Soriana Pouf in Original Tan Leather by Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy, 1970
About the Item
- Creator:Cassina (Manufacturer),Afra & Tobia Scarpa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 14.97 in (38 cm)Width: 35.44 in (90 cm)Depth: 29.53 in (75 cm)Seat Height: 14.97 in (38 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1970
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Pijnacker, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1712223531652
Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Widely recognized as superstars of postmodern Italian design, husband-and-wife team Afra and Tobia Scarpa (1937–2011; b. 1935) collaboratively created chairs, sofas and other furniture that work equally well in both traditional and cutting-edge environments.
Ranging from architecture and interior design to furniture and clothing, the Scarpas’ practice from its beginnings in the mid-1950s to the 21st century has included a diverse scope of projects combining new technology with thoughtful function and sculptural yet simple forms.
Afra Bianchin and Tobia Scarpa met as architecture students at the Università Iuav di Venezia. In a class led by architect and furniture designer Franco Albini, they created their first collaborative piece, the Pigreco armchair, later produced with Gavina. After graduating in 1957, Tobia worked for Murano glass company Venini & Co. before the couple opened a studio in Afra’s hometown, Montebelluna, in 1960. (Tobia, the son of famed glass artist and architect Carlo Scarpa, was born in Venice.)
For Afra and Tobia, a close collaborative process was pivotal to the success of their designs. The duo was also prolific — they designed for the most influential European manufacturers, including B&B Italia, Cassina, Knoll and FLOS. With respect to the latter, Afra and Tobia were among the legendary Italian lighting maker’s earliest collaborators, and their pioneering designs for the brand included the Papillon lamp, one of the first fixtures to use halogen technology. Their most recognized designs include the Bastiano sofa (1962), the Vanessa bed (1959), the Coronado sofa (1966) and the Soriana seating collection (1970). Work on the Soriana sofa began in late 1969 for an early 1970 debut, and it feels as radical today as it did in its heyday.
Architecture was also a central part of Afra and Tobia’s practice, which spanned residential buildings and factories for Italian companies such as Benetton. Their commissions for the global fashion brand included numerous industrial projects, from textile plants to storefronts. By 1985, Afra and Tobia Scarpa’s work was celebrated in a 30-year retrospective at Center Four in Queens, New York. Looking around the 30,000-square-foot exhibition space, Afra joked to the New York Times, “Seeing all those things makes us feel very tired, and now we feel that maybe we worked too much.”
It was not too much for their legacy, as Afra and Tobia Scarpa’s work continues to inspire new generations. Scarpa designs are in collections at the Louvre, the Museum of Modern Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum. The couple was awarded the Compasso d’Oro in 1970 for the Soriana armchair.
Find vintage Afra & Tobia Scarpa lounge chairs, dining chairs, floor lamps and other furniture today on 1stDibs.
Cassina
Furniture manufacturer Cassina is a prolific design house for more reasons than one: It not only owns the licenses to an exquisite collection of iconic chairs, sofas, tables and other pieces from the 20th and 21st centuries but also produces original works that are characterized by innovation and the finest Italian craftsmanship.
Cassina’s illustrious legacy includes being one of the first companies to bring industrial design to Italy in the 1950s. Founded in 1927 in Meda, Italy, by brothers Cesare and Umberto Cassina, the Italian manufacturing giant originally specialized in bespoke woodworking. In nearly a century since its founding, the company has shown incredible foresight about design trends and the evolution of technology.
In 1964, Cassina signed an exclusive licensing agreement to manufacture furniture by Le Corbusier and his collaborators — such as the LC4 chaise longue made with trailblazing French modernist Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret — a move that would shape the future of the company. Cassina’s I Maestri collection is an ongoing initiative to restyle landmark designs from the 20th century, such as pieces by Gerrit Rietveld (the Red and Blue armchair from 1918), Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Erik Gunnar Asplund, Franco Albini and Frank Lloyd Wright. The company preserves the intentions and original styles of their designs but adds updated techniques, materials and processes — rendering them the best possible combination of past, present and future. The brand has also worked with contemporary icons like Zaha Hadid, Gio Ponti and Philippe Starck.
Cassina’s original designs are cutting-edge as well. They include pieces for everyday use, the development of which is guided by comfort and the marriage of Italian craftsmanship with industrial technology.
Some of Cassina’s pieces, both from its contemporary and I Maestri collections, can be found in the collections of museums like the Museum of Modern Art and the Vitra Design Museum. In 2014, the company became part of Haworth in its acquisition of Italian furniture group Poltrona Frau, and in 2015, Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola joined Cassina as its art director, leading the brand into its next century of inventive style.
Find a collection of new and vintage Cassina furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Pijnacker, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Soriana Chair and Ottoman by Tobia Scarpa for Cassina Black Leather, Italy, 1969By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Pijnacker, Zuid-HollandGorgeous Soriana chair and pouf by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy, circa 1970. The set has been reupholstered in very high-end soft Italian calf skin leather. Please note: t...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- BASTIANO Sofa in black leather by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for KNOLL – Italy, 1962By Knoll, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Pijnacker, Zuid-HollandBASTIANO Sofa in black leather and solid walnut by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for KNOLL – Italy, 1962 Designer: Afra and Tobia Scarpa Manufacturer: KNOLL Country: Italy Model: Bastiano three seat sofa Design period: 1975 Date of manufacturing: circa 1960-70 Material: Leather / Solid walnut Condition: Good / refinished wood / normal signs of age and use / some crackle in the leather / No tears or holes Introducing the Knoll Bastiano...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Africa Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Italy - 1975, set of 8By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Pijnacker, Zuid-HollandArtona series Africa dining chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto – Italy, 1970’s. Amazing set of 8 Africa chairs made of Italian Walnut with black leather seats and brass detail...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Set of six Mario Bellini CAB 412 chairs by Cassina in tan leather- Italy, 1977By Cassina, Mario BelliniLocated in Pijnacker, Zuid-HollandIntroducing the Mario Bellini for Cassina CAB 412 Chairs in Luxurious Leather: Elevate your living space with the epitome of Italian design and craftsmanship - the Mario Bellini Cassina CAB 412 chairs in sumptuous leather. These chairs are not just furniture; they are exquisite pieces of art that seamlessly blend form and function to create an unparalleled seating experience. Designer: Mario Bellini Manufacturer: Cassina Model: Cab 412 Design period: 1977 Date of manufacturing: circa 1970-80 Size WDH in cm: 47x44x81 seat height 44,5 cm. Material: Leather Condition: Good / Signs of age and use / Wear along the edges Price: On request The Cassina 412...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Rare Bull Sofa in Terra Alcantara by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina Italy, 1987By Cassina, Gianfranco FrattiniLocated in Pijnacker, Zuid-HollandElegant two-seat loveseat designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina in 1987 and is covered in beautiful terracotta alcantara. The integrated headrests curve around to envelop the sitter. Designed with individually zippered upholstery panels to allow for different fabrics or leathers to be combined. Sits on four black lacquered turned wood feet. This model is no longer in production and was only produced for 1 year. They are documented in the famous Italian Reportorio book. The inside is a metal tubular structure completely covered with foam for super comfortable seating pleasure. The sofa has a high comfort level and is not on the market often. Designer: Gianfranco Frattini Manufacturer: Cassina Country: Italy Model: Bull sofa...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUltrasuede
- Mario Bellini Rare model Pianura living room set by Cassina, Italy – 1971By Cassina, Mario BelliniLocated in Pijnacker, Zuid-HollandThe Pianura living room set by Mario Bellini for CASSINA is a beautifully designed and stylish collection of furniture pieces that can transform your living room into a luxurious and...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Soriana Pouf by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1970sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Antwerp, BEScarpa; Afra & Tobia Scarpa; Soriana; Cassina; Pouf; Ottoman; Red Fabric; 1970s; Mid-Century Modern; Italian Design; Italy; Pair of red Soriana poufs des...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsChrome
- Soriana Ottoman by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy, 1970sBy Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Renens, CHSoriana pouf or ottoman by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina. Original 1970s cognac leather. The pouf can be easily moved around since it has castors atta...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsMetal
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Soriana Ottoman, Cassina, 1970sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Paris, FRAfra & Tobia Scarpa Soriana A very beautiful ottoman of square shape with rounded corners. Covered with its original brown velvet in very good condition. On four castor feet....Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsVelvet
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa, a Soriana Ottoman, Cassina, 1970sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Paris, FRAfra & Tobia Scarpa Soriana A very beautiful ottoman of square shape with rounded corners. Covered with its original brown velvet in very good condition. On four castor feet....Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsVelvet
- Afra and Tobia Scarpa Soriana Leather Ottoman for CassinaBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Chicago, ILAfra and Toba Scarpa Soriana Cassina Pouf or Ottoman c1970s; Modern; Italian Original black leather in excellent condition. The ottoman can be easily moved around since it has cast...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsLeather
- Soriana Leather Ottoman by Tobia Scarpa for CassinaBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Cincinnati, OHA saddle colored leather ottoman on rollers with tufted and stretched form having chromed metal banding to each end. An iconic piece of 1970's Italian design by Afra and Tobia Scarpa...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsLeather
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Billy Cotton Layers His Interiors with Lived-In Comfort
The Brooklyn-based designer is adept at styles ranging from austere to over-the-top, espousing an architectural, detail-oriented approach also evident in his line of furniture and lighting.