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.
Vintage Space Age Papillona Floor Lamp by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Flos, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern floor lamp by the Italian manufacturer Flos after a design by Afra & Tobia Scarpa from the 70s. This design convinces with its imposing height of almost 2m. The filigree ...
Metal
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Flos Fantasma Piccolo Mid Century Floor Lamp
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Flos
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Flos Fantasma Piccolo Mid Century Floor Lamp This lamp measures: 18.5 wide x 18.5 deep x 72.5 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Lamp is in good shape ove...
Metal
Afra & Tobia Scarpa, 'Butterfly' Floor Lamp, Black Edition, Flos, 1985
By Flos, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Krefeld, DE
Designed in 1985 by the renowned Italian designers Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Flos, the Butterfly floor lamp is an iconic example of Italian postmodern lighting. This edition featur...
Metal, Steel
Afra Papillona and Tobia shoe seedling lamp for FLOS
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Catania, IT
Flos rod lamp Papillona model, design by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, 80s, with black lacquered steel rod. The lamp is of the first model released, with switch and foot slider to adjust the light intensity and mounts its original 300w halogen lamp, but it can also mount the new low power led lamps. The lamp is working and in excellent condition, with original lacquer intact and with a clearly visible mark in the lampshade, the diffuser glasses have been replaced. From their first meeting at the IUAV in Venice until the transfer to the Venetian countryside, her place of origin, the son of Carlo Scarpa, Tobia appunto (class 1935) and Afra Bianchin (class 1937) first shared a degree - it was 1957 and the two officially became architects - then a marriage and a career that marked their lives and those of Italian drawing at the turn After the laurel wreath, after Tobia was in service for the Venini glassworks in Murano (but only for a few months), it seems that it was Franco Albini who sparked between the two. Not that Franco Albini did anything firsthand. But while he was in the chair giving his decoration course, the two young artists fell in love with those same desks in the service of design. So the Pigreco for Gavina - first project together, first chair together - came into the world just like a daughter: the result of a flame of love...
Metal
Fantasma Floor Lamp by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italy, 1961
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Flos
Located in Melbourne, VIC
The ‘Fantasma’ floor lamp (translating to ghost in Italian) is a modern and minimalist lighting fixture designed by Italian architect Tobia Scarpa. It was first introduced in 1961 as...
Metal
TAMBURO Floor Lamp by Afra & Tobia SCARPA, 1973
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Berlin, Berlin
The floor lamp, designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa. Italy, FLOS, 1973. The TAMBURO floor light designed for inside and outside spaces. Cast aluminium, light- and medium green coloured ...
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
Italian modern Abate floor lamp by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Ibis, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Ibis
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Abate floor lamp by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Ibis, 1970s. Abate model floor lamp, consisting of a hemispherical base in gray marble from which the central black metal s...
Marble, Steel
"SATURNINA" flor lamp by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Fabbian, Italy '90
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, F. Fabbian
Located in Sacile, PN
Afra and Tobia Scarpa "Saturnina" floor lamp. Italy 1990 This lamp comes from the House of Afra and Tobia Scarpa in Trevignano (Treviso) as you can see in the pictures.
Metal
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
Italian Floor Lamp by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Benetton
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian floor lamp design by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for the Benetton stores in Italy. Italian architect and designers who worked together on the variety of different project .they were...
Metal
Rare Modernist Floor Lamp model "Abate" by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Ibis, Italy
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Ibis
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s - 1980s. This beautiful floor lamp features a black varnished metal and steel frame, a shiny grey marble base and a plastic coated fabric lampshade, which have ...
Marble, Metal, Steel
Tall Octopus Lamp by Tobia and Afra Scarpa
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Kensington, MD
Tall Octopus Lamp by Tobia and Afra Scarpa Additional information: Featured at Kensington Vintage Parchment shaped over armature, allowing it to glow...
H 13 in Dm 18.12 in
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
H 21 in W 28.5 in D 6.25 in
Pair of ‘Butterfly’ Sconces by Tobia and Afra Scarpa for Flos
By Flos, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of "Butterfly" Sconces by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italy, circa 1980s A discontinued and increasingly sought-after sconce, this fan-form wall light by Afra and Tobia Sca...
Metal
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 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
H 8.27 in W 14.57 in D 4.34 in
White Foglio Sconce by Tobia & Afra Scarpa for Flos, 1960s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Flos
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wall lamp in white color metal by Afra & Tobia Scarpa. Model: Foglio. Stamped Flos. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Metal
H 13.78 in W 13.78 in D 33.47 in
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
H 25.99 in W 13.78 in D 17.72 in
Abatina table lamp designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italy 1980s
By Flos, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
Designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Flos, the ‘Abatina’ table lamp is a true celebration of the elegance and excellence that defined Italian design in the 1980s. This sophisticat...
