'Artona' Chest of Drawers by Afra & Tobia Scarpa, 1970s
About the Item
- Creator:Afra & Tobia Scarpa (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 55.71 in (141.5 cm)Width: 17.72 in (45 cm)Depth: 17.72 in (45 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Replacements made: The leather drawer pull loops have been replaced.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU865433118002
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- 1970s Tapestry by Veerle DupontBy Veerle DupontLocated in London, GB'Noyau' (Nucleus) tapestry by Veerle Dupont (b. 1942, Belgian), 1979. Mixed natural fibres are woven in abstract, sculptural design. Various weaving techniques were employed to enha...Category
Vintage 1970s Belgian Tapestries
MaterialsJute, Natural Fiber, Wool
- Set of 4 cowhide Chairs, 1970sLocated in London, GBCharming set of 4 circular chairs in cowhide, perfect for relaxed seating. Metal legs with cowhide seats edged with grommets whip-stitched to metal frame.Category
Vintage 1970s French Lounge Chairs
MaterialsCowhide
- 1970s Tortoise Coffee Table by Anthony RedmileBy Anthony Redmile LondonLocated in London, GBA zany coffee table by renowned eccentric British designer, Anthony Redmile, from the 1970s, formed as tortoise in resin below a brass banded glass table top studded with amethyst ov...Category
Vintage 1970s British Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsResin
- Brutalist Coffee Table by Pia Manu, 1970sBy Pia ManuLocated in London, GBTable top of Brazilian Shiste slate (with natural sparkle inclusions) geometric sections enhanced by a central band of Pyrite elements in high relief. On openwork welded steel legs. ...Category
Vintage 1970s Belgian Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMetal
- 'Starblack' Desk and Cabinet by Guido Faleschini, 1970sBy Guido FaleschiniLocated in London, GBFor i4 Mariani, Italy Leather topped desk with recessed aluminium channel spanning the width. With companion cabinet with leather-faced drawers and aluminium drawer pulls. Desk legs...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsLeather
- 1970s 'Don Quixote' Glass Vase by Cenedese, MuranoBy CenedeseLocated in London, GBRed and white cased glass vase with gold foil inclusions, and encircled by a black band on which white glass has been trailed in a charming call...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Glass
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Artona by Afra & Tobia Scarpa – High chest of drawers with 2 hinged doorsBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Brussels, BEHigh chest of drawers on casters in walnut veneered laminate consisting of a superposition of layers of different wood. The two hinged doors covered in cognac-coloured leather with ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- 2 Leather and Walnut Artona Chests of Drawers by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for MaxaltoBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Padova, ITRare and spectacular pair of walnut and leather Artona chests of drawers, designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in 1975. The Artona line by the Scarpa duo was in fact the fir...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Afra & Tobia Scarpa Walnut secretary chest of drawers for Molteni, 1970 Italy.By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Molteni & CLocated in Oostrum-Venray, NLAfra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, walnut, wood, Italy, 1970. This well-designed chest of drawers/secretaire has a modern and clean aesthetic based on a solid construction executed i...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut
- Artona by Afra & Tobia Scarpa – Chest of drawers with 4 hinged doors – MaxaltoBy Maxalto, Afra & Tobia ScarpaLocated in Brussels, BELow chest of drawers in walnut veneer laminate consisting of a superposition of different layers of wood. The 4 doors trimmed in cognac leather with leather ...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Buffets
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- 1970s Cedar Wood Chest of DrawersLocated in Milano, IT1970s cedar wood chest of drawers, brass handles and legs.Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- 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