Widely recognized as superstars of postmodern Italian design, husband-and-wife team Afra and Tobia Scarpa (1937–2011; b. 1935) collaboratively created chairs, sofas and other furniture that work equally well in both traditional and cutting-edge environments.
Ranging from architecture and interior design to furniture and clothing, the Scarpas’ practice from its beginnings in the mid-1950s to the 21st century has included a diverse scope of projects combining new technology with thoughtful function and sculptural yet simple forms.
Afra Bianchin and Tobia Scarpa met as architecture students at the Università Iuav di Venezia. In a class led by architect and furniture designer Franco Albini, they created their first collaborative piece, the Pigreco armchair, later produced with Gavina. After graduating in 1957, Tobia worked for Murano glass company Venini & Co. before the couple opened a studio in Afra’s hometown, Montebelluna, in 1960. (Tobia, the son of famed glass artist and architect Carlo Scarpa, was born in Venice.)
For Afra and Tobia, a close collaborative process was pivotal to the success of their designs. The duo was also prolific — they designed for the most influential European manufacturers, including B&B Italia, Cassina, Knoll and FLOS. With respect to the latter, Afra and Tobia were among the legendary Italian lighting maker’s earliest collaborators, and their pioneering designs for the brand included the Papillon lamp, one of the first fixtures to use halogen technology. Their most recognized designs include the Bastiano sofa (1962), the Vanessa bed (1959), the Coronado sofa (1966) and the Soriana seating collection (1970). Work on the Soriana sofa began in late 1969 for an early 1970 debut, and it feels as radical today as it did in its heyday.
Architecture was also a central part of Afra and Tobia’s practice, which spanned residential buildings and factories for Italian companies such as Benetton. Their commissions for the global fashion brand included numerous industrial projects, from textile plants to storefronts. By 1985, Afra and Tobia Scarpa’s work was celebrated in a 30-year retrospective at Center Four in Queens, New York. Looking around the 30,000-square-foot exhibition space, Afra joked to the New York Times, “Seeing all those things makes us feel very tired, and now we feel that maybe we worked too much.”
It was not too much for their legacy, as Afra and Tobia Scarpa’s work continues to inspire new generations. Scarpa designs are in collections at the Louvre, the Museum of Modern Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum. The couple was awarded the Compasso d’Oro in 1970 for the Soriana armchair.
Find vintage Afra & Tobia Scarpa lounge chairs, dining chairs, floor lamps and other furniture today on 1stDibs.
Afra & Tobia Scarpa ‘Benetton’ Stool in Leather and Steel
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Benetton Office, folding stool or ottoman, leather, steel, Italy, 1985. This stool is designed for the office of the clothing brand Benetton by Afra & Tobia ...
Steel
Stool by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Benetton
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lugo, IT
Steel and leather stool Design by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Benetton 1980 88 Not perfect condition as pictured Thank you
Steel
Soriana Pouf by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Antwerp, BE
Scarpa; Afra & Tobia Scarpa; Soriana; Cassina; Pouf; Ottoman; Red Fabric; 1970s; Mid-Century Modern; Italian Design; Italy; Pair of red Soriana poufs des...
Chrome
$1,183Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 39.77 in D 36.62 in
'Coronado' Armchairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for C&B Anni 70s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
Iconic pair of armchairs, designed by Mr. and Mrs. Scarpa in the 1970s with foam padding and black leather upholstery. Fair condition.
Leather
$9,916
H 27.17 in W 71.26 in D 39.38 in
"Soriana" sofa in yellow fabric by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
The "Soriana" two-seater sofa, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa in 1969 and produced by Casina starting in the 1970s, is a true icon of 20th-century Italian design. This piece, reno...
Metal
$48,200
H 39 in W 66.5 in D 27.5 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Leather Lounge Suite For Cassina, circa 1970s
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Englewood, NJ
Very Cool and Comfortable Italian Mid Century Modern leather upholstered "Soriana" suite by, Tobia & Afra Scarpa designed for Cassina. The suite is made up of one settee, two lounge ...
Leather
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Gavina 'Bastiano' Sofa
By Simon Gavina Editions, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, 'Bastiano' sofa, ash, fabric, Italy, design 1960 This Bastiano sofa truly intensifies the experience of sitting itself and is a standout in any modern room....
