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Price category: 7,500 - 10,000 usd / eur

Designed in the 1950s by Aake Anttila and manufactured by Lahti Lepokaulusto, this “Susanna” sofa is a wonderful commemoration of Finnish mid-century design. While Finnish design is often associated with strict functionalism, many designers introduced a greater sense of comfort and informality into their work, particularly in upholstered furniture.

Aake Antilla was one of a group of people that established Lepokalusto in 1953. Antilla was in charge of designing all of the furniture in the first few years - including this sofa model - which immediately caught the attention of the press. This sofa combines a low, elongated profile and gently sculpted silhouette. The body is fully upholstered, with a continuous line running along the backrest, creating a soft form. The backrest features subtle button tufting, adding a layer of texture and rhythm without disrupting the overall simplicity. The seat is broad and padded, emphasizing comfort while maintaining a clean horizontal line. Gentle, rounded lines characterise the design with a solid wooden structure that is seemingly simple. In reality, the engineering is quite remarkable, from the way the legs are formed to how the back connects to them and supports the upholstered cushion. The legs lift the sofa just enough to prevent it from appearing heavy, a common technique in mid-century design to balance volume with visual clarity. The upholstery completes the model, with the brown tone perfectly complementing the colour of the wood.

The “Susanna” sofa appeared in Lahden Lepokalusto’s first catalogue and it quickly became beloved in Finland, foreshadowing the success the company would soon achieve. Its form encourages use, with a relaxed posture that feels natural. This kind of balance, between comfort and control, is what gives the design its lasting appeal, allowing it to sit comfortably within both period interiors and more contemporary settings without feeling out of place.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Some scratches and marks on the wood. The sofa has recently been reupholstered. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.

Dimensions:

63.77 in W x 24.6 in D x 32.48 in H; Seat height 16.14 in

162 cm W x 62.5 cm D x 82.5 cm H; Seat height 41 cm

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Price category: 7,500 - 10,000 usd / eur

Throughout the 20th century, Italian design managed to distinguish itself. The 1960s was a boom time in Italy especially, a decade of mass production and innovation that signaled the end of the post-war rebuilding programme. Still, one off designs and the overflow of creativity were just as present, giving birth to outstanding pieces such as this modular “Superonda” sofa.

The “Superonda” sofa, designed in 1967 by the radical Florentine design collective Archizoom Associati, and produced for Poltronova, is a pioneering piece that challenged the conventions of traditional furniture design. The Superonda blurs the line between object and artwork, inviting interaction rather than passive use. It can serve as a sofa, a bed, or a chaise, making it as versatile as it is visually striking. Composed of two interlocking, elements, the Superonda departs from the conventional frames, legs, and backs, instead offering a sculptural, modular form that can be arranged in multiple ways. Its bold, wave-like silhouette reflects the playfulness of the Italian Radical Design movement, a rebellion against bourgeois taste and rigid functionalism.

Produced by Poltronova, a manufacturer known for championing avant-garde Italian design, the Superonda remains an unforgettable piece in design history. Its enduring relevance lies in its conceptual boldness, embodying the ideals of a generation that sought to redefine the relationship between people and their environments. Today, the Superonda stands not only as a collectible design icon but as a symbol of radical creativity and the power of design to question societal norms.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The sofa has recently been reupholstered in a premium fabric. Each of our items can be reupholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.

Dimensions:

94.88 in W x 44.88 in D x 15.74 in H

241 cm W x 114 cm D X 40 cm H

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Price category: 9,000 - 12,500 usd / eur‎

Though the advent of new materials like plastic, foam, and fibreglass revolutionized the production process, Scandinavian designers still valued craft over industrialization. This sculptural sofa is a beautiful evidence of this heritage and the mastery of Danish cabinetmakers.

