Soriana by Afra e Tobia Scarpa, Italy 1970
View Similar Items
Soriana by Afra e Tobia Scarpa, Italy 1970
About the Item
- Creator:Afra & Tobia Scarpa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 24.81 in (63 cm)Width: 35.44 in (90 cm)Depth: 35.44 in (90 cm)Seat Height: 13.78 in (35 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970
- Condition:Minor structural damages.
- Seller Location:Piacenza, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1031632705902
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.
- Midcentury Soriana sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy 1969By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Piacenza, ItalySet composed by two seater sofa and two ottoman by Afra e Tobia Scarpa for Cassina. Original label Cassina. The idea for this armchair that changed the face of upholstered furniture ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Midcentury wall light model "802" by Tobia Scarpa for Venini, Italy 1970By Venini, Tobia ScarpaLocated in Piacenza, ItalyRare single Midcentury wall light model "802" by Tobia Scarpa for Venini, Italy 1970 Stunning hand blown glass and metal structure. This light can be re-oriented to point up as wel...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
$6,590 Sale Price20% Off - Midcentury Wall Mirror by Sergio Mazza Italy, 1970By Sergio MazzaLocated in Piacenza, ItalyWall mirror designed by Sergio Mazza with a round shape entirely in galvanized aluminum. Italian production of the 1970s.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsChrome, Aluminum
- Midcentury bar cart by Lorenzo Burchiellaro, Italy 1970By Lorenzo BurchiellaroLocated in Piacenza, ItalyCubic-shaped bar cart with original metal frame that presents a circular void on each side, this cart has two glass tops and four wheels. The item is signed. Italy, 1970sCategory
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
MaterialsAluminum
- Midcentury Italian Bamboo Coffee Table by Lyda Levi, 1970Located in Piacenza, ItalyStunning large coffee table made of bamboo with original glass top, this beautiful piece was designed by Lyda Levi in 1970 ca. This table can be combined with the whole set includin...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBamboo, Glass
- Midcentury Italian Bamboo Coffee Tables by Lyda Levi, 1970Located in Piacenza, ItalyStunning small coffee tables made of bamboo with original glass top, this beautiful pieces was designed by Lyda Levi in circa 1970 These tables can match with the whole set includin...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsGlass, Bamboo
- Cassina Soriana Sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Italy, 1970sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Antwerp, BESoriana Sofa; Scarpa; Afra & Tobia Scarpa; Cassina; Italy; 1970s; Hollywood Regency; Minimalist; Italian Design; Afra and Tobia Scarpa Soriana lounge chair...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsChrome
- Soriana Lounge Chair Designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, 1970’sBy Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated 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
- 1970s Soriana Chaise Lounge by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Cassina ItalyBy Cassina, Mario Bellini, Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Ettore SottsassLocated 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 Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Original Fabric, Italy, 1970sBy Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in London, GBA superb pair of original Soriana chairs, designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa and produced by Cassina in the 1970s. These examples are a rare find indeed - all in great condition with or...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- 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
- 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