Fabric, Ash
$10,383
H 26.38 in W 36.23 in D 37.41 in
Soriana Chair and Ottoman by Tobia Scarpa for Cassina Black Leather, Italy, 1969
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Gorgeous Soriana chair and pouf by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy, circa 1970. The set has been reupholstered in very high-end soft Italian calf skin leather. Please note: t...
Chrome
$7,379
H 27.56 in W 25.6 in D 47.25 in
Soriana lounge chair with ottoman by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Very rare Soriana lounge chair with ottoman designed in 1969 by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina. It still has its intact seventies upholstery. Beautiful and timeless design wit...
Chrome
$9,100 / set
H 31.5 in W 20.48 in D 22.05 in
Dialogo" chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, 1970
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
"Dialogo" chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, Made in Italy, 1970. Set of four "Dialogo" chairs designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, 1973. The feature of this "D...
Plastic, Beech
Soriana Chair by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina, Italy, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Argelato, BO
Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Soriana Sofas, Cassina, Italy, 1970s. Afra (1937-2011) & Tobia (1935-) Scarpa both studied at the Venice Institute of Architecture. Their pieces are exhibited i...
Steel
Afra and Tobia Scarpa Chair Scarpa 121 For Cassina
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Afra and Tobia Scarpa Lounge Chair Scarpa 925 For Cassina Maximum comfort in a minimalist dining chair distinguished by its contrasts A dining chair with a sleek, anatomic design, crafted to offer maximum comfort and support to the back. The chair is composed of a robust wooden structure that creates a striking contrast with the lightness of the saddle leather-upholstered plywood seat and backrest. UPHOLSTERY Backrest and seat in saddle leather STRUCTURE Solid ash or Canaletto walnut A dining chair with a sleek, anatomic design, crafted to offer maximum comfort and support to the back. Perfect for classic as well as contemporary interiors, Cassina presents, in collaboration with Karakter, the chair produced in 1965 on a design by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, based on a sketch by architect and designer maestro Carlo, father of Tobia. Scarpa 121...
Walnut
Vintage Italian Ottoman or Bench Attributed to Afra & Tobia Scarpa
By Ico Parisi, Carlo Scarpa, Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Italian walnut ottoman or bench attributed to Afra & Tobia Scarpa. This handsome organic modern/Brutalist ottoman, bench or stool has been newly upholstered in green velvet.
Velvet, Walnut
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 15 in W 33 in D 30 in
Afra and Tobia Scarpa Soriana Leather Ottoman for Cassina
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Chicago, IL
Afra and Toba Scarpa Soriana Cassina Pouf or Ottoman c1970s; Modern; Italian Original black leather in excellent condition. The ottoman can be easily moved around since it has cast...
Leather
$3,266 / item
H 31.5 in W 18.51 in D 21.26 in
Scarpa 121 Chair in Wood and Leather by Afra & Tobia Scarpa
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Scarpa 121 by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, 1965 The iconic 121 Scarpa dining chair is a straightforward dining chair with a design that can complement both classical and cutting-edge interio...
Leather, Ash
Sold
H 21.66 in W 17.72 in D 16.74 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa 'Benetton' Stools in Mixed Wood and Cognac Leather
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Benetton, stools, oak, walnut, wenge, ash, Italy, 1970s We present exquisitely crafted stools designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for the Benetton shop. These ...
Leather, Ash, Oak, Walnut, Wenge
Sold
H 15.75 in W 31.89 in D 35.04 in
Vintage Tobia & Afra Scarpa Soriana Ottoman / Footstool for Cassina 1969
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Uxbridge, GB
This exquisite footstool from the Soriana range, designed in 1969 by renowned Italian designers Tobia and Afra Scarpa for Cassina, is a stunning example of mid-century modern design ...
Steel
Sold
H 18.12 in W 21.66 in D 23.63 in
Pair of Mid-Century Leather Stools by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Benetton, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of mid-century leather stools by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Benetton, 1970s.
Leather
Soriana Ottoman in Bouclé by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, 1969
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Antwerp, BE
Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Cassina, reupholstered in ivory bouclé wool, Postmodern lounge chair with ottoman manufactured by Cassina in the 1970s. The Soriana collection was mea...
Bouclé
Soriana Ottomans by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
A pair of Soriana ottomans by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, circa 1970. This pair has been professionally restored.
Steel
Pair of Scarpa Rolling Ottomans/Poofs
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Chicago, IL
Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Soriana Rolling Ottomans Chocolate brown leather with metal bracing. Signed with decal manufacturer's and distributor's labels...
Metal