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Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Italian, 1917-2007

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.

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. They 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's 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 imaginative and expressive in smaller, secondary furnishings such as lamps and chandeliers, and in table pieces and glassware that have playful and sculptural qualities.

It was as an artist that Ettore 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.

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Creator: Ettore Sottsass
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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

21st Century Ettore Sottsas Demistella Console in Briar, Polychrome Marble, Wood
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in massa, IT
Polychrome marble console designed by Ettore Sottsass. Description: Console with top in polychrome marble, wood, Macchia Vecchia Marble, Marquinia Bla...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Architectural Sculpture by Sottsass for Ultima Edizione, Italy 1986
By Ultima Edizione, Ettore Sottsass
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...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Contemporary Ettore Sottsass Polychrome Memphis “Tahiti” Table Lamp, Italy, 1981
By Memphis Group, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Ettore Sottsass Italy, Contemporary. Tahiti lamp, designed in 1981. Polychrome enameled metal “duck” with pivoting head mounted on a black and white bact...
Category

2010s Italian Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Enamel

Telephone Enorme designed by Ettore Sottsass for Brondi, 1986
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in FERROL, ES
Telephone Enorme designed by Ettore Sottsass for Brondi, 1986. Included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Retains the original RJ11 cable. Working ...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Plastic

Contemporary Art TOTEM Clair De Lune Light Blue White N/Edit. 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 atmosph...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, 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 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Post-Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

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.
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

Ettore Sottsass Shiva Limited Edition Black Prototype 2/8
By Ettore Sottsass, BD Barcelona Design
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Black Shiva ceramic vase designed by Ettore Sottsass circa 1973, edited by BD in Barcelona. This piece has been produced as a limited edition with a total of only 100 units. This...
Category

2010s Spanish Post-Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Ettore Sottsass ASHOKA Table Lamp for MEMPHIS srl
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Ashoka table lamp is an early Ettore Sottsass lighting masterwork for the introductory 1981 MEMPHIS collection as iconoclastic a light/sculpture as yo...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Ettore Sottsass R Limited Edition Vase in Wood and Murano Glass for Flowers
By Design Gallery Milano, Ettore Sottsass
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...
Category

1990s European Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Ettore Sottsass I Limited Edition Vase in Wood and Murano Glass for Flowers
By Design Gallery Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
I 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...
Category

1990s European Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Ettore Sottsass Y Limited Edition Vase in Wood and Murano Glass for Flowers
By Ettore Sottsass, Design Gallery Milano
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 pieces, number 9 / 12. In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Flower not included. 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...
Category

1990s European Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Glass, 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 p...
Category

1990s European Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Wood

32 Ananke Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Ananke 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....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Glass

13 Malide Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, 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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Glass

The Euphrates Ceramic Vase by Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Vase in ceramic, by Ettore Sottsass, 1983. The Euphrates vase, made of ceramic porcelain. This is part of the Rivers series, designed by Sottsass 1981-1988. Stamped underneath....
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Glass

12 Amaltea Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Amaltea Vase was designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is part of the “Amaltea Glass” collection. Made in Murano. Signed “E.Sottsass per Memphis”. Signed on the base. Et...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Sirio Glass Flower Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Deneb Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Deneb vase in multicolored glass was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1982 for Memphis. Signed “E.Sottsass per Memphis Milano”. Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Architectural Sculpture by Sottsass for Ultima Edizione, Italy 1986
By Ultima Edizione, Ettore Sottsass
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...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Marble

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 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Glass

25 Astimelusa Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Astimelusa Glass Vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is part of the “Vetri Glass” collection, and made out of blown Murano glass. Signed “E.Sottsass...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Blown Glass

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....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Glass

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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Glass

31 Imera Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Imera Glass Vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is made out of blown glass, and signed on the base, for further information please see authenticity ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Blown Glass

26 Niobe Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Niobe Glass Vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is made out of blown glass and signed on the base. For further information please see authenticity i...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Glass

30 Pasifila Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
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 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Glass

5 Atamante Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
5 Atamante vase is in blown glass, and originally designed in 1986 by Ettore Sottsass. Signed on the base, for further information please see authenticity info below. Ettore Sott...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Blown Glass

Alioth Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Alioth Glass Vase was designed by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis in 1983. The Venetian glass vase features blue fusions and black threads. Signed on the base. Ettore Sottsass was b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Glass

34 Agelada Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Agelada Glass Vase with pendant was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986 for Memphis. It's part of the “Vetri Glass” collection. Made in blown Murano glass, and signed ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Altair Glass Flower Vase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Altair Glass Flower Vase was designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1982. Signed on the base, please see below for further information. Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. I...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Glass

11 Erinna Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Blown Glass

Alaska Silver Candlestick, by Ettore Sottsass, 1981
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Roma, IT
Alaska is an original decorative silver object realized and created by Ettore Sottsass in the 1980s. Original silver candlestick realized in 1981. Made in Italy. The label...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Silver

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...
Category

1990s Italian Post-Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Brass

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...
Category

1990s Italian Post-Modern Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Stoneware

Ettore Sottsass "Tigris" Vase
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in NYC, NY
Sculptural porcelain vase entitled "Tigris". Designed by Ettore Sottsass for the Memphis Milano collection. Original label on base reads "E. Sottsass per Memphis".
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Ettore Sottsass Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Ettore Sottsass sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Ettore Sottsass sculptures are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of glass and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Ettore Sottsass sculptures, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 18 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 21 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original sculptures by Ettore Sottsass were created in the modern style in europe during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider sculptures by Alessandro Mendini, Jacopo Foggini, and Andrea Salvatori. Prices for Ettore Sottsass sculptures can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $393 and can go as high as $75,474, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,373.
Questions About Ettore Sottsass Sculptures
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Ettore Sottsass was an architect and designer. He founded the Memphis Group, a collective of designers active from 1981 to 1987. The Ultrafragola mirror is one of his most well-known designs. On 1stDibs, you can shop a variety of Ettore Sottsass furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Ettore Sottsass was from Innsbruck, Austria. He was born there on September 14, 1917, but he moved to Turin, Italy, as a child. The Italian architect and designer died in Milan, Italy, on December 31, 2007. You'll find a variety of Ettore Sottsass furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Ettore Sottsass was a famous 20th century architect and designer known for his work in furniture, lighting, jewelry and more, as well as from his work in designing buildings. He was Italian, though he was born in Austria, and lived from 1917 to 2007. Shop a range of Ettore Sottsass pieces on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    To pronounce Ettore Sottsass, say "AY-tore-ee SOAT-sas." The second syllable of the designer's surname sounds similar to the word “sauce” but with a shorter, clipped vowel. On 1stDibs, find a range of Ettore Sottsass furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Ettore Sottsass studied at the Politecnico di Torino in Turin, Italy. In 1939, he graduated from the institution with a degree in architecture. Sottsass began working as an artist and designer in the late 1940s. He produced furniture, ceramics, paintings, sculptures and jewelry. Find a variety of Ettore Sottsass furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Ettore Sottsass was inspired by many things, including pop culture, travel and various cultures from around the world. His primary objective of his work was to bring out the deeper beauty of whatever he created. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Ettore Sottsass furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
    Ettore Sottsass is famous for his work as an architect and an industrial designer, which spurred a revolution in the aesthetics and technology of modern design in the late 20th century. He was the oldest member of the Memphis Group, a design collective formed in Milan in 1980. Having grown disillusioned by the staid, black-and-brown corporatized modernism that had become endemic in the 1970s, the Memphis Group produced bold, brash, colorful, yet quirkily minimal designs for furniture, glassware, ceramics and metalwork. They mocked high status by building furniture with inexpensive materials, such as plastic laminates, decorated to resemble exotic finishes like animal skins. Other than his Ultrafragola mirror (1970), Sottsass's most-recognized designs appeared in the first Memphis collection, issued in 1981. They include the multihued, angular Carlton room divider and Casablanca bookcase. Shop a diverse assortment of Ettore Sotsass furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
    Ettore Sottsass used a variety of materials over the course of his career. The Italian artist experimented with glass, ceramics, enamel, brass, textiles and more. Along with fellow members of the Memphis Group, he skewed expectations for furniture by using inexpensive materials such as plastic laminates decorated to resemble exotic finishes like animal skins. He also revolutionized ceramics through the pieces he created for the Italian maker Bitossi. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Ettore Sottsass art.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Ettore Sottsass's father, also named Ettore Sottsass, designed modernist architecture. He worked for the firm Movimento Italiano per l'Architettura Razionale or MIAR. Giuseppe Pagano was the company's head architect. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Ettore Sottsass furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Ettore Sottsass did not design the Carlton room divider for a specific patron or client. He created the piece while working with the Memphis Group, an art collective that held joint shows from 1981 to 1987. Find a selection of Ettore Sottsass furniture on 1stDibs.

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