Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
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.
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Creator: Ettore Sottsass
Ettore Sottsass original early edition mirror by Santambrogio & De Berti, 1958
By Ettore Sottsass, Santambrogio & De Berti
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A rare and original early edition mirror by Ettore Sottsass. Produced by Santambrogio & De Berti, Italy, 1958
This striking mirror, an original creation by Ettore Sottsass, features...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Brass
20th Century Ettore Sottsass Mirror Ultrafragola for Poltronova
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
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...
Category
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Opal
Ettore Sottsass 1st Series Ultrafragola Mirror Object 1970 for Poltronova Milano
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Munster, NRW
Original 1st edition model of the Ultrafragola Mirror designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova.
Light up mirror with acrylic shell made of layered waves around the central mirror...
Category
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Plastic
Original LED Ultrafragola Mirror Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Ultrafragola mirror, designed by Ettore Sottsass in the 1970s.
Original recent production mirror using LED lighting, made of moulded fibreglass with hard-back and shaped mirror. The...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Plastic
Ettore Sottsass, Mirror in Brass for Santambrogio and De Berti. Italy, 1960.
By Santambrogio & De Berti, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Munster, NRW
Ettore Sottsass, Mirror in Brass for Santambrogio and De Berti. Italy, 1960.
Designed by Ettore Sottsass and produced by Santambrogio & De Berti, this sculptural work showcases a re...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Brass
Ettore Sottsass Mirror for Santambrogio & De Berti, 1959
By Ettore Sottsass, Santambrogio & De Berti
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Ettore Sottsass Mirror for Santambrogio & De Berti, Oak, Italy, 1959
With this sculptural mirror designed for Santambrogio & De Berti in 1959, Ettore...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Oak
Mirror "Ultrafragola" by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, 1970s, 1st Edition
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in bruxelles, BE
First edition of the magnificent Ultrafrogola light mirror designed by Ettore Sottsass in the 70s. Wear due to time and age
FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE THE BEST PRICE
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Plastic, Mirror
Diva Mirror, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Diva Mirror with plastic laminate, was originally designed in 1984 by Ettore Sottsass.
Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. In 1939 he graduated...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Plastic
Ettore Sottsass Santambrogio & De Berti 1958''oval curved mirror.
By Ettore Sottsass, Santambrogio & De Berti
Located in Palermo, IT
Santambrogio e De Berti
Specchio curvo ovale
Vetro colorato blu, ottone e vetro specchiato.
Vetro blu curvato con incisioni argentate nel retro che assimilano e somigliano a tante g...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Art Glass, Stained Glass
Wall furniture 'Mobile Pensile Tempus' by Ettore Sottsass, 1967
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Berlin, DE
This rare and unusual piece of wall furniture was designed by the architect and designer Ettore Sottsass (1917-2007) for Poltronova. Known as the ‘Mobile Pensile Tempus’ model.
It is...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Walnut
Ultrafragola Mirror Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy 1970s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in New York, NY
Original 1st edition model of the Ultrafragola Mirror designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova. Light up mirror with acrylic shell made of layered wa...
Category
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Acrylic
Ettore Sottsass Mirror, Santambrogio e De Berti, 1950s
By Ettore Sottsass, Santambrogio & De Berti
Located in Rovereta, SM
Rare mirror by Ettore Sottsass. From a small series produced by Santambrogio and De Berti in the late 1950s. Tinted and clear mirrored glass.
This is the largest example from this se...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Brass
Ultrafragola Mirror, Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova, 1970
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Ultrafragola light mirror was designed by Ettore Sottsass, with its sinuous silhouette, evocative of a wavy feminine hair, belongs to the series of Mobili Grigi, a complete bedro...
Category
1970s Post-Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Plastic
Gli Specchi Di Dioniso 6 Wall Mirror by Ettore Sottsass for Glas Italia IN STOCK
By Glas Italia, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Dioniso6 Gli Specchi di Dioniso wall mirror is from a collection of 6 wall mirrors in different shapes and sizes characterizes by polychromatic frames composed of elements in laminat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Mirror
Ettore Sottsass wall mirror production Santambrogio&De Berti
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milano, MI
Very rare and beautiful wall mirror by Ettore Sottsass produced by Santambrogio & De Berti with brass .
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Brass
Ettore Sottsass Jr. "TOTEM" Console with Mirror for Poltronova, Italy, 1962
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milan, IT
Rare Arch. Ettore Sottsass Jr. "TOTEM" console with mirror for Poltronova
A rarely seen piece by Architect Ettore Sottsass Jr.
Reference:
E. Paoli, "Quaderni Vitrum, n°8, Specc...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Early Ultrafragola Mirror by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy, 1970s
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Antwerp, BE
The iconic Ultrafragola mirror by Ettore Sottsass is both a functional mirror and an illuminated art piece, embodying the playfu...
Category
1970s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Plastic
Ultrafragola lighted mirror designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, 80s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Iconic Ultrafragola illuminated mirror designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, 1980.
Perspex frame, neon lamps, mirrored glass, painted wood. Excellent condition, first productio...
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Glass, Plexiglass, Wood
Ettore Sottsass Post-Modernism Colored Geometric Mirror for Glas Italia 2007
By Ettore Sottsass, Glas Italia
Located in New York, NY
A modern polychromatic Memphis-style mirror designed by Ettore Sottsass, of the post-modernism movement, part of the series Gli Specchi di Dioniso produced by the Italian Company Gla...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Post-Modern Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Art Glass, Mirror, Cut Glass, Wood
Ettore Sottsass Santambrogio E De Berti Oak Wood Mirror, Italy, 1959
By Santambrogio & De Berti, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Catania, IT
Rare mirror in oak wood frame of Ettore Sottsass manufactured by Santambrogio e De Berti, 1959s.
Together with the original label.
Excellent ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Oak
Rare mirror designed by Ettore Sottsass for Santambrogio & De Berti, 1962
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Rare mirror designed by Ettore Sottsass for Santambrogio & De Berti, 1962.
Painted wooden frame, central mirrored glass , smoked glass. Excellent condition, manufactory label.
Sotts...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Brass
Ettore Sottsass Illuminated Floor Mirror Ultrafragola
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in London, GB
Mirror / lighting "Ultrafragola" was designed in 1970s by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, in vacuum-formed opaline acrylic. Ultrafragola, with its sinuous shape, evocative of a wavy female hair, belongs to the series of Grey Furniture...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Plastic
Ultrafragola Mirror/Lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Milan, Italy
This is Ultrafragola a nice mirror designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova in the 1970.
It is a translucent white plastic frame of undulating outline, concealing pink internal flu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Glass, Plastic
Ultrafragola Mirror/Lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milan, Italy
The Ultrafragola mirror / lamp with its sinuous shape, evocative of a wavy female hair, belongs to the Gray Furniture series, a complete bedroom and liv...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Glass, Plastic
20th Century Ettore Sottsass Tilting Mirror "Sandretta" Model SP63 Poltronova
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Turin, Turin
Table tilting mirror "Sandretta" model SP63 designed in 1960s by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova. Structure in wood, lacquered wood, mirrored glass, bras...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Brass
Rare mirror designed by Ettore Sottsass for Santambrogio & De Berti, 1959
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Rare mirror designed by Ettore Sottsass for Santambrogio & De Berti, 1962.
Cross-planked wooden structure. , mirrored glass.
Excellent condition, manufacturer's label.
Sottsass was...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Contemporary "Shibam 2" Totem Mirror by Ettore Sottsass Jr. for Glas Italia
By Glas Italia, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Bagnolo Mella, Brescia
A tribute to the iconic towers of Yemen's historic walled city of Shibam, this totem mirror by Ettore Sottsass Jr. is a captivating centerpiece for any interior. The mirror's design ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Granite
Pink ‘Ultrafragola’ Mirror Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in London, GB
The curvaceous pink ‘Ultrafragola’ mirror designed by Ettore Sottsass is probably the most iconic of all his many designs. Originally produced in the 1970s by Poltronova, the ‘Ultrafragola’ formed part of a series of Sottsass designs named Mobili Grigi. When illuminated, the lights within the mirror transform the white opaline acrylic shell into a stunning multi-pink display. This unique, individually numbered, re-edition piece is still produced by the same Florentine company today and is sold with a “Certificate of Authenticity”. The perfectly pink ‘selfie’ mirror!
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Glass, Acrylic
Pink ‘Ultrafragola’ Mirror Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in London, GB
The curvaceous pink ‘Ultrafragola’ mirror designed by Ettore Sottsass is probably the most iconic of all his many designs. Originally produced in the 1970s by Poltronova, the ‘Ultrafragola’ formed part of a series of Sottsass designs named Mobili Grigi. When illuminated, the lights within the mirror transform the white opaline acrylic shell into a stunning multi-pink display. This unique, individually numbered, re-edition piece is still produced by the same Florentine company today and is sold with a “Certificate of Authenticity”. The perfectly pink ‘selfie’ mirror...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Glass, Acrylic
Pink ‘Ultrafragola’ Mirror Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in London, GB
The curvaceous pink ‘Ultrafragola’ mirror designed by Ettore Sottsass is probably the most iconic of all his many designs. Originally produced in the 1970s by Poltronova, the ‘Ultrafragola’ formed part of a series of Sottsass designs named Mobili Grigi. When illuminated, the lights within the mirror transform the white opaline acrylic shell into a stunning multi-pink display. This unique, individually numbered, re-edition piece is still produced by the same Florentine company today and is sold with a “Certificate of Authenticity”. The perfectly pink ‘selfie’ mirror!
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Glass, Acrylic
Pink ‘Ultrafragola’ Mirror Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in London, GB
The curvaceous pink ‘Ultrafragola’ mirror designed by Ettore Sottsass is probably the most iconic of all his many designs. Originally produced in the 1970s by Poltronova, the ‘Ultrafragola’ formed part of a series of Sottsass designs named Mobili Grigi. When illuminated, the lights within the mirror transform the white opaline acrylic shell into a stunning multi-pink display. This unique, individually numbered, re-edition piece is still produced by the same Florentine company today and is sold with a “Certificate of Authenticity”. The perfectly pink ‘selfie’ mirror!
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Glass, Acrylic
Ettore Sottsass Pink Neon Lamp "Ultrafragola" Italian Mirror, Ready to Ship
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Madrid, ES
Available for immediate delivery.
A colorful iconic mirror model "Ultrafragola" designed by Ettore Sottsass and edited by Poltronova. Made of white perp...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Steel
Gli Specchi Di Dioniso 4 Wall Mirror by Ettore Sottsass for Glas Italia IN STOCK
By Glas Italia, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Dioniso4 Gli Specchi di Dioniso wall mirror is from a collection of 6 wall mirrors in different shapes and sizes characterizes by polychromatic frames composed of elements in laminat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Mirror
Ettore Sottsass Wall Mirror Made by Santambrogio E De Berti, circa 1950
By Ettore Sottsass, Santambrogio & De Berti
Located in Rovereta, SM
Rare mirror by Ettore Sottsass. From a small series produced by Santambrogio and De Berti in the late 1950s. Tinted and clear mirrored glass.
This is the largest example from this s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Mirror
Ettore Sottsass for Santambrogio & De Berti "Oak" Wood Wall Mirror, Italy 1960s
By Santambrogio & De Berti, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Naples, IT
Rare mirror in wood frame of Ettore Sottsass manufactured by Santambrogio e De Berti, 1959s.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Ettore Sottsass for Santambrogio & De Berti Wall Mirror, Italy 1950s
By Santambrogio & De Berti, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Naples, IT
Very rare mirror by Ettore Sottsass, produced by Santambrogio and De Berti in the late 1950s. Pink and clear colored mirrored glass with brass top and bottom frames and black painted...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Brass
Gli Specchi Di Dioniso 3 Wall Mirror by Ettore Sottsass for Glas Italia IN STOCK
By Glas Italia, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Dioniso3 Gli Specchi di Dioniso wall mirror is from a collection of 6 wall mirrors in different shapes and sizes characterizes by polychromatic frames composed of elements in laminat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Mirror
Ettore Sottsass Santambrogio & De Berti Mirror in wood "Oak," Italy 60'
By Ettore Sottsass, Santambrogio & De Berti
Located in Rovereta, SM
Rare mirror in wooden frame by Ettore Sottsass produced by Santambrogio & De Berti, 1959s.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Mirror Signed by "Ettore Sottsass Produced by Glas Italia" Italy 2007
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Dioniso 1 mirror of early production designed by Ettore Sottsass in 2007 for Glas Italia 2007, comprises white, orange, red, and yellow colored glass in geometric shapes that surroun...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Mirror
Mid-Century Modern Mirror by Ettore Sottsass for Santambrogio e De Berti, 1950s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Mirror by Ettore Sottsass for Santambrogio e De Berti, 1950s
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Glass, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Mirror by Ettore Sottsass, Italy, 1950s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Mirror by Ettore Sottsass, Italy, 1950s
Ettore Sottsass (14 September 1917 – 31 December 2007) was an Italian architect. He was notable for his furniture, jewelle...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Wood
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 Mirrors
Materials
Marble
Mirror Designed and Signed by Ettore Sottsass, 2007 Made in Italy
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Dioniso four mirror of early production designed by Ettore Sottsass for Glas Italia in 2007 comprises orange, white, and black colored glass in geometric shapes that surround the cen...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
Materials
Mirror
Ettore Sottsass mirrors for sale on 1stDibs.
Ettore Sottsass mirrors are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of glass and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Ettore Sottsass mirrors, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 16 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 18 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original mirrors by Ettore Sottsass were created in the modern style in europe during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider mirrors by FIAM, Fratelli Tosi, and Kartell. Prices for Ettore Sottsass mirrors can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,000 and can go as high as $75,474, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $10,541.
Creators Similar to Ettore Sottsass
Questions About Ettore Sottsass Mirrors
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024The 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.
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