"Artona" Double Bed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto
About the Item
- Creator:Afra & Tobia Scarpa (Designer),Maxalto (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 27.56 in (70 cm)Width: 78.75 in (200 cm)Depth: 82.68 in (210 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1975
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading.
- Seller Location:Milan, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU945127330252
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: Milan, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- "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
- Pair of "Carlotta" Lounge Chairs by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, ItalyBy Cassina, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Milan, ITSet of two "Carlotta" lounge chairs by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina. Essential structure composed by four wood frames joined together two support two movable cushions.Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- "Marly" Free Standing Bookcase by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, Italy, 1980sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Molteni & CLocated in Milan, ITMarly free standing bookcase by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni. The piece "develops the theme of tensile structure; the main supports are t...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Bookcases
MaterialsMetal, Copper, Steel
- "Bambole" Double Bed by Mario Bellini for Cassina, Italy, 1970sBy Cassina, Mario BelliniLocated in Milan, ITHard to find "Bambolettone" by Mario Bellini for B&B. Part of the "Bambiole" family, the piece features a full upholstered frame, two pillows and the whole piece can be folded.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsSteel
- "Tappeto Volante" Metal Double Bed by Enzo Mari for Interflex, Italy, 1980sBy Enzo Mari, InterflexLocated in Milan, IT"Tappeto Volante" double bed by Enzo Mari for Interflex. Sculptural metal frame and round metal twin headboards.Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsMetal
- "Locanda" Double Bed with Night Stands by Franco Poli for Bernini, Italy. 1980sBy Bernini, Franco PoliLocated in Milan, IT"Locanda" double bed with night stands by Franco Poli for Bernini. Solid wood frame with high quality details. Each night stand features a drawer...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsWalnut
- 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
- Artona bed in walnut by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Italy 1970sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto, 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
- Tobia & Afra Scarpa Artona Bed Frame in Walnut and Leather by Maxalto 1970sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, MaxaltoLocated 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
- Tobia & Afra Scarpa Bedroom Set Artona with Bed and Nightstands by Maxalto 1970sBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Montecatini Terme, ITBedroom set from Artona series composed by one double-bed frame and a couple of nightstands in walnut wood, leather and metal details. Designed by Tobia and Afra Scarpa and produced...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Sets
MaterialsMetal
- 20th Century Afra & Tobia Scarpa Pair of Artona Nightstands for Maxalto, 1970sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, MaxaltoLocated in Turin, TurinSince their first meeting at IUAV in Venice to their move to the Venetian countryside, Tobia Scarpa and Afra Bianchin shared first a degree, then a marriage and a career that marked ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsMetal
- Tobia & Afra Scarpa Set of Two Nightstands in Walnut by Maxalto 1970s ItalyBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Montecatini Terme, ITA couple of Artona nightstands in walnut wood and metal details. Designed by Tobia and Afra Scarpa and produced by Maxalto in 1970s. The night stands reflect on the wood structure...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsMetal