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.
Bastiano Lounge Chair Pair in Walnut by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina
By Gavina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lutz, FL
1970’s “Bastiano” model club chair designed by Afra + Tobia Scarpa for Gavina Italy. Solid Walnut frame with newly reupholstered cushions in a Marsala red Chenille fabric. A comforta...
Fabric, Walnut
Pair of Italian Lounge chairs by Afra &Tobia Scarpa
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Coronado lounge chair is a classic Italian modern lounge chair and armchair designed in the 1960s/1970s by the husband-and-wife design team Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B It...
Cotton
Soriana Lounge Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Italy, 1970s
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Antwerp, BE
Afra and Tobia Scarpa, reupholstered cognac aniline leather, Cassina, Italy, 1970s The Soriana collection was meant to express beauty and comfort by using a whole bundle of fabric...
Chrome
Afra and Tobia Scarpa Soriana Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in New York, NY
An iconic original and authentic ‘Soriana’ lounge chair and ottoman designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa and produced by Cassina, Italy, 1969. This award-winning design, recipient of ...
Chrome
Soriana Lounge Chair in Grey Leather by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Signed
By Atelier International, Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian designed 'Soriana' lounge chair designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina and distributed in the United States under license in the 1960s and 1970s by Atelier Internati...
Chrome
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Artona Leather Armchair Maxalto 1980
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Conversano, IT
Stunning and very rare "Artona 8551" armchair designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa and produced by Maxalto in the early 1980s. The armchair is entirely upholstered in ultra-soft biscuit...
Animal Skin
Cassina Ciprea Leather Lounge chairs by Tobia and Afra Scarpa, 1970s, Italy
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Almelo, NL
Cassina Ciprea Leather Lounge chairs by Tobia and Afra Scarpa, 1970s, Italy Introducing the breathtaking Ciprea Lounge chairs, a masterpiece created ...
Leather, Foam
Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina 'Soriana' Pair of Lounge Chairs, 1970's
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Antwerp, BE
Scarpa; Afra and Tobia Scarpa; Cassina; Italy; 1970's; Hollywood Regency; Minimalist; Italian Design; Afra and Tobia Scarpa, reupholstered cognac aniline leather, Cassina, Italy,...
Chrome
H 26.78 in W 83.47 in D 31.11 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Bastiano” Sofa for Gavina, Brown Leather, 1962
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Bastiano” sofa for Gavina, brown leather, Italy, 1962 The "Bastiano" sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, designed fo...
Leather, Wood
H 25.6 in W 37.41 in D 39.38 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Chairs for Cassina, Black Leather 1969, Set of 2
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" easy chairs for Cassina, black leather and metal, Italy, 1969, set of two. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model by the Italian duo Tobia and Afra Scarpa is firmly associated with the next decade, when its popularity peaked. "Soriana" is low and invites you to sink into its curves. Its most notable feature, however, is the Minimalist structure in chromed steel. This external structure in steel rod keeps the cover taut using buttons...
Metal
H 25.6 in W 37.41 in D 39.38 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Chairs for Cassina, Brown Leather, 1969, Set of 2
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" lounge chairs for Cassina, brown leather, Italy, 1969, set of two. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model by the Italian ...
Leather
H 31.11 in W 22.25 in D 16.93 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" Dining Chair for Maxalto, Black Leather, 1975
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" dining chairs for Maxalto, black leather, walnut, burl and brass, Italy, 1975. Originally hand finished and assembled one-by-one, "Africa" presents...
Leather, Walnut
H 28.75 in W 92.52 in D 33.47 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Italian Solid Wood Fabric "Artona" Sofas
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of two Italian midcentury modern design three-seater sofa and two-seater sofa from the “Artona” series designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in the 1970s with solid woo...
Fabric, Wood
H 25.6 in W 39.38 in D 35.44 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Chairs for Cassina, Burgundy, 1969, Set of 2
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Lounge Chairs for Cassina, Burgundy Velvet, Italy, 1969, Set of two. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model by the Italian duo...
Velvet
H 28.35 in W 35.71 in D 31.5 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Gavina 'Bastiano' Lounge Chair in Ash and Leather
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Simon Gavina Editions
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 'Bastiano' lounge chair, leather, ash, Italy, 1961 Designed by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina’s experimental design lab in 1960, the Bastiano series re...
Leather, Ash
H 26 in W 38 in D 40 in
Soriana Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1969
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa in 1969 for Cassina, the Soriana lounge chair is a piece of design history. Here we have a completely original vintage example in original velvet co...
Steel
H 25.6 in W 37.41 in D 39.38 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Chairs for Cassina, Brown Leather, 1969, Set of 2
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" lounge chairs for Cassina, brown leather, Italy, 1969, set of two. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model by the Italian ...
Leather
H 30.32 in W 65.36 in D 33.47 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa 'Artona' Sofa in Elm and Checked Fabric
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 'Artona' sofa, elm, checkered fabric, Italy, 1975. Cubic ‘Artona’ sofa by Italian designer couple Afra and Tobia Scarpa. This sofa shows absolute st...
Fabric, Elm
H 39 in W 66.5 in D 27.5 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Leather Lounge Suite For Cassina, circa 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Englewood, NJ
Very Cool and Comfortable Italian Mid Century Modern leather upholstered "Soriana" suite by, Tobia & Afra Scarpa designed for Cassina. The suite is made up of one settee, two lounge ...
Leather
H 25.6 in W 35.44 in D 30.71 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Gavina 'Bastiano' Lounge Chair in Leather
By Gavina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, ES
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Gavina 'Bastiano' lounge chair, leather, wood, Italy, 1960 ___________________________________________________________ Beautiful architectural Tobia Scarp...
Leather, Wood
H 28.35 in W 35.83 in D 29.53 in
Tobia Scarpa Pair of 'Bastiano' Club Chairs in Walnut and Leather
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tobia Scarpa for Knoll, pair of 'Bastiano' club chairs, cognac leather and walnut, Italy, design 1960, manufactured in 1970s Beautiful pair of Bastiano club chairs made with a walnu...
Leather, Walnut
H 28.35 in W 35.83 in D 30.32 in
Bastiano Armchair by Afra E Tobia Scarpa for Gavina 70s newly upholstered.
By Gavina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in The Hague, NL
Bastiano armchair designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa and produced by Gavina 1970s. Black wooden structure with new boucle upholstery. Afra & Tobia Scarpa designed the Bastiano series fo...
Bouclé, Wood
H 28 in W 37 in D 33 in
Tobia Scarpa Coronado Lounge Chairs, Cognac Leather, B&B Italia, a Pair
By Tobia Scarpa, B&B Italia, De Sede, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Decatur, GA
Pair of coronado lounge chairs in cognac leather by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia circa mid 1970s. Timeless organic design. Ultra comfort....
Leather
H 33.47 in W 37.41 in D 29.53 in
Set of Two Vintage Coronado Armchairs in Tobacco Leather by Tobia Scarpa for B&B
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
Offered for sale is a rare, fully original and well preserved set of two "Coronado" armchairs designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for C&B Italia in 1966. The world-famous B&B, indeed, ...
Steel, Iron
H 27 in W 36 in D 30 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Bastiano Pair of Lounge Chairs, by Gavina, Italy, 1960
By Gavina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in New York, NY
A classic and chic pair of club/lounge chairs from the Bastiano series, designed by the iconic Italian designer duo Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, Italy, circa 1960. The chairs have...
Rosewood
H 26 in W 136 in D 35 in
Tobia & Afra Scarpa Erasmo Sectional in Black Leather for B&B Italia Vintage 70s
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Dallas, TX
4 Piece modular erasmo sectional sofa. Includes 2 lumbar cushions and certificate of authenticity. Fully Labeled. Each section measures: Height:...
Leather
H 27 in W 39 in D 33 in
Pr Scarpa Design B & B Italia Coronado Lounge Chairs
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in New York, NY
Ultra chic pair of Coronado lounge chairs designed by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, imported buy Arelier International circa 1960/1970's. The chairs sho...
Leather
H 28.75 in W 35.83 in L 28.75 in
Afra e Tobia Scarpa Bastiano Lounge Chairs Gavina, 1960
By Gavina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice and comfortable set of 2 lounge chairs from the Bastiano series, designed by designer duo Afra e Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, Italy 1960. These chairs have a solid rosewood fra...
Leather, Rosewood
H 29.53 in W 20.08 in D 17.33 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Italian Midcentury Chair 70's
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Molteni & C
Located in bari, IT
Monk model seat designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni is made with a walnut structure with a black canvas seat, normal signs of wear due to use and time.
Textile, Wood
H 25.5 in W 37.4 in D 39.4 in
"Soriana" Club Chair by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy, 1969
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, reupholstered blu suede club chair, Italy, 1969 The Soriana collection was meant to express beauty and comfort by using a whole bundle of fabric h...
Chrome
H 25.6 in W 37.41 in D 39.38 in
Cassina 'Soriana' Pair of Lounge Chairs by Afra and Tobia Scarpa
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Antwerp, BE
Afra and Tobia Scarpa, reupholstered cognac aniline leather, Cassina, Italy, 1970s The Soriana collection was meant to express beauty and comfort by using a whole bundle of fabric h...
Chrome
H 30.5 in W 33.75 in D 35 in
'Ciprea' Suede Club Chair by Tobia and Afra Scarpa for Cassina, 1968, Signed
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Atelier International, Cassina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This highly collectible and sought after club chair by Tobia and Afra Scarpa for Cassina (Italy) was designed in 1968 and distributed in the United States by Atelier International in the 1970s. This example is from the early 1970s and covered in a soft and sexy brown suede. During the 1960s and 1970s many chair designers experimented with the sculptural possibilities of synthetic foam. The Ciprea chair...
Suede