Afra & Tobia Scarpa Set of Four 'Monk' Dining Chairs in Red Leather and Ash

Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, set of four 'Monk' dining chairs, ash, leather, Italy, 1974.

The wonderfully red leather forms a striking combination with the blond wood. Interesting is the 'flat' shape of this chair where the designer has chosen to place the legs cross-angled. This decision gives the chair the appearance of being light-weight, whilst in fact they are very well-constructed and heavy. Another interesting feature is the use of nails on the top of each leg, which are executed in a black dark color. All in all a very interesting and high-quality chair. Simplified and solid design by Italian award winning designers couple Arfa & Tobia Scarpa.

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.

Please note that these chairs are in good, used condition. The leather shows patina and there are signs of wear and use.

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