Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni 'Marlo' Bed in Black Leather, Italy 1980s
About the Item
- Creator:Molteni & C (Manufacturer),Afra & Tobia Scarpa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 11.03 in (28 cm)Width: 70.87 in (180 cm)Depth: 82.68 in (210 cm)
- Style:Post-Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading.
- Seller Location:Zagreb, HR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5333230127692
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 furniture today on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Zagreb, Croatia
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Giulio Corner Black Leather Sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Meritalia, Italy 80sBy Meritalia, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Zagreb, HRGiulio sofa was designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Meritalia in 1987. This corner shaped sofa version of the model Giulio is XXL in size. The frame of the sofa is made of woo...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Orchid Coffee Table by Massimo Morozzi for Archizoom, 1980s, ItalyBy Massimo Morozzi, Archizoom AssociatiLocated in Zagreb, HRVery rare coffee or low table 'Orchid' or 'Orchidea' Designed by Massimo Morozzi, an Italian architect who was one of the founders of Archizoom Associati group. Some of his works are present at the NY MoMA and museum of decorative arts of Paris. There were just a few editions of this table in the 1980s and today is considered a highly collectible example of Italian radical...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood
- Desk Lamp 'Alistro' by Ernesto Gizmondi for Artemide, 1980s, ItalyBy Artemide, Ernesto GismondiLocated in Zagreb, HR'Alistro' desk lamp by Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide with black body and white acrylic lampshade. Designed in 1983 and manufactured during the 1980s. The lamp was never in use ...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Pendant Lamp "Sfera" by Tobia Scarpa for Flos, Italian Design 1960s Ceiling LampBy Tobia Scarpa, FlosLocated in Zagreb, HRPendant lamp designed by Tobia Scarpa for Flos Manufactured in the 1960s Large, texturized glass globe, diameter 35 cm E27 lamp socket The total length is 115 cm The lamp ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal
- Postmodern Floor Lamp 'Ettore' by Ernesto Gizmondi for Artemide, Italy, 1980sBy Artemide, Ernesto GismondiLocated in Zagreb, HRRare floor lamp from the 1980s, model 'Ettore' by Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide The arm of the lamp rotates and on each end has a light source enabling several combinations of lig...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Italian Sofa Designed by Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate, 1980sBy Carlo Bartoli, Rossi di AlbizzateLocated in Zagreb, HRVery rare sofa designed by Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate. Produced in the 1980s postmodern era. This extremely comfor...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Fabric, Wood
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni ‘Morna’ Bed with NightstandsBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Molteni & CLocated in Waalwijk, NLAfra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, bed with nightstands model ‘Morna’, leather, opaline glass, wood, plastic, Italy, designed in 1972 This rare bed named ‘Morna’ reflects the duo’s s...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Sets
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa cognac leather bed model Morna for Molteni ItalyBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in ITAfra & Tobia Scarpa - bed frame in cognac-colored leather - composed of headboard with integrated bedside tables and mattress base. Model "Morna" Molteni Italy 1972 Restored - wood ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsLeather
- Artona bed in walnut by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Italy 1970sBy Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Argelato, BOArtona bed in walnut and leather designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for the Maxalto company, Italy, 1970s The Artona line by Afra and Tobia Scarpa was the fir...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Artona Double bed by Afra e Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto 1970sBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Padova, ITThe Artona line by the Scarpa duo was the first line ever produced by Maxalto, the specialist division of B&B Italia. This well designed bed convinces visually trough its syabile c...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Sets
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- "Vanessa" Steel Single Bed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Gavina, Italy, 1950sBy Gavina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Milan, IT"Vanessa" single bed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Gavina.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsSteel
- Tobia & Afra Scarpa Artona Bed Frame in Walnut and Leather by Maxalto 1970sBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Montecatini Terme, ITArtona double-bed frame in walnut wood, black leather and metal details. Designed by Tobia and Afra Scarpa and produced by Maxalto in 1970s. The bed-frame is caratcterized by it's...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsMetal