Raphael Raffel Furniture
Best known in the world of design as simply Raphaël, Raphaël Raffel was one of the most influential French mid-century modern designers and decorators. His style inspirations ranged from 18th-century Parisian design to 1960s American and Italian Space Age chic.
Born in 1912 in Paris, Raffel studied design at the École des Beaux-Arts. In 1934, he began an interior decorating business, counting legendary French-American dancer Josephine Baker among his first clients.
During the 1930s and throughout the 1940s, Raffel was regarded as one of France’s illustrious “ensembliers-décorateurs,” designers who not only created furniture but focused on every element of interior space, from wall decorations to lighting.
By the 1950s, Raffel’s decorating and design talents had gained the attention of the French public service. Several commissions were awarded to Raffel to decorate embassies, university residences, post offices, the National Assembly and the ground floor and a wing of the Hôtel de Ville de Paris. Additionally, in 1952, Raffel worked with French designer, sculptor and architect André Arbus to decorate a section of the luxury ocean liner Bretagne. That same year, Raffel’s work was shown with designs by French ceramist Georges Jouve at the Salon des Arts Ménagers. In 1958, Raffel exhibited at the Brussels World’s Fair.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Raffel was inspired by the era’s popular Space Age style, evident in his plush, croissant-shaped sofas and pod-shaped lounge chairs, club chairs and armchairs, which he designed for furniture makers such as Maison Honoré and Herman Miller. Raffel also combined lacquer, glasswork, distinct colors and gilt bronze in his elegant, French neoclassical coffee and cocktail tables, side tables and desks.
Towards the end of the 1970s, Raffel’s business began to wane, finally closing in 1983. Raffel continued to work on design and decorating commissions until he died in 2000.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Raphaël Raffel seating and tables.
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Velvet
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Leather
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Leather
1970s Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Leather
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Suede
Mid-20th Century French Raphael Raffel Furniture
Alpaca
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Leather, Bouclé
1960s French Space Age Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Faux Leather, Plastic
1970s French Space Age Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Fabric, Plastic
1960s French Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Leather, Acrylic
1970s German Space Age Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Acrylic
1970s French Post-Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Leather
1970s French Post-Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Leather
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Furniture
Leather, Plastic
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Leather, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Raphael Raffel Furniture
Foam
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Raphael Raffel Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Furniture
Brass
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Leather, Plastic
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Furniture
Leather
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Brass
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Metal
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Furniture
Leather
20th Century French Space Age Raphael Raffel Furniture
Leather, Fiberglass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Brass
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Leather, Teak
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Furniture
Wood
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Upholstery
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Mohair, Velvet, Beech
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Fabric
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
1970s Dutch Scandinavian Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Leather, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Velvet, Lucite
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Leather
1960s Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Leather
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Raphael Raffel Furniture
Plastic
1970s French Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Leather
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Upholstery, Plastic, Faux Leather
Mid-20th Century French Raphael Raffel Furniture
Velvet, Plastic
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Leather
1970s Space Age Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Fabric, Plastic
1970s Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Suede
1970s French Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Wool
1970s Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Leather
1970s French Modern Vintage Raphael Raffel Furniture
Wool