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.
Artona Console by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Wien, AT
The Artona console by Afra Scarpa and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, designed in 1975, is a paradigmatic work within the inaugural Artona series. An exploration of material contrast, prop...
Ebony, Walnut
$4,227Sale Price|20% Off
TORCELLO Series Credenza by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Stildomus, Italy 1980's
By Stildomus, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Postmodern Italian Design TORCELLO Series Credenza by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Stildomus. Made in Italy, 1980's period. Marked with a stamp inside one of the doors. Very well designed...
Aluminum
Sideboard Credenza di Afra e Tobia Scarpa per Molteni in noce canaletto
By Molteni & C, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Ghedi, IT
Questo imponente sideboard in noce canaletto rappresenta un classico esempio di design italiano anni ’70-’80, con la maestria formale tipica di Afra e Tobia Scarpa per Molteni. La su...
Walnut
$3,412
H 34.26 in W 32.29 in D 16.54 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Rosewood Bar Cabinet for Stildomus Mid Century 1960s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Stildomus
Located in Conversano, IT
Stunning bar cabinet from the Torcello series, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Stildomus in the 1960s - a perfect example of rational and sophisticated Italian design. This collection is known for its masterful use of solid wood, combined with a robust yet refined construction, true to the Scarpas' design philosophy. In this case, the wood is solid rosewood, finely crafted to highlight its natural grain and structural strength. One of the most iconic elements of the Torcello series is the use of exposed aluminum joinery, visible at key junctions between panels. This feature celebrates the precise and refined craftsmanship that defined the work of the Scarpa duo. The clean, geometric lines of this piece allow it to integrate beautifully into elegant, high-end interiors without overwhelming the space. This beautiful bar cabinet features two front doors that open to reveal two sliding compartments with several internal sections, ideal for storing glassware and bottles. This item is in very good vintage condition. Minor signs of age may be present but do not affect its structure or functionality. We kindly ask you to consider these characteristics before purchasing. Dimensions: Height: 87 cm (34.3 in) Width: 82 cm (32.3 in) Depth: 42 cm (16.5 in) Keywords: Afra and Tobia Scarpa - Torcello Collection - Vintage Italian Bar Cabinet...
Rosewood
$1,412
H 28.35 in W 37.41 in D 17.72 in
credenza design angelo mangiarotti for molteni 1960, second speciment
By Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in taranto, IT
wonderful credenza designed by angelo mangiarotti for Molteni, italy, 1960. Made in wood wit marble top, in very good conditions. Only...
Marble
Piero Lissoni for Cassina "Flat Series" Credenza
By Cassina, Piero Lissoni
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pierso Lissoni "Flat Series" for Cassina. Very nice shape with three pull out drawers. Right side is a single drawer deep enough for bottles. Divided trays in other drawers keep e...
Carrara Marble, Aluminum
Artona by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Showcase Bookcase, Maxalto
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Uccle, BE
Bookcase, showcase in walnut veneered laminate. Stiles and shelves made of layers of walnut and hardwood in contrasting colors. The cabinet includes open storage spaces. Two space...
Leather, Wood, Walnut
Italian Modern Credenza by Silvio Coppola for Bernini
By Silvio Coppola
Located in Houston, TX
1960s Italian modern credenza by Silvio Coppola for Bernini featuring dual-tone wood. This piece has a lift top on both sides with removable interior trays, two side cabinets, each w...
Wood
$8,103 / set
H 55.12 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
2 Leather and Walnut Artona Chests of Drawers by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Padova, IT
Rare and spectacular pair of walnut and leather Artona chests of drawers, designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in 1975. The Artona line by the Scarpa duo was in fact the fir...
Leather, Walnut
$2,906Sale Price|35% Off
H 24.81 in W 24.81 in D 12.6 in
Cassettiera con ribaltina anni 70 di Afra e Tobia Scarpa serie Artona Maxalto
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Questa rara cassettiera vintage Maxalto Artona, un'opera d'arte della progettazione anni '70 firmata dai celebri designer italiani Afra e Tobia Sca...
Leather, Wood
Artona Shelf by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Wien, AT
Rare and iconic Artona centerpiece shelving unit by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1975. A masterwork of 1970s Italian design, this exceptional freestanding cabinet was designed...
Wood, Walnut
$8,232Sale Price|20% Off
H 55.12 in W 24.41 in D 24.41 in
Rare Afra e Tobia Scarpa jewellery and accessories cabinet
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in London, GB
An exquisite and seldom found jewellery and accessory walnut cabinet possibly crafted uniquely for a private collector by Afra and Tobia Scarpa . The cabinet is compact when closed m...
Metal
$14,400
H 91.34 in W 115.36 in D 23.23 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto 'Artona' Wall Unit with Vitrine in Walnut
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 'Artona' highboard consisting of cabinet with vitrine, walnut, burlwood, lacquered wood, brass, glass, leather, Italy, 1975/1979 This substantia...
Brass
$13,800
H 32.88 in W 98.43 in D 20.87 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto 'Artona' Sideboard in Black Leather and Walnut
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 'Artona' sideboard, walnut, burlwood, leather, Italy, 1975/1979 This sideboard with a front in black leather was designed as part of the ‘Artona...
Leather, Walnut, Burl
$21,138
H 91.74 in W 26.78 in D 13 in
Modular Bookshelf by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Japan, 1971
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Roma, IT
Rare modular bookshelf realized by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina in 1971. Exceptional, Large-Scale, Fully Configurable Composition. This extraordinary and exceptionally rare ...
Metal
Sold
H 27.96 in W 70.67 in D 17.72 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Sideboard Model 'Artona' in Walnut and Leather
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa, sideboard model 'Artona', walnut, leather, Italy, circa 1975 This sideboard with leather front is designed as part of the Artona line by The Artona line by th...
Leather, Walnut
Tobia Scarpa Artona series sideboard for Maxalto, 1970s
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Elegant vintage sideboard designed by tobia Scarpa for Maxalto. This sideboard is part of the Artona series. Gorgeous burl wood panels, with the cool and typical scarpa lining at th...
Wood, Burl
"Mount" sideboard by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni 1970
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Molteni & C
Located in Conversano, IT
Extraordinary and rare version of sideboard model "Mount" designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni in the 1970s. Incredible specimen of the mastery of the great Cantù furniture ...
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Afra E Tobia Scarpa High Artona Cabinet Maxalto Italy 1975
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Nice and fully original high version ‘Artona’ cabinet designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa and produced in Italy by Maxalto in 1975. This cabinet is in good condition, has one door, two...
Leather, Walnut
Afra e Tobia Scarpa Artona cabinet Maxalto Italy 1975
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Nice and fully original 'Artona' cabinet designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa and produced in Italy by Maxalto in 1975. This cabinet is in good condition, has four pull out drawers and ...
Leather, Walnut
Credenza by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Credenza by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto. Rosewood with black leather with a finished back.
Leather, Rosewood