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Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Africa Chairs
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in LAGUNA BEACH, CA
Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Africa Chairs
1970
Brass, Rosewood, Leather, Steel
30.71 H x 18.12 W x 22 d
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
Tobia & Afra Scarpa Africa Table
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in BANGALOW, NSW
The ‘Africa’ or 'Artona' table was designed by Tobia & Afra Scarpa in the 1975.
This table is of
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Materials
Walnut
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" dining chairs for Maxalto, 1975
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Set of four Africa chairs with a structure in walnut wood and burl, seats upholstered with
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
Afra e Tobia Scarpa Africa chairs Maxalto Italy 1975
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Highly rare large set of so called 'Africa' chairs designed by Afra e Tobia Scarpa and manufactured
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Brass
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Africa Mid Century Chair
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Countryside, IL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Africa Mid Century Chair
This chair measures: 22 wide x 18 deep x
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Wood
"Artona - Africa" sideboard by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Conversano, IT
Africa, diesegnata da Afra e Tobia Scarpa e prodotta da Maxalto negli anni 70.
Rara edizione con tutti i
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Cabinets
Materials
Animal Skin, Wood, Kingwood
Round 'Africa' Table by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto Artona Series, Italy, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Round 'Africa' Table by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto Artona Series, Italy, 1970s
Category
Vintage 1970s Dining Room Tables
Materials
Wood
H 27.56 in W 57.09 in D 57.09 in
Round Africa Table by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1975
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lasne, BE
Round wooden table by Tobia and Afra Scarpa. Stamped concrete block inside the table for stability
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Materials
Concrete
Set 12 chairs Afra & Tobia Scarpa mod. Africa - Gruppo Unico, 80/90
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Manzano, IT
Set 12 sedie Afra & Tobia Scarpa mod. Africa - Gruppo Unico, 80/90
Stile
Vintage
Periodo del design
Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Set of 6 Africa Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Set of 6 Africa Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1970s
Category
Vintage 1970s Chairs
Materials
Wood
H 30.91 in W 22.05 in D 17.33 in
Africa Dining Table by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Italy 1970s
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Greding, DE
Large dining table or conference table with oval tabletop and veneer of walnut and birch burl. The table rests on two square legs, which are stabilized by means of concrete counterwe...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Materials
Concrete
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Africa Mid Century Chairs - Set of 4
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Countryside, IL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Africa Mid Century Chairs - Set of 4
Each chair measures: 22 wide
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Wood
Tobia & Afra Scarpa Large Africa Wooden Conference Table by Maxalto 1970s Italy
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Tobia & Afra Scarpa Large Africa Wooden Conference Table by Maxalto, hailing from 1970s Italy
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Materials
Wood
H 27 in W 90.5 in D 57 in
Set of Four Africa Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto, Italy, 1970s
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in London, GB
A rare set of four stunning Africa chairs designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa in the 1970s, and
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Brass
H 30.91 in W 22.05 in D 18.12 in
Set of Ten Africa Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto, Italy, 1970s
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in London, GB
A rare set of ten stunning Africa chairs designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa in the 1970s, and produced
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Brass
H 30.91 in W 22.05 in D 18.12 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" Dining Chairs for Maxalto, 1975, Set of 4
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" dining chairs for Maxalto, black leather, walnut, burl and brass
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Brass
H 30.71 in W 22.05 in D 18.12 in
Artona Africa chairs, walnut wood and black leather, Afra and Tobia Scarpa
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in amstelveen, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Artona 'Africa chairs', black leather, walnut, ebony, and brass
Category
Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
H 30.71 in W 22.45 in D 17.33 in
Set of Six Africa Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto, Italy, 1970s
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in London, GB
A rare set of six stunning Africa chairs designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa in the 1970s, and produced
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Brass
H 30.91 in W 22.05 in D 18.12 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" Dining Chairs for Maxalto, 1975, Set of 2
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" dining chairs for Maxalto, black leather, walnut, burl and brass
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Brass
H 30.71 in W 22.05 in D 18.12 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" Dining Chairs for Maxalto, 1975, Set of 6
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" dining chairs for Maxalto, black leather, walnut, burl and brass
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Brass
H 30.71 in W 22.05 in D 18.12 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Set of eight 'Africa' Dining Chairs Italy, 1975
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Almelo, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Set of eight 'Africa' Dining Chairs in Walnut, cognac brown Leather
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Brass
H 30.71 in W 18.12 in D 20.48 in
Africa dining chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1975, Set of 4
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Lasne, BE
Set of 4 Africa chairs in wood and brown leather by Afra & Tobia Scarpa . Stamped. Seat height: 45
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
H 31.11 in W 22.05 in D 18.9 in
Set of 6 dining room "Africa" by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto 1975
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Renens, CH
Exceptional set of 6 "Africa" dining room chairs by Afra and Tobia Scarpa produced by Maxalto 1975
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood, Walnut
H 31.11 in W 21.66 in D 16.93 in
Afra and Tobia Scarpa Africa Dining Chair for Maxalto, 1976, Set of 4
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of four Africa dining chairs, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa and produced by the Italian
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
H 30.71 in W 18.5 in D 22.05 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Set of 12 'Africa' Dining Chairs Italy, 1975
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Almelo, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Set of 12 'Africa' Dining Chairs in Walnut, Leather and Brass
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Ebony, Walnut, Braid
H 30.71 in W 18.12 in D 20.48 in
Artona Africa chair in walnut wood and black leather, Afra and Tobia Scarpa
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in amstelveen, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Artona 'Africa chair', black leather, walnut, ebony, and brass
Category
Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Brass
H 30.71 in W 22.45 in D 17.33 in
Afra and Tobia Scarpa Walnut Africa Dining Chair for Maxalto, 1976, Set of 4
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of four Africa dining chairs, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa and produced by the Italian
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
H 30.71 in W 18.5 in D 22.05 in
Afra and Tobia Scarpa Walnut Africa Dining Chair for Maxalto, 1976, Set of 6
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of six Africa dining chairs, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa and produced by the Italian
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
H 30.71 in W 18.5 in D 22.05 in
Afra and Tobia Scarpa Walnut Africa Dining Chair for Maxalto, 1976, Set of 6
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of six Africa dining chairs, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa and produced by the Italian
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
H 30.71 in W 18.5 in D 22.05 in
Afra and Tobia Scarpa Walnut Africa Dining Chair for Maxalto, 1976, Set of 10
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of ten Africa dining chairs, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa and produced by the Italian
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Brass
H 30.71 in W 18.5 in D 22.05 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Africa Dining Room Set for Maxalto, 4 Chairs and Table, 1976
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Vicenza, IT
A dining set composed of four “Africa” dining chairs and an “Artona” table, designed by Afra and
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
Materials
Brass
H 30.71 in W 18.5 in D 22.05 in
Africa Chairs
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in BANGALOW, NSW
Set of four iconic ‘Africa’ chairs By Tobia & Afra Scarpa
This design is of historical
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Walnut
'Artona' Chest of Drawers by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in London, GB
drawers and pulls (leather pulls replaced).
This slender chest of drawers is a rare model from Afra
Category
Vintage 1970s European Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Afra & Tobia Scarpa attributed Pair of Dining Chairs in Black Leather
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Berlin, DE
Afra & Tobia Scarpa attributed Pair of Dining Chairs in Black Leather
This pair of dining chairs
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Dining table and four chairs Afra (1937-2011) & Tobia Scarpa (born in 1935)
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Altwies, LU
Afra (1937-2011) & Tobia Scarpa (born in 1935)
Africa
Artona series
Dining table and four chairs
Category
Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Brass
Artona oval dining table by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, ed. Maxalto 1975
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Renens, CH
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto 'Artona' Large Oval Dining Table in Walnut, Brass Italy 1975
Afra
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood, Zebra Wood
Coffee Table, Artona Series, Design Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto. Italy, 1975
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Torino, IT
Period
1975
Designer
Afra & Tobia SCARPA
Brand
MAXALTO
Model
Artona (Africa)
Materials
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood
H 17.72 in W 27.96 in D 49.61 in
Set of Six 'Africa' Mid-Century Italian Dining Chairs by Scarpa
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in London, GB
A rare set of dining chairs by Afra and Tobia Scarpa (re-upholstery included).
Italy, c1975
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Rare Vintage Monk Dining Chairs by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Italian Collectible
By Molteni & C, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
Offered for sale is a rare set of four "Monk" dining chairs, designer by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Canvas, Wood
H 29.53 in W 20.48 in D 18.12 in
Set of 6 Africa Chairs by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1970’s
By Maxalto
Located in Knokke-Heist, BE
Set of 6 Africa chairs by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto.
Embrace the timeless allure of design
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Brass
Artona 'Africa' dining set by Tobia Scarpa in walnut wood and leather, Maxalto
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in amstelveen, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Artona dining table with 'Africa chairs', black leather, walnut
Category
Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
Materials
Brass
H 27.96 in W 70.08 in D 66.15 in
Tobia Scarpa sideboard, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
wooden panels.
This sideboard is ideal to match the Africa chairs series.
