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.
Tobia + Afra Scarpa Showcase Cabinet - Artona Line by Maxalto, Italy in 1975
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Tobia Scarpa, Max Alto
Located in Munster, NRW
An exceptionally rare and exquisitely crafted showcase cabinet or display, designed by the Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Italy in 1975. This piece exemplifies the pinnacle of Ita...
Wood, Walnut
Italian Vintage Floating Shelf 'Fiordiluna' by Tobia Scarpa, 1991
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Italian Vintage Floating Shelf 'Fiordiluna' by Tobia Scarpa, 1991 Minimalistic, floating glass shelf with sophisticated technology in terms of design, construction, stability, and l...
Crystal, Steel
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
$13,479
H 83.08 in W 61.42 in D 14.18 in
Mid-Century Tobia Scarpa "Artona" Rosewood Cabinet for Maxalto, Italy 1975
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Sacile, PN
Afra and Tobia Scarpa "Artona" Rosewood and glass Cabinet for Maxalto, circa 1975. This cabinet was designed during the first period of the Artona collection, it combines the char...
Leather, Glass, Wood
$11,309
H 29.53 in W 82.68 in D 19.69 in
Artona Africa Sideboard by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1970s
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
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
$1,770
H 27 in W 62.8 in D 17.7 in
Oak Low Sideboard Credenza with Ring Pulls Mid-Century Modern 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This low sideboard features a central stack of three drawers flanked by two side doors opening to interior shelving. A scalloped lower apron and raised side edges enhance its traditi...
Oak
$13,387 / 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
$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 Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
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
$21,704 / 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 Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
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
Afra & Tobia Scarpa 'Artona' Commode, Burl Walnut, Italy, 1975
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in New York, NY
The 'Artona' collection commode was designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa and produced by Maxalto, circa 1975, is a classic piece of furniture that exemplifies the elegant simplicity and...
Ebony, Walnut, Burl
$7,882 / set
H 55.12 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
2 Leather and Walnut Artona Chests of Drawers by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Padova, IT
Rare and spectacular pair of walnut and leather Artona chests of drawers, designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in 1975. The Artona line by the Scarpa duo was in fact the fir...
Leather, Walnut
$4,995
H 29.5 in W 64 in D 18 in
William Doezema for Mastercraft Mid-Century Modern Sideboard Credenza, 1970s
By William Doezema, Mastercraft
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
$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
$628
H 6.11 in W 20.08 in D 9.06 in
Danish Floating Teak Shelf by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, 1960s.
By Kai Kristiansen, Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Floating Teak Shelf by Kai Kristiansen for Aksel Kjersgaard, 1960s. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern wall mounted two tier shelf in teak. Designed by Kai Kristiansen and manuf...
Teak
Silas Seandel Floating Wall Shelf
By Silas Seandel
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Silas seandel wall shelf Steel and bronze Signed.
Steel
$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 Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
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
Mid-Century Style Modular Floating Wall Shelf in Aluminum & Wood.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This wall-mounted, floating shelf in the style of French modern designers combines the warmth of oak with the sleek precision of aluminum, creating a striking balance of materials. M...
Aluminum
$3,369
H 125.99 in W 53.55 in D 18.12 in
Mid-Century Afra & Tobia Scarpa Italian Wood Red Lacquer And Glass 1960s Vitrine
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Madrid, ES
The vitrine, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa in the 1960s, is a refined and highly architectural example of Italian modern design. Combining elegant proportions, luxurious material...
Brass
Tobia Scarpa Chest of Drawers in Walnut, 1960s
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tobia Scarpa, chest of drawers, walnut, Italy, 1960s . This cabinet was designed by Tobia Scarpa, and shows a clear design that characterizes the work of Scarpa. The piece shows wo...
Walnut
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
Tobia Scarpa "Cidonio" Bookcase
By Tobia Scarpa, Skipper
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Extremely rare architectural shelving unit comprised of 31 modular pieces of serpentino and mondragone marble. Manufactured by Skipper. The shel...