Gorilla Chair with Real Leather by Marcantonio

From his Puppy Pouffe lounge chair resembling a shaggy Puli dog to a 13-foot tall handmade giraffe sculpture in fiberglass holding a classic Marie-Thérèse-style chandelier, the whimsical chairs, table lamps and decorative objects created by MARCANTONIO mix originality, humor, mystery and functionality, with a dash of irony for good measure.

Born Marcantonio Raimondi Malerba in 1976 in Massa Lombarda, the artist and designer studied at the Severini Art Institute and Academy of Fine Arts in Ravenna. While there, he explored the relationship between irony and nature — two recurring themes in his works — and developed a fascination with artists such as René Magritte and Marcel Duchamp. 

Following graduation, MARCANTONIO collaborated with architects and worked in theater production before delving into art and furniture design. In 2010, he exhibited his series of Sprout chairs at the Salone del Mobile, which garnered critical acclaim and gained the attention of other ultra-modernist designers such as Mogg, Qeeboo, Natuzzi and Altreforme. MARCANTONIO has also engaged in several fruitful partnerships, notably with Italian design brand Seletti — for which he created his iconic anatomically correct heart-shaped vase — and Scarlet Splendour, manufacturer of his caricatural Forest chair, which is part of his Vegetal Animal series.

Although MARCANTONIO’s designs border on Surrealist and dreamlike, his pieces suggest a sense of “elegant irony.” His coffee tables, floor lamps, cabinets and other objects and furnishings, which feature intricate inlays and chic colors, are made with materials such as suede, brass and fine wool, and strike a balance between luxurious and amusing.

MARCANTONIO’s works have been exhibited at art galleries and shows throughout Europe. His pieces have also been featured in several major international publications such as Architectural Digest, GQ, Marie Claire, ELLE and Vanity Fair.

On 1stDibs, discover a range of MARCANTONIO seating, tables and lighting.

Ashish Bajoria and Suman Kanodia founded Scarlet Splendour in 2014. The siblings grew up in Kolkata, India with a deep sense of appreciation for the aesthetic. They combined their mutual passion for design to form Scarlet Splendour, with a view to integrate their maximalist sensibilities and become, possibly, the first design editors in India. They set out to create trailblazing furniture, lighting, and rugs on the borders of classical and modern, whimsical and serious, and functional and dramatic. Scarlet Splendour has collaborated with international stores, press agencies, artists, and designers to transform and take local craftsmanship to global levels. The company heralds a blend of the cultures and transcends geographical boundaries to achieve the extraordinary in the design world. The brand has collaborated with internationally acclaimed designers including Matteo Cibic, Elena Salmistraro, Marcantonio, Nika Zupanc and Richard Hutten, often merging European and Indian traditions. Most recently, Scarlet Splendour collaborated with prominent designers Karim Rashid, Sacha Walckhoff and Richard Yasmine among others to showcase collections that have now been coined “Functional Art.” Scarlet Splendour combines its exquisite artistry with immaculate design to evoke decadence and timelessness.