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Price category: 20,000+ usd / eur

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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.