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.
20th Century, Ettore Sottsass "Tower Furniture" Series Wall Cabinet
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Turin, Turin
Ettore Sottsass grew up in Turin, and graduated in architecture from the Turin Polytechnic in 1939. In 1947, he founded his own studio in Milan. In 1956, Sottsass moved to New York w...
Metal
1993 Ettore Sottsass Interflex Italian Design Wall Hanging Fabric Tapestry
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brescia, IT
"La Buona Stella" Tapestry designer Ettore Sottsass prod. Interflex 1993 Screen-printing on quilted Fabric Tapestry Label manufacture sewing on the back Perfect Condiction Limited ...
Fabric
Italian modern red advertising sign Valentine Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti 1970s
By Ettore Sottsass, Olivetti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern red advertising sign Valentine Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti 1970s Advertising sign model Valentine in red printed plastic depicting a stylized typewriter. Produced by ...
Plastic
20th Century, Ettore Sottsass Rare Decorative Panel mod. Winter Day
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Turin, Turin
Ettore Sottsass grew up in Turin, and graduated in architecture from the Turin Polytechnic in 1939. In 1947, he founded his own studio in Milan. In 1956, Sottsass moved to New York w...
Fabric, Wood
Original Ettore Sottsass Photography Art, 1975. Signed
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Kansas City, MO
Gelatin Silver Print Laid to Board. Signed, titled and dated 'Everybody Has Done His Business... But Some Keep Playing, Ettore Sottsass Jr. 1975'. Literature: The Complete Retrospec...
Wood, Paper
Large serigraph „senza titolo“ (architectural study) by Ettore Sottsass 1986
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Beautiful and rare screen print “Senza titolo” (architectural study) by Ettore Sottsass, 1986 Produced by Kalos Arti Applicate in 1986, signed and numbered 40/100 in pencil. Framed...
Paper
Exposition "S'asseoir", 1974, Musée de Grenoble 12 Posters in DIN A2, De Sede
By Ettore Sottsass, De Sede
Located in Munster, NRW
Exposition "S'asseoir" - 1974, Musée de Grenoble 12 posters in DIN A2 (420 x 594 mm) as high-quality reprints on cardboard Wonderful hand drawings of several design classics, wh...
Paper
$1,650
H 32.75 in W 45.5 in D 1 in
Large Scale Abstract Serigraph by Dan Christensen Pencil Signed Numbered 45x32
By Dan Christensen
Located in Atlanta, GA
Large Scale Abstract Serigraph, entitled "Latuka", by Dan Christensen, circa 1981. It is from a very limited edition of only 140 and is pencil signed and numbered 15/140. It measures...
Glass, Wood, Paper
$750Sale Price|55% Off
H 54 in W 61 in D 0.25 in
Italian Tapestry, Linen Wall Hanging, Circa 1920s, 54x61 Inches
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
Italian tapestry, circa 1920s.
Linen
Vintage Advertising “SODAS” Metal Embossed Sign
Located in New York, NY
Great looking rare original large size embossed metal advertising “SODAS” sign..Looks like it came from an old country mom and pop store . All metal with a...
Metal
$1,394
H 20.08 in W 15.75 in D 8.47 in
Antique 19th Century Neoclassical Wall Cabinet / Small Cabinet Carved Oak
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Lovely antique 19th century Neoclassical wall cabinet / small cabinet Germany 1880. This German Grunderzeit cabinet is made from hand carved oak & is richly decorated. A true display of craftsmanship & quality. This cabinet has 2 doors and comes with a working lock & key. Its interior has 2 oak shelves. The cabinet has a very nice old restoration to the right side dating from the 1940s. A piece of furniture history with the right antique charm...
Brass
A Rolex Submariner Enamel Advertising Sign
By Rolex
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
An American Rolex Submariner enamel advertising sign. Large and circular, it features the iconic Rolex lettering and crown. Below, the wording mimics the style of the Submariner wris...
Metal, Enamel
Vintage Tapestry Wall Hanging Decor Hunting Scene
Located in Barntrup, DE
This colorful vintage tapestry depicts a European hunting scene from the 18th century. It is made from wool and cotton and features four loops for easy hanging. Crafted in Belgium d...
Wool, Cotton
Ron English “Inbred Hybrid” Serigraph
By Ron English
Located in Doylestown, PA
One of the most prolific and recognizable artists alive today, Ron English has bombed the global landscape with unforgettable images, on the street, in museums, in movies, books and ...
Paper
Early 20th Century Oak Wall Shelf
Located in Burton, TX
This Early 20th Century Wall Shelf was handcrafted from old growth oak in the early 1900's. The piece features gracefully curved risers that harmonizes rustic charm with a traditiona...
Oak
Lovely Large Vintage Hanging French Tapestry Wall Art
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A striking French tapestry having black background and gorgeous rich floral in gold, blue, pink and green. There's a rod opening at the top for easy hanging.
Wool, Cotton
Original Photography by Robert Kent Sharpe, Metropolitan Museum
By Robert Kent Sharpe
Located in North Miami, FL
This is an original vintage photograph from Robert Kent Sharpe's (1930-2016) personal collection. This is a series of Mr. Sharpe's human observation and the interplay of art and peop...
Paper
French Vintage Tapestry Wall Hanging Gallant Scene
By JP Paris Panneaux Gobelins
Located in Barntrup, DE
French Vintage Tapestry Gallant Scene by JP Paris Panneaux Gobelins from the late 20th century. A beautiful French tapestry, wall hanging in Aubusson style, within a flower border fe...
Fabric, Cotton
$725
H 17.72 in W 16.54 in D 1.58 in
Framed Antique Silk and Metallic Tread Panel , Early 20th Century.
Located in Istanbul, TR
First the fragment has been hand backed on a linen fabric, then stretched over a wooden stretcher and finished with a wooden frame. Early 20thC. Lebanon Ready to go on a wall. Frame...
Silk
Ettore Sottsass Umbrella Stand by Rinnovel, Enameled Aluminum
By Ettore Sottsass, Rinnovel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is one of the most important Italian, designer/artist of all times.
Aluminum
1972, Original Drawing by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Perpignan, FR
Original drawing by the famous Italian designer Ettore Sottsass 1972. Hand signed Pencil and watercolor Very good condition Sizes: A3 (30 x 42 cm).
Paint
Ettore Sottsass Ceramics Exhibition Print
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare Print from the first exhibition of Ettore Sottsass' Ceramiche de Fumo at Il Sestante Gallery, Milan, May 1969. Literature: Another example published in "Ettore Sottsass – Tutta ...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Ettore Sottsass Lithograph Hand Signed
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Lithograph by Ettore Sottsass. The work is Architecture to recognize the four cardinal points which was published in the late 1970s. Printed in 1990, 198/500. Including black wood f...
Plastic
Sold
H 2.17 in W 5.91 in D 3.35 in
Modern Brass Vintage Coat Hooks by Ettore Sottsass Associati Italy, circa 1985
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Vienna, AT
This pair of coat hooks Quattro SE 314 designed by Ettore Sottsass Associati and manufactured by Valli & Valli circa 1985 are very rare. The coat hooks were made of solid polished br...
Sold
H 22.8 in W 24.5 in D 1 in
Ettore Sottsass for Glas Italia Geometric Mirror in Red Orange Yellow Blue Green
By Glas Italia, Ettore Sottsass
Located in New York, NY
A modern Minimalist polychromatic rectangular mirror, circa 2008, from the collection Gli Specchi di Dioniso designed by Ettore Sottsass and produced by the Italian Company Glas Ital...
Cut Glass, Mirror, Wood
Ettore Sottsass Mirror Gli Specchi di Dioniso
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Dronten, NL
A round clear mirror surrounded by multicolored mirror fractions, designed by Ettore Sottsass. A functional mirror as well as a great modern art piece. Marked with printed Sottsass ...
Mirror