Many of the most renowned Danish designers were trained architects as well. This knowledge and training can be clearly traced in the structure of this stunning sofa. Many elements emblematic of mid-century design are also apparent: sleek lines, simple geometries, an open layout, and the impeccable quality of the materials and craftsmanship. The design is defined by its angles, starting with the tilted back and the raised seat towards the front. The sculptural wooden arms and legs follow these lines, creating visual balance. The mostly rounded edges are broken by the pair of straight stretchers set between the front and the back legs. The button tufting on the backrest rhymes greatly with the long horizontal lines, and is a stylish feature in itself as well. Though mid-century Danish manufacturers may not have the name recognition as designers do in the mass market, they were evidently just as integral in developing a modern aesthetic in Europe. The sleek and stylish look of this sofa, from the unique wooden frame to the upholstered body and the visible joinery, embodies this aesthetic.

The designer of this model clearly prized the marriage of form and function. Young Scandinavian designers still look to the mid-century masters for inspiration, which should come as no surprise looking at this sofa.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The sofa has been reupholstered recently in a premium fabric.

Dimensions:

72.44 in W x 33.85 in D x 29.92 in H; Seat height 13,77 in

184 cm W x 86 cm D x 76 cm H; Seat height 35 cm

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Price category: 7,500 - 10,000 usd / eur

This elegant three-seater sofa is a quintessential example of mid-century Italian design. Visually, it represents modernism by rejecting the common design choices of the past, such as heavy ornamentation and the prioritisation of form over function.

The design elements of this sofa - from the curved lines, to the dark wood and luxurious upholstery - not only create an intimate gathering place, but also define the look of a room whilst keeping the warmth and cosiness that is often associated with mid-century design. The piece aims to maximise comfort while putting an emphasis on elegance and refinement. With its high winged-backrest the sofa combines both form and function. Originally intended to shield the sitters from drafts, the wingback design also contributes to the stately silhouette. The understated tone of the upholstery allows the sculptural lines of the sofa to stand out, while still offering a neutral look that will integrate seamlessly into both contemporary and vintage interiors. The seat cushion is generously padded, providing a balance of comfort and support. Further adding to the stability are the tapered wooden legs that the piece rests on, the dark tone of the wood subtly elevates the design and reflects the minimalist aesthetic of the era. Free from unnecessary decoration, the aesthetic of this sofa is sleek, elegant, and modern. With its interesting shape, it is perfect to break the rigour of any space, keeping an elegant appearance elevated by the light upholstery.

Though many mid-century Italian designers may not have the name recognition as some of their Scandinavian counterparts, they were integral to developing a modern aesthetic in Europe. The appreciation for their contribution is still growing today making outstanding Italian pieces like this sofa highly sought after.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The sofa has been reupholstered recently in a premium fabric. Each of our items can be reupholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.

Dimensions:

77.55 in W x 36.22 in D x 36.41 in H; Seat height 20.07 in; Seat depth 20.66 in; Arm height 22.44 in

197 cm W x 92 cm D x 92.5 cm H; Seat height 51 cm; Seat depth 52.5 cm; Arm height 57 cm

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Price category: 20,000 - 30,000 usd / eur

‎‎

The “Camaleonda” (Italian word play combining the words for ‘chameleon’ and ‘wave’) sofa is Mario Bellini’s contemporary classic. The playful, modular design offers endless options for the user, which also inspired the model’s name. Camaleonda has passed through five decades of design history as a true icon.

The elements that made this sofa a contemporary classic are the individual modules, their original cutting patterns and the polyurethane padding that forms the characteristic capitonné (a style of upholstery in which the material is drawn in at intervals) design. The four separate segments of this “Camaleonda” were manufactured with the innovative system of cables, hooks, and rings created by Bellini in 1970, which defines the characteristic look and modularity. The fundamental characteristic of Camaleonda is specifically this unlimited modularity, a geometric pattern that allows each element to become an enormous pixel through which to define your home environment. The four modules’ versatility and the attached tie-rods and rings make it possible to create custom forms. Furthermore, the modules can be unhooked and recombined at will, allowing the sofa to adapt to an evolving taste and needs. A concept which is dear to Mario Bellini: “Of all the objects I have designed, Camaleonda is perhaps the best in terms of its sense of freedom. There are infinite numbers of possible configurations.”

The modules of this sofa defined the aesthetics of an entire era of interior design, and are constantly featured in most international design. Considering the inherently modern and innovative design, this shall comes as no surprise.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The four modules are upholstered in a brown velour fabric. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.

Dimensions:

Large segments:

147.63 in W x 37.79 in D x 26.37 in H; Seat height 15.35 in; Arm height 19.68 in

375 cm W x 96 cm D x 67 cm H; Seat height 39 cm; Arm height 50 cm

Literature:

Domus n. 523, giugno 1973, pubblicità; G. Gramigna, Repertorio del design italiano 1950 - 1980, Milano 1985, p. 341.

About the designer:

Mario Bellini (born February 1, 1935, Milan) is an internationally renowned Italian architect and designer. He received the Golden Compass Award eight times and the Medaglia d’Oro, that was conferred on him by the President of the Italian Republic. The MoMA in New York already dedicated a personal retrospective exhibition to him in 1987. At the time the museum already included 25 of his works in its permanent collection, including a remarkable set of Olivetti machines as well as the furniture for B&B and Cassina.

He graduated from the Milan Polytechnic - Faculty of Architecture in 1959 and began working as an architect himself in the early 1960s. Like many other Italian architects, his activities range from architecture and urban planning to product and furniture design.

His career as a product and furniture designer began in 1963, and from 1963 to 1991 he was chief design consultant for Olivetti. For many years he designed furnishing products and systems for B&B Italia and Cassina, TV sets for Brionvega, and hi-fi systems, headphones and electric organs for Yamaha. Bellini was also the editor of Domus magazine between 1985 and 1991.

Since the 1980s, Bellini has been dedicating himself to architecture almost exclusively, designing a wide range of buildings all around the world, including the Portello Trade Fair district in Milan, the Tokyo Design Centre in Japan, the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, the Deutsche Bank Headquarters in Frankfurt, and the Department of Islamic Art at the Louvre in Paris to just name a few. In 2015 the Milan Triennale awarded him the Gold Medal for his career in architecture and in 2017 dedicated a retrospective exhibition to him. Contemporary Italian design has been synonymous with Mario Bellini’s name ever since the 1960s. ~H.

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Price category: 20,000 - 30,000 usd / eur

‎

The iconic “Soriana” three-seater sofa was designed by the Italian designer duo, Afra and Tobia Scarpa in 1969. Besides its innovative manufacturing, visually,Soriana brings sophisticated and leisurely comfort to any home.

This post-modern sofa was manufactured by Cassina as part of the eponymous line that reached the coveted ‘iconic’ title soon after its launch. The award-winning design features three front metal clamps by which all soft curves and loose leather upholstery are held together, a particularly original detail that creates a sense of barely contained softness. The Soriana collection was meant to express beauty and comfort by using a whole bundle of fabric held by chrome-plated steel clamps. The defining upholstered body features tufted buttons all over it, which visually sections the sofa, while also adding depth to accentuate the softness. The interesting pairing of the metal clamps with the luxurious dark leather creates the nowadays especially coveted post-modern look. For all its casual overtures, this sofa model remains a statement piece — an icon of contemporary design

The “Soriana Chair” was the first piece designed in the collection, and for its design in 1970, it won the Compasso d'Oro, one of the most important design awards of that time. The design has been reissued by Cassina recently, with the aim of recovering and safeguarding the works of Afra and Tobia Scarpa.

Condition:

In very good condition. The sofa is upholstered in premium leather. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.

Dimensions:

96.06 in W x 35.43 in D x 32.67 in H; Seat Height 21.65 in

244 cm W x 90 cm D x 83 cm H; Seat height 55 cm

Literature:

G. Gramigna, Repertorio del Design Italiano 1950-2000 per l’Arredamento Domestico. Turin: Allemandi 2003, p. 318

G. Bosoni, Made in Cassina. Milan: Skira, 2008, pp. 200-201.

About the designers:

Afra and Tobia Scarpa graduated at the Istituto Universitario di Architettura in Venice and formed one of the most successful and known professional associations. Their works can be found in museums across the USA and Europe such as the MoMA and the Louvre. Their designs like the Soriana sofa exhibit a decidedly modernist aesthetic, prioritizing pared-back elegance and comfort. At the same time, the Scarpas are admired for the ease with which their designs complement both classical and cutting-edge interiors.

The Soriana was created for the Italian manufacturing company Cassina, which is often credited with introducing industrial design to Italy and has built an international reputation for collaborating with some of the world’s most respected designers, including Afra and Tobia Scarpa.

The husband-and-wife duo’s products played an important role in the history of Italian Design and are thriving in the Mid-Century market. The Soriana sofa is a collectors’ piece and part of the history of Italian design destined to increase in value with the time. A piece of true Italian Modernism. ~H.

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Price category: 7,500 - 10,000 usd / eur

Carl Malmsten devoted his life to the renewal of Swedish craftsmanship, inspired to create furniture endowed with a creative simplicity, with functionality in mind and a high technical quality. His talent to innovate and produce unique pieces is showcased in his design of the “Hemmakväll” sofa.

From 1956 onward, O.H. Sjögren's Upholstery Workshop in Tranås became one of Carl Malmsten’s key production hubs that met all of the quality standards required. Their collaboration was followed by his exhibition at the Röhsska Museum of Design and Craft in Gothenburg where he showcased, for the first time, furniture designed for serial production. One of these series was dedicated to the family home, and included the “Hemmakväll” sofa (other items in the same series are also recognisable Malmsten pieces, such as “Farmor” and “Lillasyter”). This series inspired by familiar comforts evokes a special feeling or mood, which is also reflected in how he named his designs. “Hemmakväll” translates to “Home Evening”, evoking cosiness, joy and expressing the act of a family gathering. The design of this sofa aims to maximise comfort and function, while simultaneously putting an emphasis on elegance and refinement. This is most visible in the round, welcoming body and the eye-catching parallel lines of tufted buttons, all enhanced by the luxurious fabric of the sofa. The complementary geometrical pillows are accent pieces that add visual interest through a variation of textures, colours, and shapes. The sofa’s short, pine wood legs add a modern and organic feel, balancing out the voluptuous profile of the piece.

Carl Malmsten was - and still is - one of the most famous furniture designers in Sweden, who was also active in the cultural and political sphere of the country. He had a lasting influence on Swedish and contemporary furniture design, and was known for his devotion to ‘slöjd’ (traditional Swedish craftsmanship), which is visible in every one of his models. With this sofa, the ‘slöjd’ is combined with modern elements and luxurious upholstery to create stylish pieces with longevity for generations to come.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The pillows are newly produced. The sofa has been reupholstered recently in a premium fabric. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.

Dimensions:

80.3 in W x 33.1 in D x 33.3 in H; Seat height 16.1 in; Seat depth 20.9 in; Arm height 24.4 in

204 cm W x 84 cm D x 84.5 cm H; Seat height 41 cm; Seat depth 53 cm; Arm height 62 cm

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Price category: 20,000 - 30,000 usd / eur

‎

The iconic “Soriana” three-seater sofa was designed by the Italian designer duo, Afra and Tobia Scarpa in 1969. Besides its innovative manufacturing, visually,Soriana brings sophisticated and leisurely comfort to any home.

This post-modern sofa was manufactured by Cassina as part of the eponymous line that reached the coveted ‘iconic’ title soon after its launch. The award-winning design features three front metal clamps by which all soft curves and loose leather upholstery are held together, a particularly original detail that creates a sense of barely contained softness. The Soriana collection was meant to express beauty and comfort by using a whole bundle of fabric held by chrome-plated steel clamps. The defining upholstered body features tufted buttons all over it, which visually sections the sofa, while also adding depth to accentuate the softness. The interesting pairing of the metal clamps with the luxurious dark fabric creates the nowadays especially coveted post-modern look. For all its casual overtures, this sofa model remains a statement piece — a true icon of contemporary, or just simply, design.

The “Soriana Chair” was the first piece designed in the collection, and for its design in 1970, it won the Compasso d'Oro, one of the most important design awards of that time. The design has been reissued by Cassina recently, with the aim of recovering and safeguarding the works of Afra and Tobia Scarpa.

Condition:

In very good condition. The sofa is upholstered in premium grey fabric. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.

Dimensions:

98.81 in W x 39.76 in D x 26.96 in H; Seat Height 14.96 in

251 cm W x 101 cm D x 68.5 cm H; Seat height 38 cm

Literature:

G. Gramigna, Repertorio del Design Italiano 1950-2000 per l’Arredamento Domestico. Turin: Allemandi 2003, p. 318

G. Bosoni, Made in Cassina. Milan: Skira, 2008, pp. 200-201.

About the designers:

Afra and Tobia Scarpa graduated at the Istituto Universitario di Architettura in Venice and formed one of the most successful and known professional associations. Their works can be found in museums across the USA and Europe, such as the MoMA and the Louvre. Their designs like the Soriana sofa exhibit a decidedly modernist aesthetic, prioritizing pared-back elegance and comfort. At the same time, the Scarpas are admired for the ease with which their designs complement both classical and cutting-edge interiors.

The Soriana was created for the Italian manufacturing company Cassina, which is often credited with introducing industrial design to Italy and has built an international reputation for collaborating with some of the world’s most respected designers, including Afra and Tobia Scarpa.

The husband-and-wife duo’s products played an important role in the history of Italian Design and are thriving in the Mid-Century market. The Soriana sofa is a collectors’ piece and part of the history of Italian design, destined to increase in value with the time. A piece of true Italian Modernism. ~H.

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Price category: 9,000 - 12,500 usd / eur‎

‎‎‎

The “Laila” models from the series by the Finnish designer Ilmari Lappalainen originates from 1948, with the earliest original drawings kept in the Lahti City Museum in their Lappalainen Collection. Designed in the halcyon phase of what we know today as mid-century modern, this charming sofa is a unique evidence of how traditional Finnish craftsmanship was brought into modernism.

This sofa is from the Finnish designer’s most famous series called “Laila”. The design became sought after by collectors even in its production time, which is quite rare in the case of Nordic mid-century modern furniture. Lappalainen was a renowned designer, famous for his designs’ comfort. Some of his designs even received medical approval because they had such a good seating that it prevented back problems. As an essentially Finnish modern piece, this sofa is built around the core characteristics of the era: gently rounded edges, tapered wooden legs, and a generous, fully upholstered body. The style was modelled on the Swedish and Danish furniture of the time, including the round edges and generous seat cushion and back with three large tufted buttons. In the absence of ornamentation, the three large tufted buttons on the back stand out, creating depth as they sink into the textured green fabric. The design has the “classic Nordic look”, which explains the contemporary popularity of this sofa both among the public and museums. The modern aesthetic is further elevated by the textured, premium upholstery that complements the shape and the wooden, tapered legs as well.

Wood is omnipresent in the Nordics, and Finnish woodworking is world-famous for its traditions. This sofa was created for Asko, the Finnish furniture manufacturing company founded in 1918 by Aukusti Asko Avonius, known for the production of high-quality furniture. By 1930 the company had developed into the largest furniture chain in Finland and the largest supplier of furniture in the Scandinavian countries. Favourites of this time included Ilmari Lappalainen’s Laila series, including this stylish sofa.

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The sofa has been reupholstered recently in a premium fabric. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.

Dimensions:

61.02 in W x 31.88 in D x 31.49 in H; Seat height 16.92 in; Arm height 22.04 in

155 cm W x 81 cm D x 80 cm H; Seat height 43 cm; Arm height 56 cm

About the Designer:

Ilmari Lappalainen (1918-2006) was a great Finnish designer whose most active working years were from the end of the 1940s until the end of the 1970s.

Lappalainen first graduated as a teacher of woodworking in 1939, followed by a degree in interior design in 1947. By the end of the school of interior design, he was already working as an intern in Asko and after graduating he got a permanent design position at the company. Lappalainen worked as a teacher and as an interior designer for Asko's department stores, public spaces and hotels.

Lappalainen's most popular products / series are the Laila sofa set, the Seija rocking chair, the lazy castle Rex and the Pulkka armchair. Interestingly, the chairs from the Columna series were sold as health chairs for a long time, because they had such a good ergonomic design, that it prevented back problems. The chairs eventually received medical approval as well. ~H.

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Price category: 20,000 - 30,000 usd / eur

‎

The “Camaleonda” (Italian word play on ‘chameleon’ and ‘wave’) sofa is Mario Bellini’s contemporary classic. The playful, modular design offers endless options for the user, which also inspired the model’s name. Camaleonda has passed through five decades of design history as a true icon.

The modules of the sofa defined the aesthetics of an entire era of interior design, and are constantly featured in most international design. The elements that have made this sofa a contemporary classic are the individual modules, their original cutting patterns and the polyurethane padding that forms the characteristic capitonné (a style of upholstery in which the material is drawn in at intervals) design. The four separate segments of this “Camaleonda” were manufactured with the innovative system of cables, hooks and rings created by Bellini in 1970, which defines the characteristic look and modularity.

The fundamental characteristic of Camaleonda is its unlimited modularity, a geometric pattern that allows each element to become an enormous pixel through which to define your home environment. The four modules’ versatility and the attached tie-rods and rings make it possible to create custom forms. Furthermore, the modules can be unhooked and recombined at will, allowing the sofa to adapt to an evolving taste and needs. A concept which is dear to Mario Bellini: “Of all the objects I have designed, Camaleonda is perhaps the best in terms of its sense of freedom. There are infinite numbers of possible configurations.”

Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The four modules have their original dark brown upholstery in good condition. Fabric has small traces of wear, with uneven fading. Please reach out to us for reupholstery possibilities.

Dimensions:

Big segment:

37.40 in W x 37.40 in D x 27.55 in H (with back)

95 cm W x 95 cm D x 70 cm H (with back)

Small segment:

37.80 in W x 26 in D x 15.75 in H

96 cm W x 66 cm D x 40 cm H

Literature:

Domus n. 523, giugno 1973, pubblicità; G. Gramigna, Repertorio del design italiano 1950 - 1980, Milano 1985, p. 341.

About the designer:

Mario Bellini (born February 1, 1935, Milan) is an internationally renowned Italian architect and designer. He received the Golden Compass Award eight times and the Medaglia d’Oro, that was conferred on him by the President of the Italian Republic. The MoMA in New York already dedicated a personal retrospective exhibition to him in 1987. At the time the museum already included 25 of his works in its permanent collection, including a remarkable set of Olivetti machines as well as the furniture for B&B and Cassina.

He graduated from the Milan Polytechnic - Faculty of Architecture in 1959 and began working as an architect himself in the early 1960s. Like many other Italian architects, his activities range from architecture and urban planning to product and furniture design.

His career as a product and furniture designer began in 1963, and from 1963 to 1991 he was chief design consultant for Olivetti. For many years he designed furnishing products and systems for B&B Italia and Cassina, TV sets for Brionvega, and hi-fi systems, headphones and electric organs for Yamaha. Bellini was also the editor of Domus magazine between 1985 and 1991.

Since the 1980s, Bellini has been dedicating himself to architecture almost exclusively, designing a wide range of buildings all around the world, including the Portello Trade Fair district in Milan, the Tokyo Design Centre in Japan, the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, the Deutsche Bank Headquarters in Frankfurt, and the Department of Islamic Art at the Louvre in Paris to just name a few. In 2015 the Milan Triennale awarded him the Gold Medal for his career in architecture and in 2017 dedicated a retrospective exhibition to him. Contemporary Italian design has been synonymous with Mario Bellini’s name ever since the 1960s. ~H.

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Price category: 7,500 - 10,000 usd / eur‎‎

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Italian mid-century furniture and interior design is known for its elegantly organic forms. The era’s seating models - including this sofa - were created to highlight the spirit of rebirth of post-war furniture design characterized by clean lines and a free spirit.

