Afra & Tobia Scarpa 'Soriana' Sofa in Patinated Brown Leather

Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 'Soriana' sofa, patinated brown leather, metal, Italy, 1969

Iconic sofa by Italian designer couple Afra & Tobia Scarpa. The Soriana proposes a model that institutionalizes the image of the informal sitting where everything has a soft line. Here the mass of the material and the backrest is supported and contained by a metal armor. The uncanny, original design that consists of the large cushions, the tufted surface creates a vibrant appearance. Beautiful details are the chromed metal parts which hold the cushions in place.

Afra (1937-2011) & Tobia (1935-) Scarpa are a duo of Italian architects and designers mostly known for their postmodern style. Afra Bianchin was born in 1937 in Montebelluna while Tobia Scarpa, son of the architect Carlo Scarpa, was born in 1935 in Venice. The couple met when they were both studying at the Venice Institute of Architecture and married afterwards. From 1957 until 1961, Tobia worked as a glass designer at the Murano glassworks of Venini. However, in 1960, the duo started to collaborate, and they set up one of the most successful and well-known professional studios. Together, they worked for companies such as Flos Gavina, B&B Italia, and Knoll. The couple won numerous amounts of awards like the Compasso d’Oro and the International Forum Design. Throughout their career, the duo carried out commissions for well-known companies, including Benetton. Overall, their designs are known for their modernist aesthetic, prioritizing elegance and comfort. However, at the same time, their pieces are admired for the ease with which they lean towards classical designs. Moreover, the creations show their deep understanding for materials. Today, many of their works can be found in major museums such as Museum of Mod­ern Art of New York, Musée du Lou­vre, National Museum of Design New York and many more.

Kindly note that this sofa is in used condition and shows patinated leather and wear. Please reach out to our design specialists for further information on the endless possibilities on reupholstery or restoration in our in-house atelier.

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