Afra and Tobia Scarpa Early "Soriana" Sofa for Cassina, 1970s
About the Item
- Creator:Afra & Tobia Scarpa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 26.25 in (66.68 cm)Width: 66.25 in (168.28 cm)Depth: 39.5 in (100.33 cm)Seat Height: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent vintage condition. Brand new upholstery.
- Seller Location:Coronado, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8105238815942
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: San Diego, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Isamu Noguchi Freeform Sofa and Ottoman for Vitra, 2000sBy Isamu NoguchiLocated in Coronado, CAA sublime Freeform sofa by Isamu Noguchi, produced by Vitra circa 2002. This is a very early production example: the 33rd piece produced...Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBeech, Maple
- Finn Juhl Rare 'Model 9316' Sofa for Baker in Linen and Walnut, 1950sBy Finn JuhlLocated in Coronado, CAA highly uncommon and elegant 'Model 9316' sofa designed by Finn Juhl and manufactured in small numbers by Baker in the 1950s. This timeless design feature a highly tufted, lightly a...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLinen, Walnut, Feathers
- Pierre Paulin White Leather "Pumpkin" Sofa for Ligne Roset, 2008By Pierre PaulinLocated in Coronado, CAA stunning, sleek and super comfy "Pumpkin" sofa designed by Pierre Paulin in original, supple white leather. Paulin originally came up with this design for the private apartments of...Category
Early 2000s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Finn Juhl "Japan" Sofa in Teak and Shearling, 1957By Finn JuhlLocated in Coronado, CAFinn Juhl early "Japan" sofa produced by France & Daverkosen in 1957. This example in solid teak with luxurious sheepskin upholstery and original brass accents. The piece has been fu...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Paul Evans Sculpted Bronze and Mohair Custom Sofa, 1960sBy Paul EvansLocated in Coronado, CAHere's a piece for all the Paul Evans collectors out there. This sensational, sculpted bronze sofa came from the original owners who custom ordered the piece through Directional Furn...Category
Vintage 1960s American Brutalist Sofas
MaterialsBronze
- R.S Associates French Canadian Modular Leather Corner Sofa, 1970sBy RS AssociatesLocated in Coronado, CAAn absolute masterpiece, this divine, utterly rare sofa was designed and manufactured by R.S. Associates in Montreal in the 1970s. It consists of 3 pieces including 2 identical loves...Category
Vintage 1970s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Foam
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, 1970sBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Edogawa-ku Tokyo, JPAfra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, 1970s Very good condition and fabric that feels good to the touch. I can sent more detail pic...Category
Vintage 1970s Sofas
MaterialsChrome
- Soriana Sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1970sBy B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Lasne, BEBlack leather and metal sofa. Dimensions: Seat height 41cm. Wear due to time and ageCategory
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa, A large sofa, "Soriana", Cassina, 1970sBy Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Paris, FRAfra & Tobia Scarpa Soriana A brown velvet covered and metal framed sofa. Produced by Cassina. Cassina label underneath. Circa 1970. Italy. ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Sofas
MaterialsVelvet
- Cassina Soriana Sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Italy, 1970sBy Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated 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
- Cassina Soriana Sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Italy, 1970sBy Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Antwerp, BESofa; Afra; Tobia; Scarpa; Cassina; Soriana; Settee; Couch; Italy; 1970's; Hollywood Regency; Minimalist; Italian Design; Soriana sofa in original upholstery, designed by Afra &...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsWool
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, 1969By Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated 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