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)
Pepper mill created by Alessandro Mendini in 1998 for Alessi.
By Alessandro Mendini, Alessi
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Pepper mill created by Alessandro Mendini in 1998 for Alessi. Part of the Anna G collection, an ironic tribute to an authentic woman whose small smiling face has gained cult status o...
Steel
Alessandro Mendini Collectable Postmodern Wine Opener by Alessi Signed & Number
By Alessandro Mendini, Alessi
Located in San Diego, CA
Alessandro Mendini wine bottle opener series made for Alessi in 2006 dated and numbered as shown great condition.
Metal
Recinto tray Alessi Alessandro Mendini Postmodern
By Alessandro Mendini, Alessi
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
"Recinto" table tray designed by Alessandro Mendini for Alessi. Designed in around 2000. Vintage blue color. There are a little trace of use. Over all good condition.
Stainless Steel
$140Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 3 in Dm 5 in
Sugar Bowl & Spoon Designed by Michael Graves for Alessi Memphis Era
By Michael Graves (b.1934), Alessi
Located in San Diego, CA
Sugar bowl and spoon designed by Michael Graves for Alessi, circa 1988 made in Italy. Memphis era.
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Wood Pepper Mill by Peugeot, 1930s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Wood Pepper Mill by Peugeot, 1930s
Wood
Set of Eight Hand-Painted Frog White Wine Glasses, 1980s
Located in Stamford, CT
From the Mrs Henry Ford II estate- a whimsical set of colorful frog decorated white wine glasses.
Glass, Art Glass
$2,370
H 28.35 in Dm 9.45 in
Alessandro Mendini large ceramic Totem in limited edition, prod. Superego
By Alessandro Mendini, Superego Editions
Located in Parma, IT
Large Ceramic totem designed by Alessandro Mendini for Superego. In glazed and silver-plated ceramic, limited edition product, signature and numbering on the bottom. In excellent con...
Ceramic
Jens H. Quistgaard Dual Pepper - Salt Mill & Shaker in Teak, 1960s
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A Jens Harald Quistgaard design for his own company International Designs of Denmark. This stylish yet versatile dual combination salt & pepper shaker is made from solid teak. Makers...
Teak
$404 / item
H 0.79 in Dm 4.73 in
Round Wine Bottle Coaster in Corno Italiano and Lacquered Wood, Mod. 223
By Arcahorn Srl.
Located in Recanati, Macerata
Handcrafted from natural Corno Italiano and lacquered wood with cream-colored gloss finish, this stunning wine coaster will add organic beauty to any table setting, courtesy of its u...
Wood
Italian Red Goatskin Parchment Pepper Mill by Aldo Tura
By Aldo Tura
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Fabulous 1970’s large red goatskin parchment pepper mill by Italian designer Aldo Tura. Constructed of wood covered with red dye goatskin and clear lacquer to protect it. In beaut...
Brass
Dansk Jens Quistgaard Teak Salt / Pepper Mill Denmark
By Jens Quistgaard
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A sculptural teak wood salt and pepper mill designed by the iconic Danish Mid Century artist designer Jens Quistgaard. A unique and beautiful...
Teak
$343
H 1.97 in W 20.28 in D 12.01 in
Italian Vintage Stainless Steel Tray in Baroque Style By Alessi 60s Medium size
By Alessi
Located in Roma, IT
We are pleased to offer for sale an Italian mid–20th-century tray—modern in spirit yet clearly inspired by the 18th century. Made in Italy between the 1960s and 1970s by the historic...
Stainless Steel
Espresso coffee machine "La Cupola" by Aldo Rossi for Alessi
By Alessi, Aldo Rossi
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Alessi Italian espresso coffee machine named "La Cupola" (6 cups). Designed by Aldo Rossi in 1988, body in dark gray and brown cast aluminum. The handle is made of burn-resistant ma...
Metal, Aluminum
$690
H 9.85 in W 6.7 in D 12.6 in
Philippe Starck Hot Bertaa Kettle for Alessi Postmodern Rare Mirror Polished
By Alessi, Philippe Starck
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
Starck was born on 18 January 1949 in Paris. He is the son of André Starck, who was an aeronautics engineer. He says that his father often inspired him because he was an engineer, wh...
Aluminum
$180Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.5 in W 5 in D 3.75 in
Postmodern "Rigatone" Spaghetti Jar by Stefano Giovannoni for Alessi
By Stefano Giovannoni, Alessi
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool postmodern "Rigatone" spaghetti jar by Stefano Giovannoni for Alessi, circa 1980s. The piece is made of an orange translucent...
Plastic
Alessandro Mendini Collectable Postmodern Wine Opener by Alessi Signed & Number
By Alessandro Mendini, Alessi
Located in San Diego, CA
Alessandro Mendini wine bottle opener series made for Alessi in 2005 dated and numbered as shown original box and manual great condition.
Metal
Alessandro Mendini Recinto New Age Alessi Bisazza Tray
By Bisazza Vetro, Alessandro Mendini, Alessi
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Alessandro Mendini Recinto Jazz tray collaborated with Bisazza glass mosaic. Limited numbered edition published in 2000. Never used condition.
Stainless Steel