Cassina Easy chair, ‘Ciprea’, Italian, 1967, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa. Manufactured by Cassina, Milan, Italy.

Polythurethane foam shape on ABS plastic base with castors, separate seat cushion. The chair and cushion covered in whited leather, with piping round the outer edge of the back/seat. Lines of stitching form broad strips on inner back and cushion.

First shown at the International Furniture Fair and the 14th Triennale Exhibition in Milan, 1968.

Summary of Conservation Section work carried out on:
Museum number: W331-1970
Object details: Chair; Ciprea; Italian:1967
Treatment: Cleaned with moistened sponge
Date completed: 18/1/1989
By: J. Kitchen

Description of Craftsman from Hollis, R. 1970. Modern Chairs:1918-1970. The Whitechapel Art Gallery, London:
Tobia Scarpa – Architect, industrial designer. Born 1935. Trained Venice University. Glass designer to Venini, 1958-60; own office with his wife Afra, Montebelluna, from 1960; senior lecturer, School of Industrial Design, Venice. Range of objects designed has included furniture (Gavina, Cassina, C&B), glass, stained glass (Venini), lamps (Flos), cutlery, exhibition display. Work exhibited Milan Triennale 1960, 1964, 1968; Furniture Design Exhibition Tokyo 1969. Grand Prix Compasso d’Oro 1970.

Description of similar object, from Hollis, R. 1970. Modern Chairs:1918-1970. The Whitechapel Art Gallery, London:
This chair also consists basically of an integral block of polyurethane, without any formal structural frame. It is fixed however to an ABS plastics base, enabling it to be put on castors and made easily manoeuvrable. It has a removable cover, either in fabric, vinyl or leather, with a finely detailed gusset at the back to take up the compression when in use. It was first shown both at the International Furniture Fair, and at the 14th Triennale Exhibition, Milan 1968.

CIRC.331-1970