Similarly to Joseph-André Motte’s designs, this individualistic sofa reflects the mid-century Italian furniture style that was defined by unique solutions, perfect execution, and exclusivity. This delightfully eccentric model is quite simplistic in its design, featuring a combination of a round, shell-like body and slender, tapered metal legs. The rotund body embraces the sitter comfortably with its sloping, pointy armrests, which creates a cosy feel and look. The angular look is artistic and stylish, and establishes the unmistakeable Italian design impression. The pointed arms and metal legs break the round lines that characterize the design and add just enough edge. The cushion, nested into the sofa, follows the smooth and cosy aesthetic. The simple but effective shape is further supported by the light upholstery that is elegantly restrained while having enough textural variety to enhance the round forms. The sofa is mounted on tapered metal legs that offer great contrast to the round body and its upholstery. The polished and patinated look stands out beautifully against the upholstery and emphasizes the slim shape ending in small ball feet.

Though many mid-century Italian designers may not have the name recognition as some of their Scandinavian counterparts, they were integral to developing a modern aesthetic in Europe. The appreciation for their contribution is still growing today making outstanding Italian pieces like this artistic sofa highly sought after.

‎Condition:

In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. The metal legs have beautiful patina. The sofa has been reupholstered recently in a premium fabric. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.

Dimensions:

57.08 in W x 29.13 in D x 36.61 in H; Seat height 16.14 in; Arm height 23.62 in

145 cm W x 74 cm D x 93 cm H; Seat height 41 cm; Arm height 60 cm

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Price category: 20,000 - 30,000 usd / eur

‎

The “Soriana” three-seat bouclé sofa was designed by the Italian designer duo, Afra and Tobia Scarpa in 1969. Besides its innovative manufacturing, visually,Soriana brings sophisticated and leisurely comfort to any home.

This Post-Modern sofa was manufactured by Cassina as part of the eponymous line that reached the coveted ‘iconic’ title soon after its launch. The award-winning design features three front metal clamps by which all soft curves and loose upholstery are held together, a particularly original detail that creates a sense of barely contained softness. The Soriana collection was meant to express beauty and comfort by using a whole bundle of fabric held by chrome-plated steel clamps. The defining upholstered body features tufted buttons all over it, which visually sections the sofa, while also adding depth to accentuate the softness. The interesting pairing of the metal clamps with the luxurious bouclé creates the post-modern look. For all its casual overtures, this sofa model remains a statement piece — an icon of contemporary design

The “Soriana Chair” was the first piece designed in the collection, and for its design in 1970, it won the Compasso d'Oro, one of the most important design awards of that time. The design has been reissued by Cassina recently, with the aim of recovering and safeguarding the works of Afra and Tobia Scarpa.

Condition:

In very good condition. The sofa has been reupholstered recently in a premium bouclé fabric. Each of our items can be re-upholstered by our in-house atelier in a fabric of choice. Please reach out for more information.

Dimensions:

99.60 in W x 38.58 in D x 24.80 in H; Seat Height 15.15 in

253 cm W x 98 cm D x 63 cm H; Seat Height: 38.5 cm

Literature:

G. Gramigna, Repertorio del Design Italiano 1950-2000 per l’Arredamento Domestico. Turin: Allemandi 2003, p. 318

G. Bosoni, Made in Cassina. Milan: Skira, 2008, pp. 200-201.

About the designers:

Afra and Tobia Scarpa graduated at the Istituto Universitario di Architettura in Venice and formed one of the most successful and known professional associations. Their works can be found in museums across the USA and Europe such as the MoMA and the Louvre. Their designs like the Soriana sofa exhibit a decidedly modernist aesthetic, prioritizing pared-back elegance and comfort. At the same time, the Scarpas are admired for the ease with which their designs complement both classical and cutting-edge interiors.

The Soriana was created for the Italian manufacturing company Cassina, which is often credited with introducing industrial design to Italy and has built an international reputation for collaborating with some of the world’s most respected designers, including Afra and Tobia Scarpa.

The husband-and-wife duo’s products played an important role in the history of Italian Design and are thriving in the Mid-Century market. The Soriana sofa is a collectors’ piece and part of the history of Italian design destined to increase in value with the time. A piece of true Italian Modernism. ~H.