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 lounge chairs, dining chairs, floor lamps and other furniture today on 1stDibs.
Venini Art Glass Vase 'Batutto' by Tobia Scarpa, Murano 1960
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Venini
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Venini Art Glass Vase 'Batutto' by Tobia Scarpa, Murano 1960 A vintage art glass vase from the 'Batutti' series. Made of light green glass with a solid cylindrical base, the entire ...
Art Glass
AFRA & TOBIA SCARPA San Lorenzo Due-Mani Bowls Set in Pure .999 Silver
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of hands bowls designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa. This is a fabulous matching pair of bowls designed in Milano Italy by the architects Afra & Tobia Scarpa, back in the 1990. The ...
Silver, Bronze, Gold
Italian Murano Glass Vase Molato Model by Afra e Tobia Scarpa for Veart
By VeArt, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Submerged, satin and milled Murano glass designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa. Number 28 of 99 I Molati series. Made by VEART MADE IN ITALY Signature engraved at the tip VEART/Venezia 2...
Murano Glass
Italian Murano Glass Vase Molato Model by Afra e Tobia Scarpa for Veart
By VeArt, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Submerged, satin and milled Murano glass designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa. Number 34 of 99 I Molati series. Made by VEART MADE IN ITALY Signature engraved at the tip VEART/Venezia 3...
Murano Glass
Italian Murano Glass Vase I Molati Series by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for VeArt
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, VeArt
Located in Asti, Piemonte
From the I Molati series in thick blown and ground glass with aventurine designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa. Limited edition of 99 copies. Signature and numbering engraved under the b...
Murano Glass
Two Black Marble Carved Bowls Set
By Casa Mineral
Located in Mexico City, MX
Large and small bowl in carved Monterrey black marble. Set of 2. Handmade in Mexico by local craftsmen. Dimensions: Small: 20 D x 20 W x 10 H cm Large: 30 D x 30 W x 15 H cm. Pro...
Marble
Venini Murano Glass Vase
By Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning Murano glass vase by Venini, featuring luminous cobalt blue glass with a vibrant red rim. A bulbous, spherical form with saturated sapphire color and a contrasting red glass rim provide striking visual punctuation, while the hand-blown construction displays the fluid, organic quality that defines masterful Murano glass. Venini represents the pinnacle of Murano glassmaking tradition, combining centuries-old Venetian techniques with contemporary design sensibility. Founded in 1921, the house became renowned for pushing glass as an art form through collaborations with leading designers and architects. The bold color saturation and clean modernist form exemplify Venini's approach—honoring traditional Murano craftsmanship while creating pieces that feel thoroughly modern and sculptural. In excellent condition with minor surface scuffs consistent with age and display. Etched "VENINI 2000" signature on base with "VENINI MURANO...
Glass
Sold|$34 / set
H 2.37 in W 3.35 in D 3.35 in
Contemporary Tamagroute Green Set Of Bowls - Four Small Bowls
Located in Hook, Hampshire
Contemporary Tamagroute Green Set Of Bowls - Four Small Bowls. Tamegroute is a small Moroccan village simply known for it's rich traditional ceramics. The clay is cut by hand from ...
Ceramic
$5,813
H 15.75 in W 3.55 in D 4.73 in
“Inciso” – Murano glass vase by Paolo Venini - Venini Murano Italy
By Venini, Paolo Venini
Located in Uccle, BE
“Inciso” – Murano glass vase by Paolo Venini. Large oval-section vase in “pesante” midnight blue glass with a darker layer. The exterior body completely incised with a wheel. Referen...
Blown Glass
Venini Murano Sommerso Glass, Corroso Vase by Carlo Scarpa.
By Carlo Scarpa
Located in SYDNEY, AU
A "Velato" corrosi surface finish was pioneered by Carlo Scarpa for Venini in the 1930's.
