MP-81 Armchair in Leather and Rosewood from Percival Lafer, 1970s

Details

Description

Presented in its most recognizable version, combining yellow leather and rosewood, the mp-81 armchair by percival lafer is a benchmark … Read more Presented in its most recognizable version, combining yellow leather and rosewood, the mp-81 armchair by percival lafer is a benchmark of brazilian design. This is a 1970s edition.
the solid rosewood frame has been cleaned, sanded, and revarnished by our restorer.
the leather has been cleaned and conditioned.
a small hole, a few millimeters in size, has also been reinforced from the inside with additional leather to prevent further deterioration. (see photo: comparison to the size of a 10-cent coin)
h 88 cm x d 88 cm x w 86 cm.
seat height 32 cm. The leather shows normal wear, but the seat is stable, enveloping, and comfortable.
the mp-81 armchair by percival lafer, presented here in its most recognizable version combining yellow leather and rosewood, is among the most expressive pieces of brazilian design from the 1960s and 70s. Its design asserts an immediate presence, built around the contrast between a visually striking solid wood frame and a generously sized, taut leather seat.

the mp-81 is based on a logic of showcasing materials. The rosewood, used in a deliberately visible way, structures the whole and gives the chair its sculptural identity. The thick, enveloping leather accentuates the character of the seat and contributes as much to its image as to its comfort. The balance of the model lies not in discretion, but in the coherence between volumes, materials, and function.

trained as an architect, a graduate of mackenzie presbyterian university in são paulo, percival lafer has been developing furniture since the 1960s designed for mass production, but never neutralized in its expression. The mp-81 is part of this approach: an object designed for mass distribution, but fully embracing a strong, identifiable, and assertive visual signature.

released internationally in the 1970s, particularly in the united states and europe, the mp-81 is now sought after for its ability to create a focal point in an interior. It is suited to projects where seating is not simply an accessory, but a structuring element of the space, capable of engaging with bold architecture or a deliberately contrasting decor.

in its yellow leather and rosewood version, the mp-81 embodies a period when brazilian design championed a direct relationship with materials, volume, and visual impact, without seeking subtlety or neutrality. See less