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 PROTOTYPE brooch & pendant - 1984 - Cleto Munari editor Italy
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Ettore SOTTSASS (Austria, 1917 - 2007 Italy a 1984 Brooch-pendant A unique gold and silver plated brass Geometric composition with black enamel Edited by CLETO MUNARI It is a Protot...
Vermeil, Silver
Massive Chanel Renaissance Cross Brooch/Pendant
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Massive Chanel Renaissance Cross Brooch/Pendant by Maison Gripoix, Paris. Emerald and Ruby pate de verre is hand poured into Renaissance style settings in gilt bronze. A matching ...
Gilt Metal
Christian Dior Haute Couture Sapphire Pendant Brooch Necklace
By Christian Dior
Located in New York, NY
Christian Dior Haute Couture pendant brooch necklace.The large pear shaped faceted faux sapphire with central amythest zone is set in gilt filigree with fringed chain tassels. The de...
Gilt Metal
Sterling Silver Petit Point Pendant - Brooch Old Pawn Navajo
Located in Wallkill, NY
This does double duty, both a pendant and Brooch. Stunning workmanship on this early Navajo Piece. Measuring 2.53 x 1.90 in. This is out of a massive collection of Designer Clothing ...
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Silver and Enamel Articulated Italian Fish Pendant
Located in New York, NY
Italian silver fish on hook pendant with varied shades of blue enamel. Articulated to move with wearer. 800 content silver. 1960s Italy. Excellent condition.
Sterling Silver
$1,995
H 3.14 in W 2.75 in
Helen Blythe-Hart Diamond Poppy Flower Pendant Brooch Necklace 14 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
This is a fabulous large dramatic pendant or brooch of Poppy Flowers in red lacquer set with Diamonds in 14 Karat White Gold by Helen Blythe-Hart. The poppies are a spectacular piece of original jewelry art sculpture by famed artist Helen Blythe-Hart. The poppy flowers are inspired by pop art's legendary Donald Sultan's poppies. The pendant or brooch is a wonderful large size, 3 1/8 inches tall. The red poppies are Fuschia colored red lacquer atop Sterling Silver. The centers of the flowers are set with 11 sparkling white diamonds in 14 Karat White Gold. The vivid red and dramatic large size of the poppies, with the brilliant sparkling white diamond and gold centers, create a dream piece of Modern Art Jewelry. The Poppies hark back to the free spirit of the 1960s and evoke incredible joy and exuberance. The flower can be worn as a pendant necklace or brooch as it has both a pendant loop and a brooch clip. We also have a matching black poppy pendant...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver, White Gold
Chanel sautoir necklace by Karl Lagerfeld 1984
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1984 ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Blue glass-pearl sautoir necklace with golden elements ornamented with glass paste cabochons an...
Gilt Metal
Georgian 18 Karat Gold Amethyst Pearl Granulated Pendant or Brooch
Located in Stamford, CT
No description provided
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
$2,500
H 1.5 in W 1.4 in
Victorian Bohemian Garnet Locket Pendant Necklace and Brooch Star Belle Epoque
Located in New York, NY
This is a gorgeous Belle Epoque - Victorian Bohemian Garnet Locket Pendant or Brooch in a stunning star motif. The early oval locket pendant is...
Garnet, Silver, Gilt Metal
Chanel pendant necklace 1984
By Maison Goossens for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - (Made in France) Long golden metal necklace, pendant ornamented with tiny colorful glass-paste cabochons. A 1984 Collection. Work from the Goossens atelier for Chanel. Cond...
Gilt Metal
Panetta Abstract Mineral Brooch-Pendant
By Panetta
Located in New York, NY
Very large Brooch-Pendant by Panetta. Natural mineral surrounded in a frame of crystal accented gold coral formations. Perfect on a necklet or chain. Signed, Excellent condition.
Victorian Rose Diamond Enamel Pendant Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Rose Diamond Enamel Pendant Brooch-Pendant from the 1870's. Charming design with angel putti playing with florals. Likely French in origin with hand painted porcelain in a ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Enamel, Silver
Yves Saint Laurent Rock Crystal "Love" Pendant
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Rare Yves Saint Laurent Rock Crystal Love Pendant made by Maison Goossens in sterling silver with gilt applications. All of the YSL favorite themes ...
Rock Crystal, Sterling Silver, Vermeil