Afra & Tobia Scarpa ‘Artona’ Sofa in Elm and linen for Maxalto, 1975
About the Item
- Creator:Maxalto (Manufacturer),Afra & Tobia Scarpa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.53 in (75 cm)Width: 65.75 in (167 cm)Depth: 33.47 in (85 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1975
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:ABCOUDE, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6852231247682
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: ABCOUDE, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Set Of 4 Afra And Tobia Scarpa Monk Chairs For Molteni Italy 1974By Molteni & C, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in ABCOUDE, UTFantastic set of 4 ‘Monk’ chairs designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, Italy 1974. The sober design, after its name “Monk” is complemented with this beautiful combination of...Category
Vintage 1960s Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Theo Ruth for Artifort Sofa 109 in bouclé and oak, 1950sBy Theo Ruth, ArtifortLocated in ABCOUDE, UTBeautiful and rare model 109 Sofa in bouclé and oak by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Netherlands, 1950s. This rare sofa features a sophisticated sculptural design. A comfortable and high q...Category
Vintage 1940s Sofas
MaterialsWool, Oak
- Theo Ruth For Artifort F115 Sofa In Beige Velvet And Metal , 1950sBy Theo Ruth, ArtifortLocated in ABCOUDE, UTBeautiful F115 Sofa by Theo Ruth for Artifort, Netherlands, 1958. A nice combination of newly upholstered beige velvet and black lacquered metal frame makes this sofa fit into almost...Category
Vintage 1950s Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Viborg Sofa And Armchairs By Bernard Brunier For Coulon, 1960sLocated in ABCOUDE, UTNice set of two armchairs and a three seater sofa model Viborg by Bernard Brunier for Coulon, 1960s. This elegant design is made of a plywood frame with stunning Rio Rosewood veneer ...Category
Vintage 1950s Sofas
MaterialsBouclé, Rosewood
- Le Bambole Sofa In Cognac Leather By Mario Bellini For B&B Italia 1970sBy Mario Bellini, B&B ItaliaLocated in ABCOUDE, UTStunning “Le Bambole” two seater sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B & B Italia in the 1970s. A beautiful edition in cognac leather. Besides the outstanding comfort this iconic sofa...Category
Vintage 1960s Sofas
MaterialsLeather
- Le Bambole Sofa In Coral Velvet By Mario Bellini For B&B Italia, 1970sBy B&B Italia, Mario BelliniLocated in ABCOUDE, UTStunning “Le Bambole” two seater sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B & B Italia in the 1970s. A beautiful edition in high quality coral velvet with a nice soft touch adding to this ...Category
Vintage 1970s Sofas
MaterialsVelvet
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa 'Artona' Sofa in Elm and Checked FabricBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Waalwijk, NLAfra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 'Artona' sofa, elm, checkered fabric, Italy, 1975. Cubic ‘Artona’ sofa by Italian designer couple Afra and Tobia Scarpa. This sofa shows absolute st...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Elm
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa 'Artona' Sofa for Maxalto, Italy, 1975, a Pair AvailableBy Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Brussels, BEAfra & Tobia Scarpa 'Artona' sofa for Maxalto, Italy, 1975 - A pair available.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWood
- 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
- 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
- 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