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Carlton Room Divider

Ettore Sottsass "Carlton" Room Divider, MDF & Plastic, Italy, 1981
Ettore Sottsass "Carlton" Room Divider, MDF & Plastic, Italy, 1981

Ettore Sottsass "Carlton" Room Divider, MDF & Plastic, Italy, 1981

By Ettore Sottsass

Located in Tinton Falls, NJ

The totemic CARLTON room divider is a Memphis icon. The piece calls into question conventional furniture forms by combining a space divider, bookcase, and chest of drawers.

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Sideboards

Materials

Laminate, Wood

'Carlton' Room Divider and Bookcase by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano, Italy
'Carlton' Room Divider and Bookcase by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano, Italy

'Carlton' Room Divider and Bookcase by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano, Italy

By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano

Located in London, GB

Probably the most iconic of all Ettore Sottsass' designs, the colourful Carlton is half room divider, half bookcase and full size sculptural marvel.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Post-Modern Bookcases

Materials

Laminate, Wood

Custom Dining  Library Table with Illuminating Panel
Custom Dining  Library Table with Illuminating Panel

Custom Dining Library Table with Illuminating Panel

Located in New York, NY

His designs often blurred the line between functional objects and emotional, almost sculptural expressions. Pieces like the Carlton room divider exemplify his rejection of rigid rati...

Category

Vintage 1980s Dining Room Tables

Materials

Acrylic, Wood, Maple

Carlton Wood Room Divider, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
Carlton Wood Room Divider, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection

Carlton Wood Room Divider, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection

By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass

Located in La Morra, Cuneo

Here you are shown an authentic and perfect reproduction of the Carlton bookcase and room divider, originally designed in 1981 by Ettore Sottsass.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Wood, Plastic

Ettore Sottsass Small Totem
Ettore Sottsass Small Totem

Ettore Sottsass Small Totem

Located in New York, NY

One of his most iconic works is the Carlton Room Divider, which exemplifies his use of unexpected materials, vibrant laminates, and sculptural form.

Category

1990s Ceramics

Materials

Earthenware

Ettore Sottsass ‘Camomilla’ Table Centerpiece, Indian Memory Series
Ettore Sottsass ‘Camomilla’ Table Centerpiece, Indian Memory Series

Ettore Sottsass ‘Camomilla’ Table Centerpiece, Indian Memory Series

Located in New York, NY

Sottsass is best known for founding the Memphis Group in 1981, a collective that produced furniture and objects characterized by bold patterns, unconventional forms, and playful mate...

Category

Vintage 1980s Vases

Materials

Earthenware

Ettore Sottsass Casablanca cabinet Memphis Milano 1981
Ettore Sottsass Casablanca cabinet Memphis Milano 1981

Ettore Sottsass Casablanca cabinet Memphis Milano 1981

By Ettore Sottsass

Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant

Ettore Sottsass's Casablanca cabinet boasts a totem-like profile, closely resembling his iconic Carlton room divider and Ashoka lamp. This piece stands out with its anthropomorphic s...

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Cabinets

Materials

Laminate

Recent Sales

Carlton Memphis Milano Bookcase or Room Divider by Ettore Sottsass, 1981
Carlton Memphis Milano Bookcase or Room Divider by Ettore Sottsass, 1981

Carlton Memphis Milano Bookcase or Room Divider by Ettore Sottsass, 1981

By Ettore Sottsass

Located in Chicago, IL

Memphis Milano Carlton bookcase by Ettore Sottsass. Post-Modern, sculptural, multicolor "Carlton" room divider or bookcase, designed by Sottstass in 1981, Italy.

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Bookcases

Materials

Laminate, Wood

Ettore Sottsass East Side Lounge Chair
Ettore Sottsass East Side Lounge Chair

Ettore Sottsass East Side Lounge Chair

Sold

H 33.08 in W 30.71 in D 30.71 in

Ettore Sottsass East Side Lounge Chair

By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll

Located in Dronten, NL

Sottsass's work, such as the iconic "Carlton" room divider and the "Valentine" typewriter, showcased his irreverent design philosophy.

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Armchairs

Materials

Steel

Ashoka Lamp by Ettore Sottsass
Ashoka Lamp by Ettore Sottsass

Ashoka Lamp by Ettore Sottsass

Sold

H 33.47 in W 29.53 in D 4.73 in

Ashoka Lamp by Ettore Sottsass

By Ettore Sottsass

Located in Berlin, Berlin

In form this is the closest to the ‘cactus’ or ‘TOTEM’ design language of some of his furniture, like the Carlton room divider and the Casablanca sideboard.

Category

2010s Italian Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Original Pausania Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass
Original Pausania Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass

Original Pausania Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass

Sold

H 16.93 in W 18.9 in D 1.97 in

Original Pausania Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass

By Ettore Sottsass

Located in Dronten, NL

His iconic works, such as the Carlton Room Divider and the Casablanca sideboard, epitomize his rebellious spirit and rejection of design norms.

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Chrome

Ettore Sottsass Carlton Shelf, 1981, by Memphis Italy,  Room Divider
Ettore Sottsass Carlton Shelf, 1981, by Memphis Italy,  Room Divider

Ettore Sottsass Carlton Shelf, 1981, by Memphis Italy, Room Divider

Sold

H 76.78 in W 74.81 in D 15.75 in L 76.78 in

Ettore Sottsass Carlton Shelf, 1981, by Memphis Italy, Room Divider

By Memphis Group, Ettore Sottsass

Located in Munster, NRW

When the Milan design group Memphis gave the first public presentation of their work in September 1981, the Ettore Sottsass room divider “Carlton” was among the most noted pieces.

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Laminate

Midcentury Ice Bucket Mela by Ettore Sottsass for Rinnovel, Italy
Midcentury Ice Bucket Mela by Ettore Sottsass for Rinnovel, Italy

Midcentury Ice Bucket Mela by Ettore Sottsass for Rinnovel, Italy

By Ettore Sottsass

Located in Weesp, NL

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 piece...

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wine Coolers

Materials

Aluminum

Original "Carlton" Cabinet/ Sculpture, designed by Ettore Sottsass
Original "Carlton" Cabinet/ Sculpture, designed by Ettore Sottsass

Original "Carlton" Cabinet/ Sculpture, designed by Ettore Sottsass

By Ettore Sottsass

Located in Berlin, Berlin

Original "Carlton" bookcase/ room divider/ sculpture, designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981, Italy.

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Bookcases

Materials

Laminate

Ashoka Lamp by Ettore Sottsass
Ashoka Lamp by Ettore Sottsass

Ashoka Lamp by Ettore Sottsass

Sold

H 33.47 in W 29.53 in D 4.73 in

Ashoka Lamp by Ettore Sottsass

By Ettore Sottsass

Located in Berlin, Berlin

In form this is the closest to the ‘cactus’ or ‘totem’ design language of some of his furniture, like the Carlton room divider and the Casablanca sideboard.

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass
Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass

Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass

Sold

H 33.47 in W 29.53 in D 4.73 in

Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass

By Ettore Sottsass

Located in Berlin, Berlin

In form, this is the closest to the ‘cactus’ or ‘totem’ design language of some of his furniture, like the Carlton room divider and the Casablanca sideboard.

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass
Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass

Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass

Sold

H 33.47 in W 29.53 in D 4.73 in

Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass

By Ettore Sottsass

Located in Berlin, Berlin

In form, this is the closest to the ‘cactus’ or ‘totem’ design language of some of his furniture, like the Carlton room divider and the Casablanca sideboard.

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Metal

Carlton Designed by Ettore Sottsass
Carlton Designed by Ettore Sottsass

Carlton Designed by Ettore Sottsass

Sold

H 76.78 in W 74.81 in D 15.75 in

Carlton Designed by Ettore Sottsass

By Ettore Sottsass

Located in Berlin, Berlin

The Carlton bookcase and room divider, designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981, Italy.

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Laminate

Carlton Bookcase Roomdivider by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis, 1981
Carlton Bookcase Roomdivider by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis, 1981

Carlton Bookcase Roomdivider by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis, 1981

By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group

Located in Vienna, AT

Colorful iconic 'Carlton' bookcase or room-divider designed by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano in 1981.

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Bookcases

Materials

Laminate, Plywood

Carlton Room Divider Designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981 for Memphis Milano
Carlton Room Divider Designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981 for Memphis Milano

Carlton Room Divider Designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981 for Memphis Milano

By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano

Located in Berlin, Germany

Carlton Room Divider Designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981 for Memphis Milano The totemic Carlton room divider is a Memphis icon.

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Ashkoa Lamp By Ettore Sottsass
Ashkoa Lamp By Ettore Sottsass

Ashkoa Lamp By Ettore Sottsass

Sold

H 33.47 in W 29.53 in D 4.73 in

Ashkoa Lamp By Ettore Sottsass

By Ettore Sottsass

Located in Berlin, DE

In form this is the closest to the ‘cactus’ or ‘totem’ design language of some of his furniture, like the Carlton room divider and the Casablanca sideboard.

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Table Lamps

Memphis W. Carlton; bookcase room divider by Ettore Sottsass
Memphis W. Carlton; bookcase room divider by Ettore Sottsass

Memphis W. Carlton; bookcase room divider by Ettore Sottsass

Located in New York, NY

Many of Memphis' monumental designs used colourful plastic laminates as it was favoured for its "lack of culture". The 'Carlton' has been described as a weird hybrid of stylised pers...

Category

20th Century American Bookcases

Ettore Sottsass, Carlton Bookcase
Ettore Sottsass, Carlton Bookcase

Ettore Sottsass, Carlton Bookcase

Sold

H 76.78 in W 15.75 in D 74.81 in

Ettore Sottsass, Carlton Bookcase

By Ettore Sottsass

Located in Berlin, DE

Carlton bookcase and room divider, designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981, Italy.

Category

Vintage 1980s European Modern Bookcases

Carlton Bookcase Roomdivider by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis, 1981
Carlton Bookcase Roomdivider by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis, 1981

Carlton Bookcase Roomdivider by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis, 1981

By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group

Located in Madrid, ES

Carlton room divider, designed in 1981 by Ettore Sottsass, in wood and plastic laminate.

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Ashkoa Lamp by Ettore Sottsass
Ashkoa Lamp by Ettore Sottsass

Ashkoa Lamp by Ettore Sottsass

Sold

H 33.47 in W 29.53 in D 4.73 in

Ashkoa Lamp by Ettore Sottsass

By Ettore Sottsass

Located in Berlin, DE

In form this is the closest to the ‘cactus’ or ‘totem’ design language of some of his furniture, like the Carlton room divider and the Casablanca sideboard.   

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Table Lamps

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Ettore Sottsass for sale on 1stDibs

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.