Lino Sabattini was the preeminent figure in modern Italian silver and metalware design. His expansive and diverse body of work is marked by its strength and boldness, whether in dynamic forms that suggest the thrust and power of Italian Futurist art and design or light and curvaceous biomorphic serveware and decorative objects.
Sabattini was largely self-taught as a designer. Born in the northern Italian town of Correggio, he learned metalsmithing techniques while working in the studio of a maker of brass tableware. He also served as an apprentice of sorts to the expatriate German ceramist Roland Hettner, who taught Sabattini about fluidity of form and showed him how shapes derive from the behavior of materials.
At age 30, Sabattini opened a studio in Milan, and his work quickly came to the attention of Gio Ponti, who decided to publish it in Domus, the Italian design legend's influential design and architecture magazine. Ponti also arranged for Sabattini’s creations to be included in a 1956 exhibition of contemporary Italian design in Paris. The principals of Christofle, the revered French silverware maker, were so impressed that they hired the young designer as the firm’s artistic director, a post he held until 1963. Sabattini, who would also go on to design ceramic wares for Rosenthal, returned home to open Argenteria Sabattini in Bregnano, a company still in business today.
A designer with a questing curiosity and ever-evolving aesthetic sensibility, Sabattini couldn’t be pinned down to one particular style. His best-known work, the Como coffee and tea service of 1956, has an elegant, attenuated and energetic form; his Stairs coffee and tea service (1971), meanwhile, is a clever group of simple columnar shapes in stepped heights, which nest together in a compact arrangement. Other Sabattini pieces have dramatic angles, or sweeping, wing-like flourishes, or consist of perforated ovoids somehow reminiscent of sculptures by Brancusi. In any style, Sabattini produced objects of singular fascination.
Find a range of vintage Lino Sabattini vases and other decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Italian Black Plexiglass Decorative Panel with Animal by Lino Sabattini, 1980s
By Lino Sabattini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian black plexiglass decorative panel with animal by Lino Sabattini, 1980s Black plexiglass decorative panel with eight silhouettes of animals in silver-plated brass by Lino Sab...
Silver
Lino Sabattini rare cruet , oil/vinegar container set , attb to Christofle
By Christofle, Lino Sabattini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great set designed by LINO SABATTINI in stainless steel and glass, with acrylic stopper .Glass marked as well.
Stainless Steel
Silverplate Thermos by Lino Sabattini for Sabattini Argenteria, Italy, 1970s
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Milan, IT
Minimal thermos by Lino Sabattini for Sabattini Argenteria. Cork element and top cover to be also used as a cup.
Silver Plate
Lino Sabattini Vase Metal, 1970, Italy
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Milano, IT
Lino Sabattini vase metal, 1970, Italy.
Metal
Lino Sabattini Silverplated Bowls 1996
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Čelinac, BA
Silverplated Bowls by Lino Sabattini 1996.
Silver Plate
Postmodern Silver Plated Brass Jug "Kanye"by Lino Sabattini, Italy, 1978 - 1981
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy by Lino Sabattini, 1978 - 1981 This jug is made in silver plated brass. This is a vintage item, therefore it might show slight traces of use such as its original patina...
Silver, Brass
Postmodern Lino Sabattini Silver-Plated Metal Serving Plate, Marked, Italy
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s - 1980s. This is a great silver plated metal serving dish. Its simple design was created by Lino Sabattini. This is a vintage piece, therefore it might show sli...
Metal, Silver Plate
Lino Sabattini, Set of 6 flatware, Christofle, 1957
By Christofle, Lino Sabattini
Located in Rivoli, IT
Set of 6 pieces of cutlery designed by Lino Sabbatini and manufactured by Christofle, France, 1957 Set consisting of - 2 knives -2 forks -2 tablespoons Manufacturer's Brand
Steel
Postmodern Lino Sabattini Silver-Plated Brass Shell Vide-Poche, Italy
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This is a great silver plated brass vide-poche in the shape of a shell. Its simple design was created by Lino Sabattini. This is a vintage piece, therefore it ...
Silver Plate, Brass
Lino Sabattini Silver Metal Sculpture Model Kalos, Vintage, 1978
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Kalos model sculpture designed and produced by Lino Sabattini in 1978. Limited edition of 23 pieces. Number 3. Signed. Biography Lino Sabattini was an Italian artist. He worked in a...
Metal
Lino Sabattini Table Lamp by Christofle, Silver Plate, 1960s Italy
By Christofle, Lino Sabattini
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Lino Sabattini Silver Plated Table Lamp by Christofle, France 1960s. Silver plated tube with Perspex middle section.
Silver Plate
Pair of Silver Plated Serving Pieces by Lino Sabattini for Argenteria Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Milan, IT
Pair of serving pieces by Lino Sabattini for Sabattini Argenteria. Thin silver plated frame supporting glass tray and bowls. Size refers to the large piece.
Silver Plate
Espansione Libero Verde, Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Uccle, BE
Vase consisting of a base in the form of a large saucer in silvered metal in which a very clear green glass expansion has been blown. The blown...
Glass
"Saulieu" Silver Plated Gravy Boat with Wooden Handle by Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Long Island City, NY
The Saulieu model fat/lean sauce boat, was designed by Lino Sabattini for Christofle in 1964
Silver
"Kon Kao" Silver Plated Centerpiece by Lino Sabattini for Sabattini, Italy, 2000
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Milan, IT
"Kon Kao" bowl by Lino Sabattini. This silver plated and enameled piece shows timeless attitude. Also available another piece from the same collection, see image 3.
Silver Plate
Sabattini Italy production in years 50 jewelry box
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Biella, IT
Sabattini Italy production in years 50 jewelry box in stainless steel with top in plexiglass, very elegant. Lino Sabattini is an old-time craftsman. His objects, characterised by a...
Stainless Steel
Italian Silver Candle Holder by Sabattini, 1950s
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Italian silver candle holder made in 1950s.
Silver
Pair of Christofle Gallia Bottle Pourers by Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Mérida, YU
Pair of Christofle France silver-plated bottle holder 'Gallia' by Lino Sabattini Lino Sabattini (1925-2016), Italian goldsmith and designer. 20th Century Grand French silver-plat...
Silver Plate
Mid-Century Modern Silver Plate Centerpiece by Lino Sabattini, 1960
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Miami, FL
A modernist centerpiece by Lino Sabattini (1925–2016), one of the most celebrated figures in twentieth-century Italian silver and metalware design. Sabattini's works are known for th...
Silver Plate
Pair of Christofle Gallia Bottle Pourers by Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Mérida, YU
Pair of Christofle France silver-plated bottle holder 'Gallia' by Lino Sabattini Lino Sabattini (1925-2016), Italian goldsmith and designer. 20th Century Grand French silver-plat...
Silver Plate
Lino Sabattini Vase Date, circa 1990
By Lino Sabattini
Located in London, GB
Lino Sabattini Vase Date, circa 1990 A beautiful quality silver plate vase designed with a Japanese influence. For such a tall slender form, the heavy gauge of materials used gives...
Silver Plate
Silver Metal Sculpture Model Diavolo by Gio Ponti for Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini, Gio Ponti
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Sculpture depicting the devil designed by Gio Ponti and created by Lino Sabattini in 1978 in hallmarked silver metal. Biography Architect, designer and artist, Gio Ponti (Milan 1891...
Metal
Vintage Tray and Bucket Ice Lino Sabattini Italy 1970, 2 Pieces
By Lino Sabattini
Located in Biella, IT
Lino Sabattini Italy design years ’60’70 tray and bucket ice in silverplate. All signed.
Metal
Lino Sabattini, Silver Plated Sauce Boat 1960's
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
A rare and very elegant modernist salsero, ready to decorate any event or dinner. Designed by renowned Italian designer Lino Sabattini when he launched 'Argenteria Sabattini' in the ...
Silver