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.
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 Scarpa 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.)
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.
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 Tobia Scarpa table lamps, sofas, dining chairs and other furniture today on 1stDibs.
Fantasma Grande by Tobia Scarpa for Flos 1961
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Fantasma Grande floor lamp designed by Tobia Scarpa for Flos in 1961. This rare early production is in excellent condition, large version, designed by Tobia Scarpa in the early 1960s...
Metal
Papillona Lamp - Tobia Scarpa for Flos - Italy - 1980s
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
The Papillona produced by Flos, is an iconic floor lamp designed in 1975 by Tobia Scarpa. Its essential and elegant style perfectly embodies the minimalist and innovative taste that...
Aluminum
early Edition Fantasma Floor Lamp by Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italy 1960s
By Flos, Tobia Scarpa
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Flos Fantasma Piccolo floor lamp by Tobia Scarpa, Italy, 1960s. Created by renowned Italian designer Tobia Scarpa, this breathtaking floor lamp presents like a functional work of ar...
Steel
$4,002 / item
Tobia Scarpa Eitie Floor Lamp For Cassina
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Tobia Scarpa Eitie Floor Lamp For Cassina A floor lamp designed by Tobia Scarpa, that takes shape as a seemingly simple structure with sophisticated, innovative technology. The lam...
Silver
Green Tamburo Floor Lamp by Tobia Scarpa for Flos outdoor indoor
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, Lombardia
“Tamburo” floor lamp with green finish, designed by Tobia Scarpa for Flos around 1960. Tamburo by Flos is an outdoor lamp designed by Tobia Scarpa in 1973 with a lacquered metal stru...
Metal
Gray Papillona floor lamp by Tobia Scarpa for Flos 70s
By Tobia Scarpa, Flos
Located in Padova, IT
Flos Papillona is a floor lamp with a simple and modern design. Designed by Tobia Scarpa in 1975, it is a classic from those memorable years which saw the birth of most of the lamps ...
Metal
Tobia Scarpa Eitie Triangle Horizontal Lamp For Cassina
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Tobia Scarpa Eitie Triangle Horizontal Lamp For Cassina A horizontal pendant light designed by Tobia Scarpa, that takes shape as a seemingly simple s...
Silver
Large Tamburo Floorlamp by Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italy 1970s
By Flos, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Hellouw, NL
Tobia Scarpa is a near-mythical figure in the world of design. Celebrated for a wide-ranging body of work—much of it created alongside his wife, Afra—Scarpa’s contributions occupy a central place in the history of Italian modernism. It’s no surprise that Flos, a pioneering force in Italian lighting, has collaborated with Scarpa multiple times throughout his illustrious career. Design One of the most commanding examples of his bold, forward-thinking aesthetic is the Tamburo lamp, shown here in its rarest and largest version—an impressive 250 cm in height. As its name suggests (tamburo meaning “drum” in Italian), the design centers around a striking circular form, mounted at a precise 60-degree angle atop a sharply geometric stem.On both sides of the wide green housing, dark green rings...
Metal
Tobia Scarpa Eitie Triangle Horizontal Lamp For Cassina
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Tobia Scarpa Eitie Triangle Horizontal Lamp For Cassina A horizontal pendant light designed by Tobia Scarpa, that takes shape as a seemingly simple s...
Silver
Tobia Scarpa Eitie Pendant Lamp: Modern Aluminium & Brass Design
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Tobia Scarpa Eitie Line Lamp For Cassina A pendant light designed by Tobia Scarpa, that takes shape as a seemingly simple structure with sophisticated, innovative technology, availa...
Aluminum, Brass
Tobia Scarpa Eitie Floor Lamp, Silver & Black Metal, Mid-Century
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Tobia Scarpa Eitie Floor Lamp For Cassina A floor lamp designed by Tobia Scarpa, that takes shape as a seemingly simple structure with sophisticated, innovative technology. The lam...
Silver
Tobia Scarpa Eitie Pendant Lamp: Modern Aluminium & Brass Design
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Tobia Scarpa Eitie Line Lamp For Cassina A pendant light designed by Tobia Scarpa, that takes shape as a seemingly simple structure with sophisticated, innovative technology, availa...
Aluminum, Brass
$5,522 / item
Tobia Scarpa Eitie Triangle Wall Lamp For Cassina
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Tobia Scarpa Eitie Triangle Wall Lamp For Cassina A wall lamp designed by Tobia Scarpa, that takes shape as a seemingly simple structure with sophisticated, innovative technology, a...
