Ettore Sottsass 'Ospite' Dining Table
By Zanotta, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ettore Sottsass 'Ospite' dining table for Zanotta, 1980s.
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Silver Plate, Brass
An architect, industrial designer, philosopher and provocateur, Ettore Sottsass led a revolution in the aesthetics and technology of modern design in the late 20th century. He was a wild man of the Radical Design movement that swept Italy in the late 1960s and ’70s, rejecting rationalism and modernism in favor of ever-more outrageous imaginings in lighting and furniture such as mirrors, lamps, chairs and tables.
Sottsass was the oldest member of the Memphis Group — a design collective, formed in Milan in 1980, whose irreverent, spirited members included Alessandro Mendini, Michele de Lucchi, Michael Graves and Shiro Kuramata. All had grown disillusioned by the staid, black-and-brown “corporatized” modernism that had become endemic in the 1970s. Memphis (the name stemmed from the title of a Bob Dylan song) countered with bold, brash, colorful, yet quirkily minimal designs for furniture, glassware, ceramics and metalwork.
The Memphis Group mocked high-status by building furniture with inexpensive materials such as plastic laminates, decorated to resemble exotic finishes such as animal skins. Their work was both functional and — as intended — shocking.
Even as it preceded the Memphis Group's formal launch, Sottsass's iconic Ultrafragola mirror — in its conspicuously curved plastic shell and radical pops of pink neon — embodies many of the collective's postmodern ideals.
Sottsass created innovative furnishings for the likes of Artemide, Knoll, Zanotta and Poltronova, where he reigned as artistic director for nearly two decades beginning in 1958. His most-recognized designs appeared in the first Memphis collection, issued in 1981 — notably the multihued, angular Carlton room divider and Casablanca bookcase. As pieces on 1stDibs demonstrate, however, Sottsass is at his most inspired and expressive in smaller, secondary furnishings such as lamps and chandeliers, and in table pieces and glassware that have playful and sculptural qualities.
Sottsass left the Memphis Group in 1985 in order to concentrate on the growth of Sottsass Associati, a design and architecture consultancy he cofounded in 1980.
It was as an artist that Sottsass was celebrated in his life, in exhibitions at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, in 2006, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art a year later. Even then Sottsass’s work prompted critical debate. And for a man whose greatest pleasure was in astonishing, delighting and ruffling feathers, perhaps there was no greater accolade. That the work remains so revolutionary and bold — that it breaks with convention so sharply it will never be considered mainstream — is a testament to his genius.
Find Ettore Sottsass lighting, decorative objects and furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Ettore Sottsass 'Ospite' Dining Table
By Zanotta, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ettore Sottsass 'Ospite' dining table for Zanotta, 1980s.
Silver Plate, Brass
Ultrafragola Mirror, Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova, 1970
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Ultrafragola light mirror was designed by Ettore Sottsass, with its sinuous silhouette, evocative of a wavy feminine hair, belongs to the series of Mobili Grigi, a complete bedro...
Mirror, Plastic
Carlton Wood Room Divider, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Here you are shown an authentic and perfect reproduction of the Carlton bookcase and room divider, originally designed in 1981 by Ettore Sottsass. The...
Wood, Plastic
$65,633Sale Price|25% Off
Ettore Sottsass Rare Limited Edition Piccoli Libri Cabinet, 1992
By Ettore Sottsass, Design Gallery Milano
Located in Barcelona, ES
Piccoli Libri cabinet designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1992 edited by Design Gallery Milano. P.A from a Limited edition of 9 + 3 P.A. Plastic laminate-covered, maple-veneered wood, m...
Plastic, Wood
Ettore Sottsass for Edizioni Vitra Armchair "Teodora," Italy 1984
By Vitra, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Naples, IT
Rare and beautiful chair Mod. "Teodora," designed by Ettore Sottsass and produced by Vitra around 1984. This unique chair is an outstanding piece of the Memphis style, designed by t...
Acrylic, Wood
Ettore Sottsass Flying Carpet Armchair by Bedding Brevetti 1970s Italy
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Cascina, Pisa
The Flying Carpet or Tappeto Volante armchair is an iconic seat with a base and an armrest in beech wood, the seat, and the back are made with polyuret...
Fabric, Wood, Velvet
Vintage Olivetti Synthesis Desk by Ettore Sottsass - 1970s Italian Design Icon
By Ettore Sottsass, Olivetti
Located in London, England
Don't miss the chance to own a true piece of design history. This vintage Olivetti Synthesis office desk was designed by the legendary Ettore Sottsass, an iconic figure of postmodern...
Metal
Ettore Sottsass Tony Table Post-Modern Italy, circa 1970
By Anthologie Quartett 1, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Vienna, AT
A fine example of the work of Ettore Sottsass, the Tony 3 table was imagined by the famous designer in 1979. This piece was published by Anthology Quartett around 1984. It is charact...
Plastic, Wood
14 Astidamia Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Astidamia glass vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is part of the “Astidamia Glass” collection. Made in blown Murano glass, and signed “E.Sottsass ...
Glass
Italian modern laminate bookcase Carlton by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis, 1981
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern laminate bookcase Carlton by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis, 1981 Carlton bookcase made entirely of wood, covered in colorful Formica: yellow, green, black, pink, red, or...
Formica, Wood
Memphis Milano Treetops Lamp by Ettore Sottsass
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Toronto, ON
Treetops by Ettore Sottsass is not just a lamp but a truly dynamic, slender and colourful presence, capable of infusing, with its lively allure, joy and lightheartedness to any envir...
Metal, Iron
Ettore Sottsass City Dining Table for Memphis Milano, 1983
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Kansas City, MO
Ettore Sottsass "City" dining table in black and brown spotted laminate with chrome plated steel legs. Very good condition with light scratches seen upon close inspection in raking ...
Steel, Chrome
Sedia Da Collezione Desk Chair Olivetti Synthesis Design Ettore Sottsass 1975
By Olivetti, Ettore Sottsass
Located in taranto, IT
Stunning collectible "desk chair," production Olivetti synthesis , design Ettore Sottsass, italy, 1975. Made on brown metal frame, yellow plastic seat and back. It measures cm 80 i...
Metal
Memphis Cabinet or a Bookcase designed by Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini, 1986
By Ettore Sottsass, Marco Zanini
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find an exceptionally rare Memphis style cabinet or a bookcase. It was designed by Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini for ...
Glass, Wood
Coat Stand with Umbrella Stand - Synthesis Line - E.Sottsass for Olivetti - '70s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milano, IT
A timeless icon of Italian design signed by Ettore Sottsass, the coat stand with umbrella stand from the Synthesis Line, in an elegant burgundy finish, is more than just a piece of f...
Aluminum
$11,053Sale Price|30% Off
Marble Montenegro Console Table by Ettore Sottsass for Ultima Edizione, 1980s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in amstelveen, NL
Marble console table, Montenegro model, by Ettore Sottsass, Ultima Edizione, Italy, 1980 The top is made of black marble and held by two white marble pedestals. Iconic designer Etto...
Marble
Typist Chair Synthesis 45 Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti, Italy, 1970s
By Olivetti, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milano, IT
Typist Chair “Synthesis 45” Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti, Italy – 1970s Beginning in the 1970s, Ettore Sottsass developed an innovative and integrated system of office f...
Metal
11 Erinna Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Erina vase is blown glass, originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is part of the “Vetri Glass” collection. Made in Murano, its hand blown with techniques from m...
Blown Glass
Tahiti Table Lamp 'EU VERSION 220v', by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis, Milano
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Here you are shown the EU wired 220v 'Tahiti' table lamp, designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981. The light fixture is of a polychrome enameled metal "duck" with a pivoting-like head mo...
Metal
Ettore Sottsass for Knoll, 1980s Eastside Club Lounge Chair
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in Basel, BS
Here for sale is one breathtaking Eastside Club Lounge Chair designed by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll, a quintessential piece of 1980s postmodern design from the founder of Memphis. The...
Metal, Aluminum
Murmansk Silver Plated Brass Fruit Bowl, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Murmansk Fruit Bowl in Brass with plated Silver. The "Murmansk" is a fruit bowl is one of the first designs produced by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis in 1982. The sleek bowl is plated silver over brass, and sitting on six stepped legs...
Brass, Silver
Ettore Sottsass Ultrafragola Neon Mirror, Poltronova, 1970 Design
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Ultrafragola mirror/lamp, with its sinuous profile that suggests long wavy hair, belongs to the Mobili Grigi series of complete bedroom and living room furnishings designed by Ettore...
Mirror, Plastic
Ettore Sottsass Wall Mirror Made by Santambrogio e De Berti c 1950
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare mirror by Ettore Sottsass. From a small series produced by Santambrogio and De Berti in the late 1950s. Tinted pale blue gray and clear mirrored glass with bronze details. Wal...
Bronze
13 Malide Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The 13 Malide glass vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is part of the “Malide Glass” collection. Made in Murano glass, and signed on the base “E.Sottsa...
Glass
20th Century, Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova Wooden Mirror
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Turin, Turin
Ettore Sottsass grew up in Turin, and graduated in architecture from the Turin Polytechnic in 1939. In 1947, he founded his own studio in Milan. In 1956, Sottsass moved to New York w...
Mirror, Wood
Ettore Sottsass Tappeto Volante Flying Carpet Chair Bedding Brevetti Italy 1972
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A postmodern lounge chair “Tappeto Volante (Flying Carpet)” designed by Ettore Sottsass for Bedding Brevetti, Italy 1972. Original label adhered to side. Beechwood and stain, stretch-jersey fabric, velvet, and carpeting. A standout example of Sottsass’s exploration of domestic form, the piece blends furniture and rug into a single surrealist gesture. Composed of soft upholstered elements– including a red carpet-like base, multicolored cushions, and asymmetrical armrests– it invites relaxation through both function and whimsy. “Tappeto Volante” reflects Sottsass’s growing interest in emotional design, blurring boundaries between utility, symbolism, and play. It has been featured in design retrospectives at the Triennale di Milano and Centre Pompidou and appears in publications documenting radical Italian design of the 1970s. “Tappeto Volante” is also in the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and Vitra Design Museum. A unique opportunity to own a museum quality furniture...
Velvet, Wood
'Valigia' Memphis Style Floor or Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Stilnovo
By Stilnovo, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Valigia' Memphis Style Floor or Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Stilnovo Originally designed in 1977, the Valigia exemplies the playful concepts and geometry of Memphis Style. Ex...
Aluminum, Steel
20th Century, Ettore Sottsass Brass Wall Mirror
By Santambrogio & De Berti, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Turin, Turin
Ettore Sottsass grew up in Turin, and graduated in architecture from the Turin Polytechnic in 1939. In 1947, he founded his own studio in Milan. In 1956, Sottsass moved to New York w...
Brass
Ettore Sottsass wall mirror production Santambrogio&De Berti
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milano, MI
Very rare and beautiful wall mirror by Ettore Sottsass produced by Santambrogio & De Berti with brass .
Brass
1993 Ettore Sottsass Interflex Italian Design Wall Hanging Fabric Tapestry
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brescia, IT
"La Buona Stella" Tapestry designer Ettore Sottsass prod. Interflex 1993 Screen-printing on quilted Fabric Tapestry Label manufacture sewing on the back Perfect Condiction Limited ...
Fabric
Ettore Sottsass Single Bedside Table for Poltronova, Italy, 1963
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Milan, IT
Ettore Sottsass single bedside table for Poltronova Original Label Italy, 1963.
Wood
Set of Six Ettore Sottsass for Knoll 'Mandarin' Dining Chairs in Memphis & Navy
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Italian architect Ettore Sottsass, this set of chairs was manufactured by Knoll, resulting in extraordinary quality. Featuring a sculptural ribbon style main body, they r...
Enamel, Steel
Sculptural Synthesis Ashtray by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti, Italy 1970s
By Olivetti, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milano, IT
Sculptural Postmodern Synthesis Ashtray by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti, Italy, 1970s A striking example of postmodern design, this Synthesis ashtray was created by renowned archite...
Plastic
Ultrafragola Mirror/Lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Asti, Piemonte
This is Ultrafragola a nice mirror designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova in the 1970. It is a translucent white plastic frame of undulating outline, concealing pink internal flu...
Glass, Plastic
30 Pasifila Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Pasifil Glass Vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986 for Memphis. It's part of the “Vetri Glass” collection, made in blown Murano glass. Signed on the base, for ...
Glass
Ultrafragola Mirror/Lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Asti, Piemonte
The Ultrafragola mirror / lamp with its sinuous shape, evocative of a wavy female hair, belongs to the Gray Furniture series, a complete bedroom and liv...
Glass, Plastic
ETTORE SOTTSASS Flying Carpet Armchair for Bedding Brevetti
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in LAGUNA BEACH, CA
ETTORE SOTTSASS "Tappeto Volante" (Flying Carpet) Armchair for Bedding Brevetti The "Flying Carpet" armchair is a testament to Sottsass's avant-garde...
Fabric, Textile, Velvet, Foam, Wood, Fruitwood
Volcano Table by Ettore Sottsass for Zanotta
By Ettore Sottsass, Zanotta
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. Italy. Very rare tri leg table with chrome legs and patterned top. Tagged.
Chrome
Cherry Model Teapot by Ettore Sottsass for Alessio Sarri Editions
By Alessio Sarri, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Cherry is one of the teapots from the The Indian Memory collection designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1987 and now re-edited by Alessio Sarri. All the pieces in the collection are signe...
Ceramic
Ettore Sottsass Canada Armchair in Blue Velvet and Wood Poltronova 1960s
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Canada settee armchair with a structure in wood, seat, and back in padded blue-green velvet. It was designed by Ettore Sottsass Jr in 1959 and produced by the Italian company Poltro...
Velvet, Wood
Gli Specchi Di Dioniso 6 Wall Mirror by Ettore Sottsass for Glas Italia IN STOCK
By Ettore Sottsass, Glas Italia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Dioniso6 Gli Specchi di Dioniso wall mirror is from a collection of 6 wall mirrors in different shapes and sizes characterizes by polychromatic frames composed of elements in laminat...
Mirror
$15,048Sale Price / item|20% Off
Zanotta Edizioni Nairobi Bar Cabinet in Red Veneered Laminate by Ettore Sottsass
By Zanotta, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Edizioni Nairobi Bar Cabinet in Red Veneered Laminate by Ettore Sottsass Signed original. Red veneered laminate frame (design E. Sottsass). Base and inner frame with drawe...
Wood
Postmodern Dining Table by Ettore Sottsass, Italy, 1980s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Antwerp, BE
Round dining table designed by Ettore Sottsass, a piece of postmodern design in Memphis style. The solid wood round top is supported by four metal legs with wooden bases. This table ...
Metal
Ettore Sottsass original early edition mirror by Santambrogio & De Berti, 1958
By Ettore Sottsass, Santambrogio & De Berti
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A rare and original early edition mirror by Ettore Sottsass. Produced by Santambrogio & De Berti, Italy, 1958 This striking mirror, an original creation by Ettore Sottsass, features...
Brass
Bay Table Lamp 'EU' 220 Volts, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Here you are shown the EU wired, Bay table Lamp in glass, aluminum and plexiglass, designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1983 for Memphis Milano. Ettore Sot...
Aluminum
White Ettore Sottsass Moonlight Floor Lamp no. 14104, Italy 1970's
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Den Haag, NL
White Ettore Sottsass JR 'Moonlight' floor lamp, model no. 14104, 1970s Originl white painted metal. 163 x 22 x 22 cm Manufactured by Arredoluce, Monza, Italy. Footnotes Literature ...
Metal
Ettore Sottsass Tappeto Volante - Flying Carper armchair for Bedding Brevetti
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Padova, IT
Ettore Sottsass designed this armchair after having known the Indian culture. A crucial journey in his formation is that of 1961 in India, undertaken with Fernanda Pivano. On this jo...
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
Ettore Sottsass Santambrogio & De Berti 1958''oval curved mirror.
By Santambrogio & De Berti, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Palermo, IT
Santambrogio e De Berti Specchio curvo ovale Vetro colorato blu, ottone e vetro specchiato. Vetro blu curvato con incisioni argentate nel retro che assimilano e somigliano a tante g...
Art Glass, Stained Glass
$8,454Sale Price / item|30% Off
Pink ‘Ultrafragola’ Mirror Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in London, GB
The curvaceous pink ‘Ultrafragola’ mirror designed by Ettore Sottsass is probably the most iconic of all his many designs. Originally produced in the 1970s by Poltronova, the ‘Ultrafragola’ formed part of a series of Sottsass designs named Mobili Grigi. When illuminated, the lights within the mirror transform the white opaline acrylic shell into a stunning multi-pink display. This unique, individually numbered, re-edition piece is still produced by the same Florentine company today and is sold with a “Certificate of Authenticity”. The perfectly pink ‘selfie’ mirror!
Glass, Acrylic
$8,454Sale Price / item|30% Off
Pink ‘Ultrafragola’ Mirror Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in London, GB
The curvaceous pink ‘Ultrafragola’ mirror designed by Ettore Sottsass is probably the most iconic of all his many designs. Originally produced in the 1970s by Poltronova, the ‘Ultrafragola’ formed part of a series of Sottsass designs named Mobili Grigi. When illuminated, the lights within the mirror transform the white opaline acrylic shell into a stunning multi-pink display. This unique, individually numbered, re-edition piece is still produced by the same Florentine company today and is sold with a “Certificate of Authenticity”. The perfectly pink ‘selfie’ mirror...
Glass, Acrylic
Sideboard Beverly by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in PARIS, FR
Ettore Sottsass spent decades as chief design consultant to Olivetti before arriving, in 1981, at something entirely his own. Memphis — the movement he founded and named after a Bob ...
Laminate, Wood
Ettore Sottsass TAHITI Table Lamp, Bacterio Pattern, Memphis, 1981
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Designed by Ettore Sottsass, the TAHITI is a superb table lamp which strikingly resembles the silhouette of a duck. The black and white, bacterio-patterned laminate base supports an ...
Metal
1990s Ettore Sottsass Studio Westside Lounge Chair in Multi-Color Fabric
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Westside Collection Lounge Armchair, initially designed by Ettore Sottsass for KnollStudio in 1983. Not too many of these were produced. This one dates to the 1990s based o...
Steel
Eastside Sofa by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. Italy. Upholstered in original leather and reworked with boucle seats and back rests. Metal base.
Leather, Bouclé
Shiva Flower Vase, Pink, Ettore Sottsass, Glazed Ceramic, XXe, Spanish
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Barcelona, ES
The Shiva vase is sculpture and vase. It is a symbol of Ettore Sottsass and an icon. Sottsass designed the Shiva Vase when travelling to Barcelona for love in 1973. He encountered m...
Ceramic
Callimaco Limited Edition Black Version by Ettore Sottsass for Artemide, 1982
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Callimaco floor lamp mod. designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1982 for Artemide. Limited edition, black version, emblematic lamp of Sottsass Radical Design that brings artistic and concep...
Steel
$16,921Sale Price / item|20% Off
'Carlton' Room Divider and Bookcase by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano, Italy
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in London, GB
Probably the most iconic of all Ettore Sottsass' designs, the colourful Carlton is half room divider, half bookcase and full size sculptural marvel. Des...
Laminate, Wood
BLOQUE 7, Pedestal with Ettore Sottsass Veneer by Bonne Choice
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Toronto, ON
Designed By Bonne Choice Using Ettore Sottsass Veneer. The veneer created by Ettore Sottsass in the 1980s – utilized for the first time in the Memphis collection – now becomes part ...
Wood, Plywood
33 Neobule Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Neobule Glass Vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The Vase is glass blown and signed on the base, for further information please see authenticity info below....
Glass
Cast Aluminum Centerpieces by Ettore Sottsass for Il Sestante, MIlano, Italy, 19
By Il Sestante, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milan, IT
Rare pair of aluminum trays by Ettore Sottsass for Il Sestante Gallery, Milano. Rough sculptural piece. Size refers to the bigger piece.
Aluminum