VINTAGE soriana SOFA, DESIGN afra and tobia scarpa for cassina 1970s

Experience the timeless beauty and comfort of the Vintage Soriana large sofa, upholstered with soft burnt orange Italian velvet. This iconic Italian Design Piece, designed by Tobia Scarpa, showcases a unique concept of using a single steel clamp to hold a whole bundle of fabric or leather, expressing both elegance and comfort. The Soriana Sofa won the prestigious Compasso D'Oro in 1969, a testament to its exceptional design and craftsmanship. This collector's piece has a slight patina on the metal structure and new upholstery, making it versatile and suitable for both light and dark wood floors, as well as light or darker area rugs. The works of Afra and Tobia Scarpa are renowned across the world and can be found in museums such as the Moma and the Louvre. Their contributions to the history of Italian Design are immeasurable, with the Soriana Sofa being a testament to their exceptional talent and vision. To discover how major designers have incorporated this masterpiece into their projects, check out our blog post.

Afra and Tobia Scarpa are renowned for their expertise in creating a diverse range of products, including home furniture and clothing. Their exceptional works have been featured in several museums across Europe and the USA, such as the Moma and the Louvre. They have earned numerous accolades, including the esteemed "Compasso D'Oro" award in Italy for their Soriana design and the International Forum Design in 1992. Tobia's father, Carlo Scarpa, was also a prominent architect and designer during the Mid-Century Period. He collaborated with famous names such as the Venetian Murano glass company Venini, where Tobia also worked later on. The Scarpa duo's notable works include the Coronado Sofa for B&B Italia (1966) and the Soriana Sofa for Cassina (1970). They also created the "Bastiano" sofa (1961) with Gavina and designed the "Papillona" and "Pierrot" lamps for Flos in 1977 and 1990 respectively. Their expertise also extended to fashion, where they excelled in a partnership with the renowned fashion house Benetton. Their products played a significant role in the history of Italian Design and continue to thrive in the Mid Century market.

We have restored several Soriana sofas in the past few years and generally, we use high-quality materials such as leather, boucle’ or velvet. The leather we use is a full natural leather of the highest quality by an Italian tannery, with the best “hand” to work with this sofa and to recreate those wonderful folds. We often choose all-natural leathers which are the softest and less treated therefore they can show imperfections that are totally natural and not a defect. Clear, wax finish that reveals all the features of full grain leather and highlights the rich, natural toning throughout the hide. Provides a beautiful patina over time and extended wear actually enhances its look and appeal. We also use 100% Italian cotton velvet and Italian boucle’ all handled by our upholstery experts.

Inquire about this and other Mid Century sofas by sending us an email at contact@designitalia.com or by calling our toll-free number at 1-877-332-6769. Designitalia sells only authentic 20th Century furniture.

Below is one of our latest addition - a medium-sized Soriana leather sofa that has been impeccably restored and upholstered with exquisite Italian aniline leather by our masterful Italian upholsterer. This sleek sofa is a flawless fit and can be matched with a Soriana chair, just as we have showcased in our latest images. Our premium Italian leather is of the highest caliber and has undergone minimal processing, allowing the rich color hues and striking leather characteristics to radiate, including stunning leather veins. Believe us, this is one of the most outstanding leather options available on the market.

Finding a vintage Soriana sofa in excellent condition is a rare occurrence due to its production in the 1970s. However, we have been fortunate to come across a few of them and have taken great care to preserve their original condition, such as the large brown corduroy Soriana set featured below. This particular set was obtained directly from the previous owner, who had kept it in immaculate condition in their Italian home. It consisted of a spacious four-seater sofa and two lounge chairs, all of which were made from high-quality materials that were still in excellent shape. The foam inside the cushions was still firm and had not lost its shape over time.

Contact us now to acquire your desired vintage Soriana Sofa or lounge chairs! Our exclusive collection comprises restored Afra and Tobia Scarpa pieces of varying sizes. Our Italian restorer has used only the highest quality aniline leather sourced from an Italian tannery, available in rich, vibrant shades of dark brown, medium brown, and the popular cognac color. These colors are reminiscent of the 1970s leather used by Cassina for these designs. If you have a preferred material for restoration, let us know, and we can accommodate your needs. Don't hesitate, reach out to us today!