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.
$17,500 / set
H 26.5 in W 27.5 in D 31 in
Percival Lafer Leather Patchwork Modular Sofas ca' 1960's Living Room
By Percival Lafer
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare set of six (6) seats and six (6) back rests by Percival Lafer. Brazil, ca' 1960's imported to New York. Made of patchwork brown leather where the pieces can be arranged in dif...
Leather
$22,000 / set
H 25 in W 25 in D 33 in
De Sede DS11 Patchwork Leather Sectional in Caramel, Circa 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
One of the most comfortable sofas ever made. This De Sede 'DS-11' sectional sofa features five pieces including two corner pieces. Switzerland, 1970s. It's beyond comfortable. The patinated patchwork leather is in a gorgeous caramel color. Sold as a set. Nice configuration with 2 corners. Dimensions : Regular seat : w25 x d33 x h25 in. Corner : w33 x d33 x h25 in. We're currently pairing this with a Jorge Zalszupin patchwork credenza, Mastercraft brass end tables...
Leather
$7,500 / set
H 31.5 in W 206.7 in D 33.47 in
Mid-Century Modern Leather Lounge Sofa/Living Room Set/7, Switzerland, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Modern sectional leather lounge sofa/living room set/7, Switzerland, 1970s Mid-Century Modern sectional leather lounge sofa/living room set of seven seats manufacture...
Leather, Beech
$11,990 / set
H 36.23 in W 32.68 in D 35.44 in
Modular 1970s Cognac Leather Sofa Set, Vintage Design, Seven Pieces
Located in Oirlo, LI
Bring character, warmth, and timeless style into your interior with this stunning modular 1970s leather sofa in a rich cognac color. A true vintage statement piece with the luxurious...
Leather, Wood
$8,800
H 30 in W 82 in D 36 in
Rare Mid Century Modern Cube Leather sofa by Percival Lafer Brazil 1970
By Percival Lafer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare Amazing Mid Century Modern Cube Leather sofa Designed by Percival Lafer Made in Brazil. Cube designed Shaped 3 seat fully upholstered Burnt saffron yellow color Soft leather sof...
Leather, Wood
Madsen & Schubell Leather Modular Corner Sofa, C. 1960s
By Madsen & Schubell
Located in Norwalk, CT
This is a remarkable Ib Madsen and Acton Schubell leather modular sofa, a quintessential example of refined Scandinavian design from the 1960s. This sofa, embodying the era's emphasi...
Leather, Suede, Beech
$2,824 / set
H 26.78 in W 133.86 in D 33.47 in
Modular leather sofa, manufactured by Durlet, Belgium, 1970s.
By Durlet
Located in Antwerpen, Antwerp
Modular leather sofa, manufactured by Durlet, Belgium, 1970s. The sofa consists of four seating elements, 2 two-seats and 2 one-seats. The elements can be attached to each other with...
Leather
Large leather modular sofa, 1970s Germany.
Located in Landgraaf, NL
Large leather modular sofa, 1970s Germany. Designer unfortunally unknown. 6 pieces in dark brown color leather with hints of dark red. 1 corners, 2 cha...
Leather
1970s Wittmann Hochbaret leather Modular Sofa, Austria
By Wittmann
Located in Praha, CZ
- good original condition with minor signs of wear due to age - Patinated leather - heigh of seat 41 cm
Leather
$20,750
H 24 in W 126 in D 36 in
De Sede DS-88 Modular Patchwork Leather Sectional Sofa, Switzerland, 1970s
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A DS-88 modular patchwork leather sectional sofa by De Sede, handcrafted in Switzerland in the 1970s. De Sede was founded in 1965 in Klingnau, Switzerland, growing out of a family-ru...
Leather
Original 932-Quartet Leather Sectional Sofa by Mario Bellini for Cassina, 1964
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
It doesn't get much cooler than this early year (original) collectors set of the model-932 'Quartet' sectional by Mario Bellini for Cassina. Released in 1964, this example has incredible thick leather hides in a gorgeous patinated cognac color. The leather is remarkable, and with the perfect amount of patina that you want to see - for those leather lovers out there, don't hesitate to buy this Bellini 932...
Leather, Canvas
Buffalo Leather Sofa by Robert and Trix Haussmann for Knoll, c. 1988, Signed
By Robert and Trix Haussmann, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This phenomenal buffalo leather three-seat sofa is by Robert and Trix Haussmann for Knoll International (designed in 1988) and signed with Knoll decking fabric and Knoll Made in Ital...
Aluminum
'Camaleonda' in Original Leather by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1976, Signed
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
If you are someone who seeks the absolute best of the best - this is for you. This is an all original modular Camaleonda sectional by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia made within the...
Leather
Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates Leather and Wood Sofa, C 1970s, Signed
By Ward Bennett, Brickel Associates
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant and architectural sofa designed by Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates, produced in the United States in the 1970s. Signed with Ward Bennet Designs for Brickel Associates tag...
Wood, Leather
'Bounty' Leather Loveseat by L. Davanzati for The Pace Collection, 1980s
By Pace Collection, Elam, Lorenzo Forges Davanzati
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A lovely example of the 'Bounty' series two-seat loveseat / settee by The Pace Collection in the early 1980s, this deep seated channel-tufted loveseat sofa was designed by L. Davantazi produced by Elam and retailed by The Pace Collection. Perfect for a cigar, whiskey or wine lounge or any space that can use something a bit modern yet still refined and classy. *Note, we have the matching club lounge chair and three-seater couch in another listing. Last two photos show the entire set. See our other listings or contact us for more details if you wish to create a living room or office / hotel lobby set. This channel-tufted leather love seat retains its original supple leather upholstery in an intriguing deep burgundy-brown color, almost like dark-cognac with beautiful lightly aged leather patina. The sumptuous seats are encased in a dark colored lacquer, providing an attractive modern contrast with the rich and elegant leather. This two-seater sofa has casters for ease of relocation according to occasion and mood or to better suit a view. The back is finished with tufted leather making this loveseat look incredible when floating in a room with the back exposed. Curved Art Deco styled arms lend 1980s juxtaposition and character to any room. Similar in style to the Saratoga Sofa by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltronova 1970s, but at a fraction of the price. Plus something you don't get with the Saratoga sofa is the refined style of the elegant channel-tufted leather cushions on this Bounty loveseat sofa by The Pace Collection. The Pace Collection also offered the highly sought after collection by Guido Faleschini such as the Tucroma chair which is an interior designer and 20th century Modern design collector's favorite go to chair. Another example is the wild 1970s bed that featured interior design magazine covers when Lenny Kravitz home was featured with the Mariani bed...
Leather, Lacquer
Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm for Alfred Kill 'FK-6720' Leather Sofa, 1960s
By Alfred Kill International, Preben Fabricius, Jørgen Kastholm
Located in Los Angeles, CA
For those who love beautifully distressed leather, this three-seat sofa designed by Preben Fabricius and Jørgen Kastholm for Alfred Kill International in the 1960s is a fantastic col...
Steel
