"Soriana" Single Seat Chairs by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy 1969
About the Item
- Creator:Afra & Tobia Scarpa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 26.78 in (68 cm)Width: 34.26 in (87 cm)Depth: 38.59 in (98 cm)Seat Height: 15.75 in (40 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1969
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Utrecht, NL
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Utrecht, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- "Soriana" Sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy 1969By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Utrecht, NLThe iconic “Soriana” three-seater sofa was designed by the Italian designer duo, Afra and Tobia Scarpa in 1969. Besides its innovative manufacturing, visually, Soriana brings sophist...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Afra and Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Sofa, Italy, 1969By Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Utrecht, NL“Soriana” three seat bouclé sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa from Italy, 1969. The Post-Modern sofa was manufactured by Cassina and features three front metal clamps. The Soriana collec...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- "Soriana" Sofa in Green Velvet by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy 1969By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Utrecht, NLThe iconic “Soriana” three-seater sofa was designed by the Italian designer duo, Afra and Tobia Scarpa in 1969. Besides its innovative manufacturing, visually, Soriana brings sophist...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Afra and Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Two-Seater Sofa in Velour, Italy, 1969By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Utrecht, NLThe iconic “Soriana” sofa was designed by the Italian designer duo, Afra and Tobia Scarpa in 1969. Besides its innovative manufacturing, visually, Soriana brings sophisticated and le...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Afra and Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Sofa in Leather, Italy, 1969By Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Utrecht, NLThe iconic “Soriana” three-seater sofa was designed by the Italian designer duo, Afra and Tobia Scarpa in 1969. Besides its innovative manufacturing, visually, Soriana brings sophist...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Mario Bellini "Le Mura" Lounge Chair for Cassina, Italy, 1970sBy Mario BelliniLocated in Utrecht, NLItalian architect Mario Bellini is well known for creating monumental and conceptual pieces of design, such as the Camaleonda sofa (1971) and Il Colonnato table (1977). His architect...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Soriana Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1969By Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Brooklyn, NYDesigned by Afra and Tobia Scarpa in 1969 for Cassina, the Soriana lounge chair is a piece of design history. Here we have a completely original vintage example in original velvet co...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Soriana Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1969By Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Brooklyn, NYDesigned by Afra and Tobia Scarpa in 1969 for Cassina, the Soriana lounge chair is a piece of design history. Here we have a completely original vintage example in original velvet co...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Soriana Lounge Chair + Ottoman by Tobia + Afra Scarpa 1969 by Cassina, ItalyBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Munster, NRWLounge chair 'Soriana' with ottoman, designed in 1969 by Afra & Tobia Scarpa and manufactured by Cassina, Italy. The chrome-plated metal structure holds the foam structure firmly in...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Lounge Chairs for Cassina, 1969, Set of 2By Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Lonigo, VenetoAfra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" lounge chairs for Cassina, black leather and metal, Italy, 1969, set of two. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model by the Italian duo Tobia and Afra Scarpa is firmly associated with the next decade, when its popularity peaked. "Soriana" is low and invites you to sink into its curves. Its most notable feature, however, is the Minimalist structure in chromed steel. This external structure in steel rod keeps the cover taut using buttons...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Lounge Chairs for Cassina, 1969, Set of 2By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Lonigo, VenetoAfra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" lounge chairs for Cassina, original cognac leather, Italy, 1969, set of two. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model by the It...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Lounge Chairs for Cassina, 1969, Set of 2By Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Lonigo, VenetoAfra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” lounge chairs for Cassina, champagne leather, Italy, 1969, set of two. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model by the Italian d...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsIron