Pair of vintage "Bastiano" armchairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, 1960s

Tobia Scarpa designed the Bastiano series for the experimental design laboratory of Gavina in 1960. About the result Gavina said it “exploited Le Corbusier’s idea of free cushions in order to make a modern sofa” this time in wood. The sofa was the first in design and to complete the design towards a complete seating group luxury fauteuils came in the same time. They are very comfortable as it has thick cushions that fall into the frame. The ash frame therefore functions as a basket that holds the thick, comfortable light and dark brown fabric cushions together. Tobia Scarpa studied on the Venice Institute of Architecture. Scarpa first worked for the Italian glass manufacturer Venini. From 1960 on he opened his own design studio, together with his wife Afra Scarpa. Their work includes architecture and everyday items like furniture and clothing. Tobia & Afra designed for numerous major Italian and international companies like Flos, Gavina, B&B Italia, Cassina, Knoll International and many interior projects for numerous companies worldwide. Knoll International was founded in New York by the 26 year old German Hans Knoll (1914-1955) in 1938. Hans’ father, Walter Knoll was a true modernist and furniture manufacturer who had a reputation for quality. When Hans Knoll died at a young age his wife Florence Knoll took over and under her influence the company flourished and created its best designs. She designed and led the company where she cooperated with talented designers such as Eero Saarinen, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Richard Schultz and Harry Bertoia. Literature: Lutz, Brain. Knoll. A modernist universe. New York: Rizolli, 2010. p.177. This set of two Bastiano fauteuils in dark wenge wood and in good condition, the fabric is original and in great shape.