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Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

Italian, b. 1935

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.

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 Scarpa 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.)

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.

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 Tobia Scarpa table lamps, sofas, dining chairs and other furniture today on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Tobia Scarpa
Tobia Scarpa, Set of four Pigreco wooden Chairs for Gavina, Italy (1959)
By Tobia Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Argelato, BO
The Pigreco chair was designed by the famous Italian architect Tobia Scarpa in 1959 for the Gavina company. This is an extremely important work in Scarpa's artistic career, in fact i...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Mid Century Bastiano Armchair by Tobia Scarpa
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brussels , BE
Iconic Bastiano armchair by the Italian designers Tobia and Afra Scarpa. The wooden structure with sharp angles are holding the thick leather cushions in a cosy seating arrangement.
Category

Mid-20th Century Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

Materials

Leather

Tobia Scarpa, two Pigreco wooden chairs for Gavina, set of two (1959)
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Argelato, BO
The Pigreco chair was designed by the famous Italian architect Tobia Scarpa in 1959 for the Gavina company. This is an extremely important work in Scarpa's artistic career, in fact i...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Tacchini Dialogo Leather & Walnut Armchair by Tobia Scarpa in STOCK
By Tobia Scarpa, Tacchini
Located in New York, NY
DIALOGO ARMCHAIR 47x51 CAT. Z - PELLE ANILINA 02 WALNUT STRUCTURE T169 FIRE RETARDANT FOAM CAL117 A rectangular frame with rounded edges, masterful joints, and strictly visible dowe...
Category

2010s Italian Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Pair of Bastiano Armchairs by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, 1960
By Gavina, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair of Bastiano armchairs designed in 1960 by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, Italy. Mahogany wood structure and orignal removable leather cushions. Early s...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Mid-Century, Italian Bastiano leather Armchair, by Tobia Scarpa, for Knoll 1960'
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brussels , BE
Bastiano chair made of leather for an elegant look, made for Knoll.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

Materials

Leather

Knoll International Armchairs Model 'Bastiano' Tobia Scarpa Leather Dark Brown
By Tobia Scarpa, Knoll
Located in Köln, NRW
Knoll International armchairs model 'Bastiano' Tobia Scarpa leather dark brown A classic and chic pair of armchairs from the Bastiano series, des...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

20th Century Red "Coronado" Armchair By Tobia Scarpa For B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A beautiful “Coronado“ armchair and footstool by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, made in Italy around the latter part of the 20th century. Finished in a very rare red suede leather, it comes with its matching red footstool...
Category

20th Century Italian Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Suede

Three Bastiano Armchairs in Leather by Tobia Scarpa, Haimi Finland, 1960s
By Haimi, Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Helsinki, FI
Three Bastiano armchairs in leather by Tobia Scarpa for Haimi Finland, from the 1960s. Palisander frame with congac leather seats. Good vintage condi...
Category

1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Rosewood

Knoll International Armchairs Model 'Bastiano' by Tobia Scarpa in Leather Cognac
By Tobia Scarpa, Knoll
Located in Köln, NRW
Knoll International armchairs model 'Bastiano' Tobia Scarpa leather cognac. Classic and chic tarmchairs from the Bastiano series, designed by the iconic Italian designer duo Afra & ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

Mid Century White Wool "Soriana" Armchairs by Tobia Scarpa Edited by Cassina
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Pair of "Soriana" armchairs designed by Tobia Scarpa and edited by Cassina. Structure in chromed steel and upholstered in bouclé fabric, Italy, 1960s. Afra (1937-2011) and Tobia (193...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Midcentury Modern Pair of Black Leather Soriana Lounge Chairs by Tobia Scarpa
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Pair of armchairs Soriana designed by Tobia Scarpa and edited for Cassina. Structure in cromed steel and leather. Italy, 60s. Every item LA Studio offers is checked by our team of 1...
Category

1960s European Modern Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Modern Italian Pair of C&B Coronado Armchairs by Tobia Scarpa, 1970s
By Tobia Scarpa, C&B Italia
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian pair of C&B Italia "Coronado" armchairs by Tobia Scarpa with their original vintage upholstery. The armchairs are in good vintage conditions, sings and we...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

1970s Pair of Armchairs by Tobia Scarpa with Rubelli Fabric by Luke Edward Hall
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milan, IT
1970s Pair of Armchairs "Coronado" by Tobia Scarpa with Rubelli Fabric by Luke Edward Hall. This fabric is from Rubelli's "Return to Arcadia" collection designed by Luke Edward Hall....
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

Materials

Fabric

Paire de Fauteuils Bastiano de Tobia Scarpa Pour Gavina, 1960
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Paire de fauteuils Bastiano réalisé avec une structure en bois et des coussins en cuir brun cognac. Tobia Scarpa a conçu la série Bastiano pour la maison d...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Italian Armchairs by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia Model Erasmo in Brown Leather
By B&B Italia, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant and modern pair of large armchairs designed by Tobia Scarpa for the B&B Italia manufacture in 1973. The pair of armchairs is upholstered in a beautiful brown leather. The arm...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

Materials

Leather

Coronado Lounge Armchairs by Tobia Scarpa for C&b Italia
By Tobia Scarpa, C&B Italia
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Coronado lounge armchaairs chairs by Tobia Scarpa for C&B Italia ( first edition ) modello Depositato original vintage upholstery. with their Stru...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Set of Three Soriana Armchairs by Tobia Scarpa Published by Cassina
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lyon, FR
Scarpa, published by Cassina. Chromed steel structure and original brown leather seat mounted on two wheels at the front of the armchairs. Very nice vintage condition, some traces of...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

Materials

Steel

20th Century Pair Of "Coronado" Armchairs By Tobia Scarpa For B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A beautiful pair of “Coronado“ armchairs designed by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, crafted in Italy during the latter part of the 20th century. Embracing a refined aesthetic, these ex...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

1978 Knoll International Bastiano Oak Black Leather Armchairs Set
By Tobia Scarpa, Knoll
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Black leather against this honeyed oak is the most visually pleasing combination option illustrated by The Bastiano chair. The leather is thick and durable, yet soft and pliable. S...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Oak

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Two "Modernist" Chairs by Carlo Scarpa for Gavina, Italy, 1974
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Set four 'Monk' Chairs Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni 1970s
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Marcel Breuer, set of Four Cesca Chairs for Gavina. Italy 1960s
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Knoll International 3-Seater Sofa Model 'Bastiano' Tobia Scarpa Leather Cognac
By Tobia Scarpa, Knoll
Located in Köln, NRW
Knoll International 3-seater sofa model 'Bastiano' Tobia Scarpa leather cognac A classic and chic three-seater sofa from the Bastiano series, designed by the iconic Italian designer...
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Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Monk" Chairs for Molteni, 1974, Set of 4
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1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

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Set of 4 Tobia & Afra Scarpa Monk Chairs
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This beautiful set of 4 Scarpa Monk chairs in stunning black patinated leather and wood are unique in the placement of its legs and cross sections, present...
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Set of 4 Tobia & Afra Scarpa Monk Chairs
Set of 4 Tobia & Afra Scarpa Monk Chairs
H 29.8 in W 20.3 in D 18.5 in
Customizable Tacchini Sesann Armchair by Gianfranco Frattini
By Tacchini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in New York, NY
An icon of Italian design in the 1970s, the Sesann collection by Gianfranco Frattini was part of a new vision of contemporary living in which ergonomics were adapted to social change...
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2010s Italian Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

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Leather, Fabric

Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Set of Ten 'Dialogo' Dining Chairs
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, set of ten ‘Dialogo’ dining chairs, black lacquered wood, fiberglass, Italy, 1970s The ‘Dialogo’ dining c...
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Tobia Scarpa White Lacquered Sofa 3 Seats Model Bastiano for Gavina, Italy 1960s
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Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

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Knoll International Armchairs Model 'Bastiano' Tobia Scarpa Leather Dark Brown
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Knoll International armchairs model 'Bastiano' Tobia Scarpa leather dark brown A classic and chic pair of armchairs from the Bastiano series, des...
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1960s Italian Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

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Previously Available Items
20th Century Pair Of "Coronado" Armchairs By Tobia Scarpa For B&B Italia
By B&B Italia, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A beautiful pair of “Coronado“ armchairs designed by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, crafted in Italy during the latter part of the 20th century. Embracing a refined aesthetic, these ex...
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20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

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Tobia Scarpa 'Bastiano' armchair by Gavina, 1970s
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Mid century camel leather and oak frame 'Bastiano' armchairs designed by Tobia Scarpa and produced by Gavina. Very comfortable armchairs with perfect patina that give an authentic l...
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1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

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1978 Knoll International Bastiano Oak Black Leather Armchairs Set
By Tobia Scarpa, Knoll
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Black leather against this honeyed oak is the most visually pleasing combination option illustrated by The Bastiano chair. The leather is thick and durable, yet soft and pliable. S...
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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

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Pair of red mid-century armchairs with ottoman, model Coronado
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brussels , BE
Set of two armchairs and an ottoman in a warm red colour. Designed in Italy in 1966 by Tobia Scarpa for the editor B&B. Measures for the Ottoman: 68x51x34cm
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1960s Italian Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

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Pair Bastiano Lounge Chairs by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, Italy, 1970
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Located in Chicago, IL
Pair Bastiano lounge chairs by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, Italy, 1970. Chairs have been completely restored and reupholstered in a nubby boucle.
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Tobia Scarpa, two Pigreco wooden chairs for Gavina, set of two (1959)
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Argelato, BO
The Pigreco chair was designed by the famous Italian architect Tobia Scarpa in 1959 for the Gavina company. This is an extremely important work in Scarpa's artistic career, in fact i...
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1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

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Leather, Wood

B&B Coronado Armchair Leather Italy 1960s-1970s
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
Armchair with footrest; foam padding, leather upholstery.
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Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

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Pair of Lounge Chairs in Patinated Leather by Tobia Scarpa, 1970s
By C&B Italia, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lejre, DK
Pair of "Coronado" lounge chairs in cognac leather, designed by Tobia Scarpa and made for C&B Italia, 1970.
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1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

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Pair of Bastiano Armchairs by Tobia Scarpa 70's Solid Wood Italian Design
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lyon, FR
Pair of armchairs "Bastiano" by the Italian designer Tobia Scarpa of the 70s. structure in massive rosewood of rio, cover of the seats redone in a wool with beige buckles. Very nice ...
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1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

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Pair of C&B Italia Khaki to Cream Leather Chairs, Coronado Model, Italy, 1970's
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Pair of Lounge Chairs Tobia Scarpa for Formanova, Italy, 1960s
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1960s Italian Vintage Tobia Scarpa Armchairs

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Tobia Scarpa 'Bastiano' Armchair by Knoll, 1970s
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Tobia Scarpa 'Bastiano' Armchair by Knoll, 1970s
Tobia Scarpa 'Bastiano' Armchair by Knoll, 1970s
H 29.14 in W 35.83 in L 29.14 in

Tobia Scarpa armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Tobia Scarpa armchairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of leather and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Tobia Scarpa armchairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original armchairs by Tobia Scarpa were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider armchairs by Gae Aulenti, Bonacina, and Gastone Rinaldi. Prices for Tobia Scarpa armchairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,954 and can go as high as $21,151, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,988.

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