$9,000 / set
H 33.5 in W 31.5 in D 29 in
Pair of Ettore Sottsass East Side Armchair for Knoll, circa 1980, Italy
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Girona, Spain
DESCRIPTION: Pair of Ettore Sottsass East Side Armchair for Knoll, circa 1980, Italy. Very
Metal
$2,994
H 33.47 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
East Side Lounge Chair by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll, Italy, 1980's
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
lounge chair features gray lacquered steel feet with translucent plastic end pieces. Designed by Ettore
Metal
$8,164 / set
H 33.47 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Pair of 1980s "East Side" Club Lounge Chair by Ettore Sottsass and Knoll
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in Paris, France
This rare pair of tricolor "Eastside model" club armchairs was created by designer Ettore Sottsass
Metal, Aluminum
Ettore Sottsass "East Side" Three-Seat Sofa for Knoll
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Kansas City, MO
Original Ettore Sottsass east side sofa in the original black leather and original fabric. In
Steel
Ettore Sottsass East Side Sofa
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Dronten, NL
East side sofa designed by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll International in 1983. Postmodern sofa with
Steel
Ettore Sottsass "East side" Lounge Chair
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in New York, NY
Ettore Sottsass for Knoll upholstered lounge chair with enameled tubular steel base. Marked logo on
Wool
Ettore Sottsass East Side Lounge Chair
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in Dronten, NL
Iconic East Side arm chair in Royal Blue fabric designed by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll International
Steel
Ettore Sottsass "East Side" Sofa for Knoll
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Ettore Sottsass. The Leather is original as is the bottom and top duvet with the Knoll logo. The fabric
Leather, Fabric
Pair of Ettore Sottsass East Side Arm Chairs
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Dronten, NL
East side lounge chairs designed by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll International in 1983. Postmodern
Steel
Blue Ettore Sottsass East Side Sofa and Two Lounge Chairs
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in Dronten, NL
Spectacular East Side sofa and 2 lounge chairs designed by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll International
Steel
Ettore Sottsass for Knoll Postmodern 'East Side' Armchairs
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in Astoria, NY
Ettore Sottsass for Knoll International Postmodern 'East Side' pair of armchairs in upholstered
Metal
Ettore Sottsass for Knoll East Side Living Room Set
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in Dronten, NL
Spectacular East Side 3-seat sofa, 2-seat sofa and lounge chair designed by Ettore Sottsass for
Steel
Sold
H 41 in W 52.5 in D 30.25 in
Postmodern Leather "East Side" Sofa Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Memphis-Style/Postmodern two-seat sofa designed in 1983 by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll for the "East
Aluminum, Steel
Ettore Sottsass East Side Lounge Chair
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Weesp, NL
East side lounge chair by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll 1983. Postmodern lounge chair with its
Upholstery
Ettore Sottsass Knoll East Side Chairs 1980s Leather
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
, Ettore Sottsass for Knoll. The comfortable cube chairs are in black leather with blue cotton seats and
Steel
Sold
H 34.65 in W 32.29 in D 29.14 in
Pair of Knoll “East Side” Armchairs by Ettore Sottsass in Red and Black Wool
Located in Barrowford, GB
quite a find and a genuine 1980’s icon, it being a rare, original pair of “East Side” Armchairs from the
Wool
Sold
H 34.65 in W 74.81 in D 29.14 in
Sublime Rare Knoll “East Side” Sofa by Ettore Sottsass in Blue and Grey Wool
By Knoll
Located in Barrowford, GB
This is quite a find and a genuine 1980’s icon, it being a rare, original “East Side” Sofa from the
Wool
Sold
H 33.47 in W 31.5 in D 28.75 in
Pair of “East Side” Chairs by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll International, USA, 1980
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Wilnis, UT
A wonderful pair of “Easy Side” chairs, designed by Ettore Sottsass and manufactured by Knoll
Leather, Fabric
$672Sale Price / item|55% Off
H 33.47 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Dining Chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, Model Razorblade, Denmark, Oak
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Set of striking dining chairs by Henning Kjærnulf, made of oak and boucle. Refreshing design with bold Baroque coming together nicely with Mid-Century Modernism. Model: Razorblade ...
