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.)
$25,494Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Zibaldone Bookcases by Carlo Scarpa, 1974
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Pair of 'Scuderia' Bookcases by Carlo Scarpa for Bernini Italy, 1974 Iconic pair of bookcases designed by Carlo Scarpa for Bernini in 1974, showcasing the architect's refined approac...
Glass, Wood
Model 795 Bookcase by Carlo Scarpa for Bernini
By Bernini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
More than just a bookcase but rather a small architectural masterpiece that is the focal point of any space, the Model 795 bookshelf (sometimes called the “Serie 1935” or “Liberia 19...
Metal
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
Bookcase Model 795 by Carlo Scarpa for Bernini, Italy, 1980, Walnut and Steel
By Carlo Scarpa, Bernini
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
Set of Four "Rialto" Wood Bookcases by Carlo Scarpa for Simon Gavina, 1970s
By Carlo Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Milan, IT
Set of four "Rialto" bookcases by Carlo Scarpa for Gavina. "In the early 1970s, Carlo Scarpa designed this model for his home. After three years of "enjoyable" discussions, Gavina ...
Wood
Large Bookcase Model "795" by Carlo Scarpa for Bernini, Italy, 1980s
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Large Bookcase Model "795" by Carlo Scarpa for Bernini, Italy, 1980s
Metal
Cassina Veliero Bookcase in Ash by Franco Albini
By Franco Albini, Cassina
Located in Vancouver, BC
The iconic Veliero bookcase re-invents the concept of balance, becoming the furniture poster child for the visionary work of Franco Albini. Given its ...
Brass, Stainless Steel
$2,750
H 34.5 in W 86.5 in D 12.75 in
Custom Walnut Wood Bookcase by Pablo Romo, Mid-Century Modern, USA
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Custom Walnut Wood Bookcase by Pablo Romo Ambianic 34.5 h x 12.75 d x 86.5 Can be adjusted to accommodate buyer specs. Consult dealer for additional detail. Refer t...
Wood
$3,642 / set
H 10.63 in W 12.6 in D 16.42 in
Set of 5 SPACE-AGE Concrete BOOKCASES by WILLY GUHL for ETERNIT, Swiss 1970
By Willy Guhl
Located in PARIS, FR
A set of 5 (on a total of 20 identical pieces!!!) modular concrete bookcases, Modernist, Free Form, Brutalist, rectangular loop cases with rounded edges, with a great grey patina wit...
Concrete
$22,000
H 82 in Dm 72.38 in
Italian Modern Rosewood Wall Unit/Bookcase by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Model 540 modular bookcase designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini (ca. 1960s, Italy). Uncommon rosewood example composed of four vertical slatted-rails creating three bays inclu...
Metal, Aluminum
$20,486
H 91.74 in W 26.78 in D 13 in
Modular Bookshelf by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Japan, 1971
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Roma, IT
Rare modular bookshelf realized by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina in 1971. Exceptional, Large-Scale, Fully Configurable Composition. This extraordinary and exceptionally rare ...
Metal
Mid-Century Italian Modern Bookcase by Paolo Buffa in Palisander
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century (1940s) Italian Modern palisander rectangular bookcase featuring 2 centered marble columns with fluted staff-form giltwood mounts, 4 doors (2 with glass, 2 inlaid with a ...
Giltwood
Mid-Century Modern Teak Danish Bookcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Striking mid-century modern Danish bookcase and media cabinet crafted from richly grained teak. Tall and elegant, it features open shelving above and enclosed storage below, offering...
Teak
Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Bookcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautifully crafted mid-century Danish modern bookcase in richly grained teak, offering the perfect balance of simplicity, function, and timeless design. With its clean lines and w...
Teak
$4,780
H 76.97 in W 85.04 in D 17.13 in
Large Danish Modern Rosewood Bookcase by Carlo Jensen for Hundevad, 1960s.
By Carlo Jensen, Hundevad & Co.
Located in Asaa, DK
Large and Impressive Danish Modern Rosewood Bookcase by Carlo Jensen for Hundevad, 1960s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern bookcase in Rosewood/palisander designed by Carlo Jensen fo...
Santos Rosewood
Carlo Scarpa for Bernini '795' Library in Metal and Walnut
By Bernini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carlo Scarpa for Bernini, library or wall unit, model '795', walnut, metal, Italy, design 1935, edition made in 1980s Stunning library designed by Carlo Scarpa for Bernini. This wal...
Metal
$11,153
H 118.12 in W 98.43 in D 11.82 in
rare bookcase designed "css" model by george nelson for herman miller 1060
By George Nelson
Located in taranto, IT
Rare Sky/Earth modular bookcase model "CSS", designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960 composed of five height-adjustable aluminium uprights, 10 shelves, two wooden upper com...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Bookcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautifully crafted mid-century Danish modern bookcase in richly grained teak, offering the perfect balance of simplicity, function, and timeless design. With its clean lines and w...
Teak
$2,637Sale Price|20% Off
H 46.46 in W 41.74 in D 15.75 in
Angelo Mangiarotti Italian Wood Bookcases Shelves Cavalletto Model for Agapecasa
By AgapeCasa, Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
A furnishing system made entirely of wood, designed by Angelo Mangiarotti in 1953. Its distinctive feature is a trestle in the shape of an upturned “V”, which means it is superimposable by means of a siply gravity joint, and whose special perimeter section can accomodate bookshelves on which closed containers...
Wood
Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Bookcase
Located in Tulsa, OK
**Please Read Entire Description** Please view all listing pictures on a laptop if possible. Some cell phones don’t display all listing pictures and some could be pictures relating to condition. Please read all the way down through this entire description box to view the entire description of the item. Please keep in mind that these are 40-75 year old items and will have some expected normal wear. We strive to represent our items well, and most of these items are in above average vintage condition. Noticeable flaws will be represented in the listing pictures and the text but we cannot describe or picture every small scratch, ding, or area of slight wear. Once delivered, furniture CANNOT be refused, returned, or refunded unless damage has occurred in the shipping process. Our shipper takes care to wrap each item and pack it safely therefore we have rarely had any issues with damage in transit. All items must be picked up within 3 weeks of order if buyer secures his own shipper. Shipping usually requires 3-6 weeks delivery through our shipping contacts and is only available in the continental US for large furniture items. Some smaller items are available to be shipped internationally through USPS/UPS. * * * Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Bookcase...
Teak
$2,211Sale Price|75% Off
H 125.99 in W 22.05 in D 22.05 in
Bookcase 1962 Italian Mid-Century Modern Revolving Design Sculptural Wood
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Bookcase of 1962 original Italian design revolving design, made of wood, with wooden fronts carved with various subjects and signature of the artist, very original and attractive des...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 90.56 in W 41.34 in D 15.75 in
Zibaldone bookcase by Carlo Scarpa for Bernini Anni 70-80 in walnut
By Bernini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
Bookcase with vertically sliding glass doors by counterweight, walnut veneer wood. Good conditions.
Walnut
Sold
H 90.56 in W 41.34 in D 15.75 in
Zibaldone bookcase by Carlo Scarpa for Bernini Anni 70-80 in walnut
By Bernini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
Bookcase with vertically sliding glass doors by counterweight, walnut veneer wood. Good conditions.
Walnut
Set of Three Vintage Bookshelves "Zibaldone" by Carlo Scarpa
By Carlo Scarpa, Bernini
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Three Modules Bookshelf Zibaldone by Carlo Scarpa for Bernini, 1974. Bookcase with crystal doors sliding vertically by means of a counterweight, solid wood and walnut veneer...
Crystal, Metal, Brass
Sold
H 89.77 in W 41.74 in D 16.15 in
Italian Modern Wooden Glass Bookcase Zibaldone by Carlo Scarpa for Bernini, 1974
By Carlo Scarpa, Bernini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Wooden and glass Bookcase mod. Zibaldone by Carlo Scarpa for Bernini, 1974 Bookcase mod. Zibaldone with structure in veneered wood and glass. This particular bookcase ...
Metal
Walnut Veneered Bookcase by Carlo Scarpa for Bernin, Italy, 1970s-1980s
By Bernini, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
A walnut veneered bookcase with vertical sliding glass doors with counterweight. Designed by Carlo Scarpa for Bernini. Italy, 1970s-1980s.
Glass, Walnut
Pair of Carlo Scarpa Zibaldone Bookcases by Bernini
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful pair of well-engineered bookcases designed by Carlo Scarpa. Each case features two pieces of glass that move up and down by a weighted pulley and strap system.