Best known in the world of design as simply Raphaël, Raphaël Raffel was one of the most influential French mid-century modern designers and decorators. His style inspirations ranged from 18th-century Parisian design to 1960s American and Italian Space Age chic.
Born in 1912 in Paris, Raffel studied design at the École des Beaux-Arts. In 1934, he began an interior decorating business, counting legendary French-American dancer Josephine Baker among his first clients.
During the 1930s and throughout the 1940s, Raffel was regarded as one of France’s illustrious “ensembliers-décorateurs,” designers who not only created furniture but focused on every element of interior space, from wall decorations to lighting.
By the 1950s, Raffel’s decorating and design talents had gained the attention of the French public service. Several commissions were awarded to Raffel to decorate embassies, university residences, post offices, the National Assembly and the ground floor and a wing of the Hôtel de Ville de Paris. Additionally, in 1952, Raffel worked with French designer, sculptor and architect André Arbus to decorate a section of the luxury ocean liner Bretagne. That same year, Raffel’s work was shown with designs by French ceramist Georges Jouve at the Salon des Arts Ménagers. In 1958, Raffel exhibited at the Brussels World’s Fair.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Raffel was inspired by the era’s popular Space Age style, evident in his plush, croissant-shaped sofas and pod-shaped lounge chairs, club chairs and armchairs, which he designed for furniture makers such as Maison Honoré and Herman Miller. Raffel also combined lacquer, glasswork, distinct colors and gilt bronze in his elegant, French neoclassical coffee and cocktail tables, side tables and desks.
Towards the end of the 1970s, Raffel’s business began to wane, finally closing in 1983. Raffel continued to work on design and decorating commissions until he died in 2000.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Raphaël Raffel seating and tables.
H 29.53 in W 21.46 in D 21.46 in
French Art Deco Black Lacquer Game Table with Green Felt Playing Surface
Located in Lisbon, PT
An elegant and refined Art Deco style game table featuring a sleek square silhouette, beautifully tapered cabriole-inspired legs, and a rich black lacquer finish. The table is crowne...
Metal
H 28.75 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Art Deco Black Lacquer Game Table with Green Felt Top
Located in Lisbon, PT
A striking Art Deco game table featuring a luxurious emerald green felt playing surface framed by a sleek piano black lacquer border. Elevated on four elegantly curved tapering legs,...
Walnut
H 29.53 in W 21.46 in D 21.46 in
Black Lacquer Bistro Pedestal Game Table with Green Felt Playing Surface
Located in Lisbon, PT
Refined and versatile, this black lacquer bistro game table features a classic green felt playing surface combined with an elegant pedestal base and clean square silhouette. Designed...
Metal
H 28.75 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
Art Deco Style Game Table in High-Gloss Black Lacquer with Green Felt Top
Located in Lisbon, PT
Exceptional Art Deco style game table featuring a refined geometric silhouette and a luxurious high-gloss black lacquer finish. The elegant square top is upholstered in rich green gaming felt, creating the perfect surface for card games, chess, poker, or sophisticated entertaining. The sculptural pedestal base showcases clean architectural lines and a striking symmetrical design inspired by classic French Art Deco furniture of the 1930s. Crafted with a flawless piano-black lacquer finish, this table combines glamour and functionality, making it ideal as a center table, card table, occasional dining table, or statement piece for a lounge, library, or game room. The minimalist form and bold contrast between the emerald green felt and mirror-like black lacquer create a timeless collector-quality aesthetic. Its versatile proportions allow it to function beautifully in both contemporary and vintage-inspired interiors. A rare and sophisticated piece that blends modern luxury with the elegance of traditional gaming tables.
Walnut
H 29.88 in W 32 in D 32 in
Jacques Adnet Green Leather and Wood Game Table, 1950s France
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning leather table by French designer Jacques Adnet. Green leather wrapped bamboo style legs with leather wrapped top and corners. Original wood tabletop. Brass detailing through...
Brass
H 30 in W 27 in D 14 in
19th Century Black Lacquer Game Table
Located in Charlottesville, VA
19th century black lacquer game table with a shaped top, cabriole legs, and hand-painted floral decoration. The interior compartment and the hinged gaming surface are shown in the de...
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
H 29.34 in Dm 30.4 in
Regency Style Black Lacquer Pedestal Game Table with Reversible Green Felt Top
Located in Lisbon, PT
An elegant and highly versatile round pedestal game table refinished in high-gloss black lacquer, combining refined classical styling with functional design. This sophisticated piece...
Chestnut, Walnut
H 28.75 in Dm 27.56 in
Art Deco High-Gloss Black Lacquer Felt Game Table with Green Playing Surface
Located in Lisbon, PT
This exceptional modern game table combines sculptural elegance with refined functionality, featuring a luxurious green felt playing surface atop a dramatic high-gloss black lacquer ...
Chestnut
H 30 in W 45.25 in D 25.5 in
Solid Oak Desk by Raphael Raffel, France, c. 1955
By Raphael Raffel
Located in New York City, NY
Solid Oak Desk by Raphael Raffel for Maison Internationale Paris, France, c. 1955. This elegant desk consists of a solid oak construction, dark for...
Metal
H 30 in W 34 in D 34 in
Lacquer Custom Square Game Table
Located in New York, NY
Custom walnut or mahogany table with removable top that exposes the backgammon board. The top can be flipped over to expose the chess board. Perfect size to play cards, poker, board ...
Wood, Lacquer
Raphael Raffel Bookcase, France 1950's
By Maison Raphael
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Raphael bookcase in his signature Béka lacquer finish, a technique he championed that gave the lacquer an ombré appearance; it rests on gilt bronze legs, Signed on a bras...
Bronze
Raphaël Décorateur Beka Modeled Lacquer & Bronze Desk & Vanity, France, 1950's
By Raphaël Décorateur
Located in New York, NY
Elegant vanity by Raphael. A concealed mirror, and an abundance of drawers make this piece a convenient item. Original gilt bronze hardware and lacque...
Bronze
Raphael Raphel Bookcase in Lacquered Wood & Glass, France 1950's
By Raphael Raffel
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional triple floating bookcase in beka lacquer with bronze accents on saint gobain glass legs.
Bronze
Guglielmo Ulrich Game Table, Italy 1950's
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in New York, NY
Flip top game table, when not in use the wood top has a sun marquetry, on the flip side, a velvet insert lets you play cards, each player has it’s own little pull out drink tray.
Walnut
Raphael Walnut Armchairs, France 1950's
By Raphael Raffel
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Architectural armchairs by Raphael with walnut frames finished in a nuanced brown lacquer 32x24x35 Seat height 16, Seat 20x20, Arm 20
Walnut, Upholstery
Raphael Raffel Vanity or Writing Desk in Sycamore and Glass, France 1950s
By Raphaël Décorateur
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Raphael Raffel two tiered vanity or writing desk in blonde sycamore and bronze with a thick glass top, of note, are the tapering legs and the elegant curved design. Signed on...
Glass, Sycamore
