Upholstery
By Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik, Arne Hovmand-Olsen
Located in London, GB
1950s Arne Hovmand-Olsen variant of armchair model 408 with solid frame, seat, upholstered with original black leather, appears heavily patinated. Designed around 1956 and manufactur...
Leather, Hardwood
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
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
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 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.
Leather, Plastic
Sold
H 24.02 in W 28.55 in D 23.63 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Lucite Pod Armchairs, 1960s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Lucite Pod Armchairs, 1960s
Lucite
Raphael Raffel Pair of Stamped Chairs, 1955-1965
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Encino, CA
Raphaël (1912-2000). Beautiful and rare pair of chairs in black lacquer terminated with gilt bronze sockets. Seats and backs upholstered in double stitch burgundy leather. Signed "R...
Brass