Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9

“Bolla” Sofa – Attributed to Gianni Ruffi, Italy, 1970s

$7,400
£5,598.37
€6,542.71
CA$10,590.98
A$10,761.33
CHF 6,096.63
MX$130,938.93
NOK 71,487.86
SEK 71,877.34
DKK 48,943.27

About the Item

The Bolla sofa is a powerful example of radical Italian design from the 1970s, distinguished by its enveloping, bubble-like form and deeply channeled upholstery. The name Bolla—Italian for “bubble”—aptly describes the sofa’s soft, inflated appearance, achieved through generous padding and continuous vertical segmentation that wraps seamlessly around the back, arms, and base. This model is attributed to Gianni Ruffi, a designer known for his experimental, comfort-driven seating produced in Italy during the late 1960s and 1970s. Ruffi’s work often explored organic forms, modularity, and sculptural volume, all clearly present in this design. The low, grounded profile and wide, inviting seat emphasize relaxation while maintaining a strong architectural presence. Upholstered in a vivid blue fabric with a subtle textured weave, the sofa’s surface enhances the rhythmic geometry of the channeling and accentuates its sculptural quality. The result is a piece that functions equally as seating and as a statement object. Ideal for modern, mid-century, or avant-garde interiors, the Bolla sofa stands as an iconic expression of Italian postmodern experimentation—bold, comfortable, and unmistakably expressive.
  • Attributed to:
    Gianni Ruffi (Designer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 94 in (238.76 cm)Depth: 25 in (63.5 cm)Seat Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)
  • Style:
    Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1970
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 66551stDibs: LU794648260342

More From This Seller

View All
Italian Modular Sofa By Claudio Vagnoni, Five-Seat Configuration, 1970s

Italian Modular Sofa By Claudio Vagnoni, Five-Seat Configuration, 1970s

By Claudio Vagnoni

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This sculptural modular sofa by Claudio Vagnoni, from Italy dates to the 1970s and reflects the decade’s expressive approach to comfort and form. Composed of five individual sections...

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Italian 1950s Sofa Attributed to Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina

Italian 1950s Sofa Attributed to Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina

By Gianfranco Frattini

Located in Los Angeles, CA

GF for Cassina ... yes! Sleek lined sofa delivers the best of Italian 1950s design. Have a seat.

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Mario Bellini for B&B Italia 'Le Bambole' Loveseat. Italy , 1972

Mario Bellini for B&B Italia 'Le Bambole' Loveseat. Italy , 1972

By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This comfortable Flowers fabric settee is bulky and playful, shaped as if it is merely a large cushion and the accompanying feeling is the same. It is designed by Mario Bellini and w...

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Foam

Midcentury Italian Large Curved Sofa, 1950s

Midcentury Italian Large Curved Sofa, 1950s

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Beautiful Italian 20th century vintage curved four-seat sofa composed of six splayed polished legs, large wing shaped arms and a statement high back in the style of Ico Parisi. Rare...

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Curved Sofa, attributed to Ico Parisi, Italy, 1950s

Curved Sofa, attributed to Ico Parisi, Italy, 1950s

By Ico Parisi

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This sculptural curved sofa, attributed to Ico Parisi, features an elegant, enveloping form with gently flared arms and a continuous upholstered backrest. Raised on tapered wooden le...

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Modern Sofas

Materials

Velvet

You May Also Like

Sofa by Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate, 1980s

Sofa by Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate, 1980s

By Carlo Bartoli

Located in Brussels, BE

Sofa by Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate, 1980s

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Fabric

“Down” two-seat sofa by Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate, 1970s Italy.

“Down” two-seat sofa by Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate, 1970s Italy.

By Rossi di Albizzate, Carlo Bartoli

Located in Landgraaf, NL

“Down” two-seat sofa by Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate, 1970s Italy. An iconic Italian design sofa from the “Down” series. The design is defined by its striking balance between...

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Mohair, Wood

Studio Gruppo 14 T.E.E. 3-Seater Sofa by Busnelli, Italy, 1970s

Studio Gruppo 14 T.E.E. 3-Seater Sofa by Busnelli, Italy, 1970s

By Studio 14, Busnelli

Located in Almelo, NL

Studio Gruppo 14 T.E.E. 3-Seater Sofa by Busnelli, Italy, 1970s This exceptional sofa, manufactured by the renowned Italian company Busnelli, is a remarkable find due to its rarity....

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Foam

Sofa by Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate, 1980s

Sofa by Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate, 1980s

By Rossi di Albizzate

Located in Brussels, BE

Sofa by Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate, 1980s

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather, Fabric

Sesann Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, New Upholstery, Italy, 1970s

Sesann Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, New Upholstery, Italy, 1970s

By Gianfranco Frattini

Located in Brussels, BE

Sesann Sofa by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina,New Upholstery, Italy, 1970s Gianfranco Frattini (born May 16, 1926, Padua, Italy–died April 6, 2004, Milan, Italy) was an Italian des...

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Confidential Sofa by Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti, Italy, 1970s

Confidential Sofa by Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti, Italy, 1970s

By Alberto Rosselli Saporiti

Located in Brussels, BE

Confidential Sofa by Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti, Italy,1970s - New Beige Upholstery

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric