Pair Of MID Century Brazilian Rosewood 1975 Percival Lafer Leather S1 Armchairs

The MP-163 Earth Chairand matching footstool in light beige, and the S1 collection of armchairs, sofas, and tables, designed in 1975. If you do some research you will see this piece being credited as early as 1958 which is when Lafer was in college however Ive found as you will see above one of the original advertising pictures quoted as 1975. Both are in stunning vintage condition throughout, the arms are one are slightly more worn than the other chair and one of the back straps has been reinforced, otherwise they are very tidy indeed. Not to be overlooked and rarely commented on I simply have to be honest, these are pretty much the most comfortable chairs I have ever sat on and if you have a look at my other items for sale youll see thats no small feat. For all intensive purposes you are basically sitting in a hammock or sling and we all know how comfortable they are, on top of which sits a very soft period foam cushion. The Brazilian Rosewood frame has a lovely understated patina, now classed as an endangered species Brazilan rosewood is hard wearing, pleasing on the eye and light weight considering its strength. This Brazilian Modernist You Should Know About Designed Countless Classic Chairs2 Despite a rise to prominence in the 1970s, pioneering designer Percival Lafer has remained a best-kept secret for collectors of midcentury Brazilian furniture. Mention modern Brazilian furniture and names like Sergio Rodrigues, Joaquim Tenreiro, and Jorge Zalszupin come to mind. Lafer credits the availability of his work here to the 35 Brazil Contempo stores that existed stateside from 1970 to 1985. When he began making furniture in 1961, his vision was to "bring good design to everyone, not just the intellectual elite" with modern, well-made pieces that were mass-produced and affordable. That he did, with "an incomparable product for the price, " says Joanne Podell, cofounder of the now-defunct retailer.

Percivals furniture not only captured the modern aesthetic of the moment, but was exquisitely crafted using gorgeous, solid hardwoods that were novel to U. With burnished leather upholstery and meticulous finishing details, Lafers pieces were also big sellers in Western Europe and Scandinavia.

Ironically, Lafer never intended to be a furniture-maker. In 1960, as a senior at the prestigious Mackenzie Presbyterian University College of Architecture in São Paulo, hed already admired Tenreiro, Zalszupin, and the then-emerging Rodrigues, all renowned for embracing Brazils nascent design ethos of the midcentury.

But like 2006 Pritzker Prize winner Paulo Mendes da Rocha, who graduated from Mackenzie in 1954 and began making waves with his innovative concrete buildings by the early 1960s, Lafer planned to practice architectureuntil his father, a furniture dealer, died right before his graduation. While mourning, "my brothers and I decided to all work together to insure the continuity of the company, " says Lafer. But I didnt want to do retail, and our lines were traditional. He found solace in the stores small custom upholstery workroom, where his tinkering yielded the streamlined MP-001 armchair, produced in 1961. A T-shaped steel base covered with thin pieces of solid rosewood, it had an upholstered seat crafted out of layers of foam instead of springs.

"I made it in a modern way, " explains Lafer, noting that the blend of steel and wood in his designs was informed by the analogous structures of architects Oscar Niemeyer and Mendes da Rocha, whose work posed a real departure from traditional methods. In short order, the chair was a huge hit and Lafer built his first bona fide factory. Around that time, Rodrigues, eight years Lafers senior, introduced his now-iconic Mole chair, which Lafer notes influenced not only me, but a whole generation. Rodrigues paid Lafer a visit in the late 60s, after his MP-041 collection took off.

Though he was initially wary of the seeming similarities of their work, recalls Lafer, He recognized they were true originals that only helped to expand the market for this kind of Brazilian look. We developed a relationship of great respect for each other.

By 1974, Lafer had produced a prolific and diverse range of work, including the now-vintage MP Lafer sports car, kiosks, telephone booths, and fiberglass architectural components. By then, Lafer was immersed in making ergonomically correct recliners, which he continues to produce today for the home and healthcare markets. "Ive always been drawn to the motion features of furniture, " he says. The engineering and design work that goes into its mechanisms is fascinating and fulfilling. " Though chairs are once again his present mainstay, he still doesnt necessarily consider himself a furniture designer: "I love to make physical objects, and Im constantly thinking about all the ways I can improve them. Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask. This item is available for collection from our Wimbledon warehouses SW19-3BE, we can have it delivered nationwide to include Scotland Wales and Ireland. Please view the very detailed pictures as they form part of the description around condition.

Please note vintage period and original items such as leather seating will always have natural patina in the form of cracking creasing and wear, we recommend regular waxing to ensure no moisture is lost, also hand dyed leather is not recommended to sit in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time as it will dry out and fade. COURIER (LARGE ITEMS ONLY THAT CANT BE POSTED). Whoever delivers will usually require some help on the larger items to unload, if this is not possible please let us know as it will affect the price to send a two man team. Furniture designer Percival Lafer at his country home in Campos do Jordão, Brazil, in 2011.

Designed in 1965, Lafers MP-041 series presented an innovative, modern aesthetic, with heavy solid hardwood frames and hand-tufted, pre-formed cushions. The MP-89 armchair (1970) was made with a diagonally cut Plexiglas cylinder, fishing net, and leather cushions. A late 1970s ad for the MP-163 armchair and footrest (1976): Dubbed the Earth Chair by retailer Brazil Contempo, it was Lafers first design to feature an inner structural steel frame. Formed by shaping a preexisting fiberglass mold of a sofa, Lafers MP-071 armchair (1973) exemplifies how an existing design can dramatically transform during the production process. The addition of a foam lining gives comfort to the seat.

The seat support of the MP-129, designed in 1976, hangs on the upper back beam of its solid hardwood frame. The item "PAIR OF MID CENTURY BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD 1975 PERCIVAL LAFER LEATHER S1 ARMCHAIRS" is in sale since Thursday, April 11, 2019. This item is in the category "Antiques\Antique Furniture\Chairs\20th Century". The seller is "wimbledon-furniture-01" and is located in London Wimbledon.

This item can be shipped worldwide.

Room: Living Room
Country/Region of Manufacture: BRAZIL
Brand: PERCIVAL LAFER
Original/Reproduction: Original
Age: Post-1950
Style: Art Deco
Material: Leather
Product Type: Armchairs