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.
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni Set of Twelve 'Monk' Dining Chairs
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, set of twelve 'Monk' dining chairs, walnut, leather, Italy, 1974. Set of ‘Monk’ chairs by renowned Italian designers Afra & Tobia Scarpa. Th...
Leather, Walnut
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Set of Six “Africa” Dining Chairs for Maxalto Italy, c. 1975
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Knokke-Heist, BE
A rare and striking set of six “Africa” dining chairs, designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, the artisanal line of B&B Italia, circa 1975. Carved from solid walnut wit...
Walnut
$20,619Sale Price / set|30% Off
Tacchini Set of Six Limited edition Pigreco Chairs by Tobia Scarpa in STOCK
By Tobia Scarpa, Tacchini
Located in New York, NY
Pigreco set of 6 - limited edition of 200 - numbered #78-85 UPHOLSTERED in Dedar Gimel in color 03: Ardoise CANALETTO WALNUT BASE T135 The essential nature of a sign. The proportio...
Textile, Walnut
Pigreco Chairs by Tobia Scarpa for Tacchini, Italy, 1960s
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful set of four Pigreco chairs, a timeless masterpiece of design by Tobia Scarpa for Tacchini, Italy in 1959. Each chair has been carefully upholstered with the utmost attentio...
Leather, Wood
Tobia Scarpa “Pigreco” Dining Chairs for Gavina, 1960, Set of 6
By Gavina, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Tobia Scarpa “Pigreco” dining chairs for Gavina, metal and walnut, Italy, 1960, set of six. Created for the furniture design course of Franco Alb...
Walnut
Six Rosewood “Pigreco” Dining Chairs by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Dallas, TX
Tobia Scarpa “Pigreco” dining chairs for Gavina, Rosewood and leather, Italy, 1960, set of six. Fully restored, refinished, reupholstered. The l...
Rosewood
Set of Six Dining Chairs by Tobia Scarpa, Italy, 1970s – Original Upholstery
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Almelo, NL
Set of Six Dining Chairs by Tobia Scarpa, Italy, 1970s – Original Upholstery This exceptional set of six dining chairs was designed by renowned Italian architect and designer Tobia ...
Fabric, Beech
$18,600Sale Price|36% Off
Tacchini Eight Pigreco Chairs - Limited edition of 200 by Tobia Scarpa in STOCK
By Tacchini, Tobia Scarpa
Located in New York, NY
Pigreco set of 8 - limited edition of 200 - numbered #78-85 UPHOLSTERED in Dedar Gimel in color 03: Ardoise CANALETTO WALNUT BASE T135 The essential nature of a sign. The prop...
Textile, Walnut
PIGRECO Chair designed by Tobia Scarpa made by Tacchini
By Tacchini, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Carson, CA
Pigreco Designed by Tobia Scarpa Pigreco expresses itself in the essentiality of the line, the balance between solids and voids, and the harmony between straight lines and curves, de...
Upholstery, Wood
$1,367Sale Price / item|30% Off
Molteni & C MHC.3 MISS Dining Chair by Tobia Scarpa
By Molteni & C, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Boston, MA
Designed by Tobia Scarpa Miss chair, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa in 1986. The form is linked to a system of soft, unbroken, linear rhythms. The legs are slim and divaricated, ...
Leather, Oak
Four Leather Dialogo Dining Armchairs by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia
By Tobia Scarpa, B&B Italia
Located in Danville, CA
Set of Dialogo leather dining chairs by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia. The frames have been freshly refinished and the leather seats are in fantastic original condition. This unique a...
Leather, Ash
$99,000 / set
H 31.11 in W 22.25 in D 16.93 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" Dining Chairs for Maxalto, Reddish Brown, Set of 12
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" dining chairs for Maxalto, reddish brown leather, walnut, burl and brass, Italy, 1975, set of 12. Originally hand finished and assembled one-by-one, "A...
Brass
$17,000 / set
H 31.11 in W 22.25 in D 16.93 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" Chairs for Maxalto, Black Leather, 1975, Set of 2
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" dining chairs for Maxalto, black leather, walnut and burl, Italy, 1975, set of two. Originally hand finished and assembled one-by-one, "Africa" pre...
Brass
$2,565
H 31.89 in W 21.26 in D 18.12 in
Dialogo - Chair with leather seat by Tobia Scarpa for Tacchini
By Tacchini, Tobia Scarpa
Located in Alcamo, IT
Dialogue (Chair with Armrests) Design by Tobia Scarpa The Dialogo, a chair with armrests, is a masterpiece by Tobia Scarpa, celebrated on the occasion of its 50th anniversary with t...
Leather, Wood
$19,941 / set
H 29.53 in W 20.48 in D 18.9 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Black Leather and Monk Dining Chair for Molteni, Set of 8
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Molteni & C
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of eight “Monk” dining chairs designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni in 1973. Made of black leather and ash wood. Fully restored in Italy. Interesting is the ‘flat’ s...
Leather, Ash
$51,000 / set
H 31.11 in W 22.25 in D 16.93 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" Chairs for Maxalto, Black Leather, 1975, Set of 6
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" dining chairs for Maxalto, black leather, walnut and burl, Italy, 1975, set of six. Originally hand finished and assembled one-by-one, "Africa" pre...
Leather, Walnut
$15,364 / set
H 31.5 in W 18.9 in D 23.23 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Red Leather 121 Dining Chair for Cassina, 1967, Set of 6
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of six Model 121 dining chairs, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa and produced by the Italian manufacturer Cassina in 1967. They feature English red leather upholstery and a walnut structure. Fully restored in Italy. Afra and Tobia Scarpa designed the 121 chair in 1965. A sketch from 1943 made by Carlo Scarpa (Tobia’s father) inspired its shape. Two thin plywood “petals” compose the seat and the backrest. They are available with leather upholstery or aniline-dyed. The back has cut in the lower part, required due to a reinforcement that reacts to torsion stress, which is strongest at this point. Furthermore, the basis is a solid wood double trestle. Eight screws link...
Leather, Walnut
$8,982 / set
H 29.53 in W 20.48 in D 18.9 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Black Lacquered Monk Dining Chair for Molteni, Set of 4
By Molteni & C, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of four “Monk” dining chairs designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni in 1973. Made of black leather and black lacquered beech wood. Fully restored in Italy. Interesting is...
Leather, Beech
$8,500
H 31.11 in W 22.25 in D 16.93 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" Dining Chair for Maxalto, Black Leather, 1975
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" dining chairs for Maxalto, black leather, walnut, burl and brass, Italy, 1975. Originally hand finished and assembled one-by-one, "Africa" presents...
Leather, Walnut
$17,964 / set
H 29.53 in W 20.48 in D 18.9 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Black Lacquered Monk Dining Chair for Molteni, Set of 8
By Molteni & C, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of eight “Monk” dining chairs designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni in 1973. Made of black leather and black lacquered beech wood. Fully restored in Italy. Interesting i...
Leather, Beech
$2,450 / item
H 29.73 in W 20.28 in D 17.72 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Monk" Dining Chair for Molteni, Black Leather, 1974
By Molteni & C, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Monk" dining chair for Molteni, black leather and walnut, Italy, 1974. The particular feature of this model is the support structure composed of two equal trest...
Walnut, Leather
$8,250
H 31.11 in W 22.25 in D 16.93 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" Dining Chairs for Maxalto, Reddish Brown, 1975
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" dining chairs for Maxalto, reddish brown leather, walnut and burl, Italy, 1975 Originally hand finished and assembled one-by-one, "Africa" presents ...
Leather, Walnut
$150,000 / set
H 31.25 in W 22.5 in D 19.25 in
Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Set of Twelve Africa Walnut Dining Chairs 1975
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto extraordinary set of twelve dining chairs model 'Africa' with sculptural frames in walnut including ebony with seats in saddle or cogn...
