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.
Afra & Tobia Scarpa ‘Benetton’ Stool in Leather and Steel
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Benetton Office, folding stool or ottoman, leather, steel, Italy, 1985. This stool is designed for the office of the clothing brand Benetton by Afra & Tobia ...
Steel
Afra and Tobia Scarpa Soriana Leather Ottoman for Cassina
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Chicago, IL
Afra and Toba Scarpa Soriana Cassina Pouf or Ottoman c1970s; Modern; Italian Original black leather in excellent condition. The ottoman can be easily moved around since it has cast...
Leather
Soriana Chair and Ottoman by Tobia Scarpa for Cassina Black Leather, Italy, 1969
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Gorgeous Soriana chair and pouf by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy, circa 1970. The set has been reupholstered in very high-end soft Italian calf skin leather. Please note: t...
Chrome
Tobia Scarpa Soriana Leather Ottoman for Cassina
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A saddle colored leather ottoman on rollers with tufted and stretched form having chromed metal banding to each end. An iconic piece of 1970's Italian design by Afra and Tobia Scarpa...
Leather
Soriana Pouf by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Antwerp, BE
Scarpa; Afra & Tobia Scarpa; Soriana; Cassina; Pouf; Ottoman; Red Fabric; 1970s; Mid-Century Modern; Italian Design; Italy; Pair of red Soriana poufs des...
Chrome
1970s Cassina Soriana Ottoman by Afra and Tobia Scarpa
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Soriana ottoman designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina in 1969. This iconic ottoman has been beautifully upholstered in a luxurious sage ...
Steel
Postmodern Design ARTONA XL Leather Ottoman by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Italian Design "Artona" XL Leather Ottoman / Pouf by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto. Made in Italy, 1980's period. Xlarge black thick soft leather ottoman with wo...
Leather
Erasmo Ottomans by Afra + Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, B&B Italia
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Full leather construction.
Leather
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Lounge Set for Cassina, Sand Beige, 1969, Set of 3
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Living Room Set for Cassina, pair of Lounge Chairs and pouf, sand beige Leather, Italy, 1969. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana"...
Leather, Plastic
Afra & Tobia Scarpa, a Soriana Ottoman, Cassina, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Paris, FR
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Soriana A very beautiful ottoman of square shape with rounded corners. Covered with its original brown velvet in very good condition. On four castor feet....
Velvet
Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Soriana Ottoman, Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Paris, FR
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Soriana A very beautiful ottoman of square shape with rounded corners. Covered with its original brown velvet in very good condition. On four castor feet....
Velvet
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
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 27.17 in W 71.26 in D 39.38 in
"Soriana" sofa in yellow fabric by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
The "Soriana" two-seater sofa, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa in 1969 and produced by Casina starting in the 1970s, is a true icon of 20th-century Italian design. This piece, reno...
Metal
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
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 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 26 in W 38 in D 40 in
Soriana Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1969
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
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 27.17 in W 37.41 in D 51.19 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Easy Chair for Cassina, Tobacco Velvet, 1969
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" chaise longue, tobacco velvet and steel, Italy, 1969. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model by the Italian duo Tobia and Afra...
Velvet
H 27.56 in W 25.6 in D 47.25 in
Soriana lounge chair with ottoman by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Very rare Soriana lounge chair with ottoman designed in 1969 by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina. It still has its intact seventies upholstery. Beautiful and timeless design wit...
Chrome
H 17 in W 23 in D 22 in
Vintage Italian Ottoman or Bench Attributed to Afra & Tobia Scarpa
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Carlo Scarpa, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Ico Parisi
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Italian walnut ottoman or bench attributed to Afra & Tobia Scarpa. This handsome organic modern/Brutalist ottoman, bench or stool has been newly upholstered in green velvet.
Velvet, Walnut
H 27.25 in W 36 in D 42 in
Soriana Lounge Chair in Grey Leather by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Signed
By Atelier International, Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
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
H 15 in W 16 in D 14.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Cognac Leather and Iron Harp Leg Stools, 1950s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This exceptional pair of vintage leather and iron stools, crafted in the United States during the 1950s, perfectly balances industrial simplici...
Iron
H 15.36 in W 33.86 in D 29.93 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Ottoman for Cassina, Burgundy Velvet, Italy, 1969
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Ottoman for Cassina, Burgundy Velvet, Italy, 1969 Designed in 1969 by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, the “Soriana” model embodies the radical...
Stainless Steel
H 14.18 in W 34.65 in D 31.5 in
Cassina Soriana Ottoman by Afra & Tobia Scarpa
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Rochester, England
Introducing the Soriana Ottoman by renowned designers Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina. This luxurious piece features a sleek and modern design, perfect for adding a touch of sophisti...
Steel
H 13 in W 27.56 in D 19.69 in
Leather Ottoman Coronado by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, Italy ca. 1960
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, B&B Italia
Located in Meulebeke, BE
Italy / 1960 / ottoman / Coronado / Tobia Scarpa / B&B Italia / leather / mid-century / vintage / Italian design This Coronado ottoman was designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa in the ...
Leather
H 13.59 in W 27.56 in D 19.69 in
Italian modern brown leather pouf Coronado Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, B&B Italia
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern brown leather pouf Coronado Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970s Pouf mod. Coronado lightly padded and covered in brown leather. In the central part of the top there i...
Leather, Plastic
H 15 in W 34 in D 30 in
Vintage Scarpa for Cassina Soriana Ottoman in Leather, Italy-1969
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A piece with a special place within the canon of 20th century design—the Soriana ottoman. With a vise-like grip, the metal structure holds the armchair, with its biodegradable intern...
Steel
H 13.5 in W 19.5 in D 28 in
Leather Ottoman by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa. Made in Italy.
Leather
H 39.38 in W 39.38 in D 23.63 in
Mid Century Modern Soriana Bouclé Armchair and Ottoman
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Collonge-Bellerive, GE
Post-modern lounge chair with ottoman manufactured by Cassina in the 1970s. Reupholstered in ivory bouclé wool, we offer an in-house reupholstery service. The Soriana collection was ...
Metal
H 26.38 in W 36.23 in D 37.41 in
Soriana Chairs and Ottomans by Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy, 1969
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Gorgeous pair of Soriana chairs and poufs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy, circa 1970. Please note: the listed set price is for one pair (1 chair + 1 pouf). We have two pai...
Chrome
H 15 in W 32 in D 30 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Ottoman by Cassina
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
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
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
H 15.36 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa, a Soriana Ottoman, Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Paris, FR
Afra & Tobia Scarpa (1935-2011 & 1935-) Soriana A very rare and exceptional ottoman. Covered with its original brown leather, beautifully patinated and in very good condition....
Leather
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