Tobia Scarpa b. 1935
Tobia Scarpa has had a widely successful career with artistic outputs ranging from Murano glass and postmodern furniture to lighting and architecture. His design uses new technologies while elegantly maintaining form and function. He was born in Venice in 1935 to architect and glassmaker Carlo Scarpa whose stylistic influence would become prevalent in Tobia’s work.
While attending the Instituto Universitario di Architettura in Venice he met wife and colleague Afra Bianchin. After graduating in 1957, Scarpa apprenticed at Venini until 1961. Afra and Tobia became an incredible force collaborating on numerous important designs throughout their careers. In 1960 the couple designed and opened their office in her hometown of Montebelluna, Italy. Their most iconic designs include the Bastiano sofa (1961) for Gavina, the Soriana armchair (1968) for Cassina, the Coronado sofa (1966) for B&B Italia among many others for clients such as FLOS and Knoll International.
Auction Results Tobia Scarpa
Afra and Tobia Scarpa
Artona chairs, set of ten
estimate: $15,000–20,000
result: $47,500
Tobia Scarpa
Monumental Battuto vase
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $16,250
Tobia Scarpa
Murrine plate
estimate: $15,000–20,000
result: $15,000
Afra and Tobia Scarpa
Trienelli sofa
estimate: $3,000–4,000
result: $14,400
Tobia Scarpa
Murrine plate
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $13,750
Tobia Scarpa
Occhi vase
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $12,500
Afra and Tobia Scarpa
Artona armchairs, set of six
estimate: $7,000–9,000
result: $10,625
Tobia Scarpa
Canoa dish, model 516.10
estimate: $4,000–6,000
result: $10,200
Afra and Tobia Scarpa
dining chairs model 121, set of ten
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $9,375
Afra and Tobia Scarpa
Trienelli sofa, model 595
estimate: $4,000–6,000
result: $9,000
Tobia Scarpa
Battuto bowl
estimate: $9,000–12,000
result: $8,500
Tobia Scarpa
Canoa vessel, model 516
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $7,500
Tobia Scarpa
Occhi vase, model 8532
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $7,500
Tobia Scarpa
Soriana lounge chairs, pair
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $6,250
Tobia Scarpa
floor lamp
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $6,250
Afra and Tobia Scarpa
Soriana sofa
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $5,625
Tobia Scarpa
Occhi vase
estimate: $4,000–6,000
result: $5,313
Afra and Tobia Scarpa
Soriana lounge chairs, pair and ottoman
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $5,312
Tobia Scarpa
Occhi lamp
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $5,100
Tobia Scarpa
Occhi vase
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $5,000