Carlo Scarpa "Cornaro" Armchairs for Gavina, Ivory Linen, 1973, Set of 2

Design
1973

Manufacture
1970-1979

Location
Lonigo, IT

Carlo Scarpa "Cornaro" armchairs for Gavina, ivory linen, Italy, 1973, set of two.

The "Cornaro" armchair, designed by Carlo Scarpa in 1973 for Gavina, distills the essence of architectural thinking into a singular, sculptural seating element. Rooted in the dialogue between Japanese minimalism and the Ultrarationalist movement, its form is defined by a series of precise cylindrical elements in lacquered wood that compose a linear, rhythmic frame. The result is a composition that is both austere and deeply expressive.

Upholstered in ivory velvet, the seat and back cushions are enhanced by tailored stitching that introduces subtle visual movement across the surface, activating the geometry with depth and tactility. This stitching is not merely decorative—it reinforces the structure’s spatial logic and reveals Scarpa’s meticulous attention to material articulation.

The name "Cornaro" alludes to one of Venice’s most illustrious patrician families, drawing a connection between the refined austerity of the piece and the city’s layered artistic heritage. Like much of Scarpa’s work, the Cornaro armchair functions at the intersection of tradition and experimentation, craftsmanship and abstraction. It is more than a seat—it is a meditation on proportion, volume, and the atmosphere of inhabited space.

Comparable in spirit to the rigor of Kazuhide Takahama or the monumental elegance of Afra & Tobia Scarpa, the Cornaro armchair embodies Scarpa’s unique ability to elevate furniture to architecture in miniature.

The set can be split. The armchairs can be sold singularly.