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Carlo Scarpa Seating

Italian, 1906-1978

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 furniture are for sale, including decorative objects, tables, chandeliers and more.

(Biography provided by Ophir Gallery Inc.)

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Number in Set: Set of 6
Creator: Carlo Scarpa
20th Century Carlo Scarpa Set of Six Chairs mod. Kentucky
By Carlo Scarpa, Bernini
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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...
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1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carlo Scarpa Seating

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Carlo Scarpa "1934" Dining Chair for Bernini, 1977, set of 6
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Carlo Scarpa "1934" dining chair for Bernini, walnut and reddish brown leather, Italy, 1977, set of six. Initially designed for Scarpa's own Venetian house in 1934, this model came ...
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1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carlo Scarpa Seating

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Italy 1960 Carlo Scarpa Design Set 6 Red Velvet Armachairs for Auditorium
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This is a set of Carlo Scarpa armchairs designed and realized for the Auditorium in Rome, project by the Italian architect Marcello Piacentini, bui...
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Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Carlo Scarpa Seating

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Carlo Scarpa seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Carlo Scarpa seating are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Carlo Scarpa seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating by Carlo Scarpa were created in the mid-century modern style in italy during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Claudio Salocchi, Angelo Mangiarotti, and Archizoom Associati. Prices for Carlo Scarpa seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,658 and can go as high as $49,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $13,763.

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