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Carafe

Carafe

  • Place of origin:

    Milan, Italy (made)

  • Date:

    1996 (made)
    1990 (designed)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Afra & Tobia Scarpa (designer)
    San Lorenzo (maker)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Silver, parcel-gilt

  • Museum number:

    M.66-1996

  • Gallery location:

    Silver, room 68, case 4, shelf 1

  • Image in copyright

The studio of San Lorenzo was formed in 1970. Its express purpose was to create a new idiom in sterling silver. The small group of designers that formed its nucleus aimed to produce high quality designs in sterling. San Lorenzo implemented a select band of products in batch production runs. There was strong emphasis on finely detailed quality, both in design and workmanship.

Tobia Scarpa, son of the architect Carlo Scarpa, and Afra Bianchin both studied architecture in Venice. They married, and from 1957 to 1961 Tobia worked as a glass designer at the Murano glassworks of Venini. From time to time he collaborated with Afra. In 1960 the couple began to design furniture for Gavina. Their designs were informed by a deep understanding of materials and empathy for traditional Italian craftsmanship. They also designed furniture for other companies, as well as lighting for Flos and cutlery for San Lorenzo. They carried out commissions for showrooms and factories, including one for Benetton (1964). All these were characterised by a sense of modesty and a highly refined use of space. In the 1980s the Scarpas restored squares in the Italian provinces of Veneto and Emilia.

Physical description

The vessel is made from a single sheet of silver. The base, oval; the walls of the vessel flare outwards at the sides while rising inwards at the front and back. The upper half of the back folds sharply towards the centre, creating a ridged depression and giving the rim its distinctive, lobed outline. The front has a simple V shaped spout which extends until half way down the front wall. The external surface, except for the base is entirely covered with star shaped punches; the interior, gilt. The capacity of the vessel is 75 cl.

Place of Origin

Milan, Italy (made)

Date

1996 (made)
1990 (designed)

Artist/maker

Afra & Tobia Scarpa (designer)
San Lorenzo (maker)

Materials and Techniques

Silver, parcel-gilt

Marks and inscriptions

The marks have been applied in an emulation of the British hallmarking system. In addition, the designers are identified with their own punch. Along the centre of the base, the company mark of San Lorenzo, the designer’s mark, ats for Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Z, the date letter for 1990, 925 for sterling standard silver and the Milan control mark.

Dimensions

Diameter: 9.1 cm, Height: 14.7 cm, Width: 11.8 cm

Object history note

**Label: Date of make - 1991 and date of design - 1971

Descriptive line

Silver, parcel-gilt, Milan, made by San Lorenzo, 1996, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, 1991

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

1970-1995 The Work of the Silversmiths Studio, San Lorenzo, Milano, An exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum, ed. Evelina Bazzo, Milan, Electa, 1995. p. 112; ill. p. 125 ISBN 8843554247
Italian Silverware of the 20th Century, From Decorative Arts to Design, ed. Tersilla F Giacobone, Milan, Electa, 1993. cat. No. 92; ill. pp 152 ISBN 884354618X

Exhibition History

1970-1995 The Work of the Silversmiths' Studio, San Lorenzo, Milano (Victoria and Albert Museum 05/10/1995-30/04/1996)

Materials

Silver; Gold

Categories

Containers; Drinking; Metalwork

Collection code

MET

Qr_O94994
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