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.
Percival Lafer MP-97 Leather Sofa with Extended Headrest
By Percival Lafer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Leather sofa by Percival Lafer c.1960's, Brazil. The sofa features the original burnt rust leather with a beautiful Brazilian hardwood frame. The top of the seat back has an extended...
Leather, Upholstery, Hardwood
Percival Lafer MP-97 Leather Sofa
By Percival Lafer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Leather sofa by Percival Lafer c.1960's, Brazil. The sofa features the original mustard yellow leather seat with a beautiful Brazilian hardwood frame. The back of the sofa showcases ...
Leather, Upholstery, Hardwood
Percival Lafer MP-97 Sofa
By Percival Lafer
Located in Washington, DC
A stunning example of Brazilian modernism, this **MP-97 sofa by Percival Lafer** features the designer’s signature combination of comfort, craftsmanship, and sculptural form. The so...
Upholstery, Wood
$5,500
H 25.5 in W 72 in D 25.5 in
Percival Lafer MP-41 Sofa – 1970s Brazilian Rosewood & Leather 3-Seater
By Percival Lafer
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Elevate your space with this authentic 1970s Percival Lafer MP-41 3-seater sofa, a true collector’s item crafted with exquisite Brazilian rosewood and original cognac leather strappi...
Leather, Hardwood, Rosewood
Mp-97 Tufted Leather Sofa by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Modernist tufted sofa in brown aniline leather designed by Percival Lafer. Constructed with molded foam, rosewood, and nylon straps. Some original straps have been replaced or repair...
Leather, Wood, Rosewood
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.5 in W 78.5 in D 32.5 in
Wonderful Percival Lafer Rosewood 3 Seater Cognac leather "S-1" Sofa Mid-Century
By Percival Lafer
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful Percival Lafer rosewood and leather 3-seater S-1 sofa. The S-1 design features Brazilian exoticness paired with Scandinavian sensibility. Of Lafer's designs, the S-1 is a...
Leather, Rosewood
$13,642
H 28.35 in W 90.56 in D 35.44 in
Percival Lafer Sofa, Re-upholstered in Leather, Mid-Century Modern, Brazil 1970s
By Percival Lafer
Located in Boom, Vlaams Gewest
A rare and beautifully preserved sofa by Percival Lafer, one of Brazil’s most celebrated modernist designers. Known for his innovative use of exotic woods and deeply comfortable upho...
Leather, Wood
MP-211 chocolate brown 3-seater sofa by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Percival Lafer MP-211 sofa from the 1970s, crafted in Brazil and celebrated for its iconic sculptural silhouette and luxurious cognac leather upholstery. Featuring soft, over...
Leather, Rosewood
$2,750
H 36 in W 78 in D 31 in
1970s MP-91 / MP-163 Earth Sofa by Percival Lafer in leather and hardwood
By Percival Lafer
Located in Victoria, BC
Designed by Percival Lafer during the 1970s, the MP-91 / MP-163 “Earth” sofa remains one of the most recognizable and comfortable seating designs produced during the golden era of Brazilian modernism. The design combines structural clarity with an unusually relaxed and immersive seating experience, reflecting Lafer’s unique ability to merge engineering, ergonomics, and material expression. The sofa is constructed around a robust Brazilian hardwood frame that creates a suspended visual effect, where the upholstered body appears to float lightly above the base structure. The proportions are low and architectural, while the generous cushioning and suspended support system create a remarkably comfortable sit. Lafer approached seating with a strong emphasis on long-term comfort and practical construction, qualities that became central to his international success during the 1970s export period. This example has been fully reupholstered in high-quality Spinneybeck leather, a material widely recognized for its durability and refined surface quality. The arm cushions feature an uncommon pillow configuration. While this may represent a later upholstery interpretation introduced during restoration, similar variations were also seen in certain export-market configurations produced through Brazil Contempo...
Leather, Hardwood
$36,400
H 25.6 in W 85.44 in D 35.44 in
MP-61 Sofa in Rosewood by Brazilian Designer Percival Lafer, 1973
By Percival Lafer
Located in New York, NY
In his designs, Percival Lafer sought ergonomy and comfort. The MP-61 sofa and armchair, from 1973, was the first two pieces designed by Percival Lafer that used a visible fiberglass...
Leather, Fiberglass, Rosewood
Mid-Century MP-211 Leather and Rosewood Sofa by Percival Lafer
By Percival Lafer
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century leather and rosewood model no. MP-211 by Percival Lafer. Made circa 1970s, Brazil. A gorgeous mix of materials and incredible design showcase why Lafer is one of our favo...
Leather, Fiberglass, Foam, Rosewood
Mid-Century Nine Piece Modular ‘Hochbarett’ Sofa by Karl Wittman
By Mario Bellini, De Sede, Karl Wittmann, Knoll, Wittmann
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century large modular ‘Hochbarett’ sofa. This sofa was produced by Karl Wittman for Wittman Möbelwerkstätten, made in Austria circa 1970s. There are nine total pieces, seven stra...
Leather, Foam
Vintage Modular Leather Sofa by Eilersen, Denmark
By Eilersen 1
Located in Raleigh, NC
intage large modular sectional sofa in black leather. Manufactured by Eilersen, Denmark. This sofa is pure perfection in our book. If we could fit it in our home, we would absolutely...
Metal, Chrome
Vintage Wooden Frame Sofa
By Baumritter, Grete Jalk, Lawrence Peabody, Poul Jeppesens Møbelfabrik, Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Raleigh, NC
Vintage black wooden frame sofa. The frame features a slat back design that showcases the bright orange upholstery underneath. Equipped with fin armrests.. The frame has been painted...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
Mid-Century Walnut Three Seater Sofa
By Ib Kofod-Larsen, De Ster Gelderland, Bertil Fridhagen, J.B. Van Sciver Company
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century walnut frame three-seater sofa. Newly reupholstered with new foam and new fabric. The fabric is a rich deep blue mohair. A moody pop of color that compliments the warm wo...
Fabric, Mohair, Foam, Wood, Walnut
Mid-Century Cloud Sofa by Adrian Pearsall
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century Cloud sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, circa 1960s. This design by Pearsall is low profile and features a gently curved silhouette. Long and extreme...
Fabric, Bouclé, Foam, Wood, Walnut
