Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni Chest of Drawers ‘Mid’ in Walnut

Afra e Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, cabinet model ‘Mid’, walnut, wood, Italy, 1980.

This well-designed chest of drawers features a modern and clean aesthetics based on a solid construction executed in solely honest, wooden materials. The designer duo eliminated the traditional use of doorknobs by implementing the four drawers with protruding borders that function as a handle. Besides this functional property, this design feature contributes to the cabinet’s minimalist and subtle appearance. The interior of each drawer is largely built providing great storage space. Also note the large sized top of which the edges run over the cabinet allowing the user to display objects to one’s taste. A truly exceptional item that proofs the duo’s great eye for detail and high level of craftsmanship.

Afra (1937-2011) & Tobia (1935-) Scarpa are a duo of Italian architects and designers mostly known for their postmodern style. Afra Bianchin was born in 1937 in Montebelluna while Tobia Scarpa, son of the architect Carlo Scarpa, was born in 1935 in Venice. The couple met when they were both studying at the Venice Institute of Architecture and married afterwards. From 1957 until 1961, Tobia worked as a glass designer at the Murano glassworks of Venini. However, in 1960, the duo started to collaborate, and they set up one of the most successful and well-known professional studios. Together, they worked for companies such as Flos Gavina, B&B Italia, and Knoll. The couple won numerous amounts of awards like the Compasso d’Oro and the International Forum Design. Throughout their career, the duo carried out commissions for well-known companies, including Benetton. Overall, their designs are known for their modernist aesthetic, prioritizing elegance and comfort. However, at the same time, their pieces are admired for the ease with which they lean towards classical designs. Moreover, the creations show their deep understanding for materials. Today, many of their works can be found in major museums such as Museum of Mod­ern Art of New York, Musée du Lou­vre, National Museum of Design New York and many more.

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