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.
Ettore Sottsass Chandelier, 1970
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare ‚Bruco‘ chandelier designed by Ettore Sottsass for Design Centre / Poltronova in 1970. Minimalist chrome structure with a large methacrylate diffuser. Very nice original conditi...
Aluminum, Chrome
Italian Firenze Yellow Glass Chandelier, Ettore Sottsass For Venini, 1990
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brussels, BE
Italian Firenze Yellow Glass Chandelier, Ettore Sottsass For Venini, 1990
Glass
Venini Firenze Pendant Light in Brown and Yellow by Ettore Sottsass
By Venini, Ettore Sottsass
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 ...
Blown Glass
White Lampros Pendant by Ettore Sottsass for Stilnovo, 1970
By Ettore Sottsass, Stilnovo
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Large Lampros pendant designed by Ettore Sottsass Jr. and produced by Stilnovo in the 1970s. This disc-shaped model consists of a white aluminium shade and three chromed metal refle...
Metal
Italian modern yellow glass chandelier Firenze, Ettore Sottsass for Venini, 1990
By Venini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern yellow glass chandelier Firenze, Ettore Sottsass for Venini, 1990. Florence model chandelier composed of a series of transparent and yellow glass spheres of different ...
Metal
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 ...
Glass
Quisisiana Ceiling Lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Collection
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Painted metal ceiling lamp. Quisisiana (from the Latin quid est sana, which means “what is healthy”) is the melodious name chosen by Sottsass for this lamp that assembles interconnec...
Metal
Ettore Sottsass for Vistosi Glass Pendant, Italy, 1970s
By Vistosi, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Dronten, NL
An elegant and rare glass pendant light designed by Ettore Sottsass for Vistosi in the 1970s. This sculptural piece exemplifies the refined yet experimental sensibility that defines...
Steel
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...
Metal, Chrome
"Manifesto"
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Paris, FR
Designed by Ettore Sottsass for the Milanese editor Stilnovo in the 1970s, the "Manifesto" ceiling lights are a singular and revolutionary design, representative of the avant-garde e...
Metal, Aluminum
Ettore Sottsass for Stilnovo, 'Manifesto' Ceiling Lamp, 1970, Short Blue Version
By Ettore Sottsass, Stilnovo
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...
Metal, Chrome
21st Century Firenze Flush Light in Crystal/Sapphire 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 ...
Glass
H 28.75 in W 66.93 in D 11.82 in
21st Century, 3 Lights Billiard Chandelier in Golden Bronze
By Oggetti D'Arte
Located in Calenzano, FI
3 Lights billiard chandelier in patinated gold bronze. The metal parts are in patinated gold bronze. Each object is handcrafted and the care for every detail makes each item unique ...
Bronze
H 14.57 in W 13.39 in D 8.67 in
Ettore Sottsass Valigia Table Lamp by Stilnovo, Italy, 1977
By Stilnovo, Ettore Sottsass
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...
Metal
H 31.5 in Dm 10.04 in
Ettore Sottsass for Stilnovo, 'Manifesto' Ceiling Lamp, 1970, Short Blue Version
By Ettore Sottsass, Stilnovo
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...
Metal, Chrome
H 46.66 in Dm 10.04 in
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...
Metal, Chrome
H 76.78 in W 39.38 in D 5.12 in
20th Century Ettore Sottsass Mirror Ultrafragola for Poltronova
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Turin, Turin
Ettore Sottsass was a 20th-century Italian architect, noted for also designing furniture, jewellery, glass, lighting, home and office wares, as well as numerous buildings and interio...
Opal
H 31.5 in W 63 in D 13.39 in
21st Century, 3 Lights Billiard Chandelier in Porcelain and Golden Bronze
By Oggetti D'Arte
Located in Calenzano, FI
3 Lights billiard chandelier in porcelain and patinated gold bronze. The parts in porcelain are decorated in pure gold decorations. The metal parts are in patinated gold bronze. Eac...
Bronze
H 10.24 in Dm 15.75 in
21st Century Firenze Flush Light in Crystal/Sapphire 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 ...
Glass
H 31.5 in Dm 20.87 in
1950s Blue Counterweight Pendant by Gaetano Sciolari for Stilnovo
By Gaetano Sciolari, Stilnovo
Located in Antwerp, BE
A very rare pendant in enameled metal, deep blue metal and custom brass ceiling plate, solid brass pulley. The height can be adjusted by raising or lowering the counter weight and ea...
Metal, Brass
H 32.68 in Dm 15.75 in
Murano Reticello Pendant by Carlo Scarpa for Venini
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian pendant with Murano glass body and diffuser hand blown in the "Reticello" technique on brass frame, designed by Carlo Scarpa for Venini, made in Italy circa 1950s Dia...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
H 23.63 in Dm 10.63 in
Venini Bhusanam Table Lamp in Aquamarine by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Bhusanam table lamp in Aquamarine by Ettore Sottsass. Numbered Edition for year Year of Manufacture: 1994 - 2017 Metal: Blue Painted Color: Aquamarine Measurements: Ø 1...
Glass
H 18.51 in Dm 12.6 in
Venini Darpanah Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
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....
Blown Glass
H 18.9 in Dm 15.36 in
Venini Kiritam Table Lamp by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Venini Kiritam table lamp by Ettore Sottsass. Numbered Edition for year Marble Base Color: Milk-White/Aquamarine Measurements: Ø 15.35"" H 18.89"" 1 x max E27 10W LED + 3 x ma...
