Carlo Scarpa was born in Venice in 1906 and became one of the leading figures of architecture and international design during the 20th century. At merely 21 years old — and still a student at the Academy of Fine Arts — Scarpa began working as a designer for master Murano glassmaker M.V.M. Cappellin. Within a few years, he completely revolutionized the approach to art glass.
In a short time, under the guidance of Scarpa, the Capellin furnace not only established itself as the top glass company, but above all it introduced modernity and international fame to Murano glassmaking. Scarpa created a personal style of glassmaking, a new vision that irreversibly changed glass production.
The young Scarpa experimented with new models and colors: his chromatic combinations, impeccable execution and geometric shapes became his modus operandi. Thanks to Scarpa’s continuous research on vitreous matter, Cappellin produced a series of high-quality glass objects, that saw the company revisiting ancient processing techniques such as the watermark and Phoenician decoration.
When he encountered the challenge of opaque glass, Scarpa proposed introducing textures of considerable chromatic impact, such as glass pastes and glazed glass with bright colors. Scarpa also collaborated in the renovation of Palazzo da Mula in Murano, the home of Cappellin. At the academy, he obtained the diploma of professor of architectural design and obtained an honorary degree from the Venice University Institute of Architecture of which he was director.
In 1931, Scarpa's collaboration with Cappellin ended, following the bankruptcy of the company because it was not able to withstand the economic crisis linked to the Great Depression. But Scarpa did not go unnoticed by Paolo Venini — in 1933, the young designer became the new artistic director of the biggest glass company in Murano.
Master glassmakers thought Scarpa's projects and sketches were impossible, but the passionate and curious designer always managed to get exactly what he wanted. Until 1947 he remained at the helm of Venini & Co., where he created some of the best known masterpieces of modern glassmaking. Scarpa’s work with Venini was characterized by the continuous research on the subject, the use of color and techniques that he revisited in a very personal way, and the development of new ways of working with master glassmakers.
At the beginning of the 1930s, "bubble", "half filigree" and "submerged" glass appeared for the first time on the occasion of the Venice Biennale of 1934. A few years later, at the Biennale and the VI Triennale of Milan, Venini exhibited its lattimi and murrine romane pieces, which were born from a joint idea between Scarpa and Paolo Venini.
In 1938 Scarpa increased production, diversifying the vases from "objects of use" to sculptural works of art. In the same year he laid the foundation for the famous "woven" glass collection, exhibited the following year. In the subsequent years, Scarpa–Venini continued to exhibit at the Biennale and in various other shows their the "black and red lacquers," the granulari and the incisi, produced in limited series, and the "Chinese," which was inspired by Asian porcelain.
Scarpa's creations for Venini garnered an international response and were a great success, leaving forever an indelible mark on the history of glassmaking. The last Biennale in which Carlo Scarpa participated as artistic director of Venini was in 1942. He left the company five years later.
The time that Scarpa spent in the most important glass factory in Murano would attach a great artistic legacy to the company. His techniques and styles were resumed in the postwar period under the guidance of Tobia Venini, Paolo's son. In the 1950s, after the departure of Scarpa, Fulvio Bianconi was the new visionary at the Biennials with Venini.
On 1stDibs, vintage Carlo Scarpa glass and lighting are for sale, including decorative objects, tables, chandeliers and more.
(Biography provided by Ophir Gallery Inc.)
Carlo Scarpa Doge Table for Cassina, Aluminum Base, Mid-Century Italy
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Carlo Scarpa Doge Table For Cassina A sculptural structure that has become an emblem of Italian design, a trademark of the new ultrarational ...
Aluminum
Carlo Scarpa "Cornaro" Sofa early edition in Iroko Wood and Fabric, Italy, 1950s
By Carlo Scarpa, Simon Gavina Editions
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Carlo Scarpa "Cornaro" 2 seat Sofa early edition in Iroko Wood and Fabric, Italy, 1950's Early production Cornaro sofa by Carlo Scarpa for Simon, Italy, 1973. This rare first versio...
Fabric, Wood
$6,965Sale Price|20% Off
Carlo Scarpa Valmarana Table in Ashwood by Simon Gavina 1970s
By Gavina, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Valmarana table in ash wood designed by Carlo Scarpa and produced by Simon Gavina in the 1970s. Carlo Scarpa is a renowned architect with deep ties to Venice, where he was born and...