Metal
H 33.47 in W 13.78 in D 13.78 in
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
H 77.96 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
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
H 24.81 in W 12.6 in D 12.6 in
Abatina Table Lamp By Afra & Tobia Scarpa For Flos
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Flos
Located in Vienna, AT
Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Flos, table lamp, model 'Abatina 1160', Italy, 1980s, Lamp with a steel frame, with two paper lampshades with a light fabric cover and contrasting edges, eq...
Brass, Steel
H 74.81 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
Neon Papillona Floor Lamp by Tobia & Afra Scarpa for Flos, 1970s
By Flos
Located in Andrézieux-Bouthéon, FR
Neon Papillona Floor Lamp by Tobia & Afra Scarpa for Flos, 1970s Vintage Design Rare lamp "Butterfly" designated by Tobia Scarpa for Flos in 1970. Metal and glass structure in v...
Metal
H 77.96 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Great Ghost Tobia Scarpa for Flos, 1961
Located in Vittoria, IT
Gorgeous Fantasma Grande floor lamp, designed by Tobia Scarpa for Flos, one of the most iconic pieces of 20th-century Italian design. Made of cocoon resin on a metal frame, it is di...
Resin
H 39.38 in Dm 18.12 in
'Nictea' Pendant by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italy
By Flos, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Argelato, BO
'Nictea' Pendant by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italy 1961 The Nictea lamp was created in 1961 and is famous for its unique and elegant design. It features a delicate, sculptura...
Brass, Steel
H 72.05 in W 19.69 in D 18.12 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa 'Fantasma' Floor Lamp
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Fantasma floor lamp, metal, canvas designed by Italy, 1961. This biomorphic floor lamp is typical for the Postmodern desig...
Metal
H 76.78 in W 23.63 in D 19.69 in
Fantasma Scarpa Playful Italian Wall Lamp
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Fantasma, designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Italy, 1961. This rare and unique floor lamp is typical for the post-modern design of the 1970s in Italy. The lampshade is made of ...
Steel
H 81.11 in Dm 26.78 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa, 'Butterfly' Floor Lamp, Black Edition, Flos, 1985
By Flos, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Krefeld, DE
Designed in 1985 by the renowned Italian designers Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Flos, the Butterfly floor lamp is an iconic example of Italian postmodern lighting. This edition features a...
Metal, Steel
H 62.21 in W 15.75 in D 13.78 in
Pair of Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Tamburo" Floor Lamp
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
A pair of floor lamps crafted by Afra & Tobia Scarpa in 1973, the "Tamburo" stands out as a unique lighting fixture from the renowned Italian lighting brand Flos. The term "Tamburo,"...
Aluminum
H 75.2 in W 10.24 in D 9.85 in
Pair of Papillona Floor Lamps by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italy 1977
By Flos, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Roma, IT
Pair of Papillona Floor lamps realized for Flos in 1977. Very good condition. Ref. Domus n. 648, Marzo 1984, p. 44; G. Gramigna, Repertorio del design italiano 1950-2000 per l'arre...
Metal
H 114.97 in W 10.63 in D 9.85 in
Lampada da terra Papillona, Tobia Scarpa, Flos
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Condizioni: Buone Materiali: Alluminio, Vetro prismatico Epoca: 1980 Misure: 27x25x192 cm La lampada da terra “Papillona” di Tobia Scarpa per Flos è un capolavoro di design che incar...
Metal
H 7.88 in Dm 7.49 in
Jucker 147 Table Lamp by Tobia & Afra Scarpa for Flos, 1960s
By Flos, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in bruxelles, BE
Blue metal lamp by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Model: Jucker. Tilting lamp top. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Metal
H 197 in W 45 in D 45 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Katia floor lamp for Flos - Italy, 1974 - Two availabe
By Flos, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in London, GB
Formidable husband and wife team Tobia and Afra Scarpa met while studying architecture at the University luav di Venezia in the 1950s. Their distinctive oeuvre, produced over half a...
Linen
H 72.05 in W 18.12 in D 19.69 in
'Fantasma' Floor Lamp by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Flos, 1960s
By Flos, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in amstelveen, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Fantasma floor lamp, metal, resin, Flos, Italy, 1961. This rare early edition floor lamp is typical for the Postmodern design of the 1970s in Italy. The lampsha...
Metal
H 77.56 in Dm 17.72 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Katia floor lamp for Flos, Italy 1970s
By Flos, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in London, GB
Formidable husband and wife team Tobia and Afra Scarpa met while studying architecture at the University luav di Venezia in the 1950s. Their distinctive oeuvre, produced over half a...
Fabric
H 81.11 in Dm 26.78 in
"Butterfly" floor lamp by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Flos
By Flos, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Conversano, IT
Stunning floor lamp designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for the Italian company "Flos" in the 1980s, model Butterfly. Black enameled aluminum stem surmounted by a dimming halogen lamp; a...
Steel
H 80.71 in W 27.56 in D 11.42 in
'Butterfly' Floorlamp by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Flos Italy 1985
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Flos
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Important Post Modern 'Butterfly' Floorlamp by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Flos Italy 1985 The heat-resistant synthetic fabric 'butterfly' wings can be adjusted in size and position to...
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome