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.
1973 Verner Panton, 1-2-3 Serie Easy Chair in Original First Fabric
By Verner Panton, Fritz Hansen
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...
Metal
1967, Paolo Lomazzi, Donato D'urbino, Jonathan de Pas, for Zanotta, Blow Chair
By Zanotta, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach, check last pictures on this listing and/or find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-) This was the first mass-produced inflatable chair...
Plastic
1973, Verner Panton for Rosenthal, 1-2-3 Serie, Rare Chaise Longue, Ochre Fabric
By Verner Panton, Rosenthal
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This chair is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beac...
Fabric, Upholstery
1973, Verner Panton, 1-2-3 Serie Easy Chair in Original First Fabric
By Fritz Hansen, Verner Panton
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach, check last pictures on this listing and/or find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-) 1-2-3 Pierre Paulin in terracotta. The upholstery is of a jersey stretch fabric in fair to good condition, with some tiny stains and a light moist stain on the left side of the seat. The foot has some traces of wear but is good. The chair is rotatable. The weight is 9.5 kg Free shipping for Amsterdam, Haarlem and IJmuiden for lamps, chairs, small items as tables and office desks, small not too heavy couches. Key designers for the tubular steel furniture, which became famous in the 1930s by companies as Thonet, Gispen, Auping, Fana Metaal, de Wit Schiedam...
Metal
1970s 'Bird's Nest' Verner Panton Style Lounge Chair
By Verner Panton
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach,...
Chrome
1956, Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, PK22 Lounge Chairs
By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach,...
Steel
Bambole Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1980s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in Renens, CH
Iconic two seater sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, originating from the 1980s. (Two available, price per item) We have selected Musco, a dark blue mohair from De Ploeg, the Ne...
Metal
Italian modern Le Bambole sofa in fabric by Mario Bellini for B&B, 1980s
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Le Bambole sofa in fabric by Mario Bellini for B&B, 1980s Sofa model Bibambola, form Le Bambole series, in light blue fabric. The two-seater couch features a soft, ro...
Fabric
Cini Boeri Pair of 'Taboga' Lounge Chairs for Arflex 1976
By Cini Boeri
Located in Tilburg, NL
Cini Boeri 'Taboga' Pair of Lounge Chairs for Arflex 1976. Designed in 1976. New, current production. Price noted is for a pair of Taboga chairs in fabric upholstery T5. Taboga arm...
Fabric
Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate 'Blop' Lounge Set in Original Fabric
By Carlo Bartoli, Rossi di Albizzate
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate, pair of two-seat sofa with pair of lounge chairs and coffee table, model 'Blop', original ve...
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
"Le Bambole" Modular Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in bruxelles, BE
4-piece modular fabric sofa by Mario Bellini, “Le Bambole” model. Branded under the seat. Seat height: 41 cm. Wear due to age and time. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST ...
Fabric
Le Bambole" armchairs by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia 1970
By Mario Bellini
Located in Manzano, IT
Le Bambole" armchairs by Mario Bellini for C&B Italia 1970 Attribution markThis piece has an attribution mark, I am confident that it is completely authentic and I take full responsi...
Iron
