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 Milano+ Large Sofa in Red Upholstery with Natural Nickel-Satin Frame
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Milano+ Large Sofa in Red Upholstery with Natural Nickel-Satin Frame by De Pas, D’Urbino, Lomazzi Aluminum alloy feet, with natural or black ...
Steel
Zanotta Dove Sectional Sofa in Red Upholstery with Graphite Aluminium Frame
By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Zanotta Dove Sectional Sofa in Red Upholstery with Graphite Aluminium Frame by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba Graphite painted aluminium alloy feet. Wooden seat frame. Elastic strips sus...
Upholstery
De Sede DS-4 Two-Seat Sofa in Red Upholstery by Antonella Scarpitta
By Antonella Scarpitta, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The DS-4 is a clear statement from the designer to follow an idea, a style, a personal claim to perfection to the very depths. Thanks to its raised backrest, the DS-4 offers that sty...
Fabric
Livingston Small Sofa in Red Velvet Upholstery with Chrome by Giuseppe Viganò
By Saba Italia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Livingston creates a surprising effect through an unexpected use of the headrest which, by a simple rotation, becomes a comfortable backrest. It has a “smart” backrest to which a smaller cushion is attached with a zip. The soft, informal seating rests on a light steel base that creates a dynamic contrast with the generous cushions. The original, adjustable backrest and its characteristic full-length seat cushions give Livingston a unique silhouette ideally suited to creating an endless variety of arrangements. 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
Livingston Large Sofa in Red Velvet Upholstery with Chrome by Giuseppe Viganò
By Saba Italia
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Livingston creates a surprising effect through an unexpected use of the headrest which, by a simple rotation, becomes a comfortable backrest. It has a “smart” backrest to which a smaller cushion is attached with a zip. The soft, informal seating rests on a light steel base that creates a dynamic contrast with the generous cushions. The original, adjustable backrest and its characteristic full-length seat cushions give Livingston a unique silhouette ideally suited to creating an endless variety of arrangements. 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
Zanotta Alfa Monobloc Sofa in Teolo Red Fabric by Emaf Progetti
By Emaf Progetti, Zanotta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Alfa Monobloc Sofa in Teolo Red Fabric by Emaf Progetti Steel feet, chromium-plated or varnished graphite, or with natural or black nickel-sati...
Fabric
Customizable Zanotta Milano+ Sofa by De Pas, D'Urbino, Lomazzi
By Zanotta, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in New York, NY
Monobloc, modular sofas and pouf. Aluminum alloy feet, with natural or black nickel-satin finish. Steel frame. Elastic strips suspension. Single seat cushion in graduated polyurethan...
Leather, Fabric, Textile
Antonio Citterio Esosoft Sofa by Cassina in red, magenta or white
By Cassina, Antonio Citterio
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices are dependent on the color, size/model of the sofa. Antonio Citterio Esosoft sofa Manufactured by Cassina in Itlay: a modular sofa that embodies the timeless elegance and st...
Fabric
Rare Italian Red Sofa by Ico Parisi for Cassina Mod. 875, Published
By Ico Parisi, Cassina
Located in Milano, IT
Rare four-seater sofa by Ico Parisi for Cassina model 875 of the 60s. The structure is metal, and the cover is red cotton fabric. The sofa through the clean lines and defined very ri...
Steel
Popus Editions Graziella 3 Seater Sofa in Red Verone Velvet Upholstery
Located in Paris, FR
Popus Editions Graziella 3 Seater Sofa in Red Verone Velvet Upholstery A foot that hides another. A cushion that hides another. A curve that hides another with contemporary lines ...
Upholstery
Moooi Bart Canape Sofa in Divina MD, 673 Red Upholstery
By Moooi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Have you ever thought of bringing a touch of grandeur to your home, without the formality of genuine antiques? Inspired by 18th-century Rococo, the Bart Sofa...
Upholstery
Popus Editions Lena 3-Seater Sofa in Red Como Velvet Upholstery
Located in Paris, FR
Popus Editions Lena 3 Seater Sofa in Red Como Velvet Upholstery It looks like it's straight out of a movie, with its generous curves and wide armrests. It is a real invitation to ...
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.