Art Glass, Murano Glass
$10,263 / item
H 2.37 in W 23.63 in D 4.73 in
Venini Battuti Canoa in Green by Tobia Scarpa and Ludovico Diaz de Santillana
By Ludovico Diaz de Santillana and Tobia Scarpa, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Battuti glass series by Tobia Scarpa and Ludovico Diaz de Santillana. Indoor use only. Dimensions: W 60 cm x D 12 cm x H 6 cm.
Glass
$4,235 / item
H 8.47 in Dm 5.52 in
Venini Occhi Vase in White Glass by Ludovico Diaz de Santillana, Tobia Scarpa
By Ludovico Diaz de Santillana and Tobia Scarpa, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Occhi glass vase in crystal by Ludovico Diaz de Santillana, Tobia Scarpa. Blown handmade glass vases with the “Murrine” technique. Color: Cryst...
Blown Glass
Sold|$61 / set
H 3.15 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Contemporary Tamagroute Green Set Of Bowls - Four Large Bowls
Located in Hook, Hampshire
Contemporary Tamagroute Green Set Of Bowls - Four Large Bowls. Tamegroute is a small Moroccan village simply known for it's rich traditional ceramics. The clay is cut by hand from ...
Ceramic
Large Glass Vase on Brass and Steel Pedestal by VeArt, Italy 1970s
By VeArt
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Large Glass Vase on Brass and Steel Pedestal by VeArt, Italy 1970s Large Italian Glass Vase or Votive on Brass and Steel Pedestal by VeArt Large blue tone pattern glass vase, sits in...
Steel
$1,453 / set
H 4.93 in Dm 10.63 in
Set of 3 Ceramic Bowls "BOWLS" Handcrafted in White and Bronze by Gabriella B.
By Gabriella B.
Located in Treviso, IT
Set of ceramic bowls enameled outside, hand-finishe bronze (platinum o 24kt gold) inside Measures: - BA111 - H.5,0 cm. x Dm 11 cm. - BA119 - H. 8,5 cm. x Dm 19 cm. - BA127 - H. 12,5...
Ceramic
$595Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.91 in Dm 7.09 in
Collectible Murano Glass Sculpture "Membrane" by Toni Zuccheri for VeArt
By Toni Zuccheri, VeArt
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage Murano glass vase / sculpture, created by celebrated Italian designer Toni Zuccheri for glassmaker VeArt as part of the "Membrane" collection, which included lamps, vases and...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$8,833 / item
H 12.6 in Dm 6.7 in
Venini Battuti Blue Glass Vase by Ludovico Diaz de Santillana & Tobia Scarpa
By Venini, Ludovico Diaz de Santillana and Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Battuti glass vase in crystal aquamarine by Ludovico Diaz de Santillana and Tobia Scarpa. Numbered edition for year. Color: Crystal Aquamarine Technique: Beaten Dimens...
Crystal
Afra & Tobia Scarpa' Soriana' Lounge Chair in, Italy, 1960s
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Buffalo, NY
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 'Soriana' Lounge chair, fabric, metal, Italy, 1969 Iconic Design.. The 'Soriana' proposes a model that institutionalizes the image of the informal si...
Steel
Sold
H 15.36 in W 19.3 in D 19.3 in
Leather Bag for Logs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Dimensione Fuoco, Italy 1980s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Greding, DE
Large bag made of black leather with brass fittings. This leather bag was designed for stylish storage for logs by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for the Italia...
Brass
Afra & Tobia Scarpa' Soriana' Lounge Chair in, Italy, 1960s
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Buffalo, NY
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 'Soriana' Lounge chair, fabric, metal, Italy, 1969 Iconic Design.. The 'Soriana' proposes a model that institutionalizes the image of the informal si...
Steel
1980s Afra & Tobia Scarpa 8 Glazed Plates San Lorenzo Italy
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Chula Vista, CA
MoMA designers Afra & Tobia Scarpa San Lorenzo Eight Assorted Plates blue, green, red and black. Set of 8 plates: 4 large (1 black 1 red 2 blue) 4 small plates (2 green 2 blue) Larg...
Aluminum
Sterling Silver Bowl by Afra and Tobia Scarpa
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Dallas, TX
A large sterling silver 14-sided bowl designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for San Lorenzo.