Brass
Sold
H 31.89 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Set of Six 'Torcello' Armchairs with Terracotta Leather by Tobia Scarpa
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tobia Scarpa, set of six 'Torcello' armchairs, walnut and leather, Italy, 1970s. The wonderfully red leather, organic shaped seats form a beautiful combination with the straight arm...
Leather, Walnut
Set of 6 Pigreco chairs, Gavina production by Tobia Scarpa
By Tobia Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Boom, Vlaams Gewest
Set of six Pigreco chairs designed by Tobia Scarpa and produced by Gavina. These iconic chairs are a striking example of Italian postmodern design, characterized by their bold geomet...
Walnut
Pair of “Pigreco” Dining Chairs by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of Tobia Scarpa “Pigreco” dining chairs for Gavina, Mahogany and leather, Italy, 1960, . Fully restored, refinished with original leather sea...
Mahogany
Tobia Scarpa “Pigreco” Dining Chairs for Gavina, 1960, Set of 6
By Tobia Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Tobia Scarpa “Pigreco” dining chairs for Gavina, black leather and walnut, Italy, 1960, set of six. Created for the furniture design course of Fr...
Metal
Pigreco chairs Tobia Scarpa Gavina Italy 1957
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare set of six Pigreco chairs by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina in Italy in 1957. Every feature of this chair responds to a logic: conveying a “sense of space” to a traditionally static ob...
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 24.02 in W 21.66 in D 17.33 in
Set of 8 'Pigreco' dining chairs by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, Italy 1960s
By Tobia Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Sittard, LI
Rare set of 8 Pigreco chairs designed by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, Italy 1959. These early production Pigreco chairs feature solid rosewood frames with many beautiful, yet subtile de...
Leather, Rosewood
Tobia Scarpa Sculpted Rosewood and Leather "Pegreco" Dining Chairs
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Coronado, CA
A sensational set of 6 sculpted rosewood "Pigreco" dining chairs by Tobia Scarpa. The deep wispy rosewood frames are beautifully complimented by handpicked cognac calfskin leather se...
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 24.02 in W 21.66 in D 16.15 in
Set of 6 Pigreco Dining Chairs by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, 1960s
By Tobia Scarpa, Gavina
Located in amstelveen, NL
Set of 6 Pigreco dining chairs by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina. The Pigreco chair is the first product designed by Tobia Scarpa, conceived in 1959 as a...
Mohair, Bentwood
Sold
H 24.02 in W 21.66 in L 24.02 in
Set of 6 Pigreco Dining Chairs by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, 1960s
By Tobia Scarpa, Gavina
Located in amstelveen, NL
Set of 6 Pigreco dining chairs by Tobia Scarpa for Gavina. The Pigreco chair is the first product designed by Tobia Scarpa, conceived in 1959 as a...
Mohair, Bentwood
Mid Century Tobia Scarpa Dining Chairs, 1960s
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Mid century dining chairs by Tobia Scarpa. Unknown model, lots of typical Scarpa design elements. Condition: The chairs are in their original condition with normal wear and som...
Wood
Sold
H 29.53 in W 20.28 in D 18.71 in
Tobia Scarpa Eight Blonde Walnut Black Leather Dining Chairs Monk, Italy, 1970s
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Vienna, AT
Tobia Scarpa 8 walnut and black leather dining chairs, model Monk, for Molteni, Italy, 1970s. An iconic set of dining chairs made...
Leather, Walnut
Sold
H 31 in W 22 in D 18 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Artona Series 'Africa' Chairs Produced, Maxalto 4 Available
By B&B Italia, Tobia Scarpa, Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Hudson, NY
Stunning set of 4 'Africa' chairs designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa. They are part of the 'Artona Series". These chairs have the original labels and are in very good condition. The Ar...
Brass