Pair of Vintage Soriana Club Chairs and Ottoman by Tobia & Afra Scarpa
View Similar Items
Pair of Vintage Soriana Club Chairs and Ottoman by Tobia & Afra Scarpa
About the Item
- Creator:Afra & Tobia Scarpa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 27 in (68.58 cm)Width: 33 in (83.82 cm)Depth: 36 in (91.44 cm)Seat Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 3
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading. original fabric shows signs of wear/soiling.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: 14030580601835
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 furniture today on 1stDibs.
- "Bastiano" Lounge Chair by Tobia ScarpaBy Tobia ScarpaLocated in Los Angeles, CA"Bastiano" Lounge Chair by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina. Original Leather in Oxblood Brown. Italy; c1960sCategory
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
- Isherwood Chair by Lawson-FenningBy Lawson-FenningLocated in Los Angeles, CAThe Isherwood chair features a channel tufted body with loose seat and back cushions. The turned legs are made of solid white oak or American walnut and are inset on the sides reveal...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
$4,401 / item - Isherwood Chair by Lawson-FenningBy Lawson-FenningLocated in Los Angeles, CAThe Isherwood chair features a channel tufted body with loose seat and back cushions. The turned legs are made of solid white oak or American walnut and are inset on the sides reveal...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
$2,985 / item - Mesa Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Lawson-FenningBy Lawson-FenningLocated in Los Angeles, CAThe Mesa Lounge Chair is a fully upholstered club chair that features a walnut or oak inset base and is paired with a matching ottoman.Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsOak, Mohair
$5,600 / set - Mesa Lounge Chair by Lawson-FenningBy Lawson-FenningLocated in Los Angeles, CAThe Mesa lounge chair is a fully upholstered club chair that features a walnut or oak inset base. The Lawson-Fenning Collection is designed and hand...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Oak
$2,775 / item - Pair of Hans Wegner "GE375" Lounge ChairsBy Hans J. WegnerLocated in Los Angeles, CAPair of Hans Wegner: "GE375" Highback Chairs. Manufactured & Stamped by Getama, GedstedCategory
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Oak
$5,750 / set
- Soriana Lounge Chair by Afra and Tobia ScarpaBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Antwerp, BEAfra and Tobia Scarpa, reupholstered cognac aniline leather, Cassina, Italy, 1970s The Soriana collection was meant to express beauty and comfort by using a whole bundle of fabric...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina 'Soriana' Pair of Lounge Chairs, 1970'sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Antwerp, BEScarpa; Afra and Tobia Scarpa; Cassina; Italy; 1970's; Hollywood Regency; Minimalist; Italian Design; Afra and Tobia Scarpa, reupholstered cognac aniline leather, Cassina, Italy,...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Pair of Soriana Lounge Chairs, by Afra & Tobia ScarpaBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Sao Paulo, SPThis Soriana lounge chair is characterized by its substantial, bulbous form, enveloping the sitter in a voluminous, cushioned embrace. The use of soft, suede-like fabric in a rich, e...Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of Soriana Lounge Chairs, by Afra & Tobia ScarpaBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Los Angeles, CAWinner of the Compasso d’Oro award in 1970, the Soriana led Italian couple Afra and Tobia Scarpa to instant success. Together in 1968 they designed a pair of cloud-like chairs for lo...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of Soriana Lounge Chairs and Ottoman by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for CassinaBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Dallas, TXA pair of Soriana lounge chairs and ottoman in original black leather. Designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina.Category
Vintage 1970s Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Cassina Ciprea Lounge chairs by Tobia and Afra Scarpa, 1970s, ItalyBy Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Almelo, NLCassina Ciprea Lounge chairs by Tobia and Afra Scarpa, 1970s, Italy Beautiful lounge chairs made in Italy by Tobia and Afra Scarpa for Cassina in Italy...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsPlywood, Leather, Foam