Bocca Sofa
Made by Gufram
Bocca began with a single private commission. What emerged in 1970 was one of the most recognizable objects in twentieth-century design: a sofa formed in the shape of human lips, sculpted in polyurethane and finished in Guflac, Gufram's signature rubberized lacquer.
Studio 65, the Turin-based architecture collective, drew on Salvador Dalí's 1935 painting "Mae West's Face Which May Be Used as a Surrealist Apartment" as their conceptual departure point. The result carries a distinctly Pop sensibility, equal parts provocation and craft. The subtle asymmetry at each corner is not incidental; it mirrors the natural irregularity of lips, and it is what separates the original from its many imitations.
Bocca has been collected by museums, featured in dedicated design publications, and installed in some of the most architecturally significant private interiors in the world. In 2008, the family expanded. The Dark Lady introduced black Guflac and an oversized piercing, while subsequent editions have continued to extend the object's cultural dialogue without diminishing its original charge.
- Designed by Studio 65, 1970
- Produced exclusively by Gufram
- Polyurethane form with Guflac rubberized lacquer finish
- Available in multiple editions including the original red and the Dark Lady
- Part of permanent collections in major design museums
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Bocca Sofa
Frequently Asked Questions
What material is the Gufram Bocca Sofa made from?
The Bocca is constructed from molded polyurethane and finished in Guflac, a rubberized lacquer developed by Gufram that gives the surface its distinctive, almost skin-like quality. The material allows the form to hold its precise lip-shaped silhouette over time.
Who designed the Bocca Sofa and when?
The Bocca was designed in 1970 by Studio 65, a collective of Turin-based architects known for their engagement with Pop culture and Surrealist imagery. It remains in continuous production by Gufram, its original and exclusive manufacturer.
Is the Bocca Sofa functional for everyday seating?
The Bocca is conceived primarily as a design object and conversation piece rather than conventional seating furniture. It offers limited seating depth by traditional sofa standards, and most collectors and designers position it as a sculptural focal point within an interior.
What is the difference between the original Bocca and the Dark Lady edition?
The original Bocca is finished in red Guflac and is distinguished by the subtle asymmetry of its corners. The Dark Lady, introduced in 2008, is finished in black Guflac and incorporates an oversized piercing detail, giving it a harder, more confrontational character while maintaining the same underlying form.
Is the Bocca Sofa part of any museum collections?
Yes. The Bocca is held in the permanent collections of several major design and contemporary art museums worldwide, recognizing it as a canonical work of Italian Radical Design and Pop culture from the early 1970s.