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.
“Murmansk” Coffee Table by Ettore Sottsass for Rossi e Arcandi, Italy 1980's
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Striking and sculptural “Murmansk” coffee table designed by Ettore Sottsass and produced by Rossi e Arcandi, Vicenza, Italy. This impressive piece captures Sottsass’s postmodern mast...
Steel, Nickel
Ettore Sottsass Tony Table Post-Modern Italy, circa 1970
By Ettore Sottsass, Anthologie Quartett 1
Located in Vienna, AT
A fine example of the work of Ettore Sottsass, the Tony 3 table was imagined by the famous designer in 1979. This piece was published by Anthology Quartett around 1984. It is charact...
Plastic, Wood
Ettore Sottsass Coffee Table for Poltronova, 1959, Italy.
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brussels, BE
Ettore Sottsass rare coffee table for Poltronova, 1959, Italy. Walnut, cherry wood and brass top. Black metal feet. Dimensions: 80cm W, 80 cm D, 40 cm H. Original unrestored collecto...
Metal, Brass
Park Lane Coffee Table by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Park Lane coffee table in fiberglass & marble by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano collection Additional information: Coffee table in fi...
Fiberglass
"Filicudi" coffee table by Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini for Zanotta 1993
By Ettore Sottsass, Marco Zanini, Zanotta
Located in Renens, CH
Coffee table form the "Filicudi" series by Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini for Zanotta Italy 1993. Beautiful and sculptural coffee table which stands on four diabolo shaped beachwo...
Laminate, Pearwood
Ettore Sottsass Rectangular Wooden Coffee Table by Poltronova 1960s Italy
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Cascina, Pisa
A rectangular low coffee table entirely made in wood, designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Agliana 1960s. The son of an architect, Ettore Sottsass Jr. (1917-2007) was born i...
Wood
Ettore Sottsass Custom Burl & Oak Coffee Table from Max Palevsky Residence, 1984
By Ettore Sottsass, Sottsass Associati
Located in Kansas City, MO
This one of a kind custom coffee table designed by Ettore Sottsass is from the Max Palevsky Residence, Malibu, CA. Beautiful burl wood top with oak frame and polished aluminum feet. ...
Chrome, Aluminum
Ettore Sottsass Central Park Cocktail Table in Marble, Rare, 1983
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare Central Park cocktail table designed in 1983 by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll Studio, comprising a floating, Emperador Dark marble base and eight Nero Marquina marble columns with i...
Marble
Coffee Table in Laminated Wood by Ettore Sottsass for Alessi, Italy
By Alessi, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milan, Italy
A beautiful coffee table in laminated wood designed by Ettore Sottsass for Alessi, circa 1990. Biography Ettore Sottsass (Italian, 1917–2007) was an architect and designer, labeled ...
Wood
Vintage 'Donau' Collection Coffee Table by Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini
By Marco Zanini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Incredibly rare and exceptional post-modern coffee table by the two of the masters of design, Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini. Table is executed in birds eye maple has blue tubular ...
Wood
Ettore Sottsass, Square Coffee Table, Poltronova, Italy 1950s
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Ettore Sottsass Square Living Room Table manufactured circa 1959 by Poltronova, Italy teak with patinated metal legs, on adjustable brass feet 77cm wide, 77cm deep, 38cm high Litera...
Metal, Brass
21st Century by E.Sottsass "Jaipur" Marble Coffee Table with Crystal Top
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in massa, IT
Name: JAIPUR Materials: Bianco Carrara + Verde Aver +crystal Size: cm. 120 x 120 x H 38 Designed by: Ettore Sottsass.
Marble
Ettore Sottsass, Pirulino Coffee Table, model TC70, 1963
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Ettore Sottsass Pirulino Coffee Table, model TC70 designed in 1963 and manufactured by Poltronova, Italy rosewood and ash woods, fitted two back-to-back drawers, on castors with part...
Ash, Rosewood
Park Coffee Table by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Park coffee table in marble, metal and glass by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano collection Additional information: ...
Glass
H 27.56 in Dm 57.09 in
Ettore Sottsas Ospite Table Zanotta Postmodern, 1980s
By Zanotta, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Ettore Sottsass's Ospite dining table. Designed in 1984 and produced by Zanotta. Painted brier veneer top and three brass silver legs.
Brass
H 27.76 in Dm 51.19 in
Ettore Sottsass Lotto Rosso / Super Loto Dining Table, Poltronova, Italy, 1970s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A Lotto Rosso / Super Loto dining table designed by Ettore Sottsass and produced by Poltronova, Italy, 1970s. In very good original condition. Fast ship...
Granite, Metal
H 12.6 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
"Marcuso" Square Chrome Coffee Table by Marco Zanuso for Zanotta, Italy 1970s
By Zanotta, Marco Zanuso
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Mid-Century “Marcuso” square coffee in chrome plated metal completed by a thick square shaped glass. This stylish table designed by Marco Zanuso and produced by Zanotta in ...
Crystal, Chrome
H 16.54 in W 16.54 in D 16.54 in
Mimosa End Table with Glass Top, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Mimosa end table in plastic laminate with glass top, designed in 1984, by Ettore Sottsass. Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. In 1939 he graduated in architecture at the...
Glass, Plastic
H 16 in W 39 in D 39 in
Post Modern Black Marble Pedestal Base Coffee Table Made in Italy c 1970’s
Located in New York, NY
Stunning graphic back and white marble coffee table having a square pedestal base ( 16 x 16 x H 15 ) with a square top ( 39 x 39 x 1 ). The table is in excellent original condition ...
