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.
Hans Hopfer "Informel" Sofa for Roche Bobos, 1979
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Coronado, CA
Early "Informel" sofa designed by Hans Hopfer and manufactured by Roche Bobois in 1979. This cozy, plump sofa features a unique organic form with ruched detailing and hand stitched a...
Leather
Vladimir Kagan "Zoe" Sofa, 2000s
By Vladimir Kagan, American Leather
Located in Coronado, CA
A stunning and sophisticated serpentine sofa by Vladimir Kagan for American Leather circa 2000s. This piece has been masterfully reupholstered: the front back and the bottom band fea...
Fabric
Vladimir Kagan Restored "Fiftyish" Sofa for American Leather, 2000s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Coronado, CA
"Fiftyish" sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by American leather in the 2000s. This contemporary design was influenced by Kagan's winged barrel chairs of the 1950s. This e...
Stainless Steel
Le Corbusier "LC2 Petit Modele" Sofa for Cassina, 1980s
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Coronado, CA
This "LC2 Petit Modele" sofa was originally designed by Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret in 1928. This vintage example was manufactured by Cassina in the 1980s. ...
Steel
Percival Lafer "Earth" Chairs and Ottoman, 1970s
By Percival Lafer, Lafer
Located in Coronado, CA
A pair of Brazilian modernist "Earth" chairs and ottoman designed by Percival Lafer, manufactured in Brazil in the 1970s. These incredibly comfortable lounge chairs feature a "scoop"...
Metal
"Eros" Sofa by Centro Studio for Flexform, 1990s
By Flexform
Located in Coronado, CA
This timeless "Eros" sofa was designed by Centro Studio and manufactured in Italy by Flexform in 1997. The sofa is a perfect combination of exceptional comfort and understated, class...
Upholstery, Wood
Percival Lafer Sofa, Re-upholstered in Leather, Mid-Century Modern, Brazil 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Boom, Vlaams Gewest
A rare and beautifully preserved sofa by Percival Lafer, one of Brazil’s most celebrated modernist designers. Known for his innovative use of exotic woods and deeply comfortable upho...
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1970's De Sede DS 80 Patchwork Leather Daybed
By De Sede
Located in Lutz, FL
Vintage De Sede Switzerland DS-80 Daybed Sofa in Cognac patchwork leather c.1970’s. Designed in 1969 a timeless classic with ebonized slatted wood frame, iconic De Sede patchwork lea...
Leather, Wood
Percival Lafer MP-97 Leather Sofa
By Percival Lafer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Leather sofa by Percival Lafer c.1960's, Brazil. The sofa features the original mustard yellow leather seat with a beautiful Brazilian hardwood frame. The back of the sofa showcases ...
Leather, Upholstery, Hardwood
Mp-97 Tufted Leather Sofa by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Modernist tufted sofa in brown aniline leather designed by Percival Lafer. Constructed with molded foam, rosewood, and nylon straps. Some original straps have been replaced or repair...
Leather, Wood, Rosewood
Rare Mid Century Modern Cube Leather sofa by Percival Lafer Brazil 1970
By Percival Lafer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare Amazing Mid Century Modern Cube Leather sofa Designed by Percival Lafer Made in Brazil. Cube designed Shaped 3 seat fully upholstered Burnt saffron yellow color Soft leather sof...
Leather, Wood
1970s MP-91 / MP-163 Earth Sofa by Percival Lafer in leather and hardwood
By Percival Lafer
Located in Victoria, BC
Designed by Percival Lafer during the 1970s, the MP-91 / MP-163 “Earth” sofa remains one of the most recognizable and comfortable seating designs produced during the golden era of Brazilian modernism. The design combines structural clarity with an unusually relaxed and immersive seating experience, reflecting Lafer’s unique ability to merge engineering, ergonomics, and material expression. The sofa is constructed around a robust Brazilian hardwood frame that creates a suspended visual effect, where the upholstered body appears to float lightly above the base structure. The proportions are low and architectural, while the generous cushioning and suspended support system create a remarkably comfortable sit. Lafer approached seating with a strong emphasis on long-term comfort and practical construction, qualities that became central to his international success during the 1970s export period. This example has been fully reupholstered in high-quality Spinneybeck leather, a material widely recognized for its durability and refined surface quality. The arm cushions feature an uncommon pillow configuration. While this may represent a later upholstery interpretation introduced during restoration, similar variations were also seen in certain export-market configurations produced through Brazil Contempo...
Leather, Hardwood
