The Bastiano model by Tobia Scarpa and Afra Scarpa

Early productions by Gavina generally feature particularly high-quality craftsmanship with rosewood or dark-stained wood structures, robust joinery, and a denser comfort than found in certain more recent re-editions.

Bastiano sofas and armchairs by Gavina and Knoll International
Designed in the early 1960s by Tobia and Afra Scarpa, the Bastiano sofa and its matching armchair stand today as major creations of post-war Italian design. Originally produced by Gavina before being taken over by Knoll International, the model is distinguished by a deliberately architectural construction, pairing a solid wood frame with large, loose cushions of particularly generous proportions.

Unlike many modernist seats of the same period that prioritized visual lightness, the Bastiano develops a more horizontal and structural presence. The massive armrests, the visible joinery of the frame, and the contrast between the geometric rigour of the structure and the softness of the cushions contribute to the model’s immediately recognizable identity.

Although Tobia and Afra Scarpa are often associated with the evolution of postmodern Italian design, the Bastiano retains a deeply constructive approach inherited from 1960s Italian modernism. Its design remains far from the stylistic irony, overt decoration, graphic exuberance, or radical colours that would mark certain Italian postmodern productions in the following decades. Here, the design rests primarily on the legibility of the structure, the balance of proportions, and the materiality of the elements composing the furniture.

The early productions by Gavina generally feature particularly high-quality craftsmanship with rosewood or dark-stained wood frames, robust assemblies, and denser comfort than certain more recent reissues. Vintage examples also retain a patina of leather and wood particularly sought after by Italian vintage furniture enthusiasts.

The Bastiano perfectly illustrates the approach developed by Tobia and Afra Scarpa during the 1960s and 1970s: furniture that is simultaneously rational, warm, and deeply architectural, where material quality and constructive coherence take precedence over decorative effect.
Bastiano models previously held in our collection
This selection brings together several variants of the Bastiano model previously held in our collection: 2- and 4-seater sofas, armchairs, and various editions produced by Gavina or Knoll.