Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 17
Percival Lafer "MP-81" Armchairs, 1972, Set of 2
$20,500List Priceper set
About the Item
- Creator:Percival Lafer (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.08 in (84 cm)Width: 37.8 in (96 cm)Depth: 34.65 in (88 cm)Seat Height: 15.75 in (40 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Reupholstered. We accurately check the quality of each object. Our in-house atelier carefully reviews every item. We offer custom restoration and special reupholstering on request. Contact us for more information.
- Seller Location:Lonigo, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3756341887532
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, Lafer 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 Lafer 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 vintage Percival Lafer furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
About the Seller
4.9
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2018
1stDibs seller since 2018
327 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 4 hours
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.You May Also Like
Percival Lafer MP-01 Armchair
By Percival Lafer
Located in Washington, DC
The 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
Materials
Metal
Percival Lafer, MP 01 Armchair, 1960
By Percival Lafer
Located in Barra Funda, SP
The 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
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Hardwood
Pair of "MP-97" armchairs by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in São Paulo, BR
In the world of design, Percival Lafer was a visionary dedicated to enhancing both comfort and aesthetics. His innovation led to the creation of the dual MP-97 lounge chairs, which e...
Category
Late 20th Century Brazilian Armchairs
Materials
Wood
Set of Percival Lafer Cognac Leather MP-13 Armchairs and a Footstool
By Percival Lafer
Located in Madrid, ES
Set of armchairs, model MP-13, with a footstool from circa 1960-1970 by Brazilian designer Percival Lafer. Frame made of solid Jatoba wood, covers of cognac brown leather. Stool's di...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
$11,921 / set
H 26.38 in W 36.23 in D 29.93 in
Percival Lafer, Pair of MP-25 Armchairs, Brazil, 1960s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Percival Lafer
Pair of MP-25 Armchairs
Wood, Upholstery
Brazil, 1969
*Matching Sofa Available*
The MP-25 armchair, designed by Percival Lafer in 1967, combines elements from earlie...
Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Percival Lafer - Lafer - MP-91 armchair in solid Jatoba and original cushion
By Lafer, Percival Lafer
Located in São Paulo, SP
Mid-century modern design by Percival Lafer manufactured by his industry, Lafer
Pair of MP-91 armchairs with solid jatobá wood frame, wedge fitting system, monobloc body of injected...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
$13,000
H 27.56 in W 33.86 in D 31.5 in
Pair of MP-51 Armchairs by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century
By Percival Lafer
Located in Whitstable, GB
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
$9,650 / item
H 25.6 in W 33.47 in D 37.8 in
"MP 129" LOUNGE CHAIR Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Forest, BE
Pair of MP-129 Lounge chairs designed and manufactured by Percival Lafer in Brazil in 1960. These chairs have a solid mahogany wood frame and a chrome steel underframe with straps th...
Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Percival Lafer, MP-97 Lounge Chair, 1960's
By Percival Lafer
Located in Barra Funda, SP
The 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
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Hardwood
Pair of "MP-05" Armchair by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern
By Percival Lafer
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
The 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
Materials
Wood
$10,320 / item
H 27.17 in W 29.93 in D 29.53 in
More From This Seller
View AllPercival Lafer “MP-41” Armchairs for Lafer MP, 1972, Set of 2
By Percival Lafer
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Percival Lafer “MP-41” armchairs for Lafer MP, wood and cognac leather, Brazil, 1972
The “MP-41” armchairs by Percival Lafer embrace fluidity with a structure that appears weightless despite their solid rosewood frames. The absence of visible crossbars beneath the seat enhances this effect, allowing the thick, tufted cushions to seemingly float. The upholstery drapes over the structure like silk fabric on a sculpted form, a harmonious integration of material and frame. The butterfly-shaped joints refine the frame’s construction, tapering toward the center for a softened profile. The lateral tufting on the seat is not merely decorative—it creates a structured geometry that follows the contours of the body. The armrests, backrest, and seat merge into a single, uninterrupted form, maximizing ergonomic support. Leather straps secure the cushions to the frame, a signature Lafer detail that blends artisanal technique with industrial efficiency. The MP-41 prioritizes organic curves over strict geometric lines. The deep cognac leather, aged to a rich patina, enhances the warmth of the rosewood. The absence of ornamentation shifts focus to the raw materials, celebrating their natural textures and variations. Unlike Jean Gillon...
