Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto 'Artona' Side Table in Ash

Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 'Artona' side or coffee table, ash, Italy, 1975/1979

The renowned Artona furniture line, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in 1975, includes this architectural side table. Crafted from ash wood with a beautifully expressive natural grain, the piece is inlaid with two dark lines that extend seamlessly from the square tabletop down into the legs. A connecting stretcher stabilizes the structure while visually uniting the two legs into a cohesive whole.

The Artona line by the Scarpa duo was in fact the first line ever produced by Maxalto, the specialist division of B&B Italia. Maxalto was originally set up in 1975 as a high-end division of B&B Italia to focus exclusively on the production of artisanal, mostly wood furniture. The ‘Artona’ line was their first project and also functioned as a counter-message against the common prevailing use of plastics in furniture design during the postwar period.

Afra (1937–2011) and Tobia (1935–) Scarpa are a renowned duo of Italian architects and designers, celebrated for their contributions to postmodern design. Afra Bianchin was born in Montebelluna in 1937, while Tobia Scarpa, the son of prominent architect Carlo Scarpa, was born in Venice in 1935. The two met while studying at the Venice Institute of Architecture and later married. Tobia initially worked as a glass designer at the Murano glassworks of Venini from 1957 to 1961. However, in 1960, the pair began collaborating professionally and went on to establish one of the most successful design studios of their time. Their collaborations included work for prestigious companies such as Flos, Gavina, B&B Italia, and Knoll. Throughout their career, the couple received numerous accolades, including the Compasso d’Oro and recognition from the International Forum Design. They also took on high-profile commissions for companies like Benetton. Afra and Tobia Scarpa’s designs are admired for their modernist aesthetic, which blends elegance with comfort. At the same time, their work is known for its subtle nods to classical design and their deep understanding of materials. Today, many of their iconic creations are housed in major museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Musée du Louvre, and the National Museum of Design in New York.

Kindly take note that the table is in good, used condition with signs of age and use. For further details, we encourage you to reach out to our team of design specialists.