Percival Lafer ‘MP-81’ Lounge chair in original leather, Brazil 1970s
View Similar Items
Percival Lafer ‘MP-81’ Lounge chair in original leather, Brazil 1970s
About the Item
- Creator:Percival Lafer (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.08 in (84 cm)Width: 34.65 in (88 cm)Depth: 35.04 in (89 cm)Seat Height: 14.57 in (37 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Rotterdam, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1117231195242
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.
- Curved leather lounge chairs by Busnelli, Italy 1970sBy Studio G14, BusnelliLocated in Rotterdam, NLCurved leather lounge chairs by Busnelli, Italy 1970s. Nice strong curved bulky shaped design upholstered in a high quality thick cognac co...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wenge
- Gastone Rinaldi ‘Diega’ lounge chair for Rima, Italy 1970sBy Gastone Rinaldi, RIMALocated in Rotterdam, NLGastone Rinaldi 'Diega' lounge chair for Rima, Italy 1970s. Innovative bulky shaped design consisting of two fat leather bulky cushions in supported by an elegant chromed metal frame...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Soriana Lounge Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa in Original Leather, Italy, 1969By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Rotterdam, NLPair of Soriana lounge chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy 1969. The chairs still have their original leather upholstery which gives them a lot of character. The origina...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Lounge Chair in Leather by De Pas, D’Urbino & Lomazzi for BBB BonacinaBy Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi, BBB BonacchinaLocated in Rotterdam, NLLounge chair mod. 'Carrera' in leather by De Pas, D'Urbino & Lomazzi for BBB Bonacina, Italy ca. 1965. Iconic model and hard to find as a single lounge ch...Category
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair in MohairLocated in Rotterdam, NLItalian lounge chair, 1950’s. Elegantly curved bent wooden frame with sleek Mid-Century Modern boomerang shapes finished in black lacquer. The round shaped seating tilts backwards wh...Category
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMohair
- Pair of Curved Lounge Chairs in Oak & Mohair, 1950sLocated in Rotterdam, NLStunning pair of lounge chairs, France 1950s. Impressive bold shapes and interesting lines with cilinder shaped Oak wooden legs. The chairs are fully reconditioned and are upholstere...Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsOak, Mohair
$21,751 / set
- Percival Lafer – MP-91 – Lounge Chair – Brazil – 1970sBy Percival LaferLocated in NIEUWKUIJK, NBThis truely beautiful lounge chair is called the MP-91 and is designed by Percival Lafer. It’s an extraordinary piece of furniture. The chair is made from rose wood and has a leathe...Category
Vintage 1970s South American Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Percival Lafer Adjustable Lounge Chair MP, Brazil, 1970By Percival LaferLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantFantastic shaped adjustable lounge chair designed by Percival Lafer and manufactured by MP Lafer, Brazil 1970s. This unusual, puffy shaped lounge chair has very nice characteristic l...Category
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Percival Lafer MP1 lounge chairs Brazil 1961By Percival LaferLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantRare lounge chairs designed by Percival Lafer and manufactured by Lafer MP, Brazil 1961. Steel structures covered with amazing hardwood. Reupholstered in a green velvet mohair. The M...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
$26,645 / set - Vintage MP-97 Lounge Chair by Percival Lafer, 1970s, Brazilian MidcenturyBy Percival LaferLocated in New York, NYIn his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. This pair of MP-97 lounge chairs by Percival Lafer comprises a solid wood structure with a single piece of a loose foam se...Category
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFaux Leather, Cedar
- Pair of Brazilian Mp-5 Midcentury Lounge Chairs by Percival Lafer, 1970sBy Percival LaferLocated in New York, NYIn his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. This pair of MP-5 lounge chairs by Percival Lafer comprises an iron structure covered with golden Caviuna wood and an inde...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFaux Leather, Cedar
- Rare MP-81 Lounge Chair and Ottoman In Original Leather by Percival Lafer, 1970By Percival LaferLocated in São Paulo, BRThis artwork embodies Percival's unique artistic essence. It presents innovative formal and structural solutions, while its symbolic significance seamlessly harmonizes with what can ...Category
Late 20th Century Brazilian Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Foam, Wood