Martin Grierson for Arflex. Pair of Oxford armchairs. Year 1963.
About the Item
- Creator:Martin Grierson (Maker),Arflex (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31.5 in (80 cm)Width: 25.6 in (65 cm)Depth: 19.69 in (50 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1963
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Saint-Ouen, FR
- Reference Number:
Arflex
From its unorthodox beginnings, Italian manufacturer Arflex grew into one of the leaders of 20th-century furniture design. Its furniture came to be known for its integration of new materials and bold appeal, and today a variety of vintage Arflex chairs, sofas and tables are emblems of mid-century modernism.
Arflex was established in Milan in 1947 by Pirelli employees Carlo Barassi, Pio Reggiani, Renato Teani and Aldo Bai. Barassi, a Milan Polytechnic graduate and visionary engineer at the Italian tire manufacturer, explored innovative technology and new uses for synthetic materials in domestic products (for Kartell, he codeveloped a ski rack for automobiles). The four founders partnered with a young architect named Marco Zanuso, who also desired to create furniture that featured an application of novel materials such as elastic tape and polyurethane foam.
One of Arflex’s inaugural pieces was Zanuso’s Lady armchair, a seat made of polyurethane foam that was manufactured in pieces and assembled at the very end of the production process. It won a gold medal at the 1951 Milan Triennale. A couple of years later, Arflex collaborated with Studio BBPR to create the office-chic Elettra and Neptunia chairs. The flourishing furniture company quickly established a reputation for compelling products and attracting and working with up-and-coming designers such as Roberto Menghi, who created Hall, a luxurious line of seating that would earn the Compasso d’Oro – Honorable Mention in 1959.
In the 1960s, Arflex continued to welcome the use of new and cutting-edge materials. Popular designs from this decade include Carlo Bartoli's fiberglass and polyester resin Gaia lounge chair and Cini Boer’s Bobo Relax lounger, one of history’s first seating pieces made of polyurethane foam (it has no internal frame). Boer, a pioneer of furniture design in Italy, also created the Strips sofa for the brand in 1972. Part of a plush modular seating system, the Strips sofa became an Arflex icon and was awarded the Compasso d'Oro in 1979.
Arflex continues to work with innovative designers to this day. Among their more recent collaborations is with Swedish design studio Claesson Koivisto Rune. The company's legendary creations are also on display at museums worldwide. The Lady chair, for example, is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
On 1stDibs, you can find a collection of vintage Arflex lounge chairs, armchairs, coffee tables and other furniture.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Saint-Ouen, France
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Pierre Paulin for Artifort, Pair of “Mushroom” armchairs, 1970sLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRPierre Paulin for Artifort, signed. Pair of “Mushroom” model armchairs, blue in color.Category
Late 20th Century French Armchairs
MaterialsPlastic
- Pair of Armchairs “Lounge”, 1970sLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRPair of “lounge” armchairs, rectangular in shape and covered with a black loop fabric. Work realized in the 1970s.Category
Mid-20th Century Armchairs
MaterialsFabric
- Pair of Armchairs in Curly, 1970sLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRPair of armchairs in curly imitating sheepskin, beige in color and square in shape. Two padding on the back of the file. Armrests standing on four circular stainless steel roller fee...Category
Vintage 1970s European Armchairs
MaterialsFabric
- Pair of Natural Oakwood Armchairs, 1950sLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRPair of natural oak armchairs with an openwork back constituted with five vertical bars, slightly convex. They stand on sleigh legs. Trimming constituted with a square-shaped cush...Category
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsOak
- Pair of openwork iron armchairs, 1960sLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRMathieu Matégot, in the style of. Pair of openwork iron armchairs, blue. French work realized in the 1960s.Category
Mid-20th Century French Armchairs
MaterialsIron
- Pair of Armchairs in Black Lacquered Wood, 1970sBy Ico ParisiLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRIco Parisi, in the style of. Pair of armchairs in black lacquered wood standing on four tapered and inclined legs linked each other with two stretchers on sides. Curved shape armr...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood, Fabric
- Set of Six Oxford Chairs by Martin Grierson for Arflex, 1963By Arflex, Martin GriersonLocated in Barcelona, ESSet of six Oxford chairs designed in 1963 by British designer Martin Grierson for Arflex, Italy. Plywood molded shell upholstered in original black vinyl and polished steel bases.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Marco Zanuso Pair of Martingala armchairs for Arflex, Italy, 1950sBy Arflex, Marco ZanusoLocated in Chiavari, LiguriaAn elegant pair of early Martingala armchairs by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, designed in the 1950s and reupholstered in high-quality grey fabric, are now in excellent vintage condition....Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBrass
- Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Pair of Woodline Armchairs, 1960 approx.By Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Baranzate, ITPair of 722 Woodline armchairs by Marco Zanuso. Bent plywood frame and lacquatp, upholstery covered in white corduroy. Prod. Arflex, Italy, ca 1960Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsVelvet, Wood
- Studio BBPR Pair of Urania Armchairs for Arflex, Italy, 1954By Arflex, Studio BBPRLocated in Milan, ITPair of Studio BBPR "Urania" Armchairs for Arflex, Italy, 1954 reupholstered in bright curry yellow fabric.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of Lady armchair by Marco Zanuso for Arflex 1951By Marco Zanuso, ArflexLocated in Meulebeke, BEDesigned in 1951 by Italian architect and furniture maker Marco Zanuso, these iconic chairs are a symbol of stylish, material and technological innovation. They won a gold medal at t...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of "Senior" Armchairs by Marco Zanuso for Arflex, Italy, 1960By Arflex, Marco ZanusoLocated in Piacenza, ItalyIconic lounge chair pair designed by Marco Zanuso and manufactured by Arflex, Italy, 1960. These two lounge chairs have their original leather upholstery. Magnificent set of chairs...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsFaux Leather