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.
$18,500
H 20.5 in W 111 in D 63 in
Raphael Raffel Croissant Sofa in Brown Leather, Honoré Paris, 1970s
By Honoré Paris, Raphael Raffel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Raphael Raffel (1912-2000) and produced by Honore Paris in the 1970s, the Croissant Sofa takes a fully sculptural crescent form upholstered in natural leather. Low-slung ...
Leather
Raphael Raffel Designed Cognac Leather Croissant Sofa in Suede
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a 1970's, made-to-order, suede upholstered, Croissant Sofa for Honore Paris. Design is attributed to the famous Raphael Raffel (1912-2000). Raffel, who trained at the École d...
Suede
Le Bambole Mario Bellini sofa for B&B, 1970, brown leather
By Mario Bellini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Le Bambole sofa, set consisting of sofa and armchairs model “Le Bambole”, designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in 1970. The project represents one of the icons of Italian design ...
Leather
1980s Brown Leather Loveseat by Michel Ducaroy, Channeled Design
By Michel Ducaroy
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Leather "Ariala" loveseat by Michel Ducaroy in dark chocolate brown leather - France 1980's Great design with channeled stitched detailing and bulbous rectangular shape Matching ...
Leather
$4,707Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.63 in W 228.35 in D 23.63 in
1960, Hans Roebers, Original Snake Couch in Beautiful Soft Brown Leather
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This couch 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...
Leather, Upholstery
$9,332 / item
H 26.78 in W 66.93 in D 33.47 in
Gufram Womb Sculptural Luxury Sofa by Luigi Bistagnino 1972, Light brown Leather
By Gufram Furniture
Located in Varedo, MB
Designed by Luigi Bistagnino for Gufram, the Womb is a legendary sculptural sofa that embodies the brand's founding belief that true Radical Design must also deliver functionality an...
Fabric
$9,332 / item
H 26.78 in W 66.93 in D 33.47 in
Gufram Womb Sculptural Luxury Sofa by Luigi Bistagnino 1972, Brown Leather
By Gufram Furniture
Located in Varedo, MB
Designed by Luigi Bistagnino for Gufram, the Womb is a legendary sculptural sofa that embodies the brand's founding belief that true Radical Design must also deliver functionality an...
Fabric
Alessandro Becchi Anfibio cognac leather comvertible sofa
By Alessandro Becchi
Located in Brussel, BE
Rare Anfibio sofa by Alessandro Becchi in cognac leather. Comvertible sofa, in really good condition
Leather
$14,121
H 29.53 in W 68.51 in D 36.62 in
Mario Bellini, Le Bambole, Sofa, B&B Italia, 1970s brown leather
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
With its sleek lines and contemporary aesthetic, this sofa embodies modern elegance and timeless sophistication. Crafted with utmost precision and attention to detail, the Le Bambole...
Bouclé
$13,886
H 27.56 in W 63 in D 39.38 in
Stunning YOKO Sofa in original cognac leather by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
YOKO Sofa - Michel Ducaroy - Ligne Roset Yoko Sofa by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, France, 1988 Original Cognac Leather 2 Seater Lounge Sofa on a Full Foam Structure Designed by...
Leather
Italian modern brown leather sofa Sesann Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern brown leather sofa Sesann Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1970s Sofa model Sesann in brown leather. The seat, the backrest and the two armrests follow curved and roun...
Metal
Italian Modern Caramel Leather Piumino Sofa by De Pas, D'urbino & Lomazzi, 1970s
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern caramel leather three seating Piumino sofa by De Pas, D'Urbino and Lomazzi, 1970s. Piumino model sofa with internal structure in foamed foa...
Leather
Italian modern brown leather Soriana sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina 1970s
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern brown leather Soriana sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina 1970s Two-seater sofa, Soriana model, padded and covered in brown leathe...
Steel
Italian Modern Brown Leather Sofa Twice by Cerri for Poltrona Frau, 1980s
By Poltrona Frau, Pierluigi Cerri
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Brown leather sofa Twice by Cerri for Poltrona Frau, 1980s Two seater sofa mod. Twice in brown leather. The seat is made up ...
Metal
Italian modern Brown leather modular sofa Paione by Salocchi for Sormani, 1970s
By Claudio Salocchi, Sormani
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Brown leather modular sofa Paione by Claudio Salocchi for Sormani, 1970s Modular sofa mod. Paione entirely in camel brown leather. The 3 modules are: a rectangular pou...
Leather
Italian Mid-Century Brown Leather Plastic Sofa Flou by Betti Habitat Ids, 1970s
By Habitat International, Augusto Betti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century Brown leather and plastic sofa Flou by Betti for Habitat Ids, 1970s A three-seater sofa mod. Flou. The rectangular seat is made up o...
Leather, Plastic
