Soriana chair by Afra and Tobia Scarpa
Italy, 1970

The Scarpa's have here produced something close to the ultimate alternative to traditional upholstery. Upholstered chairs used to be made by skilled craftsmen, working with layers of padding on a timber frame. The chair has a minimal wooden base, supporting the polyurethane foam of which the chair is made.

This foam is topped with a layer of soft dacron fibrefill, and a loose-fitting fabric or leather cover, shaped with a minimum of tailoring. The chair is given its final form by two chromium-plated steel wire clips. This simple but revolutionary system has been used to create a whole series of pieces, including an elongated chair, ottoman sofas and armchairs. Perhaps one has to have a certain taste for plumpness to like this chair, but it is hard to deny that it has a sensuous softness and disarming honesty of construction.

Front and back views of the Soriana chair, showing the way in which the steel wire clips holds the substance of the chair in shape.

Steltman Chair