Alessandro Mendini was born in Milan in 1931. Through his work as an architect, designer, journalist, theorist and publisher, Mendini helped establish the Italian design sensibility on a global scale with a particular focus on neo-modern, avant-garde design as well as the crossover between art, design and architecture.
Mendini’s influential work spanned the arenas of graphics, furniture, interiors, architecture, stage design, writing and painting. He graduated from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1959, and he began his career at the studio of artist-designer Marcello Nizzoli. He went on to become the publisher of the popular magazines Casabella (1970–76), Modo and Domus (each 1979–85).
In 1979, Mendini joined Ettore Sottsass and Michele de Lucchi as a partner at Studio Alchimia, a harbinger of the Memphis Group before he cofounded Domus Academy in 1982. In 1989, he and his brother Francesco established their architectural practice, Atelier Mendini, in Milan, where he worked until his death in February 2019. In recognition of his outstanding body of work, Mendini was awarded the Compasso d’Oro twice, in 1979 and 1981. He was also honored by the Architectural League of New York, made Chevalier des Arts et Lettres in France, and, in 2014, he was awarded the European Prize for Architecture.
Mendini’s work is included in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris, among others.
Find vintage Alessandro Mendini chairs, vases, table lamps and other furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by STUDIO CADMIUM)
'90s Wristwatch "Ollo" by Museo Alchimia Alessandro Mendini, Italy
By Alessandro Mendini, Studio Alchimia
Located in Milano, IT
Alessandro Mendini's wristwatch, crafted during the 1990s for the Museo Alchimia, served as a pioneering prototype for Swatch, a renowned company for wh...
Stainless Steel
Old Pink Plastic & Rubber '90s Wrist Watch by a. Mendini for Museo Alchimia
By Alessandro Mendini, Studio Alchimia
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Wrist watch designed by Alessadro Mendini for Museo Alchimia, '90s. This manual wind watch was a prototype for the Swatch, a well-known company for whic...
Stainless Steel
$3,000
H 9.5 in W 1.5 in D 0.25 in
Men’s Vintage International Watch Company 18 Karat Gold Wrist Watch
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Schaffhausen vintage International Watch Co. (IWC), circa 1950s. 18-karat yellow gold watch with rose gold dial and applied yellow gold bar markers. ...
Gold
Juvenia New Old Stock Leather Bound "Book Clock" for a Desk 1930's
By Juvenia
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Eterna Watch and Clock Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Desk Clock METAL / MATERIAL: Leather and Gilt CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSION...
Leather
Italian Murano Glass Vase Simira Model by Alessandro Mendini for Venini.
By Venini, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Milan, Italy
Vase model Simira filigree glass and solid glass base molded to the wheel, circa 1987- 1988. Signed. Biography Alessandro Mendini was born in Milan in 1931. After a long experience...
Glass
$785Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.55 in W 5.91 in D 4.34 in
Vintage Space Age Digital Alarm Clock by LOGO, Plastic, Taiwan, 1970s
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This electronic clock with alarm was produced by the Taiwanese manufacturer LOGO during the 1970s. It is made of white and black plastic. The clock has an easy-to-read 24-hour displa...
Plastic
$232
H 18.71 in W 5.71 in D 11.42 in
Vintage Wall Clock by Thomas Eriksson for Ikea, Plastic & Metal, Italy
By Thomas Eriksson
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage clock realized by Thomas Eriksson for Ikea in 1990s. Plastic and metal. Very good condition.
Metal
1980s Postmodern Desk Clock by Shohei Mihara for Wakita
By Shohei Mihara, Nathalie du Pasquier, George Sowden, Wakita
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fantastic Japanese postmodern vintage desk, mantel, or shelf clock by Shohei Mihara for Wakita. (This design can also be found with markings from NEOS, the clock company that spec...
Metal
$1,302
H 32.29 in W 32.29 in D 2.56 in
Italian modern square plastic wall clock by Kurt B. Delbanco for Morphos, 1980s
By Morphos
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern square plastic wall clock by Kurt B. Delbanco for Morphos, 1980s Square plastic wall clock. The dial features a geometric and graphic design with primary colors, black...
Metal
$5,667Sale Price|25% Off
H 8.67 in W 1.19 in D 0.4 in
Vintage Traditional 18kt Gold Tonneau Wrist Watch, circa 1930
By Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Barcelona, ES
Vintage traditional wrist watch with the original leather wrist band. Step back in time with this exquisite vintage traditional wristwatch from the 1930s. A perfect addition to an...
Metal
Lassù Iconic 1983 Bronze Sculpture by Alessandro Mendini
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Weesp, NL
Own a Masterpiece: Alessandro Mendini’s Original 1983 Lassù Step into the world of postmodern artistry with Alessandro Mendini’s Lassù, a rare and iconic bronze sculpture from his o...
Bronze
Italian Murano Glass Vase by Alessandro Mendini for Venini, Italy
By Venini, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Milan, Italy
Large vase Simirone in blown glass intertwined polychrome canes on a base in faceted glass block designed by Alessandro Mendini for Venini in circa 1989. Limited edition of 50 pieces...
Blown Glass
Henning Koppel for Georg Jensen, White Plastic Wall Clock, 1960s-1970s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Henning Koppel for Georg Jensen. White plastic wall clock. Dial with Roman numerals. Clockwork quartz, 1960s-1970s. Measures: Diameter 40 cm. In very good condition.
Plastic
Pyramid quartz watch by Seiko, Japan, 1980s
By Seiko
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Pyramid Quartz Clock produced in the 1980s by SEIKO, with its pyramidal shape, so unique, gives the object a futuristic character, but with a deeply retro soul. A timeless piece of d...
Plastic, Laminate