Afra & Tobia Scarpa

Afra Bianchin (1937–2011) and Tobia Scarpa (b. 1935) were an Italian husband-and-wife design partnership who worked together for decades, building furniture and objects that stood for material honesty and structural intelligence. Tobia — the son of architect Carlo Scarpa — brought an architect's spatial sensibility to every object; Afra brought precision and a rigorous eye for proportion.

Together they designed for Cassina, Maxalto, Flos, and B&B Italia, among many others, producing work that aged without fashionability: quietly functional and quietly beautiful. Their Bastiano sofa for Knoll (1962), their Coronado chair (1966), and their lighting for Flos are among the most enduring Italian furniture designs of the postwar period. Vintage pieces are increasingly sought after as examples of Italian design at its most coherent.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Afra and Tobia Scarpa's most collectible designs?

The Bastiano sofa and chair (1962, for Knoll), the 925 armchair (1966), and the Papillona floor lamp for Flos are among their most valued pieces. Early production in original fabric or leather commands the highest collector interest.

Where can I buy vintage Afra and Tobia Scarpa furniture?

Collectors Network offers original Italian mid-century and postwar design, including pieces by Afra and Tobia Scarpa. Our stock is regularly updated with sourced pieces from European private collections and dealers. Browse above or contact us directly.