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.
$3,495 / item
H 41 in W 29.5 in D 38 in
Percival Lafer Black Leather and Chrome Swivel Relax Recliner, Brazil, 2003
By Percival Lafer
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Percival Lafer Leather Relax Recliner, Brazil, 2003 A striking swivel recliner designed by Percival Lafer and produced by Lafer S/A, Brazil. Upholstered in supple black leather, thi...
Chrome
Customizable Arva Swivel Lounge Recliner by KFF
By KFF
Located in New York, NY
Price listed for starting leather. Less expensive in fabric Many upholstery material available DEPTH: 86-169 CM / 33.,966.5 INCHES Armchair with headrest17 control of electrical f...
Upholstery
$4,750 / set
H 36 in W 42 in D 32 in
Vintage Leather Swivel, Lounge Chair with Ottoman, Percival Lafer Style, Steel
By Percival Lafer
Located in Stamford, CT
Vintage leather swivel, lounge chair with ottoman, percival lafer style, steel. This newly upholstered leather lounge chair or recliner is imply stunning. ...
Chrome
MP-141 Brazilian Leather Chair by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Made in Brazil. Full leather construction, reupholstered. Arms are movable up and down.
Leather
$7,665 / item
+ 15 moreH 45 in W 32 in D 32 in
Filou Adjustable Reclining Leather Easy Lounge Chair by FSM
By De Sede, Georg Appeltshauser
Located in Brooklyn, NY
FSM Filou chair by De Sede. Filou's seat and footrest are fully crafted and can be stopped at any angle without any effort. A clever solution presents the upholstery from being undul...
Leather
De Sede DS-101 Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
De Sede model DS-101 lounge. Restored buffalo leather lounge chair and ottoman. Restored leather and wood set in very good condition. Extremely comfortable and even has a reclining f...
Leather
$8,000
H 39.38 in W 33.47 in D 39.38 in
Brazilian Modern "Pony" Reclining Chair in Leather by Percival Lafer, 1980s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
Available today, with domestic shipping in NYC metro area included, this Modern Reclining Chair in Leather by Percival Lafer, c. 1980s made in Brazil is nothing less than spectacul...
Metal, Iron
$7,460 / item
+ 15 moreH 44 in W 27 in D 33 in
Cleo Adjustable Reclining Leather Easy Lounge Chair by FSM
By De Sede, Georg Appeltshauser
Located in Brooklyn, NY
FSM Cleo chair by De Sede. Slim and self-assured in every setting – the Cleo easy-chair is made for relaxing. Its striking modern lines transform it into a contemporary sculpture tha...
Leather
$8,916 / item
H 34.26 in W 33.08 in D 53.15 in
Modern Capelinhos Swivel Lounge Chair With Footstool, Leather, by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Capelinhos Swivel Lounge Chair with Footrest, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Capelinhos swivel lounge chair with footstool celeb...
Leather, Wood, Alpaca, Mohair, Linen, Velvet, Oak, Walnut, Lacquer
$3,675
H 37.8 in W 33.2 in D 29.6 in
20th Century German Leather Armchair With Reclining Function By Jürgen Lange
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This 20th-century German black leather armchair, designed by Jürgen Lange, offers an exceptional combination of comfort and functionality. Featuring a sleek chrome frame, the chair is both sturdy and stylish, embodying a modernist aesthetic. The premium leather upholstery exudes luxury, while the ergonomically designed seat and backrest provide optimal support. Equipped with a relaxation function, the armchair seamlessly transitions between sitting and reclining positions, with a pull out footrest...
Chrome
Ergonomic Leather Recliner Made in Norway by I M G Scandinavian Modern
By Ekornes
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an ergonomic leather recliner made in Norway by IMG. Leather in gray tones. Chair can be adjusted into multiple positions. Great quality, very comfortable. D...
Stainless Steel
Stressless Leather Recliner and Ottoman Norway Ekornes Scandinavian Modern
By Ekornes
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an stressless leather recliner and ottoman manufactured by the Norwegian brand Ekornes. It features specialized built-in engineering like the Glide-system an...
Leather
1960s De Sede Style Italian Leather Lounge Chair Pair
By De Sede
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a pair of Tall Lounge Chairs, Italy, circa the 1960s. Wood Star Base, Leather Padded Made in Italy manner of De Sede. Stamped: Made in Italy. Dimensions: 41 ...
Leather, Wood
2000s Modern Studio Lounge Chair Brown Leather Sling Iron
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a ,modern studio recliner lounge low chair brown leather sling on a black painted Iron Frame. No label. Studio piece. Low seating. ...
Iron
Scandinavian Ekornes Stressless Recliner White Lounge Chair + Ottoman
By Ekornes Stressless
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration Scandinavian modern Ekornes Stressless lounge chair white + ottoman. White leather in wood base. Dimensions: Chair 39.5" H x 31.5" W x 26" D. Seat arm 21.5" ...
Leather, Wood
Ikea Poäng Armchair Noboru Nakamura Black Leather Birch Plywood Vintage
By Noboru Nakamura, IKEA, Westnofa Furniture
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, iconic IKEA POÄNG Armchair, paired here with its matching ottoman. Designed by Noboru Nakamura in 1976, this classic lounge chair fe...
Leather, Birch
