Scarpa, Maxalto, Artona series armchairs
View Similar Items
Scarpa, Maxalto, Artona series armchairs
About the Item
- Creator:Maxalto (Manufacturer),Afra & Tobia Scarpa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 26.19 in (66.5 cm)Width: 28.55 in (72.5 cm)Length: 26.19 in (66.5 cm)Seat Height: 16.93 in (43 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 4
- Style:Post-Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Antwerp, BE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU933417340632
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.
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa Coffee Table for Maxalto, 1970sBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Antwerp, BEPine wood coffee table by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Italy, 1970s Postmodern coffee table by the famous children of Carlo Scarpa. Inspired by Donald Judd and Rietveld. Table...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsPine
- Ebonized Oak Dining Chairs by Antonio Citterio for Maxalto, 2000sBy Antonio Citterio, MaxaltoLocated in Antwerp, BEMaxalto ebonized oak dining chairs, crafted by Antonio Citterio in 2004, a striking example of contemporary furniture design. Antonio Citterio's design expertise shines through in th...Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsOak
- Post-Modern Luxury Jaimé Tresserra Casablanca Office Armchair, Spain, 1987By Jaime TresserraLocated in Antwerp, BEJaime´ Tresserra Casablanca armchair; Office chair; Tresserra collection; Cognac leather seating; Spanish furniture design; Walnut; Postmodern...Category
Vintage 1980s Spanish Post-Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Arts & Crafts ArmchairLocated in Antwerp, BEI actually don't want to sell this piece before I know what it is.Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Arts and Crafts Armchairs
MaterialsOak
$2,187 - Rustic Modernist Armchair, Sweden, 1920sBy Axel Einar HjorthLocated in Antwerp, BEEarly modern armchair from Sweden, approximately dating back to 1920, crafted from stained oak and preserved in its original condition. While the upholstery showcases elements of Exp...Category
Vintage 1920s Swedish Modern Armchairs
MaterialsVelvet, Oak
- Amsterdam School Unusual Armchair with Purple VeloursLocated in Antwerp, BEUnusual Dutch Art Deco armchair, 1930s, Netherlands Stained oak sculptural armchair on five ebonized conic feet. The sides and the back are...Category
Vintage 1930s Dutch Arts and Crafts Armchairs
MaterialsVelvet, Oak
- 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
- 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
- Pair of Leather Armchairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Italy 1985By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated 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 & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto 'New Harmony' Set of Six Dining ChairsBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Waalwijk, NLAfra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 'New Harmony' set of six dining chairs, walnut, fabric, leather, Italy, circa 1983 The 'New Harmony' collection designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa is d...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Fabric, Walnut