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Percival Lafer Dining Room Chairs

Brazilian, b. 1936

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.

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Creator: Percival Lafer
Percival Lafer “Contempo”. 4 Chair Set in Hardwood, Chrome, Chenille. 1970s
Percival Lafer “Contempo”. 4 Chair Set in Hardwood, Chrome, Chenille. 1970s

Percival Lafer “Contempo”. 4 Chair Set in Hardwood, Chrome, Chenille. 1970s

By Percival Lafer

Located in New York, NY

A rigorous expression of late Brazilian modernism, this set of four “Contempo” dining chairs by Percival Lafer distills structure, material honesty, and export-era pragmatism into a ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Percival Lafer Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Metal

Percival Lafer Rosewood & Black Suede Dining Chairs, set of 4, Brazil
Percival Lafer Rosewood & Black Suede Dining Chairs, set of 4, Brazil

Percival Lafer Rosewood & Black Suede Dining Chairs, set of 4, Brazil

By Percival Lafer

Located in Chicago, IL

Percival Lafer Rosewood & Black Suede Dining Chairs, set of 4, Brazil. Chairs have been restored and newly upholstered in black suede. Measure 21” wide 22” deep 31.5” tall seat heigh...

Category

1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Percival Lafer Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Suede, Rosewood

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A rare and beautifully preserved pair of Percival Lafer MP-116 modular lounge units, produced in Brazil in the 1970s. The MP-116 is one of Lafer’s most sculptural and technically sophisticated seating designs, celebrated for its distinctive pillow-block construction, deep gathered leather, and the refined engineering that defines his most collectible work. Pairs of MP-116 modules in matching condition are increasingly difficult to source, making this offering especially desirable for collectors and designers seeking original Lafer pieces. Each module is formed from four generously padded leather cushions that create the soft, architectural geometry characteristic of the MP-116 series. Upholstered in rich dark-chocolate leather, the cushions maintain their fullness and supple texture, presenting in very good original condition with the surface character and patina that only decades of careful stewardship can produce. The frames are crafted from solid Brazilian Jatobá hardwood, a dense and highly valued tropical species chosen by Lafer for its structural strength and warm, glowing tonality. The timber shows exceptional grain clarity and remains in outstanding condition. The MP-116 was conceived as a forward-thinking modular system, far more sophisticated than most mid-century modular seating. Each unit functions beautifully as an individual lounge chair, yet two modules together can create a sculptural loveseat, a low chaise-like configuration, or a striking asymmetrical arrangement suited to contemporary interiors. This pair offers the rare opportunity to acquire two perfectly matching modules from the same original owner, preserving the visual continuity and design intent of Lafer’s modular philosophy. The pair is accompanied by photocopies of the original 1973 Brazil Contempo...

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Percival Lafer dining room chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Percival Lafer dining room chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs.
Questions About Percival Lafer Dining Room Chairs
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Percival Lafer is a leading contemporary Brazilian furniture designer most famous for his Mid-Century Modern sofas and chairs constructed with hardwood and luxurious leather. Lafer is a pioneer of the Brazilian Modernist movement. On 1stDibs, find authentic Percival Lafer furniture from top sellers.