Glass
H 45.28 in Dm 31.5 in
Ettore Sottsass for Stilnovo painted and chromed metal chandelier 1970
By Ettore Sottsass, Stilnovo
Located in Paris, IDF
This nice large chandelier was designed by Ettore Sottsass Jr for Stilnovo in Italy in the late 1970, model 19022. It consists of a large flat disc made of black painted aluminium, w...
Metal
H 31.5 in Dm 10.04 in
"Manifesto" lamp - Ettore Sottsass for Stilnovo - Italy - 1970s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milano, IT
Extraordinary specimen of the iconic Manifesto lamp, designed in the 1970s by legendary Italian architect and designer Ettore Sottsass for renowned lighting brand Stilnovo. This part...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
H 43.31 in Dm 9.45 in
Three vintage 'Manifesto' Ettore Sottsass for STILNOVO pendant lamps, Published
By Ettore Sottsass, Stilnovo
Located in Milano, IT
Enter a realm where vintage allure meets futuristic flair with the hypnotic trio of 'Manifesto' pendant lamps (model '19061') by visionary designer Ettore Sottsass for STILNOVO, dati...
Aluminum
H 41.25 in W 31.5 in D 11 in
Ettore Sottsass "Bruco" luminous ceiling fixture for Poltronova, Italy, 1970s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Skokie, IL
Ettore Sottsass rare model "Bruco" luminous hanging ceiling fixture for Design Centre / Poltronova, Italy, circa 1970s Rare model "Bruco" ceiling pendant lamp from the Mobili Grigi ...
Steel, Aluminum
H 39.38 in Dm 16.54 in
Italian modern multicolored glass Formosa chandelier by E. Sottsass, Venini 1989
By Ettore Sottsass, Venini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern multicolored glass Formosa chandelier by Ettore Sottsass for Venini, 1989. Formosa model multicolored glass chandelier, with structure and plate in chromed brass, cent...
Brass
H 21 in Dm 31 in
Ettore Sottsass Chandelier for Stilnovo, Italy, 1970's
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual chandelier from the 1970's by Ettore Sottsass, produced by Stilnovo, Italy. Futuristic design with three aluminum reflectors and matching domes on top.
Aluminum
H 46.46 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Pendant Light by Ettore Sottsass for Skipper Vintage Italy, 1970s-1980s
By Ettore Sottsass, Skipper
Located in Milano, IT
Pendant light designed by Ettore Sottsass (1917-2007) for Skipper. Lacquered aluminium. Model: Hikary. Manufactured in Italy, 1970s-1980s.
Aluminum
H 42.52 in Dm 31.5 in
Stilnovo Ettore Sottsass Jr. Chandelier, Italy, 1970
By Ettore Sottsass, Stilnovo
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Nice and rare large chandelier designed by Ettore Sottsass Jr and made by Stilnovo, Italy, 1970. This is for a very nice disc shaped chandelier with...
Aluminum
H 31.5 in Dm 23.63 in
Ettore Sottsass Jr Stilnovo Chandelier Lamp, Italy, 1970
By Ettore Sottsass, Stilnovo
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Nice and rare chandelier designed by Ettore Sottsass Jr and made by Stilnovo, Italy, 1970. This is for a very nice disc shaped chandelier with a bla...
Aluminum
H 31.5 in Dm 9.85 in
Ettore Sottsass "Manifesto" Suspension Lamp for Stilnovo, 1970
By Ettore Sottsass, Stilnovo
Located in Milano, Lombardia
"Manifesto" suspension lamp designed by Ettore Sottsass for Stilnovo in 1970. Polished aluminium structure, lacquered aluminium diffuser. Good original vintage conditions.
Aluminum
Large Ettore Sottsass 'Lampros 3' Chandelier for Stilnovo, circa 1970
By Stilnovo, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Ettore Sottsass Lampros 3 chandelier for Stilnovo, circa 1970. Executed in black painted aluminium and chromed metal with manufacturer's mark engraved on metal. A sophisticated and minimally refined design by an increasingly sought after Italian master, this is the piece to invest in and marvel at. Documented in the Stilnovo catalog #40, p.77. Ettore Sottsass, (born Sept. 14, 1917, Innsbruck, Austria-Hungary—died Dec. 31, 2007, Milan, Italy) was an Italian Industrial designer who brought bold colors, contemporary style, and ironic wit to everyday items, creating strikingly postmodern lighting...
Metal, Chrome
Large Ettore Sottsass 'Lampros 3' Chandelier for Stilnovo, circa 1970
By Stilnovo, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Ettore Sottsass '19022 Lampros' chandelier for Stilnovo, circa 1970. Executed in lacquered aluminium and chromed metal with manufacturer's mark engraved on metal. A sophisticated and minimally refined design by an increasingly sought after Italian master, this is the piece to invest in and showcase. Documented in the Stilnovo catalog #40, p.77 Ettore Sottsass, (born Sept. 14, 1917, Innsbruck, Austria-Hungary—died Dec. 31, 2007, Milan, Italy) was an Italian Industrial designer who brought bold colors, contemporary style, and ironic wit to everyday items, creating strikingly postmodern lighting...
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome