Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
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.
1970s French Space Age Vintage Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Fabric, Plastic
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Leather, Plastic
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Leather, Plastic
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Leather, Wood, Walnut
1970s American Space Age Vintage Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Chrome
1960s French Space Age Vintage Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Faux Leather, Plastic
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Upholstery, Plastic, Faux Leather
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Velvet, Wood
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Fabric, Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Metal
1970s French Space Age Vintage Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Leather, Fiberglass
1960s European Space Age Vintage Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass
1960s European Space Age Vintage Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass
1960s European Space Age Vintage Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Velvet, Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century French Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Velvet, Plastic
1970s French Space Age Vintage Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Fiberglass
1970s French Space Age Vintage Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Leather, Plexiglass
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Fabric
1970s French Vintage Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Leather, Acrylic
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Lucite
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Lucite
1970s French Vintage Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Acrylic
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Club Chairs
Faux Leather, Fiberglass