MP-81 Leather and Rosewood Armchair by Percival Lafer

• Presented in its most recognizable version, combining yellow leather and rosewood, Percival Lafer’s MP-81 armchair is a benchmark of Brazilian design. 1970s edition.
• The solid rosewood frame has been cleaned, sanded, and re-varnished by our restorer.
• The leathers have been cleaned and moisturized.
• A small hole of a few millimeters has been reinforced from the inside by adding leather to prevent any further deterioration (see photo, comparison with a 10-cent coin).
• Dimensions: H 88 CM × D 88 CM × W 86 CM.
• Seat height: 32 CM.
• Normal wear marks on the leather, stable, enveloping, and comfortable seat.

MP-81 Armchair by Percival Lafer, a signature of Brazilian design

The MP-81 armchair by Percival Lafer, presented here in its yellow leather and rosewood version, is among the most expressive models of Brazilian design from the 1960s–1970s. Its design is based on a striking contrast between a visually assertive solid wood structure and a generous stretched leather seat.

The MP-81 highlights material as a central element. The rosewood structures the piece and gives the armchair a sculptural presence, while the thick, enveloping leather contributes to both comfort and visual impact. The model’s balance relies on the coherence between volumes, materials, and function.

A trained architect, a graduate of Mackenzie Presbyterian University in São Paulo, Percival Lafer developed furniture for production starting in the 1960s, while maintaining a strong identity. The MP-81 fits this logic: a widely distributed yet immediately identifiable piece.

Exported from the 1970s to the United States and Europe, the MP-81 is now sought after for its ability to structure a space. It stands out as a focal point in an interior, engaging with contemporary architecture as well as more contrasting ensembles.

In this yellow leather and rosewood configuration, the MP-81 armchair illustrates a design approach where material, volume, and visual presence take precedence over any form of neutrality.