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.
Mid-Century Modern Artona Sideboard by Tobia Scarpa, 1970s
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Artona Sideboard by Tobia Scarpa, 1970s Architect and designer Tobia Scarpa graduated in 1969 at the University of Venice and in the same year won a “Compasso d’O...
Wood
$7,800
H 28 in W 71 in D 18 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Artona Sideboard in Walnut and Leather, Maxalto 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for the Artona line by Maxalto, this 1975 sideboard features a walnut frame with a leather front. The Artona collection was the first line produced ...
Wood
$11,274
H 29.53 in W 82.68 in D 19.69 in
Artona Africa Sideboard by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Artona–Africa Series sideboard designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, the luxury division of B&B Italia. A landmark example of 1970s Italian architectural furniture, the piece ...
Leather, Wood
$2,448
H 23.82 in W 53.55 in D 16.74 in
Mid-Century Danish Modern Brutalist Oak Sideboard, Henning Kjærnulf, 1970s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Rødding, DK
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern Danish Brutalist sideboard, expertly crafted from solid and beautifully grained European oak during the 19...
Brass
$13,800
H 32.09 in W 70.87 in D 19.69 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto 'Artona' Sideboard in Black Leather and Walnut
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 'Artona' sideboard, walnut, burlwood, leather, Italy, 1975/1979 This sideboard was designed as part of the ‘Artona’ line by Afra & Tobia Sca...
Leather, Walnut, Burl
$21,638 / set
H 63.19 in W 34.26 in D 23.63 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Maxalto Artona Serie Leather Wood Wardrobes Cupboards, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of two midcentury modern design Italian cupboards, wardrobes or cabinets from the Artona series, designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa and manufactured by Maxalto starting in the 1...
Leather, Wood
$4,995
H 29.5 in W 64 in D 18 in
William Doezema for Mastercraft Mid-Century Modern Sideboard Credenza, 1970s
By Mastercraft, William Doezema
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet. By William Doezema for Mastercraft USA, 1970s Beautiful burled Carpathian elm wood, with inlai...
Brass
$2,220
H 27.56 in W 70.87 in D 17.72 in
"Artona" sideboard by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1970s
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
Sideboard from the "Artona" series, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in the 1970s, a distinctive example of 20th-century avant-garde Italian design. The combination of f...
Leather, Walnut
Mid Century Modern Sideboard Buffet
Located in Westwood, NJ
This beautifully crafted sideboard is a striking example of mid-century modern design reimagined for contemporary living. The unit features rich, dark tones contrasted by the Italian...
Marble, Metal
$13,800
H 36.82 in W 103.15 in D 18.12 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto 'Artona' Sideboard in Black Lacquered Wood
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 'Artona' sideboard, walnut, lacquered wood, ebony, brass, Italy, 1975/1979 This sideboard with strong geometrical lines is a design by Afra & Tobia ...
Brass
1970s Italian Sideboard
Located in Praha, CZ
- Body Made of laminate with imitation of wood and Legs are made of Beech wood - Good original condition with minor signs of use
Laminate, Wood, Beech
$14,236
H 31.89 in W 127.96 in D 18.12 in
Mid-Century Afra And Tobia Scarpa Italian Wood Black Lacquer 1970s Sideboard
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Madrid, ES
The sideboard, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in the 1970s, is a refined example of Italian modern design, combining architectural clarity, luxurious materials, and ou...
Brass
$2,106
H 28.55 in W 35.83 in D 17.92 in
"Artona" Small Bookcase by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1970s
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
A storage cabinet from the "Artona" series, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in the 1970s, an iconic piece of 20th-century Italian design. Crafted from wood and walnut b...
Wood
$14,400
H 91.34 in W 115.36 in D 23.23 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto 'Artona' Wall Unit with Vitrine in Walnut
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 'Artona' highboard consisting of cabinet with vitrine, walnut, burlwood, lacquered wood, brass, glass, leather, Italy, 1975/1979 This substantia...
Brass
$13,343 / set
H 30.71 in W 44.49 in D 17.33 in
Patchwork Leather Sideboards in the Style of Tobia Scarpa, Italy, 1970
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in London, GB
Superb patchwork leather sideboard. *One available Italy circa 1970 ** Also available a matching 4 door sideboard. **
Leather, Wood
$14,296
H 33.08 in W 98.43 in D 20.87 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Leather, Burl Walnut and Marble Sideboard, Italy, 1975
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in London, GB
An elegant and sculptural sideboard designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa in Italy, circa 1975. Featuring a richly figured burl walnut top, leather-clad cabinet fronts and refined marble...
Marble
Tobia Scarpa, Pair of Cabinets in Walnut, Italy, 1960s
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tobia Scarpa, pair of cabinets in walnut, Italy, 1960s This cabinet was designed by Tobia Scarpa, and shows a clear design that characterizes the work of Scarpa. The piece shows...
Walnut
Tobia Scarpa, Cabinet in Walnut, Italy, 1960s
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tobia Scarpa, cabinet in walnut, Italy, 1960s This cabinet was designed by Tobia Scarpa, and shows a clear design that characterizes the work of Scarpa. The piece shows wonderfu...
Walnut
Sold
H 36.82 in W 98.43 in D 18.12 in
Mid-Century Modern Artona Sideboard by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, 1970s
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Sideboard by Tobia Scarpa, 1970s Architect and designer Tobia Scarpa graduated in 1969 at the University of Venice and in the same year won a “Compasso d’Oro” pri...
Wood