Marble
H 29.53 in W 78.75 in D 35.44 in
Tecnika desk by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova Design Center, Italy, 1970's
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in TOURS, FR
Tecnika model desk produced by Poltronova in the late 1960s / 1970's. This piece is often attributed to Ettore Sottsass, whose collaboration with Poltronova defined much of the compa...
Chrome
H 16.5 in Dm 16.93 in
Memphis Milano Hyatt Table by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Toronto, ON
Imposing and superb, Hyatt by Ettore Sottsass evokes the structure of the classical column with the “capital” equal to the base. A side table that certainly does not go unnoticed for...
Metal, Chrome
H 28.75 in W 63 in D 33.5 in
Ettore Sottsass City Dining Table for Memphis Milano, 1983
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Kansas City, MO
Ettore Sottsass "City" dining table in black and brown spotted laminate with chrome plated steel legs. Very good condition with light scratches seen upon close inspection in raking ...
Steel, Chrome
H 13.5 in W 70 in D 18 in
Vintage Modern Coffee Table by Lane
By Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish midcentury coffee table by Lane Furniture Company, circa 1960s. Ample table surface area, uniquely sculpted legs, one drawer un...
Wood
H 28.75 in W 70.87 in D 35.44 in
Alicudi Dining Table by Ettore Sottsass for Zanotta, Italy
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Conversano, IT
Designed by Ettore Sottsass and produced by Zanotta in the early 1990s, the Alicudi table represents one of the most refined expressions of the master’s exploration of color, form, a...
Laminate, Wood, Cherry
H 39.25 in Dm 24 in
Ettore Sottsass 'Ivory' Pedestal for Memphis Milano
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Dallas, TX
Ettore Sottsass 'Ivory' Pedestal for Memphis Milano, 1985.
Laminate
H 16 in W 66 in D 20.25 in
Mid-century Coffee Table by Lane
By Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nice midcentury coffee table by Lane Furniture Co. Interesting design with two tiers, rounded edges, and a storage compartment. Woven ...
Wood
H 16.54 in W 27.56 in D 50.4 in
Filicudi Coffee table by Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini for Zanotta, 1993
By Ettore Sottsass, Marco Zanini, Zanotta
Located in Renens, CH
Coffee table form the "Filicudi" series by Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini for Zanotta Italy 1993. Beautiful and sculptural coffee table which stands on four diabolo shaped beachwo...
Laminate, Pearwood
H 17.5 in W 42.75 in D 42.75 in
'Holebid’ Low Coffee Table by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in New York, NY
‘Holebid’ Low Coffee Table by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection, featuring a stacked wood detail with different color hues, executed in plastic laminate and briarwood. In...
Plastic, Laminate, Wood
H 23.63 in Dm 19.69 in
Primavera Table by Ettore Sottsass for Ultime Edizioni
By Ultima Edizione, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milan, Italy
Primavera coffee tables model in black marble and painted metal, designed by Ettore Sottsass and produced by Ultime Edizioni, 1980. Biography Ettore Sottsass (14 September 1917 – 31...
Marble, Metal
H 20.87 in Dm 19.69 in
Primavera Table by Ettore Sottsass for Ultime Edizioni
By Ultima Edizione, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milan, Italy
Primavera coffee tables model in black marble and painted metal, designed by Ettore Sottsass and produced by Ultime Edizioni, 1980. Biography Ettore Sottsass (14 September 1917 – 31...
Marble, Metal
H 17.52 in W 58.66 in D 53.15 in
Ettore Sottsass Coffee Table, circa 1970, Italy
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Girona, Spain
DESCRIPTION: Ettore Sottsass Coffee table, can be divided into 7 parts giving the possibility of dozens of combinations. Very decorative piece ma...
Wood
H 8.27 in Dm 23.63 in
Loto Coffee Table, Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, 1980
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The small white marble Loto Coffee Table, designed by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova in 1980, is a luxurious and sophisticated interpretation of the iconic piece. The choice of white...
Marble
H 16.54 in W 50.4 in D 27.56 in
Ettore Sottsass coffee table mod. Alicudi, prod. Zanotta, 1990s
By Ettore Sottsass, Zanotta
Located in Rivoli, IT
Beautiful rectangular-shaped coffee table designed by Ettore Sottsass for Zanotta in the 1990s. The wooden frame features a multicolor laminate top. Under the base is in Manufacturer...
Laminate, Wood
H 17.92 in W 39.38 in D 23.63 in
Tony Table by Ettore Sottsass, design 1979
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
A beautiful example of Ettore Sottsass' work, the Table Tony No.3 was conceived by the renowned designer in 1979. This particular piece was published by Anthologie Quartett around 19...
Laminate, Wood
H 17.33 in W 27.76 in D 11.42 in
Coffee Table By Ettore Sottsass And Marco Zanini For Zanotta, 1990s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in PARIS, FR
Alicudi coffee table by the designer Ettore Sottsass (1917-2007) and Marco Zanini for the publisher Zanotta, from the 1990s. Wooden table with polychrome geometric patterns. In very ...
Wood
Coffee table 'PARK LANE', designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1983, Italy.
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Berlin, Berlin
Coffee table 'PARK LANE', designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1983, Italy. Fiberglass construction in black and green with a black and white veined marble top. Literature: -Gramigna, G...
Marble
H 16.93 in Dm 16.93 in
Hyatt Table by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Iconic Hyatt coffee table designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1984 for Memphis.
Metal
H 15.36 in W 60.24 in D 18.9 in
Sottsass Coffee Table for Poltronova, 1959, Italy
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brussels, BE
Coffee table designed in 1959, by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova. Teak, black metal frame, black metal and brass feet. Dimensions: W 153 cm, H 39 cm, D 48 cm. Bibliography: Domus Apr...
Metal, Brass