Percival Lafer Center Tables
Brazilian, b. 1936
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.
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Creator: Percival Lafer
Percival Lafer, Coffee Table, Patchwork Wood, c. 1970
By Percival Lafer
Located in PARIS, FR
This exceptional coffee table by Percival Lafer is a striking example of 1970s design, seamlessly blending natural materials with contemporary finishes. The tabletop, crafted from an...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Percival Lafer Center Tables
Materials
Glass, Hardwood
Percival Lafer, Patchwork Square Coffee Table, Wood and Glass, c. 1970
By Percival Lafer
Located in PARIS, FR
This exceptional coffee table by Percival Lafer is a striking example of 1970s design, seamlessly blending natural materials with contemporary finishes. The tabletop, crafted from an...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Percival Lafer Center Tables
Materials
Glass, Hardwood
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Percival Lafer center tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Percival Lafer center tables are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Percival Lafer center tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original center tables by Percival Lafer were created in the mid-century modern style in south america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider center tables by Sergio Rodrigues, Jorge Zalszupin, and Giuseppe Scapinelli. Prices for Percival Lafer center tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,891 and can go as high as $3,716, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,182.
Questions About Percival Lafer Center Tables
- What is Percival Lafer?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Percival Lafer is a leading contemporary Brazilian furniture designer most famous for his Mid-Century Modern sofas and chairs constructed with hardwood and luxurious leather. Lafer is a pioneer of the Brazilian Modernist movement. On 1stDibs, find authentic Percival Lafer furniture from top sellers.