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.
1970s Percival Lafer MP-167 Sofa
By Percival Lafer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
We are pleased to present this authentic Brazilian sofa by Percival Lafer, circa 1970s. Recently reupholstered in premium yellow leather. Ships from Philadelphia.
Leather
Brazilian Modern Sofa, Percival Lafer 1960's
By Percival Lafer
Located in Uccle, BE
Sofa Mod. MP-13, 1960's Made by Lafer S. e Co, Sao Paulo Rosewood, chrome and faux leather H 70 x L219 x W80 x Seat Height 41Percival Lafer Mid-Century Brazilian sofa made of Walnut ...
Chrome
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-81 2-seater Sofa by Percival Lafer for Lafer MP
By Percival Lafer, Lafer
Located in Wien, AT
The MP-81 sofa by Percival Lafer, designed in the 1970s, is an exceptional and incredibly rare two-seater example of Brazilian mid-century modern design - nearly all surviving pieces...
Leather, Wood
Percival Lafer MP-13 Ivory Leather Sofa
By Percival Lafer
Located in Weesp, NL
Introducing the MP-13 Four-Seat Sofa by Brazilian designer Percival Lafer, a true masterpiece of mid-century modern design. This stunning sofa, designed in 1967, features a gorgeous ...
Chrome
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 MP-61 Sofa, Percival Lafer, Brazil, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The MP-61 series from 1972 were the first designs in which Percival Lafer used a fully visible fiberglass shell. The molded shell allowed greater freedom in shaping the form while si...
Leather, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Percival Lafer MP-97 Leather Sofa with Extended Headrest
By Percival Lafer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Leather sofa by Percival Lafer c.1960's, Brazil. The sofa features the original burnt rust leather with a beautiful Brazilian hardwood frame. The top of the seat back has an extended...
Leather, Upholstery, Hardwood
Vintage MP-25 Sofa by Percival Lafer, Brazil, 1950s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Percival Lafer Vintage MP-25 Sofa Brazil, 1967 *Matching Armchairs Available* The MP-25 model, designed by Percival Lafer in 1967, combines elements from earlier models: the MP-13 ...
Upholstery, Hardwood
1970s Brazilian Wood and Leather Sofa by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Victoria, BC
One of the most comfortable sofas we’ve ever had the pleasure of offering, this stunning piece was designed by Percival Lafer in the 1970s. It features a solid Brazilian hardwood fr...
Wood
1960s Percival Lafer Large Sofa Frame Jacaranda Rosewood Brazil
By Percival Lafer
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Percival Lafer Large Jacaranda Rosewood Sofa Frame made in Brazil Unmarked. Attribution Percival Lafer 25.5 tall x 73 wide front 71.5 back, 37 d, Seat without cushion, 10 tall....
Rosewood
1960s Whipstitch Sofa Brown Leather after De Sede
By De Sede
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a 1960s Modern Whipstitched Brown Leather Three-Seater Sofa unmarked in the style of Swiss De Sede 85 W 29 H x 36 D, Seat 17 H, Arm rest 24, deep seat. Origin...
Leather
1950s Frank Kyle Floating Mahogany Sofa End Tables Mexico City
By Frank Kyle
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a 1950s Sensational mahogany sofa designed by Frank Kyle Mexico City Asian inspired design. Mexico modernism at its finest. ...
Brass, Bronze
1960s Architectural Sofa Bench by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez for IRGSA
By Pedro Ramirez Vazquez
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Pedro Ramírez Vázquez father of Mexican Modern Architecture Sofa extraordinaire Mexico Modernism 1960s. Floating mahogany wood-plywood. New upholstery in light gray pattern. New marb...
Marble
Mid-Century Modern Style Osvaldo Borsani Italian Sofa Daybed from Italy
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a 1950s Italian Sofa-Day Bed manner of architect designer Osvaldo Borsani. Iron and Wood. New upholstery. Unmarked. Arms can be lifted providing more room for...
Iron
19th Century Antique Empire Sofa Hand Carved Mahogany
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an antique empire settee three-seater sofa hand carved mahogany feather down cushions with green velvet. Comfortable ele...
Velvet, Mahogany
