"Artona - Africa" sideboard by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto
About the Item
- Creator:Maxalto (Manufacturer),Afra & Tobia Scarpa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.55 in (72.5 cm)Width: 82.68 in (210 cm)Depth: 19.69 in (50 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Conversano, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8395239280952
Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Widely recognized as superstars of postmodern Italian design, husband-and-wife team Afra and Tobia Scarpa (1937–2011; b. 1935) collaboratively created chairs, sofas and other furniture that work equally well in both traditional and cutting-edge environments.
Ranging from architecture and interior design to furniture and clothing, the Scarpas’ practice from its beginnings in the mid-1950s to the 21st century has included a diverse scope of projects combining new technology with thoughtful function and sculptural yet simple forms.
Afra Bianchin and Tobia Scarpa met as architecture students at the Università Iuav di Venezia. In a class led by architect and furniture designer Franco Albini, they created their first collaborative piece, the Pigreco armchair, later produced with Gavina. After graduating in 1957, Tobia worked for Murano glass company Venini & Co. before the couple opened a studio in Afra’s hometown, Montebelluna, in 1960. (Tobia, the son of famed glass artist and architect Carlo Scarpa, was born in Venice.)
For Afra and Tobia, a close collaborative process was pivotal to the success of their designs. The duo was also prolific — they designed for the most influential European manufacturers, including B&B Italia, Cassina, Knoll and FLOS. With respect to the latter, Afra and Tobia were among the legendary Italian lighting maker’s earliest collaborators, and their pioneering designs for the brand included the Papillon lamp, one of the first fixtures to use halogen technology. Their most recognized designs include the Bastiano sofa (1962), the Vanessa bed (1959), the Coronado sofa (1966) and the Soriana seating collection (1970). Work on the Soriana sofa began in late 1969 for an early 1970 debut, and it feels as radical today as it did in its heyday.
Architecture was also a central part of Afra and Tobia’s practice, which spanned residential buildings and factories for Italian companies such as Benetton. Their commissions for the global fashion brand included numerous industrial projects, from textile plants to storefronts. By 1985, Afra and Tobia Scarpa’s work was celebrated in a 30-year retrospective at Center Four in Queens, New York. Looking around the 30,000-square-foot exhibition space, Afra joked to the New York Times, “Seeing all those things makes us feel very tired, and now we feel that maybe we worked too much.”
It was not too much for their legacy, as Afra and Tobia Scarpa’s work continues to inspire new generations. Scarpa designs are in collections at the Louvre, the Museum of Modern Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum. The couple was awarded the Compasso d’Oro in 1970 for the Soriana armchair.
Find vintage Afra & Tobia Scarpa lounge chairs, dining chairs, floor lamps and other furniture today on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Conversano, Italy
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- "Artona 8551" armchair by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for MaxaltoBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Conversano, ITStunning and very rare Artona 8551 armchair designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa and produced by Maxalto in the early 1980s. The armchair is made entirely of very soft biscuit-colored l...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Club Chairs
MaterialsAnimal Skin
- "Mount" Sideboard by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for MolteniBy Molteni & C, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Conversano, ITSuperb and very rare sideboard designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, belonging to the "Mount" series. The piece of furniture was made in Italy in the late 70s and is made of...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Credenzas
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- "Butterfly" floor lamp by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for FlosBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, FlosLocated in Conversano, ITStunning floor lamp designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for the Italian company "Flos" in the 1980s, model Butterfly. Black enameled aluminum stem surmounted by a dimming halogen lamp; a...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Floor Lamps
MaterialsSteel
- Poltrona "Erasmo" di Afra e Tobia Scarpa per B&B ItaliaBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, B&B ItaliaLocated in Conversano, ITStraordinaria poltrona Erasmo, capolavoro disegnato da Afra e Tobia Scarpa per l'acclamata B&B Italia negli anni '70. Icona di design di quel periodo, questa poltrona è stata ampiame...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Club Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Larco" sideboard by Gianfranco Frattini for Molteni&CBy Molteni & C, Gianfranco FrattiniLocated in Conversano, ITStunning and rare sideboard belonging to the "Larco" series, designed by Gianfranco Frattini for the salone del mobile exhibition and produced by Molteni in 1971. Extraordinary piece...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Credenzas
MaterialsRosewood
- Sideboard with Mother of Pearl Decorations by Pierre Cardin for Roche BoboisBy Pierre Cardin, Roche BoboisLocated in Conversano, ITExtraordinary vintage Pierre Cardin sideboard, an authentic work of design art, produced by Roche Bobois in black lacquered wood, mother-of-pearl and brass. With its bold brass lines...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Hollywood Regency Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- Afra Scarpa & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto 'Artona' SideboardBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Waalwijk, NLAfra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, sideboard, model 'Artona', walnut, leather, Italy, 1975/1979 Gorgeous sideboard made in walnut and leather and designed by duo Afra and Tobia Scarpa...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Sideboards
MaterialsBrass
- Artona by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Showcase Bookcase, MaxaltoBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Brussels, BEBookcase, showcase in walnut veneered laminate. Stiles and shelves made of layers of walnut and hardwood in contrasting colors. The cabinet includes open storage spaces. Two space...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsLeather, Wood, Walnut
- Mid-Century Tobia Scarpa "Artona" Rosewood Cabinet for Maxalto, Italy 1975By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, MaxaltoLocated in Sacile, PNAfra and Tobia Scarpa "Artona" Rosewood and glass Cabinet for Maxalto, circa 1975. This cabinet was designed during the first period of the Artona collection, it combines the char...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsLeather, Glass, Wood
- Afra e Tobia Scarpa Artona desk Maxalto Italy 1975By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, MaxaltoLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantBeautiful writing desk model 7737 from the Artona series designed by Afra e Tobia Scarpa and manufactured by Maxalto in Italy, 1975. The top has a striking burl-wood veneer with a me...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Artona Sideboard by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Italy, 1970sBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Melbourne, VICThe Artona sideboard by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, produced by Maxalto in the 1970s, is a classic piece of furniture that exemplifies the elegant simplici...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- 2 Leather and Walnut Artona Chests of Drawers by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for MaxaltoBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Padova, ITRare and spectacular pair of walnut and leather Artona chests of drawers, designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in 1975. The Artona line by the Scarpa duo was in fact the fir...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsLeather, Walnut