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 Raphel Bookcase in Lacquered Wood & Glass, France 1950's
By Raphael Raffel
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional triple floating bookcase in beka lacquer with bronze accents on saint gobain glass legs.
Bronze
$2,595
H 71.25 in W 36 in D 16 in
French Provincial Louis XV Lacquered Secretary Desk With Bookcase, 1950s
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top In the manner of Baker Furniture By Jasper Cabinet Co. USA, 1950s Baby bl...
Brass
Sold|$1,347
H 61.82 in W 31.5 in D 14.97 in
1950s Vintage Bookcase / Shelfs In Teak With Black Lacquered Stands
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Very decorative Scandinavian bookcase cabinet made in Sweden in the 1950s. The teak cabinet with the lockable doors consists one internal, fixed, shelf. The three book shelfs on top ...
Faux Leather, Beech, Teak
$10,528
H 118.12 in W 35.44 in D 13.78 in
Franco Albini LB7 Bookcase in Teak Wood by Poggi Pavia 1950s Italy
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Cascina, Pisa
LB7 bookcase composed of a single module with shelves and a storage unit with two doors, made in veneered solid teak wood, and black lacquered metal details. Designed by Franco Alb...
Metal
Art Deco Bookcase in Wood, 1920, French, Walnut Wood
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Bookcase Year: 1920 Country: French Wood It is an elegant and sophisticated bookcase. You want to live in the golden years, this is the bookcase that your project needs. We have s...
Wood
$10,511
H 87.8 in W 76.38 in D 21.66 in
French Louis-Philippe Style Handcrafted Glass Bookcase in Solid Cherry Wood
Located in Landivy, FR
This bookcase is made with 2 parts is made of French cherrywood and also available in oak. - The Upper part has 3 glass doors and 3 removable shelves on wooden racks. - The Lower ...
Wood, Cherry, Oak
Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Bookcase Etagere Vitrine circa 1950s
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Bookcase, probably Chinese, circa 1950s. Sculptural lattice shelves offer lots of display space. It is a versatile size and can be used as a bookcase, etage...
Wood
$3,348Sale Price|20% Off
H 77.17 in W 59.06 in D 11.03 in
Rare Mid-Century Alpine Solid Wood Modular Bookcase - France - circa 1950s
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Unique handcrafted bookcase in solid wood, entirely demountable. The shelves are fitted into the sculpted side supports and secured with traditional wooden wedges — a remarkable exam...
Wood
$4,560 / item
H 28.75 in W 49.22 in D 13.39 in
Modernist Low Bookcase, Chrome Plated Metal, Lacquered Wood, Glass, Customizable
By GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Modernist tubular steel low bookcase in chrome-plated metal, glossy lacquered wood, and sliding glass panels. Customizable, production time ca. 10 w...
Steel
$2,046
H 43.31 in W 27.56 in D 9.45 in
Oak Sculptural Wall Bookcase in Style of Pierre Chapo, France 1950s
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Den Haag, NL
Oak Sculptural wall bookcase France, 1950s. Sizes: height 110cm, width 70cm, depth 24cm The shelves only are 58cm width, depth 22cm It has mountings on the back so you can wall ...
Oak
Large bookcase by Pierre Cruège – France 1950
By Pierre Cruège
Located in Girona, Girona
Large bookcase in solid oak and stripped and sanded oak veneer, Designed by Pierre Cruège (1913-2003) for Formes editions. France 1950 Dimensions cm 91 x 25/50 x 205 inches 35.83...
Oak
$4,560 / item
H 28.75 in W 49.22 in D 13.39 in
Bespoke Tubular Steel Low Bookcase, Chrome, Lacquered Wood, Sliding Glass Panels
By GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Modernist tubular steel low bookcase made of chrome-plated steel, lacquered blockboard and sliding glass panels, customizable. Production time: ca. 10 weeks
Steel
$9,500
H 90 in W 59 in D 18 in
French Charles X Bookcase in Cherry Wood w/ Original Glass Door Panels, c. 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very beautiful French Charles X bookcase in cherry, circa 1820 with original glass panels and key. Original French polish finish. Makes a great bookcase or display cabinet! Measur...
Mercury Glass, Cherry
Raphael Important Lacquered Credenza with Textured Bronze Doors 1960s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare and important long credenza, case with parchment color lacquer and accordion doors in unique volcanic Beka lacquer in a bronze finish with chic brass pulls on glass bases with brass sabots, by Raphael...
Brass