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.
$2,000
H 28.3 in W 44.9 in D 44.9 in
Brazilian Mid-Century Game Table in Wood & Green Felt, by Gelli Moveis, c. 1950s
By Gelli Indústria de Móveis
Located in New York, NY
Available today, with domestic shipping in the NYC metro area included, this Brazilian Mid-Century Game Table in Wood & Green Felt, by Gelli Moveis, c...
Felt, Hardwood
Jacques Adnet Green Leather and Wood Game Table, 1950s France
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning leather table by French designer Jacques Adnet. Green leather wrapped bamboo style legs with leather wrapped top and corners. Original wood tabletop. Brass detailing through...
Brass
$1,768
H 29.53 in Dm 49.22 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Umberto Mascagni Green and Black Round Table, 1960s
By Umberto Mascagni
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian six legs green and black round table by Umberto Mascagni. The top of the table is in faux leather covered with glass and comes with its protective green c...
Brass
$4,875Sale Price|44% Off
H 26 in W 18 in D 18 in
Tommi Parzinger, Green Leather Occasional Table, Model No. 3303
By Charak Furniture Company, Tommi Parzinger
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tommi Parzinger green leather occasional table, model no. 3303, ca. 1955 Ebonized wood, embossed leather. Manufactured by Charak, USA. Measures: 26" H ...
Leather, Wood
$3,412
H 30.32 in W 40.56 in D 40.56 in
Pierluigi Molinari Lacquered Wood and Green Felt Game Table for Pozzi 1970
By Pozzi, Pierluigi Molinari
Located in Conversano, IT
If you would like to receive additional photos of this item, please feel free to contact us directly through the 1stDibs messaging system. We will be happy to provide you with furthe...
Wood, Lacquer
Secession Style Vintage Ebonized Oak & Green Suede Game Table
Located in North Miami, FL
This is a wonderful small scale game table for tight spaces. Made of high quality ebonized oak and finished with a soft deep green suede game playing top. Dominoes, cards, just hav...
Suede, Oak
1950's Stitched black and green leather side table by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's Stitched leather side table by Jacques Adnet Description1950's Stitched leather mantles by Jacques Adnet Great condition France A Rare French Midcentury Modern hand stitched...
Leather, Formica
$8,500
H 30.75 in W 32 in D 32 in
1940s Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Paldao Collection Modern Design Game Table
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A modern “Paldao” Game Table designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller, 1940s. Burl wood in contrasting colors and tapered wooden legs wrapped in muted green leatherette adorned wi...
Wood
Rare Find! Green Aldo Tura Lounge Table on Tulip Base, Italy, 1950s
By Aldo Tura, Aldo Tura
Located in Cork, IE
Check our shop for wide range of Aldo Tura designs! This lounge table in turquoise on a brown tulip foot base by the renowned Italian designer Aldo Tura is a 1950s mid-century mod...
Goatskin, Wood
$4,950
H 18.25 in W 50 in D 26 in
Late 20th Century Vintage Regency Faux Malachite Stepped Coffee Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introduce a touch of regal sophistication to your living space with this Vintage Regency Faux Malachite Stepped Coffee Table. Crafted with America...
Malachite
Jacques Adnet Magazine Table, France, 1950's
By Jacques Adnet
Located in New York, NY
Green Leather over blackened steel with brass accents, this side table has a very stylish magazine rack built in. 19x11x21
Leather
Saint Gobain Dining Table, France 1950's
By Georges Djo-Bourgeois
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Dining Table Attributed to Djo Bourgeois, Large Steel base with a thick Saint Gobain Glass Chairs in photo for reference only. 30x82x42 26 under the top for armchairs
Steel
Jacques Quinet Dining Table in Wrought Iron & Saint Gobain Glass, France 1950's
By Jacques Quinet
Located in New York, NY
Large patonated iron table by Jacques Quinet with angled stretchers and tapered legs with brass sabots; Top is Saint Gobain glass with a chartreuse tint.
Brass, Wrought Iron
Marble & Wood Oblique Dining Table, Italy 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Excellent shape for dining, entry table or desk. Lovely patina.
Marble
Jacques Adnet Center Table in Stitched Leather, Bronze and Gllass, France, 1950s
By Jacques Adnet
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional center table by Jacques Adnet clad in tobacco brown leather, its four legs joined by an X-stretcher and a large brass frame supports the glass top, it rests on bronze feet.
Bronze
Oak & Green Ceramic End Table, USA 1940's
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in New York, NY
End table with a ceramic base with an Art Deco motif and solid dished oak top, possibly a Martz creation.
Ceramic, Oak
