Afra & Tobia Scarpa ‘Benetton’ Stool in Leather and Steel

Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Benetton Office, folding stool or ottoman, leather, steel, Italy, 1985.

This rare stool is designed for the office of the clothing brand Benetton by Afra & Tobia Scarpa. Thick cognac leather in patinated condition is spanned between the steel frame comprised of tubular rods, which enrich the look in a vigorous manner. Functionality comes into play through the various functions this item embraces: you can simultaneously use it as an ottoman for your easy chair or as a stool to sit on. Overall, pure forms and fine materials combine into a modern and clean design.

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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