Large "Torcello" Coffee Table by Tobia and Afra Scarpa, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Afra & Tobia Scarpa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)Width: 60 in (152.4 cm)Depth: 32 in (81.28 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Slight surface scratching from age and use.
- Seller Location:Skokie, IL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8194234537282
Afra & Tobia Scarpa
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 furniture today on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Skokie, IL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Coffee Table by Saburo Inui for Tendo Mokko, Japan, 1960sBy Saburo Inui, Tendo MokkoLocated in Skokie, ILCoffee Table by Saburo Inui for Tendo, France, 1960s. This beautiful table is a very representative piece for Japanese furniture thanks to its organic shape and efficient design. It ...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood, Plywood
- Mogens Lassen large Cuban Mahogany Egyptian folding coffee table Denmark, 1940sBy Mogens Lassen, Rud RasmussenLocated in Skokie, ILMogens Lassen rare large size Mahogany early “Egyptian” folding occasional coffee table for A.J. Iversen, Denmark circa 1940. In excellent condition. Materials: Cuban Mahogany, bras...Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Tree Trunk Coffee Table by Carl Auböck, 1950sBy Werkstätte Carl AuböckLocated in Skokie, ILCarl Auböck II for Werkstätte Carl Auböck tree trunk coffee table, Austria, 1950s Additional Information: Materials: Walnut, painted metal, rubber Dimensions: 19 1/2" H x 34" W ...Category
20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Enzo Mari “Cuginetto” Coffee Table for Driade, Italy 1976By Enzo Mari, DriadeLocated in Skokie, ILEnzo Mari ”Cuginetto” coffee table for Driade, Italy 1976. A quiet dynamism achieved through a clever combination of transparencies and sleek lines...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsIron
- Rare Gio Ponti Coffee Table Model No. 1101 for Singer & Sons with Original GlassBy Gio Ponti, M. Singer & SonsLocated in Skokie, ILIconic and rare model 1101 coffee table designed by architect Gio Ponti for M. Singer & Sons, New York, America circa, 1950. The coffee table features distinctive brass feet and is i...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass
- "Serpente" Table Lamp by Elio Martinelli, 1960sBy Elio MartinelliLocated in Skokie, ILElio Martinelli "Serpente" table lamp for Martinelli Luce, Italy, 1960s Additional Information: Materials: Enameled steel, plastic Dimensions: 17 3/4" H x 17 3/4"Dia. Condition: Ver...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsSteel
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Stildomus 'Torcello' Coffee Table in WalnutBy Stildomus, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Waalwijk, NLAfra & Tobia Scarpa for Stildomus, 'Torcello' coffee table, walnut, Italy, 1965 The 'Torcello' model is a rare find and is produced by the Italian company Stildomus, a furniture com...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa Midcentury Wood Squared Italian Coffee Table, 1960sBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Roma, ITMidcentury incredible squared solid wood coffee table with smoked glass top. It was produced in Italy in the 1960s by Cassina and designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa. You are going to...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsGlass, Smoked Glass, Wood
- Walnut square coffee table by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1960sBy Figli di Amadeo Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Varese, LombardiaLow table in walnut designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa and produced by Cassina since 1967. Clean design and simple construction concept. The 4 vertical elements are screwed together w...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Space Age Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Afra and Tobia Scarpa Artona Coffee TablesBy B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Belle Mead, NJStunning and rare pair of tables with ebony inlay by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B America. One signed with manufacturer's sticker to base.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsEbony, Rosewood
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa Large Coffe Table for Cassina, Italy 1960sBy Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Milan, ITAfra & Tobia scarpa large coffe table for Cassina, Italy 1960s.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood
- Att Afra E Tobia Scarpa Coffee TableBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Napoli, NAVintage coffee table Att Afra Tobia Scarpa.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood