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.
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
Croissant Sofa by Raphael Raffel for Honore Paris, Pure Alpaca, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Rare croissant sofa by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris and produced in the mid 1970s. The sofa has been restored and is newly ...
Alpaca
Post-Modern Sofa by Raphael Raffel, Cowhide, France, Circa 1970
By Raphael Raffel
Located in TOURS, FR
Raphael Raffel sofa, France, 1970's
Cowhide
Raphaël Raffel croissant sofa in Mohair velvet 1970s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful sofa by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris produced in the mid-1970s. The sofa has been fully restored and newly upholstered with a beautiful light beige mohair velvet ...
Velvet
$19,652Sale Price / set|40% Off
Set of Two Croissant Sofas by Raphael Raffel Leather and Bouclé 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Maison Honoré
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare set of two small croissant sofas by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris made in the mid 1970s. The sofas have been fully resto...
Leather, Bouclé
Raphael Raffel “Croissant” Sofa, 1970
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Raphael Raffel “Croissant” sofa, leather, France, 1970. This exceptional "Croissant" lounge sofa, designed by the avant-gardist Raphael ...
Leather
Raphael Raffel “Croissant” Sofa, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Raphael Raffel “Croissant” sofa, black leather, France 1970s. This exceptional "Croissant" lounge sofa, designed by the avant-gardist Ra...
Leather
Raphael Raffel Croissant Sofa - Maison Honoré, Paris, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Raphael Raffel Sofa, 1970s Newly reupholstered in an ivory wool bouclé by Pierre Frey.
Foam
Raphael Raffel Croissant Sofa - Maison Honoré, Paris, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Raphael Raffel Sofa, 1970s Newly reupholstered in an ivory wool bouclé by Pierre Frey.
Foam
American Designer, Sectional Sofa, Rattan, Velvet, USA, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A rattan and yellow velvet sectional sofa designed and produced in the US, c. 1970s. Dimensions: 25.25” H x 98” W x 98” D Seat Height: 17”
Velvet, Rattan
$52,617
H 29.93 in W 137.8 in D 61.03 in
Vladimir Kagan “Serpentine” Sofa in Siena Mohair Velvet, USA, circa 1970
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Sofa. This sculptural piece epitomizes Kagan’s signature fusion of organic elegance and modernist innovation. Upholstered in luxurious Siena mohair velvet. ...
Mohair
De Sede DS-11 Modular Sofa in Original Brown Leather, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in amstelveen, NL
De Sede "DS 11" modular sofa in original brown leather, Switzerland, 1975. Sectional De Sede DS-11 sofa, manufactured in 1975 in Switzerland. This patchwork modular sofa consists of...
Leather
Vladimir Kagan, Sofa, Velvet, Lucite, USA, 1970s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in High Point, NC
A green velvet and lucite "Omnibus" sofa designed and produced by Vladimir Kagan, USA, 1970s. Seat height 18”
Velvet, Lucite
$12,960Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.38 in W 83.86 in D 33.86 in
Mp-97 Sofa Midcentury Brazilian Design by Percival Lafer, Cedar Wood, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
Original condition.
Metal
Airborne. Green velvet sofa bed. 1970s.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Airborne, by. Green velvet sofa bed, rectangular in shape. French work realized in the 1970s. Dimensions: H 58 x L 190 x P 90 cm Reference: LS47...
Velvet
1970s Design Italian Sofa in Bouclé
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered. - Base made of plywood. - Measure: height of seat 40 cm.
Bouclé, Plywood
$9,358Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 27.56 in W 33.86 in D 35.44 in
20th Century Italian Design Velvet Modular Sofa by Busnelli, 1970s
By Busnelli
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare Italian design modular sofa, 1970s in brown velvet. The sofa is modular and made up of four armchairs. Busnelli brand present on each armchair. The measurements indicated are fo...
Velvet
Raphael Raffel “Croissant” Sofa, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Raphael Raffel “Croissant” sofa, black leather, France 1970s. This exceptional "Croissant" lounge sofa, designed by the avant-gardist Ra...
Leather
$10,523 / set
H 27.17 in W 33.47 in D 94.49 in
Saporiti Italia Confidential Sofa, Armchair and Ottoman Living Room Set, 1970s
By Saporiti
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This living room set is from Italian manufacture Saporiti Italia and the model is confidential design by Alberto Rosselli. It consist a 3-seat sofa, an armchair and a rare ottoman. ...
