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
$2,240Sale Price|36% Off
Stool by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Benetton
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lugo, IT
Steel and leather stool Design by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Benetton 1980 88 Not perfect condition as pictured Thank you
Steel
Vintage Tobia & Afra Scarpa Soriana Ottoman / Footstool for Cassina 1969
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Uxbridge, GB
This exquisite footstool from the Soriana range, designed in 1969 by renowned Italian designers Tobia and Afra Scarpa for Cassina, is a stunning example of mid-century modern design ...
Steel
Soriana Pouf by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
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
$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 Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
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
Soriana Sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Dallas, TX
A Soriana sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina. This sofa was a floor model and is in excellent, like new condition. Upholstered in the premium #13L011 'Corda' fabric from Cassi...
Fabric
$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
$8,400
H 25.6 in W 39.38 in D 35.44 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Soriana" Easy Chair for Cassina, Brown Leather, 1969
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Lounge Chair for Cassina, Brown Leather, Italy, 1969 Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model by the Italian duo Tobia and A...
Leather
$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 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
Lauriana Chairs 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. Rare original leather lauriana chairs, made in Italy.
Leather
$19,200
H 25.6 in W 98.43 in D 39.38 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, Ivory Bouclé, 1969
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, Bouclé Wool and Chromed Steel, 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. Its most notable feature, however, is the Minimalist structure in chromed steel. This external structure in steel rod keeps the cover taut using buttons...
Bouclé
$48,200
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
$9,000
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
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, Pink, 1969
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” sofa for Cassina, pink and chromed steel, Italy, 1969. Although technically designed in the 1960s,...
Velvet
Vintage Italian Ottoman or Bench Attributed to Afra & Tobia Scarpa
By Ico Parisi, Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Carlo Scarpa
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
Sold
H 21.66 in W 17.72 in D 16.74 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa 'Benetton' Stools in Mixed Wood and Cognac Leather
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Benetton, stools, oak, walnut, wenge, ash, Italy, 1970s We present exquisitely crafted stools designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for the Benetton shop. These ...
Leather, Ash, Oak, Walnut, Wenge
Sold
H 18.12 in W 21.66 in D 23.63 in
Pair of Mid-Century Leather Stools by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Benetton, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of mid-century leather stools by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Benetton, 1970s.
Leather
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 Ottomans by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
A pair of Soriana ottomans by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, circa 1970. This pair has been professionally restored.
Steel
Pair of Scarpa Rolling Ottomans/Poofs
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Chicago, IL
Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Soriana Rolling Ottomans Chocolate brown leather with metal bracing. Signed with decal manufacturer's and distributor's labels...
Metal