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
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 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
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
$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
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
$13,649
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
$10,800
H 28 in W 75.25 in D 32 in
Percival Lafer MP-91 Sofa: Jatoba Wood & Caramel Leather, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A solid jatoba and leather sling sofa by Percival Lafer for Brazil Industries circa 1970’s. This model MP-91 sofa is newly upholstered in a carmel leather showing a great pebbled gr...
Leather, Wood
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
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
Italian Modern Soriana Sofa Designed By Afra & Tobia Scarpa For Cassina, 1960s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Weehawken, NJ
This iconic sofa features original brown corduroy upholstery in excellent vintage condition. Comfortably sits 4 people. Designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, circa 1960's
Metal
Post Modern “Mayan” Sofa Designed By Harvey Probber, 1980s
By Harvey Probber
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Original 1983 Harvey Probber “Mayan” Sofa. This iconic design epitomizes the expressiveness of postmodernism in the 1980s. The original black...
Mohair, Foam, Wood