Ash
1950s Drum Venini pale green blue and clear poliedri chandelier by Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in London, GB
A vintage large drum cylindrical shaped Poliedri chandelier. Pale green, blue and clear color Poliedri glass components on one silver lacquered metal structure designed by Carlo Sc...
Metal
$760Sale Price|20% Off
Venini Scarpa Murano Bollicine White Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Mini Vase
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful antique Murano hand blown Sommerso clear white bubbles and gold flecks Italian art glass mini vase / vide poche. The piece is documented to the Venini company, and created ...
Gold Leaf
Italian "Samo" Carrara Marble Dining Table by Carlo Scarpa for Simon Gavina
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Chicago, IL
Carlo Scarpa's ‘Samo’ dining table was designed for Simon Gavina in 1971. Part of the 'Ultrarazionale' collection, this rare piece features two grooved Carrara marble pillars support...
Carrara Marble
Carlo Scarpa Rialto Bookcase by Cassina, Ash Wood, Mid-Century Modern
By Carlo Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Price is dependent on the chosen size of the bookcase. One single element measures 55cm width and 249cm height. Available materials: natural ash, black stained ash, matt lacquered as...
Wood
Carlo Scarpa Venini Art Deco Chandelier, Nickel & Glass, 1930s
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in New York, NY
Carlo Scarpa for Venini highly unique rectangular shaped Art Deco chandelier, circa 1930's. A minimalist nickel-plated structure with a row of eight thick ribbed hand-cut glass eleme...
Nickel
Carlo Scarpa 1934 "765" Dining Chairs for Bernini, Black Leather, 1934, Set of 4
By Carlo Scarpa, Bernini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Carlo Scarpa 1934 "765" dining chairs for Bernini, black leather, Italy, 1934, set of four Initially designed for Scarpa's own Venetian house in 1934, this model came up to producti...
Leather, Wood
Venini Murrine Romane Multi-Color Vase by Carlo Scarpa
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Murrine Romane vase in multi-color by Carlo Scarpa. Numbered Edition. These Murrine are called “roman” due to their graphic signs and because the...
Glass
Carlo Scarpa 1934 "765" Dining Chairs for Bernini, Brown Leather, 1934, Set of 6
By Carlo Scarpa, Bernini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Carlo Scarpa "765" dining chairs for Bernini, 1934, brown leather, set of 6 Initially designed for Scarpa's own Venetian house in 1934, this model came up to production only in 1977...
Leather, Wood
20th Century, Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano Glass Vase from the Corrosi Series
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Torino, Piemonte
Carlo Scarpa (1906- 1978) was an Italian architect and designer heavily influenced by the history of Venetian culture, materials and landscape. in 1926 obtained his diploma of Profes...
Glass, Murano Glass
Carlo Scarpa Doge Laguna Table: Steel & Glass, Mid-Century Modern
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Carlo Scarpa Doge laguna Table For Cassina Cassina celebrates the induction of Carlo Scarpa into the iMaestri collection with a limited edition of 5...
Steel
Kentucky Chairs by Carlo Scarpa for Bernini, Italy, 1980s
By Bernini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Antwerp, BE
Original Kentucky chairs designed by Carlo Scarpa for Bernini, 1970s. Each featuring a cylindrical walnut wood frame, brown leather seat and back, and burnished brass ferrules on the...
Leather, Walnut
Carlo Scarpa “Cornaro” Sofas for Gavina, Turquoise Velvet, 1973, Set of 2
By Gavina, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Carlo Scarpa “Cornaro” sofas for Gavina, wood and turquoise velvet, 1973, set of two. The Cornaro sofa represents a sublime exemplification of the harmony between Japanese minimalis...
Velvet, Foam, Wood
Beautiful light green mouth-blown Murano vase by Carlo Scarpa for Venini Italy
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in München, BY
Beautiful 1960s light green hand-blown Murano glass vase by Carlo Scarpa. Manufacturer: Venini. Made in Italy. The bottom is engraved with "Venini Murano Italia". Very beautiful, hi...
Murano Glass
‘Argo’ Oval Dining table in travertine by Carlo Scarpa for Simon Gavina, 1970s
By Cattelan Italia, Carlo Scarpa, Simon Gavina Editions
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Fantastic dining table model Argo in travertine, designed by Carlo Scarpa for the “Ultrarazionale” collection, produced and sold by Cattelan Italia in the 1970s. The table is based ...
