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.
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
$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
$5,368 / set
H 35.04 in W 17.72 in D 20.48 in
Vintage 1950s Set of Four Chairs by Carlo Enrico Rava, Made in Italy
By Carlo Enrico Rava
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. This high-quality set features a hand-modeled solid beech frame with their original flower patterned linen fabric upholstery.. Their design is by the architec...
Linen, Beech
$61,684 / set
H 28.35 in W 22.25 in D 18.12 in
12 "Cowhorn" Dining Chairs by Knud Færch for Slagelse Møbelværk, Denmark, 1950s
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Knud Faerch
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Set of twelve “Cowhorn” dining chairs by Knud Færch, made from teak with dark cognac leather seats. Beautifully sculpted backrests in a distinct, undulating form.
Leather, Teak
$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
$2,000 / 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
$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
$13,500 / set
H 35.04 in W 19.69 in D 21.26 in
Set of 6 Fine French 1950s Solid Cherry Wood Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of six fine French Mid-Century solid cherry side chairs
Fabric, Cherry
Set of 6 vintage French Dining Chairs
Located in Bronx, NY
set of 6 1960's Dinning chairs.
Set of 6 Fine French 1950s-1960s Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of six fine French Mid-Century sculptural solid oak side chairs.
Oak
Jacques Adnet Green Leather Chair, Circa 1950s, France
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare chair by French architect and Art Deco Modernist designer and icon of luxurious French Modernism, Jacques Adnet, circa 1950s. Upholstered in sumptuous green leather. Brass and l...
Metal, Brass
Jacques Adnet Sculptural Leather Swivel Chair, 1950s France
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kick back on this stunning chair by French designer Jacques Adnet. An iron frame is wrapped completely in beautiful camel-colored leather. Four legs extend to form a tripod base. The...
Metal
Maurice Pré Set of Twelve Dining Chairs, France 1950's
By Maurice Pré
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional set of twelve dining chairs by Maurice Pré, made of Ash with their original upholstery. A very unusual design for a French designer, they bear some Italian cues. The s...
Faux Leather, Ash
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
Set of 4 Fine 1950s Dining Chairs
By Ateliers Saint Sabin
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of four fine French mid-century "compass / gondola" solid beech side chairs.
Faux Leather, Beech
$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