Category
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Post-Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Percival Lafer “MP-41” Armchair for Lafer MP, 1972
By Percival Lafer
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Percival Lafer “MP-41” Armchair for Lafer MP, wood and cognac leather, Brazil, 1972
The “MP-41” armchair by Percival Lafer embraces fluidity with a structure that appears weightless despite its solid rosewood frame. The absence of visible crossbars beneath the seat enhances this effect, allowing the thick, tufted cushion to seemingly float. The upholstery drapes over the structure like silk fabric on a sculpted form, a harmonious integration of material and frame. The butterfly-shaped joints refine the frame’s construction, tapering toward the center for a softened profile. The lateral tufting on the seat is not merely decorative—it creates a structured geometry that follows the contours of the body. The armrests, backrest, and seat merge into a single, uninterrupted form, maximizing ergonomic support. Leather straps secure the cushion to the frame, a signature Lafer detail that blends artisanal technique with industrial efficiency. The MP-41 prioritizes organic curves over strict geometric lines. The deep cognac leather, aged to a rich patina, enhances the warmth of the rosewood. The absence of ornamentation shifts focus to the raw materials, celebrating their natural textures and variations. Unlike Jean Gillon...
Category
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Post-Modern Armchairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Percival Lafer “MP-41” Living Room Set for Lafer MP, 1972, Set of 3
By Percival Lafer
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Percival Lafer “MP-41” living room set for Lafer MP, wood and cognac leather, Brazil, 1972, set of 3
The “MP-41” living room set by Percival Lafer, composed of a sofa and two armchairs, embraces fluidity with a structure that appears weightless despite its solid rosewood frame. The absence of visible crossbars beneath the seat enhances this effect, allowing the thick, tufted cushions to seemingly float. The upholstery drapes over the structure like silk fabric on a sculpted form, a harmonious integration of material and frame. The butterfly-shaped joints refine the frame’s construction, tapering toward the center for a softened profile. The lateral tufting on the seat is not merely decorative—it creates a structured geometry that follows the contours of the body. The armrests, backrest, and seat merge into a single, uninterrupted form, maximizing ergonomic support. Leather straps secure the cushions to the frame, a signature Lafer detail that blends artisanal technique with industrial efficiency. The MP-41 prioritizes organic curves over strict geometric lines. The deep cognac leather, aged to a rich patina, enhances the warmth of the rosewood. The absence of ornamentation shifts focus to the raw materials, celebrating their natural textures and variations. Unlike Jean Gillon’s “Tijuca...
Category
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Post-Modern Living Room Sets
Materials
Leather, Wood
Percival Lafer “MP-41” Sofa for Lafer MP, 1972
By Percival Lafer
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Percival Lafer “MP-41” Sofa for Lafer MP, wood and cognac leather, Brazil, 1972
The “MP-41” sofa by Percival Lafer embraces fluidity with a structure that appears weightless despite its solid rosewood frame. The absence of visible crossbars beneath the seat enhances this effect, allowing the thick, tufted cushions to seemingly float. The upholstery drapes over the structure like silk fabric on a sculpted form, a harmonious integration of material and frame. The butterfly-shaped joints refine the frame’s construction, tapering toward the center for a softened profile. The lateral tufting on the seat is not merely decorative—it creates a structured geometry that follows the contours of the body. The armrests, backrest, and seat merge into a single, uninterrupted form, maximizing ergonomic support. Leather straps secure the cushions to the frame, a signature Lafer detail that blends artisanal technique with industrial efficiency. The MP-41 prioritizes organic curves over strict geometric lines. The deep cognac leather, aged to a rich patina, enhances the warmth of the rosewood. The absence of ornamentation shifts focus to the raw materials, celebrating their natural textures and variations. Unlike Jean Gillon...
Category
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Post-Modern Living Room Sets
Materials
Leather, Wood
Mario Bellini "Pianura" Armchair for Cassina, 1972
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Pianura" armchair for Cassina, argilla fabric and wood, Italy, 1972.
The “Pianura” living room set is a great expression of the minimalism and elegance of Mario Belli...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Charles Dudouyt Armchairs, 1960, Set of 4
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Charles Dudouyt armchairs, straw and wood, France, 1940s, set of four.
Recalling the turned chair model, Charles Dudouyt created these carved chairs as 'fireside' chairs, hence the low seats. Using playful geometries and construction, he crafted the wooden structure in Art Deco forms. The seats' original straw is preserved and creates a charming contrast with the dark wooden structure. The legs are joined by crosspieces, enhancing the square shape of the design. Dudouyt enriched the typical French straw chair...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Straw, Wood
$6,800 / set
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
We Spotted This ’70s Percival Lafer Sofa in Michael Shannon’s Brooklyn Home
“It’s had some use over the years, but I think that’s what gives it a lot of the character,” the actor told AD.
End Your Quest for Fire with This Handmade Majolica Chimney
Prehistoric motifs give the mid-century Italian fireplace an elemental feel.
More Ways To Browse
Ejner Larsen and Aksel Bender Madsen On Sale
Embassy Chairs
Empire Barrel Chairs
English Lolling Chair
Erik Buch Chair 50
Erik Kirkegaard Rosewood
Fabrice Berrux
Fauteuil Pivotant
Fauteuil Scandinave
Finn Juhl Nv46
Flemish Scroll
Flying Carpet Sottsass
French Director Chair
French Empire Tub Chair
Friday Chair
G Plan Chair For Sale
Galatea Of The Spheres
Gent Chair