227: AFRA AND TOBIA SCARPA, set of ten Africa chairs from the Artona series < Design, 9 June 2016 < Auctions

Design

9 June 2016

Design

227

Afra and Tobia Scarpa
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set of ten Africa chairs from the Artona series

Maxalto
Italy, 1975
walnut, ebony, leather, brass 31 h × 22 w × 18 d in (79 × 56 × 46 cm)

estimate: $20,000–30,000

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The Artona series was the first line produced by Maxalto, the specialist division of B&B Italia set up in 1975 to concentrate exclusively on the production of high-end, artisanal wood furniture. The series, which included The Africa chair, was a rebellion against the prevailing use of plastics in design during the preceding period.
Signed with impressed manufacturer's mark to each example.
literature: Repertorio 1950-1980, Gramigna, pg. 415 Afra e Tobia Scarpa: Architetti e Designers, Piva, pg. 146 Casa Vogue, December 1975, pg. 95

Tobia Scarpa b. 1935

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Tobia Scarpa has had a widely successful career with artistic outputs ranging from Murano glass and postmodern furniture to lighting and architecture. His design uses new technologies while elegantly maintaining form and function. He was born in Venice in 1935 to architect and glassmaker Carlo Scarpa whose stylistic influence would become prevalent in Tobia’s work.

While attending the Instituto Universitario di Architettura in Venice he met wife and colleague Afra Bianchin. After graduating in 1957, Scarpa apprenticed at Venini until 1961. Afra and Tobia became an incredible force collaborating on numerous important designs throughout their careers. In 1960 the couple designed and opened their office in her hometown of Montebelluna, Italy. Their most iconic designs include the Bastiano sofa (1961) for Gavina, the Soriana armchair (1968) for Cassina, the Coronado sofa (1966) for B&B Italia among many others for clients such as FLOS and Knoll International.

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Auction Results Tobia Scarpa