Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Italian
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.
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Creator: Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Afra
Tobia Scarpa Black Leather 121 Dining Chair for Cassina, 1967, Set of 4
By Afra
Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of four Model 121 dining chairs, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa and produced by the Italian manufacturer Cassina in 1967.
They feature black leather upholstery and a walnut st...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Set of four Model 121 chairs designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina 1965
By Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Vigevano, PV
Set of four Model 121 chairs designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina 1965
Wooden frame with leather-covered seat and back. Original label. Produced by Cassina, Italy, 1965. Dom...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Metal
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...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Brass
Italian Set with Dialogo Dessau Chairs and Centro Progetti Tecno Table
By B&B Italia, Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Centro Progetti Tecno, dining table model 'T334A', lacquered wood, aluminum, Italy, 1975-1978
Round dining table with a black lacquered wooden top that has an incredibly soft textur...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Afra
Tobia Scarpa "121" Chairs for Cassina, Black Leather, 1965, Set of 2
By Afra
Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "121" dining chairs for Cassina, black leather, Italy, 1965, set of two.
Iconic and charming, the model "121" by Afra & Tobia Scarpa shows once again the Scarpa'...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut, Plywood
Afra
Tobia Scarpa Black Leather Dialogo Chair for B&B Italia, 1973, Set of 4
By B&B Italia, Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of 4 Dialogo chairs designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia in 1973.
The chairs are composed of a natural ash structure and a fib...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Leather, Ash
Afra
Tobia Scarpa Black Lacquered Dialogo Chair for B&B Italia, 1973, Set of 8
By B&B Italia, Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of Eight Dialogo Chairs Designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, 1973
This set of eight Dialogo chairs features:
- Natural beechwood structure
- Black lacquered plastic s...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Plastic, Beech
Tobia Scarpa Set of Eight Africa Chairs in Walnut and Leather by Maxalto 70s
By Maxalto, Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Set of eight Africa chairs with structure in walnut wood, seat in black leather, and brass details.
Designed by Tobia and Afra Scarpa and produced by Maxalto in the 1970s.
These u...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Brass
Afra
Tobia Scarpa "Monk" Chairs for Molteni, Ivory Canvas, 1974, Set of 12
By Molteni
C, Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Monk" dining chairs for Molteni, ivory canvas and walnut, Italy, 1974, set of twelve.
The particular feature of this model is the support structure composed of ...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Canvas, Walnut
Set of 8 Filo Chair by Afra and Tobia Scarpa
By Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Forest, BE
The "Filo" chair, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa in 1987, is a single piece of curved ash plywood with a steel rod frame stiffened by tie rods, intended for community or workplace...
Category
1880s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Steel
$11,650 / set
Afra
Tobia Scarpa "121" Dining Chairs for Cassina, Total Black, 1965, Set of 2
By Cassina, Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "121" dining chairs for Cassina, total black, Italy, 1965, set of two.
Iconic and charming, the model "121" by Afra & Tobia Scarpa shows once again the Scarpa's ...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut, Plywood
4 Africa chairs designed by Afra
Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto 1980s Artona series
By Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Set of 4 chairs mod. Africa designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in 1974.
Walnut wood frame, brass, wood of different woods,
bent plywood seat, leather, excellent condition....
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Brass
Afra and Tobia Scarpa Walnut Africa Dining Chair for Maxalto, 1976, Set of 10
By Maxalto, Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of ten 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 black and cognac leather seat.
Fully restored in Italy.
The main protagonist of the Africa Maxalto...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Brass
Dialogo Mid-Century chairs in plastic and wood by Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia
By Afra
Tobia Scarpa, B&B Italia
Located in Busnago, IT
Dialogo plastic and wood chairs by Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970s. Set of four Dialogo chairs made of plastic and wood. The black plastic seat and back are slightly curved. The rectangu...
Category
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Plastic, Wood
set of 6 chairs "121" Cassina by Afra and Tobia Scarpa Italian design 60s
By Cassina, Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, MI
Elegant and iconic set of 6 model 121 chairs designed in the late 1960s by famous designers Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina. The Chairs consist of a walnut wood base while the seat...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
$12,417 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Afra
Tobia Scarpa "121" Chair for Cassina, Black Leather, 1965
By Afra
Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "121" dining chair for Cassina, black leather, Italy, 1965
Iconic and charming, the model "121" by Afra & Tobia Scarpa shows once again the Scarpa's typical doub...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut, Plywood
Set of 8 Monk leather Chairs by Afra
Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, Italy 1974
By Afra
Tobia Scarpa, Tobia Scarpa, Carlo Scarpa, Molteni
C
Located in Argelato, BO
Set of 8 leather and wood chairs model Monk, Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, Italy
It is one of the most iconic and refined models by the famous Italian architect and designer coup...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Afra
Tobia Scarpa "121" Chairs for Cassina, Black Lacquered, 1965, Set of 2
By Cassina, Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "121" dining chairs for Cassina, black lacquered, Italy, 1965, set of two.
Iconic and charming, the model "121" by Afra & Tobia Scarpa shows once again the Scarp...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Walnut, Plywood
Afra
Tobia Scarpa Off White Canvas Monk Dining Chair for Molteni, Set of 12
By Molteni
C, Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of twelve “Monk” dining chairs designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni in 1973.
Made of off white canvas and walnut.
Fully restored in Italy.
Interesting is the ‘flat’ sha...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Canvas, Walnut
Afra
Tobia Scarpa Black
Red Leather Monk Dining Chair for Molteni, Set of 4
By Molteni
C, Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of four “Monk” dining chairs designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni in 1973.
Made of English red and black leather and walnut.
Fully restored in Italy.
Interesting is the...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Afra
Tobia Scarpa Black
Red Leather Monk Dining Chair for Molteni, Set of 10
By Molteni
C, Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of ten “Monk” dining chairs designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni in 1973.
Made of English red and black leather and walnut.
Fully restored in Italy.
Interesting is the ...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Soriana Series by Afra
Tobia Scarpa Cassina Italy Chair
By Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Toledo, OH
Vintage Italian lounge chair in the style of Soriana series by Afra & Scarpa for Cassina Italy. Dark red original fabric with very minimal wear.
Category
1960s Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Wool
"Africa" chairs
By Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Paris, FR
6 chairs
79 x 56 x 46 cm
Brass, Leather, Rosewood
Category
1970s Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Brass
$89,896 / set
Afra
Tobia Scarpa Off White Canvas Monk Dining Chair for Molteni, Set of 8
By Molteni
C, Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of eight “Monk” dining chairs designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni in 1973.
Made of off white canvas and walnut.
Fully restored in Italy.
Interesting is the ‘flat’ shap...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Walnut, Canvas
Afra
Tobia Scarpa "Africa" Chairs for Maxalto, Dark Brown, 1975, Set of 10
By Maxalto, Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra
Tobia Scarpa "Africa" dining chairs for Maxalto, dark brown leather, walnut, burl and brass, Italy, 1975, set of ten.
Originally hand finished and assembled one-by-one, ...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Brass
Dialogo chairs by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia
By Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milano, IT
Set of four Dialogo Chairs. Structure in black wood and seats in white plastic. High quality chairs with an unmistakable design, they are perfect for giving warmth, style and eleganc...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Plastic, Wood
Afra
Tobia Scarpa Brick Leather Monk Dining Chair for Molteni, 1973, Set of 8
By Molteni
C, Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of eight “Monk” dining chairs designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni in 1973.
Made of black and brick leather and walnut.
Fully restored in Italy.
Interesting is ...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Set of 6 Black Leather Chairs Model "Monk" by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni
By Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Brussels, BE
Set of 6 black leather chairs model "Monk" by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni - Italy, 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Leather
Tobia Scarpa Mastro Chairs for Molteni Pair
By Afra
Tobia Scarpa, Molteni
C
Located in Vancouver, BC
A pair of extremely uncommon Afra & Tobia Scarpa Mastro Chairs.
The Mastro design was created on the same structural principle as the Monk chair, but in...
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Metal
$5,000 / set
Afra
Tobia Scarpa "Dialogo" Chairs for B&B Italia, White, 1973, Set of 6
By B&B Italia, Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Dialogo” dining chairs for B&B Italia, white leather and black walnut, Italy, 1973, Set of six
The “Dialogo” chair is a return to the formal solution of the “12...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Afra
Tobia Scarpa "Dialogo" Chairs for B&B Italia, White, 1973, Set of 14
By B&B Italia, Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Dialogo” dining chairs for B&B Italia, white leather and black walnut, Italy, 1973, set of fourteen.
The “Dialogo” chair is a return to the formal solution of t...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Afra
Tobia Scarpa "Dialogo" Chairs for B&B Italia, White, 1973, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Dialogo” dining chairs for B&B Italia, white leather and black walnut, Italy, 1973, Set of two
The “Dialogo” chair is a return to the formal solution of the “12...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Afra
Tobia Scarpa "Dialogo" Chairs for B&B Italia, White, 1973, Set of 10
By B&B Italia, Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra
Tobia Scarpa “Dialogo” dining chairs for B&B Italia, white leather and black walnut, Italy, 1973, set of ten.
The “Dialogo” chair is a return to the formal solution o...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Afra
Tobia Scarpa "Dialogo" Chairs for B&B Italia, White, 1973, Set of 4
By B&B Italia, Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Dialogo” dining chairs for B&B Italia, white leather and black walnut, Italy, 1973, set of four
The “Dialogo” chair is a return to the formal solution of the “1...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Afra
Tobia Scarpa "121" Dining Chairs for Cassina, Total Black, 1965, Set of 6
By Cassina, Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "121" dining chairs for Cassina, total black, Italy, 1965, set of six.
Iconic and charming, the model "121" by Afra & Tobia Scarpa shows once again the Scarpa's ...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut, Plywood
Afra
Tobia Scarpa "Dialogo" Chairs for B&B Italia, White, 1973, Set of 8
By B&B Italia, Afra
Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa “Dialogo” dining chairs for B&B Italia, white leather and black walnut, Italy, 1973, set of eight.
The “Dialogo” chair is a return to the formal solution of the ...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Afra Tobia Scarpa Chairs
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Afra Tobia Scarpa chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Afra
Tobia Scarpa chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Afra
Tobia Scarpa chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original chairs by Afra
Tobia Scarpa were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider chairs by Vico Magistretti, Mario Bellini, and Giancarlo Piretti. Prices for Afra
Tobia Scarpa chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,005 and can go as high as $108,801, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $18,690.
Creators Similar to Afra Tobia Scarpa
Questions About Afra
Tobia Scarpa Chairs
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 6, 2024Yes, Tobia Scarpa is related to Carlo Scarpa. A well-known architect and designer in his own right, Tobia is the son of the legendary architect Carlo Scarpa. Tobia studied architecture at the Università Iuav di Venezia in Venice, where he met designer Afra Bianchin, who would become his wife and long-time collaborator. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Tobia Scarpa furniture.
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