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.
Mid-Century Modern Artona Sideboard by Tobia Scarpa, 1970s
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Artona Sideboard by Tobia Scarpa, 1970s Architect and designer Tobia Scarpa graduated in 1969 at the University of Venice and in the same year won a “Compasso d’O...
Wood
Mid-Century Sideboard by Gianfranco Frattini, Wood, Italy, 1970s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Sideboard by Gianfranco Frattini, Wood, Italy, 1970s scratches on the top.
Wood
Mid-Century Low Sideboard by Officina Rivadossi, 1970s
By Officina Rivadossi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Low Sideboard by Officina Rivadossi, 1970s
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Sideboard, Wood and marble, Italy, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Sideboard, Wood and marble, Italy, 1970s
Marble
Mid-Century Modern Sideboard by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Sideboard by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Low Sideboard With Sliding Doors, Italy, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Low Sideboard With Sliding Doors, Italy, 1960s
Wood
Artona Africa Sideboard by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Artona–Africa Series sideboard designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, the luxury division of B&B Italia. A landmark example of 1970s Italian architectural furniture, the piece ...
Leather, Wood
Italian Wooden Sideboard in the Style of Afra & Tobia Scarpa, 1970s
By Molteni & C, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Argelato, BO
Large Sideboard - Italian wooden chest of drawers in the style of Afra and Tobia Scarpa. This elegant and functional piece features a thick solid wood top made from different types o...
Wood
Sideboard Credenza di Afra e Tobia Scarpa per Molteni in noce canaletto
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Molteni & C
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
Afra and Tobia Scarpa Sideboard Model Artona - Maxalto Production - 1970s
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Roma, RM
Black lacquered wood frame and walnut veneered plywood. Leather handles.
Leather, Wood
Italian Mid-Century Sculptural Sideboard by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Buccinasco, MI
Exceptional Italian Mid-Century Modern sideboard designed by Vittorio Dassi, Italy, circa 1958–1962. This sophisticated piece perfectly embodies Dassi’s distinctive design language, ...
Glass, Wood
"SE3" Sideboard by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Italy, 1960s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden sideboard with black metal base and two sliding doors containing 6 shelves. Wear due to time and age. For shipping, request us for receive the best price.
Metal
