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)
Alessandro Mendini Table Model Freccia for Gruppo Alchimia, Italy
By Gruppo Alchimia, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Milan, Italy
Freccia table in lacquered wood and silkscreened metal base designed by Alessandro Mendini for Gruppo Alchimia, about 2000. Exhibited at the show Alchimismo, Frigoriferi Milanesi, Mi...
Metal
Alessandro Mendini, Sirfo Goose Table, Zanotta, Italy, 1986
By Zanotta, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Krefeld, DE
Alessandro Mendini “Sirfo” side table for Zanotta Edizioni, Italy, 1986. Iconic postmodern design piece, also known as the “Goose Table”. The “Sirfo” table, designed by Alessandro Me...
Aluminum
Mosaic Dachshund Table Italy 1950s
Located in Munich, DE
Very unique dog mosaic table mounted on a bamboo base with brass rods made in Italy in the 1950s. The mosaic top has a colorful glass mosaic rim inside are white and brown glass mosa...
Brass
$2,217Sale Price|20% Off
H 22.05 in W 27.56 in D 23.63 in
Papilio 3 Trier Glass Side Table by Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta 1990's Italy
Located in Lisboa, PT
A striking example of 1990s Italian postmodern design, this "Papilio" three-tier side table was designed by Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta. Named after the Latin word for butterfly, ...
Metal
Agrilo Console Table by Alessandro Mendini
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Doral, FL
Agrilo Console Table by Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta Edizioni 1984 Mod. 7400 Signed original. Frame in black lacquered wood. Hand-decorated edge in blue and green. Feet in silver-p...
Silver
1960s Italian Rattan Gueridon Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great two-tier rattan gueridon table from Italy, 1960's. Original rattan with circular rattan top, beautiful wavy rattan detail around edge and wrapped rattan detailing on legs. Perf...
Rattan
$3,177 / item
H 17.72 in W 18.9 in D 19.3 in
Ghidini 1961 Le Ninfee Middle Side Table in Brass by Alessandro Mendini
By Alessandro Mendini, Ghidini 1961
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
As if they were large and flat lilies leaves that run, approach, float and mate while flowing on the water surface of a pond. So these small Ninfee tables float and can stand alone, ...
Brass
Italian Gueridon Marquetry Tripod Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
An exceptionally nice Walnut octagon marquetry tripod table. The Marquetry design on the top, base, and legs are constructed of mixed hardwoods. The original surface has a great age...
Wood
$4,181
H 28.35 in W 21.66 in D 21.66 in
Zanotta Editioni Collection Sirfo Table designed by Alessandro Mendini 1986
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Post-modern Sirfo Goose table from the Zanotta Editioni Collection, designed by Alessandro Mendini in 1986 manufactured by Zanotta, Italy Painted Aluminu...
Steel, Aluminum
$8,653 / item
H 35.44 in W 31.5 in D 15.75 in
Zanotta Edizioni Agrilo Console Table in Black Lacquered by Alessandro Mendini
By Zanotta, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Zanotta Edizioni Agrilo Console Table in Black Lacquered by Alessandro Mendini Signed original. Frame in black lacquered wood. Hand- decorated edge in blue and green. Feet in silver-plated brass. Top in black painted plate glass. Born from the experimentations of Zabro Zanotta Edizioni is a special collection of furnishing items verging on art and design. Items in this collection are inspired by the Italian artistic handcrafting tradition. Free from the bonds of industrial production, they are charged with the powerful charm of "handmade” objects. A small console, Agrilo, featuring smooth and clearly peculiar signs and sophisticated or brave colours. Just like the insect to which its name refers, originally belonged to the Zabro Collection, a brand created under the auspices of Aurelio Zanotta...
Wood
$3,177 / item
H 17.72 in W 17.72 in D 21.66 in
Ghidini 1961 Le Ninfee Right Side Table in Brass by Alessandro Mendini
By Alessandro Mendini, Ghidini 1961
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
As if they were large and flat lilies leaves that run, approach, float and mate while flowing on the water surface of a pond. So these small Ninfee tables float and can Stand alone, ...
Brass
Papilio Side Table by Alessandro Mendini 1985
By Alessandro Mendini
Located in Weesp, NL
Elevate your space with these exquisite postmodern two-tier glass side tables, a rare and iconic design by Alessandro Mendini, one of the most influential figures in modern design. T...
Steel
$3,177 / item
H 17.72 in W 19.69 in D 17.72 in
Ghidini 1961 Le Ninfee Left Side Table in Brass by Alessandro Mendini
By Alessandro Mendini, Ghidini 1961
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
As if they were large and flat lilies leaves that run, approach, float and mate while flowing on the water surface of a pond. So these small Ninfee tables float and can stand alone, ...
Brass