$18,827
H 71.66 in W 35.44 in D 16.54 in
Essetre Bookcase Three Shelves White Resin Fiberglass Serie Mobili Grigi 1970
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milano, IT
fiberglass, part of the iconic Serie Mobili Grigi. Produced by Poltronova in Italy during the 1970s, this
Resin, Fiberglass
Ettore Sottsass Cometa table lamp for Design Centre, 1970s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Padova, IT
Ettore Sottsass Cometa table lamp from the serie "Mobili Grigi" for Design centre/Poltronova, 1970s
Aluminum
Ultrafragola Mirror, Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova, 1970
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Milano, Lombardia
, evocativa di una chioma femminile ondulata, appartiene alla serie dei Mobili Grigi, una camera da letto e un
Mirror, Plastic
$8,310Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 76.78 in W 39.38 in D 5.12 in
Pink ‘Ultrafragola’ Mirror Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in London, GB
part of a series of Sottsass designs named Mobili Grigi. When illuminated, the lights within the mirror
Glass, Acrylic
$8,310Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 76.78 in W 39.38 in D 5.12 in
Pink ‘Ultrafragola’ Mirror Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in London, GB
part of a series of Sottsass designs named Mobili Grigi. When illuminated, the lights within the mirror
Glass, Acrylic
$8,310Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 76.78 in W 39.38 in D 5.12 in
Pink ‘Ultrafragola’ Mirror Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in London, GB
part of a series of Sottsass designs named Mobili Grigi. When illuminated, the lights within the mirror
Glass, Acrylic
$57,657 / set
H 10.63 in W 31.5 in D 3.94 in
Pair of Neon Lamps by Ettore Sottsass - Edition Poltronova - circa 1970
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Saint ouen, FR
lamp or luminous headboard from the so-called “Mobili Grigi” series Dimensions: H. 27 x W. 80 cm x D
Fiberglass
$8,310Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 76.78 in W 39.38 in D 5.12 in
Pink ‘Ultrafragola’ Mirror Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in London, GB
part of a series of Sottsass designs named Mobili Grigi. When illuminated, the lights within the mirror
Glass, Acrylic
$19,700 / item
H 29.53 in W 10.24 in D 4.93 in
Ettore Sottsass for Design Centre/Poltronova ‘Bruco’ Wall Lights
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass, Design Centre
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ettore Sottsass for Design Centre/Poltronova, ‘Bruco’ wall light from the Mobili Grigi series
Brass, Chrome
$24,710
H 76.78 in W 39.38 in D 5.91 in
Ettore Sottsass 1st Series Ultrafragola Mirror Object 1970 for Poltronova Milano
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Munster, NRW
was designed by Ettore Sottsass Jr. as part of a series, 'I Mobili Grigi', first exhibited in 1970 at
Plastic
$20,439
H 80.52 in W 14.18 in D 14.18 in
Ettore Sottsass, Cometa Floor Light, by Poltronova circa 1970
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
, designed 1970 and produced for the Design Centre by Poltronova, Italy as part of the Mobili Grigi series
Metal, Chrome
$9,000 / item
H 76.8 in W 39.4 in D 5 in
Ettore Sottsass ULTRAFRAGOLA Neon Full Length Mirror / Poltronova srl
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Mobili Grigi series of complete bedroom and living room furnishings designed by Ettore Sottsass for
Mirror, Plastic
Unavailable
H 76.78 in W 39.38 in D 5.91 in
Original Ultrafragola Mirror Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Stockholm, SE
designed by Ettore Sottsass Jr. as part of a series, 'I Mobili Grigi', first exhibited in 1970 at the
Mirror, Acrylic
Bruco Wall Lamp by Ettore Sottsass, 1971
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Melbourne, VIC
Rare "Bruco" wall light from the Mobili Grigi Series by Ettore Sottsass. Chrome-plated
Sold
H 41.25 in W 31.5 in D 11 in
Ettore Sottsass "Bruco" luminous ceiling fixture for Poltronova, Italy, 1970s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Skokie, IL
, Italy, circa 1970s Rare model "Bruco" ceiling pendant lamp from the Mobili Grigi series for Design
Steel, Aluminum
Sold
H 70.87 in Dm 23.63 in L 70.87 in
Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova Iconic Ivory Coat Rack, Italy, 1965
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Naples, IT
, the highly futuristic 'il mobili grigi' series of furniture and lighting and the iconic 'ultrafragola
Wood
Sold
H 76.78 in W 39.38 in D 5.12 in
Ultrafragola lighted mirror designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, 80s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Arezzo, Italy
dell’imperfezione e la diversità formale. Ultrafragola appartiene alla serie dei cosiddetti ‘mobili grigi’, una
Glass, Plexiglass, Wood
Ettore Sottsass Cometa Floor Lamp, Poltranova
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in London, GB
the Mobili Grigi series. Sottsass, architect and concentration camp survivor, was a founding member of
Plastic
Sold
H 76.78 in W 39.38 in D 5.91 in
Ettore Sottsass 1st Series Ultrafragola Mirror Object 1970 for Poltronova Milano
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Munster, NRW
was designed by Ettore Sottsass Jr. as part of a series, 'I Mobili Grigi', first exhibited in 1970 at
Plastic
Sold
H 76.78 in W 39.38 in D 5.12 in
1970s Mid-Century Modern Mirror Wall Ultrafragola by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Vigonza, Padua
the only production piece from the Mobili Grigi collection that Sottsass designed for Poltronova in
Acrylic
Ultrafragola Mirror by Ettore Sottsass, Italy 21st Century
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Chicago, IL
quintessential piece of postmodern design. As part of the Mobili Grigi series of bedroom and living room objects
Mirror, Acrylic
Ettore Sottsass Cometa table lamp for Design Centre, 1970s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Padova, IT
Ettore Sottsass Cometa table lamp from the serie "Mobili Grigi" for Design centre/Poltronova, 1970s
Aluminum
Ettore Sottsass ELLEDUE double bed for Poltronova 1970s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Padova, IT
Large and rare double bed by Ettore Sottsass from the 1970 MOBILI GRIGI series with the pair of
Aluminum
Sold
H 76 in W 40 in D 6 in
Ultrafragola Floor Mirror by Ettore Sottsass for Paltronova, Ready to Ship
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Kansas City, MO
Iconic "Ultrafragola" standing floor mirror designed by Ettore Sottsass for his series Mobili Grigi
Glass, Acrylic, Wood
Ettore Sottsass Bruco Wall Lamp from the Mobili Grigi Series
By Ettore Sottsass, Design Centre, Poltronova
Located in Chicago, IL
Ettore Sottsass. Bruco wall lamp from the Mobili Grigi series, Italy, 1971. Manufactured by
Brass, Chrome
1970s Ultrafragola Mirror by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Paris, FR
entire interior design project, called Mobili Grigi, which is a bedroom where Sottsass wanted to give to
Frank Oelke double bed Pedus, 1970s
By Frank Oelke
Located in Padova, IT
Pedus double bed in solid varnished wood frame covered in resin and glossy lacquered with metal structure resting on adjustable steel and brass feets. Complete with two custom-made m...
Resin, Wood
$550,000
H 28.75 in W 66.93 in D 39.38 in
Surrealist Salivasofa 'Original' Prototype Red Lips Sofa By Salvador Dali
By (after) Salvador Dali, Oscar Tusquets Blanca
Located in Barcelona, ES
In the pioneering year of 1972, the visionary duo of Salvador Dalí and Oscar Tusquets unveiled their very first prototype sofa, a testament to their innovative design prowess.
Foam
Hoodoo Stacks, Sculptural Concrete Planters by OPIARY (H28"-52")
By Robert Remer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Opiary is a Brooklyn-based biophilic design and production studio. We integrate nature in each of our designs, incorporating live greenery and organic shapes into bespoke furniture, ...
Cement
$21,099Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 33.86 in W 18.9 in D 17.33 in
Maison Jansen 12 curule chairs steel brass pink velvet 1960s
By Maison Jansen
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful set of 1960’s Curule Savonarola chairs made of heavy stainless steel metal with brass accents. This rare set of twelve chairs is a perfect example of Maison Jansen neoclass...
Brass, Steel
Isamu Noguchi Akari Light Sculpture, Model 55A Ceiling Lamp
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Centreville, VA
Akari Light Sculptures by Isamu Noguchi are considered icons of 1950s modern design. Designed by Noguchi beginning in 1951 and handmade for a half century by the original manufacture...
Bamboo, Paper
$1,635
H 34.45 in W 66.54 in D 13.78 in
1960s Woven Wicker Single Headboard Rattan Midcentury Rustic Provence
Located in London, GB
A single woven wicker headboard from Provence, with integrated circular bedside tables. French, c. 1960s. Between bedsides 100cm.
Wicker
Maurice Dufrêne for La Maitrise art deco tapestry 1922
By La Maitrise, Maurice Dufrêne
Located in Paris, IDF
Maurice Dufrene designed this tapestry for the studio La Maitrise, Les Galeries Lafayette, in Paris in 1922, just as he became the director of the studio. Crafted from handspun wool,...
Wool
Venetian Monumental Seated Bird Cage
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian style (20th Cent) octagonal shaped painted and decorated metal and wood bird cage with 8 upholstered seat and back cushions around base. (Franco Zefferelli Collection)
Metal
Lennon Daybed, Ivory Bouclé & Wood Daybed by Christian Siriano
By Christian Siriano
Located in New York, NY
Made to order bouclé and wood daybed designed by Christian Siriano. Base: Red oak Cushions: Ivory bouclé.
Bouclé, Oak
$3,480 / item
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 16.93 in
Manhattan Trolley by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Manhattan trolley in metal and glass by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano collection Additional information: Trolley in metal and coloured glass. Collection: Memphis Milano De...
Metal
Raphaël Raffel croissant sofa in Mohair velvet 1970s
By Raphael Raffel
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful sofa by Raphaël Raffel for Maison Honoré Paris produced in the mid-1970s. The sofa has been fully restored and newly upholstered with a beautiful light beige mohair velvet ...
Velvet
$12,000 / item
H 83 in W 46 in D 20 in
Lea Silhouette Wardrobe, Espresso Lacquer Wardrobe by Christian Siriano
By Christian Siriano
Located in New York, NY
Made to order espresso lacquer silhouette wardrobe designed by Christian Siriano. Material: Espresso lacquer (available in custom finish) Dimensions: Overall Width: 46” Overall Dep...
Lacquer
$4,571 / item
H 68.9 in W 47.25 in D 1.19 in
18th Century Hand-Painted Venetian Style Fuchsia Otello Screen with Flowers
By Porte Italia
Located in Ronchi dei Legionari, IT
From our Hand-Painted Furniture Collection, we are pleased to introduce you to our Fuchsia Otello Screen. Nature has always been a source of inspiration for our hand-decorated furn...
Wood
$24,000
H 81.11 in W 14.57 in D 14.57 in
Ettore Sottsass for Design Centre/Poltronova 'Cometa' Floor Lamp
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova, Design Centre
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ettore Sottsass for Design Centre/Poltronova, 'Cometa' floor lamp, model 'L026', acrylic, lacquered metal, chrome, Italy, design 1970 A funky and irresistibly charming floor lamp d...
Metal, Chrome
8.6ft Tall Pop Art White Indoor Giraffe with Chandelier
By MARCANTONIO
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
"Giraffe in Love" is the new product born from artist/designer Marcantonio. It is a dreamy indoor giraffe holding a classic Marie-Thérèse style chandelier. It represents irony and li...
Fiberglass
$18,081 / item
H 27.56 in W 94.49 in D 39.38 in
1970s Anfibio Foldable Sofa Vintage Leather Becchi Giovannetti
By Alessandro Becchi
Located in Casalguidi, IT
The bed-sofa, designed by Alessandro Becchi together with the Giovannetti staff has recently celebrated its 50 years. Its history is full of important events and participations. A pi...
Leather
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.
Arguably the world’s most ubiquitous man-made material, plastic has impacted nearly every industry. In contemporary spaces, new and vintage plastic furniture is quite popular and its use pairs well with a range of design styles.
From the Italian lighting artisans at Fontana Arte to venturesome Scandinavian modernists such as Verner Panton, who created groundbreaking interiors as much as he did seating — see his revolutionary Panton chair — to contemporary multidisciplinary artists like Faye Toogood, furniture designers have been pushing the boundaries of plastic forever.
When The Graduate's Mr. McGuire proclaimed, “There’s a great future in plastics,” it was more than a laugh line. The iconic quote is an allusion both to society’s reliance on and its love affair with plastic. Before the material became an integral part of our lives — used in everything from clothing to storage to beauty and beyond — people relied on earthly elements for manufacturing, a process as time-consuming as it was costly.
Soon after American inventor John Wesley Hyatt created celluloid, which could mimic luxury products like tortoiseshell and ivory, production hit fever pitch, and the floodgates opened for others to explore plastic’s full potential. The material altered the history of design — mid-century modern legends Charles and Ray Eames, Joe Colombo and Eero Saarinen regularly experimented with plastics in the development of tables and chairs, and today plastic furnishings and decorative objects are seen as often indoors as they are outside.
Find vintage plastic lounge chairs, outdoor furniture, lighting and more on 1stDibs.
The Italian designer’s oeuvre extends beyond the iconic Ultrafragola mirror.
Before founding the Memphis Group, Sottsass bent the rules of lighting design with the wonderfully wavy Cometa.
Make anyplace your happy place with Italian furniture at its subversive best.