Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Set of eight 'Africa' Dining Chairs Italy, 1975
About the Item
- Creator:Maxalto (Manufacturer),Afra & Tobia Scarpa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30.71 in (78 cm)Width: 18.12 in (46 cm)Depth: 20.48 in (52 cm)Seat Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 8
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1975
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Almelo, NL
- Reference Number:
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: Almelo, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Set of 12 'Africa' Dining Chairs Italy, 1975By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Almelo, NLAfra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Set of 12 'Africa' Dining Chairs in Walnut, Leather and Brass Italy 1975. These magnificent set of 12 'Africa' dining chairs, designed by Afra and T...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Ebony, Walnut, Braid
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa Black Leather "Monk" Dining Room Chairs for Molteni set of 4By Molteni & C, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Almelo, NLAfra & Tobia Scarpa Black Leather "Monk" Dining Room Chairs for Molteni, Italy 1974 Set of four Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Monk" dining chairs fo...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa set of six Dining Room Chairs in Cognac Leather, Italy 1966By Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Almelo, NLAfra & Tobia Scarpa set of six dining room chairs in cognac leather and black lacquered wood, Italy 1966 This is a fantastic set of six dining room chairs made of cognac brown leath...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- Cassina Ciprea Lounge chairs by Tobia and Afra Scarpa, 1970s, ItalyBy Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Almelo, NLCassina Ciprea Lounge chairs by Tobia and Afra Scarpa, 1970s, Italy Beautiful lounge chairs made in Italy by Tobia and Afra Scarpa for Cassina in Italy...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsPlywood, Leather, Foam
- RB Rossana Set of Eight Dining room Chairs in Cane and Ash, Italy 1960sBy RB RossanaLocated in Almelo, NLRB Rossana Set of Eight Dining Chairs in Cane and Ash, Italy 1960s These RB Rossana dining chairs, a set of eight, were made in Italy in the 1960s. The chairs have a sleek, modern design with an open structure. The backrest is a curved frame positioned diagonally, while the seat is made of octagonal cane, known for its comfort and support. The chairs are supported by cylindrical legs and would be a striking addition to any interior, such as a dining room, screening room, or office. The chairs possess an exceptional original condition and boast an impressive patina.. Choosing used midcentury furniture...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsCane, Ash
- Set of Eight Black Leather and Chrome steel Dining Room Chairs, Italy 1970sBy Gastone RinaldiLocated in Almelo, NLSet of Eight Black Leather and Chrome steel Dining Room Chairs, Italy 1970s These dining room chairs are a beautiful and iconic set of eight armchairs that were designed and produce...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" Dining Chairs for Maxalto, 1975, Set of 4By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Lonigo, VenetoAfra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" dining chairs for Maxalto, black leather, walnut, burl and brass, Italy, 1975, set of four. Originally hand finished and assembled one-by-one, "Africa"...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" Dining Chairs for Maxalto, 1975, Set of 2By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Lonigo, VenetoAfra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" dining chairs for Maxalto, black leather, walnut, burl and brass, Italy, 1975, set of two. Originally hand finished and assembled one-by-one, "Africa...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" Dining Chairs for Maxalto, 1975, Set of 6By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Lonigo, VenetoAfra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" dining chairs for Maxalto, black leather, walnut, burl and brass, Italy, 1975, set of six. Originally hand finished and assembled one-by-one, "Africa...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Africa dining chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1975, Set of 4By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Lasne, BESet of 4 Africa chairs in wood and brown leather by Afra & Tobia Scarpa . Stamped. Seat height: 45 cm. Wear due to time and age of the chairs.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" Dining Chairs for Maxalto, 1975, Set of 10By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Lonigo, VenetoAfra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" dining chairs for Maxalto, black leather, walnut, burl and brass, Italy, 1975, set of ten. Originally hand finished and assembled one-by-one, "Africa" ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Africa Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Italy - 1975, set of 8By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Pijnacker, Zuid-HollandArtona series Africa dining chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto – Italy, 1970’s. Amazing set of 8 Africa chairs made of Italian Walnut with black leather seats and brass detail...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBrass