Brazilian Mid-Century Reclining Chair in Leather by Percival Lafer, c. 1980s

Available today, with domestic shipping in NYC metro area included, this Modern Reclining Chair in Leather by Percival Lafer, c. 1980s made in Brazil is nothing less than spectacul...

Available today, with domestic shipping in NYC metro area included, This Modern Century Reclining Chair in Metal Hardwood and Leather Ernesto Hauner 1960 is nothing less than gorgeous! Indulge in unparalleled comfort with this reclining armchair, featuring a robust hardwood structure and luxurious soft pink leather upholstery. Its elegant metal legs complement the Brazilian Rosewood armrests, known as jacaranda, while enabling the chair to recline into two distinct positions. Recently refinished armrests, along with new upholstery and a reinforced reclining mechanism, elevate the chair's appeal and functionality. Delicate metal legs provide a balanced design, enhancing the chair's harmonious aesthetic. This set is another example of the awesome furniture work in Brazil between the 40-70's decades. A set like this will look great in any type of environment, from mid century to contemporary and modern design. About the designer: Ernesto Hauner was an Italian immigrant who came to Brazil in 1949 and began working in furniture design with renowned figures such as Lina Bo Bardi, Sérgio Rodrigues, Martin Eisler, and his brother Carlo Hauner. He started his career at Studio Palma, which later became Móveis Artesanal, and eventually became a partner at Forma Móveis e Objetos de Arte. In 1958, Hauner established his own business with a small factory in São Paulo, where he created modular bookshelves using...

The S1 lounge chair is a distinctive example of the work of Brazilian designer Percival Lafer, who is celebrated for his innovative use of local materials and modern design principles that characterized Brazilian furniture design in the mid-20th century. Lafer's designs are often recognized for their combination of traditional and contemporary elements. The armchairs presented here, with their clear modernist lines and rich wooden frames, typify this blend. The wood, native Brazilian hardwood, is dark and lustrous, giving the chairs a solid and grounded appearance. The frames showcase the beauty of the wood grain, a signature element in Lafer's work, reflecting his appreciation for natural materials and their aesthetic qualities. The chairs are upholstered in fabric, which provides a stark contrast to the smoothness of the wood. This choice of upholstery not only adds a textural contrast but also a level of comfort and luxury to the design, suggesting a softness and warmth that invites relaxation and leisure, characteristics valued in Lafer's seating designs. The chairs' structure, with open sides and a low-slung profile, speaks to Lafer's understanding of ergonomic design, ensuring that the sitter is supported yet enveloped by the chairs' form. The horizontal slats along the base add both structural support and an element of visual interest, aligning with the mid-century modern ethos of form following function. In essence, these lounge chairs reflect Percival Lafer's commitment to design that is at once modern, comfortable, and deeply connected to the materials and cultural context of Brazil. About the designer: Percival Lafer is a renowned Brazilian furniture designer whose work significantly contributed to the modernist movement in Brazil. Born in 1936, Lafer was originally trained as an architect at São Paulo’s Universidade Mackenzie. However, the unexpected passing of his father led him to take over the family furniture business with his brothers, which catalyzed his shift to furniture design in 1961. His first notable design, the MP-1 Armchair, was launched the same year and became a hit for its innovative use of materials and design. This chair featured a steel base wrapped in rosewood and was upholstered with foam rather than traditional springs. This design approach epitomized Lafer's principle of creating fine design that was accessible and affordable. Lafer also pioneered in the mechanical furniture movements, creating the MP-7 sofa...

A rare model of armchair by Percival Lafer, our stunning pair of MP-51 have their structure entirely made out of solid Jatobá wood - Brazilian cherry. The seat base has been redone with new natural leather straps. These straps are part of the overall aesthetics of the piece. The wood on both chairs has been sanded and matt varnished, revealing the beautiful colour and grain of Jatobá. The wood surfaces look stunning. The chairs have a new brown natural leather upholstery, done in Brazil. These MP51 are very comfortable, and ours are in excellent condition. We have two chairs available. A common trait amongst Lafer pieces is that they are very comfortable and also unique: they have a hard-achieved simplicity about them. 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. Lafer then made the jump from architecture to furniture design in 1961, putting a focus on thoughtfully designed pieces available at affordable prices. In the same year he introduced the amazing MP-1 chair, a plush piece of furniture made with iron and wood- and since then has had a prolific career. The silhouettes of his lounge chairs, armchairs and other seating were were a step away from the streamlined American and European mid-century modernism being designed at the time, taking on casual, puffed forms thanks to the 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...