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Raphael Raffel Side Chairs

French, 1912-2000

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.

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Creator: Raphael Raffel
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.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Side Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

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.
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Side Chairs

Materials

Leather, Lacquer

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Raphael Raffel side chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Raphael Raffel side chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of leather and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Raphael Raffel side chairs, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Prices for Raphael Raffel side chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $9,596 and can go as high as $18,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $13,798.

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