Pair of "Erasmo" Leather Sofas by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B
View Similar Items
Pair of "Erasmo" Leather Sofas by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B
About the Item
- Creator:Afra & Tobia Scarpa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 26.78 in (68 cm)Width: 85.04 in (216 cm)Depth: 38.59 in (98 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1670-1679
- Date of Manufacture:1970
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Piacenza, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1031620489332
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.
- Midcentury Soriana sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy 1969By Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Piacenza, ItalySet composed by two seater sofa and two ottoman by Afra e Tobia Scarpa for Cassina. Original label Cassina. The idea for this armchair that changed the face of upholstered furniture ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Sity Sofa by Antonio Citterio for B&BBy Antonio CitterioLocated in Piacenza, ItalyDesigned by Antonio Citterio in 1986 for B&B Italia, this "Sity" sectional sofa contains one asymmetrical curved island daybed and a rectangular daybed.Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Fabric
$8,584 Sale Price20% Off - Mdcentury walnut sofa by Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina RivadossiBy Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina RivadossiLocated in Piacenza, ItalyIconic wooden sofa by Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi. Leather upholstered. The sofa shows the high-level of craft...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWood
- Bogo Sofa by Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di AlbizzateBy Carlo Bartoli, Rossi di AlbizzateLocated in Piacenza, ItalyModular suede and leather sofa 'Bogo' by Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate. Italy, 1970 circa Measures: Lounge chair: 100 x ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Suede
$21,899 Sale Price20% Off - Midcentury wall light model "802" by Tobia Scarpa for Venini, Italy 1970By Tobia Scarpa, VeniniLocated in Piacenza, ItalyRare single Midcentury wall light model "802" by Tobia Scarpa for Venini, Italy 1970 Stunning hand blown glass and metal structure. This light can be re-oriented to point up as wel...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
$6,569 Sale Price20% Off - Midcentury Italian Bamboo Sofas by Lyda Levi, 1970Located in Piacenza, ItalyStunning sofas made of bamboo designed by Lyda Levi in 1970 circa These sofas can match with the whole set including a set of 10 chairs, two armchairs with their pouf, one large cof...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBamboo
- 'Erasmo' sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B 1970s-80sBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Milano, IT2-seater sofa, foam padding, leather upholstery. Fair condition, worn leather upholstery.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Erasmo leather sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, 1960sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, B&B ItaliaLocated in Milano, ITErasmo leather sofa by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, 1960s Erasmo sofa in a very rare buffalo leather version, produced in the 1960s. Good condition, s...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Erasmo Sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, B&B Italia, 1973 - New UpholsteryBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Brussels, BEErasmo Sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, B&B Italia, 1973 - New UpholsteryCategory
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina Midcentury Italian Leather Sofas, PairBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Countryside, ILAfra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina midcentury italian leather sofas - pair. Each sofa measures: 64 wide x 32.5 deep x 27 inches high...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Upholstery, Wood
- "Bastiano" Sofa & Armchairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for StendigBy Stendig Co., Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Weehawken, NJThree Piece "Bastiano" Set by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Stending, 1960s. Original Labels Intact. Set Includes Three-Seater Sofa + Two Armchairs. Newly Reupholstered in a Beige Cott...Category
Antique 1660s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Soriana Sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1970sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, B&B ItaliaLocated 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