Upholstery, Plastic, Leather
1980s Curved Post Modern Sofa by Directional
By Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Stunning near mint condition 1980's Biomorphic Kidney Bean sofa by Directional. Comes in it's original upholstery, purchased from the original owner ...
Upholstery, Wood, Bentwood
Sold
H 30.71 in W 102.37 in D 39.38 in
French brown leather couch sofa Croissant by Raphael Raffel, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in MIlano, IT
French brown leather couch or sofa Croissant by Raphael Raffel, 1970s Vintage and fantastic sofa model Croissant with soft and rounded silhouette, fully padded and upholstered in bro...
Leather
Raphael Raffel Leather Lounge Sofa Honore Paris 1970s
By Honoré Paris, Raphael Raffel
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Amazing lounge sofa in original burgundy full grain leather with two poofs, designed by Raphael Raffel and produced by Honoré Paris in France in 1970. A bespoke piece, which was mad...
Leather
Sold
H 23.23 in W 94.49 in D 49.22 in
Croissant Sofa in Cognac Leather by Raphael Raffel for Honore Paris, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Honoré Paris
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Incredible and rare croissant sofa in original cognac leather by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris, 1970s. This bespoke piece, which was made to order between the 1970s and 198...
Leather
Raphael Raffel Croissant sofa for Maison Honoré, Paris 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Maison Honoré
Located in London, GB
Raphaël Raffel (1912-2000) studied at the École des Beaux Arts and became a renown interior designer from the 1940s to the end of the twentieth century. His shop in Paris attracted a...
Leather
Raphael Raffel Cognac Leather Croissant Sofa for Honore Paris, 1970's
By Raphael Raffel, Honoré Paris
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Mid century, Raphael Raffel designed, 1970's, beautiful cognac leather Croissant Sofa for Honore Paris. Raphael Raffel (1912-2000), who trained at the École des Beaux Arts, was a w...
Leather
Croissant Sofa in Suede by Raphael Raffel for Honore Paris, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Honoré Paris
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Incredible and rare croissant sofa in suede by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris, 1970s. This sofa, which was made to order from the 1970-1980s is besides its iconic design famo...
Suede
Sold
H 25.6 in W 110.24 in D 63 in
Cognac Leather Croissant Sofa by Raphael Raffel for Honore Paris, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Honoré Paris
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Incredible and rare croissant sofa in original cognac leather by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris, 1970s. This sofa, which was m...
Leather
Leather Croissant Sofa by Raphael Raffel for Honoré Paris, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Honoré Paris
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Incredible and rare croissant sofa in original light brown leather by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris, 1970s. This sofa, which was made to order fr...
Leather
Sold
H 25.6 in W 114.18 in D 66.93 in
Croissant Sofa by Raphael Raffel for Honore Paris in Mohair Velvet 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Maison Honoré
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare croissant sofa by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris made in the mid 1970s. The sofa has been fully restored and newly uphols...
Fabric, Mohair
Sold
H 26 in W 110 in D 62 in
Croissant Sofa by Raphael Raffel for Honore Paris in Patinated Cognac Leather
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Culver City, CA
This sofa, is absolutely stunning! A rare croissant sofa by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris, made in the mid 1970s in its original weathered / patinated cognac leather. This sofa epitomizes great mid century design, and while its design may be lesser known to some; it's a highly coveted design to mid century aficionados. Like the ever popular Ligne Roset Togo sofa and the B&B Italia Camaleonda, this sofa is low slung and is insanely comfortable, just begging for anyone and everyone to come have a seat. This gorgeous, rare, mid century modern sofa has already lived several lives and its heavy patina has a wonderful story to tell. Like a beautifully aged baseball mitt, this croissant has been well loved and broken in, and has many great years left. If you've made it this far in reading the description, I can tell you that I was almost on the verge of reupholstering it before listing online, but I'm pretty sure if I did this sexy sofa up in boucle like some of my other inventory, I'm pretty sure I'd be tarred, feathered and burned at the stake...
Leather
Sold
H 25.6 in W 114.18 in D 66.93 in
Croissant Sofa by Raphael Raffel for Honore Paris in Mohair Velvet, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Maison Honoré
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare croissant sofa by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris made in the mid 1970s. The sofa has been fully restored and newly uphols...
Mohair, Velvet
Leather Croissant Sofa by Raphael Raffel for Honore Paris, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Honoré Paris
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning leather sofa by Raphael Raffel for Honore, Paris. Made to order back in the 1970s and seldom available for purchase. Saddle leather sofa in the shape of...
Leather