Table of Contents
When conversations turn to the great names of Mid-Century Modern furniture, the same designers are often mentioned: Charles and Ray Eames, Hans J. Wegner, Finn Juhl, George Nelson, and Arne Jacobsen. Yet tucked away in the rich design history of Brazil is a designer whose work deserves to stand comfortably alongside these icons.
That designer is Percival Lafer.
For decades, Lafer remained one of Mid-Century Modern’s best-kept secrets outside of South America. Today, collectors around the world are rediscovering his work and falling in love with the unmistakable combination of exotic Brazilian hardwoods, luxurious leather, ingenious engineering, and extraordinary comfort.
At Hobbs Modern, we jump at every opportunity to acquire, restore, and live with Percival Lafer furniture ourselves. His pieces possess something remarkably rare—they are visually striking, technically innovative, and among the most comfortable chairs and sofas ever designed.
In process: Percival Lafer MP-41 leather sofa, circa 1960s
$9,995.00
A sculptural and highly collectible Percival Lafer MP-41 sofa, designed in Brazil during the 1960s. Lafer’s work is celebrated for its relaxed architectural forms, innovative construction, and unmistakable Brazilian modernist character — and the MP-41 is one of his most… read more
Early Life: From Architecture Student to Furniture Designer
Percival Lafer was born in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1936 into a family already involved in furniture manufacturing. His father owned LAFER, a successful furniture company that produced contemporary furnishings for the growing Brazilian market.
Originally, Percival Lafer did not intend to become a furniture designer.
Instead, he studied architecture at Mackenzie Presbyterian University in São Paulo, one of Brazil’s leading architectural schools. The timing proved fortunate. Brazilian architecture was flourishing under the influence of Oscar Niemeyer and Lúcio Costa, whose modernist vision emphasized clean lines, structural honesty, and harmony between buildings and nature. Those architectural ideals would become deeply embedded in Lafer’s furniture decades later.
Everything changed shortly after graduation.
His father passed away unexpectedly, leaving the family business without its leader. Percival and his brothers suddenly found themselves responsible for the future of the company.
Each brother assumed different responsibilities.
While his brothers focused on finance and operations, Percival took charge of design, engineering, and manufacturing. Rather than simply continuing existing production, he transformed the company into one of Brazil’s most innovative furniture manufacturers.
This unexpected turn of events launched one of the most important careers in Brazilian Modernism.
Engineering Before Styling
Unlike many furniture designers who began as cabinetmakers, Percival Lafer approached every piece as an architect and engineer.
“I’ve always been drawn to the motion features of furniture. The engineering and design work that goes into its mechanisms is fascinating and fulfilling.”
That philosophy became immediately apparent in his work.
Rather than hiding bolts, brackets, and structural connections, Lafer often celebrated them. His furniture reveals its construction honestly, allowing the mechanics to become part of the visual language. This approach gives many of his chairs an almost industrial elegance despite their incredibly soft appearance.
His engineering background also led him to embrace new manufacturing methods long before they became industry standards.
Photo of Ruy TeixeiraLafer pioneered the use of injected polyurethane foam in upholstered furniture years before it became commonplace. Instead of relying solely on traditional stuffing materials, injected foam allowed him to create sculptural cushions with exceptional comfort, durability, and consistency.
This innovation helped define the unmistakable silhouette of his furniture: oversized cushions gently draped over elegant hardwood frames.
Furniture That Feels Like a Hammock
There is something impossible to understand about a Percival Lafer chair until you actually sit in one.
Collectors often describe the experience as sinking into a cloud.
We describe it differently.
Climbing into one of Lafer’s chairs feels remarkably like settling into a hammock suspended beneath the canopy of the Brazilian rainforest.
His seating cradles your body instead of forcing you into an upright posture. Thick leather cushions naturally drape over the frame while broad seats invite you to lounge for hours. The combination of flexible support, generous proportions, and deep cushioning creates an experience that few modern chairs can match.
Once you’ve experienced one, it becomes your benchmark for comfort.
Pair of Percival Lafer MP-97 Brazilian Leather Lounge Chairs
$11,995.00
A striking pair of MP-97 lounge chairs designed by Percival Lafer, one of Brazil’s most celebrated modernist furniture designers. Produced in Brazil during the height of the Brazilian Mid-Century Modern movement, these chairs embody Lafer’s signature approach—combining sculptural hardwood frames… read more
Brazil in Every Piece
While Scandinavian designers often celebrated restraint, Percival Lafer embraced the warmth and abundance of his native Brazil.
His furniture showcases some of the country’s most beautiful hardwoods, including Pau Ferro (Santos Rosewood) and Brazilian Rosewood, paired with thick, supple leather that only becomes more beautiful with age.
