Italian modern brown armchair Artona by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1980s
About the Item
- Creator:Maxalto (Manufacturer),Afra & Tobia Scarpa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31.5 in (80 cm)Width: 22.84 in (58 cm)Depth: 20.87 in (53 cm)Seat Height: 18.51 in (47 cm)
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:Minor losses. Good condition, the leather has some signs and some defects, as well as the plastic base.
- Seller Location:MIlano, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4860235161952
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 14 days of delivery.
- Italian modern Black armchair Artona by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1970sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, MaxaltoLocated 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
- Italian brown leather armchairs Coronado by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970sBy B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in MIlano, ITItalian modern brown leather armchairs Coronado by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970s Pair of armchairs mod. Coronado in brown leather with high back. The seat, armrests and backre...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Plastic
- Italian orange velvet armchairs Coronado by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970sBy B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in MIlano, ITItalian modern orange velvet armchairs Coronado by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970s Pair of armchairs mod. Coronado in orange velvet with high back. The seat, armrests and backre...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Armchairs
MaterialsPlastic, Fabric
- Italian Abate floor lamp by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Ibis, 1980sBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in MIlano, ITItalian Abate floor lamp by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Ibis, 1980s Very rare and important Abate floor lamp designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa. The base is in semicircular gray marble and...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMarble, Steel
- Italian modern brown leather pouf Coronado Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970sBy B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in MIlano, ITItalian modern brown leather pouf Coronado Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970s Pouf mod. Coronado lightly padded and covered in brown leather. In the central part of the top there i...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsLeather, Plastic
- Italian modern brown leather sofa Coronado Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970sBy B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in MIlano, ITItalian modern brown leather sofa Coronado Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B, 1970s Sofa mod. Coronado in brown leather with high back. The seats, armrests and backrest have curved and s...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Plastic
- Leather Armchairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Artona Model 8552, ItalyBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, MaxaltoLocated 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
- Pair of Leather Armchairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Italy 1985By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, MaxaltoLocated in Beograd, RSIn this listing you will find a pair of very rare leather armchairs designed by Italian duo Afra and Tobia Scarpa. The armchairs were manufactured by Maxalto as a part of their Arton...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather
- 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
- 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
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa ‘Artona’ Sofa in Elm and linen for Maxalto, 1975By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, MaxaltoLocated in ABCOUDE, UTBeautiful Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 'Artona' sofa, elm, Italy 1975 This sofa shows absolute stunning craftsmanship. The absolute highlight of this incredible sofa is the woo...Category
Vintage 1970s Sofas
MaterialsLinen, Elm, Walnut
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa Pair of 'Artona' Lounge Chairs in AshBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Waalwijk, NLAfra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, pair of 'Artona' lounge chairs, ash, checkered fabric, Italy, 1975/1979 Pair of cubic ‘Artona’ lounge chairs by Italian designer couple Afra and Tob...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Ash