Oak
Rewire Custom Brass Ceiling Light
By Rewire
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rewire custom ceiling light dish. Designed and manufactured in Los Angeles by Rewire. Large un-lacquered brass dish with four internal sockets. Takes four E26 60w maximum bulbs. Bras...
Brass
Ettore Sottsass Callimaco Floor Lamp for Artemide
By Ettore Sottsass, Artemide
Located in Glendale, CA
Ettore Sottsass 'Callimaco' floor lamp for Artemide. Originally created in 1982, Ettore Sottsass’ “horn” of light creates the remarkable illusion of an oversized musical instrument...
Aluminum
Hans-Agne Jakobsson Wall Light in Copper and Blown Glass
By Hans-Agne Jakobsson
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans-Agne Jakobsson for Hans-Agne Jakobsson AB in Markaryd, wall light model 'V-138', copper, blown glass, Sweden, 1960s. Charming wall light executed in copper with a blown glass s...
Copper
$3,364 / item
H 12.6 in W 28.35 in D 36.23 in
Flush Mount Brass and Glass Chandelier 8 Arms, Stilnovo Style, Low Ceiling Best
By Silvio Piattelli, Stilnovo
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
This chandelier is specifically designed for low ceilings, with a height of only 13 inches (32 cm). The arms and shade holders are made of brass, while the central part is made of me...
Metal, Brass
Raul Reyes 'Rey 14' Perforated Brass Dome Ceiling Lamp
By Lisa Johansson-Pape, Paavo Tynell
Located in Glendale, CA
Raul Reyes 'Rey 14' Perforated brass dome ceiling lamp. Hand-fabricated in Los Angeles, these highly refined ceiling lamps are reminiscent of the iconic mid-century Finnish designs...
Brass
Rattan Drape Side Table
Located in Paris, FR
Side Table Rattan Drape with all structure in rattan in natural finish.
Rattan
$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
$5,500 / set
H 29.73 in W 20.28 in D 17.72 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Monk" Chairs for Molteni, Cognac Leather, 1974, Set of 2
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Molteni & C
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Monk" dining chairs for Molteni, cognac leather and beech, Italy, 1974, set of two. The particular feature of this model is the support structure composed of tw...
Leather, Beech
Ettore Sottsas Ospite Table Zanotta Postmodern, 1980s
By Zanotta, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Ettore Sottsass's Ospite dining table. Designed in 1984 and produced by Zanotta. Painted brier veneer top and three brass silver legs.
Brass
Florence Knoll 2-Seater Sofa, Classic Mid Century Modern, Knoll
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage Florence Knoll 2 seater 'lounge series' sofa with original 2nd generation upholstery in a coarse woven off-white mottled wool fabric. This sofa dates from the first series p...
Chrome
Murano Glass Ivory Eight Arm Chandelier
Located in Austin, TX
Chandelier made of ivory colored Murano glass with eight branches. We love the classic lines and modern details of this hand-blown fixture. It has been newly wired to fit US standard...
Murano Glass
Vittorio Dassi dining chairs Italy 1950
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Unique Vittorio Dassi dining chairs manufactured in Italy 1950. These chairs feature beautifully shaped teak frames and the seats have been re-upholstered in a soft cream velvet fabr...
Velvet, Teak
$4,509 / set
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 34.26 in
Pair of French Cognac Moustache Back Leather Club Chairs, 1940s
Located in Nijmegen, NL
These club chairs were designed and produced in France during the 1940s. The chairs are made from cognac leather held together with metal pins and mounted on wooden legs. The springs...
Leather
Ettore Zaccari lounge sofa in ebonized wood Italy 1930s
By Ettore Zaccari
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Crafted in Ettore Zaccari's own workshop in Italy during the 1930s, this exquisite lounge sofa is a testament to the remarkable skill and artistry of its creator. The sofa is finishe...
Fabric, Ash
$4,000
H 10.63 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
Inox & Mirrored Shillings Table by Ausenda, Baldo Grossi & Gavioli NY Form 1970
By Guido Baldi Grossi, Giovanni Ausenda, Gianni Gavioli
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
“Shillings” table by Italian designers Ausenda, Baldo Grossi and Gavioli Produced in 1970 by NY FORM in Bologna Italy Superb stainless steel table with smoked mirror top V...
Stainless Steel
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.
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.