Rather than disguising these materials, he allowed them to speak for themselves.
The richly figured wood frames appear almost sculptural beneath oversized leather cushions, creating furniture that feels organic, luxurious, and unmistakably Brazilian.
His work captures the relaxed lifestyle, tropical climate, and vibrant character of Brazil while maintaining the clean lines that define Mid-Century Modern design.
Set of Four Percival Lafer 'MP-116' Modular Lounge Chairs
$60,000.00
An exceptionally rare set of four Percival Lafer MP-116 Modular Lounge Chairs, designed in Brazil during the 1970s. Among the most sculptural and elusive designs from Lafer’s celebrated body of work, the MP-116 perfectly captures the relaxed elegance of Brazilian… read more
The Iconic MP-116 Modular Lounge Chair
Among Percival Lafer’s most celebrated creations, the MP-116 Modular Lounge Chair stands as one of his most sculptural and architecturally ambitious designs. Introduced during the 1970s, the MP-116 departs from conventional lounge seating through its ingenious modular construction. Each chair is composed of four oversized, individually upholstered leather cushion blocks that appear to float within a beautifully engineered Brazilian hardwood frame, creating a bold geometric silhouette that is unmistakably Lafer.
Deeply gathered leather, generous proportions, and an exceptionally low profile invite you to sink into the chair rather than simply sit on it. The exposed joinery and visible hardware celebrate the engineering behind the design—a hallmark of Lafer’s architectural training—while the modular construction reflects his fascination with creating furniture that was both practical to manufacture and remarkably adaptable.
Today, original MP-116 lounge chairs are among the most sought-after examples of Brazilian Mid-Century Modern furniture. Complete sets are exceptionally scarce, making them highly desirable to collectors who appreciate the expressive combination of exotic Brazilian hardwoods, luxurious leather upholstery, and the unparalleled comfort that has become synonymous with Percival Lafer’s work
Beyond Furniture
Percival Lafer’s curiosity extended well beyond living room furniture.
Throughout his five-decade career, he designed automobiles, telephone booths, office systems, lighting, and numerous industrial products. His ability to move between architecture, industrial design, transportation, and furniture demonstrates the breadth of his creative thinking.
Perhaps his most ambitious project outside furniture was the Lafer LL, a sports car inspired by classic British roadsters. Designed and manufactured in Brazil during the 1970s and 1980s, the fiberglass-bodied convertible became an icon in its own right and remains highly collectible today.
Whether designing a chair or an automobile, Lafer approached every project with the same philosophy: combine engineering, beauty, and usability into an object that people genuinely enjoy living with.
Why Collectors Are Rediscovering Percival Lafer
For many years, Brazilian Modernism remained overshadowed by Scandinavian and American Mid-Century furniture.
That is rapidly changing.
Collectors have begun recognizing that Brazil produced some of the twentieth century’s most innovative designers, and Percival Lafer stands among the very best.
His furniture offers something increasingly difficult to find:
- Extraordinary comfort without sacrificing sculptural beauty.
- Innovative engineering that still feels modern decades later.
- Rich tropical hardwoods with dramatic grain.
- Thick natural leather that develops a wonderful patina.
- Production quality that has allowed many pieces to survive in remarkable condition.
As Brazilian Modernism continues gaining international recognition, original Percival Lafer pieces have become increasingly desirable among collectors seeking furniture beyond the familiar Scandinavian classics.
Restoring Percival Lafer Furniture
At Hobbs Modern, restoring Percival Lafer furniture is always a rewarding experience.
His designs deserve restoration that respects the original engineering and preserves the relaxed character he intended.
Many surviving examples require careful wood restoration, leather replacement, structural rebuilding, or rebuilding of the original support systems. Done correctly, these pieces return to the incredible comfort and beauty they possessed when they first left the Lafer factory.
Because his furniture was engineered so thoughtfully, quality restoration allows these chairs and sofas to continue serving families for generations to come.
There is something deeply satisfying about watching a neglected Lafer chair come back to life.
The glowing hardwood frame, freshly upholstered leather, and welcoming proportions remind us why his work has endured for more than half a century.
A Brazilian Icon Worth Discovering
Percival Lafer never chased trends.
Instead, he built furniture around comfort, intelligent engineering, beautiful materials, and the relaxed spirit of Brazil.
His work represents one of the greatest achievements of Brazilian Modernism and deserves to be mentioned alongside the finest furniture produced anywhere in the world during the Mid-Century era.
Whether you’re discovering his work for the first time or adding another piece to an established collection, Percival Lafer furniture has a remarkable way of winning people over. The sculptural hardwood frames catch your eye first—but it’s the experience of sitting down that truly leaves a lasting impression.
