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.
Maralunga by Vico Magistretti for Cassina
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Wien, AT
The Maralunga lounge chair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, designed in 1973, is a defining icon of Italian modernism, distinguished by its quietly radical approach to form and comfo...
Leather
Ipercubo 200 by Jonathan de Pas, D'Urbino, Lomazzi for Driade
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi, Driade
Located in Wien, AT
"Ipercubo 200" Chair by Jonathan De Pas, Donato D'Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi for Driade – A Distinctive 1970s Italian Design. This chair features a unique central cut that enhances its s...
Fabric, Foam
Wassily by Marcel Breuer for Gavina
By Marcel Breuer, Gavina
Located in Wien, AT
A pair of Wassily chairs by Marcel Breuer for Gavina, originally designed in 1925, stands as a foundational work of modernist design, where industrial logic and radical reduction con...
Chrome
Pianura by Mario Bellini for Cassina
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Wien, AT
The Pianura sofa by Mario Bellini for Cassina, designed in the 1971, is a refined exploration of horizontality and proportion, where seating is conceived as a low, expansive landscap...
Velvet, Wood
Fratina by Mario Ceroli for Poltronova
By Poltronova, Mario Ceroli
Located in Wien, AT
The Fratina chairs by Mario Ceroli for Poltronova, designed in 1972, are among the most emblematic expressions of Italian Radical design, where historical reference is reinterpreted ...
Wood, Pine
Africa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Wien, AT
The “Africa” dining chair, designed in 1975 by Italian architects and designers Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, is a landmark of Italian radical furniture design. With its sculptura...
Leather, Nutwood
Lounge Chair by Percival Lafer, MP-93, Brazil 1972
Located in Kampen, NL
Percival Lafer MP-93 lounge chair, designed and manufactured in Brazil in 1972. Sculptural dark wood frame with its original cognac leather upholstery, beautifully aged with a rich p...
Leather, Jatoba
Mid-Century Modern MP-91 Lounge Chair by Percival Lafer, 1960s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
Produced by Móveis Lafer and designed by Percival Lafer, the MP 91 lounge chair dates to 1972 and is presented here as a pair. The frames are constructed in solid cedar, finished in ...
Leather, Wood
Lounge Chair for Brazil Industries, Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in LAGUNA BEACH, CA
Percival Lafer Lounge Chair for Brazil Industries circa 1970s Edelman Leather, Brazillian Rosewood 28 3/4 x 40 x 28 3/4 inches.
Leather, Rosewood
Percival Lafer Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
By Percival Lafer
Located in Weesp, NL
Gorgeous Mid-Century Modern pair of white upholstery and Brazilian Jatoba wood lounge chairs made in São Paulo by Percival Lafer. Both very comfortable chairs are in great condition as can be seen in the images. This beauty will be shipped insured overseas in a custom made wooden crate. Cost of insured transport is crate included. Price of transportation is per chair. Percival Lafer is a contemporary Brazilian furniture maker and pioneer of the Brazilian Modernist movement. He is most famous for his chair and sofa designs, which combine low-profile hardwood structures with plush leather upholstery. “I’ve always been drawn to the motion features of furniture,” he’s said. “The engineering and design work that goes into its mechanisms is fascinating and fulfilling.” Born on April 12, 1936 in Brazil, he studied at the Mackenzie Presbyterian University College of Architecture in São Paulo. After graduating, his father passed away and he and his brothers took over LAFER, his father’s furniture company. The designer currently lives and works in Campos do...
Fabric, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair by Baumritter C1958
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous Mid-Century Modern lounge chair by Baumritter C1958. Iron frame with wood embossed in it, Ash arms nd vinyl cushions which are probably newer replacements. Overall the chair...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern MP-13 Armchair by Percival Lafer, 1960s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Saudade, MG
MP-13 armchair designed by Percival Lafer in the 1960s. It features a solid rosewood frame, with an upholstered seat and backrest complemented by chrome-plated iron elements. The pie...
Iron
