Dinning Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, 1970s
View Similar Items
Dinning Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, 1970s
About the Item
- Creator:Afra & Tobia Scarpa (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 30.71 in (78 cm)Width: 19.3 in (49 cm)Depth: 18.9 in (48 cm)Seat Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 4
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Repaired: leather ( see pictures). Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
- Seller Location:Lasne, BE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4853226096402
Afra & Tobia Scarpa
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.
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.
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 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.)
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 Afra & Tobia Scarpa furniture today on 1stDibs.
- Monk Dining Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, 1970s, Set of 4By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Molteni & CLocated in Lasne, BESet of 4 chairs in brown leather and wood designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa. Model: Monk. Seat height: 43cm Wear due to time and age of the chairs.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Africa dining chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1975, Set of 4By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Lasne, BESet of 4 Africa chairs in wood and brown leather by Afra & Tobia Scarpa . Stamped. Seat height: 45 cm. Wear due to time and age of the chairs.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Soriana Sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1970sBy B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Lasne, BEBlack leather and metal sofa. Dimensions: Seat height 41cm. Wear due to time and ageCategory
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Soriana Lounge Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1970s Set of 2By Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Lasne, BEArmchair in leather black and metal . Stamped Cassina. Wear due to time and age of the chair. Measure: Seat height 35cm.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- DSR chairs by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1970sBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Lasne, BESet of 4 dark blue fibreglass chairs. Stamped Herman Miller (see photo). These are the Eiffels legs. One chair has been repaired and is still a bit damaged (see photo). Wear due to t...Category
Vintage 1970s Central American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Armchairs by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1970s, set of 6By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Lasne, BESet of 6 fiberglass chairs in orange color with chrome metal legs. Stamped H by Herman Miller on the bottom. Wear due to time and age of chairs. Seat height:...Category
Vintage 1970s Central American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Four Italian Mastro Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, c.1970sBy Molteni & C, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in London, GBFour Mastro chairs in metal and fabric by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, c.1970s Lacquered metal and fabric Dimension: W50 x D46 x H76 cm.Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Set of Six Africa Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto, Italy, 1970sBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in London, GBA rare set of six stunning Africa chairs designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa in the 1970s, and produced by Maxalto, Italy. These are great examples in rare exotic hardwood, burl, black leather and brass. Very good original condition with normal minor age related signs of use and wear. Also available and sold separately is the matching table from the dining set. We also have an additional set of 4 Africa...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Set of Four Africa Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto, Italy, 1970sBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in London, GBA rare set of four stunning Africa chairs designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa in the 1970s, and produced by Maxalto, Italy. These are great examples in rare exotic hardwood, burl, black ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Set of Ten Africa Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto, Italy, 1970sBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in London, GBA rare set of ten stunning Africa chairs designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa in the 1970s, and produced by Maxalto, Italy. These are great examples in rare exotic hardwood, burl, black l...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Set of 2 Dining Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Italy, 1970'sBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Oud Beijerland, NLRare set of 2 dining chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Italy, 1970's. A minimal and striking design with strong graphic lines and interesting det...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa Plywood Dining Chairs, 1973, Set of 8By Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Lonigo, VenetoAfra & Tobia Scarpa plywood dining chairs, metal and plywood, Italy, 1973, set of eight. Following the typical geometric line of the Scarpa duo, this particular chair features an ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal