Monk Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Raw Cloth
View Similar Items
Monk Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Raw Cloth
About the Item
- Creator:Afra & Tobia Scarpa (Designer),Molteni & C (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.14 in (74 cm)Width: 17.33 in (44 cm)Length: 29.14 in (74 cm)Seat Height: 17.33 in (44 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:Other,Other
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1974
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Melbourne, AU
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2201316033722
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.
- Soriana Lounge Chair by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Italy, 1970'sBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Melbourne, VICThe Soriana Lounge Chair, a timeless creation by Italian designers Afra and Tobia Scarpa in 1969, is a masterpiece of furniture design. Its signature features include soft, inviting ...Category
20th Century Italian Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Artona Sideboard by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Italy, 1970sBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Melbourne, VICThe Artona sideboard by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, produced by Maxalto in the 1970s, is a classic piece of furniture that exemplifies the elegant simplici...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Pamplona Dining Chair by Augusto Savini for Pozzi, Italy, 1965, Set of 6By Pozzi, Augusto SaviniLocated in Melbourne, VICThe Pamplona dining chair by Augusto Savini for Pozzi, Italy, 1965, is a beautiful piece of furniture that blends comfort, sty...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Table "Bisanzio" des. Carlo Scarpa and Hiroyuki Toyoda for Simon 1973By Studio SimonLocated in Melbourne, VICElegant Dining table designed by Carlo Scarpa and produced by Simon. Following the death of Scarpa, the design was refined and finished by Hiroyuki Toyoda in conjunction with Dino ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
- Scultura 190 Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Vittorio Introini for SaporitiBy Saporiti, Vittorio IntroiniLocated in Melbourne, VICThe Scultura 190 Lounge Chair designed by Vittorio Introini for Saporiti in the 1970s, embodies the distinctive design language synonymous wi...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMohair
- Cubic Chandelier 37 Lights by Gaetano Sciolari, Italy, 1970sBy Gaetano SciolariLocated in Melbourne, VICMid-Century Modern Cubic chandelier designed by Gaetano Sciolari. This pendant consists of 37 rectangular polished chrome cubes with textured lucite shades. The hanging chain can be adjusted to suit, and the original ceiling cap is included. Labelled on inside of ceiling cap - Cubic by Lightolier, Made in Italy. The Cubic light...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsAluminum, Chrome
- 7 'Monk' Chair by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Molteni, Italy 1974By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Tobia Scarpa, Molteni & CLocated in Argelato, BOSeven Canvas and wood chairs model Monk, Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, Italy It is one of the most iconic and refined models by the famous It...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Monk" Chairs for Molteni, 1974, Set of 8By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Molteni & CLocated in Lonigo, VenetoAfra & Tobia Scarpa "Monk" chairs for Molteni, canvas and walnut, Italy, 1974, set of eight. The particular feature of this model is the support structure composed of two equal tres...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsCanvas, Walnut
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Monk" Chairs for Molteni, 1974, Set of 4By Molteni & C, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Lonigo, VenetoAfra & Tobia Scarpa "Monk" chairs for Molteni, canvas and walnut, Italy, 1974, set of four. The particular feature of this model is the support structure composed of two equal trest...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsCanvas, Walnut
- Monk Dining Chairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, 1970s, Set of 4By Molteni & C, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Lasne, BESet of 4 chairs in brown leather and wood designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa. Model: Monk. Seat height: 43cm Wear due to time and age of the chairs.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Rare Vintage Monk Dining Chairs by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Italian CollectibleBy Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Molteni & CLocated in Milano, ITOffered for sale is a rare set of four "Monk" dining chairs, designer by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Italian furniture brand Molteni and launched in 1973. With a wood frame and a raw can...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Canvas, Wood
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa Monk Black Chair for Molteni, Italy, 1974By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Molteni & CLocated in London, GBFormidable husband and wife team Tobia and Afra Bianchin Scarpa created interiors and furniture that embraced the materials of each design and the interplay of technology and ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
$1,870 Sale Price36% Off