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.
Space Age Vintage Green Ivory Plastic Lounge Chair Raphael Raffel 1970 France
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage green and ivory lounge chair from plastic and upholstery by Raphael Raffel (Rafael), France, 1970s An amazing freestanding lo...
Fabric, Plastic
$2,575Sale Price|40% Off
Mid-Century Modern Red Leather Space Age Club Chair Raphael Raffel, France, 1965
By Raphael Raffel
Located in London, GB
A Mid-Century Modern space age club chair by Raphael Raffel, France 1965. The club chair features a tulip form with a rounded seat, covered in its original red leather upholstery. The plastic base in very good condition, and the leather covered tulip seat...
Leather, Plastic
Modernist Space Age 1970s Polished Chrome Sling Lounge Chair
By Milo Baughman
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist Space Age 1970s polished chrome sling lounge chair, amazing design, Classic 1960s.. 1970s styling, exceptional quality and construc...
Chrome
$1,880 / set
H 28 in W 30 in D 28 in
A Pair of Vintage Hollywood Regency Upholstered Lounge Chairs. Circa 1970s
Located in Miami, FL
A Pair of Vintage Mid Century / Hollywood Regency Upholstered Lounge Chairs. Circa 1970s Features the original Paisley upholstery and Removable seats and back cushions. In good, sol...
Wood, Upholstery
Art Deco Lounge Chairs in Green Olive Velvet Upholstery
Located in Antwerp, BE
The soft and sensuous green olive velvet upholstery is in absolutely outstanding original condition. Rippled waterfall style pleated tailoring is punct...
Upholstery, Wood
$1,785Sale Price|30% Off
H 38.59 in W 31.5 in D 35.44 in
1970's Fiberglass Lounge / Easy Chair Model "Tina" by Risto Halme for Peem Oy
By PEEM Finland, Risto Halme
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Wonderful Space Age lounge chair by Risto Halme for Peem Oy ,Finland. Frame made of fiberglass, upholstered with dark purple leather. Named "Tina". The seat can be adjusted to any ...
Leather, Fiberglass
Space Age Leather Cantilever Lounge Chair, 1960's
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
This 1960's lounge chair embodies the sleek, futuristic aesthetics of space-age design. Upholstered in premium grey eco-leather, it features a sculptural, ergonomic form that offers ...
Metal
Space Age Lounge Chair by Raphaël Raffel, France 1960s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare 1960s Space Age lounge chair by French designer Raphaël Raffel. This Modernist chair features a molded smoked acrylic shell that graceful...
Leather, Acrylic
$1,895
H 34 in W 32 in D 38 in
Mid-Century Modern Style Coach For Baker Furn. Red Tanned Leather Club Chair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century modern red leather club chair created by Baker Furniture for Coach. This was a limited collaboration from 1999 to 2002. The collaboration was intended to highli...
Stainless Steel
Floral Print Upholstered Lounge Chair. Circa 1970s
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Hollywood Regency Floral Print Upholstered Lounge Chair. Circa 1970s Features a vibrant floral fabric print upholstery in shades of pink, blue, and green on dark blue backgro...
Upholstery, Wood
Wonderful French Boudoir Lounge Chair
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful size and shape. Professional re-upholstered in shimmering rose velvet.
Velvet
$3,719
H 37.8 in W 29.53 in D 25.99 in
French Leather Executive Chair Attributed to Raphaël Raffel for Apelbaum, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Paris, FR
A French executive chair attributed to Raphaël Raffel for Apelbaum, dating to the 1970s. Upholstered in warm camel leather and set on a polished five-star swivel base with castors, t...
Chrome
Raphael Raffel “Croissant” Sofa, 1970
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Raphael Raffel “Croissant” sofa, leather, France, 1970. This iconic “Croissant” lounge sofa, originally conceived by French designer Rap...
Leather
Pair 1940s French Art Deco Lounge Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 1940s French Art Deco lounge or club chairs. The chairs have an Amboyna wood frame and are nicely upholstered.
Amboyna, Upholstery
Raphael Raffel Armchair from the 70s for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Raphael Raffel
Located in bari, IT
Plastic club chair designed by Raphael Raffel produced in France in the 70s in tulip style with rounded seat, covered with black leather.
Leather, Plastic
Vintage Club Chair by Raphaël Raffel, 1970s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Seventies smoked plexiglass club chair designed by Raphaël Raffel. The chair has the original leather cushions in good original condition. The chair has some great seventies v...
Leather, Plexiglass
Sold
H 26.5 in W 29.75 in D 29 in
Mid-Century Modern Red Space Age Club Pair of Chairs Raphael Raffel, France
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Wayne, NJ
Mid-Century Modern red space age club pair of chairs Raphael Raffel, France. The bases are the same color throughout. The photos are showing shadows and glare and is making the color...
Fabric
Sold
H 29 in W 26 in D 28 in
Raphael Raffel Pod Bronze Acrylic Pair of Chairs with Light Gray Leather Seats
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of 1970s chairs. Bronze tone acrylic frames and light gray leather upholstery.
Leather, Acrylic
Sold
H 26 in W 28 in D 26 in
Raphael Rafael French Modern Smokey Lucite Club Tub Chair, Red, Leather, 1960s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Raphael Rafael French modern Smokey Lucite club tub chair, dark red / burgundy leather / leatherette, 1960s.
Lucite
Sold
H 26 in W 28 in D 26 in
Raphael Rafael French Modern Smojed Lucite Club Tub Chair, Beige, Leather, 1960s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Raphael Rafael French Modern Smojed Lucite Club Tub Chair, Beige leather / leatherette original textile., 1970’s. W: 28.0 inch D: 26.0 inch H: 25.6 ...
Lucite
Sold
H 25 in W 29 in D 26 in
Raphael Raffel Pod Bronze Acrylic Pair of Chairs with Light Gray Leather Seats
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of French 1970s chairs by Raphael Raffel. Clear acrylic in bronze color with light gray leather seats and backs. 2 pairs available.
Acrylic
Raphaël Raffel French Mid-Century Modern Club Chair, 1960s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ivory fiberglass resin club chair designed by Raphael Raffel (known as Raphaël), France, 1970s in tulip style. A rounded seat, original leatherette upholstery. This listing is for on...
Faux Leather, Fiberglass
Raphael Raffel Club Chair, France, circa 1970
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Rare Raphaël Raffel club chair with tan leatherette cushions, France, 1970s. Design: Raphaël Raffel Date of manufacture: circa 1970 Model: Club lounge chair Material: Plexiglass ...
Faux Leather, Plastic
Sold
H 29 in W 24 in D 28 in
Raphaël Raffel French Mid-Century Modern Fiberglass Leatherette Club Chair 1960s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ivory fiberglass resin club chairs designed by Raphael Raffel (known as Raphaël), France, 1970s in tulip style. A rounded seat, original leatherette upholstery, 3 in canary yellow an...
Faux Leather, Fiberglass