Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Italian, 1917-2007
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.
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. They 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's 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 imaginative and expressive in smaller, secondary furnishings such as lamps and chandeliers, and in table pieces and glassware that have playful and sculptural qualities.
It was as an artist that Ettore 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.
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Item type: New and Made To Order
Creator: Ettore Sottsass
Sirio Glass Flower Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Sirio glass vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1982. Signed on the edge of the Stand: "E. Sottsass per Memphis Milano”. For further information please see authen...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Glass
13 Malide Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The 13 Malide glass vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is part of the “Malide Glass” collection. Made in Murano glass, and signed on the base “E.Sottsa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Glass
Malabar Sideboard by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Malabar sideboard with cupboard in plastic by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano collection
Additional information:
Sideboard with cupboa...
Category
2010s Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Aldebaran Glass Fruit Bowl, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Aldebaran Glass Fruit Bowl was designed for Memphis in 1983 by Ettore Sottsass. This bowl features a tapering cylindrical shape with three green handles, with the side decorated ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Glass
25 Astimelusa Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Astimelusa Glass Vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is part of the “Vetri Glass” collection, and made out of blown Murano glass. Signed “E.Sottsass...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass
Deneb Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Deneb vase in multicolored glass was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1982 for Memphis. Signed “E.Sottsass per Memphis Milano”.
Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Glass
Tigris Porcelain Vase by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The "Tigris" porcelain vase, comprised of stacked, spouted and coiled forms covered in powder blue, white and black glazes, Memphis Milano collection. The Tigris Vase was originally ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Venini Firenze Flush Light in Crystal & Sapphire by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Firenze flush light in handmade blown glass with decorative elements in opaline and transparent glass and white painted metal finishes. Fun and colorful ceiling light...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Art Glass
Lettuce White Ceramic Dinner Plate, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Lettuce ceramic dinner plate was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass, in 1985, as part of a series of decorative plates. The playful names of th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Murmansk Silver Plated Brass Fruit Bowl, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Murmansk Fruit Bowl in Brass with plated Silver. The "Murmansk" is a fruit bowl is one of the first designs produced by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis in 1982. The sleek bowl is plated silver over brass, and sitting on six stepped legs...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Brass, Silver
14 Astidamia Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Astidamia glass vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is part of the “Astidamia Glass” collection. Made in blown Murano glass, and signed “E.Sottsass ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Glass
2 Fililla Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Fililla Glass Vase is blown glass, with a pendant and was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. Signed on the base, for further information please see authenticity info...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass
26 Niobe Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Niobe Glass Vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is made out of blown glass and signed on the base. For further information please see authenticity i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Glass
Ashoka Metal Table Lamp 'EU' 220 Volts, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Here you are shown the EU wired, Ashoka table lamp in lacquered metal, designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981 for Memphis Milano.
Ettore Sottsass was b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Metal
21st Century by E.Sottsass Round Centerpiece in White and Pink Marble and Copper
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in massa, IT
"Gaya" marble centerpiece designed by Arch. Ettore Sottsass.
Size: cm. Ø 38 x 33
Materials: Rosa Portogallo / Bianco Carrara / Rame
Designed by: Ettore Sottsass.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Marble
21st Century by E.Sottsas "Hidebarad" Indoor/Outdoor Polichrome Marble Bench
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in massa, IT
Name: Hidebard
Materials: Pietra Serena and white Carrara and red Francia and Macchia Vecchia
Size: cm. 117 x 66 x H 79
Designed by: Ettore Sottsass.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Marble
Ashoka Metal Table Lamp USA 110 Volts, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano C.
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Here you are shown the US wired, Ashoka Table Lamp in lacquered metal, designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981 for Memphis Milano.
Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. In 1939 he graduated in architecture at the Politecnico di Torino. One of the most influential and important figures of the last century. As an Architect and Designer, he has participated in all radical movements whether created from the 1970s and 1980s. In 1981 he founded the Memphis group, a group that has radically changed the scenario of Italian and world design. Honored with numerous international awards, was winner of the Golden Compass in 1959. He designed the first laptop "Valentina" by Olivetti. He died in 2007 at the age of 90 years.
Memphis Milano is the great cultural phenomenon of the 1980s that revolutionized creative and commercial logics in design. Born from the idea of Ettore Sottsass and a group of young designers and architects, in Milan, coupled in the years by famous designers from the international scene, Memphis turned upside down all of the existing parameters on living. Ettore Sottsass as the backbone of the group, design gained a new concept and expression through new shapes, materials and patterns, expanding the creative limits of the industry. Memphis became a symbol of New Design. Its influence is still clear in various sectors of production and beyond.
Additional Info:
- Dimensions: W 29, D 5, H 35.5 inches
- Lighting Info: 1 X 50 W, 12 V - 5 X 40W. (E14)
- Materials: Lacquered metal.
- Additional Lighting Info: Please note that this item is wired in 110 V for the standard US light socket.
- Price includes additional US rewiring cost for accessibility with US outlets.
- If you are interested in the EU version of this light, please refer to the dealers storefront for the (EU) wired light fixture...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Metal
Venini Firenze Pendant Light in Brown and Yellow by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Firenze suspension lamp, designed by Ettore Sottsass and manufactured by Venini, features handmade blown glass colored elements and crystal color discs. Numbered edition. Indoor use ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass
21st Century by E.Sottsass Italian Round Centerpiece in White+Pink+Black Marble
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in massa, IT
Marble centerpiece "Diu" designed by Arch. Ettore Sottsass.
Size: cm. Ø 39 x 17
Materials: Rosa Portogallo / Nero Marquina / Bianco Carrara
Designed by: Ettore Sottsass.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Marble
33 Neobule Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Neobule Glass Vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The Vase is glass blown and signed on the base, for further information please see authenticity info below....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Glass
Mizar Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Mizar vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1982. The piece features clear and blue glass with multicolored handles.
Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. In 1939 he graduated in architecture at the Politecnico di Torino One of the most influential and important figures of the last century, Architect and Designer, he has participated in all radical movements whether created from the 1970s and 1980s. In 1981 he founded the Memphis group, a group that has radically changed the scenario of Italian and world design. Honored with numerous international awards, was winner of the Golden...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Glass
31 Imera Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Imera Glass Vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is made out of blown glass, and signed on the base, for further information please see authenticity ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass
Alaska Silver Plated Brass Flower Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Alaska Silver Plated Brass Flower Vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1982. The vase is also available in solid 925 sterling silve...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate, Brass
Emeco Nine-0 Swivel Armchair in Brushed Aluminum and Gray by Ettore Sottsass
By Emeco, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Hanover, PA
Before he died at the age of 90, Ettore Sottsass worked with Emeco on his last chair- the Nine-0. The inspiration was Sottsass own Navy chair in his Milan apartment-but this time wit...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Beverly Wood Sideboard, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Beverly sideboard in wood and covered with plastic laminate and natural briar, plus a two-door container with shelf, was originally designed in 1981 by Ettore Sottsass for Memphi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Wood, Plastic
Sol Glass Fruit Bowl, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Sol glass fruit bowl was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1982. Signed on the base, for further information please see authenticity info below.
Ettore Sottsass was bo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Glass
Small Black and White Centerpiece by Ettore Sottsass
By Bitossi, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milan, IT
This striking centerpiece in white clay has an external finish in black on the base and white on the body, with an internal decoration of fine, parallel black lines over the white fi...
Category
2010s Italian Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Diamante Vase by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Braganti
Located in Milan, IT
This vase, made entirely in silver, is part of the Diamante collection, designed by Italian architect Ettore Sottsass. The simple, symmetrical shape of the vase is contemporary and m...
Category
2010s Italian Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Silver
21st Century by Ettore Sottsass Damecuta Mirror Consolle in Marble Pink Portugal
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in massa, IT
Mirros Consolle realized with three different marble, Rosa Portogallo, Bianco Carrara, Rosso Francia.
Designed by Arch. Ettore Sottsass.
Size: cm. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Marble
Tall White and Black Centerpiece by Ettore Sottsass
By Bitossi, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milan, IT
A striking piece of contemporary decor, this centerpiece in ceramic is part of an exclusive collection designed by the Italian architect Ettore Sottsass for Bitossi. The large bowl o...
Category
2010s Italian Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Alcor Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Alcor Glass Vase was designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1983 for Memphis. Signed on the base.
Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. In 1939 he graduated in architecture at...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Glass
Freemont Gilded Wood Console, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Freemont gilded wood console in wood, plastic laminate and aluminum. Designed in 1985, by Ettore Sottsass.
Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Wood, Plastic
5 Atamante Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
5 Atamante vase is in blown glass, and originally designed in 1986 by Ettore Sottsass. Signed on the base, for further information please see authenticity info below.
Ettore Sott...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass
Diamante Doppio Vase by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Braganti
Located in Milan, IT
Entirely made in silver, this vase is part of the diamante collection, designed for Del Conte by renowned architect Ettore Sottsass. The minimalist and sophisticated shape of this pi...
Category
2010s Italian Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Silver
30 Pasifila Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Pasifil Glass Vase was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986 for Memphis. It's part of the “Vetri Glass” collection, made in blown Murano glass. Signed on the base, for ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Glass
Alioth Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Alioth Glass Vase was designed by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis in 1983. The Venetian glass vase features blue fusions and black threads. Signed on the base.
Ettore Sottsass was b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Glass
Altair Glass Flower Vase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Altair Glass Flower Vase was designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1982. Signed on the base, please see below for further information.
Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. I...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Glass
11 Erinna Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Erina vase is blown glass, originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986. The vase is part of the “Vetri Glass” collection. Made in Murano, its hand blown with techniques from m...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass
34 Agelada Glass Vase, by Ettore Sottsass from Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Agelada Glass Vase with pendant was originally designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1986 for Memphis. It's part of the “Vetri Glass” collection. Made in blown Murano glass, and signed ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Glass
Emeco Nine-0 Swivel Armchair with Bar Back and Gray Seat by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Emeco
Located in Hanover, PA
Before he died at the age of 90, Ettore Sottsass worked with Emeco on his last chair- the Nine-0. The inspiration was Sottsass own Navy chair in his Milan apartment-but this time wit...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Mettsass Table by Ettore Sottsass Jr. for BD Barcelona
By Ettore Sottsass, BD Barcelona Design
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Metsass table designed by Ettore Sottsass Jr. for BD Barcelona. The structure is made of flat sheets of steel, painted in red. The glass top is pain...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Steel
Casablanca Wood Cabinet, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Casablanca cabinet designed in 1981 for Memphis by Ettore Sottsass, in wood and plastic laminated colors. This is an unlimited edition with a number...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Wood, Plastic
Venini Ratrih Floor Lamp by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Ratrih floor lamp by Ettore Sottsass.
Numbered edition for year
Year of manufacture: 1994-2017
Marble base
Color: Milk-white/black
Measurements: Ø 18.11", H 66.92"
1 x...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Glass
Emeco Nine-0 Swivel Armchair in Polished Aluminum & Gray by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Emeco
Located in Hanover, PA
Before he died at the age of 90, Ettore Sottsass worked with Emeco on his last chair- the Nine-0. The inspiration was Sottsass own Navy chair in his Milan apartment-but this time wit...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Venini Marito E Moglie Vase in Glass and Marble by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Marito E Moglie vase in tea/black/milk-white with marble base by Ettore Sottsass. Limited edition 99 art pieces. Composition of portoro-marble base and blown glasses finished ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass
Ettore Sottsass Coffee Table Oak Design Edizioni, Italy
By Ettore Sottsass, Oak Design Edizioni
Located in Milan, Italy
A table designed by Ettore Sottsass for Oak Design Edizioni in 2000 for the exhibition Italy, Japan. Exotic wood and stained ash circular pedestal. Pro...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Furniture
Materials
Wood, Ash
Ettore Sottsass furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Ettore Sottsass furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Ettore Sottsass furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 389 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 188 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Ettore Sottsass were created in the modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Gaetano Pesce, Alessandro Mendini, and VG-VGnewtrend. Prices for Ettore Sottsass furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $104 and can go as high as $88,999, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,267.
Creators Similar to Ettore Sottsass
Questions About Ettore Sottsass Furniture
- Why is Ettore Sottsass famous?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024Ettore Sottsass is famous for his work as an architect and an industrial designer, which spurred a revolution in the aesthetics and technology of modern design in the late 20th century. He was the oldest member of the Memphis Group, a design collective formed in Milan in 1980. Having grown disillusioned by the staid, black-and-brown corporatized modernism that had become endemic in the 1970s, the Memphis Group produced bold, brash, colorful, yet quirkily minimal designs for furniture, glassware, ceramics and metalwork. They mocked high status by building furniture with inexpensive materials, such as plastic laminates, decorated to resemble exotic finishes like animal skins. Other than his Ultrafragola mirror (1970), Sottsass's most-recognized designs appeared in the first Memphis collection, issued in 1981. They include the multihued, angular Carlton room divider and Casablanca bookcase. Shop a diverse assortment of Ettore Sotsass furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
- Where is Ettore Sottsass from?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Ettore Sottsass was from Innsbruck, Austria. He was born there on September 14, 1917, but he moved to Turin, Italy, as a child. The Italian architect and designer died in Milan, Italy, on December 31, 2007. You'll find a variety of Ettore Sottsass furniture and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
- What did Ettore Sottsass do?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Ettore Sottsass was an architect and designer. He founded the Memphis Group, a collective of designers active from 1981 to 1987. The Ultrafragola mirror is one of his most well-known designs. On 1stDibs, you can shop a variety of Ettore Sottsass furniture.
- What inspired Ettore Sottsass?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Ettore Sottsass was inspired by many things, including pop culture, travel and various cultures from around the world. His primary objective of his work was to bring out the deeper beauty of whatever he created. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Ettore Sottsass furniture.
- What did Ettore Sottsass design?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Ettore Sottsass was a famous 20th century architect and designer known for his work in furniture, lighting, jewelry and more, as well as from his work in designing buildings. He was Italian, though he was born in Austria, and lived from 1917 to 2007. Shop a range of Ettore Sottsass pieces on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To pronounce Ettore Sottsass, say "AY-tore-ee SOAT-sas." The second syllable of the designer's surname sounds similar to the word “sauce” but with a shorter, clipped vowel. On 1stDibs, find a range of Ettore Sottsass furniture.
- Where did Ettore Sottsass study?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Ettore Sottsass studied at the Politecnico di Torino in Turin, Italy. In 1939, he graduated from the institution with a degree in architecture. Sottsass began working as an artist and designer in the late 1940s. He produced furniture, ceramics, paintings, sculptures and jewelry. Find a variety of Ettore Sottsass furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024Ettore Sottsass used a variety of materials over the course of his career. The Italian artist experimented with glass, ceramics, enamel, brass, textiles and more. Along with fellow members of the Memphis Group, he skewed expectations for furniture by using inexpensive materials such as plastic laminates decorated to resemble exotic finishes like animal skins. He also revolutionized ceramics through the pieces he created for the Italian maker Bitossi. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Ettore Sottsass art.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Ettore Sottsass's father, also named Ettore Sottsass, designed modernist architecture. He worked for the firm Movimento Italiano per l'Architettura Razionale or MIAR. Giuseppe Pagano was the company's head architect. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Ettore Sottsass furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Ettore Sottsass did not design the Carlton room divider for a specific patron or client. He created the piece while working with the Memphis Group, an art collective that held joint shows from 1981 to 1987. Find a selection of Ettore Sottsass furniture on 1stDibs.
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