Mid-Century Modern Armchair by Percival Lafer for Lafer MP, Brazil, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Percival Lafer (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 36.62 in (93 cm)Width: 37.41 in (95 cm)Depth: 35.44 in (90 cm)Seat Height: 15.95 in (40.5 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Brussels, BE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2265336419302
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: Brussels, Belgium
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Mid-Century Modern Canada P110 Armchair by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960sBy Osvaldo BorsaniLocated in Brussels, BEMid-Century Modern Canada P110 Armchair by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, 1960sCategory
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Mid-Century Modern Wooden Armchair Model 4801 by Joe Colombo for Kartell, 1960sBy Joe ColomboLocated in Brussels, BEMid-Century Modern Wooden Armchair Model 4801 by Joe Colombo for Kartell, 1960s.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- Mid-Century Modern Set of 6 Armchairs, Italy, 1960sLocated in Brussels, BEMid-Century Modern Set of 6 Armchairs, Italy, 1960sCategory
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- Mid-Century Modern Italian Cognac Leather Armchairs, 1960sLocated in Brussels, BEMid-Century Modern Italian Cognac leather armchairs, 1960s.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood, Leather
- Mid-Century Modern 3 Armchairs, Italy, 1960s, - New UpholsteryLocated in Brussels, BEMid-Century Modern 3 Armchairs, Italy - New UpholsteryCategory
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsVelvet
- Mid-Century Modern Pair of Scandinavian Armchairs, 1960sLocated in Brussels, BEMid-Century Modern Pair of Scandinavian Armchairs, 1960sCategory
Vintage 1960s Armchairs
MaterialsFabric
- Pair of "MP-05" Armchair by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century ModernBy Percival LaferLocated in Sao Paulo, SPThe MP-05 armchair is an exceptional example of the creative vision of the Brazilian architect and designer Percival Lafer. Originally designed as a variation on the MP-03 armchair, ...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- Pair of MP-51 Armchairs by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-CenturyBy Percival LaferLocated in Whitstable, GBA 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...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Hardwood
- 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
- 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
- Pair of Rare "MP-01" Armchair, by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century ModernBy Percival LaferLocated in Sao Paulo, SPThis beautiful pair of MP-01 armchairs, made of iron covered with Brazilian hardwood, designed and produced in 1961 by the master Percival Lafer, was the first piece created by the d...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood
- Pair of "MP-13" Armchairs, Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern DesignBy Percival LaferLocated in Sao Paulo, SPThe MP-13 armchair, a rare model created in 1963, is a stunning piece of furniture that boasts a sculptural design. Its unique structure is entirely made of solid Brazilian hardwood,...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsChrome