Skip to main content

Ettore Sottsass Lighting

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. 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.

to
6
83
13
71
30
Height
to
Width
to
93
41
28
28
27
28
27
28
27
28
27
28
33
23
1
70
30
10
57
1
5
1
24
25
7
76
40
23
18
10
96
89
4
2
1
101
74
77
409
1,459
1,199
1,065
1,061
Creator: Ettore Sottsass
Dorane Table Lamp by Etorre Sottsass for Stilnovo in Original Box
By Ettore Sottsass, Stilnovo
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This particular example is in perfect unused condition, it comes in it's original box from 1970's -80's and is one of three different models of these lamps that we have in stock.They...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Metal

21st Century Firenze Flush Light in Crystal/Sapphire by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Regardless of their size, small or large, the luminous sculptures by Ettore Sottsass bring to mind the idea and image of the Florentine lily. Revealed ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Glass

Ettore Sottsass Don Lamp
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Playful reading lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Stilnovo. Aptly called the "Don", this lamp nods (or bows) its straight neck from an emerald cube base, topped by an adjustable shade in t...
Category

1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Metal

Callimaco Limited Edition Black Version by Ettore Sottsass for Artemide, 1982
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Callimaco floor lamp mod. designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1982 for Artemide. Limited edition, black version, emblematic lamp of Sottsass Radical Design that brings artistic and concep...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Steel

Italian Modern Glass Floor Lamp Allarnisam by Ettore Sottsass for Venini, 1990s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Glass Floor lamp Allarnisam by Ettore Sottsass for Venini, 1990s Floor lamp mod. Allarnisam with diffuser composed of 4 cylind...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Metal

21st Century Ettore Sottsass Nopuram Table Lamp in Green/Light Pink/Red
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Appealing in shape and glow, it is tinged with a hint of Sapphire and Pink. Darpanah fascinates the viewer. Its powerful aesthetics urged Ettore Sottsass to turn to Sanskrit for insp...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Glass

Lampada da terra 'Callimaco' Ettore Sottsass per Artemide anni 80
By Ettore Sottsass, Artemide
Located in Milano, IT
Lampada da terra anni '80 modello 'Callimaco' disegnata da Ettore Sottsass per una produzione Artemide. La lampada presenta una base e un paralume di forma conica in acciaio vernicia...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Steel

Ashoka Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in New York, NY
The Ashoka table lamp, designed by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano, takes its name from the Emperor of the Maurya Empire. The lamp is crafted in enameled and chrome-plated materia...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Metal, Enamel, Chrome

Floor Lamp Moonlight by Ettore Sottsass for Arredoluce, Italy, 1970s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Antwerp, BE
Model 14104 Moonlight floor lamp by Ettore Sottsass, crafted in the 1970s for Arredoluce. This striking lamp features a blend of chrome-plated stainless steel, lacquered metal, and neon, embodying Sottsass' avant-garde aesthetic. The Moonlight lamp...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Metal, Steel

Italian modern grey and white metal floor lamp by Sottsass for Bieffeplast 1980s
By Bieffeplast, Ettore Sottsass
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern grey and white metal floor lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Bieffeplast, 1980s. Floor lamp composed of a central rod in gray painted metal and two cylinders which make up o...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Metal

Pair of Ettore Sottsass for Bitossi Glazed Ceramic Lamps
By Bitossi, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An early lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Bitossi, this line of tri-glazed vessels and lamps were commissioned by the Italian ceramicist for a D...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Brass

'Siluro' Floor Lamp Angelo Lelli, Ettore Sottsass for Arredoluce, Italy, 1957
By Arredoluce, Alfred Lelli, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Naples, IT
Floor lamp model 12628 design Angelo Lelli and Ettore Sottsass for Arredoluce. Made of marble, lacquered metal, perplex and brass. It appears in the reasoned catalog 1943-1987, pag...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Marble, Metal, Brass

Ettore Sottsass Valigia Table Lamp by Stilnovo, Italy, 1977
By Ettore Sottsass, Stilnovo
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Four-legged table lamp model Valigia designed by Ettore Sottsass Jr, manufactured by Stilnovo, Italy, 1977. This funny shaped floor lamp is very typical out of the box thinking by Et...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Metal

Ettore Sottsass "Pausania" Table Lamp
By Artemide, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Table lamps by the master! True collector's items from Italy. Available the pair.
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Aluminum

21st Century Ettore Sottsass Darpanah Table Lamp in LightPink/MilkWhite/Sapphire
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Appealing in shape and glow, it is tinged with a hint of Sapphire and Pink. Darpanah fascinates the viewer. Its powerful aesthetics urged Ettore Sottsass to turn to Sanskrit for insp...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Glass

Olivetti Synthesis Colibri pair of floor lamp Ettore Sottsass 1973
By Olivetti, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Taranto, IT
Olivetti Synthesis Colibri pair of floor lamp Ettore Sottsass 1973. Measures: Height 188 cm Width 33 cm In good conservative condition, present signs of time due to use and age...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Metal

Italian Mid-Century Steel Valigia Floor Table Lamp by Sottsass Stilnovo, 1970
By Ettore Sottsass, Stilnovo
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century steel Valigia floor or table lamp by Sottsass for Stilnovo, 1970s Valigia table or floor lamp with tubular structure in white painted tubular steel. The sheet me...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Metal, Steel

Valigia Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Stilnovo, 1977
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in PARIS, FR
Valigia floor or table lamp by Sottsass for Stilnovo, 1970s Valigia table or floor lamp with tubular structure in white painted tubular steel. The sheet metal lampshade is bicol...
Category

1970s Italian Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Metal

Ettore Sottsass Halo Click 2 Table Lamp Black Philips 1988
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Nice ‘Halo Click 2’ table lamp designed by Ettore Sottsass and manufactured by Philips, Holland 1988. This rare dark grey table lamp was designed by Ettore ...
Category

1980s Dutch Post-Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Metal

Pair of Floor Lamps By Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Two pairs available. Designed by Ettore Sottsass for an hotel in Milano.
Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Brass

Postmodern Green Black Vintage Table Lamp Pausania by Ettore Sottsass Jr Italy
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Vienna, AT
Modern green and black Ettore Sottsass jr. vintage table lamp 1982, model Pausania, executed by Artemide Italy. This table lamp, which is no longer in production, features chromed me...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Metal, Sheet Metal

Don Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in London, England
Ettore Sottsass (1917-2007) was a renowned Italian architect and designer, celebrated for his profound influence on 20th-century design and his pivotal role in the Memphis Group, a g...
Category

1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Metal

Ettore Sottsass for Stilnovo, 'Manifesto' Ceiling Lamp 1970, Longest Red Version
By Stilnovo, Ettore Sottsass
Located in London, GB
Ettore Sottsass, Austria/Italy (designer) Stilnovo, Italy (manufacturer) 'Manifesto' ceiling lamp, designed 1970 Chrome-plated and red lacquered metal shade. Original bulb holde...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Ashoka Metal Table Lamp USA 110 Volts, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano C.
By Memphis Group, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
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 Lighting

Materials

Metal

Lamp "Caribe" by Targetti Sankey for Fiorucci, 1970s
By Targetti Sankey, Ettore Sottsass
Located in taranto, IT
Splendid very rare "caribe" lamp produced by targetti sankey for Fiorucci, original of the time, unobtainable and never seen version in bronze and brass Probably a prototype that ne...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Ashoka Metal Table Lamp 'EU' 220 Volts, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano
By Memphis Group, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
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 Lighting

Materials

Metal

Venini Darpanah Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass
By Venini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Darpanah table lamp by Ettore Sottsass. Numbered Edition for year Year of Manufacture: 1994-2017 Metal White Painted Color: Milk-White/Sapphire/Pink Measurements: Ø 12....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Blown Glass

Modern Colored Steel Callimaco Floor Lamp by Sottsass for Artemide 1980s
By Artemide, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Created in the early 1980s by the great designer Ettore Sottsass, Callimaco is an object with an ambiguous and ironic design, a luminous sculpture inspired by the famous Greek artist...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Steel

King's Floor Lamp EU 220 V. by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
King's floor lamp EU wiring 220 V. in Metal and Glass by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano collection Additional Information: Floor lamp in metal and glass. Collection: Memphis...
Category

2010s Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Metal

Ettore Sottsass for Staff ID-S Edition Floor Lamp, 1980s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Naples, IT
This floor lamp was designed by Ettore Sottsass in the 1980s. This Ettore Sottsass floor lamp model ID-S is produced by the Italian company Staff. The floor lamp has black in color. ...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Steel

Lampada da terra 'Callimaco' Ettore Sottsass per Artemide anni 80
By Artemide, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milano, IT
Lampada da terra anni '80 modello 'Callimaco' disegnata da Ettore Sottsass per una produzione Artemide. La lampada presenta una base e un paralume di forma conica in acciaio vernicia...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Steel

Halo Click Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Philips
By Ettore Sottsass, Phillips
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This rare postmodern table lamp ‘Halo Click II’ is designed by Ettore Sottsass for Philips in 1988. This rare grey table lamp was designed for the Dutch market and is very hard to fi...
Category

1980s Dutch Post-Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Metal

Callimaco floor lamp, Ettore Sottsass, Artemide, 1982
By Artemide, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Callimaco floor lamp, Ettore Sottsass, Artemide, 1982. Designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1982 for Artemide, the Callimaco floor lamp is an icon of postmodern design. With its sculptural...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

21st Century Firenze Pendant Light in Multicolour by Ettore Sottsass
By Venini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in murano, IT
Regardless of their size, small or large, the luminous sculptures by Ettore Sottsass bring to mind the idea and image of the Florentine lily. Revealed ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Glass

Dorane Table Lamp by Etorre Sottsass for Stilnovo in Original Box
By Stilnovo, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This particular example is in perfect unused condition, it comes in it's original box from 1970's -80's and is one of three different models of these lamps that we have in stock.They...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Metal

Italian Modern Murano Glass Ratrih Floor Lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Venini 1994
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern steel, marble and Murano glass Ratrih floor lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Venini in 1994. Ratrih model floor lamp, with round marble base...
Category

1990s Modern Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Marble, Steel

21st Century Ettore Sottsass Collection Ratrih Floor Lamp in Black/Milk-White
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in murano, IT
Light clad in Milk White glass, then surrounded by Black glass and metal. This work is a tribute to the night. Elegant, mysterious. Night is its name, in ancient Sanskrit: ratri?. Ra...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Glass

Ettore Sottsass for Stilnovo, 'Manifesto' Ceiling Lamp, 1970, Short Blue Version
By Stilnovo, Ettore Sottsass
Located in London, GB
Ettore Sottsass, Austria/Italy (designer) Stilnovo, Italy (manufacturer) 'Manifesto' ceiling lamp, designed 1970 Chrome-plated and blue lacquered metal shade with white interior...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Italian Mid-Century Callimaco Black Steel Floor Lamp Sottsass for Artemide, 1980
By Ettore Sottsass, Artemide
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century Callimaco black steel floor lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Artemide, 1980s. Callimaco floor lamp with conical base in black pa...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Steel

Pair of Dorane Table Lamps by Ettore Sottsass for Stilnovo, 1970s
By Ettore Sottsass, Stilnovo
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Pair of Dorane table lamps designed in 1977 by Ettore Sottsass and manufactured by Stilnovo, Milan. The base of these lamps is made of lacquered m...
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Metal

Pair of Neon Lamps by Ettore Sottsass - Edition Poltronova - circa 1970
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Pair of neon lamps by Ettore Sottsass - Edition Poltronova circa 1970 “Elledue fiberglas” table lamp or luminous headboard from the so-called “Mobili Grigi...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Fiberglass

Ettore Sottsass "Halo Click 2" Table Lamp for Philips 1988
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very rare unusual colored ‘Halo Click 2’ table lamp designed by Ettore Sottsass for Philips, Holland 1988. This rare lime green table lamp was d...
Category

1980s Dutch Post-Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Metal

Ettore Sottsass Halo Click Table Lamp Philips, 1988
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Rare ‘Halo Click 2’ table lamp designed by Ettore Sottsass for Philips, Holland 1988. This rare off-white table lamp was designed by Ettore Sottsass for the...
Category

1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Lighting

Materials

Metal

Ettore Sottsass lighting for sale on 1stDibs.

Ettore Sottsass lighting 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 lighting, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 84 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 33 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original lighting by Ettore Sottsass were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider lighting by Gae Aulenti, Achille Castiglioni, and Tommaso Barbi. Prices for Ettore Sottsass lighting can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $556 and can go as high as $54,368, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,761.
Questions About Ettore Sottsass Lighting
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Ettore 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Ettore 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
    Ettore 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Ettore 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    To 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Ettore 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 ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Ettore 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 ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
    Ettore 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, 2022
    Ettore 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, 2022
    Ettore 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024
    The Italian design group led by Italian architectural and product designer Ettore Sottsass is called the Memphis Group. To many people, postmodern design is synonymous with the Memphis Group. This Italian collaborative created the most radical and attention-getting designs of the period, upending most of the accepted standards of how furniture should look. The group decided to design, produce and market its own collection, one that wouldn’t be restricted by concerns like functionality and so-called good taste. Its debut at Milan’s 1981 Salone del Mobile drew thousands of viewers and caused a major stir in design circles. In addition to Sottsass, the members of the group included Andrea Branzi, Aldo Cibic, Michele de Lucchi, Nathalie du Pasquier, Kuramata, Paola Navone, Peter Shire, George Sowden and Barbara Radice, who was Sottsass's wife. Find a collection of Memphis Group furniture on 1stDibs.

Recently Viewed

View All