$18,500
H 77.25 in W 75 in D 15.75 in
MEMPHIS "CARLTON" Cabinet / Ettore Sottsass (Italy) / PostModern
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
The totemic CARLTON room divider is a Memphis icon. The piece calls into question conventional
Laminate, Wood
$11,888Sale Price|35% Off
H 78.75 in W 74.81 in D 15.75 in
Carlton Library Bookcase by Ettore Sottsass - Memphis Milano
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Radomsko, Województwo łódzkie
The Carlton Library, an iconic Memphis creation, was designed in 1981 by Ettore Sottsass. Despite
Laminate
Memphis Milano Carlton Shelf by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Toronto, ON
An absolute icon of Memphis designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981, Carlton fully represents the
Laminate, Wood
$1,800
H 19.3 in W 18.7 in D 3.2 in
Memphis Milano Carlton Miniature, Limited Edition by Ettore Sottsass
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Toronto, ON
Carlton: An absolute icon of Memphis designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981, Carlton fully represents the
Laminate, Wood
$31,917
H 77.17 in W 74.81 in D 15.75 in
Carlton 30th Anniversary Bookcase by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Design
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Ravenna, IT
Carlton è il più famoso e iconico di tutti gli oggetti disegnati per Memphis Milano. Il pezzo è
Laminate, Wood
$16,795Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 77.17 in W 74.81 in D 15.75 in
'Carlton' Room Divider and Bookcase by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano, Italy
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in London, GB
Probably the most iconic of all Ettore Sottsass' designs, the colourful Carlton is half room
Laminate, Wood
$1,890 / item
H 19.3 in W 18.71 in D 3.23 in
Carlton Wood Miniature Bookcase by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Here you are shown an authentic and perfect reproduction of the Carlton bookcase, originally
Wood, Plastic
$29,805 / item
H 77.17 in W 74.81 in D 15.75 in
Carlton Wood Room Divider, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Here you are shown an authentic and perfect reproduction of the Carlton bookcase and room divider
Wood, Plastic
Carlton Wooden bookcase by Memphis, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The absolute Memphis icon, Carlton, designed by Sottsass in 1981, fully represents the programmatic
Wood
$1,710
H 19.69 in W 14.18 in D 16.93 in
Abstract post modern polychrome pyramid sculpture Memphis 1980, wood - Signed
Located in Paris, FR
see Sottsass’s “Carlton” bookcase, which looks like an immense totem, to be believed, or even his
Wood
Carlton Miniature / 1:4 Scale by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Ettore Sottsass himself after his iconic full-scale object, the Carlton cabinet
Laminate, Wood
Unavailable
H 53.15 in W 42.52 in D 14.57 in
Ettore Sottsass Maple and Mahogany Secretaire, Carlton Shelf Style, Italy, 1980
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Aix En Provence, FR
A mahogany and maple secretaire designed by Ettore Sottsass in Italy in the 1980s. Its original
Mahogany, Maple
Carlton Bookcase By Ettore Sottsass For Memphis Milano.
By Memphis Group, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Marseille, FR
Room divider in plasticlaminate by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis 1981.
Unavailable
H 77.17 in W 74.81 in D 15.75 in
Number 3 of Limited Edition Carlton, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Ravenna, IT
Carlton is undoubtedly the most famous and iconic of all the items designed for Memphis Milano. The
Plastic
Unavailable
H 77.17 in W 74.81 in D 15.75 in
Fantastic Ettore Sotsass Carlton for Memphis, Milano, circa 1980
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Megeve, FR
Fantastic Ettore Sotsass Carlton for Memphis, Milano, circa 1980. Excellent condition.
"Carlton" Bookcase By Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Girona, Spain
"Carlton" Bookcase By Ettore Sottsass. Produced by Memphis Milano, 1981. Wood and plastic
Sold
H 76.78 in W 74.81 in D 15.75 in
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
Laminate
Sold
H 78.15 in W 74.81 in D 15.75 in
Iconic First Edition Memphis Milano Carlton Bookcase By Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Portlaoise, IE
An iconic first edition Carlton bookcase by Ettore Sottsass for the Memphis Milano group. Designed
Formica, Wood
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
Laminate, Wood
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
1981, the Ettore Sottsass room divider “Carlton” was among the most noted pieces. “Carlton” symbolizes
Laminate
Ettore Sottsass for Memphis. Carlton Library. Year 1981.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Ettore Sottsass for Memphis. “Carlton” model bookcase. Italian work realized in 1981. Dimensions
Wood
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. Wood and
Laminate
Sold
H 76.75 in W 75 in D 15.75 in
Early Carlton Bookcase Roomdivider by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis, 1981
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Dallas, TX
An iconic, early example of the Carlton bookcase designed by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis, 1981.
Carlton Bookcase Roomdivider by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis, 1981
By Memphis Group, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Vienna, AT
Colorful iconic 'Carlton' bookcase or room-divider designed by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano
Laminate, Plywood
Sold
H 13 in W 12.41 in D 2.64 in
Miniature of the Iconic Carlton Bookcase Designed by Sottsass Memphis Milano
By Memphis Group, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Uccle, BE
A perfect miniature reproduction of the iconic Carlton bookcase designed by Ettore Sottsass for
Laminate
Ettore Sottsass, Carlton Bookcase
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Berlin, DE
Carlton bookcase and room divider, designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981, Italy. One of 30 copies
Ettore Sottsass / Carlton Bookcase Memphis Milano
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Fuveau, Provence
Iconic "Carlton" bookcase by Ettore Sottsass manufactured by Memphis Milano. Some light scratch
Wood
1981, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Carlton Bookcase
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in Paris, FR
Iconic Carlton bookcase designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981. Near mint original condition with the
Wood
Sold
H 76.78 in W 74.81 in D 15.75 in
1981, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis 'Carlton' Bookshelf, Vintage Production
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in Paris, FR
Iconic 'Carlton' bookcase designed by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano in 1981, Old production
Wood
Sold
H 77.56 in W 74.81 in D 15.75 in
Carlton Room Divider Designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981 for Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Berlin, Germany
Carlton Room Divider Designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981 for Memphis Milano The totemic Carlton
Wood
Memphis W. Carlton; bookcase room divider by Ettore Sottsass
Located in New York, NY
"lack of culture". The 'Carlton' has been described as a weird hybrid of stylised person and tree and
Sold
H 77.17 in W 74.81 in D 14.18 in
Carlton Bookcase Roomdivider by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis, 1981
By Memphis Group, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Madrid, ES
Carlton room divider, designed in 1981 by Ettore Sottsass, in wood and plastic laminate. The vivid
Wood
Carlton Bookcase '1:4 Scale Miniature' by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis
By Memphis Group, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Denton, MD
Total edition of 1000, this one numbered 317/1000, marked with edition number and E. Sottsass on
Laminate, Wood
$230,098Sale Price|33% Off
H 51.19 in W 55.12 in D 201.58 in
Rare Victorian Firescreen with Taxidermy Hummingbirds by Henry Ward
By Henry Ward
Located in Amsterdam, NL
England, third quarter of the 19th century On two scrolling foliate feet with casters, above which a rectangular two-side glazed frame, with on top a two-sided shield with initial...
Other
Rosso Wall Mirror
By Specchi Veneziani
Located in Milan, IT
Crafted in the finest Murano tradition, this exquisite Venetian mirror is a true work of art. Assembled with crystal and gold elements, and adorned with red glass flowers, each piece...
Glass
$1,155Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Textile
$6,253 / set
H 24.01 in Dm 13.78 in
Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Neatly proportioned with exceptional detailing, the constant nightstand is your perfect bedside partner. In our furniture making, the IDEA is to create special pieces that you can bu...
Hardwood
$3,203
H 46.26 in W 37.41 in D 19.69 in
Antique Art Deco Burr Maple Housekeepers Linen Cupboard Chest of Drawers Base
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Art Deco Burr Maple Housekeepers cupboard with a chest of drawers base. This is part of a suite, in total I have a side c...
Maple
Malabar Bookshop by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milan
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Ravenna, IT
Malabar is a cabinet-bookcase designed by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano in 1982 and purchased in 2000. Production number 21. Sold with certificate of Authenticity. Featuring she...
Metal
$13,100Sale Price|25% Off
H 54 in W 36.5 in D 19.5 in
Alessandro Mendini 'Zabro' Chair Table for Zanotta, Original 1984 Prod, Signed
By Zanotta, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing collectors piece of Post-Modern design is an original 1980s production of the 'Zabro' chair (which easily transforms into a table) designed in 1984 by Alessandro Mendini...
Leather, Wood
Ettore Sottsass "Giornio" bookcase Published by Fontana Arte
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Ettore Sottsass "Giornio" bookcase Published by Fontana Arte (Shopenhauer Prod.) Circa 1990 Lacquered wood / glass W 240 x H 224.8 x D 40 cm Perfect condition.
Glass
Gritti Bookcase by Memphis, Andrea Branzi
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The shelves of Gritti seem to be interrupted at the center in a surreal way, and emerge in a disorderly way from the sides of the grid. The linear character of the apparently “normal...
Metal
Kampa bookcase by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Design
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Ravenna, IT
The product in question is marked as 1stsample and is sold with a certificate of authenticity. Kampa is a three-element bookcase with table created by Ettore Sottsass as part of the ...
Steel
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...
Laminate
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.
Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items.
In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior.
Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time.
Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room.
In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.
A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.
Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.