The Bastiano model by Tobia Scarpa and Afra Scarpa
Bastiano sofas and armchairs by Gavina and Knoll International
Designed in the early 1960s by Tobia and Afra Scarpa, the Bastiano model stands today as one of the major creations of postwar Italian design. Originally produced by Gavina before being taken over by Knoll International, it is distinguished by a deliberately architectural construction combining a solid wood frame with large loose cushions of particularly generous proportions.
Unlike many modernist seating of the same period favoring visual lightness, the Bastiano develops a more horizontal and structural presence. The massive armrests, the exposed frame assembly, and the contrast between the geometric rigor of the structure and the softness of the cushions contribute to the immediately recognizable identity of the model.
Although Tobia and Afra Scarpa are often associated with the evolution of Italian postmodern design, the Bastiano still maintains a deeply constructive approach inherited from Italian modernism of the 1960s. Its design remains distant from stylistic irony, assumed decoration, graphic exuberance, or the radical colors that would mark certain Italian postmodern productions of the following decades. Here, the design relies above all on the legibility of the structure, the balance of proportions, and the materiality of the elements that compose the piece.
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: furniture that is both rational, warm, and deeply architectural, where the quality of materials and constructive coherence take precedence over decorative effect.
Bastiano models previously in our collection
This selection brings together several variants of the Bastiano model previously in our collection: 2 and 4-seater sofas, armchairs, and different editions produced by Gavina or Knoll.
