From its unorthodox beginnings, Italian manufacturer Arflex grew into one of the leaders of 20th-century furniture design. Its furniture came to be known for its integration of new materials and bold appeal, and today a variety of vintage Arflex chairs, sofas and tables are emblems of mid-century modernism.
Arflex was established in Milan in 1947 by Pirelli employees Carlo Barassi, Pio Reggiani, Renato Teani and Aldo Bai. Barassi, a Milan Polytechnic graduate and visionary engineer at the Italian tire manufacturer, explored innovative technology and new uses for synthetic materials in domestic products (for Kartell, he codeveloped a ski rack for automobiles). The four founders partnered with a young architect named Marco Zanuso, who also desired to create furniture that featured an application of novel materials such as elastic tape and polyurethane foam.
One of Arflex’s inaugural pieces was Zanuso’s Lady armchair, a seat made of polyurethane foam that was manufactured in pieces and assembled at the very end of the production process. It won a gold medal at the 1951 Milan Triennale. A couple of years later, Arflex collaborated with Studio BBPR to create the office-chic Elettra and Neptunia chairs. The flourishing furniture company quickly established a reputation for compelling products and attracting and working with up-and-coming designers such as Roberto Menghi, who created Hall, a luxurious line of seating that would earn the Compasso d’Oro – Honorable Mention in 1959.
In the 1960s, Arflex continued to welcome the use of new and cutting-edge materials. Popular designs from this decade include Carlo Bartoli's fiberglass and polyester resin Gaia lounge chair and Cini Boer’s Bobo Relax lounger, one of history’s first seating pieces made of polyurethane foam (it has no internal frame). Boer, a pioneer of furniture design in Italy, also created the Strips sofa for the brand in 1972. Part of a plush modular seating system, the Strips sofa became an Arflex icon and was awarded the Compasso d'Oro in 1979.
Arflex continues to work with innovative designers to this day. Among their more recent collaborations is with Swedish design studio Claesson Koivisto Rune. The company's legendary creations are also on display at museums worldwide. The Lady chair, for example, is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
On 1stDibs, you can find a collection of vintage Arflex lounge chairs, armchairs, coffee tables and other furniture.
Arflex Brianza Chair with Armrest in Fabric and Metal by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Claesson Koivisto Rune, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Its feature is the extra width. In fact, it is slightly wider than most chairs, making it feel more luxurious than other chairs in this typology, without using more floor space than ...
Fabric
Arflex Yuzu CAPSULE COLLECTION Armchair by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Arflex, Claesson Koivisto Rune
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Yuzu by Arflex is a contemporary sofa characterized by soft, rounded shapes and a welcoming, organic design. Its generous volumes and plush cushions offer exceptional comfort, while ...
Metal
Arflex Yuzu CAPSULE COLLECTION Armchair by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Claesson Koivisto Rune, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Yuzu by Arflex is a contemporary sofa characterized by soft, rounded shapes and a welcoming, organic design. Its generous volumes and plush cushions offer exceptional comfort, while ...
Metal
Arflex Gloria Armchair High Backrest in Leather Fabric by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Claesson Koivisto Rune, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Arflex Gloria High Version Chair in Divina MD by Claesson Koivisto Rune. She can look smart for when she goes to work, dressed up when going to a party, or put on something cosy when staying in. Dress her as you want her to be! Additional Information: Materials: Upholstered seat with black lacquered metal & black protective nylon glides Color: Fabric Outside Leather Giada 189 - Inside Divina MD Col 213, Cat Leather ""N"" Structure: Trademark low energy consumption material with recyclable technology and poplar multiply wood Springing: Elstic straps Seat Upholstery: Shaped polyurethane with differentiated density / polyester slip cover Armrest and Backrest Upholstery: Shaped polyurethane with differentiated density / polyester slip cover Base: Black lacquered metal & black protective nylon glides Cover: Fabric or leather. Not removable cover, except for version wih skirt Cover in leather not available for armchair with skirt...
Fabric
Arflex Momo Upholstered Armchair by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Claesson Koivisto Rune, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Momo is an armchair designed by Swedish studio Claesson Koivisto Rune for Arflex. The distinctive element lies in the dialogue between the tubular metal structure and the upholstered...
Metal
Arflex Momo Upholstered Chair by Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Claesson Koivisto Rune, Arflex
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nestled on top of tubular metal frames, soft and rounded cushions define the Momo chair and armchair, lending them an expression all of their own. Available in a variety of upholste...
Metal
Customizable Tacchini Montevideo Armchair Claesson Koivisto Rune
By Claesson Koivisto Rune, Tacchini
Located in New York, NY
Carefully designed shapes and sizes for all-round comfort: this is the guiding principle behind the Montevideo sofa. Armrests and backrest trace a soft...
Leather, Fabric
"Ben" Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1980s
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very comfortable Artifort "Ben" chair. The famous Pierre Paulin designed it in the 80's and named it after his favorite Artifort colleague. Just restored with lovely bouclé woo...
Aluminum
ABCD Armchair by Pierre Paulin for ARTIFORT New Upholstery, Netherlands - 1968
By Pierre Paulin, Artifort
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Rare ABCD F260 chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort – Netherlands, 1968. It is re-upholstered in a beautiful wool/cotton fabric from Paris, France. The chair is very comfortable and ...
Chrome
Verpan Easy Chair Armchair by Verner Panton, 1963, Kvadrat fabric
By Verpan, Verner Panton
Located in Varedo, MB
Brand: Verpan Design: Verner Panton Model: Easy Chair Year: 1963 The Easy Chair is one of the most visually distinctive designs from Verner Panton's furniture catalogue. Characteriz...
Fabric
Pierre Paulin F598 Groovy Armchair for Artifort
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in The Hague, NL
Groovy lounge chair designed by Pierre Paulin in 1972 and manufactured for Artifort, Holland. Model No: F598, or also known as "M" chair. Chair has been newly reupholstered in green ...
Metal
Model F-580 Groovy Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort
By Pierre Paulin
Located in Dallas, TX
The iconic Groovy chair, designed for Artifort and also known as the M chair, is a first edition model designed with soft sculptural curves. The piece has been reupholstered in a Rog...
Metal
