Percival Lafer "MP-85" Midcentury Brazilian Armchair in Jatobá, 1971
About the Item
- Creator:Percival Lafer (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 27.17 in (69 cm)Width: 27.17 in (69 cm)Depth: 31.11 in (79 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1971
- Condition:Reupholstered.
- Seller Location:Sao Paulo, BR
- Reference Number:
Percival Lafer
When it comes to mid-century furniture, the innovative work of the Brazilian Modernists has often been overlooked, including the designs of prolific maker Percival Lafer. Lafer studied architecture at São Paulo’s Universidade Mackenzie. After he graduated, his father passed away suddenly, leaving a furniture business that Lafer took over with his brothers.
Taking up the mantle, Lafer made the jump from architecture to furniture design in 1961, putting a focus on thoughtfully designed pieces available at affordable prices. That year, he introduced his supremely popular MP-1 chair, a plush piece of furniture made with iron and wood that he has riffed on throughout his entire career. The silhouettes of his lounge chairs, armchairs and other seating were distinct from streamlined American and European mid-century modernism, taking on casual, puffed forms thanks to his use of polyurethane layers as padding. He combined such contemporary industrial materials with local natural ones, namely Brazilian hardwoods, which delighted customers around the world as Lafer became one of the country’s leading exporters of furniture.
Lafer has continued to design furniture throughout his career, branching into sofas, tables and lighting. He was at the forefront of mechanical furniture movements, debuting the MP-7 sofa, which could turn into a twin bed, in 1965, the first such piece on the market. One of his most intriguing projects was the MP Lafer, a two-seat fiberglass roadster designed to emulate British sports cars. Some 4,300 units were produced over its 16-year manufacturing run in the ’70s and ’80s, with several ending up in the collections of major car museums.
Still, Lafer’s biggest claim to fame is his seating, which he continues to design, drawing inspiration from modern shapes and local materials. In 2017, a retrospective of his work was organized as part of the São Paulo Design Weekend.
Find a collection of authentic Percival Lafer furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: São Paulo, Brazil
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Armchair MP-13 by Percival Lafer, Brazilian DesignBy Percival LaferLocated in Sao Paulo, SPWe work with artisans who masterfully restore typical pieces from each period of our history, valuing their different preservation techniques. Teamwork has built this pioneering comp...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsOther
- Midcentury Brazilian "MP-13" Sofa in Jatobá by Percival Lafer, 1970sBy Percival LaferLocated in Sao Paulo, SPWe work with artisans who masterfully restore typical pieces from each period of our history, valuing their different preservation techniques. Teamwork has built this pioneering comp...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSuede
- Percival Lafer Midcentury Brazilian "Earth Chair" Set Armchair and Ottoman, 1976By Percival LaferLocated in Sao Paulo, SPPercival Lafer midcentury Brazilian "Earth Chair" set armchair and ottoman, 1976. Known internationally, Percival Lafer is a renowned Brazilian design...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Zanine Caldas Midcentury Brazilian armchair, 1954By Mòveis Artisticos ZLocated in Sao Paulo, SPZanine Caldas Midcentury Brazilian armchair, 1954 One of the most famous armchairs produced by the Móveis Artísticos Z, this comfortab...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- Zanine Caldas Midcentury Brazilian Armchair, 1949By Mòveis Artisticos Z, José Zanine CaldasLocated in Sao Paulo, SPZanine Caldas midcentury Brazilian armchair, 1949 Plywood armchair designed by Zanine Caldas in the late 1940s for the Móveis Artíst...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFaux Leather, Plywood
- Zanine Caldas Midcentury Brazilian Armchair in Ivory Wood, 1950sBy Mòveis Artisticos ZLocated in Sao Paulo, SPZanine Caldas midcentury Brazilian armchair in ivory wood, 1950s Produced by the Móveis Artísticos Z, this comfortable armchair model has upholstery arms for full support of the u...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- Percival Lafer, Midcentury MP-19 Armchairs, BrazilBy Percival LaferLocated in Whitstable, GBA pair of beautiful MP19 armchairs, designed and manufactured by Percival Lafer. Brazil c. 1967. Despite the large section of wood pieces and their solidity, this design feels light...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Hardwood
- Midcentury Armchairs MP-13 by Percival Lafer in Hardwood & Beige Leather, BrazilBy Percival LaferLocated in New York, NYAvailable today, this Brazilian armchair set, model MP-13, designed by Percival Lafer in Hardwood and Beige Italian leather, 1960s is nothing less than fabulous! The super comfy armchairs feature a Brazilian rosewood (known as Jacaranda) base with four legs. The structure is upholstered in Italian Beige leather and has rosewood, steel finishes and leather buttons. The loose cushions around the arms give the piece a super inviting look. The entire MP-13 set, two armchairs and sofa, is showcased in our gallery next to a Giuseppe Scapinelli coffee table looking simply spectacular (image). Renovation for the entire set took almost 5 months. While the piece was intact from a structure point of view, we disassembled the pieces and strengthened the wood structure. In parallel, the metal was refinished removing all the rust. Then, the upholsterer started the hand stitching process of the italian leather, resulting in what you’re seeing in the pictures. This set would look wonderful in any Mid-Century Modern, modern or contemporary environment. Literature: Percival Lafer book & Vintage Publications...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsChrome
- Percival Lafer - MP-85 , 2 Adjustable Lounge Chairs, Brazil 1971By Percival LaferLocated in Immenstaad am Bodensee, DEAfter graduating in architecture from Mackenzie University in São Paulo, Percival Lafer took over his father's furniture company, The Co. Lafer, and his motto from day one was innova...Category
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Upholstery, Hardwood
- Percival Lafer MP-97 ArmchairBy Percival LaferLocated in Washington, DCThe MP-97 armchair from Percival Lafer offers a very distinctive style, yet is also very comfortable. The designer took advantage of newly available technology to create different fo...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Percival Lafer MP-01 ArmchairBy Percival LaferLocated in Washington, DCThe MP-01 is the first armchair model produced by the world renown Percival Lafer, and set the stage for his unique style and subsequent designs. The sensual curves of the seat are c...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- MP-71 Armchair with ottoman by Percival Lafer, 1970s, Brazilian MidcenturyBy Percival LaferLocated in New York, NYIn his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. The MP-71 armchair, from 1973/1974, is a derivative from MP-61 – his first piece with a visible fiberglass shell structure. The MP-71 comprises a visible fiberglass shell that swives on a base also made of fiberglass. The upholstery follows the same principle as the MP-61, with laminated foam applied directly to the shell. Móveis Lafer...Category
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Cedar