Travertine
Carlo Scarpa Delfi Dining Table in Marble and Glass for Cassina
By Carlo Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Price is dependent on the chosen material and size. Available materials: Marquina or Carrara marble. Also available in 220 x 110cm or 260 x 102cm or 306 x 102cm. The table can also b...
Marble
A pair of Carlo Scarpa Murano chandeliers 'Poliedri' for Venini
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Eindhoven, NL
A very beautiful and original pair Murano chandeliers designed by Italian architect and designer Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano. Each with 9 lights. Beautiful design where the advanc...
Metal
Rare Venini 1930 Carlo Scarpa Brass Diamond Glass Applique
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Palermo, Sicily
rare and elegant Murano Glass wall sconce with Diamante pattern glass and Brass parts probably created by Carlo Scarpa for Venini.
Brass
$10,550 / item
Carlo Scarpa Sarpi Table For Cassina
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Carlo Scarpa Sarpi Table For Cassina Carlo Scarpa designed this design table in 1974, successor to the popular Doge, with which it appears in the ...
Glass
Carlo Scarpa Walnut and Black Leather Chairs for Bernini, Italy, 1977
By Carlo Scarpa, Bernini
Located in Sacile, PN
Carlo Scarpa walnut and black leather chairs mod. 1934/765 for Bernini, 1977. 765 is planned by Carlo Scarpa in 1934, year from which the chair will ta...
Leather, Walnut
Decorative Rare Venini Bowl by Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Red Lion, PA
CARLO SCARPA Venini production, Italy, ca. 1938. Rare “Puntini” bowl in colorless crystal and red glass paste dots, semi-globular body. Presented at the International Exhibition in P...
Glass
Venini Glass Bowl by Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Red Lion, PA
CARLO SCARPA Produced by Venini & C., Italy, ca. 1935 Rose-colored 'Diamante' glass bowl with a polylobed section and a circular mouth. Acid-etched mark "Venini Murano." Bibliograf...
Glass
Carlo Scarpa Sarpi Glass Dining Table with Brushed Metal Base, Italy
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Carlo Scarpa Sarpi Table For Cassina Carlo Scarpa designed this design table in 1974, successor to the popular Doge, with which it appears in the ...
Glass
Samo Dining Table by Carlo Scarpa for Simon Gavina, Italy, 1971
By Carlo Scarpa, Simon Gavina Editions
Located in Antwerp, BE
The Samo dining table is a sculptural and architectural masterpiece designed by Carlo Scarpa for Simon Gavina’s Ultrarazionale collection. It features an oval gray granite top that a...
Granite
Carlo Scarpa Set of Four Lacquered Wood Dining Chairs for Gavina, Italy, 1974
By Gavina, Carlo Scarpa
Located in London, GB
A rare and highly collectible set of four dining chairs designed by Carlo Scarpa for Gavina, produced in Italy in 1974. Executed in lacquered wood, the chairs embody Scarpa's distinc...
Wood, Lacquer
1930 Carlo Scarpa Venini "A Bollicine" Murano Glass Art Deco Green Bottle
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Brescia, IT
Bottle "A Bubble" Carlo Scapa, Venini Italy, 1930 Rare Object Original 1930 Perfect condiction Bibliography: "Carlo Scarpa. I vetri di un architetto" di Marino Barovier
Murano Glass
"Forian" Low Table by Carlo Scarpa for Simon Gavina, Italy, 1970s
By Gavina, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Milan, IT
"Florian" coffee table by Carlo Scarpa for Simon - Gavina. Masterly detailed steel base supporting a large glass top. From the same collection also currently available a Doge extra l...
Steel
Carlo Scarpa 'Cornaro' Sofa in Iroko wood for Gavina early ed., Italy, 1970's
By Carlo Scarpa, Simon Gavina Editions
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Early production Cornaro sofa by Carlo Scarpa for Simon, Italy, 1973. This rare first version was crafted in solid Iroko wood, a dense African hardwood used only in the earliest prod...
Wood
Tobia Scarpa Travertine Table
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Gorgeous oval shaped table by Carlo Scarpa in cream travertine marble. Italy, 1970's "Argo" center or dining table designed for the Ultrazionale" collection Single pedestal with w...
Travertine
Original Blue Glass Poliedri Chandelier by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, Italy, c1960
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in London, GB
A rare circular blue glass poliedri (polyhedron) chandelier designed by the Italian architect and designer, Carlo Scarpa, c.1960. Produced by the prestigious Murano glass company, Ve...
