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.
$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
Set of Six Wooden Dining Chairs with Green Upholstery, 1950s
By Mario Asnago
Located in Wolfurt, AT
This set of six dining chairs was designed by Carlo Ratti in Italy in the 1950s. The dark rosewood contrasts with the turquoise vintage upholstery and the colour combination makes th...
Wool, Faux Leather
$6,900 / set
H 38 in W 18 in D 17 in
Set of Five Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs by Paolo Buffa, 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A green, vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian set of five green, stylish Italian chairs. Designed by Paolo Buffa in good condition. Original leather seat covers, dark shellac polished ...
Leather, Walnut
$14,000 / set
H 33.5 in W 20.5 in D 18 in
Guillerme et Chambron, Set of Six Oak Dining Chairs, France, c. 1950
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in New York, NY
Upholstered in Dedar fabric. Robert Guillerme studied design and architecture at the École Boule, graduating in 1934. After the Second World War he moved to Lille, in the north of...
Oak, Upholstery
$1,800Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 32 in W 19.5 in D 20 in
Set of 4 Chrome Dining Chairs by Wolfgang Hoffmann for Howell Co.
By Wolfgang Hoffmann
Located in Dallas, TX
Fabulous set of 4 vintage dining chairs by Wolfgang Hoffmann for Howell Co. Flat chromium plated steel frames support upholstered seats and bac...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
$2,500 / set
H 31 in W 16 in D 18.5 in
Set of 4 Paul McCobb Style Upholstered Black Walnut Dining Side Chairs, 1950's
By Paul McCobb, O'Hearn Furniture 1
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Set of four Paul McCobb for O'Hearn Manufacturing Company style black walnut side chairs, 1950's. Featuring a refinished, sturdy and angled solid Walnut framework with newly upholste...
Fabric, Walnut
$2,000Sale Price / set|58% Off
Set of 6 1940's French Dining chairs
Located in Bronx, NY
Set of 6 1940's Dining chairs. contact us for more info
Set of 6 vintage French Dining Chairs
Located in Bronx, NY
set of 6 1960's Dinning chairs.
Set of Four Chrome Dining Chairs by Bertoia for Knoll
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Set of matching Bertoia side, or dining, chairs in chrome with original white pad seat covers. This nice set is in very fine, original, clean and ready to use condition, the only cav...
Chrome
$3,732 / set
H 32.29 in W 17.72 in D 19.69 in
Set of Two Medea Chairs by Vittorio Nobili for Fratelli Tagliabue, Italy, 1950s
By Vittorio Nobili
Located in Hellouw, NL
Set of two Medea chairs by Vittorio Nobili for Fratelli Tagliabue, Italy 1950s. These iconic Italian modern chairs have a great design. Enamelled iron bars are the frame of this chai...
Metal
A Set of Four Elegant Dining Chairs by Grosfeld House
By Grosfeld House
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A set of four elegant dining chairs by Grosfeld House. Original lime green leather upholstery, note the rear sabre legs, with subtle decorative detail. Price includes restoration to ...
Mahogany, Leather
Set of 6 Dining Chairs by Ambella Home
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the exquisite Set of 6 Dining Chairs by Ambella Home, USA 21st Century, a perfect addition to elevate the elegance and style of your dining ar...
Textile, Wood
Jacques Adnet Black Leather Chair, 1950s France
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant chair by French designer Jacques Adnet. Iron frame with black leather seat and seat back. Signature Adnet contrast stitching throughout. Brass ball feet. Excellent condition ...
Metal, Brass, Iron