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.
Indivia Ceramic Plate, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Indivia ceramic dinner plate was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass, in 1985, as part of a series of decorative plates. The playful names of the design items are a reminder o...
Ceramic
Rucola Ceramic Plate, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Rucola ceramic dinner plate was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass, in 1985, as part of a series of decorative plates. The playful names of the design items are a reminder of...
Ceramic
'Ettore Sottsass for Lagostina Caffettiera Serie "Accademia," Italy 1980s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Naples, IT
'Accademia' Series coffee maker by Ettore Sottsass for Lagostina, 1980s. Small signs of use, gasket, funnel, microfilter and reducer for 3/1 cup perfect, small scrapings, lime marks ...
Aluminum
Alessi 4 Parts Hors d'oeuvres Service Crystal Glass Designed Ettore Sottsass
By Alessi, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Miami, FL
This Listing offers the Alessi 4 compartments Hors d'oeuvres service in crystal glass designed by Ettore Sottsass, made in Italy, circa 1970s. Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Barware in minimalism design and heavy lead crystal. All 4 Triangle shaped bowls have the golden Alessi Label. Practical to serve Your favorite Dish at Your Holiday or Family Dinner...
Crystal
Lettuce White Ceramic Dinner Plate, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Lettuce ceramic dinner plate was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass, in 1985, as part of a series of decorative plates. The playful names of th...
Ceramic
Murano Glass / Inlaid Silver Barware Service
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid 20th century murano glass with exterior inlaid silver design detail barware / tableware service for twelve people. The barware / tableware service is in great condition. Minor we...
Silver
Dimart Brass Italian Round Tray with Smoked Glass 1980s
By Dimart
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Dimart brass Italian circular brass tray with glass, 1980s. Fabulous Post Modern gold-plated tray with smoked glass and brass golden cable rope ...
Gold Plate, Brass
$254 / item
H 0.39 in Dm 10.62 in
Handmade Rock Ceramic Dinner Plates - Set of 2 - Black & White Splatterware
By OWO Ceramics
Located in Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, AR
One-of-a-kind ceramic dinner plates specially designed to enliven and enrich your table setting and home. Perfect for everyday use, these fun and functional splatter plates have an unmistakable handmade feel and may equally be used as serving dishes. Sold as a set of two, each pottery dinner plate is glazed by hand in a matte glaze with hand-painted black splatters that resemble Pollock’s artistic work. Due to the handcrafted nature, no two are the same, and hand washing...
Ceramic, Pottery, Clay
Ceramic Julia Dinner Plate by Fornasetti for Rosenthal
By Fornasetti, Rosenthal
Located in Atlanta, GA
A "Julia" porcelain plate with surrealism designs by Piero Fornasetti for Rosenthal, an iconic series from 'Temi e variazioni' (“Themes and Va...
Ceramic
$7,000
H 16 in W 9 in D 4 in
Ettore Sottsass for Fontana Arte Sculptural Glass Vase Model 2665, Italy, 1970s
By Fontana Arte, Ettore Sottsass
Located in New York, NY
Rare large sculptural colored crystal vase designed by Ettore Sottsass for Fontana Arte, Italy, circa 1970. This striking architectural compositi...
Art Glass
Ikat Ceramic Dinner Plates - Set of 6
By Bertrando Di Renzo
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Ikat patterns are an integral part of our colorful world, celebrating the beauty of this timeless textile technique. Inspired by its rich heritage, we’ve transformed some of our most...
Ceramic
$210
H 0.5 in W 8.25 in D 6.25 in
Richard Ginori Italian Fruits Hors d'Oeuvres Oval Serving Platter Tray Plate 8"
By Richard Ginori
Located in Dayton, OH
Richard Ginori Italian Antico Doccia scalloped oval serving tray / platter featuring hand-painted scattered fruits and flowers with a blue scalloped trim and gold accents on the bord...
Porcelain
$750
H 6.5 in Dm 5.63 in
Mid-Century Italian Aluminum "Mela" Ice Bucket by Ettore Sottsass for Rinnovel
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Italian Modern "mela" ("apple" in English) ice bucket by Ettore Sottsass for Rinnovel (1953, Italy). Composed of silver anodized aluminum with a rose-gold tinted interio...
Aluminum
Lettuce Cabbage Leaf Plates Green and White
Located in New York, NY
A vintage set of four (4) green and white lettuce or cabbage green leaf plates, Palm Beach style, circa late-20th century, Portugal. A great set for ...
Ceramic
3-Tiered Hors d'Oeuvres Stand
By Bragagnolo Argenti
Located in Milan, IT
This luxurious hors d'oeuvres stand will give an elegant flair to any bar, lounge, or traditional buffet setting. Crafted of fine silver-plated brass, this exquisite tray features a ...
Silver
$475 / set
H 15 in W 13.5 in D 8 in
Whimsical MCM Rare Glidden Pottery "Ferris Wheel" Rotating Hors d'Oeuvre Server
By Glidden Pottery
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-Century Modern Rare Glidden Pottery "Ferris Wheel" Rotating Hors d'Oeuvre Server, circa 1950s-1960s. Elevate your next gathering with this exceptionally rare Mid-Century Modern k...
Brass
$1,673 / item
H 0.71 in W 7.88 in D 9.45 in
Plate Platter Serveware Solid Rose Quartz Marble Hand-carved Collectible Italy
By Pieruga Marble, Barberini & Gunnell
Located in Ancona, Marche
Hand carved presentation plate from precious Rose quartz. Multiple use as plates, platters and placers. Dimensions: Small L 24, W 20, H 1.8 cm, also available: Medium L 30, W 28, H...
Rose Quartz
Ettore Sottsass Silver Plated Tray 1990s Signed
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Munich, DE
Ettore Sottsass silver plated tray made by Cleto Munari, 1990s. Rectangular shape, signed by the artist ‘Ettore Sottsass’ and the publisher ‘Cle...
Silver, Brass