Pair of Armchairs by Tobia Scarpa for Cassina
View Similar Items
Pair of Armchairs by Tobia Scarpa for Cassina
About the Item
- Creator:Tobia Scarpa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 25.6 in (65 cm)Width: 30.32 in (77 cm)Depth: 35.04 in (89 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1970
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Brussels, BE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2265316048492
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.
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.
- Sofa Model "920" by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Black Leather, 1960sBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Brussels, BESofa Model "920" by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Black Leather, 1960s 2 available, Sold individually.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Mid-Century Modern "Soriana" Sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy 1970By SorianaLocated in Brussels, BEMid-Century Modern "Soriana" sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy 1970 Beige bouclette - New upholstery.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa 'Artona' Sofa for Maxalto, Italy, 1975, a Pair AvailableBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Brussels, BEAfra & Tobia Scarpa 'Artona' sofa for Maxalto, Italy, 1975 - A pair available.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWood
- Armchair Model "920" by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Black Leather, 1960sBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Brussels, BEArmchair Model "920" by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Black Leather, 1960s Mid-Century Modern design.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather
- Pair of Mid-Century "Soriana" Lounge Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for CassinaBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Brussels, BEPair of mid-century "Soriana" lounge chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina - Italy 1970s.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa Sofa '920' for Cassina, 1970sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Brussels, BEAfra & Tobia Scarpa sofa '920' for Cassina, 1970s.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Canapes
MaterialsWood
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, 1969By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Lonigo, VenetoAfra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” three-seater sofa for Cassina, original brown leather and chromed steel, Italy, 1969. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model b...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsChrome
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, 1969By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Lonigo, VenetoAfra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” two-seater sofa for Cassina, black leather, Italy, 1969. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model by the Italian duo Tobia an...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsIron
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” Sofa for Cassina, 1969By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Lonigo, VenetoAfra & Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” three-seater for Cassina, velvet and chromed steel, Italy, 1969. Although technically designed in the 1960s, the "Soriana" model by the Italian duo Tob...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
MaterialsChrome
- Soriana Armchair by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for CassinaBy Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Barcelona, BarcelonaSoriana armchair by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina. Manufactured in Italy. The idea of comfort itself becomes a sofa. Soriana came into being in 1969, thanks to an intuitive vision...Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
$9,353 / item - Soriana Armchair by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for CassinaBy Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Barcelona, BarcelonaSoriana armchair by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina. Manufactured in Italy. The idea of comfort itself becomes a sofa. Soriana came into being in 1969, thanks to an intuitive vision...Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
$9,353 / item - Soriana Armchair by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for CassinaBy Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Barcelona, BarcelonaSoriana armchair by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina. Manufactured in Italy. The idea of comfort itself becomes a sofa. Soriana came into being in 1969, thanks to an intuitive vision...Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
$9,353 / item