Pair of Tobia and Afra Scarpa Cassina Edition armchairs 1970

Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina Pair of 'Soriana' corduroy armchairs 'Soriana', model '944', corduroy, chrome steel, Italy, 1969 Iconic lounge chairs by the Italian designer couple Afra & Tobia Scarpa. La Soriana offers a model that institutionalizes the image of the informal session where everything has a soft line. Here, the mass of the material and the backrest is supported and contained by metal armor. The chrome metal parts that hold the bulky cushions in their place in the frame are beautiful features. These lounge chairs are upholstered in brown corduroy. This model won the Compasso d'Oro in 1970 for its "visual complexity achieved with remarkably simple and consistent technical and construction methods." Afra (1937-2011) and Tobia (1935-) Scarpa are a duo of Italian architects and designers 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 while they were both studying at the Venice Institute of Architecture and later married. From 1957 to 1961, Tobia worked as a glass designer at Venini's Murano glassworks. However, in 1960, the duo began collaborating, and they created 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 has won numerous awards, including the Compasso d'Oro and the International Forum Design. Throughout their career, the duo has carried out commissions for renowned companies.