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.
Raphael Raffel Croissant Sofa in Brown Leather, Honoré Paris, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Honoré Paris
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Raphael Raffel designed, 1970's, made-to-order natural leather Croissant Sofa for Honore Paris. Raphael Raffel (1912-2000), who trained at the École des Beaux Arts, was a well-know...
Leather
Raphael Raffel Designed Cognac Leather Croissant Sofa in Suede
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a 1970's, made-to-order, suede upholstered, Croissant Sofa for Honore Paris. Design is attributed to the famous Raphael Raffel (1912-2000). Raffel, who trained at the École d...
Suede
Croissant Sofa by Raphael Raffel for Honore Paris, Pure Alpaca, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Rare croissant sofa by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris and produced in the mid 1970s. The sofa has been restored and is newly ...
Alpaca
Raphaël Raffel croissant sofa in Mohair velvet 1970s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful sofa by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris produced in the mid-1970s. The sofa has been fully restored and newly upholstered with a beautiful light beige mohair velvet ...
Velvet
Set of Two Croissant Sofas by Raphael Raffel Leather and Bouclé 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Maison Honoré
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare set of two small croissant sofas by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris made in the mid 1970s. The sofas have been fully resto...
Leather, Bouclé
Raphael Raffel Croissant Sofa - Maison Honoré, Paris, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Raphael Raffel Sofa, 1970s Newly reupholstered in an ivory wool bouclé by Pierre Frey.
Foam
Maralunga sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina
Located in bruxelles, BE
Sofa in creamy white fabric designed by Vico Magistretti, Model: Maralunga. Seat height: 44 cm. Wear due to time and age. For shipping, request us for receive the best price.
Fabric
De Sede DS31 Sofa in Brown Leather, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful dark brown leather sofa model DS31 designed and produced by De Sede. One of our personal favorites from De Sede. Well designed polished aluminum legs. The sofa has been ...
Leather
American Designer, Sectional Sofa, Rattan, Velvet, USA, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A rattan and yellow velvet sectional sofa designed and produced in the US, c. 1970s. Dimensions: 25.25” H x 98” W x 98” D Seat Height: 17”
Velvet, Rattan
$10,499 / set
H 27.17 in W 33.47 in D 94.49 in
Saporiti Italia Confidential Sofa, Armchair and Ottoman Living Room Set, 1970s
By Saporiti
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This living room set is from Italian manufacture Saporiti Italia and the model is confidential design by Alberto Rosselli. It consist a 3-seat sofa, an armchair and a rare ottoman. ...
Upholstery, Plastic, Leather
$6,066
H 28.35 in W 70.08 in D 38.59 in
Le Bambole sofa in velvet By Mario Bellini For B&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful Le Bambole sofa in coral/pink coloured velvet designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in the 1970s. This beautiful edition is reupholstered in a high quality cotton velve...
Velvet
George Smith Mohair Velvet Ottoman Sofa Banquette
By George Smith
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Monumental bespoke mohair velvet tufted sectional banquette sofa custom designed by George Smith, London UK. The grand "ottoman sofa" was commi...
Hardwood, Mohair
$8,600
H 31.75 in W 83 in D 33.25 in
Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Leather and Wood Sofa, C 1970s, Signed
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant and architectural sofa designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates, produced in the United States in the 1970s. Signed with Ward Bennet Designs for Brickel Associates tag...
Wood, Leather
Tito Agnoli for Cinova Daybed Sofa in Cognac Leather
By Tito Agnoli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tito Agnoli for Cinova, sofa or daybed, model '711', leather, laminated wood, copper, Italy, 1968 A cubic sofa designed by Italian designer Tito Agnoli for Cinova, which can be tran...
Copper
Mid-Century Modern Sofa in Teak and Cognac Brown Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, teak, leather, Europe, 1960s A sofa characterized by a striking geometric structure with clean lines and distinctive carvings. Its wide armrests feature subtle detailing with ...
Leather, Teak
Italian Sofa in Cognac Leather and Aluminum
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, aluminum, leather, Italy 1970s Comfortable sofa made in the 1970s. This sofa strongly represent the essence of furniture design of the 1970s, going beyond the strict conventio...
Aluminum
Danish Two Seat Sofa in Cognac Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, leather, mahogany, Denmark, 1960s Wonderful Danish two seat sofa. The brown leather shows a light patina and is in good condition, showin...
Leather, Wood
Space Age Italian Velvet Modular Sofa, 1970s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Beautiful two-seater sofa in Italian velvet from the 1970s Space Age period. The Italian sofa is made of dark orange textured velvet fabric. Its lines are very rounded with soft and ...
Velvet
Sold
H 30.71 in W 43.31 in D 102.37 in
Post-Modern Sofa by Raphael Raffel, Cowhide, France, Circa 1970
By Raphael Raffel
Located in TOURS, FR
Raphael Raffel sofa, France, 1970's
Cowhide
Sold
H 30.71 in W 102.37 in D 39.38 in
French brown leather couch sofa Croissant by Raphael Raffel, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in MIlano, IT
French brown leather couch or sofa Croissant by Raphael Raffel, 1970s Vintage and fantastic sofa model Croissant with soft and rounded silhouette, fully padded and upholstered in bro...
Leather
Raphael Raffel Leather Lounge Sofa Honore Paris 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Honoré Paris
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Amazing lounge sofa in original burgundy full grain leather with two poofs, designed by Raphael Raffel and produced by Honoré Paris in France in 1970. A bespoke piece, which was mad...
Leather
Sold
H 23.23 in W 94.49 in D 49.22 in
Croissant Sofa in Cognac Leather by Raphael Raffel for Honore Paris, 1970s
By Honoré Paris, Raphael Raffel
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Incredible and rare croissant sofa in original cognac leather by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris, 1970s. This bespoke piece, which was made to order between the 1970s and 198...
Leather
Raphael Raffel Croissant sofa for Maison Honoré, Paris 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Maison Honoré
Located in London, GB
Raphaël Raffel (1912-2000) studied at the École des Beaux Arts and became a renown interior designer from the 1940s to the end of the twentieth century. His shop in Paris attracted a...
Leather
Raphael Raffel Cognac Leather Croissant Sofa for Honore Paris, 1970's
By Raphael Raffel, Honoré Paris
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Mid century, Raphael Raffel designed, 1970's, beautiful cognac leather Croissant Sofa for Honore Paris. Raphael Raffel (1912-2000), who trained at the École des Beaux Arts, was a w...
Leather
Croissant Sofa in Suede by Raphael Raffel for Honore Paris, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel, Honoré Paris
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Incredible and rare croissant sofa in suede by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris, 1970s. This sofa, which was made to order from the 1970-1980s is besides its iconic design famo...
Suede
Sold
H 25.6 in W 110.24 in D 63 in
Cognac Leather Croissant Sofa by Raphael Raffel for Honore Paris, 1970s
By Honoré Paris, Raphael Raffel
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Incredible and rare croissant sofa in original cognac leather by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris, 1970s. This sofa, which was m...
Leather
Leather Croissant Sofa by Raphael Raffel for Honoré Paris, 1970s
By Honoré Paris, Raphael Raffel
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Incredible and rare croissant sofa in original light brown leather by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris, 1970s. This sofa, which was made to order fr...
Leather
Sold
H 25.6 in W 114.18 in D 66.93 in
Croissant Sofa by Raphael Raffel for Honore Paris in Mohair Velvet 1970s
By Maison Honoré, Raphael Raffel
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare croissant sofa by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris made in the mid 1970s. The sofa has been fully restored and newly uphols...
Fabric, Mohair
Sold
H 26 in W 110 in D 62 in
Croissant Sofa by Raphael Raffel for Honore Paris in Patinated Cognac Leather
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Culver City, CA
This sofa, is absolutely stunning! A rare croissant sofa by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris, made in the mid 1970s in its original weathered / patinated cognac leather. This sofa epitomizes great mid century design, and while its design may be lesser known to some; it's a highly coveted design to mid century aficionados. Like the ever popular Ligne Roset Togo sofa and the B&B Italia Camaleonda, this sofa is low slung and is insanely comfortable, just begging for anyone and everyone to come have a seat. This gorgeous, rare, mid century modern sofa has already lived several lives and its heavy patina has a wonderful story to tell. Like a beautifully aged baseball mitt, this croissant has been well loved and broken in, and has many great years left. If you've made it this far in reading the description, I can tell you that I was almost on the verge of reupholstering it before listing online, but I'm pretty sure if I did this sexy sofa up in boucle like some of my other inventory, I'm pretty sure I'd be tarred, feathered and burned at the stake...
Leather
Sold
H 25.6 in W 114.18 in D 66.93 in
Croissant Sofa by Raphael Raffel for Honore Paris in Mohair Velvet, 1970s
By Maison Honoré, Raphael Raffel
Located in Paris, IDF
Rare croissant sofa by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris made in the mid 1970s. The sofa has been fully restored and newly uphols...
Mohair, Velvet