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.
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" Chairs for Maxalto, Cognac Leather, 1975, Set of 6
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" dining chairs for Maxalto, cognac leather, walnut, burl and brass, Italy, 1975, set of six. Originally hand finished and assembled one-by-one, "Afri...
Brass
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" Chairs for Maxalto, Dark Brown, 1975, Set of 4
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" dining chairs for Maxalto, dark brown leather, walnut and burl, Italy, 1975, set of four. Originally hand finished and assembled one-by-one, "Afric...
Leather, Walnut
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" Chairs for Maxalto, Cognac Leather, 1975, Set of 2
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" dining chairs for Maxalto, cognac leather, walnut, burl and brass, Italy, 1975, set of two. Originally hand finished and assembled one-by-one, "Afri...
Brass
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" Chairs for Maxalto, Reddish Brown, 1975, Set of 4
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" dining chairs for Maxalto, reddish brown leather, walnut, burl and brass, Italy, 1975, set of four. Originally hand finished and assembled one-by-o...
Brass
Mario Marenco "Sapporo" Chairs for Mobil Girgi, Cognac Leather, 1970, Set of 4
By Mario Marenco, Mobil Girgi
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Marenco "Sapporo" chairs for Mobil Girgi, patinated cognac leather and beech, Italy, 1970, set of four. The iconic "Sapporo" chair consists of an individual backrest, conceive...
Leather, Beech
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" Chairs for Maxalto, Reddish Brown, 1975, Set of 6
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" dining chairs for Maxalto, reddish brown leather, walnut and burl, Italy, 1975, set of six. Originally hand finished and assembled one-by-one, "Afr...
Leather, Walnut
Afra e Tobia Scarpa Africa chairs cognac Maxalto Italy 1975
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
This exceptionally nice and architecturally refined set of 6 ‘Africa’ chairs, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa and produced by Maxalto in 1975, stands among the finest expressions o...
Brass
Set of Four "Africa" Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Italy 1975
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Utrecht, NL
The 1960s and 1970s saw Italian interior design become world renowned and revered. This set of four “Africa” chairs were born from the creative genius of design-duo Afra and Tobia Scarpa in the mid-1970s. They are a perfect combination of simplicity, functionality, and aesthetic. This set was part of the Artona line by the Scarpa’s and was also the first line ever produced by Maxalto. The company was originally set up in 1975 as an exclusive branch of B&B Italia to focus solely on the production of artisanal furniture that was primarily crafted from wood. As we find ourselves in a design era that embraces the nostalgia of the mid-20th century, this set of four serves as both an homage to the past and a testament to the timeless allure of Afra and Tobia Scarpa’s work. In these chairs, the pattern and grain of the walnut backrests is striking, showing the traces of history in every line and mark. Sensitive touches enliven the design, visible in the careful craftsmanship and quality of woodworking with impeccable joinery that masterfully utilises nothing but the wood itself. The colour of the leather seats matches the walnut body beautifully, further enhancing the visual appeal. Another impressing element is the centrally placed back leg that continues upwards to form the backrests, highlighting the Scarpas’ architectural...
Leather, Walnut
Afra and Tobia Scarpa Africa Dining Chair for Maxalto, 1976, Set of 4
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of four Africa dining chairs, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa and produced by the Italian manufacturer Maxalto in 1976. They feature a clear walnut briar structure and a cognac leather seat. Fully restored in Italy. The main protagonist of the Africa Maxalto...
Brass
Afra & Tobia Scarpa ‘Africa’ Chairs for Maxalto, Walnut & Leather, Italy 1975
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Almelo, NL
Rare early-production set of four ‘Africa’ dining chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Italy, 1975. Beautifully crafted in solid walnut with engraved sculptural backrests, orig...
Brass
4 Africa Chairs By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Harrington Park, NJ
Rare and classic set of 4 chairs model Africa from the Artona series. Solid walnut, ebonized wood inlays, padded leather. Maxalto production, ca. 1975. Impressed brand. logo
Leather, Walnut
Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Set of Twelve Africa Walnut Dining Chairs 1975
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto extraordinary set of twelve dining chairs model 'Africa' with sculptural frames in walnut including ebony with seats in saddle or cogn...
Brass
