"Artona 8551" armchair by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto
About the Item
- Creator:Afra & Tobia Scarpa (Designer),Maxalto (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30.71 in (78 cm)Width: 22.84 in (58 cm)Depth: 21.26 in (54 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1980
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Conversano, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8395239725302
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 - Africa" sideboard by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for MaxaltoBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Conversano, ITExtraordinary and rare version of the sideboard or console table belonging to the Artona series, model Africa, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa and produced by Maxalto in the 1970s...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Cabinets
MaterialsAnimal Skin, Wood, Kingwood
- Poltrona "Erasmo" di Afra e Tobia Scarpa per B&B ItaliaBy B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated 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
- "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
- "Wave" armchair by Giovanni Offredi for SaporitiBy Giovanni Offredi, SaporitiLocated in Conversano, ITStunning and rare version of the "Wave" Armchair designed by Giovanni Offredi and produced by Saporiti Italia in the late 1970s. Very rare in the version with gloss black painted fee...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Slipper Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- "Marango" armchair by Alberto Smania for Smania Studio InterniBy SmaniaLocated in Conversano, ITExtraordinary and very rare armchair belonging to the "Marango" series designed by Alberto Smania and produced by the company of the same name in 1967. An incredible piece, a testame...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Bamboo
- Artona Armchair by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1975By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Budapest, HUFounded in 1975 alongside B&B Italia, Maxalto is a brand born under the artistic leadership of Afra and Tobia Scarpa. The name "Maxalto" comes from the Venetian dialect "Massa alto,"...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Tobia & Afra Scarpa Armchair in Wood and Leather by Maxalto 1975 ItalyBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Montecatini Terme, ITA single armchair with a frame in wood and cushions upholstery with leather (cognac shade) designed by Tobia and Afra Scarpa and manufactured by Maxalto from the Artona series 1975 c...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Leather Armchairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Artona Model 8552, ItalyBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Beograd, RSIn this listing you will find set of four of very rare leather armchairs designed by Italian duo Afra and Tobia Scarpa. The armchairs were manufactured by Maxalto as a part of their ...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Plywood
- Italian modern brown armchair Artona by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1980sBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in MIlano, ITItalian modern brown armchair Artona by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1980s Cockpit armchair mod. Artona with backrest and seat in brown leather. The backrest and the seat have ...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMetal
- Italian modern Black armchair Artona by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1970sBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in MIlano, ITItalian modern Black armchair Artona by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1970s Vintage and fantastic armchair mod. Artona with seat, armrests and backrest composed of soft cushions...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Afra and Tobia Scarpa Artona Settee by MaxaltoBy MaxaltoLocated in Chicago, ILAfra and Tobia Scarpa Artona settee by Maxalto Made by Maxalto, Italy, 1975 Additional information: Material: Walnut, mohair, ebony...Category
20th Century Italian Settees
MaterialsUpholstery