At Hobbs Modern, we have restored many of Lafer’s iconic designs over the years, from rare modular lounge chairs to his celebrated leather sofas. Every time one arrives in our workshop, we’re reminded why his work continues to captivate a new generation of collectors.
Some furniture is admired from across the room.
Percival Lafer’s furniture invites you to sit down, relax, and never want to get back up.
FAQs
Who was Percival Lafer?
Percival Lafer is one of Brazil’s most celebrated furniture designers and a leading figure in Brazilian Mid-Century Modern design. Trained as an architect at Mackenzie Presbyterian University in São Paulo, he took over his family’s furniture company after his father’s sudden passing and transformed it into one of Brazil’s most innovative manufacturers. His designs are known for combining luxurious comfort, exposed engineering, and beautiful Brazilian hardwoods.
Why is Percival Lafer furniture so collectible?
Collectors value Percival Lafer furniture for its exceptional comfort, innovative engineering, and use of premium materials such as Brazilian rosewood, Pau Ferro, and high-quality leather. As Brazilian Modernism has gained international recognition, original Lafer pieces have become increasingly sought after by collectors looking beyond traditional Scandinavian and American Mid-Century Modern furniture.
What makes Percival Lafer furniture different from Danish Mid-Century Modern furniture?
While Danish designers often emphasized minimalism and light visual forms, Percival Lafer embraced a warmer, more relaxed aesthetic inspired by Brazil. His furniture features generous leather cushions, richly figured tropical hardwoods, exposed construction details, and deep, lounge-like seating that prioritizes comfort without sacrificing modern design.
What woods did Percival Lafer use?
Percival Lafer frequently used exotic Brazilian hardwoods, including Pau Ferro (also known as Santos Rosewood) and Brazilian rosewood. These woods are prized for their dramatic grain patterns, durability, and rich natural color, making each piece visually unique.
What is the most famous Percival Lafer chair?
The MP-116 Lounge Chair is among Percival Lafer’s most iconic designs. Introduced in the early 1960s, it combines a sculptural hardwood frame with thick leather cushions and an ingenious construction that reflects Lafer’s background in architecture and engineering. Today, the MP-116 is one of the most recognizable and collectible examples of Brazilian Mid-Century Modern furniture.
Did Percival Lafer only design furniture?
No. Although he is best known for his furniture, Percival Lafer also designed automobiles, office systems, lighting, telephone booths, and other industrial products. His best-known automotive design is the Lafer LL sports car, which became a distinctive symbol of Brazilian industrial design during the 1970s and 1980s.
Why is Percival Lafer furniture so comfortable?
Comfort was one of Lafer’s highest priorities. He pioneered the use of injected polyurethane foam in upholstered furniture before it became common throughout the industry. Combined with thick leather upholstery and ergonomically designed frames, his chairs and sofas provide an exceptionally relaxed seating experience that many collectors compare to sitting in a hammock.
Is Percival Lafer furniture a good investment?
Original Percival Lafer furniture has appreciated significantly in recent years as collectors have discovered Brazilian Modernism. Well-preserved or professionally restored examples remain in high demand, particularly rare lounge chairs, modular seating systems, and early production pieces. As with any collectible furniture, authenticity, condition, rarity, and provenance all influence long-term value.
How can I identify authentic Percival Lafer furniture?
Authentic Percival Lafer pieces often feature high-quality Brazilian hardwood frames, leather upholstery, distinctive exposed hardware, and carefully engineered construction. Many retain original labels or manufacturer markings from LAFER. Because labels are sometimes missing, collectors often rely on construction details, materials, and documented provenance to verify authenticity.
Can Percival Lafer furniture be restored?
Yes. Most original Percival Lafer furniture responds exceptionally well to professional restoration. Common restoration work includes refinishing hardwood frames, replacing worn leather, rebuilding support systems, and repairing structural components while preserving the original engineering and design intent.
Where can I buy authentic Percival Lafer furniture?
Authentic Percival Lafer furniture can be found through reputable Mid-Century Modern dealers, specialized galleries, estate sales, and select auctions. Because Brazilian Modern furniture has become increasingly collectible, working with knowledgeable dealers who understand authenticity and proper restoration is highly recommended.
Why does Hobbs Modern specialize in Percival Lafer furniture?
At Hobbs Modern, we have long admired Percival Lafer’s unique combination of engineering, comfort, and Brazilian craftsmanship. We actively seek out his rare chairs and sofas because they represent some of the finest examples of Brazilian Mid-Century Modern design. Every piece we restore is carefully brought back to life using historically appropriate techniques, allowing a new generation of collectors to experience the remarkable comfort and beauty that make Lafer’s work so enduring.
