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.
French Neoclassical Raphael Brass and Opaline Coffee Table, 1960s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Paris, IDF
The black opaline surface of this coffee table appears reflective, calling to mind a still POOL of deep water, the result being a luxurious, timeless piece that, coupled with the int...
Brass
Sycamore Desk by Raphael Raffel with Gilt Bronze Rope Mounts
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Stamford, CT
This striking desk is part of a large group of Sycamore furniture designed by Raphael and feature in the 1939 Salon Des Arts Mengers. This show was seen as solidifying Raphaels place...
Bronze
Price Upon Request
Fine French Mid-Century Lacquered Desk by Raphael
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Long Island City, NY
Raphael (Raphael Raffel, 1912-2000) Rare Beka lacquer pedestal desk with three drawers, a black lacquered base and bronze details.
Bronze
Teak Mid Century Danish Modern Double Sided Desk or Console Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A simple modern Scandinavian design from Denmark circa 1970's. This desk features all teak wood construction that is double sided to be used in the middle of a room. Sleek minimalist...
Teak
$3,475Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.87 in Dm 31.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Brass and Glass Side Table, France, 1960s
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Mid-Century Modern brass and glass side table, France, c. 1960 Vintage Mid-Century Modern brass table, with circular glass top. This side table presents an elegant structure and nic...
Brass
$9,660 / item
H 31 in W 71 in D 38 in
Piano Desk by Panorammma, Black Lacquered Wood, Post-Modern Design, Mexico
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A sleek, black-polished, sculptural piece conjuring the presence of a grand piano. Piano Desk evokes an intricate fusion of the grace in artistic expression and the discipline of w...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage modern writing desk featured in rich walnut grain. This desk sits on sleek tapered legs and has two spacious drawers. This would be...
Wood, Walnut
French Square Wooden Coffee Table, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
French; sofa set; living room set; leather cushions; 1960s; armchair; club chair; lounge chair; loveseat; two-seater; footstool; ottoman; coffee table; french design; square; A Fr...
Wood
Woven Wicker and Rattan Emmanuelle Peacock Coffee Table, Spain, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Round coffee table handcrafted in wicker and rattan in the manner of the Emmanuelle chair, Spain, 1960s. This lovely round low table features an intricate of rattan and wicker canes...
Wicker, Rattan, Glass
$25,500
H 31.25 in W 55 in D 27.5 in
Italian Mahogany Table Desk by Gio Ponti, Mid-Century Modern, 1930s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Queens, NY
Italian 1930s mahogany table desk with geometric form legs with brass sabot feet and a single drawer with a stretcher (GIO PONTI - for the University of Prada)
Brass
$4,538 / item
H 31.11 in W 52.76 in D 13.98 in
Handcrafted Modern Oak Wall-Mounted Desk Console by SUM Furniture
By SUM Furniture
Located in London, GB
Our larger wall mounted desk/table is a bold and refined piece of handcrafted furniture, designed and produced in England using traditional furniture making techniques. Crafted from ...
Oak, Leather
$5,762 / item
H 29.53 in W 66.15 in D 22.05 in
Contemporary High Lacquered Black Organic Ash Wood Desk by kar
Located in Geneve, CH
Oracle Desk by kar Dimensions: W 168 x D 56 x H 75 cm Materials: Ash Wood, High Gloss. Oracle bone script dates back to the Shang Dynasty of China, a text engraved on tortoise shells and animal bones for divination. Taking China's oldest script as its creative source, kar presents a new collection of furniture, "Oracle", which consists of a chair, a desk, a bench, a shelf, and a screen. The symbolic form of the ancient script...
Wood
$24,010Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.14 in W 88.59 in D 34.65 in
B40 Desk in Solid Elm by Pierre Chapo, France, 1960s
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Antwerp, BE
Pierre Chapo, B40 desk, elm, France, 1960s, Mid-Century modern, Rustic; Characteristic desk by French designer and carpenter Pierre Chapo. Eye-catching detail is the remarkable carved tabletop...
Elm
$12,798Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 82.68 in D 36.62 in
Important Mid Century Executive Desk by Ico Parisi for MIM 1958
By Ico Parisi
Located in Rome, IT
This large Terni executive desk was designed by Ico Parisi in 1958 for MIM (Mobili Italiani Moderni) Rome, Italy, with a rectangular tabletop, The desk contains a three drawer block ...
Wood
Imposing French 19th Century Mahogany Writing Desk
Located in Rome, IT
A fine French 19th century Louis XV style , gilt bronze-mounted Mahogany bureau plat. The shaped rectangular top inset with a tooled leather writing panel and fitted with three dra...
Wood
Personnal diabolo coffee table by Raphaël Raffel
By Raphael Raffel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Très rare table basse par Raphael Raffel, crée pour son l’intérieur de son appartement à Paris vers 1975.
Metal
Raphael Raffel Game Table in Green & Black Beka Lacquer, France 1950's
By Raphael Raffel
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional game table by Raphael, the legs are black lacquered with brass sabots, and the top is done in Raphael's signature Beka green ombré lacquer with the chessboard design embe...
Brass
Sold
H 16.15 in W 17.72 in D 33.86 in
French Neoclassical Brass and Opaline Coffee Table by Raphaël, 1960s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in London, GB
French neoclassical style coffee table from the 1960s designed by the interior decorator Raphaël Raffel (1912-2000) known as "Ra...
Brass