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.
Percival Lafer MP-97 Leather Sofa
By Percival Lafer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Leather sofa by Percival Lafer c.1960's, Brazil. The sofa features the original mustard yellow leather seat with a beautiful Brazilian hardwood frame. The back of the sofa showcases ...
Leather, Upholstery, Hardwood
Percival Lafer MP-97 Leather Sofa with Extended Headrest
By Percival Lafer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Leather sofa by Percival Lafer c.1960's, Brazil. The sofa features the original burnt rust leather with a beautiful Brazilian hardwood frame. The top of the seat back has an extended...
Leather, Upholstery, Hardwood
$5,100
H 27.56 in W 86.62 in D 35.44 in
Mid-Century Italian Lounge Sofa in Patinated Cognac Leather, 1960s
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Italian Lounge Sofa in Patinated Cognac Leather, 1960s A striking and generously proportioned Italian lounge sofa from the 1960s, beautifully crafted in patinated cognac leather with rich character and unmistakable mid-century presence. This three-seat design showcases the casual luxury and ergonomic comfort that defined Italian modernist aesthetics of the period. The sofa features gently rounded lines, subtly curved arms, and plush, oversized cushions for both seat and back. The patinated leather surface has aged gracefully, presenting a warm, amber-toned cognac hue with visible natural wear—adding depth, personality, and authenticity to the piece. Light scratches and marks consistent with age and use are present, enhancing the vintage appeal without affecting its structural integrity. Built for comfort, the deep seat and slightly reclined back invite relaxed lounging. The overall silhouette is soft and inviting, with a solid presence that makes it a perfect anchor piece for both vintage-inspired and contemporary interiors. From loft-style living rooms to moody libraries or refined office spaces, this piece brings Italian heritage and timeless design to any setting. Condition: Good vintage condition with attractive natural patina. Light surface wear and age-related marks, but no structural damage. The leather remains supple and rich in tone. Details: Origin: Italy Period: 1960s / Mid-20th Century Style: Mid-Century Modern Material: Leather (original) Color: Cognac Dimensions: Width: 220 cm (86.6 in) Depth: 90 cm (35.4 in) Height: 74 cm (29.1 in) Seat Height: 38 cm (15 in) This is a rare opportunity to own an authentic vintage Italian leather sofa...
Leather, Beech
DS-16 Cognac leather sofa by De Sede, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in New York, NY
DS-16 leather sofa by De Sede, Switzerland, dating from the 1970s.
Leather
$10,800
H 28 in W 75.25 in D 32 in
Percival Lafer MP-91 Sofa: Jatoba Wood & Caramel Leather, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A solid jatoba and leather sling sofa by Percival Lafer for Brazil Industries circa 1970’s. This model MP-91 sofa is newly upholstered in a carmel leather showing a great pebbled gr...
Leather, Wood
Vintage 80's Italian Modern Sofa in Cognac Leather and Wood
Located in Palermo, IT
Beautiful leather sofa. Wooden frame with curved sides and decorated with a lattice pattern. The back, side and seat cushions are padded and covered in cognac leather with a zipper. ...
Leather, Wood
$3,413
H 33.86 in W 66.15 in D 36.23 in
Cognac Leather 2-Seater Sofa by MarCo Milisich for Baxter, Italy, 1970
By Baxter
Located in DE MEERN, NL
Introducing the exquisite cognac leather 2-seater sofa 1970 by Marco Milisich for Baxter Arcon - a true masterpiece of mid-century design. Th...
Leather
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.5 in W 78.5 in D 32.5 in
Wonderful Percival Lafer Rosewood 3 Seater Cognac leather "S-1" Sofa Mid-Century
By Percival Lafer
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful Percival Lafer rosewood and leather 3-seater S-1 sofa. The S-1 design features Brazilian exoticness paired with Scandinavian sensibility. Of Lafer's designs, the S-1 is a...
Leather, Rosewood
Mp-97 Tufted Leather Sofa by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Modernist tufted sofa in brown aniline leather designed by Percival Lafer. Constructed with molded foam, rosewood, and nylon straps. Some original straps have been replaced or repair...
Leather, Wood, Rosewood
$18,000 / set
H 24.81 in W 114.97 in D 114.97 in
De Sede "DS-11" Modular Sofa, Patinated Cognac Leather, 1970, Set of 10
By De Sede
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
De Sede "DS-11" modular sofa, patinated cognac leather, Switzerland, 1970, set of 10. The De Sede “DS-11” modular sofa exemplifies the great art of craftsmanship and design of the 1...
Leather
Stunning YOKO Sofa in original cognac leather by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Yoko Sofa by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, France 1980s Original Cognac Leather Modular Lounge Sofa on a Full Foam Structure Designed by Michel Ducaroy during the mid 1980s, the Y...
Leather
Stunning vintage Ringo Sofa in leather by Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis 1979
By Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Ringo Two Seater Sofa by Gerard van den Berg for Montis, The Netherlands, 1979 Original Cognac Buffalo Leather Lounge Sofa on a Low Structural Base Introduced in 1979, the Ringo sof...
Leather
Stunning YOKO Sofa in original cognac leather by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
YOKO Sofa - Michel Ducaroy - Ligne Roset Yoko Sofa by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, France, 1988 Original Cognac Leather 2 Seater Lounge Sofa on a Full Foam Structure Designed by...
Leather
Stunning vintage Sandra Sofa with new leather by Annie Hiéronimus for Cinna 1970
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Sandra Sofa by Annie Hiéronimus for Cinna, France, 1970s Paprika/ Cognac Leather Modular Lounge Sofa with Matching Ottoman A sculptural and highly tactile design by Annie Hiéronimus...
Leather
Perfect patinated Le Bambole original leather sofa by Mario Bellini - B&B Italia
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Le Bambole Two Seat Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia Perfect patinated Cognac/Brown Leather Lounge Sofa with Sculptural Soft Form Designed in 1972, Le Bambole stands as one of t...
Leather
Stunning Kashima Sofa in original leather by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset 1980
By Michel Ducaroy
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Kashima Sofa by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, France, 1970s Exceptional Soft Quilted Leather Sofa in Cream Open Grain Leather A rare and highly tactile expression of Michel Ducaro...
Leather
