Artona Desk by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Italy, 1975

Beautiful writing desk model 7737 from the Artona series designed by Afra e Tobia Scarpa and manufactured by Maxalto in Italy, 1975. The top has a striking burl-wood veneer with a mesmerizing pattern. The bottom features walnut veneer compartments with leather-covered doors and leather “loop" handles. The edges show the typical Artona signature with dark lines in the wood, slightly angled. The warm orange/brown color of the top complements the cognac brown leather and walnut wood. The desk features a thin drawer in the middle and storage space on both sides, with two shelves on the left and one on the right behind the leather-covered doors. This desk combines aesthetics with practicality, making it perfect for working in style. Very nice quality designed desk in very good original condition. The chair on the pictures is not included but can be purchased here. The ‘Artona’ line, crafted by the Scarpa duo, holds historical significance as it marked the beginning of Maxalto, a specialized branch of B&B Italia. Maxalto, founded in 1975, was dedicated to crafting artisanal, predominantly wooden furniture. The ‘Artona’ series was their first project for Maxalto and also served as a counterpoint to the prevailing trend of using plastics in furniture design during the postwar era. Afra and Tobia Scarpa are award winning postmodern Italian architects and designers. Their pieces can be found in museums across the United States and Europe, including collections in MoMa and the Louvre Museum. They have collaborated with companies such as B&B Italia, San Lorenzo Silver, Molteni, and Knoll International. They have won a number of awards such as the Compasso d’Oro in 1969 to the International Forum Design in 1992. Their design work consists of architecture and everyday household items including, furniture, clothing, interior design, art glass. They focused on the technical and aesthetic possibilities of materials in their designs. The couple was greatly influenced by Tobia’s father, Carlo Scarpa, a Venetian architect and designer. Read more…