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.
$16,000 / set
H 30.71 in W 38.59 in D 37.01 in
Percival Lafer “MP-211” Armchairs for Lafer S.A., 1961, Set of 2
By Lafer, Percival Lafer
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Percival Lafer “MP-211” Armchairs for Lafer S.A., leather and wood, 1961, Brazil, set of 2 The MP-211 is built on a structural logic that doubles as ornament. A wood frame of blade-...
Leather, Wood
$20,748Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 26.38 in W 27.76 in D 29.41 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of MP-97 Lounge Chairs by Percival Lafer, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
In his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. This pair of MP-97 lounge chairs by Percival Lafer comprises a solid wood structure with a single piece of a loose foam se...
Leather, Foam, Wood
$30,800 / set
H 26.38 in W 27.76 in D 29.41 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of MP-97 Lounge Chairs by Percival Lafer, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
In his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. This pair of MP-97 lounge chairs by Percival Lafer comprises a solid wood structure with a single piece of a loose foam se...
Leather, Foam, Wood
$14,000 / set
H 28.35 in W 37.8 in D 36.23 in
Percival Lafer “MP-41” Armchairs for Lafer MP, 1972, Set of 2
By Percival Lafer
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Percival Lafer “MP-41” armchairs for Lafer MP, wood and cognac leather, Brazil, 1972 The “MP-41” armchairs by Percival Lafer embrace fluidity with a structure that appears weightless despite their solid wood frames. The absence of visible crossbars beneath the seat enhances this effect, allowing the thick, tufted cushions to seemingly float. The upholstery drapes over the structure like silk fabric on a sculpted form, a harmonious integration of material and frame. The butterfly-shaped joints refine the frame’s construction, tapering toward the center for a softened profile. The lateral tufting on the seat is not merely decorative—it creates a structured geometry that follows the contours of the body. The armrests, backrest, and seat merge into a single, uninterrupted form, maximizing ergonomic support. Leather straps secure the cushions to the frame, a signature Lafer detail that blends artisanal technique with industrial efficiency. The MP-41 prioritizes organic curves over strict geometric lines. The deep cognac leather, aged to a rich patina, enhances the warmth of the wood. The absence of ornamentation shifts focus to the raw materials, celebrating their natural textures and variations. Unlike Jean Gillon...
Leather, Wood
$32,760 / set
H 25.6 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Vintage MP-61 Pair of Armchairs, Percival Lafer, Brazil, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The MP-61 series from 1972 were the first designs in which Percival Lafer used a fully visible fiberglass shell. The molded shell allowed greater freedom in shaping the form while si...
Leather, Fiberglass, Hardwood
$12,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 27 in W 36 in D 31 in
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs by Percival Lafer, 1970
By Percival Lafer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 1970 Percival Lafer lounge chairs Produced by Lafer S.A. in a beautiful honey suede upholstery with rosewood bases. - These are in good vintage condition with a beautiful ...
Leather, Suede, Rosewood
$33,800 / set
H 29.14 in W 29.53 in D 33.86 in
Mid-Century Modern MP-91 Lounge Chair by Percival Lafer, 1960s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
Produced by Móveis Lafer and designed by Percival Lafer, the MP 91 lounge chair dates to 1972 and is presented here as a pair. The frames are constructed in solid cedar, finished in ...
Leather, Wood
$29,640 / set
H 27.17 in W 33.08 in D 32.29 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of MP-97 Lounge Chairs by Percival Lafer, 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
In his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. This pair of MP-97 lounge chairs by Percival Lafer comprises a solid wood structure with a single piece of a loose foam se...
Leather, Foam, Cedar
$8,577 / set
H 24.81 in W 32.29 in D 31.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Percival Lafer Armchairs, 1960s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Pair of Percival Lafer Armchairs, 1960s
Fabric, Wood
Earth Chair MP-163 by Percival Lafer 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in VENLO, NL
Rare Brazilian Earth Chair – MP-163, designed by Percival Lafer in the 1970s. This lounge chair is upholstered in cognac-colored leather and set on a distinctive chrome tubular frame...
Metal
Armchairs "849" by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1950s, set of 2
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in bruxelles, BE
Pair of brown leather and wood armchairs by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina. Model: 849. Seat height: 40 cm. Stamped Cassina. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR R...
Leather, Wood
Soriana Lounge Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1970s, Set of 2
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in bruxelles, BE
Pair of Brown leather and metal chairs designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa. Modèle: Soriana. Stamped Cassina. Seat height 40 cm. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR R...
Metal
Safari Armchairs by Carlo Hauner for Forma, 1970s, set of 2
By Carlo Hauner, Forma
Located in bruxelles, BE
Pair of cognac leather and wood armchairs by Carlo Hauner. Seat height: 25 cm. Wear due to age and use. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Leather, Wood
Model 925 Lounge Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1970s, set of 2
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 2 Dark Brown leather and wood chairs designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa. Modèle: 925. Stamped Cassina. Seat height 37 cm. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR ...
Leather, Wood
Alky Chairs by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1970s, Set of 2
By Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima Castelli
Located in bruxelles, BE
Pair of Alky chairs in original orange fabric. Seat height: 38cm. Castelli labels. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Metal
Lounge chair with Ottoman "Sheriff" by Sergio Rodrigues for ISA Bergamo, 1960s
By ISA Bergamo, Sergio Rodrigues
Located in bruxelles, BE
Lounge chair with ottoman in black leather and wood by Sergio Rodrigues. Model: Sheriff. ISA stamped. Seat height: 37 cm. Ottoman dimensions: H: 38 cm W: 60 cm D: 60 cm. Wear due to ...
Leather, Wood