Steel
Murano Glass Mirror by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, Italy, 1930s
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Murano Glass Mirror by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, Italy, 1930s
Glass
Rare Carlo Scarpa Mexana 194 Table for Simon Gavina, Italy, 1973
By Carlo Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Rare “Mexana 194” table designed by Carlo Scarpa for Simon Gavina in 1973, an exceptional example of Italian architectural design from the 1970s. The table features a strong rectangu...
Velvet, Wood
Sarpi Table by Carlo Scarpa for Simon Gavina, Italy, 1970
By Carlo Scarpa, Simon Gavina Editions
Located in Dronten, NL
A masterful example of Carlo Scarpa’s design brilliance, this Sarpi Table was created for Simon Gavina in Bologna, Italy, in 1970. The table features a brushed stainless steel frame ...
Stainless Steel
Carlo Scarpa 'Cornaro' Love Seat in Iroko Wood for Simon, Italy, 1970's
By Carlo Scarpa, Simon Gavina Editions
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Carlo Scarpa 'Cornaro' Loveseat in Iroko Wood for Simon, Italy, 1970's Early production Cornaro sofa by Carlo Scarpa for Simon, Italy, 1973. This rare first version was crafted in s...
Fabric, Leather, Hardwood
"Argo" Oval Dining table by Carlo Scarpa for Simon Gavina, 1970s
By Carlo Scarpa, Simon Gavina Editions
Located in bruxelles, BE
Green marble table designed by Carlo Scarpa. Model: Argo. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Marble
Carlo Scarpa, Set of 6 Wooden Chairs for Gavina, Italy 1970s
By Gavina, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Argelato, BO
All the rigor and geometry of the great Italian designer Carlo Scarpa are expressed in this splendid and rare set of 6 wooden chairs made for Gavina in the early 1970s. An essential...
Wood
Carlo Scarpa Orseolo Table for Cassina, Aluminum & Lacquer, Italy
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Carlo Scarpa Orseolo Table For Cassina A modern table but, above all, an absolute masterpiece and unsurpassed model of formal beauty, inspired by...
Aluminum
Carlo Scarpa Sarpi Table for Cassina, Glass & Metal, Mid-Century Italy
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Carlo Scarpa Sarpi Table For Cassina Carlo Scarpa designed this design table in 1974, successor to the popular Doge, with which it appears in the ...
Glass
$17,641 / item
Doge Large Dining Table by Carlo Scarpa for Cassina
By Cassina, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Doge Large Dining Table designed by Carlo Scarpa. Manufactured by Cassina (Italy) ULTRARATIONAL EMBLEM A sculptural structure that has become an emblem of Italian design, a trademar...
Aluminum
Doge dining table by Carlo Scarpa for Simon International, 1963
By Simon International, Carlo Scarpa
Located in New York, NY
Early edition ‘Doge’ dining table by Carlo Scarpa for Simon International, Italy 1963. This table comes from the "Ultrarazionale" series, composed of glass top resting on a polished ...
Steel
Carlo Scarpa “Cornaro” sofa in ivory mohair velvet for Gavina (Italy, 1970s)
By Gavina, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carlo Scarpa “Cornaro” sofa in ivory mohair velvet for Gavina (Italy, 1970s). Tubular rosewood frame. Extraordinarily comfortable and possibly the only one available outside Europe...
Mohair, Wood
Italian Walnut 'Scuderia' Sideboard by Carlo Scarpa for Bernini, 1970s
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Chicago, IL
An Italian walnut 'Scuderia' sideboard by Carlo Scarpa for Bernini, designed in the 1970s. Crafted in richly figured walnut, the elongated case presents a disciplined façade articula...
Walnut
Carlo Scarpa Oval Dining Table, Solid Granite, Italian Design
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
The Scarpa's way of thinking the architecture is particularly visible in this piece. The “Samo” dining table, designed in 1971 for 'Ultrarazionale' collection by Simon Gavina, consis...
Granite
$23,332 / item
Doge Large Dining Table by Carlo Scarpa for Cassina
By Carlo Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Doge Large Dining Table designed by Carlo Scarpa. Manufactured by Cassina (Italy) ULTRARATIONAL EMBLEM A sculptural structure that has become an emblem of Italian design, a trademar...
Aluminum
Large Vase 'Chinesi' by Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Vase 'Chinesi' by Carlo Scarpa for Venini Murano Item e8034 A very rare vase from the 'Chinesi' series, designed by Carlo Scarpa around 1940. Manufactured by Venini Murano Veni...
