Designed by Percival Lafer during the 1970s, the MP-81 lounge chair remains one of the defining icons of Brazilian modern design. This lower-back version, without the elevated headrest roll found on some variations, emphasizes a more horizontal and integrated silhouette while preserving the deeply relaxed seating experience that made the model internationally recognized.
The chair is constructed around a molded internal shell designed to support generous volumes of cushioning and deeply channeled upholstery. Rather than treating upholstery as surface treatment, Lafer approached comfort as the central architectural element of the design. The result is a deeply sculpted seat with pronounced tufting and a remarkably soft, enveloping seating experience.
This example is upholstered in original mustard leather, creating a strong visual contrast against the exposed Brazilian jatobá structure. Widely used in high-end Brazilian furniture production of the period, jatobá is known for its exceptional density, structural strength, and rich reddish-brown tone that deepens beautifully over time. Unlike lighter Scandinavian hardwoods, jatobá introduces a greater visual weight and warmth to the composition, reinforcing the bold material language that became characteristic of Brazilian modernism.
The exposed jatobá supports rise visibly along both sides of the chair and act as structural anchors for the upholstered body. Rather than concealing the mechanics of the construction, Lafer intentionally celebrated the relationship between soft upholstery and expressive timber structure, creating one of the most recognizable silhouettes in Brazilian seating design.
The lower profile of this variation allows the chair to sit comfortably within open interiors without interrupting visual continuity, making it particularly well suited for floating layouts and contemporary living spaces.
The chair remains in excellent vintage condition. The leather surfaces are clean and well preserved, with soft texture and an even tone throughout. The jatobá structure remains solid and stable, with beautifully preserved grain and clean structural detailing.
A highly expressive example of Brazilian modernism, where comfort, engineering, and sculptural form are resolved through material and structure.
Width: 37.5” (95 cm)
Depth: 35” (89 cm)
Height: 27.5” (70 cm)
Seat Height: 15.75” (40 cm)
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