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.
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
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Executive Desk or Writing Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful and simply designed teak desk from Scandinavia circa 1970's. It features teak construction with finished back. Clean & ready to use condition. No drawer keys present but ...
Teak
$17,092Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 70.87 in D 27.56 in
Rare Mid-Century Modern Wenge Wood Organic-Shaped Boomerang Custom Desk, 1960s
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This very rare organic-shaped desk comes from Netherlands and was manufactured during the 1960s. It has a perfect boomerang form and is made from precious wenge wood with natural thi...
Wenge
$9,660 / item
H 31 in W 71 in D 38 in
Desk, Black Lacquered Wood, Post-Modern Design, Panorammma, 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
$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 Padua)
Brass
$16,349
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
$4,800
H 27.75 in W 50 in D 17 in
Tommi Parzinger Celadon Lacquered Desk with Signature Brass Ribbon Handles
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
Tommi Parzinger attributed celadon lacquered wood angular desk, circa 1950s. Three deep drawers with signature brass pulls. Hole in top where built in lam...
Brass
$24,524Sale 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
Solid Oak Desk by Raphael Raffel, France, c. 1955
By Raphael Raffel
Located in New York City, NY
Solid Oak Desk by Raphael Raffel for Maison Internationale Paris, France, c. 1955. This elegant desk consists of a solid oak construction, dark for...
Metal
$11,500 / item
H 28.35 in W 30.32 in D 20.67 in
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-BU-08-A Student Desk / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Zürich, CH
This item expresses a specific rawness. There is no need for precise execution or the desire to appear sophisticated. It is simple, self-evident, and direct. It is made out of basic ...
Teak
$12,100
H 28.15 in W 38.78 in D 22.84 in
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-BU-08-B Student Desk / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Zürich, CH
This item is raw and sturdy. Its rugged textures and bold lines define that radical character. Its presence is uncompromising and captivating. The visible nonchalance here celebrates...
Teak