mid century furniture designers: afra and tobia scarpa

afra and tobia scarpa

Afra and Tobia Scarpa have been pushing the boundaries of design since the 1960s. Their works, ranging from furniture to clothing, have been featured in some of the most renowned museums around the globe, such as the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) and the Louvre. Their achievements are numerous, with the Soriana design winning them the prestigious Italian “Compasso D’Oro” and the International Forum Design Award. Tobia's father, Carlo Scarpa, was a renowned architect and designer of the Mid-Century Period, and the pair had the opportunity to work with the historic Venetian Murano glass company Venini, where Tobia later worked.

The Scarpas' major works include the Coronado Sofa for B&B Italia (1966), the Soriana Sofa for Cassina (1970), the “Bastiano” sofa for Gavina (1961), and the "Papillona" and "Pierrot" lamps for Flos in 1977 and 1990. The duo also ventured into fashion, working with the renowned fashion house Benetton. Their products have made a lasting impact on the history of Italian Design and continue to be highly sought after in the Mid Century market