Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina 'Ciprea' Lounge Chair

Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 'Ciprea' easy chair, fabric, Italy, 1968

This design is made possible by the creative and innovative thinking of the Italian designer duo Afra & Tobia Scarpa. The layout is marked by fluid lines and organic shapes. The curvaceous construction is accentuated by the vertical tufted lines in the red orange upholstery. The casters underneath the seat allow for easy movement. The Ciprea armchair fits perfectly within the aesthetic sensibilities that prevailed during that period. Design in the late sixties and seventies was all about going beyond the strict conventions of modernism, with the exploration of the different qualities of materials, use of pop colors, with peculiar and symbolic appearances as the outcome. In the design world of the late 1960s and 1970s, it was commonplace to see furniture featuring a soft, organic layout and rendered in the most vibrant colors. Noted designers such as Pierre Paulin, Olivier Mourgue, Mario Bellini, Rossi di Albizzate, Tito Agnoli, Verner Panton, Cini Boeri, Gaetano Pesce, and Joe Colombo, to name a few, contributed to this tradition.
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.
Please note that the fabric is in good, used condition and shows some discoloration and stains. For further details, we encourage you to reach out to our team of design specialists.

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