Percival Lafer MP-91 / 163 Earth Line 3 Seater

Designer / Manufacturer: Percival Lafer
Model: MP-91 / MP-163 (Earth Line) 3 Seater
Period: 1970s from Sau Paulo, Brazil
Material: Jatoba wood + your choice of leather or fabric.

Dimensions: L:75" x D:32" H:36" With a seat height of 14.5"

Sourced in Chicago, but originally manufactured in São Paulo and shipped to the USSR in the 1970s.

We always say that a piece of furniture’s story can be just as important as the piece itself. In this case, that’s true without much exaggeration.

As the story goes, this entire MP-91 collection was made in São Paulo, Brazil, built to order, and shipped to the Soviet Union in the 1970s. Somehow, a very well-connected family managed to acquire the set brand new. Keep in mind, getting your hands on imported luxury or designer furniture in the USSR at the time was no small feat.

We were told that this sofa, along with the matching loveseat we also acquired, essentially became the family babysitter. And after sitting in one, we understand why. These sofas cradle you so deeply that even an infant would have a difficult time escaping the depths of their comfort.

Eventually, the Soviet Union collapsed and the family relocated to the United States. They brought their art—and their babysitters—with them.

Not too long ago, the original owners began downsizing with age and finally decided to let go of the collection. Somehow, after traveling from São Paulo to the Soviet Union and eventually to the United States, it ended up with us in Chicago.

Now we get to prepare it for the next family, whoever that may be.

Restoration

These sofas have never been restored. No regluing, no attempted touch-ups, no previous upholstery work. At this point they’re hardly usable, and that’s music to our ears.

What we have here is an unadulterated and unmolested set of Percival Lafers. They’re giving us the rare opportunity to completely disassemble them without surprises, properly reglue the joints, update the foam, and reupholster the covers.

And that’s exactly what we’ll do.

The frames are made from jatobá, a Brazilian hardwood with a naturally lighter appearance than the dark rosewoods often associated with Brazilian furniture of this period. That gives us options. We can celebrate the lighter natural character of the wood or take the finish considerably darker. Your pick.

Price starts at $5,500 which includes the loveseat and restoration. Fabric or leather will be an additional cost.

From São Paulo, to the Soviet Union, to Chicago. To be restored by us.