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.
Soriana leather pouf designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina Italy 1969
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Soriana footrest designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina 1969, Polyuretane structure, original leather, steel, excellent condition. A true icon of style, Soriana, characteri...
Metal
Leather Ottoman Coronado by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, Italy
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Argelato, BO
This Coronado ottoman was designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa in the 1960s and produced by B&B Italy. The ottoman is upholstered with pink soft leather. The leather is in original co...
Leather, Wood
Soriana pouf in origina velvet by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina 1969
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Soriana footrest designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina 1969, Polyuretane structure, original mohair velvet fabric, steel, excellent condition. A true icon of style, Sorian...
Metal
$8,250
H 25.6 in W 39.38 in D 35.44 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Easy Chair for Cassina, Burgundy Velvet, 1969
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Easy Chair for Cassina, Burgundy Velvet, Italy, 1969 Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model by the Italian duo Tobia and A...
Velvet
$13,000
H 25.6 in W 68.9 in D 39.38 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, Ivory Bouclé, 1969
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” two-seater sofa for Cassina, ivory bouclé, Italy, 1969. 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. The most notable feature of this couch, however, is the Minimalist structure in chromed steel. This external structure in steel rod keeps the cover taut using buttons...
Bouclé
$16,800 / set
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 Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
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
$16,000 / set
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
$4,250
H 32.68 in W 63.78 in D 33.47 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa ‘Lauriana’ Sofa for B&B Italia, Italy, 1978
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, B&B Italia
Located in Dronten, NL
Elegant ‘Lauriana’ sofa designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia in 1978, representing the designers’ sophisticated approach to Italian postmodern furniture. This striking exam...
Steel
$7,770Sale Price / set|26% Off
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
$16,500 / set
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 Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
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
$1,650
H 27.56 in W 40.56 in D 35.83 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia 'Coronado' Lounge Chair in Cognac Leather
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, 'Coronado' lounge chair, cognac leather, Italy, 1966 The 'Coronado' lounge chair is designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B talia. The seat has a...
Leather
$16,800 / set
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
$23,000
H 29.5 in W 97 in D 40 in
Soriana Sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Velvet, Chrome, 1969
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in New York, NY
Afra & Tobia Scarpa 'Soriana' Sofa for Cassina, Italy, 1969 The revolutionary and unique 'Soriana' three-seat sofa was designed by the Italian designer duo, Afra and Tobia Scarp...
Chrome
$3,942
H 27.56 in W 85.04 in D 33.86 in
Tobia Scarpa "Coronado" Black Leather Sofa for B&B, Italy 1970 ca.
By B&B Italia, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Sacile, PN
Coronado sofa designed by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia. The project is dated 1966. Black leather, great condition.
Iron
$2,783Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.32 in W 59.06 in D 36.62 in
Vintage Leather Sofa by B&B Italia by Afra & Tobia Scarpa Designers
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Coronado Brown Leather Sofa, Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia A true icon of Italian design, the Coronado sofa, designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia in the late 1960s, e...
Leather
Sold
H 33.08 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Tobia & Afra Scarpa Armchair and Footrest in Wood and Leather by Maxalto 1975
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Cascina, Pisa
A set with an armchair and footrest with a frame in wood and upholstery in cognac leather, designed by Tobia and Afra Scarpa and manufactured by Maxalto from the Artona series 1975 c...
Leather, Wood
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Ottoman by Cassina
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Highland, IN
One of Afra & Tobia Scarpa's most iconic designs, the "Soriana" was designed by Tobia Scarpa in 1969 and won the Compasso D'Oro award. The concept of the Soriana was to express a des...
Steel
Sold
H 14.97 in W 29.93 in D 31.89 in
Soriana Ottoman by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A Soriana ottoman, designed in the 1970s by Afra & Tobia Scarpa and produced by Cassina. Chromed metal rod structure and newly upholstered in ivory Lelievre cord. The ottoman is on w...
Chrome
Sold
H 13.39 in W 25.6 in D 20.08 in
Italian MidCenturyModern footrest Coronado by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, B&B Italia
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Mid-Century Modern footrest Coronado by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970s. Coronado footrest in gray and black striped fabric with round plastic feet. Produced by B&B in...
Fabric, Plastic
Sold
H 14.97 in W 35.44 in D 29.53 in
Soriana Pouf in Original Tan Leather by Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy, 1970
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Soriana pouf in original tan leather by Tobia Scarpa for Cassina – Italy, circa 1970. Original leather in good condition with signs of use and patina. ...
Chrome
Soriana Ottoman in Bouclé by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, 1969
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Antwerp, BE
Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Cassina, reupholstered in ivory bouclé wool, Postmodern lounge chair with ottoman manufactured by Cassina in the 1970s. The Soriana collection was mea...
Bouclé
"Soriana" Ottoman by Afra and Tobia Scarpa
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in New York, NY
Timeless “Soriana” ottoman designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina in 1969. Has a chrome frame to hold the cushion and four wheels to move around...