Silver
'Tamburo' Floorlamp Medium-Sized by Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italy 1970s
By Tobia Scarpa, Flos
Located in Hellouw, NL
Tobia Scarpa is a near-legendary figure in the world of design. Renowned for a wide range of creations—many developed in collaboration with his wife, Afra—his work occupies a prominent place in the history of Italian design. It comes as no surprise that Italian lighting manufacturer Flos has frequently enlisted Scarpa’s visionary talent throughout his career. Design One striking example of his avant-garde style is the Tamburo lamp. True to its name—tamburo meaning "drum" in Italian—the lamp features a bold, round, abstract form set at a 60-degree angle on a distinctive stem. Green rings are attached to both sides of the green frame using Allen bolts, creating a design that feels both futuristic and evocative of the Memphis movement—bold, unconventional, and defiant of norms. A matte plastic diffuser is fixed at the front by the dark green ring...
Metal
Tobia Scarpa Eitie Pendant Lamp: Modern Aluminium & Brass Design
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Tobia Scarpa Eitie Line Lamp For Cassina A pendant light designed by Tobia Scarpa, that takes shape as a seemingly simple structure with sophisticated, innovative technology, availa...
Aluminum, Brass
Tobia Scarpa Eitie Pendant Lamp: Modern Aluminium & Brass Design
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Tobia Scarpa Eitie Line Lamp For Cassina A pendant light designed by Tobia Scarpa, that takes shape as a seemingly simple structure with sophisticated, innovative technology, availa...
Aluminum, Brass
$5,522 / item
Tobia Scarpa Eitie Triangle Wall Lamp For Cassina
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Tobia Scarpa Eitie Triangle Wall Lamp For Cassina A wall lamp designed by Tobia Scarpa, that takes shape as a seemingly simple structure with sophisticated, innovative technology, a...
Silver
Vintage 20thC Rare Italian 'Fantasma' Floor Lamp By Tobia Scarpa For Flos c.1961
By Tobia Scarpa, Flos
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A 20th Century rare vintage Italian floor lamp from the 1960s, designed by Tobia Scarpa for FLOS. Constructed with a steel internal framework and a layered resin skin, the design for...
Metal
Nictea Pendant by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italy, 1960s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Flos
Located in Berlin, DE
The Nictea pendant is composed of two rounded sections, seamlessly connected by carefully integrated metal components that are central to its design. Light gently passes through the ...
Brass, Chrome
Biagio Table Lamp by Tobia Scarpa
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Biagio table lamp by Tobia Scarpa. Designed and manufactured in Italy, 1968. Carved from a single piece of Carrara marble. Original EU cord. We recom...
Carrara Marble
Nuvola Cocoon Chandelier by Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italy 1962
By Flos, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Step into the captivating world of Italian Mid-Century Modern design with the Nuvola cocoon chandelier by Tobia Scarpa for Flos in 1962. This light sus...
Plastic
Biagio Table Light by Tobia Scarpa for FLOS
By Tobia Scarpa, Flos
Located in Vancouver, BC
Designed by Tobia Scarpa in 1968. Table lamp providing direct light. Lamp body carved seamlessly from a single block of Carrara marble. Elegant and unique, this light is a sculptu...
Carrara Marble
"Celestia" Ceiling lamp by Tobia Scarpa for Flos, 1980s
By Tobia Scarpa, Flos
Located in bruxelles, BE
Ceiling light in white linen fabric and aluminum. Model Celestia. Stamped Flos. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Aluminum
"Nuvola" Pendant Light by Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italy
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Iconic "Nuvola" Pendant Light by Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italy.
Resin
"Foglio" Wall Sconce by Tobia Scarpa for Flos, 1980s
By Tobia Scarpa, Flos
Located in Milano, IT
The "Foglio" wall sconce by Tobia Scarpa for Flos, an icon of 20th-century Italian design. This lamp stands out for its chrome finish, which adds a touch of modern elegance to any ro...
Metal
Cocoon Pendant Lamp by Tobia Scarpa for Flos, 1960s, Italy
By Tobia Scarpa, Flos
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Cocoon Pendant Lamp by Tobia Scarpa for Flos, 1960s, Italy Lampshade is in very good vintage condition. This lamp works with E27 light bulbs. Wired and suitable to use with 220V a...
Resin
"Sfera" by Tobia Scarpa for Flos Italian Design 1960s Ceiling Lamp
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Flos
Located in Brescia, IT
"Sfera" by Tobia Scarpa Flos, 1966 Glass shade, aluminum details Perfect working order. Perfect condition.
Aluminum
Tamburo Lamp by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Flos, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Oirlo, LI
The Tamburo lamp, designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Flos in 1973, is a timeless expression of Italian design innovation. Compact yet powerful in character, this lamp reflect...
Metal
$4,582 / set
H 18.12 in Dm 8.67 in
Pair of Bilobo Glass Pendant for Flos by Afra & Tobia Scarpa Italy 1960s
By Flos, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Berlin, DE
The Bilobo model is defined by the tension between its softly contoured glass volume and the restrained geometry of its anodized aluminum fitting. The semi-opaque glass shade has an...
Blown Glass
Italian Design Classic Biagio Lamp by Tobia Scarpa, 1960s
By Tobia Scarpa, Flos
Located in Renens, CH
The Biagio lamp is one of Tobia Scarpa’s masterpieces. It has been cut and sculpted by hand from solid Carrara marble, resulting in a seamless piece of des...
Carrara Marble
Tobia Scarpa Fantasma Floor Lamp by Flos Italia
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large Fantasma Lamp designed by Tobia Scarpa is in great condition--designed in the early 1960s is an 'icon of interior lighting, the lamp consists of a ...
Steel
Sold
H 72.84 in W 18.9 in D 20.48 in
early Edition Fantasma Floor Lamp by Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italy 1960s
By Flos, Tobia Scarpa
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Flos Fantasma floor lamp by Tobia Scarpa, Italy, 1960s. Created by renowned Italian designer Tobia Scarpa, this breath taking floor lamp presents like a functional work of art. Its ...
Steel
Sold
H 72.05 in W 20.08 in D 18.9 in
Set 2 Phantom floor lamp Tobia Scarpa Flos 1961 mid-century beige cocoon
By Flos, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Fantasma floor lamp set, design by Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italy, 1961. Featuring an iconic organic design, the Fantasma lamp is made with an internal metal frame covered in Cocoon fa...
Metal
Sold
H 72.05 in W 20.08 in D 18.9 in
Fantasma floor lamp, Tobia Scarpa, Flos, 1961, mid-century beige cocoon
By Flos, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Fantasma floor lamp, design by Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italy, 1961. Featuring an iconic organic design, the Fantasma lamp is made with an internal metal frame covered in Cocoon fabric...
Metal
Sold
H 72.05 in W 20.08 in D 18.9 in
Fantasma floor lamp, Tobia Scarpa, Flos, 1961, mid-century beige cocoon
By Flos, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Fantasma floor lamp, design by Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italy, 1961. Featuring an iconic organic design, the Fantasma lamp is made with an internal metal frame covered in Cocoon fabric...
Metal
'Papillona' Floor Lamp by Tobia Scarpa for Flos, 1980s
By Flos, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage floor lamp with enameled aluminum frame and prismatic glass shade.
Aluminum
Ghost Lamp, Tobia Scarpa, Flos, 1961
By Flos, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Fantasma floor lamp, design by Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italy, 1961. Featuring an iconic organic design, the Fantasma lamp is made with an internal metal frame covered in Cocoon fabric...
Metal
'Papillona' lamp Tobia Scarpa for Flos 1970s
By Flos, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage floor lamp with black and red enameled and lacquered aluminum frame and prismatic glass shade.
Aluminum
Fantasma Floor Lamp by Tobia Scarpa for Flos
By Flos, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
First edition Flos Fantasma floor lamp was designed by Tobia Scarpa in 1961. Its striking silhouette glows with a diffused light that illuminates without overpowering, To create its ...
Steel
Tobia Scarpa 'Soldiesis' floor lamp for Monnalisa - Italy, 1990s
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in London, GB
This rare floor lamp has an evanescent presence. Created by spraying an internal metal structure with a cocoon resin – a kind of man-made vellum – it recalls the form and gossamer gl...
Resin
Lampada da terra mod. Fantasma XL, Tobia Scarpa, Flos
By Tobia Scarpa, Flos
Located in Rivoli, IT
Bellissima lampada da terra mod. Fantasma nella versione XL, ideata da Tobia Scarpa e prodotta da Flos da 1961 Ottime condizioni generali, bellina in un ambiente moderno
Steel
Sold
H 72.84 in W 18.9 in D 20.48 in
Early Edition Fantasma Floor Lamp By Tobia Scarpa For Flos, Italy, 1960s
By Flos, Tobia Scarpa
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Flos Fantasma floor lamp by Tobia Scarpa, Italy, 1960s. Created by master designer Tobia Scarpa, this floor lamp presents like a functional work of art. Its striking silhouette glow...
Steel