1970s Afra and Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Italian Lounge Chairs - Set of 2
View Similar Items
1970s Afra and Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Italian Lounge Chairs - Set of 2
About the Item
- Creator:Afra & Tobia Scarpa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 26 in (66.04 cm)Width: 18 in (45.72 cm)Depth: 38 in (96.52 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1962
- Condition:Minor losses. Very good vintage condition.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6573235949082
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.
- Giancarlo Piretti "Alky" Bouclé Shearling Lounge Chairs, a Pair, 1969By Giancarlo PirettiLocated in Brooklyn, NY"Alky" slipper lounge chairs designed by Giancarlo Piretti in 1969 and produced by Castelli. These chairs are newly re-upholstered in a soft boucle shearling. Foam with metal base. T...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBouclé
- Art Deco Finnish Lounge Chairs, Ivory Boucle, Made by Asko, Finland 1935By AskoLocated in Brooklyn, NYFinnish Lounge chairs produced by the manufacturer Asko Finland in 1935. The seats have been reupholstered in a sturdy Ivory Boucle fabric. The wood frame is painted black and has s...Category
Early 20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBouclé
$3,360 Sale Price / set26% Off - Mid Century Giancarlo Piretti "Alky" Chair Ivory Boucle, 1969, newly upholsteredBy Giancarlo PirettiLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis pair of mid century "Alky" slipper lounge chairs have been reupholstered in a beautiful Ivory Boucle. They were originally design by by Giancarlo Piretti in 1969 and manufacture...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBouclé
- Gio Ponti "Fireside" Chair Walnut and Rush Seat, 1930'sBy Gio PontiLocated in Brooklyn, NYGio Ponti designed chair with high ladder back typical of Ponti's style. Dark, stained wood frame with rush wicker seat. Manufactured for Casa E Giardino, Milan, Italy 1939.Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid-20TH Century Pinewood and Rush Chairs, France 1950sLocated in Brooklyn, NYThese chairs are made of a sturdy pine wood frame and have a traditional rush seating. The style is at once rustic/primitive and sophisticated as well.Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsRush, Pine
- Kaare Klint Safari Chairs for Rud Rasmussen in Ash and Canvas- a PairBy Kaare KlintLocated in Brooklyn, NYThese Safari chairs were designed by Danish designer Kaare Klint who is known as the father of Danish modernism. They were designed in the 1930s and manufactured by Rud Rasmussen in ...Category
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsCanvas, Ash
- Soriana Lounge Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1970s Set of 2By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Lasne, BEBrown leather and metal chairs designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa. Modèle: Soriana. Stamped Cassina. Seat height 41 cm. Wear due to time and age.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Soriana Lounge Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1970s Set of 2By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Lasne, BEArmchair in leather black and metal . Stamped Cassina. Wear due to time and age of the chair. Measure: Seat height 35cm.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pair Afra and Tobia Scarpa Soriana Lounge Chairs for Cassina, Italy 1970sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in London, GBWinner 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
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- 1970s Soriana Chaise Lounge by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Cassina ItalyBy Ettore Sottsass, Mario Bellini, Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in San Diego, CARare Soriana Lounge / Chaise by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy, 1970 Original Leather in great vintage condition. Structurally perfect and excellent foam condition. Conce...Category
20th Century Italian Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Soriana Lounge Chair Designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, 1970’sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Los Angeles, CASoriana lounge chair designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1970’s. Reupholstered in cognac leather. Original tags.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Mid-Century Soriana Lounge Chair, Tobia & Afra Scarpa Orignal Leather, 1970sBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Brussels, BEMid-century Soriana lounge chair, Tobia & Afra Scarpa orignal leather, 1970s.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather