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.
20th Century, Ettore Sottsass for Mirabili EAD Totem
By Ettore Sottsass, Mirabili
Located in Torino, Piemonte
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...
Ceramic
Memphis Milano Carlton Miniature, Limited Edition by Ettore Sottsass
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Toronto, ON
Perfect 1:4 scale reproduction of the Carlton bookcase in a limited edition of 1000 pieces. About Carlton: An absolute icon of Memphis designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981, Carlton ...
Laminate, Wood
Ettore Sottsass 'Caravanserraglio' Centerpiece, Studio Alchimia
By Ettore Sottsass, Studio Alchimia
Located in Krefeld, DE
A rare 'Caravanserraglio' centrepiece designed by Ettore Sottsass for Studio Alchimia, Milan, circa 1979. Conceived as part of Alchimia’s experimental Bauhaus series, this sculptural...
Wood
Contemporary Art Ceramic Totem Chocolate Piece Number 33/99 by Ettore Sottsass
By Mirabili, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Pistoia, IT
The message that Mirabili intends to portay involves well-known artist and designers, selected for their particular gifts and their poetic world, lending an innovative and sensitive ...
Ceramic, Wood
Contemporary Art TOTEM Clair De Lune Light Blue White N/Edit. by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Mirabili
Located in Pistoia, IT
Limited edition of 29 pieces. From Primitive clay magma, by playing with shapes, Sottsass makes the “philosophy” of a state of mind visible and concrete: as if in the musical atmosph...
Ceramic, Wood
Ettore Sottsass Y Limited Edition Vase in Wood and Murano Glass for Flowers
By Design Gallery Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Y vase made for the collection of twenty-seven woods for Chinese artificial flowers vase by Ettore Sottsass, Edited by Design Gallery Milano, 1995. Limited edition of 12 numbered pi...
Glass, Wood
$92,880
"Agra" totem
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Paris, FR
Early in his career, in the 1960s, Ettore Sottsass developed his totemic language after a journey to India that profoundly reshaped his vision of form, function and design. Fascinat...
Enamel
Glass Sculpture, Ananke by Ettore Sottsass (1917-2007)
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE, FR
Ettore Sottsass (1917-2007) for Toso Vetri d'Arte "Ananke" sculptural vase in multicolored blown glass Memphis Milano edition Signed with a stylus. Circa 1986 Height: 50 cm Designed...
Art Glass
Ettore Sottsass Le Connessioni Vase from the Ruins Series by Bitossi Italy, 1992
By Ettore Sottsass, Bitossi
Located in Kansas City, MO
Le Connessioni vase from the Ruins series by Ettore and made by Bitossi for Design Gallery Milano, Italy, 1992. Glazed stoneware. Signed to underside 'Ettore Sottsass 1992 3/9 Bitoss...
Stoneware
Ettore Sottsass Floor Vases from 27 Woods for a Chinese Artificial Flower, Pair
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Kansas City, MO
Two large vases made of burl wood, black and brass designed by Ettore Sottsass for his "27 woods for a Chinese Artificial flower" series. Each of the 27 different vases were made in an edition of 12. These are Numbers 3 and 9 of the twelve "I" editions. Each is signed with applied manufacturers label, "Design Gallery, Milano, Ettore Sottsass, 1995, Made in Italy" with the edition number. Price is for the pair. Condition: Both are in very good vintage condition. No chips, dents or significant scratches. Both retain the original heavy brass vase insert...
Brass
Shiva Flower Vase by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, BD Barcelona Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Shiva flower vase by Ettore Sottsass was designed in 1973 following the inspiration garnered from his love for Catalan women w...
Ceramic
$8,790 / item
H 6.7 in Dm 11.42 in
Aldebaran Glass Fruit Bowl, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Aldebaran Glass Fruit Bowl was designed for Memphis in 1983 by Ettore Sottsass. This bowl features a tapering cylindrical shape with three green handles, with the side decorated ...
Glass
Tigris Porcelain Vase by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The "Tigris" porcelain vase, comprised of stacked, spouted and coiled forms covered in powder blue, white and black glazes, Memphis Milano collection. The Tigris Vase was originally ...
Porcelain
21 Clesitera Glass Vase by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Clesitera glass vase with pendant, was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is blown glass, and signed on the base, for further information please see authent...
Glass
Nilo Porcelain Vase by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Nilo vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1983 for Memphis Milano 1981-1988. A classic by Sottsass, the Nilo porcelain vase is part of thre...
Porcelain
$1,850 / item
H 15.75 in Dm 8.67 in
Euphrates Vase in Porcelain by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Euphrates vase in porcelain by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano collection Additional information: Porcelain vase. Collection: Memphis Milano Designer: Ettore Sottsass Year:...
Porcelain
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
$10,870 / item
H 11.82 in Dm 13.78 in
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
$11,680 / item
H 18.9 in Dm 5.91 in
Alcor Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Alcor Glass Vase was designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1983 for Memphis. Signed on the base. Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. In 1939 he graduated in architecture at...
Glass
Sirio Glass Flower Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Sirio glass vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1982. Signed on the edge of the Stand: "E. Sottsass per Memphis Milano”. For further information please see authen...
Glass
Memphis style Flowers Bouquet Ettore Sottsass - Italy
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in The Hague, NL
12 Memphis style flowers, a really beautiful bouquet. Lately there was a similar bouquet sold on an European Auction and the description was that Ettore Sottsass was the designer of ...
Rubber, Wood
$11,680 / item
H 12.6 in Dm 11.82 in
Mizar Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Mizar vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1982. The piece features clear and blue glass with multicolored handles. Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. In 1939 he graduated in architecture at the Politecnico di Torino One of the most influential and important figures of the last century, Architect and Designer, he has participated in all radical movements whether created from the 1970s and 1980s. In 1981 he founded the Memphis group, a group that has radically changed the scenario of Italian and world design. Honored with numerous international awards, was winner of the Golden...
Glass
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H 18.75 in W 7 in D 7 in
Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Alioth 1983 Signed Glass Sculpture Postmodern
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A handblown glass sculpture titled "Alioth (1983)" by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano. Etched signature "E. Sottsass per Memphis" on the base. Handcrafted in Murano, Italy. This s...
Art Glass
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H 24.02 in W 13 in D 13 in
Ettore Sottsass R Limited Edition Vase in Wood and Murano Glass for Flowers
By Ettore Sottsass, Design Gallery Milano
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
R-vase made for the collection of twenty-seven woods for Chinese artificial flowers vase by Ettore Sottsass. Edited by Design Gallery Milano, 1995. Limited edition of 12 numbered pieces, number 9 / 12. In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Ettore Sottsass (14 September 1917-31 December 2007) was an Italian architect and designer of the late 20th century. His body of designs included furniture, jewelry, glass, lighting and office machine design. Sottsass was born on 14 September 1917 in Innsbruck, Austria, and grew up in Milan, where his father was an architect. In 1956, Ettore Sottsass began working as a design consultant for Olivetti, designing office equipment...
Brass
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H 23.63 in W 15.75 in D 19.69 in
Ettore Sottsass W Limited Edition Vase in Wood and Murano Glass for Flowers
By Ettore Sottsass, Design Gallery Milano
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
W vase made for the collection of twenty-seven woods for Chinese artificial flowers vase by Ettore Sottsass, Edited by Design Gallery Milano, 1995. Limited edition of 12 numbered pieces, number 9 / 12. In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Ettore Sottsass (14 September 1917-31 December 2007) was an Italian architect and designer of the late 20th century. His body of designs included furniture, jewelry, glass, lighting and office machine design. Sottsass was born on 14 September 1917 in Innsbruck, Austria, and grew up in Milan, where his father was an architect. In 1956, Ettore Sottsass began working as a design consultant for Olivetti, designing office equipment...
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 23.63 in W 15.75 in D 19.69 in
Ettore Sottsass W Limited Edition Vase in Wood and Murano Glass for Flowers
By Ettore Sottsass, Design Gallery Milano
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
W vase made for the collection of twenty-seven woods for Chinese artificial flowers vase by Ettore Sottsass, Edited by Design Gallery Milano, 1995. Limited edition of 12 numbered...
Wood
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H 72.45 in W 18.9 in D 18.9 in
Contemporary Art Ceramic Totem Chocolate Piece Number 33/99 by Ettore Sottsass
By Mirabili, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Pistoia, IT
The message that Mirabili intends to portay involves well-known artist and designers, selected for their particular gifts and their poetic world, lending an innovative and sensitive ...
Ceramic, Wood
Ettore Sottsass Vase for Fontana Arte in Blue Glass
By Ettore Sottsass, Fontana Arte
Located in Milano, IT
Sculptural vase by Ettore Sottsass for Fontana Arte from the late 1980s.The sculptural vase is made of blue glass and as you can see from the photos have a particular shape. The vase...
Art Glass
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H 9.85 in W 7.88 in D 3.94 in
Architectural Sculpture by Sottsass for Ultima Edizione, Italy 1986
By Ettore Sottsass, Ultima Edizione
Located in London, GB
Ettore Sottsass (1917–2007) was an Italian architect and designer during the 20th century. He is perhaps most celebrated as the founder of the Memphis Group, famous for its colourful...
Marble
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H 7.49 in W 7.88 in D 3.94 in
Architectural Sculpture by Sottsass for Ultima Edizione, Italy 1986
By Ettore Sottsass, Ultima Edizione
Located in London, GB
Ettore Sottsass (1917–2007) was an Italian architect and designer during the 20th century. He is perhaps most celebrated as the founder of the Memphis Group, famous for its colourful...
Marble
Sold
H 75.6 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Contemporary Art TOTEM Clair De Lune Light Blue White PA by Ettore Sottsass
By Mirabili, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Pistoia, IT
Limited edition of 29 pieces. From Primitive clay magma, by playing with shapes, Sottsass makes the “philosophy” of a state of mind visible and concrete: as if in the musical atmosp...
Ceramic, Wood
Sold
H 81.11 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Contemporary Art TOTEM Odalisca Yellow Black White PA by Ettore Sottsass
By Mirabili, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Pistoia, IT
Limited rdition of 29 pieces. These ceramic columns evoke Totems and Menhir, ancient architectures or imaginary archetypes, among timeless sacredness and contemporary irony.
Ceramic, Wood
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H 72.45 in W 18.9 in D 18.9 in
Contemporary Art TOTEM Chocolat Ceramic Brown Orange White Pa by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Mirabili
Located in Pistoia, IT
The message that Mirabili intends to portay involves well-known artist and designers, selected for their particular gifts and their poetic world, lending an innovative and sensitive ...
Ceramic, Wood
The Nilo Ceramic Vase by Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Vase in ceramic, by Ettore Sottsass, 1983. The Nilo vase, made of ceramic porcelain. This is part of the RIvers series, designed by Sottsass, 1981-1988. ...
Ceramic