Art Glass
Rare Carlo Scarpa Champagne Set for Venini Reticello & Gold Leaf, 1930s
By Venini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brescia, Brescia
An exceptionally rare champagne service designed by Carlo Scarpa for Venini during his earliest and most experimental years on Murano, dating to the late 1930s and early 1940s. The ...
Murano Glass
Bookcase Model 795 by Carlo Scarpa for Bernini, Italy, 1980, Walnut and Steel
By Bernini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Vicenza, IT
Originally designed by Carlo Scarpa in 1935 and produced for the first time by Bernini in 1980, the Bookcase Model 795 perfectly embodies Scarpa’s architectural approach to furniture. The design features two vertical steel uprights with adjustable feet and wall mounts, supporting eight solid walnut shelves that gradually decrease in depth from bottom to top. The height is adjustable from 290 to 300 cm, emphasizing Scarpa’s fascination with precision mechanics and structural balance. Although conceived decades earlier, this bookcase anticipates the modular and architectural systems that would later define postwar Italian design, such as Franco Albini’s LB7...
Steel
Valmanara Table by Carlo Scarpa for Simon International - Gavina
By Gavina, Simon Gavina Editions, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Argelato, BO
Carlo Scarpa, “Valmarana” table, 1971-72, in its original bleached Ash version. "Valmarana with its solid and essential design shows Scarpa’s passion for conceiving designs that add...
Wood, Oak
Carlo Scarpa Doge Table for Cassina, Aluminum Base, Mid-Century Italy
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Carlo Scarpa Doge Table For Cassina A sculptural structure that has become an emblem of Italian design, a trademark of the new ultrarational ...
Aluminum
Carlo Scarpa Poliedri Chandelier 1969 Murano Glass Light 110cm Mid Century Italy
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Munster, NRW
Called "Poliedri" in Italian and known as "Polyhedral" in English, this design was created by Carlos Scarpa (1906-1978) for Venini when he was their art...
Blown Glass
Carlo Scarpa 'Scuderia' Walnut Dining Table by Bernini, 1977, Italy
By Carlo Scarpa, Bernini
Located in New York, NY
Carlo Scarpa, 'Scuderia' Walnut Dining Table, manufactured by Bernini in 1977 Of solid walnut structure the grain of the wood is spectacular; with sculpted and canted corner legs a...
Walnut
Carlo Scarpa Murano Vase for MVM Cappellin, Italy, 1930s
By Carlo Scarpa, MVM Cappelin
Located in Milan, IT
Carlo Scarpa Murano vase for MVM Cappellin, Italy, 1930s.
Murano Glass
Venini Carlo Scarpa Chandelier Poliedri Murano Light Bluend Brass, 1950
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
Venini Carlo Scarpa chandelier Poliedri Murano light gray celestial and iron 1950.
Murano Glass
Quatour table, Carlo Scarpa for Gavina, 1974
By Carlo Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Large square "Quatour" table in beech, made by assembling various L-shaped elements, designed by Carlo Scarpa from a 1947 sketch of his and later produced by Gavina in 1974.
Wood, Beech
Set of Six Carlo Scarpa 1934/765 Walnut Chairs for Bernini, Italy, 1977
By Carlo Scarpa, Bernini
Located in Sacile, PN
Set of Six Carlo Scarpa 1934/765 Walnut and Brown Leather Chairs for Bernini, Italy, 1977 765 is planned by Carlo Scarpa in 1934, year from which the chair will take subsequently th...
Leather, Walnut
Carlo Scarpa Valmarana Dining Table, Bleached Ash, 1974
By Carlo Scarpa, Simon Gavina Editions
Located in bari, IT
The “Valmarana” table was designed by Carlo Scarpa in 1971 for Simon International, the company founded by Dino Gavina after he left Gavina SpA. The name refers to Villa Valmarana, t...
Ash
Venini Battuto A Nido D’ape Glass Vase in Straw Yellow by Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Battuto A Nido D’ape glass vase, designed by Carlo Scarpa and manufactured by Venini, was originally designed in 1940. Numbered edition per year. Indoor use only. Dimensions: Ø 23...
Glass
'Poliedri' Sconces by Carlo Scarpa for Venini
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Poliedri' Sconces by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, Italy, 1958-1960 A rare and historically significant wall sconce by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, the Poliedri modules - individual hand-bl...
Brass, Steel