Afra & Tobia Scarpa Soriana Leather Sofa, Chairs and Ottomans by Cassina, 1970s
View Similar Items
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Soriana Leather Sofa, Chairs and Ottomans by Cassina, 1970s
About the Item
- Creator:Afra & Tobia Scarpa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 98 in (248.92 cm)Length: 28 in (71.12 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 5
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very good original condition.
- Seller Location:Miami, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU924021601492
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.
- Afra Tobia Scarpa Soriana Leather Sofa CassinaBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Miami, FLClassic Soriana sofá by Afra and Tobia Scarpa. Original brown leather upholstery. Retains Cassina labels.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Sculptural Bamboo Rattan Sofa 1970sLocated in Miami, FLA great bamboo sofa. We also have a matching pair of lounge chairs.Category
Vintage 1970s Philippine Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Bamboo
- Sculptural Bamboo Rattan Sofa 1970sLocated in Miami, FLA great bamboo sofa. We also have a matching pair of lounge chairs.Category
Vintage 1970s Philippine Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Bamboo
- Moroso Sofa Settee in IvoryBy MorosoLocated in Miami, FLThis are the “Piccolo” size the smallest size produced. We have a pair. Priced individually.Category
Early 2000s Italian Sofas
MaterialsAluminum
$3,500 / item - Tobia Scarpa Bronzed Andre Dinning Table for GavinaBy Tobia ScarpaLocated in Miami, FLAndre dining table by Scarpa, edited by Gavina. This table has a later custom bronze finish. Retain the leather cushions and gliders.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Dining Room Tables
MaterialsNickel
- Pair of Sculptural 1970s Bamboo Lounge ChairsBy Budji LayugLocated in Miami, FLA pair of 1970s bamboo lounge chairs. Modern approach to a timeless and noble material. Sofa also available.Category
Vintage 1970s Philippine Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Bamboo
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, 1969By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Lonigo, VenetoAfra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” three-seater sofa for Cassina, original brown leather and chromed steel, Italy, 1969. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model b...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsChrome
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, 1969By Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Lonigo, VenetoAfra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” two-seater sofa for Cassina, black leather, Italy, 1969. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model by the Italian duo Tobia an...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsIron
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, 1969By Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Lonigo, VenetoAfra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” three-seater for Cassina, velvet and chromed steel, Italy, 1969. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model by the Italian duo Tob...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsChrome
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, Champagne Leather, 1969By Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Lonigo, VenetoAfra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” two-seater sofa for Cassina, champagne leather, Italy, 1969. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model by the Italian duo Tobi...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsIron
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, Bouclé, 1969By Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Milan, ITAfra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, Bouclé Wool, 1969 The lustrous original chromed metal structure embraces the soft and voluptuous alpaca boucle' volumes in this Mid-C...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Sofas
MaterialsChrome
- Cassina 'Soriana' Four-Seater Sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa in Bouclé, 1970'sBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Antwerp, BECassina; Scarpa; Mid-Century Modern; Boucle Wool; Afra & Tobia Scarpa; Post-Modern; Postmodern Design; 1970s Design; Italy; Italian Design; Manufactured by Cassina in the 1970s, ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsChrome