Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Sofa by Percival Lafer Model MP-81, 1960s
View Similar Items
Mid-Century Modern Brazilian Sofa by Percival Lafer Model MP-81, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Percival Lafer (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.47 in (85 cm)Width: 82.68 in (210 cm)Depth: 35.44 in (90 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor structural damages. Minor fading.
- Seller Location:Lucenec, SK
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3759121787712
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.
More From This Seller
View AllMid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Wood, Beech, Upholstery
Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Sofas
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Ashtrays
Glass, Art Glass
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Aluminum, Chrome
Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fabric, Wood, Plywood
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
Glass, Art Glass, Smoked Glass
You May Also Like
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Steel
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Hardwood
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Faux Leather, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chrome