It consists of 4 doors and
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
Materials
Burl, Lacquer
Set of 6 Midcentury Italian Walnut and Leather Dining Chairs, 1970s
By Gavina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Vicenza, IT
:
Pigreco chairs by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Gavina
Pamplona chairs by Augusto Savini for Pozzi
Africa
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Meschac Gaba Inkjet Pigment Print Photograph African Conceptual Art Dollar Bill
Located in Surfside, FL
Cotonou. His installations of everyday objects whimsically juxtapose African and Western cultural
Category
Early 2000s Contemporary Figurative Prints
Materials
Inkjet
Mario Marenco “Sapporo” Dining Chairs for Mobil Girgi, 1970
By Mario Marenco, Mobil Girgi
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
. With style close to the iconic “Africa” chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, the beechwood combined with the
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Beech
Mario Marenco “Sapporo” Dining Chairs for Mobil Girgi, 1970, set of 4
By Mario Marenco, Mobil Girgi
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
leather. With style close to the iconic “Africa” chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, the beechwood combined
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Beech
Mario Marenco “Sapporo” Dining Chairs for Mobil Girgi, 1970, set of 2
By Mario Marenco, Mobil Girgi
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
leather. With style close to the iconic “Africa” chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, the beechwood combined
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Beech
Mario Marenco "Sapporo" Chairs for Mobil Girgi, 1970, Set of 4
By Mobil Girgi, Mario Marenco
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
"Africa" chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, the Italian beechwood combined with the reddish-brown leather seat
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Beech
Mario Marenco "Sapporo" Chairs for Mobil Girgi, 1970, Set of 2
By Mobil Girgi, Mario Marenco
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
"Africa" chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, the Italian beechwood combined with the reddish-brown leather seat
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Beech
Mario Marenco "Sapporo" Chairs for Mobil Girgi, 1970, Set of 8
By Mobil Girgi, Mario Marenco
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
"Africa" chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, the Italian beechwood combined with the reddish-brown leather seat
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Beech
Mario Marenco "Sapporo" Chairs for Mobil Girgi, 1970, Set of 6
By Mobil Girgi, Mario Marenco
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
"Africa" chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, the Italian beechwood combined with the reddish-brown leather seat
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Beech
Mario Marenco "Sapporo" Chairs for Mobil Girgi, 1970, Set of 6
By Mobil Girgi, Mario Marenco
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
the flat front legs, creating a charming combination. With style close to the iconic "Africa" chairs
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Beech
Mario Marenco "Sapporo" Chairs for Mobil Girgi, 1970, Set of 12
By Mobil Girgi, Mario Marenco
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
connected with the flat front legs, creating a charming combination. With style close to the iconic "Africa
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Beech
Mario Marenco "Sapporo" Chairs for Mobil Girgi, 1970, Set of 14
By Mobil Girgi, Mario Marenco
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
connected with the flat front legs, creating a charming combination. With style close to the iconic "Africa
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Beech
Mario Marenco "Sapporo" Chairs for Mobil Girgi, 1970, Set of 4
By Mobil Girgi, Mario Marenco
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
the flat front legs, creating a charming combination. With style close to the iconic "Africa" chairs
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Beech
Mario Marenco "Sapporo" Chairs for Mobil Girgi, 1970, Set of 8
By Mobil Girgi, Mario Marenco
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
the flat front legs, creating a charming combination. With style close to the iconic "Africa" chairs
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Beech
Mario Marenco "Sapporo" Chairs for Mobil Girgi, 1970, Set of 10
By Mobil Girgi, Mario Marenco
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
the flat front legs, creating a charming combination. With style close to the iconic "Africa" chairs
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Beech
Mario Marenco "Sapporo" Chairs for Mobil Girgi, 1970, Set of 14
By Mobil Girgi, Mario Marenco
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
connected with the flat front legs, creating a charming combination. With style close to the iconic "Africa
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Beech
Mario Marenco Walnut Sapporo Dining Chairs for Mobilgirgi, 1970s, Set of 4
By Mobil Girgi, Mario Marenco
Located in Vicenza, IT
two vertical slats for unique visual appeal. Influenced by Italian designers Afra & Tobia Scarpa's
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
H 32.29 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Mario Marenco "Sapporo" Chairs for Mobil Girgi, 1970, Set of 6
By Mobil Girgi, Mario Marenco
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
the flat front legs, creating a charming combination. With style close to the iconic "Africa" chairs
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Leather, Beech
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Africa Afra For Sale on 1stDibs
With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the africa afra you’re looking for. Frequently made of wood, animal skin and leather, every africa afra was constructed with great care. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer africa afra, there are earlier versions available from the 19th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. A africa afra, designed in the mid-century modern or modern style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. Many designers have produced at least one well-made africa afra over the years, but those crafted by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto and Mario Marenco are often thought to be among the most beautiful.
How Much is a Africa Afra?
The average selling price for a africa afra at 1stDibs is $13,347, while they’re typically $350 on the low end and $112,400 for the highest priced.
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for sale on 1stDibs
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.
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