Entrepreneur Aurelio Zanotta founded Zanotta in 1954 in Nova Milanese, Italy. Originally called Zanotta Poltrona, it specialized in traditional furniture. By the early 1960s, however, Zanotta had established a reputation for edgy mid-century modern design. Today’s vintage furniture collectors know the brand well for its innovative and wholly sculptural chairs, coffee tables and more.
One of Zanotta’s earliest successes was the Mezzadro stool — better known as the Tractor stool — designed by Pier Giacomo Castiglioni and his brother Achille in the late 1950s. In 1965, Zanotta was among the first furniture companies to work with expanded polyurethane foam and frameless construction, such as for the Throw-Away sofas and armchairs designed by Willie Landels. Another popular design was the Blow chair — designed by Jonathan De Pas, Donato D’Urbino, Paolo Lomazzi and Carla Scolari — viewed by many as a physical expression of late '60s carefree culture.
In 1969, amid the provocative movement we now call Italian Radical Design, Zanotta’s Sacco chair garnered major attention. The boundary-pushing beanbag chair was the brainchild of designers Piero Gatti, Cesare Paolini and Franco Teodoro who presented it to Aurelio Zanotta as a transparent vinyl sack loosely filled with small polystyrene balls. He suggested its signature brightly colored leather.
The Sacco chair won the 1970 ADI Design Museum’s Compasso d’Oro award. In 1972, the Museum of Modern Art in New York included it in the landmark exhibition “Italy: The New Domestic Landscape” curated by designer Emilio Ambasz. In 2020, it received a Compasso d’Oro ADI Lifetime Achievement Award for 50 years of enduring popularity. It is now in museum collections around the world including the Triennale Design Museum of Milan, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, and London’s Victoria & Albert Museum.
After Aurelio Zanotta died in 1991, the company remained in his family and has been run by his three children since 2002. Zanotta continues to set the bar high for furniture design with trend-setting pieces.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Zanotta seating, tables and other furniture.
Zanotta Scott Modular Sofa in Beige Upholstery by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba
By Zanotta, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Scott Modular Sofa in Beige Upholstery by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba The range of modular or monobloc sofas allows many corner or straight compositions. Additional Inform...
Aluminum
Zanotta Pianoalto Modular Sofa in Trama Fabric by Ludovica & Roberto Palomba
By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Pianoalto Modular Sofa in Trama Fabric by Ludovica & Roberto Palomba The range of modular or monobloc sofas allows many corner or straight...
Fabric
Up Medium Modular Sofa in AT192 Beige Upholstery by Giuseppe Viganò
By Saba Italia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Using a simple expedient similar to Lego’s snap-on system, the height of the Up sofa’s backrest can be adjusted according to personal choice. Place the back cushions on top of the lo...
Upholstery
Up Large Modular Sofa in AT192 Beige Upholstery by Giuseppe Viganò
By Saba Italia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Using a simple expedient similar to Lego’s snap-on system, the height of the Up sofa’s backrest can be adjusted according to personal choice. Place the back cushions on top of the low backrest to create a higher backrest and a deeper seat. The particular shape of the cushions ensures maximum stability. The goose feather-padded cushions and armrests create a particularly soft, snug sofa. Also available with raw-edged leather upholstery. Fully removable covers. The designer Giuseppe Viganò is dedicated to the industrial design of furniture products and to the artistic direction of companies in the sector. He also provides graphic consulting for the production of catalogues, getting directly involved in the photography, page layout, communication and advertising pages. He designs trade fair layouts and permanent furniture shops or temporary areas for specific events and personally intervenes by indicating the choice of products and scenery design. In 2007 he started working with Saba Italia...
Upholstery
Up Small Modular Sofa in AT192 Beige Upholstery by Giuseppe Viganò
By Saba Italia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Using a simple expedient similar to Lego’s snap-on system, the height of the Up sofa’s backrest can be adjusted according to personal choice. Place the back cushions on top of the lo...
Upholstery
Zanotta Pianoalto Modular Sofa in White Fabric by Ludovica & Roberto Palomba
By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Pianoalto Modular Sofa in White Fabric by Ludovica & Roberto Palomba The range of modular or monobloc sofas allows many corner or straight...
Fabric
Nube Italia Kybos Sofa in Soft Beige Fabric by Mario Ferrarini
By Mario Ferrarini, Nube Italia
Located in New York, NY
"Linear and sectional sofa. Multi-layered wood frame with braided elastic belts. Cushions padding in shape retaining polyurethane foam with a differentiated density. Base can be eith...
Zanotta Pianoalto Sectional Sofa by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba in STOCK
By Zanotta, Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1
Located in New York, NY
1) PIANOALTO ROUNDED SHORT BACKREST END SOFA ORIENTATION LEFT COVER TESSUTO QUEEN CAT40 SENAPE 040418 38%ACRILICO 28%LANA 1) PIANOALTO SOFA 130X116 COVER TESSUTO QUEEN CAT40 SENAPE ...
Fabric
Customizable Zanotta Pianoalto Sofa by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba
Located in New York, NY
Monobloc sofa and pouf. Graphite painted steel feet. Wooden frame. Elastic strips suspension. Seat upholstered in graduated polyurethane/ Dacron Du Pont with quilted insert of 100% ...
Textile
Customizable Zanotta Pianoalto Sectional Sofa by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba
Located in New York, NY
Many different upholstery materials available N. 8 = 1272/AL1S + 1272/300PS + 1272/245PS Monobloc sofa and pouf. Graphite painted steel feet. Wooden frame. Elastic strips suspension...
Textile
Porada Klem Modular Italian Sectional Sofa in Cream Fabric and Canaletta Walnut
Located in Nottingham, GB
The Klem modular sofa by Porada combines generous contemporary proportions with the warmth and craftsmanship of solid Canaletta walnut. Designed around flexibility and comfort, the ...
Fabric, Walnut
Popus Editions Giovanna 4 Seater Sofa in Beige Verone Velvet Upholstery
Located in Paris, FR
Popus Editions Giovanna 4 seater sofa in Beige Verone Velvet Upholstery Giovanna is a sofa with a strong profile. A sober, plush line, with t...
Upholstery
Alessia Genova takes us on a tour of her design for the eminent furniture maker’s new shoppable townhouse in Greenwich Village.
The brilliantly simple design turns a modest bouquet into a major statement.
