Artona Africa Coffee Table by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1970s

An exceptionally large-scale coffee table from the celebrated Artona collection, showcasing Afra & Tobia Scarpa’s sophisticated use of contrasting woods and exceptional craftsmanship.

The generous square tabletop is finished in richly figured reddish-brown burl veneer and framed by a beautifully layered solid wood edge. The four substantial bases are constructed from numerous vertical solid wood elements in contrasting species and tones. These elements extend into the tabletop, where their end grain remains visible as small circular details within the burl surface. An integral part of the table’s construction rather than decorative inlays. The combination of highly figured burl, lighter and darker solid woods, and the graphic striped edge gives the table remarkable depth and character. Its construction is particularly impressive when viewed from different angles, revealing the complexity of the design.