Carafe
1996 (made), 1990 (designed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
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.
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.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver, parcel-gilt |
| Brief description | Silver, parcel-gilt, Milan, made by San Lorenzo, 1996, designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, 1991 |
| 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. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| 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. |
| Object history | **Label: Date of make - 1991 and date of design - 1971 |
| Summary | 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. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.66-1996 |
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| Record created | March 3, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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