Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia Rare 'Polygonon' Dining Table
Open here
Behold this astonishing table with an aesthetically pleasing layout designed by the Italian master duo Afra & Tobia Scarpa. The geometric base consists of electro-coated stainless steel sheets that embody luminous colors, which seem to change when experienced from a different angle. The iridescent color ranges from blue, dark blue to a more black color. The angles of the hexagon tabletop are straightened and shaped inwards, which results in an elongated top so that more people can join. Two concrete weights must be placed in the base to keep the table balanced. As they are equipped with handles, these heavy pieces can be replaced easily. Thanks to the development of new materials in the eighties and creative thinking of the duo, the result is a thoroughly well-designed and visually pleasing dining table that will definitely impress the viewer's eye.
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.
Kindly note that the piece is in good, used condition with some signs of age and use. For further details, we encourage you to reach out to our team of design specialists.
Choose options
Product Details
Six decades, one working method
Tobia went on to work as a glass designer at the Venini glassworks in Murano, succeeding Massimo Vignelli and absorbing a hands-on understanding of materials; the couple opened their own design office in Montebelluna in 1960. His first project, the Pigreco chair, was shown at the Milan Triennale in 1959, developed for Franco Albini's university course.
Their collaboration ranged from the intimate to the industrial: the Bastiano sofa for Gavina (1961), the Coronado sofa for B&B Italia (1966), the Soriana armchair for Cassina (1968, Compasso d'Oro), an entire furniture collection in fine materials for Maxalto, and lighting for Flos including the Nuvola (1962), Seki-Han (1963) and Biagio (1968) lamps. In architecture, they designed Benetton's industrial and management complex in Castrette di Villorba and led the restoration of the Mercato Vecchio museums in Verona and the Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice. The couple worked together until Afra's death in 2011; Tobia received a Compasso d'Oro for lifetime achievement in 2008 and continues to design and teach in Venice.
VAT within the EU: When buying or delivering an item within the EU, VAT usually applies and will be added.